Day: December 5, 2012

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 44 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 …


Making Our Bug Out Bags Work: Shaving Weight, by Big Bob

We could endlessly debate which threats are of immediate risk during a wilderness bug out. However, one of the most important is rarely discussed, avoiding injury. A quick sampling of Youtube videos or forum “bug out lists” quickly gives the impression that in the survivalist community, we carry too much weight. Many people plan to carry 60-70 pound packs for days at a time, while covering 15 miles per day. For some readers, this is feasible, but for most people, myself included, it is not. When talking about the dangers of bugging out, I often read about mudslides, wild animal …


Letter Re: Welding, Post-TEOTWAWKI

JWR: My favorite planned substitute for welding in TEOTWAWKI is brazing. It can be done with a carbon arc torch, an oxyacetylene torch or on a old fashioned forge. The latter is particularly attractive to me as it requires no gas or electricity to accomplish. I have a charcoal fired forge and find that by sandwiching two pieces of metal together around some flattened brass rod and flux then using tie wire to hold all in position. I can place the pieces in my fire and increase the air (turn the crank) until the brass melts and flows to the …


Economics and Investing:

M.E.W. mentioned this New York Sun editorial: After The Dollar. 15 countries with no personal income tax. (Thanks to H.L. for the link.) David W. spotted this: Post-US world born in Phnom Penh. (15 Asian nations forman economic partnership that excludes the USA) Items from The Economatrix: Our Collapsing Economy And Currency Next Up For A “Recovering” Europe:  A 30% to 50% Collapse In Wages In Spain, Italy And France The Past 30 Days Have Seen The Largest Physical Gold Sales On Record S&P 500 Will Drop 1.8% to 1,390 in 2013, Wells Fargo Says


Odds ‘n Sods:

Dogs That Are Not Trendy    o o o New York’s supernanny mayor Bloomberg spends millions to create a nationwide influence. (Thanks to Sean B. for the link.)    o o o So much for due process: Actually, the Newest Version of NDAA Makes it Easier to Detain Citizens Indefinitely    o o o A handy chart shows which foods to grow or store for vitamin nutrition value. (Thanks to H.A. for the link.)    o o o Oakland Crime Rate Soaring As City Loses Officers