Year: 2014

Minimizing The BOB And Permaculture, by N.E.

I have come to a point within my preparedness goals that my life style has changed, as I spend the majority of my time seeking self sufficiency, with less dependence upon the globalized system. With this life style, I focus on preparedness with two schools of thought– short-term emergencies and long-term emergencies. This post is two parts, with the first being short-term emergencies, the BOB, and ways to minimize your ruck. The second part is focusing on the long emergency with Permaculture (sustainable gardening). Part 1- Knowledge and Items for Short-term Emergencies I highly recommend everyone interested in preparedness take …


Letter Re: Challenging the Ammo Shortage

Hi. As a long-time reader, I’ve always felt that you do a good job of seeing the truth through whatever smoke is being put out, but I’m surprised to see you swallowing the “it’s the hoarders” excuse for our continued shortage of ammo. Simple supply and demand explains that when demand is higher than the supply, the price goes up. If demand and price remain high, then the supply will surely increase. Eventually, supply is increased to meet demand and the price settles to its “natural” level. The story we are repeatedly told is that ammo manufacturers have maxed-out their …



Economics and Investing:

37.2%: Percentage Not in Labor Force Remains at 36-Year High o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: 1 in 6 American Men Between Ages 25-54 Are Not Working Last Time This Happened, The Financial Crisis Broke Out Truth About The Jobs Report And The Economy Credit-Card Use Surges In April This Is What Irrational Exuberance Looks Like: ‘Five Years Later, Do We Face A Market Melt-Up?


Odds ‘n Sods:

Metal Studs Treat The Homeless ‘Like Animals’ – T.P. o o o Treasury Department Employee Firing Rate Is 4th Lowest Among Federal Agencies – PLC o o o Turing Test breakthrough as super-computer becomes first to convince us it’s human . – T.P. There will be those who see this as an advancement towards a “skynet” type system, but the real fear is more down to earth. Can this program accelerate the duping of real humans in online fraud? What happens when the state of the art voice synthesis is combined with this? This may raise the bar on identity …




Book Review: The End of the Age

Book Title: The End of the Age Author: Pat Robertson Copyright Date: 1995 Publisher: Word Publishing ISBN: 0-8499-1290-3 Amazon Link: The End of the Age Audio, e-book or foreign translation available: Audio and Kindle available Suitable for children; probably okay for Jr. High and up. This book was personally handed to me with a “You should read this” admonition, which came from someone who knows me well and whose advice I respect. A cursory scan showed that it had promise, so into the queue it went. I will tell you now that no sooner had I finished this book than …


Book Review: Fury of the Fifth Angel

Book Title: Fury of the Fifth Angel Author: Pat & Chris Hoffman Copyright Date: 2013 Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing ISBN: 978-1-4575-2429-5 Amazon Link: Fury of the Fifth Angel Audio, e-book or foreign translation available: Kindle available Suitable for children: No. I had just finished reading The End of the Age when Fury of the Fifth Angel arrived in my mailbox. I hadn’t even gotten started on writing my review of “The End of the Age”. Given the title and the subject matter, I knew I was going to have to bump Fury of the Fifth Angel up to the top …


Comparison of The End of the Age and Fury of the Fifth Angel

SPOILERS AHEAD I could not help but compare the two of these in my mind as I read Fury of the Fifth Angel, and I believe there is value in this, so here are my thoughts having read them both back to back. The End of the Age does a better job of laying out the progression from one disaster to the next, explaining how each one sets the stage for the next one, much like falling dominoes. The argument is made even more compelling by its direct correlation to prophecy, particularly given the lack of scientific knowledge available to …


Scot’s product Review: Ching and Rhodesian Slings

I’m going to have to explain a few things before I can properly review today’s product, so please bear with me; I will get there! I’ve heard slings called the rifle’s equivalent of the pistol’s holster. It’s not a bad analogy, but that only speaks to carrying the rifle. The right type of sling can also improve one’s ability to get hits with the rifle. What most shooters use to carry the rifle is a simple strap that allows them to carry it over their shoulder. There are also the so-called tactical slings that also allow you to carry the …


Recipe of the Week: Au Gratin Potatoes from Scratch

At our retreat, our most important vegetable plantings will be potatoes (high carb, dense, high energy, keepers) and onions (keepers with the ability to intensely or subtlety flavor dishes). The lettuce, tomatoes, beans, and what all will be secondary. 10 Yukon gold potatoes 3-4 Tbsp olive oil or butter 1/2 onion, diced 1 clove garlic, diced 4 c milk 4 Tbsp flour 4 Tbsp butter 2 c shredded or cubed cheese cheese Salt and pepper to taste Paprika Breadcrumbs, optional Fresh thyme, optional Wash, peel potatoes, and slice on a mandolin. (A mandolin is quicker than knife work and makes …


Letter Re: Harvest Right Freeze Dryer

HJL, Hi, I purchased one of the Harvest Right units before your review and was impressed after looking over the machine. My first load was chicken, blueberries, muskmelon, and pineapple. WOW! It took a little longer, due to the moisture content of the berries, but everything turned out as the company said it would. Remember, one is none and two is one. Remember that in bad situation one will use more than 2000 cals due to stress, etc. Most of the units I have priced say they can supply those cals for 10k for one person. Oh, by the way, …


Economics and Investing:

The Madness Of Crowds And The Great Insanity – J.W. o o o 37.2%: Percentage Not in Labor Force Remains at 36-Year High. – B.B. o o o Items from Mr Econcobas: 25% of Americans Saving $0 For Retirement Americans Think Economy Won’t Recover Until 2017 Abenomics Spurs Most Misery Since ’81 as Senior Scrimps Peter Schiff: Snow Job


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cops In Texas Seize Millions By ‘Policing for Profit’. – B.B. o o o Hendersonville hiker markets self-designed pack – G.G. o o o Glock Distributor and Two Glock Executives Indicted on Million+ Dollar Bribery and Fraud Charges – JBG o o o Mexico’s vigilante movement has a strong U.S. connection o o o Just because you’ve been making cheese that way for 5000 years doesn’t mean it’s safe. FDA Rules No Wooden Boards in Cheese Aging – Mike Williamson, SurvivaBlog Editor At Large.