Day: December 18, 2011

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 38 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 …


Emergency Preparedness for the Frugal Beginner, by Paratrooper John

The incredibly large volume of information available regarding emergency preparedness and survival is both wonderful and terrible at the same time.  There’s enough information to keep an enthusiast occupied for years and enough information to keep beginners away for the rest of their lives. It can be a very daunting task for a new or inexperienced person to try and decide where and how to begin.  Should a beginner attend survival training, have a year’s supply of food, have their home hooked up with backup generators, move to the country, live off the grid and have stockpiles of firearms with …


Letter Re: Some Comments on Safe Room Design

Mr. Rawles, I read with interest the blog today and then clicked over to the link suggested by Brittany K.: Deconstructing a Safe Room (infographic)” I appreciate all the information your site gives. I wish the writers of the Allstate Blog had consulted your site and listed it in their sources. One glaring item in their graphic is that the door opens outward. If debris falls in front of the door a person may not be able to open it. [As has been mentioned several times in SurvivalBlog, inward-opening shelter doors are the norm,] Another point worthy of mention: In their …


Economics and Investing:

I warned you that this was coming, folks: Legislation Seeks Steel Cents and Nickels. Stock up on nickels, before the composition changes and you have to start sorting coins! IMF warns that world risks sliding into a 1930s-style slump. (Thanks to C.W. for the link.) G.G. flagged this: China trims holdings of US Treasury debt. Karl G. sent this headline: Texas Drought Takes Cow Numbers Down By 600,000. Items from The Economatrix: For Europe, the Only Way Out is to Break Up The Coming Collapse Might Be Your Final Chance to Legally Buy Physical Gold this Decade Existing Home Sales …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Mrs. R. forwarded this: Todmorden. A town growing all its own vegetables…    o o o F.G. recommended a useful video on compensating for uphill and downhill shooting.    o o o Brett J. sent a link to this lengthy article: A Plague of Pigs in Texas    o o o Thad N. suggested a piece in the the excellent Random Nuclear Strikes blog: I weep for you, Scotland. (Four years in prison for possession of a knife?)    o o o Reader Rick D. spotted this video: The Deadwood Stove. (An improvement on the Grover Rocket Stove.)


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of …