Day: July 20, 2013

Note from JWR:

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 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 …


Different Prepping Approaches, by Marlene M.

It’s interesting to see the differences in the way people prepare for the future. We have been reading ‘SurvivalBlog’ daily now for over four  years, and here too, we find different types of people who prepare differently. (One reason why I love SurvivalBlog!) It is also interesting to read the difference between FEMA suggestions, Homeland Security (?) preparedness requirements, Weather Channel Preparedness tips, and different books written on the subject. Then there are the multitudes of survivor shows on television from Les Stroud in ‘Survivorman’ to the man of few words — Cody Lundin in ‘Dual Survivor’ and his new …


Two Letters Re: How Consumer Debt Collection Works

James, Regarding the article on debt collection, I would recommend these web sites which give some advice on how to deal with debt collectors:   CreditInfoCenter.com   DebtorBoards.com   There are consumer protection laws that prohibit offensive behavior on the part of debt collectors.  These sites explain how to use them.   I recognize you may not agree with these site’s positions, but, just as the debt collector who wrote in says, good people sometimes get into bad situations.  And, sometimes, if your state’s exemptions are too low, bankruptcy is not an option.  So, yes, I consider fighting debt collectors …


Economics and Investing:

As I’ve mentioned before, a big jump in interest rates could create chaos for the holders of many MBS derivatives. Here is an example of how just a small rate rise caused turmoil: Analysis: Bank of America’s interest-rate exposure may be worse than rivals. Do Western Central Banks Have Any Gold Left? Part III Detroit files for bankruptcy protection. (Is it just a coincidence that all of the city’s mayors for the past 50 years have been Democrats?) Speaking of Detroit, Commander Zero had some quite wry commentary. (Thanks to Gil in Montana for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Driving somewhere? There’s a government record of that    o o o Attention Handloaders: Tom in Pennsylvania recently posted this handy weight data for brass, over at Buddy’s Boards. (An amazing free site that I visit almost daily.) This would be good data to print out for your reference binder: 9mm, 59.46 grains each, 117.7 cases per lb., 8.5 lb. per 1,000 .38 Special, 68.06 grains each, 102.8 cases per lb., 9.7 lb. per 1,000 .40, 70.1 grains each, 99.9 cases per lb., 10 lb. per 1,000 .357 Magnum, 78.3 grains each, 89.4 cases per lb., 11.2 lb. per 1,000 …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up [any] image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I [am] the LORD your God. Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I [am] the LORD. If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, …