Month: July 2012

Notes from JWR:

Today is the 68th anniversary of the end of the battle on the Vercors Plateau, and the sad end of the short-lived Republic of Vercors. (July, 1944.) No fewer than 600 Maquisards were killed there by the Germans and by their Milice lackeys. Much like at the Battle of Glières a few months earlier, the Vercors Plateau was well-defended by the Maquis. At Vercors, rooting out the resistance defenders required the use of some seasoned paratroops, inserted by glider. It is noteworthy that a surprisingly small percentage of the French population (about 2%) was actively in the resistance. (That figure …


How to Make an Old-Fashioned Utility Quilt, by Jean P.

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Quilters tend to be perfectionists.  However, quilts have been used to keep our poorly-furred bodies warm for centuries.  When you just need warmth, and not a perfectly crafted heirloom, a quilt is just the ticket.  Utility quilts can be made from discarded items around the home, as long as you have a needle and some thread.  A quilt is merely 3 layers, fabric/insulation/fabric, stitched together to keep you warmer.  In a perfect world we all have our Wiggy’s, but in a real-life situation, especially with the economy these days, that perfect scenario may just not be possible.  Also, remember that …


Practical Pointers to Ponder for Pistol Performance, by Ski

“You’ve got to work on that draw Ski,” barked my friend Tom.  He was already an experienced shooter and competitor in IPSC and KPDL (Kentuckiana Personal Defense League).  There are benefits to competing in IPSC events including emphasis on safety, accuracy, speed, and identification of “good guys” versus the bad guys.  It had to be painful for him to watch a “newbie” in shooting struggle along.  He was patient and persistent.  We became shooting buddies competing against each other in these organizations.  Tom is not only a natural shooter, but he works on each phase of competition and is ever …


Letter Re: Getting The Most Out of Ethnic Markets

JWR, I just thought I’d pass the word on some shopping options people might not think about too often. My wife is originally from Vietnam and we often go to an asian market for food supplies. I assume the following is true for other non-western stores, but you might want to check out what is within driving distance. These places are a preppers oasis. There are a few major advantages to shop at these stores. Please note I am talking about small stores, not a place like the asian mega-marts in California. First is money. Not just that they are …


Economics and Investing:

Debt crisis: Greece to run out of money by August 20. (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link.) Doug C. recommended this: Failing to Break Up the Big Banks is Destroying America Santelli Rants: “Ditch The Duct Tape; The Problem Is Insolvency”. He says in summary: “We need pro-growth policies and spending cuts, right now.” (Thanks to B.B. for the link.) Economy: The U.S. Retail Collapse Accelerates Items from The Economatrix: The War On Silver Everything You Need To Know:  The Economic Collapse For Dummies “Micro Documentary” Europe Is Sleepwalking Toward Imminent Disaster, Warn Top Economists Global Economy In Worst Shape …


Odds ‘n Sods:

H.L. liked this piece at Alt-Market: Off-Grid Refrigeration    o o o Dick Morris Reveals How Obama Will Kill The 2nd Amendment On July 27    o o o Not particularly preparedness-related, but this collaborative music video site is amazing: The Johnny Cash Project    o o o Peter S. recommended two new e-books: The Survival Doctor’s Guide to Burns and The Survival Doctor’s Guide to Wounds    o o o The United Nations will convene next week for agreement on a “Small Arms and Light Weapons” Treaty. Please contact your Senators and insist that they do not ratify the …



Note from JWR:

Today we present a lengthy 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 …


Living With Photovoltaic Power, by D.P.

So, you’ve been wondering if you should be buying some photovoltaic (PV) panels to avoid the darkest of ages? And you have some specific questions: – how many panels do I need? – which type of panel do I need? – what’s it going to cost? – what about an inverter? – what can I actually get done with my energy? In this post I will try to answer these questions, having gone through the process myself in the last few years. My hope is that by relating my journey, it will help some of you make the right decisions …


Letter Re: American Redoubt Relocation Climate Questions

James, My question is on the American Redoubt.  It’s late in the game, but I’ve got to get out of Southern California.   What do you think of eastern Montana as a place to settle down?  Are the snows as bad as the Western part of the state?  My parents used to have a place 7 miles outside of West Yellowstone, and they said it was the coldest spots in the continental U.S.  Is the eastern part of Montana like that?   I’ve been watching what’s going on in America, and even I’m getting shaken.  I need to go where …


Economics and Investing:

The hindrance of global debt – Spain accelerating to major bailouts and bond markets react. Eurozone stock markets in major decline. David B. sent this: Fed Plans Dollar Devaluation, New Evidence; Why Now? G.G. suggested this: David Stockman: “The Capital Markets Are Simply A Branch Casino Of The Central Bank” (Includes a link to an insightful video interview of Stockman.) Also from G.G.: San Marino falls victim to the eurozone crisis Items from The Economatrix: Greece Now in “Great Depression,” Says PM Is Vegas Signaling the Consumer is Folding? Europe’s Systemic Collapse…And What it Means for Us and You Wall …


Odds ‘n Sods:

H.L. sent this profile of delusion: 55 Percent Of Americans Believe That The Government Will Take Care Of Them If Disaster Strikes. The article includes this frightening statistic: “53 percent of all Americans do not have a 3 day supply of nonperishable food and water in their homes.”    o o o G.G. flagged this: A Nation That’s Losing Its Toolbox. Thankfully, SurvivalBlog readers are regaining forgotten skills, with plenty of hands-on experience in our gardens, in our wood shops, and under the hoods of our vehicles.    o o o How to stop a massacre    o o o …



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 …


Buying Inexpensive Groceries in Small Towns, by Sarah in Texas

The “extreme couponing” movement is fascinating. In larger communities than mine, people can combine coupons, sales, and store policies (like double- or triple-coupon days) to walk out with free or dirt-cheap groceries, hygiene items, and other goodies. When you’re trying to build a survival stockpile, every dollar matters; it’s great to get a years’ worth of toothbrushes for the entire family for just a few dollars, for example, and to stock up on canned vegetables for twenty cents apiece. However, I live in a small town. This rural part of Texas includes a Wal-Mart Supercenter, a local grocery store, and …