Note From JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 41 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 any …




10 Lessons Learned from the DoS Attack on SurvivalBlog, by The Orange Jeep Dad

On May 26, 2012 the SurvivalBlog.com server was attacked and knocked offline.  The method of attack used is commonly referred to as a Denial of Service or DoS attack. I won’t delve into who might have sprung the attack nor how it was done. Both topics have been covered.(1)  What will be discussed are the 10 lessons learned from the attack as it pertains to preparedness and survival. Lesson #1: We don’t know what we don’t know. We can’t all be experts in everything. Regardless of where you are in the preparedness journey, we’ve all realized at some point that …




Two Letters Re: Evaluating Military Surplus Generator Sets Before Bidding at Auction

James: In response to buying military gensets, I wouldn’t. I have owned quite a few of them and my view is they take a really good genset and make it so complex its hard to work on let alone get parts for it. The wiring is usually the problem, very complex. I purchased a [commercial] 6.5 Kubota last year and it is a super gen set. I run it on Bio Diesel and it cost about 10 cents per hr to run. One good place to look for these is the Light Towers web site. Check tool rental places for sales. …




Economics and Investing:

Dimitri Orlov: Prepare Yourself – America will collapse Reader C.D.V. sent this: More and More Chances of Quantitative Easing, QE3 Dreams Live On Reader L.M.W. suggested this sobering essay by Karl Denninger: Time is Running Out Market rumor: Pimco and JP Morgan halt vacations to prepare for economic crash Debate: JPMorgan prop trading or hedging? Items from The Economatrix: Schiff:  America Is Already Bankrupt Obama Stimulus May Have Cost $4.1 Million Per Job




Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader F.M.W. mentioned a new portable generator “that can be powered by MOGAS, diesel, JP8, isopropyl alcohol, kerosene, propane or even booze”: Power Forward Trinity Systems    o o o Louisiana’s bold bid to privatize schools.    o o o AVOW has announced that the new 2012 15th Anniversary Edition of the LDS Preparedness Manual, Version 8 is now available in both hardbound and free PDF versions.    o o o R.B.S. forwarded the link to this CNN segment that briefly profiles Oregon Freeze Dried, the maker of Mountain House freeze dried foods: The company making food to last forever. …




Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"During the Second World War, the Germans took four years to build the Atlantic Wall. On four beaches it held up the Allies for about an hour; at Omaha it held up the U.S. for less than one day. The Atlantic Wall must therefore be regarded as one of the greatest blunders in military history." – Stephen Ambrose, D-Day, page 577