Month: May 2013

Letter Re: Potential for Court-Ordered Clawbacks of Physical Precious Metal Holdings

Mr. Rawles, I have to believe that the precious metals markets are practicing their own sort of fractional reserve system.  Does anyone doubt that the markets (dealers, banks, etc) keep a small quantity on hand for physical transactions, but trade paper claims on much greater quantities? A growing concern of mine which I haven’t seen addressed elsewhere:  What will happen when the holders of paper claims run to court because they cannot obtain the physical metals the claims represent?  Significant numbers of these claim holders are politically powerful.  Will the courts decree a clawback of the physical metals from their …


Letter Re: Pat’s Product Review: Bardin & Marsee Waterproof Bible

James, After reading about the waterproof Bible, I went to the publishers web site, BardinMarsee.com and discovered that they also manufacture waterproof notebooks.  Many times during my military career I have needed to write something while in the rain.  These would have been great, but alas they were not available in the 1970s. These notebooks are available in both top and side spiral, and in the most common sizes, all at an attractive price. Thanks, – Greg L.


News From The American Redoubt:

New Wyoming Lithium Deposit could Meet all U.S. Demand. JWR’s Comment: Wow! That is a relief. The Powers That Be were about to announce on the P.A. system: “Lithium is no longer available on credit.” (Pardon the inside joke for Blue Blazers.)    o o o Significant population change in Idaho impacting jobs. (Thanks to R.B.S. for the link.)    o o o An Idaho news headline: Judge rules extended traffic stop violated rights    o o o George S. sent this from a Wyoming newspaper: Famed Yellowstone bull elk dies    o o o H.L. sent: Oregon Teachers Traumatized …


Economics and Investing:

A revenue-versus-spending chart recently posted by the editors of Zero Hedge shows just how deep a hole our legislators have dug for successive generations. The U.S. Dollar is doomed, folks. It is wise to diversify into practical, durable, and barterable tangibles! At Zero Hedge: “The Captain” Says Goodbye: The Full Final Edition Of The Privateer. (Thanks to B.B. for the lnk.) Staples Starts Selling 3D Printers Items from The Economatrix: Overhyped Q1 GDP Grows By Only 2.5%, Biggest Miss To Expectations Since 9-1-1 Record 1 Out Of 5 American Households On Food Stamps Mints, Refineries, Brokerages Out Of Stock – …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Carolina Readiness Supply is conducting their second Heritage Life Skills weekend May 17 – 19, 2013, in Waynesville, North Carolina. Classes being offered are: Canning Meat & Butter, Canning Fruits & Vegetables, Soap making, Candle making, Dehydrating, Land Navigation, Reloading, Tactical Radio Communications, Butchering, Quilting, Bread making, Cheese making, plus many morre. The guest speakers will be Dr. Dan Eichenbaum, speaking on the Second Ammendment — Dr. Arthur Bradley, author of Prepper’s Instruction Manual, and Disaster Preparedness for EMP attacks and Solar Flares — “Angry American”, author of Going Home — Dr. William Forstchen, author of One Second After.    …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

Harry: I’m sorry doctor, I can’t pay you, I haven’t got any money. Dr. Strong: Money is one of the first symbols that disappeared.                    Tell you what I could use though…                    Some ammunition if you can spare it, I have a .45 too you know… Harry: I only have a few, I can let you have four. Dr. Strong: Don’t short yourself now. Harry: That’s alright, The war’s over – we won. Dr. Strong: Well, ding, ding for us! – Harry Baldwin (Ray Milland) and Dr. Powell Strong (Willis Bouchey) bartering for medical services rendered in the movie, …


Notes from JWR:

Today is the last day of the Ready Made Resources 25% off sale on Mountain House canned long term storage foods. Unlike many other Mountain House dealers they actually keep most of their inventory on hand. This means that they are able and willing to “mix and match” varieties in a six-can case, at no extra charge, on request. Get your order in before midnight, Eastern time! — This is the birthday of Charles A. Lockwood (born 1890, died 7 June, 1967.) Lockwood was a United States Navy Admiral who commanded the Pacific submarine fleet in World War II. In …


Modern Slavery Must End!

I’ve encountered a few folks who don’t realize that slavery still exists in the world. I’m not talking about figurative slavery–like every April 15th, here in the States. Rather, I’m talking about literal contemporary slavery, with kidnapping and a life spent in chains or locked up in a cell or prison-like dormitory every night. Slavery is still commonplace in North Africa, most notably in the Sahel. Wikipedia sums it up: “The [slavery] problem is most severe in the Sahel region (and to a lesser extent the Horn of Africa), along the racial boundary of Arabized Berbers in the north and …


Pat’s Product Review: CRKT Kangee T-Hawk

I’ve always been a fan of western movies, and movies about the Founding of this country – America, and early pioneers. If you watched the movie with Mel Gibson, The Patriot   you will see many Patriots in the movie – and as it was in real-life – using tomahawks in Close Quarters Battle. Given my druthers, I’ll take a well made and well-designed tomahawk into CQB over a knife any day of the week. And, even our American Natives, used some primitive type of tomahawk in battle. And, when trading posts popped up as the country grew westward, Native Americans …


Michael Z. Williamson’s Product Review: Traditions Training Cartridges

Traditions Training Cartridges are weighted and built like real cartridges.  They include a rubber insert to function as snap caps. Unlike most aluminum snap caps, however, they are heavy and strong enough to properly cycle, without becoming damaged. I recently tested these in 12 gauge, .223 rifle and .45 ACP.  The .45 ACP pack contained 5 cartridges with 6 rubber inserts.  They were “loaded” with 230 grain ball projectiles, and apart from their black coating, were almost indistinguishable from live ammo.  I cycled these through an Auto Ordnance 1911 clone, through a dozen different magazines with no problems with the …


Letter Re: Be Prepared to Fortify

Sir, One thing I often hear from folks who live in the suburbs is, “Oh man, you’re so lucky, you can totally take your mountain cabin and make it an armed fortress.”  That’s not exactly true.  While I do have a retreat in a rural area, I do still also have neighbors up there.  We are on acre+ lots, so there is space.  But if I started stringing barbed wire and digging a moat, it would raise a few eyebrows.  Not only might I get a visit from the DHS (or the People’s Republic of California equivalent), but my neighbors …


Letter From Pat Cascio: Ammunition Shortage in Israel

Jim: I just heard from my long-time friend, Gene Sockut, who lives in Israel. Gene was the chief firearms instructor for the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) for 26 years. Even though he’s now in his mid-70s, he’s still very active – he’s a sniper/sniper instructor with the Israel Border Police, and has written several books, and videos and is a much in demand speaker on security matters in Israel. So Gene e-mailed me this morning, and he mentioned they are experiencing ammo shortages in Israel, much like we have here, and when you can find ammo there, it is double …


Letter Re: Kevlar Chainsaw Safety Chaps

James, That was an excellent article by George H. on Felling Trees. He mentioned Kevlar Chaps as only being recommended. Were I writing the article I would have advised people to use them as mandatory equipment. I have never been a "safety nazi", but my dealer would not sell me my new Husky unless I bought these, which cost very little. I now agree with his demand. He has an old time logger who almost died after cutting his femoral artery without these chaps. New saws of any manufacturer have higher RPM on the bar, and the chain will keep spinning around …


Recipe of the Week:

K.A.F.’s Zucchini Patty Pancakes with Spinach Basil Dressing Cooking oil spray 2 extra large zucchinis, shredded 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion 1/2 cup chopped carrot 1/2 cup garbanzo bean (or really any bean flour will work well) 1/8 cup dried minced onion 1 tsp. dried garlic 3 egg whites (if you don’t eat eggs, substitute 1 T Xantham gum or 3 T potato starch for the binder)   For Dressing: 1 cup plain greek yogurt 1/3 cup water or orange juice 1 Tablespoon paprika 1 Tablespoon onion powder 1 Tablespoon garlic powder 6 large leaves fresh spinach or 3 T …


Economics and Investing:

“QE to Infinity, and Beyond!” Here are two interesting articles: Fed Keeps Interest Rates Low, Continues Bond Buying Program and How long will interest rates stay low? JWR’s Comments: The risk of rising interest rates represents a huge unknown. The Federal debt is now just barely manageable only because of artificially low interest rates. If interest rates begin to rise before the public debt is reduced to less than 60% of GDP, then the game is over. At that juncture the debt will be unserviceable and the only means of escape for our government and the Fed banking cartel will …