Day: September 1, 2011

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 36 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $300 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo, and E.) …


The Five Steps of OPSEC Assessment by Stone of Scone

Operational Security (OPSEC) which is the evaluation and control of any critical information that could be used against you by an adversary. The result of good OPSEC is the elimination or withholding of the most damaging information that your adversary has the ability to gather and understand how to use against you. OPSEC happens everyday. When you go on vacation and hold your mail and newspaper delivery, and use timers to turn your radio and lights on and off to make it appear that you are home, you are practicing good OPSEC. Here is a another example of OPSEC. A …


Letter Re: A Treasure-Hunting Prepper

Jim: I would like to address a few of the insightful comments to my original submission: A Treasure Hunting Prepper.   Mr. Fitzy in Pennsylvania is correct about his instruction on filling in holes when metal detecting. It is true that some parks can become closed due to irresponsible detectorists, but I would assume that it is common sense amongst those born with it to not leave holes! That, unfortunately, is not always the case. For instance, a local park that a metal detecting club my dad and I belonged to decided to make it against the rules to metal …


Five Letters Re: My Home Energy Backup System

Sir: As a solar power contractor/installer, I can tell you that David L.’s power plan is a solid one. One thing he left out was the 30% Federal Tax Credit (not just a deduction) offered against the cost of residential renewable energy systems, including of course solar. A synopsis of the Federal tax credit as well as all available state credits (some huge) is online at the Database of State Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE). Also, Eco Business Links keeps an updated listing of the lowest available prices on solar panels, inverters, and both on and off grid systems.  230 Watt panels like David used …


Economics and Investing:

Reader J.B.G. recommended this by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: When debt levels turn cancerous Douglas C. mentioned that FDIC’s aggregated list of bank closures is available. At the web site, you can sort by date and by location. Troy H. sent this: Democratic Discontent, Black Swans, Constitutional Conventions, and Civil or Foreign Wars Items from The Economatrix: The American Working Man Slowly Fades Away Housing Time Bomb Goes Tick Tock Tick Tock Stocks Rise on Hopes for More Stimulus From Fed Oil Rises as East Coast Refining Resumes


Odds ‘n Sods:

Dixie mentioned some fascinating interactive maps that might have bearing on your relocation plans: Mapping the 2010 U.S. Census. Be sure to click on the tabs to see the various maps.    o o o For anyone that feels priced out of the market by the often-touted Country Living grain mill, there is a now a low-cost alternative on the American market that is made in India: the Wonder Junior Deluxe Grain Mill. These have a cast body and carbide burrs. There is a drill motor attachment available. They can even make peanut butter! At $216, they are half the …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“So you never picked no peaches You never rode no boxcar train. Never worked out on the road gang Or slept out in the rain. But when you see a good man Have to struggle, sweat and strain And when a man can’t feed his children Don’t it make you stop and think? Are they gonna make us outlaws again? Is that what it’s comin’ to my friends? Why, I think I see why Pretty Boy Floyd done the things he did. Are they gonna make us outlaws again?” – Are They Gonna Make Us Outlaws Again?, by James Talley