Day: February 24, 2014

Notes from HJL:

Ammunition and Government Contracts Much ado has been made over government contracts for ammunition in the last two years (or since the ammunition shortages began). I really think the excitement stems from not understanding how government contracts work, so I’d like to explain to our readers how this process actually saves them money (tax dollars) and does not mean that the government is buying all of the product that has been reported as under contract. I work in a small volunteer fire department. While we have excellent quality fire gear, it does eventually wear out and must be replaced. It …


Sid’s R.E.A.D.Y. Book Review

  CONTACT! A Tactical Manual for Post Collapse Survival Revised and Expanded Second Edition by Max Velocity ISBN-13: 978-1478106692 Publisher: CreateSpace www.createspace.com Publication date: 2012 Sid’s R.E.A.D.Y. SCALE 1=Low 5=High Readability: Literary style and ease of assimilation Educational : Utility of the information Accuracy: Fact or conjecture, opinion or consensus. Detail: Depth of information. Are the nuts & bolts of the concepts present? Yes Factor: Overall rating The author Max Velocity (not his real name) is an ex-U.S. and U.K. armed forces member. He served with British Special Operations Forces. Per the authors bio: The author served on six operational …


Pat’s Product Review – Cold Steel’s Counter Point

There are many stupid knife (and gun) laws on the books, all over this country. Many are archaic in nature and aren’t enforced; however, they are still on the books just the same. There are some states, like Texas, that prohibit “daggers” or double edge knives. Believe it or not, some areas forbid the ownership of anything called a “Bowie” knife. Insane! My late friend and mentor, Col. Rex Applegate, co-designed the Applegate/Fairbairn (A/F) double-edge fighting knife during WWII. It was a vastly improved Fairbairn/Sykes double edge knife. However, WWII came to a close before the A/F came into production. …


Pat’s Product Review: Altai MF Tactical Boots

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that it doesn’t pay to purchase cheap shoes or boots. You only have one pair of feet, so treat them nicely by buying the best you can get! In 1969, when we were on our first day of Basic Training in the U.S. Army, there was one thing the drill sergeants told us (and I’ve never forgotten it) was to “not wear your boots into the shower, get them wet, and wear them until they dry on your feet.” We were told we’d get an Article 15, which is a military reprimand/punishment. …


Recipe of the Week: Mrs. HJL’s Roast and Vegetables

This is a recipe for Comfort Food that is simple and yummy. 1 Rump or Chuck Roast Lawry’s Seasoned Salt 2 Onions, sliced 1/2 cup water Roasting pan Aluminum foil Place the roast in roasting pan. Sprinkle the seasoned sale heavily over the roast. Lay onion slices on top of roast. Pour water into the pan (not over the roast). Tight cover the roast and roasting pan with foil, sealing the edges around the pan. Place in an oven at 300 degree Fahrenheit. Cook all night (at least 8 hours). Peeled potatoes, halved Carrot pieces, large chunks In the morning, …


Letter Re: Communication Radios

HJL, Thought I would give my two cents worth regarding T.K. ‘s question about emergency communication in his valley. About 20 years ago I posed the same question to a ham operator friend of mine. His suggestion was for me to buy a cb with sideband. He claimed that would be the easiest and cheapest way to call for help if needed. He also stated that I may not be able to reach anybody locally due to my remoteness but should find somebody in the country if not the world to respond. I was skeptical at his claim to say …


Letter Re: EMP

Hi Jim, Do you know if we have a EMP attack or if the grid goes down weather we will still have internet service? – GLB HJL Replies: Since the vast majority of the Internet depends upon the power grid, it really depends on how much of the power grid survives an EMP event. The long hauls of the infrastructure would probably survive due to the fact that most are based on fiber optics, which are not affected by EMP. The hubs, connection points and routers all have to have power though, which is affected by EMP events. If the …


Economics and Investing:

I have subscribed to John Mauldin’s newsletter for quite some time now and while I don’t agree with everything he says, I usually enjoy his writings. I’m looking forward to his series on “income inequality”. Take a look at his latest: The Worst Ten-Letter Word. Warning: An email subscription is required to see the full article. o o o Stoic Cyprus back from the dead after banking collapse – Telegraph – JBG Items from The Economatrix: Fed Minutes Point To Continued Paring Of Stimulus U.S. Home Sales Plunged 5.1 Percent In January Is Food Inflation Coming Back? Return of Goldilocks …


Odds ‘n Sods:

A number of people have sent in this link to Selco’s Blog, True Nature of Survival. It is particularly relevant because of the conflicts that we are seeing in Ukraine and Valenzuela. If your main concern is your survival or that of your family, then it makes perfect sense. My problem with it is that it is from a pretty self-centered perspective. If our founding fathers had held to the same ideals, the revolution would have died a quick, crushing death. The supposition is that you cannot affect the outcome, so don’t even try. Yes, there is seemingly senseless death …


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“The tank, the B-52, the fighter-bomber, the state-controlled police and military are the weapons of dictatorship. The rifle is the weapon of democracy. Not for nothing was the revolver called an ‘Equalizer.’ Egalite implies liberte. And always will. Let us hope our weapons are never needed—but do not forget what the common people of this nation knew when they demanded The Bill Of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, and the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny.” – Edward Abbey, Abbey’s Road