Month: May 2013

Economics and Investing:

Jeff H. sent this fascinating map: Map divides U.S. based on flow of cash transactions F.G. sent: California Approves $92 Million Ammo Tax To Combat Gun Violence. “This is in addition to Dickinson’s AB 760, which would impose a five cent tax on every round of ammunition sold in California.” Also from F.G., some “voting with their feet” news: Beretta Leaving Maryland After Gov. Mandates Strict Gun Control Laws Cameron flagged this item: Thousands of French Households Taxed 100% Items from The Economatrix: City of Detroit Ii “Financially Insolvent” Detroit’s Broke; Could Bankruptcy Lie Ahead? Stamp Prices Could Rise Again


Odds ‘n Sods:

Fascinating: Aerial Data Visualisation Reveals Life In The United States. (Thanks to G.C. for the link.)    o o o Reader H.L. sent some news of self-delusion that is not surprising: Most Americans Feel “I’m Immune From Disaster”    o o o Missouri’s Approved Gun Bills: Concealed-Carry Permits Easier to Get, Record-Keeping Banned. (Thanks to Clark H. for the link.)    o o o Mountainview Off Grid Living (in Nampa, Idaho) is offering SurvivalBlog readers a special until the end of May, 2013: Buy a Kimberly (multifuel) Wood Stove and get a free Propur “Big Size” Water Purification System. (A …



Notes from JWR:

Today is the birthday of weapons designer John Douglas Pedersen. (Born 1881, died 1951.) — 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, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) 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 …


Minimum Equipment For Standard Bug-Out-Bag by Talon

Many of the articles that I have read on various web sites are, in my not so humble opinion, not adequately addressing the equipment necessary for a Bug-Out-Bag (BOB).  Having had many years of experience in the survival arena, winter and summer, in the Arctic, mountains, tropic and desert regions, many times in hostile theaters, I have drawn up a list for a BOB, along with some accompanying information. There are variations for some of these items and the list of potential equipment and gear is nearly infinite.  However in my considerable experience, what I have listed below has proven to work. …


A Reminder: JWR Shuns Social Networking

Please refrain from trying to get me to join Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or any of the other social network sites. I get more than 175 e-mails per day, and that is bad enough, but getting an extra 20 proclaiming that “John Smith is following you on Twitter” and “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn” is distracting. I consider these networks a security risk, so I simply don’t respond. Knowing that even “deleted ” Facebook posts, profiles, and photos are stored indefinitely, and most recently learning that the IRS is actively mining Facebook posts to find …


Letter Re: Some Observations on the Price of Beans

Mr. Rawles: In every decent sized town I’ve lived in there has been at least one “discount” grocery store. The stores that sell almost-expired food, dented cans or torn bags, local farmer over-production, that sort of thing. (And FWIW, only one can in a flat has to be dented for “the powers that be” to deem the entire batch unfit.) My most recent good buy has been repeated three years in a row here. It’s May, and the local store is selling one-pound bags of black-eyed peas at the discount price of 3 for $1. New Year’s Day was 5.7 …


Letter Re: Late Corn Planting in the American Midwest Does Not Bode Well

Mr. Rawles, Greetings from the occupied territory of Coloradostan.  I am a long time reader and first time responder to the blog. I am an agricultural economist and read Woody’s perspective with interest, as I am sure many did. I just examined USDA’s crop progress report from this afternoon. Much progress was made in the 18 primary corn producing states. We are now 71 percent planted versus the previous five year average(which is skewed by last years data) of 79 percent. Woody’s home state of Ohio, about which he’s was particularly alarmed is now 74 percent planted vs. 58 percent …


News From The American Redoubt:

America’s lands sharks: Wolves kill 31 sheep on south-central Idaho ranch.    o o o Folks in north Idaho or Eastern Washington with an interest in learning how to do metal casting or looking for casting supplies should visit Lost and Foundry, in Spokane, Washington. Foundry molds (“flasks”) and petrobond casting sand are heavy to ship, so look for sources like Lost and Foundry, where you can pick then up yourself. (A similar company is Budget Casting Supply, in Sonora, California.)    o o o Some nice vintage fallout shelter models found in Montana. (Thanks to R.B.S. for the link.) …


Economics and Investing:

Andrew Maguire: Physical Demand Shows Gold In Massive Bull Market. (Thanks to Jim W. for the link.) US regulators adopt weakened rule on derivatives trading; critics say large banks to benefit Doug Noland: Financial Euphoria H.M. sent: Slovenia’s shaky banks bring a downgrade from Fitch Items from The Economatrix: Our Current Financial System Is So Toxic, A Collapse Is Imminent The Fed Is Creating Class Warfare And The Recovery Is Being Distorted Global Hyperinflation Coming


Odds ‘n Sods:

I recently posted a link to a 1916-vintage book on steel cutting and welding that is available free, via Kindle. Then reader Richard C. followed up to mention that it is also available in a variety of other formats.    o o o Michael W. sent: Bomb Shelter Boom Sees Underground Pools, Basketball Courts    o o o Noah, the Super Prepper. (Thanks to David W. for the link.)    o o o Courtesy of Mark: The Mystery of the Missing Crime Data–Corporate media spins “news” of declining criminal use of firearms to hide the truth.    o o o …



Notes from JWR:

Today is the birthday of Carlos Hathcock (Born 1942, died February 23, 1999.) He was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. This is also the birthday of my lifelong friend, Brad C. I miss seeing you, pal.


Pat’s Product Review: Skinner Sights 10/22 Takedown Case and Sights

Some time ago, I did a review on SurvivalBlog about the Ruger 10/22 Takedown (TD) .22 LR rifle. I fell in love with my sample. I liked the idea of a .22 LR rifle, that could easily be taken apart, and put back together in a few seconds. I also liked the case that Ruger ships the rifle in – very nice, and you can carry the 10/22 Takedown rifle, with a brick or two of .22 LR ammo, half a dozen magazines, a scope and some clothes for the weekend. Not a bad combination, and whenever I travel more …


Letter Re: Late Corn Planting in the American Midwest Does Not Bode Well

Sir: As a retired corn farmer, I find it quite interesting that the Fed’s USDA is still keeping to it’s hard-and-fast immutable “projections” of 97.3 million acres of corn being planted this year. Just like building a house, call the Fed’s number the “planned” or projected blueprint idea. But now let’s look at the “as built” story. Here, where the “rubber meets the road,” or I should say “where the planter tucks in the actual corn seed,’ the “actual” or real situation is quite another story due to very late corn plantings, if at all. The surprise is that the …