Day: March 10, 2012

Note from JWR:

It is official: 40 Million Unique Visits. Thanks, folks! — 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.) …


No Cost Preparedness, by B. George

Sure, it’d be nice to prepare for the rest of our lives on Bill Gates’ budget. (I would keep a fully-staffed Pizza Hut underground in my retreat group.)  But you can do a lot with what you’ve got. Plus, even the rich need to do important things that cost nothing. Rich or poor, this is for everyone. (If you’re reading this, be reminded you’re relatively rich simply because you have internet access) You know the list is going to start with cleaning, but don’t scroll too fast. SCOUR Clean your house. If your spouse is not on board with prepping, …


Long Term Preparedness: The Outer Limits of Public Health, by F.B.D.

Preparedness is on the periphery of public health. Many facets of local and federal public heath deal with disaster preparedness but almost never for preparations beyond 72 hrs. I have worked in public safety and healthcare administration in various capacities for over 20 years and the subject is almost taboo. However, it is the growing “pink elephant” in the corner of the room. Anyone who works or deals with disaster preparation in an official capacity knows that official disaster assistance is woefully inadequate and that there are many scenarios that could trigger a “collapse, or severe problem, extending beyond 72 …


Letter Re: The Latest Solar Flares

David in Israel warned of a possible “kill shot” CME after the latest impact. As quoted by UrbanSurvival.com, here it comes, possibly on Sunday night: “SOHO/LASCO detected a full halo CME in association with the M6.3 flare in Catania sunspot group 65 (NOAA AR 1429) this morning. The CME first appeared in the LASCO C2 field of view at 04:14 UT and had a speed around 750 km/s. We expect the CME arrival at the Earth late on March 11 – early on March 12. An evaluation of the possible erupting flux rope orientation on the basis of HMI photospheric …


Letter Re: Sugar and Salt Storage

James, In response to the article “Re: Sugar and Salt Storage” you mentioned: “You can either buy mylar liners with zip-lock tops, or plain bags, and heat seal them. (The latter method takes a special tool that is fairly expensive.)” Mylar bags can be heat sealed rather effectively, quickly, and easily using only an electric clothes iron and a scrap piece of 2×4.   Leave enough room in the mylar bag to allow the bag to extend out the top of the 5 gallon bucket.  Lay the 2×4 on the bucket edge, and using a hot clothes iron, slowly heat …


Economics and Investing:

Those pesky derivatives have come back to bite: ISDA: Greek Debt Restructuring Triggers CDS Payouts. Since CDS contracts are measured in many billions of dollars, the counterparty risk is huge. As previously mentioned, they are calling this default a “credit event”, since it sounds more gentle and palatable for the sheeple. (Thanks to C.D.V. for the link.) U.S. to sell $6 billion in AIG stock. What does an America with no middle class look like? Items from The Economatrix: Consumer Borrowing Nearly At Pre-Recession Level Why Job Growth Might Mean Unemployment Oil Up On Greece Hopes You Won’t Believe The …


Odds ‘n Sods:

12 states on path to [concealed carry of] guns with no permits. (Thanks to B.B. for the link.)    o o o Cry havoc! Reader H.M. mentioned a company that gives new meaning to the familiar old Shakespearian phrase: The Dogs of War.    o o o A personal request from JWR: For our collection here at the ranch, I’m looking for an antique Swiss 7.5mm Schmidt-Rubin Model 1896/11 rifle with a serial number below 236,500. It must be offered by a fellow private party here in the United States. I’m only looking for one with a nice bore and …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed [be] thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all [that is] in the heaven and in the earth [is thine]; thine [is] the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour [come] of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand [is] power and might; and in thine hand [it is] to make great, and …