Day: October 20, 2011

Notes from JWR:

Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) has updated his review of the X7 rifle (posted on Augus23rd), to reflect his ongoing tests.  — Today we present another entry for Round 37 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. …


Choosing the Right Footwear, by Desert Rat

I am relatively new to prepping, but one thing I have noticed is that there are quite a few “oh by the way” mini-lectures on footwear that sneak in among other topics.  This is unfortunate, because footwear should not be relegated to a bunny trail or an afterthought when planning for an uncertain future.  Your choice of shoes can be the difference between comfort and misery, so they deserve careful consideration.  By careful consideration, I don’t mean going to the nearest military surplus store to buy the most expensive tactical boot you can afford.  As I have discovered, there can …


Letter Re: A Low-Cost Method of Storing Tinder in Your Field Kit

Dear Mr. Rawles, I just began reading your second novel and in some ways find it even more fun to watch the beginning of the action knowing some of what lies in store in terms of “future history.” But the purpose of my e-mail today is to describe a simple container I’ve been making to transport a variety of items including doses of medicine and fire starters.  As many of your readers know cotton balls saturated with vaseline make really good fire starters.  But how to transport them and keep them fresh?  This is my method: Get two plastic 20 …


Two Letters Re: How to Defend a Retreat Against Wheeled Vehicle Threats

Mr. Rawles, Thank you for all you do in educating those of use who have been slow to see. After I read B.W.’s How to Defend a Retreat Against Wheeled Vehicle Threats I had to tell about an idea I have been playing with. Taking the anthill and flower trough concepts and combining them. To build this in imagination we will go in reverse order to what you would do in real life. First build the ant hill. They should surround your building spaced less than a cars width apart. Build another ring outside of that but put the anthills …


Economics and Investing:

Cities Where Homes Will Not Sell EW.B. sent this article about a Nevada town: End of Empire: Tough economy closes mining town. (JWR’s Comment: This illustrates the importance of avoiding relocating to towns that are depended on a single employer.) HOLY BAILOUT – Federal Reserve Now Backstopping $75 Trillion Of Bank Of America’s Derivatives Trades. (Thanks to Steve S. for the link.) John R. flagged this: WOLF: Liberalism’s unwashed last stand–The hippie-critical new faces of the Democratic Party On a similar note, The Daily Bell‘s editors ask: Elite Control of OWS Protests Increasingly Obvious? Items from The Economatrix: The Global …


Odds ‘n Sods:

A foreshadowing of a post-collapse threat? Lions and Tigers and Bears! Deputies Hunt Exotic Animals on the Loose in Ohio. (A tip of the hat to Mary F. for the link.)    o o o K.A.F. sent this: Reid signals government jobs must take priority over private-sector jobs    o o o K.A.F. also sent a link to a scheme of genius from the Mickey Mouse State: San Francisco plan would offer tax break for hiring felons. (Yes, but will they take the next logical step and use taxpayer funds to provide free insurance for all the toner cartridges, laptops, …