Today is the birthday of Philip K. Dick (born 1928, died March 2, 1982.) He penned a remarkable number of sci-fi novels and novellas that have been adapted into movies including Blade Runner, Total Recall, Screamers, Impostor, Minority Report, Paycheck, A Scanner Darkly, Next, and The Adjustment Bureau. Though he had a troubled personal life (with drug use and several failed marriages), his captivating books certainly had a knack for envisioning potential futures.
This year saw a battle for the direction of precious metals waged between speculators and short-term “paper gold” traders in the West, against record-breaking physical demand in the East. That physical demand from Asia reached new highs in 2013, underpinning a market that saw the outflows from precious metals ETFs eagerly snapped up by the Chinese and Indians. Gold and silver ended the year about where they ended 2010, while platinum was down only slightly from 2012. Palladium was the big performer, doing even better in 2013 than last year, but not as well as the all-time high reached in …
Every once in a while, I’m fortunate, in that, I get a gun sample, that no one else has, and when that happens, I jump on testing it, and follow-up with an article. Such is the case with the new CMMG Mk9 T – and you won’t find this one on their web site yet, it’s not due to be released until the SHOT Show at the end of January 2014. I’ve owned a couple of the CMMG M4gery carbines over the years, and I still have one, and found them to be great shooters, and priced below what other …
Dear Sir, When stockpiling ammo, should one focus on FMJ and soft nose/hollow points or FMJ only? FMJ is a better value per bullet, plus it’s supposed to be a lot more accurate and reliable than SP/HP, but of course, it sometimes comes at the cost of stopping power. I’m packing a semi-auto in 308/7.62×51, and to my knowledge, there haven’t been many complaints about the stopping power of the 7.62×51 ball cartridge in military circles; many complaints come mainly from the kick and weight. Add to that the fact that after TEOTWAWKI, shooting through cover and mass fire will …
James Wesley, My wife needed a new car (SUV to be exact), and that got me looking into the fiscal situation in detail to come up with a price range. I first detailed the expense side of the balance sheet down to monthly average activities and dining out costs, but my world was shaken when I looked at the income totals. Like a growing number of men, my wife makes more than me, her career being much more in demand these days. This I knew from the start; we’re not that far off but there is, as the left would …
Jim, One other thing I forgot to mention: Bike maps. Adventure cycling has a series that covers the USA and includes elevation gradients along the way. Also see this video. These might be worth having if your primary bugout plan involves bicycles and trailers. – W.W.
S.A.’s Chicken Casserole While there are multitudes of chicken casserole recipes out there, this is my version which is very flavorful and a crowd pleaser. I remain convinced that in the future we may be eating lots of soups and casseroles which can easily be extended so people don’t feel deprived. Some may say that this recipe has lots of preservatives, salt, fats, and such. I maintain when we are living in harder times, those characteristics may not be considered such bad things. Serves 4-6 1 cup chicken, cooked, de-boned, and cut into small pieces, about 1 breast 1 can …
Reader H.L. sent: While the White House and Senate Democrats hammered guns and gun rights during 2013, investors put their money into gun company stocks and garnered “incredible returns.” Items from The Economatrix: Must-Know: Minimum Wage of $7.25 Isn’t As Low As People May Think US Wholesale Stockpiles Grow 1.4 Pct. In October Why Natural Gas Prices Jumped On The Latest Inventory Report
J.B.B. sent a link to some fascinating maps and data: Rural Character in america’s Metropolitan Areas. (79% of US population is classified as Urban.) o o o Reader D.K.C. mentioned some apparently bad news for both ranchers and preppers: F.D.A. Restricts Antibiotics Use for Livestock o o o Colorado police arrested a man for open carry and now they’re going to pay o o o Reason to leave #1,383,622: New York City Board of Health approves mandatory flu shots for kids o o o The Tally: State Gun Laws Enacted in the Year Since Newtown. (Thanks …
"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." – Thomas Jefferson