SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. The Knockout Game rears its ugly head again this week.
Knockout Game
It appears that the knockout game is making a comeback. If you are not familiar with this “game” You need to be. It’s where players walk up to a stranger and sucker punch them in an attempt to get a one-punch knockout. With at least two high-profile incidents in the last week, residents in New York and Pennsylvania fear that this cruel prank is here again. Thanks to T.J. for the link.
Concealed Carry
What a difference one generation can make. In 1987 crime was out of control and on the rise. While most people (and state governments) felt that more gun control was the answer, nine states took a different route – “Shall Issue” permits were put in place making it possible for non-felons to apply for a concealed carry license and the government was obliged to grant it. Forty states had “May Issue” laws which typically resulted in a denial of the request and only one state didn’t require a permit at all. Now only seven states retain the “May Issue” laws and the ranks of those not requiring a permit is on the rise. There has not been “blood in the streets” as the pundits predicted and crime is on a downward trend. Heinlein was right. An armed society is a polite society.
Costa Rica Mountain Retreat
Our sister site, Survival Realty has a new listing for 3.1 acres in Costa Rica. It’s a small farm with a two bedroom house and a large garage. The nearest town is 20 minutes away on paved roads. if you are looking at expatriation, or even just a foreign vacation spot, this is a listing that you need to look at. At a minimum, check out the pictures – They are absolutely beautiful.
Sourdough Starter
If you are having trouble getting a good tasting sourdough starter going where you live, reader J.C. suggested you might want to look at Carl’s Friends. You can obtain a free starter by following the directions on his site. all that is necessary is to send a self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope to the address listed on the side. There are instructions for both U.S. and foreign residents.
Government Housing Scam
According to the article link sent in by reader H.L., a couple purchased a run-down home from the city of New Orleans with the intent to repair it and then either resale it or rent it. But only a few weeks after the sale went through, the city dispatched a bulldozer and not only leveled the home, but sent them a bill for $11,000 for the job. The city had condemned the home and sent the notifications to someone who hadn’t even owned the home for years. It’s pretty tough for them to claim ignorance since they are the ones who last owned and actually sold the home to the new couple. The city had even collected property tax from the new owners.
Multifunction Tent Stove
Reader T.J. sent in this nice short review of the SilverFire Tent Dragon Stove – A multifunction tent stove that is incredibly efficient. While most tent stoves are still using decades old technology and regularly belch smoke, this stove uses a secondary burn feature to burn off the wood gasses making it very efficient. it also has a warming oven built in and can be converted to a grill as well as an attached water heater. I’m kind of wishing I had known about this stove before I bought mine last year.
Weather Proverbs
Remember those old sayings that your grandparents used to describe the weather? Things like “Frogs croaking in the lagoon, means rain will come real soon.” It turns out that they weren’t crazy after all. Reader DSV sent in this link to 32 Weather Proverbs that Are Actually True. If nothing else, it’s an enjoyable read.
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News Tips:
Please send your news tips to HJL. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who watch news that is important to them. Due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” news. We often “get the scoop” on news that is most likely ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
Re: the “knockout game”, it is impossible not to notice in most if not all of these instances that the “players” are young African-American males, and the victims are mostly white. I’ve yet to see this distinction mentioned in any of these articles, although I’m sure if the “players” races were reversed, this would most certainly be highlighted in every story.
Re: Government Housing Scam
I seem to recall something about the government in New Orleans (a “Chocolate City” according to its mayor, Ray Nagin)- oh yes-liberal throughout. That characteristic alone means it is incompetent, indifferent or both. Sadly, stories such as these will continue until those responsible- the government officials involved- are required to make restitution out of their own pockets rather than taxpayers.
Whenever I’m in “knockout territory “ I slip my folding knife into my dominant hand, unopened. This simple act raises my SA level significantly, puts my mind in a”danger imminent “ mode.
This “knockout game” will not occur on a regular basis (if at all) in pro-gun States. Another reason to support the NRA and vote.
The NRA has come out in support of banning bump stocks and specialty trigger assemblies among other innocuous devices.
May want to steer your disposable income to Gun Owners of America instead.
NRA’s history is freely available online. Make up your own mind if their agenda fits your’s.
Re Knockout “game:” it’s not a “cruel prank.” It’s a vicious assault with intent to commit grave bodily harm. People have died from such blows. When perpetrators start getting shot on a regular basis for trying, it will stop.
I used to live in communist Eugene, OR and purchased a Silvefire Survivor rocket stove at the Silverfire store there. The man who owns the company claims to have helped develop the Stovetec gasifier stoves. He has some very interesting designs and is very passionate about his products. I haven’t had the need to use mine but have tried it out and found it to be quite efficient.
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant, as our enemy the devil walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”!
It should be called the “sucker punch” game because the ones I’ve seen caught on video, the victim never saw it coming. The best defense is to stay far away from liberal cities, which I do anyway, with or without the “game.”