Day: July 16, 2013

Notes from JWR:

This is the 34th anniversary of the 1979 death in battle of Hugh John McCall, a New York City native who was a volunteer in the Rhodesian Army. He was a sergeant in the 3 Commando of the Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI.) — Today we present another entry for Round 47 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 …


Pro-Gun or No-Gun America, Which Saves More Lives?, by Skvez

While discussing the potential for a gun ban in the United States I realized that the pro-gun-ban people genuinely believe that banning guns will save lives. In an attempt to facilitate debate I discovered that getting down to the numbers helps discover where their math is different from the pro-gun position, it is these points we can focus on to help them see the light. I put this sequence of equations on a spreadsheet but you can talk someone through them without one. For each value get the person you are speaking to, to give you their value. I’ve using …


Letter Re: The Quest for Safety: Is Jackson County, Florida America’s Ideal Retreat Locale?

Jim: Regarding your recent comparison of Jackson County, Florida, with Lewis, County, Idaho: I lived in Marianna in 2001 and worked at a bank.  I wouldn’t recommend it at all, as a location to move to, unless you are from the South.  I actually was turned down for [membership in] the local quilt guild because I was from the North, and one business owner told me another time that they just wished we’d come down, drop our money and leave.  It is not a friendly area [to outsiders].  “Paul Revere” needs to recheck his facts. The main employers there are …


Letter Re: Preparedness Course Question

Jim: Is your “Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course” currently available online the same course that was sold in print form in 2006, or is it an updated version? Thanks, – Joe R. JWR Replies: The course content is essentially unchanged from the 2006 edition. Only the price (dramatically less) and the delivery method (download only) have changed.


Letter Re: NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

JWR: I would also recommend the Emergency Response Guidebook published jointly by the USDOT and Canadian and Mexican Transportation agencies. This reference (ERG) lets you identify the material being transported by pipeline, tanker truck, or railcar. As a guide for First Responders to a HazMat accident, it also lists specific hazards and evacuation distances in the event of spill or fire. I use this book to evaluate how at risk I am to accidents involving bulk materials being transported nearby. You need to pay attention to the placard (label) information on the side of the tanker. In my community I …


News From The American Redoubt:

A reminder: Don’t miss the upcoming Patriots and Self-Reliance Rally at Farragut State Park, near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, July 26, 27 & 28, 2013. There will be several SurvivalBlog advertisers with booths there. The speakers will include Stewart Rhodes, Sheriff Richard Mack, Pastor Chuck Baldwin, Dale Pearce, Kris Anne Hall, and Cope Reynolds.    o o o R.B.S. sent: Idaho cyclist survives scary wolf chase    o o o Troy H. sent this: Montana the first state to pass electronic devices spy law.    o o o For those who have been unable to find a church home (perhaps because …


Economics and Investing:

SurvivalBlog reader V.H. suggested this interview with Doug Casey: You MUST get assets outside of the U.S. Der Gruppe Deutsche Börse’s MNI reports: China Government Advisor Says Economy In Crisis As Debt Costs Spiral. (Thanks to Andre D. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Game Over – “It’s All A Farce, The Fed & German Gold Is Gone”  The Flash Point Looms The Decline Of Breadwinner Jobs Has Resulted In The Longest Bread Lines In American History Fed Split In June On QE Timing; Bernanke Sees Easy Policy For Now


Odds ‘n Sods:

File under: Predictable Posturing: Obama: Honor Trayvon Martin by battling gun violence. JWR’s Comment: Statists like BHO of course want “gun control.” But I assert that gun control was used. Consider that Zimmerman fired just one shot, center of mass, and pulled the trigger only after the situation was truly and clearly life-threatening. (Zimmerman was pinned to the ground and his head was being repeatedly slammed on the sidewalk, and he feared that he was going to pass out.) Waiting until then showed tremendous control. That was certainly a lot more gun control than some police display. I’m sure that …