Day: June 26, 2012

Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries 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 …


Selecting Equipment for Years of Use, by M.C. in Arizona

I am at home sitting safely on my couch, however, between 2001 and 2009 I was a soldier serving in the GWOT campaign. I have served three tours in Iraq, one tour in Afghanistan, and a year assisting the African theater (proxy war.) And I’m currently working for the Marine Corps as a civilian contractor. I figured I’d write down some thoughts because I have had the misfortune of twice being cut off from any re-supply or ‘rescue’. In addition the equipment issued to servicemen is not always ‘the best’ money can buy. So here are some thoughts on that …


25 Things to Always Have With You, by R. in New York

Yes, we all know that an end of world event could happen at any time.  However I look at things statistically and realistically.  I think I have a greater chance of getting into a car accident than getting hit with an asteroid or meteor.  So I first focus on my little corner of the world.  Even if there is a catastrophic event you still need to get to your “go” bag and/or vehicle with your G.O.O.D. bag and perhaps onward to your home or retreat depending on each situation.  So what do you need for day to day survival?  Because …


Letter Re: Weapons-Based Martial Arts for Survival

James: I’d like to comment on some of the restrictions on long blades and impact weapons: Thinking about the gap between empty hands and a firearm is a false exercise for most people, most of the time.  Most people spend at least some time traveling, and most live in restrictive legal environments that don’t allow the carrying (or sometimes even ownership) of “weapons.”  Don’t forget readers that the vast majority of people live in countries with very different gun and weapons carry laws than the U.S.!  Even if you live in country like the United States their are large areas …


Economics and Investing:

Over at ETF Daily: Jim Rickards: Reveals Fed Blueprint, Gold Prices $5,000 – $7000 Range Jim Rogers: Don’t Be Fooled by the Dollar Rally Charles Goyette, over at Lew Rockwell’s site: The Depression Goes Global Items from The Economatrix: Housing Continues its Steady Rise [JWR’s Comment: Don’t fall for the rhetoric. We are still not at the bottom.] “Fiscal Dip” May Make Europe Look Like a Dip Jim Rogers: Bailouts Can’t Save Europe, Failures Must Go Bankrupt The Fed is Out of Ammo


Odds ‘n Sods:

Have you cleared that crucial defensible space around your house and barn?    o o o Snuffy sent us the PDF link to an excellent detailed analysis: Trade Off: Financial System Supply Chain Cross-Contagion–a study in global collapse.    o o o In this age of cell phones and text messaging, cultural flash mobs are quite popular, even in Russia. Of course, there is also the ugly flip side to folks having that level of organization and communication. (BTW, please don’t take the latter link as some sort of racist statement. For the record: I’m an anti-racist.)    o o …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“We, in our rush toward God knows what, acquire, or spend our earthly span trying to acquire wealth, culture, fame, luxury, scientific efficiency—and more wealth. We surround ourselves with telephones, tickers, jazz, orchestras, subways, bootleg gin, dress clothes, taxicabs, motor parkways, science, glittering hotels, psychoanalysis, alarm clocks, forty thousand brands of phony religion, squawking movie palaces, nickel-in-the-slot divorce. We call it civilization. But we know darn well there’s something wrong with it.” – Charles F. Chapman, Editor of Motor Boating, magazine, excerpt from his commentary of March 1931, as quoted in the book The Legend of Chris-Craft by Jeffrey L. …