Month: August 2014


Notes for Sunday – August 24, 2014

On August 24th, 410, Rome was overrun by the Visigoths, an event that symbolized the fall of the Western Roman Empire. This is a moment in history that we would do well to remember. An empire that ruled the world was corrupted from the inside to the point that they could not defend themselves from a much weaker enemy. This could conceivably be the beginning of the dark, middle ages. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 54 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,100+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite …


The Skills of Spotting, Scrounging, and Scavenging

The best prepping will only take you so far. Just like when folks go on a vacation, things are forgotten, not anticipated, or broken. In a TEOTWAWKI situation, having a plan and stocking is great, but there needs to more after that, as well. Think about: What if you’re mugged or carjacked for your BOB and equipment? What if you’re away from home when it hits the fan? Although you thought you had everything, what things escaped your prep lists? Your last spare broke, now what? A TEOTWAWKI situation will likely last years, if not decades or longer. Your thoughts …


Letter Re: Barter Coins

Dear Mr. Latimer, I am trying to build a barter collection of coins. I would like to know if the coins need to be all pre-1965, and if so, do they need to be “new” coins or can old coins that have a readable date on them be used? I bought a set of 2014 1oz Silver American Eagle coins. I think they are supposed to have the same silver content as the pre-1965 coins. Are these okay or should I get rid of them? I also (about 15-20 years ago) bought commemorative bars and round Christmas, Easter, and other …


Economics and Investing:

With Disaster Imminent, Fed Unwilling to Stop Printing Money o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Housing Market Bifurcation: July Uplift At Top End Only ($1M +) US Is In A Depression: Rickards How Spain Implemented Fiscal “Austerity”: Massive Raid On Pension Fund 30 Stats To Show To Anyone That Does Not Believe The Middle Class Is Being Destroyed


Odds ‘n Sods:

Map: Where Is ‘Open Carry’ Legal? – A.W. As usual, the American Redoubt shines. o o o “Atlas Shrugged: Who Is John Galt?” (Part 3 of the movie trilogy)  is scheduled for release on September 12, 2014. (That’s just three weeks away.) Check out the trailer.  The inclusion of a Ron Paul clip and the Lockheed Electra in the trailer both nailed it for me as a “must watch” movie.  (How could I miss seeing how they depict Galt’s Gulch, which is presumably deep in The American Redoubt?)  And BTW, I will also be pre-ordering the movie DVD, as soon …



Notes for Saturday – August 23, 2014

August 23rd is the anniversary of the declaration of the independent state of “Franklin” in Eastern Tennessee by the settlers there in 1784. Unfortunately, the Continental Congress rejected it, so the state of Franklin never became a reality. Today, in 1833, Britain abolished slavery in the colonies and 700,000 slaves were freed. I can’t help but wonder had Abraham Lincoln allowed the political process to run its course, as it did in England, and slavery was abolished by the will of the people, as it would have been, rather than executive order, would we have the racial tensions we have …


How To Survive Without Your Glasses, by J.E.

“Ralph made a step forward and Jack smacked Piggy’s head. Piggy’s glasses flew off and tinkled on the rocks. Piggy cried out in terror: ‘My specs! One side’s broken.” – William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Chapter 4 In the classic dystopian novel “Lord of the Flies,” one of the main characters, Piggy, is virtually incapacitated when his spectacles are broken and stolen by the other boys stranded on the island. For those of us who wear glasses, Piggy’s plight is one that strikes close to home. If you are a glasses-wearer, you have no doubt included optometric equipment in …


Letter Re: John Galt

John Galt lives! Those of us that have read Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, have an idea of what I’m talking about, but that’s not when it started and that’s not where it will end. I remember from grade school that the pilgrims came to this continent to escape persecution from both church and state. Since then, many of the great minds from around the world have come here to avoid persecution from their country’s leaders. Look at the great minds that have arrived just in the twentieth century. The list is so long there is no way I can mention …


Economics and Investing:

Sears has lost nearly $1 billion so far this year and it’s just getting started. – J.W. o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Obamacare Is A Disaster For Businesses, Philly Fed Finds NAFTA Is 20 Years Old – Here Are 20 Facts That Show How It Is Destroying The Economy Why So Much Anger In Ferguson? 10 Facts About The Massive Economic Gap Between White America And Black America Wall Street’s Take On Jackson Hole: “Yellen Was Not Dovish Enough”


Odds ‘n Sods:

At least 105 people laid off at Remington Arms. – T.P. Officially, this is the result of the end and reversal of temporary expansion after the last few heavy years, but some wonder how much the ARs and AKs play into the situation. Neither of those firearms are made in Ilion, NY. It’s way past time for Remington to pack up and move south or west. o o o Ex-CIA Officer: ‘There Are ISIS Sleeper Cells In This Country’. – J.W. o o o One of the best articles I have read on the Ferguson fiasco. Warning: Strong language. #Ferguson …


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.” – Deuteronomy 15:7-8 (KJV)


Notes for Friday – August 22, 2014

August 22nd, 1949 is the day the USSR detonated its first atomic bomb and officially kicked off the atomic age-Cold War, making prepping an acceptable pastime for millions around the world. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 54 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,400+ 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), 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 …


Introduction to Tactical Combat Casualty Care, by W.H.

This is an introduction to Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), which is the medical training that U.S. troops are currently taught to save lives on the battlefield. TCCC is the result of collaboration between U.S. Special Operations Command, trauma doctors, and emergency medical personnel to address the shortcoming in combat medicine at the start, and actually well into the current Wars On Terror. It is the combination of good medicine with good tactics. It incorporates some procedures that are proven to save lives but in the past 75 years were shunned in the medical community. TCCC has proven to reduce …