Day: September 20, 2011

Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries 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 …


Everyday Carry Items, by J.C.R.

As I watched this past weekend several different television shows chronicling the events of September 11, 2001, a thought crossed my mind.  Sometimes events happen so fast in our lives that we don’t have any time at all to prepare and all you are left with is what you have on you and what you know.  Most often that “event” is not life-threatening but more of an inconvenience than anything else.  There have been lots of times when having something as simple as a safety pin would have made all the difference in the world. As I watched people not …


Making Your Water Filter Last, by F.J.B.

Making Your Water Filter Last, by F.J.B. When my four boys were young, we did a lot of backcountry hiking. Usually the trip was only a day or two and didn’t require a lot of gear to pack. Each of us carried our own water. I remember one hike we took in the middle of August. It was a two-day trip with daytime temperatures nearing 110 degrees. We were out surveying on a huge western ranch. My wife was concerned about our having enough water (in the high desert). To address her understandable concerns, I took along an Indian water-tank …


Two Letters Re: Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids and Hygiene

Mr. Rawles,  Another comment on home made laundry soap. There is a difference between Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Bicarbonate and using the wrong one will make a difference in the quality/effectiveness of your product. If you are having difficulty locating Sodium Carbonate you may want to consider checking with your local swimming pool supply store. Soda Ash (sodium carbonate) is a commonly used chemical to raise the pH in swimming pools. – W.V. Willard Mr. Rawles: There are several easy solutions, and a few economical difficult ones. I make my laundry soap out of grated Ivory bars, Borax, generic Oxy-Clean, and …


Economics and Investing:

Reader Larry W. recommended this commentary from Howard Gold: Lehman Brothers II crisis is coming soon John R. sent us several links to some recent Zero Hedge articles: Interactive Infographic of the Doomed European Financial System   DSK Says Greece Is Done   Is September 20 Greek Default Day?   Items from The Economatrix: Is China Ready To Pull The Plug? Is Revolution Hitting US Streets Tomorrow? The Economic Collapse – Part 1 Mayor Bloomberg Predicts Riots In The Streets If Economy Does Not Create More Jobs


Odds ‘n Sods:

Gail H. recommended this over at The Art of Manliness: How To Shave Like Your Grandpa    o o o Jonathan B. was the first of several readers to send this: Farmers flee as world’s deadliest volcano rumbles    o o o Another sign of the times: Father and daughter burned in alleged electrical theft.    o o o F.G. sent this: Smoking Bans Are No Match For New Yorkers    o o o Jasper recommended some practical advice over at Lew Rockwell’s site: Journey to the U-Pull…