Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 50 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $9,700+ 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.) …




Firearms: Understanding the Performance of Your Rifle Through Trials and Tribulations

Many times, we get so caught up in buying our toys and getting them out of the package to play that we don’t pay attention to the fine details that really matter. It’s no surprise that prepping has generally been all about more, bigger, and better firearms and ammunition. Yet, there is so much to be learned about the proper use and care of your firearms that becomes lost on the average person. Many times we buy the gun, we get it out of the package, throw all of our tacti-cool stuff on it, maybe shoot it a few times, …




Two Letters Re: How to Travel as a Prepper When You are a Road Warrior

Dear Mr Rawles, I would like to comment on the letter entitled, “How to Travel as a Prepper When you are a Road Warrior.”   I commend him for trying to be prepared when traveling, however I think he can easily be better prepared.   When I travel I carry the following in a backpack.   1) LifeStraw portable water filter. This is for emergency use only. 2) Bottle of Polar Pure water disinfectant. Polar Pure is based on Iodine Crystals. Polar Pure never expires. It can purify up to 20,000 gallons of water. Note however, that you only want …




Economics and Investing:

L.H. in Colorado sent: State Fiscal Condition: Ranking the 50 States. (Yet again, the American Redoubt region ranks favorable.) The debt levels of some states, such as Texas, are astounding, and any future defaults in times of economic depression could be devastating. From G.G.: Puerto Rico Default “Likely”, FT Reports Items from The Economatrix: Gold And Silver – There Are Reasons Greater Than Demand For Owning Them U.S. Bled To Death By China And Harvested For Its Organs-Dr. Jim Willie Why Is Goldman Sachs Warning That The Stock Market Could Decline By 10 Percent Or More?




Odds ‘n Sods:

The New York Times reports: N.S.A. Devises Radio Pathway Into Computers. Of course they claim that this isn’t being done domestically, but based on other recent revelations, I have some strong doubts. In fact I’m now persuaded that the dialogue of Edward Lyle (Gene Hackman’s character in Enemy Of The State) was more prescient than paranoid.    o o o I heard about Flags and Poles by Lee. This a family owned and operated business in Texas. They are worthy of your business.    o o o My friend Fred The Valmetmeister recommended this eight minute video: M39 Mosin Nagant & …