Month: November 2013

Notes from JWR:

November 25th is the birthday of economist and comedian Ben Stein. His unscripted monologue on economics from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of the most memorable scenes in American cinema. By the way, Stein spends part of each year at his second home in Sandpoint, Idaho, so he should be called an honorary Redoubter. — Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest ends in just five days, so please e-mail us your entry soon. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum.


Pat’s Product Review: EnGarde Hard Body Armor

Since 1980 I’ve had a real interest in body armor. Back then, I ran a gun business and I was contacted by a fairly large Oregon police department to bid on a request–they wanted for some soft body armor. I placed a bid, and much to my surprise, I won it! At that time, the biggest name around in soft body armor was Second Chance. I contacted Rich Davis at Second Chance, and told him I had won a bid to supply a fairly large police department with soft body armor. However, I didn’t have the funds to purchase the armor …


Letter Re: Homemade Soap Making Instructions

Mr. Rawles: Here is a recipe for soap, not food,. This has saved us a lot of money and aggravation over the years. We decided to make our own laundry soap after my daughter (now four years old) was born. Her skin wouldn’t tolerate any artificial perfumes or dyes and she would break out in horrible acne if exposed to artificiality of that sort. The basis of this recipe we found online, then modified it to meet our needs. It includes only shelf-stable materials and is suitable for both washing machines and hand-washing. The ingredients include: –One bar of soap, …


Letter Re: Source for Custom-Made Web Gear?

Mr. Rawles, I was just informed by Valerie at TacticalTailor that due to high demand, their custom shop is not currently accepting additional work. Perhaps your readers know of someone providing a similar service (or that would like the launch one)? Thank you, – D.D. in Colorado JWR Replies: I’m sure that there are many others, but the first custome makers that comes to mind are Mystery Ranch for backpacks and The Vest Guy for magazine pouches. If any blog readers in the United States do custom work in nylon, leather, or Kydex, then please let me know and I …


Letter Re: The Serval Mesh Network

Mr. Rawles, If you have not yet heard of the Serval Project, I would encourage you to check out the web site. This is an Australian based non-profit that is attempting to build the software and hardware for a mesh network that can be erected post-disaster. It is all open-source and there is even a free Serval app available at the Google App Store. For those of you not familiar with the idea, mesh networks are self-contained networks that run off of the same protocols as the internet, using the same hardware, but are not necessarily linked to the actual …


Letter Re: Light Blocking Suggestions for Windows

James: In response to the recent article: Light Blocking Suggestions for Windows, I’d like to mention that another very low cost option for blacking out windows is a roll of roofing (tar) paper. It takes up very little space. It can also be used as expedient, water-resistant repair material.  – Pat O’C. JWR Replies: Tar paper does indeed have many uses, but I’de recommend that you use it outside, rather than inside widows. Tar paper is notorious for outgassing. The distinctive tarry smell can linger for many months or even years in a confined space, so I would recommend never …


Recipe of the Week:

Homeschool Mom’s Cheesy Chili Mac Soup 1 T. butter or oil 1 lg. onion, chopped Saute the above for a few minutes. To it, add: 1 lb. ground beef or other ground meat 1 T. chili powder 1 t. cumin Cook until browned. Then add: 2 1/2 C. milk (use fresh or canned reconstituted, I find soups are a good way to rotate storage milks) 2 C beef broth (I like to store the little Knorr Homestyle tubs that you reconstitute, no MSG in them) 1 8oz. pkg cream cheese Stir together, bring to a boil and add: 1 1/2 …


Economics and Investing:

Reader R.K.D. sent: Fed’s Tarullo details plans to counter bank runs Blogger Mike “Mish” Shedlock is Fined €8,000 Euros by France for Freedom of Speech Items from The Economatrix: US Existing Home Sales Fall 3.2 Percent in October Declining Prices Of U.S. Homebuilder Stocks An Indicator Something Not Right With Housing Market Jim Rogers On QE, Currency Wars, Gold And Inflation


Odds ‘n Sods:

G.G. flagged this: Imagining the Post-Antibiotics Future    o o o Further down the slippery slope to tyranny: Police Find Hidden Compartment in Man’s Car, but No Drugs or Illegal Items – So Why Was He Arrested? (Thanks to J.B.G. and H.L who were the first of many readers to send this link.)    o o o Another one of Mikey Bloomberg’s “crime fighting” anti-gun mayors is headed for the Big House, this time ironically on a gun charge: Marcus Hook mayor convicted in guns episode    o o o Meanwhile at the U.S. Patent Office: United States Patent – …



Notes from JWR:

November 24th marks the day that John Knox died, in 1572. (He was born in 1514.) AtheistAgendaPedia says: “Born near near Haddington Scotland. He was influenced by George Wishart, who was burned for heresy in 1546, and the following year Knox became the spokesman for the Reformation in Scotland. After imprisonment and exile in England and the European continent, in 1559 he returned to Scotland, where he supervised the preparation of the constitution and liturgy of the Reformed Church.” — Today we present another entry for Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $8,500+ worth of prizes for …


Consider The Little Things, by R.P.

I hope some of you know most of these things, but I’m sure most of you won’t know all of these things. I took a camping trip not too long ago where I made one of my favorite childhood camping dishes, the hobo dinner. I’m sure those of you who camp have had it a few times. Put some potatoes and veggies in some aluminum foil and throw it right on the fire. Easy enough. Tastes great. Don’t even need a plate. I, however, am not your average cook. I like to try new things, and I don’t eat plain …


Letter Re: Basic Mechanics Skills and Knowing Vehicular Limitations, Part 1

Dear Editor: While alloy wheels can have an alloy-to-steel corrosion issue, hitting them with a sledge hammer will probably damage the rim.I f you have an issue with a stuck rim, then just lower the flat with the nuts finger tight. If you do so, then he weight of the car will break the wheel lose with no damage. – Black Hat


Economics and Investing:

ECB Calling U.S. Out on Its QE Mistakes I heard about a bullion coin company that has launched a retail web site with competitive prices: Upstate Coin & Gold. They sell nationwide. Over at The Daily Bell: Bitcoin: Hoping for the Best After Bernanke’s Endorsement Items from The Economatrix: Warning – NSA To Oversee Individual Bank Accounts & Wealth  Fed Could Taper Even Without Strong Job Market U.S. Retail Sales Signal Rise In Demand; Inflation Tame


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader M.K.P. spotted this: HydroBee wants to be your personal hydroelectric generator    o o o One down 1,000 to go: Pennsylvania town kicks out anti-gun mayor.    o o o Reader Frank X. wrote to make special mention of Mayville Engineering Company (MEC), the world’s largest consumer shotshell reloading machine making company. It is located in Mayville, Wisconsin.    o o o Norwegian army goes vegetarian… to fight global warming    o o o Reader James C. recommended this piece over at Apartment Prepper: Hiding your Emergency Supplies from Strangers