Day: April 12, 2012

Note from JWR:

Today we present two more entries for Round 40 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 $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for …


Change Your Mind, Save Your Life, by Marc P.

Apocalypse: en route or ongoing? I won’t argue whether something terrible will happen. It’s a flawed premise. Something terrible is already happening, just not where your computer is plugged in. It is not necessary for the entire planet to be threatened for a single region to be thrown into chaos. It wasn’t necessary for the whole state of Louisiana to be in peril before New Orleans turned medieval after Katrina. The mistake in logic occurs with the base assumption that a survival scenario is the end game. If that’s your assumption, there’s no need for extensive preparations. All you can …


Preparing to Prepare: a Financial Primer, by Just Scott

The most common reason given for not having preparations in place is lack of financial resources.  Considering the recent economic downturn combined with the large amount on consumer debt held by the average American household prior to the economic downturn that is not a surprising response.  For the past several decades Americans have burdened themselves with more and more debt.  We have fallen prey to the “buy now, pay later” mentality.  Each and every day we are inundated with marketing messages designed to make us feel like less of a person if we aren’t living in the right neighborhood, driving …


Two Letters Re: SHTF-Oriented Fitness and Martial Arts for a Middle-Aged Couch Potato

Mr. Rawles, I’d like to throw in a different angle on SHTF-oriented fitness and martial arts.  A little over two years ago I felt the need to get back in shape, I remembered what I could do as a Marine in my early 20s (I’m in my mid 30s) and wanted to at least get within shouting distance of that.  Going to the gym solo just never worked for me.  So I started doing some research and came across Japanese Kendo — the modernized Samurai sword fighting sport.  The pros are many.  You don’t have to start in great shape …


Economics and Investing:

Those derivatives again: JPMorgan’s massive CDS index position Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: Gold crash on Fed tightening and euro salvation looks premature. (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link) Penny Wise, or 2.4 Cents Foolish? (Thanks to Michael W. for the link.) Northwest Territorial Mint (one of our advertisers) has announced very unusual special pricing on their own minted silver rounds and bars: Just 65 cents per ounce over spot. (That is about 1/2 of their normal markup.) This includes their Northwest Territorial Mint brand, the Pan American Silver Corp. (silver hammer), or the Stagecoach pre-scored divisible silve rounds and bars. This sale …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The latest Range Rover Defender 4WD features a snorkel and fording sonar. (Thanks to James K. for the link.)    o o o The Swiss Jet Man gives a TED Talk. (I know, I know, it isn’t survival-related, but the am erstaunlichsten factor is off the scale.)    o o o Over at gCaptain: Big City Emergency – How to Bug Out at Sea    o o o A new preparedness discussion forum that looks useful: AlwaysPrepared.info. (Of course, all the usual privacy provisos for using forums apply.)    o o o F.G. mentioned a fascinating collection of Civil War …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"[M]y religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. [T]hat is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave."  – General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson