Month: April 2013

Notes from JWR:

April 19th marks multiple anniversaries: The Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Warsaw Ghetto uprising against the Nazis in 1943, the BATF’s costly raid on the Branch Davidian Church in Waco (20 years ago, today), the gun turret explosion on the USS Iowa in 1989, and very sadly also the Oklahoma City bombing, in 1995. April 19th is also the birthday of novelist Ralph Peters. Coincidentally, we I both have the same literary agent, Robert Gottlieb. — Today we present another entry for Round 46 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) …


A New Pandemic Threat On the Horizon: H7N9, by TXnurse

Influenza A viruses originate from various avian species, and almost exclusively begin in China. Influenza A viruses have always infected many different species of birds. Often initially seen in one species, they frequently cross over and cause illness in another species, this is called mixing, mutation or antigenic drift. This is how new subtypes of viruses are created. Eventually these viruses progress until they mutate enough to become infective to mammalian hosts (us). These viruses can be highly infective, easily transmissible and very lethal in humans. Most of us have probably heard of the H1N1 virus that took a substantial …


Economics and Investing:

Fewer Americans Now View Their Income Taxes as Fair. The 55% who say their taxes are fair is lowest since 2001. (Not mentioned here is the fact that 47% of American adults pay NO Federal income tax!) So next we must ask the more apropos question: What percentage of actual TAX PAYERS consider their taxes “fair”? Jim Rogers Cites Four Key Forces Fueling The Current Gold Sell-Off   U.S. Economy Fundamentally Tormented; No Amount of Money Printing Can Fix It   Precious Metals Retailer Says They Have Been Experiencing Astounding Volume. US Mint Sells Record 63,500 Ounces Of Gold In …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Some more twisted “white guilt” musings from the leftist editors at Salon: Let’s hope the Boston Marathon bomber is a white American. I have a better suggestion: Let’s hope that whomever is responsible is brought to justice, regardless of his skin pigmentation or national origin.    o o o USDA Implements New Program to Track Livestock    o o o A revised edition of an important article: Comparing England (or UK) murder rates with the US: More complex than you thought    o o o Seven things you need to know about the new immigration bill. (Thanks to R.B.S. for …



Notes from JWR:

The Toomey-Manchin-Schumer scheme has thankfully failed to muster enough votes, but be vigilant. BHO is reportedly livid, so don’ be surprised to hear of some new Executive Orders related to firearms–for example restricting importation of full capacity magazines, military surplus gun parts, military surplus ammunition, and “non-sporting” guns. Since the administration no doubt already has them in their back pocket, some new E.O.s could be announced as soon as Friday. — Today we present another entry for Round 46 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, …


The Time in Between the Moments, by Paul G.

So you are a prepper. You have trained yourself for survival, bought survival gear, and built up personal survival items not only for yourself, but for your family as well. You’re even thinking about how to improve your plans, modify your techniques, and seek continuing to educate yourself with additional survival skills. Then TEOTWAWKI situation happens and everything goes to heck for a day, a week, or maybe even your lifetime. There could be an economic collapse with looting situations, severe weather scenarios causing mass casualties, natural disasters wiping out the power grid, or you may even be in an …


Letter Re: Advice on U.S. Military Service

Sir: This is in response to a letter published on Sunday, 4 April “Letter Re: Advice on U.S. Military Service“ Jim M. says the person should consider joining the Navy Seabees. I am writing to say the exact opposite. Do not consider joining the Seabees at least not at this time. The Naval Construction Force (NCF) consist of six active duty Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB) and 12 reserve NMCBs. (Along with various Cargo Handling Battalions (NCHB), Maintenance Units (CBMU) and others.) With the current fiscal problems and general changes in needs of the DoD, there are heavy cuts in …


Economics and Investing:

Tax Freedom Day 2013 is April 18 — Five Days Later than Last Year Jim W. sent: 16% of Annual Silver Supply Just Vaporized Dollar Decline Confirmed Items from The Economatrix: Massive $20 Billion Paper Gold Sell Orders Trigger Stop Loss Selling and Unfounded Panic Gold Trader:  Expect Margin Calls Monday Morning as Big Players Do Whatever it Takes to Get Physical Metal Extreme Nervousness in Regards To Collapse — Gold Silver a Must Rule


Odds ‘n Sods:

Jim W. recommended: Milk for Cheesemaking    o o o F.G. sent: Vandals knock out communications in South Bay. [JWR’s Comments: I think that “Terrorists” would have been a better word choice than “Vandals.” These incidents illustrate the vulnerability of America’s power and telecommunications infrastructure. Be prepared to do without, for extended periods.]    o o o F.G. sent: Arizona on verge of turning gun buybacks into revenue    o o o I noticed that D. Eric Desmond has expanded his line of semi-custom Kydex neck and belt sheaths. I bought one of his belt sheaths for my for my …



Notes from JWR:

Please pray for the families of those killed and injured at the Boston Marathon Bombing. OBTW, my cursory examination of the videotape leads me to believe that it was an act of domestic terrorism. And the brownish color of the smoke just after the blast does not bode well for American target shooters. I suspect that the explosive used was Tannerite–a binary low explosive that is legal for use as an explosive rifle target in most states. — You’ll note that today’s blog coincidentally includes two similar-looking but unrelated acronyms: COMEX and CONEX. The former is an abstraction of something …


Getting Back to My Roots — Why I am a Prepper, by Chad T.

I was born into a family of preppers.  My grandparents were all farmers and lived through the Great Depression in the Midwest.   My parents both grew up on farms and came from large families.  While my folks would not label themselves today as preppers, they would consider themselves as independent and self-reliable.  In order to understand my journey as a prepper, you have to go back a few years.  Early into my parents’ marriage, my dad just got out of the navy and worked in various cities and towns, from Texas to Minnesota.  The largest town we lived in was …


Letter Re: CONEX Shipping Container Problems

James: A good friend who has own three acres at the end of my dead end road rented two 40 foot-long shipping containers eight years ago, paying $250 a month for the pair, and filled them completely up with stuff that he moved from Ohio.  I recently built a two-storey barn for him. When we opened the containers, which had been sealed for eight years [to shift the contents to the new barn] we found that holes had rusted through the top of the containers and everything inside of them was totally ruined.  Nothing inside was salvageable.  He is depressed and …


Economics and Investing:

A Tale of Two Markets: At the same time that the speculative COMEX spot and futures market for silver has been slammed down hard, the physical market for silver has been so frantically bought that it hard to find any pre-1965 “junk” silver or 1-ounce silver rounds for sale. Nearly all of the wholesalers are reportedly sold out of bullion coins! They’ve all been snatched up by eager buyers. Reader Diana V. wrote to mention: ” The local shop I use sells any face amount of junk silver. Up until about two weeks ago [they charged a premium of] 3 …