Day: February 3, 2012

Economics and Investing:

Federal Reserve Action Will Decide Next Major Move For Gold Prices G.G. flagged this: More Than 750 Banks at Risk of Failure Over Next Two Years, Says Invictus Also from G.G.: Jim Grant says gold, not paper currency, is the future Items from The Economatrix: Jobless Claims Fall, Jobs Market Slowly Healing. [JWR’s Comment: But is this a genuine recovery, or just trickle-down from umpteen billions in bailouts and monetization liquidity? And meanwhile we read: Record 1.2 Million People Fall Out Of Labor Force In One Month, Labor Force Participation Rate Tumbles To Fresh 30 Year Low.] Gold Gallops 11%, …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 39 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 …


Melting Lead for the Meltdown, by Charles J.

As an avid competitor in IPSC and local pistol competitions, a number of years ago I decided to reload ammunition on my own.  I felt this would pay for itself over the long haul as well as allow me to work up loads that would have the correct power factor, accuracy, and excellent feeding for competitions, not to mention self-defense.  In addition, after the passing of the Brady Bill, I took on another task of casting my own bullets with the possible specter of either the government removal of ammunition from store shelves or some other legislative means of taking …


Survival as a Prerequisite to Thrival, by Mad Mongolian

If a disaster occurs next month, be it economic meltdown, war, or highly infectious pandemic, how prepared are you? The end of the world as we know it has already occurred. One hundred years ago, the west was still being won. The automobile was still a novelty and a competitor for the horse. Orville and Wilbur Wright had created the three axis-control, giving controllable wings to man, making our big planet a little bit smaller. Fifty years ago, manned space flight was still dreamt about by young boys. The Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis were looming large in …


Letter Re: Canning Food in a Grid-Down World

Dear JWR, Regarding the article Canning Food in a Grid-Down World, by Christine C., I have a question for your readers. I have only pressure canned over bottled gas or electric heat. Is it possible to pressure can over wood heat? I have cooked over wood outdoors. My dad used to cook Christmas ham on a Buck stove in the family room.  I have never had a wood cook stove. Or, am I going to have to stock pile bottled gas for my camp stove? I want to thank Christine for the information about the gasket-less canner brand. I need …


Letter Re: A Combat Gear Primer

Greetings Mr Rawles, “G.I. Jim” recently opined in follow-up to “A Combat Gear Primer” that while effective in stopping bullets, modern body armor will not protect you from blunt force. While true in a general sense, Jim’s comment that blunt force will incapacitate someone is simply untrue. The documented history is clear on this but two individuals immediately come to mind: 1.) Richard Davis, the founder of Second Chance Body Armor, who routinely had himself shot with a .44 Magnum at contact distance to prove the value of his product. He was never incapacitated in any way. 2.) Fast forward …


Economics and Investing:

B.B. sent this from ZeroHedge: Latest Congressional Budget Outlook For 2012-2022 Released, Says Real Unemployment Rate Is 10% Also from B.B.: Soaring Beef Prices Force Shoppers To Find Other Foods F. McC. sent this: CBO REPORT – OMG! Items from The Economatrix: 20 Signs That Europe Is Plunging Into A Full-Blown Economic Depression The Coming Economic Crisis:  This Is A Breakdown Crisis


Odds ‘n Sods:

Kevin S. suggested this: Amateur Radio Glossary: Jargon, Abbreviations and Terminology    o o o Reader Susan N. mentioned a piece where Helen Atthowe, Norris Thomlinson and Tulsey Latoski convey their very experienced opinion on how many acres it takes to feed one person when there are no external inputs.    o o o Yishai sent this alert: Photos: Massive Food Shortage Unfolding in Mexico — Is a Refugee Crisis Imminent?    o o o Loyal content contributor F.G. forwarded this YouTube clip: Mini-drone formation    o o o Reader Matt M. wrote to mention that “Patriot Nurse“–a well-known and …