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 …




Picking the Imperfect Retreat Location, and Making the Best of It, by Michael C.

I think I’m the the position of many out in the real world. I’m strapped for cash. Feeling the time crunch that I must do something soon or be caught up with the unprepared masses and get overrun. I’m also feeling the responsibility for my immediate and extended family whether they are preparing or not. It’s a huge burden to bear when you have been raised to be the “man” of any situation that might affect you and your family. That being said, I’m also a logical, common sense person. I approach things like this: 1. Look at the situation …




Celiac Disease: The Gluten-Free Prepping Challenge, by Geoff in Kentucky

In mid-2010 I began to suffer from some relatively severe digestive problems. After several months of discomfort, and many rounds of expensive medical tests, I finally received a confirmed diagnosis. I had Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is a digestive disorder that is greatly misunderstood. It is not a food allergy. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system produces antibodies to a specific protein, gluten, that is found in the ordinary grains of wheat, rye, and barley. This protein adheres to the microscopic villi (fingerlike projections) in the small intestine. As the body’s immune system attacks the …




Three Letters Re: All You Need to G.O.O.D. You Can Carry on Your Back, by Charles M.

James Wesley: That was a fine article by Charles M., but there are some important differences between hiking the Appalachian Trail and Getting Out of Dodge. G.O.O.D. When hiking the Trail, you are able to resupply frequently, so food is not a major concern.  You don’t need to carry very much with you, and you can easily buy more when you run out.  When G.O.O.D., you will need to carry as much food as possible, and the means of collecting more food.  Predators, both four-legged and two-legged, will also be a much greater concern in most G.O.O.D. scenarios, so that …




Economics and Investing:

Diana sent this: Silver Price Could Double by Year End. G.G. suggested this New York Times article: Citing Losses, Postal Service Seeks Higher Stamp Prices Also from G.G.: Jobless disability claims soar to record $200 Billion as of January Chuck recommend a piece that was posted over at Zero Hedge last year: Art Cashin On The Most Important History Lesson Of The Last Century Items from The Economatrix: Eric Sprott:  Silver Will Be A Currency Again NY U.S. Bankruptcy Court Rules MERS’s Business Model Is Illegal. Here is a quote: “United States Bankruptcy Judge Robert Grossman has ruled that MERS’s …




Odds ‘n Sods:

Several readers sent this news item: Missouri 4.0 Quake Felt in 13 States. Take note that it was: “…about 150 miles (240 km) south of St. Louis, near the New Madrid fault line.”    o o o The new semi-auto RPD belt-feds from DS Arms are getting some attention. I just talked with D.S. himself and he mentioned that they are making a carbine variant (three pounds lighter), and even one chambered in 6.8 SPC. If you are one of those folks that bought a spare 6.8 SPC upper for your AR-15 and that have stacked up 6.8 SPC ammunition …