Day: June 16, 2012

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 …


Countering The Retreat Freeloader Meme, by Caroline B.

When discussing prepping preparedness and emergency supplies with family and friends, many of you have probably heard the flippant remark: “”I’ll just go to your house.” I have been somewhat taken aback at this statement. I initially didn’t know how to respond. I knew it was a flippant response from some, made out of mockery and intended to elicit laughter.  Their mindset is that they don’t want to prepare, and don’t see the point.  Most off them think that our concerns for the future are humorous and unlikely to ever come to fruition. And I knew a few who felt overwhelmed and …


Letter Re: The Wild Boy of Germany–Fact or Fiction?

Jim: There has been a lot of news about an English-speaking boy who claims to have been living for five years along with his father, camping out undetected in the forests of Germany, south of Berlin. Is this fact, fiction, fantasy? – Calvin D. JWR Replies: I was also contacted by ABC News about this, seeking an interview. I reminded them that this was actually a nine month -old news story, dredged up by Huffington Post. I did provide ABC with some background, which I will repeat here, to explain why I’m quite dubious of this boy’s story: 1.) A …


Letter Re: A Definitive Corrosive Ammo Test

Dear Mr. Rawles, Here is the definitive test to determine whether ammunition is corrosive or not.  The procedure is credited to Small Arms Review publisher Dan Shea. This test is simple, quick, cheap and conclusive. THE BRITE NAIL TEST 1. Take a suspect round, pull the bullet and dump out the powder. I like to also take a known corrosive round as well for a benchmark. 2. Take a few brand new “brite” (i.e. non-galvanized) steel nails with a head size just large enough to fit into the case mouth. Degrease the nails in acetone or other and roughen them …


Economics and Investing:

Now we can see who benefited from all that “stimulus”: Private Jobs Down 4.6 Million From January 2008; Federal Jobs Up 11.4%. (Thanks to Pierre M. for the link.) Joe G. sent this: U.S. Home Sales to Foreigners Rise as Low Prices Draw Investors: These numbers are mind boggling: US Federal Deficit Totals $844.5B Through 8 Months. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.) Mary F. sent this: Dread and Uncertainty Pervade Life in a Diminished Greece Items from The Economatrix: The Euro Is Doomed Gary North:  George Soros Warns EU Going Down In Three Months Data Points to Soft US …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Troy J. suggested this article: Dr. Peter Vincent Pry: America May Never Recover From EMP Attack    o o o Greek health system crumbles under weight of crisis. (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link.)    o o o Mark T. sent this tongue in cheek: The 10 Best Vehicles To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse    o o o I see that the new Emily Bestler Books web site is has been launched. Emily Bestler Books is the imprint of Simon and Schuster that published my second novel, “Survivors: A Novel of the Coming Collapse”. In September, they will be …