Month: April 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


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 …


Entomophagy Diet Supplementation Options, by C.N.

“Entomophagy is the consumption of insects as food. Insects are eaten by many animals, but the term is generally used to refer to human consumption of insects; animals that eat insects are known as insectivores.” -Wikipedia This subject is fairly arcane, so I’ll be relying on several authoritative sources, in fair use. I have attributed all quotes and have provided links to their sources. Please take the time to explore these web sites, for further detail on this subject. Like it or not, you’ve probably eaten some in your life.  From Wikipedia: “According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s …


SHTF-Oriented Fitness and Martial Arts for a Middle-Aged Couch Potato, by Dimitri G.

First off: English is not my native language. I apologize if this article is not easy to read. I hope that its usefulness will outweigh the inconvenience. I am 40 years old, overweight by about 50 pounds, and I regretfully admit that in the past 15 or so years I became a “couch potato”. In other words, my physical fitness is not up to the challenges of any survival situation. When I was a lot younger, I practiced karate, boxing, and weight lifting. I was pretty tough, and even back in high school there was no bully who would risk …


Letter Re: Soda Vending Machines as Gun Vaults

James Wesley: For use as an unobtrusive and inexpensive alternative to purpose-built weapons safes, I recommend finding an old, non-functional soda vending machine. Remove the guts (we call it the ‘stack’) and refrigeration system, but leave the lights in the door. (Be careful, the light ballast wiring will bite: 5,000 volts).   Tap into the 110 Volt AC wiring on the vending machine to power your Goldenrod Dehumidifier.   Store your valuables inside where the guts used to be.  Lock the door and keep the key.  [If it will be at your private business but in a location that might …


Economics and Investing:

Steven M. sent this: Soaring battery prices “devastating” U.S. lead producers. The Coming China Economic Super Crisis. (Thanks to J.McC. for the link.) The suffocation of unsustainable global debt – Total global debt is now over $190 trillion and more than three times global GDP. Contagion with European Union Toby Connor: Stocks are re-entering a parabolic “bubble” phase Frequent content contributor Diana V. mentioned this over at Zero Hedge: Artemis On Volatility At World’s End: Deflation, Hyperinflation And The Alchemy Of Risk Items from The Economatrix: Why High Inflation is Inevitable Employment Gains Slow, Jobless Rate Drops Bernanke Says Financial …


Odds ‘n Sods:

J. McC. mentioned some commentary from Tom Chatham, over at SHTFPlan: If Technology Fails, Just How Long Are Your Long Range Plans?    o o o Islamic power grab in Mali. JWR’s Comments: This does not bode well for the region (including neighboring Darfur region and the fledgling nation of South Sudan.) It appears that that the new Islamic government in Tripoli (courtesy of your tax dollars) will be providing arms to not just the Tuaregs but also the Janajweed. Mali and Chad provide just slim pickings for these bandits and slavers. I suspect that South Sudan will soon see …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement, we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the spoil of the multitude.  Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenues and taxation.  It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute." – Thomas Paine


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 …