Year: 2013

Odds ‘n Sods:

Some clever video editing paired with some words that ring true: Bill Whittle’s Virtual States of the Union.    o o o Camping Survival is running their semi-annual sale on Mountain House foods. They are offering 25% off #10 cans and kits, and 15% off all pouches. The last day of the sale is March 1st, so order soon!    o o o Pierre M. sent links to PDFs of two U.S. Army manuals that might be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. One is recent, and the other is circa 1977: TM 10-8465-236-24P — MOLLE II Equipment and FM21-15 — …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, [even] thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.” …


Notes from JWR:

The next day of synchronized Day Of Resistance rallies is scheduled for February 23rd. — Today we present two more entries for Round 45 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 …


The Watchmen, by Derek C.

When was the last time you pulled an all-nighter? I’m not talking about coming home at 2am on New Years. I’m talking about staying awake and alert, for an entire evening, before sundown to after sun up. Has it been a few years, or maybe never? With all this excitement about “bugging out” and prepping, there’s a lot of talk about security and self defense, but I have yet to read an in depth article about the practical application of watches. Kind of boring maybe, but in a TEOTWAWKI, scenario keeping a watch is essential, so let’s dissect it in …


Foundational Documents of the American Republic, by Steven G.

Often, when two modern patriots are having a discussion, they agree with the failure of the public education system to teach basic American history, or to expose students to the foundations of our modern Republican form of government. The speakers quickly move on since they are often unable to specifically identify that which has been lost. Similarly, you often hear talk radio or television personalities spend an enormous amount of time suggesting courses of study or books, only concluding that the answer to the conundrum is the latest product that they happen to have for sale on their web site …


Letter Re: A Newbie’s Perspective on Raising Chickens

Mr. Rawles and Readers, I would like to make an additional comment on the well written article “A Newbie’s Perspective on Raising Chickens”.  It is true, that most of the hatchery breeds of chickens have lost their inclination to brood, however a few breeds still maintain their skills as good brood hens.  We purchased three Silkie chickens two years ago and I have been amazed at their tenacity toward both laying and setting eggs.  One hen tried for six weeks to set eggs in the pen in the middle of a snow drift in February and March.  She was so …


Economics and Investing:

Michael W. sent:In hard-hit Spain, bartering becomes means of getting by G.G. sent this: World’s top economies shrink for first time in four years Ask Russ: How Bad is the Sequester? Is Hyperinflation A Certainty? Items from The Economatrix: Retail Apocalypse:  Why Are Major Retail Chains All Over America Collapsing? Currency War Has Started. International Monetary System To Destabilize And Collapse Peter Schiff:  America is Becoming the United States of Britain


Odds ‘n Sods:

Shotgun ammo for home defense: birdshot will do.    o o o Recall! Olin Corporation Winchester Division is recalling one lot of its green tip 5.56mm M855 62 Grain PENE centerfire rifle ammunition. Apparently the wrong powder was used. Symbol Number: ZGQ3308 Lot Number: WCC10M106-004. This is marked on case lot exteriors and individual box flaps.    o o o Illinois state senator pushes anti-anonymity bill. [JWR’s Comment: John Belushi said it best: “I hate Illinois Nazis.”]    o o o AmEx sent: Massive Sunspot Rapidly Forming    o o o More gun makers and retailers are refusing to sell …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of." – James Madison, Federalist No. 46, 1788


Notes from JWR:

This is the birthday of Group Captain Douglas Bader (born 1910, died 5 September 1982). Bader was a Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter ace during the Second World War. He lost his legs in a pre-war flying accident, but that didn’t stop him from re-entering the RAF when war broke out. He was credited with 20 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared probable and 11 enemy aircraft damaged. Bader was eventually shot down and became a POW in Germany. Since the Luftwaffe ran its own POW camps, he became a celebrity with his captors. The Germans would …


Local Food and Energy from Top Lit Up Draft Micro-Gasification Stoves, by Doug B.

"Food and energy are the two keystones of any community economy anywhere on earth.   If we produce and distribute food and energy locally, we have the food, the energy and the money.   We establish the capacity to create and retain wealth in our community.   We put in place the two foundations of any human economy."  -David Yarrow. More and easier food and energy production immediately raise standards of living. Less time worrying about essentials, leaves more time to do everything else.  Do not overlook this simple truth in preparedness and future planning.  Top Lit Up Draft (TLUD) stove technology has …


Letter Re: The Water Filter Quest

JWR, I found the recent water filter article interesting and appreciate all the time Scott spent researching water filters.  I set up filters for missionaries in Third World countries and have found that plastic water containers can promote bacteria growth.  I believe there are two causes: 1. The plastic scratches when cleaning and provides a place for the nasties to attach and hide on the sides of the container, and 2. The container allows sunlight to enter which also encourages some types of bacteria.   Another problem with only using mechanical filtration is some viruses are physically impossible to filter …


Letter Re: A Newbie’s Perspective on Raising Chickens

Jim, I wanted to comment on this article.  I thought it was a great play by play of getting chickens and keeping them for eggs. Just a few comments about the article and some tips I’ve learned over the years (mistakes I made myself) that I figure could help Adventane and others reading the article.   1.  It’s common for a group of hens to find a preferred nest and use it as a community nest.  I commonly find two hens in the same nest.   2.  The crumbles are great for smaller birds but unfortunately for larger laying hens …


Economics and Investing:

The dip in spot silver is continuing. Silver was down to just $28.54 per troy ounce, the last time I checked. This is a great buying opportunity. Buy on the dips! The handwriting is on the wall for the U.S. penny and nickel: Minting Coins Cost U.S. Taxpayers $436 Million: Chart of the Day Reader Joe B. sent this: If the Euro Collapses, the Swiss Army Is Ready B.B. sent this: Peter Schiff: It’s Going To Hit The Fan During Obama’s Second Term Items from The Economatrix: Will We See $5 Gasoline This Year? Refinery Closures Send Gas To Near …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Build Your Own Emergency Phone Charger with Common Household Objects.    o o o Gun bill giving sheriff right to inspect homes pulled by Washington lawmakers. (Thanks to B.B. for the link.)    o o o Reader Larry R. suggested CHIRP — a free, open-source tool for programming your amateur radio.    o o o Alex Jones reports: Gamechanger: Printable Gun Magazines. This technology is maturing much faster than I had anticipated. Visit Cody’s Wilson’s web site: DefCAD.org. “Download a magazine, today.” And after you do, please make a donation, via BitCoin or PayPal. The Powers That Be surely hate …