Year: 2012

Letter Re: Weighing the Merits of Retreat Areas

JWR, I was hoping you could chime in for some feedback, as I think many of your readers are in a similar boat that my family is: Trying to balance professions and existing commitments against hunkering down for the coming storm.  Given the population density of some of the Midwest states… If you had to take relocating to a larger 60,000 population town in the American Redoubt (Idaho Falls, and the like) or living in the rural cornfields of the Midwest, and I correct you would advise locating to a medium sized American Redoubt city?  – Greg H. JWR Replies: …


Letter Re: A New Malware Threat

Hello, Mr Rawles: I saw the Odds ‘n Sods piece where Michael Z. Williamson’s forwarded an article on the warning about “thousands of PCs infected” to lose Internet access that refers people to www.dcwg.org. I read the article. Sorry, but I don’t trust going to such a site. It could easily be a government-based data collection site. It’s amazing how much information is passed along with simply browsing a web site. dcwg.org is registered to someone in Cupertino, California. I found that www.DNS-OK.us will give the same information about whether a system is infected or not. That site is registered …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. flagged this Reuters report: Bank of Japan likely to ease, may buy longer-dated government bonds Peter S. sent this: US home prices drop yet again Also from Peter: Greece economy to shrink another 5%   Items from The Economatrix: Outlay of $14 Trillion Hasn’t Solved Problem of Debt The Best Reason in the World to Buy Gold Unemployment Rate:  “Number Doesn’t Match Reality” German Tempers Boil Over Back-door Euro Rescues


Odds ‘n Sods:

James C. recommended a video by Mas Ayoob and Tom Gresham how to handle a police traffic stop when carrying a concealed weapon.    o o o Over at Philosophical Pilot: Connect the Dots    o o o Wonders Never Cease Department: “Cold Tracer” Glow Ammunition. (A hat tip to George S. for the link.)    o o o Mary F. suggested this: New Fashion Wrinkle: Stylishly Hiding the Gun    o o o Some reminders on our non-fiction writing contest rules: 1.) You can write on any topic related to preparedness or survival that you think would be of …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“I believe that liberty is the only genuinely valuable thing that men have invented, at least in the field of government, in a thousand years. I believe that it is better to be free than to be not free, even when the former is dangerous and the latter safe. I believe that the finest qualities of man can flourish only in free air – that progress made under the shadow of the policeman’s club is false progress, and of no permanent value. I believe that any man who takes the liberty of another into his keeping is bound to become …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 40 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 …


Basic Preparations for Urban Outskirts in Third World Countries, by Jorge Gato

The following observations are geared toward expats or even locals living in the Third World, although most would apply as well to residents of the First World. Here in México, there have been countless horror stories, albeit, most of them not life threatening and essentially not classifiable as DEFCON 1 situations. Both expats and locals have been the victims of countless assaults. An acquaintance on the street was recently told simply to hand over his money and music player. Another fellow, a philosopher, became inspired at midnight on a city street and only had his laptop to record his divine …


Letter Re: Retreat Locale Selection Mapping Tools

Jim, With some research, I’ve found a few mapping tools that are useful in selecting possible retreat locales: Free GIS tool (overlay and merge different map layers onto one map) Census mapping National Atlas. Crime, precipitation, etc. Very nice but you can’t merge data. An interesting Google Earth plug-in I’d also like to mention an ongoing forum discussion. Regards, – C.D.V.


Letter Re: Defending Static Positions in a Survival Setting

Mr. Rawles,   Three thoughts on this topic:   1.  If you are relying on defending your home without outside help then the battle is already lost.  It is too easy to burn down your average residence.  Defense should be a community endeavor with “depth” provided by multiple engagements from multiple locations.   2.  I believe that your average, semi-motivated troublemakers in a TEOTWAWKI will lack training and will become victims of “target fixation”.  In other words, they will be motivated to roam around and loot but will not have a modicum of good tactical skills.  They will fixate on their target and …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. flagged this one: FDIC closes bank in New Jersey, makes 17 US bank failures so far in 2012 Also from G.G.: 1 in 2 new graduates are jobless or underemployed Items from The Economatrix: Currency Wars:  Gambling With Other People’s Money China Buying Gold at Discount US Stocks Join Global Slump On Europe’s Political Woes Durable U.S. Recovery At Hand As Growth Shifts


Odds ‘n Sods:

Ian R. sent this:  Crises make automakers rethink lean parts supplies    o o o News from the Philippines: Rabies kills 67 people in three months.    o o o Camping Survival just received a truckload of Wise Foods buckets. Feeling overstocked, they created an unprecedented 10% off coupon code just for SurvivalBlog readers.  The coupon code is “wiseblog“    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson forwarded this: Your computer may be at risk, FBI warns–Thousands of PCs infected by hackers could lose Net access    o o o G.G. flagged this piece about solar flares: …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 40 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 …


Preparing a Covert Gearbag or Warbag, by Racker

This site is known for material geared towards protection and preparation for some ultimate tests of social interaction. While we may be working to prepare ourselves for a high end threat, keep in mind that there are levels between normal and end situations; we may not go from normal to end in one quick swoop.  We must be prepare for various levels and react accordingly when we or our families are threatened. Knowledge and our equipment are tools to better prepare us to deal with any serious social situation. After writing a previous article on Weapon Use, Slings, Web Gear, …


Letter Re: An Expat’s View of Overseas Relocation and Expatriation

CPT Rawles, I want to provide a counterpoint to AmEx’s letter about the futility of permanent expatriation.  I too have taken a job overseas, after much effort, and am establishing myself permanently in a particular country in Asia.  I agree with AmEx that renouncing one’s US citizenship is probably a bit much, I think he severely underestimates the danger that the US government will (I believe) present to it’s citizens.  While I am still a US citizen, my wife, who earns all our non-salary income privately, and our children are not.  This is something we worked out years ago to limit the reach of my government into our lives. …