Note from JWR:

Dr. Cynthia Koelker (our volunteer Medical Editor) has announced a “Survival Medicine Double-Header” with back-to-back Survival Medicine 101 and 201 courses, running from January 27 to February 1, 2014 in St. Marys, Georgia (near Jacksonville, Florida.) There, you will learn basic and advanced techniques for suturing, splinting, casting, office procedures, major trauma, and much more.  You can see details at ArmageddonMedicine.net.




A Global Search: Seeking a SurvivalBlog Managing Editor

I am planning to hire a contracted Managing Editor for SurvivalBlog, sometime in the next two months. While I plan to continue on as Editor, I need some assistance with day-to-day editorial work. This position could be your ticket to living in the Boonies. The locale for the new Managing Editor position will be “virtual”, meaning that our new hire can live and work anywhere on the planet where there is a stable high speed Internet connection. The pay for this 30 hour per-week contracted position will be up to $40,000 per year, depending on the candidate’s experience. Hiring preference …




BHO’s Africa Policy: Confusion and Duplicity Reign

After many years of a “diplomacy and aid dollars only” approach in Africa, the U.S. government has begun active military intervention, north of the equator. Quite disturbingly, while outwardly appearing to be engaged a campaign against Al Qaeda and its allies, these interventions have effectively supported Muslims (particularly the radical Muslim Brotherhood) while abandoning Christians. Witness: Libya, Egypt, and Uganda (against Kony’s LRA.) You’ve all seen the headlines: In 2011, U.S. air power was used in Libya, to back largely Muslim rebels. In late 2013, BHO slashed long-standing military aid to Egypt, indirectly aiding that nation’s Muslim rebels. Hillary Clinton’s …




Pat’s Product Review: Maxxeon 330 Pocket Floodlights

I still recall the days when most folks owned and used some type of D-cell flashlights, that held 2 of the big D sized batteries. And, while they were better than walking around in the dark, they didn’t throw a very bright light, nor was the light bright white – at best, they were yellow in color. And, to be sure, those old flashlight – that are still sold today – really used up the battery power in short order. I remember working as a cop, and using the Mag-Lite “police” flashlight, and the model I used (and I still own …




Pat’s Product Review: Signal Armor

These days, many people are concerned about their privacy, and I admit to being somewhat concerned myself. I recently took down my Facebook page – after it was hacked three times this year. So, if anyone sees a Facebook page with my name on it – it’s not my Facebook page – someone hacked my original page, and made one false Facebook page that looks similar to the real one, and the second one doesn’t even come close to being like my original. Additionally, I found that it was too time-consuming keeping up with everyone’s newest Facebook page posts. Also, …




Letter Re: Building Your Own No-FFL AR From an 80% Complete Receiver

Dear JWR, The mere fact that folks such as Carl X. and C. are discussing, researching, and indeed, well informed on the subject of 80% lower receiver completion gives me hope! I can’t begin to express just how pleasing it is that good people are informing themselves on the subject. Anyway, I’d like to clarify a couple of things, if I may? As C. notes, an inexperienced builder will likely spend at least two hours milling and shaping the fire control pocket. However, a slip of the Dremel does not necessarily mean the blank’s doom. One must remember that the …




Recipe of the Week

C.B.’s Potato Soup Plus Several years ago while shopping at a Sam’s Club warehouse store, my wife and I picked up a can of “Johnny’s Creamy potato” soup mix. It’s a 2-pound can of dehydrated soup mix that serves 24 with a good shelf life. The can on my stove top is at least a year old and has a 2014 date on it. Follow the instructions for a good potato soup or do what I do I make a serving for 8 (8 cups water boiling and 2 Cups of mix) and then when almost done add a small …




Letter Re: How To Use Your IRA /401k to Fund a Survival Retreat Property

Hello, To follow up on a recent letter “How To Use Your IRA /401k to Fund a Survival Retreat Property“, I recommend that people try Equity Trust for IRA/401k management. (I am not employed by these folks nor are any of my family or friends). Their fees approximately 10% of the fees described in the article. With their trust services so there is no need to incorporate. I purchased our retreat in 08′ with my IRA, & have subsequently made other real estate purchases as well. Since then we not only have constructed a guest house but all the underground septic, …




Economics and Investing:

Over at TF Metals Report: Where is the German Gold? (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link.) Craftsman tool owners take note: Sears enters ‘death-spiral,’ retailer could be gone by 2017: Brian Sozzi. (Warning to dial-up readers: Has an automatically-loading video.) B.B. sent: IMF: ‘This is Our Last Wake Up Call for Your Savings’ Items from The Economatrix: “The Biggest Redistribution Of Wealth From The Middle Class And Poor To The Rich Ever” Explained… Over at Mac’s blog: What if all this prosperity was just an illusion? What to look for in December jobs report.




Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader James K. kindly sent: Intense Photos Of Mexican Vigilantes Battling A Drug Cartel For City Control. (Warning to dial-up readers: beaucoup bandwidth required.) Note the that in the first few photos, you mainly see vigilantes armed with .22 rifles and shotguns. But then after the cartel stronghold is defeated and the police are disarmed, some of the vigilantes are armed with AKs, ARs, and even an M-203. This adds credence to what I described in my novels. (Namely, the Butter knife Gun concept.) OBTW, you’ve gotta love the very well-worn M1911 pistol seen in last picture. This being Mexico, …