Day: November 23, 2012

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 43 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 …


Quiet Rimfire Shooting Without a Suppressor, by M.B.

Many people have learned much of what they “know” about firearms from the movies. This includes the devices commonly known as “silencers.” Even the name is misleading. A sound suppressor does not silence a firearm completely in most cases. What it does do is reduce the noise level while greatly reducing the muzzle blast and flash. Sound suppressors have been in use for over 100 years. Until the National Firearms Act of 1934, people in the United States could buy sound suppressors in gun stores or even hardware stores. Sound suppressors are now heavily regulated in the U.S. and in …


Two Letters Re: Secession in These United States

Jim:: I think some writer on this topic miss an extremely important point about secession.  That point is immigration and emigration.   Taking your original argument that the Federals would not allow Redoubters to go in peace – then most likely the Feds would immediately cut off all “benefits” paid to those who reside within the American Redoubt.   It is unlikely Social Security would be cut off because there is no problem presently paying SS to ex-pats who have chosen to retire in foreign countries, Honduras, The Bahamas, Spain, etc etc.  By what logic would it be different here? …


Economics and Investing:

Legendary Investor Jeremy Grantham: We’re Headed For A Disaster Of Biblical Proportions. Most of Us Are Going To Starve To Death. Reader M.E.W. sent: House Prices Are Nowhere Near A Bottom Says Analyst Smoke and mirrors economy – 47 percent of the members in Congress are millionaires. 67 percent of Senators. Fed and Treasury money close to $7 trillion. Items from The Economatrix: Eric Sprott:  Centrals Banks’ Gold Likely Gone Sales Of Existing US Homes Unexpectedly Rises Waiting For The Dow Industrials To Be Cut In Half Economy Turns US, Japan Into Ugly Step Sisters


Odds ‘n Sods:

No great surprise: Defense Security Service – Succession Petition Signors – Security Clearance Impact. Note that: “This issue is under review.” (Thanks to F.T. for the link.)    o o o Ratmageddon: 180 Million Rats Face 22 Tons of Poison on Galapagos    o o o Reader Rick H. sent a reminder that the 505-page 15th Anniversary Edition of the AVOW Preparedness Manual is now available for free download.    o o o Reader Kevin S. mentioned Aircraft Spruce–a company familiar to most private plane owners and FBOs, but of interest to preppers. They even sell carbon fiber material.    …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Ask yourself, why do I hold some of my wealth in the form of money? The answer is, because you like the unique flexibility that only money can give you. If you have demand for money, it means that you have demand for purchasing power in the form of money. It is not a specific number of paper notes or weight of gold that you desire to hold – neither, by itself, does anything for you – but it is the spending flexibility that the monetary asset gives you, its exchange value, that you demand. From this, some powerful conclusions …