Year: 2013

Notes from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $8,500+ worth of 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.) …


An Objective Critique of “American Blackout” by J.A. in New Jersey

Last night I was able to sit down and watch the National Geographic channel’s “American Blackout” show on YouTube.com (without family interruption!)   I would like to offer an unbiased critique of the show. The message of the show was very simple – to reach out to the average non-prepping American and illustrate how unprepared the general population is.  The producers of the show used very generic stereotypical characters in order to relate to the widest possible audience.  Every “type” of victim portrayed made simple but life threatening mistakes that were clearly illustrated to make a point about the importance of …


Letter Re: Light Blocking Suggestions for Windows

Mr. Rawles, I’ve just listened to another interview you gave, and noted yet again that you consider light control of utmost importance.  I have several suggestions from the fabric store.  There is a material that really does work perfectly for light control at a reasonable cost (helped by the readily available Joann Fabric Store – also online – 50% off coupons): drapery lining material referred to as ‘blackout’ fabric.  A common brand of this fabric is Roc-Lon, if searching Joann.com online for it.  Another fabric I’ve worked with is the Warm Window insulated shade system (www.warmcompany.com and also carried at …


Letter Re: AC Wiring Safety Warning

Hello Sir: I suspect this may have gone unnoticed by most, but as a former electrician (12 years in the trade) this passage caught my attention:   "I saved some money by making my own connections and crimps. The 00 wire was too thick for my wire strippers, had to use a separating disk with my Dremel tool."   Let me cauthion readers that stripping wire this way is a bad idea. Likewise, taking a box cutter (razor knife) and scoring the insulation in a ring around the cable is also bad. Stripping wire this way tends to cut slightly …


Economics and Investing:

Reader J.B.G. sent: Silver Eagle Record Set: 40 Million Ounces! H.L. spotted this: Treasury Forced to Issue $1Trillion in New Debt in First 6 Weeks of FY14. Pierre M. suggested this over at Zero Hedge: Money Doesn’t Exist Items from The Economatrix: Will Dry Shipping Cool Off Before it Heats Up Again? Four Debt Collection Practices That Need to Change 2% growth will end U.S. as ‘country of opportunity’


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Mark A. recommended a canning, freezing, drying and preserving site: PickYourOwn.org    o o o Florida city uproots couple’s 17-year-old garden, over new ordinance    o o o H.L. sent news of the latest link in the chains of tyranny: New Exit Portals at the Syracuse Airport. [JWR’s Comment: I’ve noticed that our local butcher has a similar arrangement for his cattle abattoir, back behind his shop. (Just not so sleek.) Form follows function.]    o o o The latest news from northern California: Separation movement makes case to North State    o o o Speaking of navigation, there …



Notes from JWR:

Last Day! Safecastle is completing their last Mountain House cans sale of the year, with maximum allowable discounts, free shipping, and some special loyalty reward bonuses for buyers club members. The sale ends at midnight on November 20, 2013. — On November 20, 1903 (110 years ago, today,) in Cheyenne, Wyoming, “Range Detective” Tom Horn went to the newly-invented Julian Gallows for the murder of Willie Nickell, a 14-year-old son of a sheepherder. Horn was hanged just one day short of his 43rd birthday. One interesting detail: He braided his own noose rope. Also on this day, in 1953 (60 …


So, You Bought Fish Antibiotics. Now What?, by TX ER DOC

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First, the disclaimers:  Nothing in this article constitutes medical advice.  It is for information purposes only.  It is not meant to diagnose or treat any disease.  Fish antibiotics are not for human consumption.  Never take any medication that was not prescribed specifically for you by your physician.  Hopefully, this information can help you be a more informed and involved patient.  Short of a true post-SHTF scenario, I strongly advise you not to self-diagnose and treat.  (Health care professionals are especially notorious for doing this.)  I have seen significant harm come to many patients because of this.  Recently, someone killed off …


Five Letters Re: Tips on Selecting and Operating a Generator

Sir: Re: Gary D.’s piece on generator use. Good article; I’ve learned a few additional things over the years about generator usage which your readers may find helpful. Power cords – usually, they’re undersized for the load. There are different American Wire Gauge (AWG) specifications for current carrying capacity: 16 gauge – 12 amp maximum for 25 ft, 3.4 amps for 100 ft. 14 gauge – 16 amp max at 25 ft, 5 amps at 100 ft.. 12 gauge – 20 amps at 25 ft, 7 amps at 100 ft. 10 gauge – 30 amps at 25 ft, 10 amps …


Economics and Investing:

The Biggest Money Printing Of All Time Bitcoin market value now exceeds $750 per BTC. (And the Feds sound nervous…) Items from The Economatrix: Factory Production Rises 0.3% In October Cutting Back On Christmas? 90 Years Ago: The End Of German Hyperinflation Several readers mentioned this: Census ‘faked’ 2012 election jobs report


Odds ‘n Sods:

My thanks to everyone who has helped Orange Jeep Dad in the aftermath of the fire that destroyed his home. Please continue to pray for him and his family, and do what you can to help.    o o o Prepper Recon Podcast: TEOTWAWKI Communications with John Jacob Schmidt of Radio Free Redoubt    o o o Several readers have mentioned this exemplar of pudge and braggadaccio: So-called “prepper” fail: “We’re going to take what you’ve got and there’s nothing you can do”. His attitude closely resembles the despicable looter mentality that was cleverly illustrated in an October, 2009 SurvivalBlog …



Notes from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $8,500+ worth of 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.) …


Alternative Power Systems: An Update, by David J.

A couple years back I wrote a piece for SurvivalBlog about alternative energy in the suburbs.  I described a strategy for dealing with a potentially prolonged blackout in suburbia.  Essentially the plan is to keep a low profile, by camping in my grid tied, stick built, difficult to defend home.  This was accomplished by shrinking our energy footprint by using a well-insulated basement, propane heat and small scale solar to primarily power DC appliances.  The article is still available in the SurvivalBlog archives.   It is a sound strategy, well within the reach of most suburbanites and could keep many people …