Pat Cascio’s Product Review: Zero Tolerance 0630 Folder

Not bragging, not in the least, but when I was in high school and beyond, everyone used to say I was the coolest guy they knew. Just about everyone who signed my high school year book said I was “cool”. Go figure? I guess that puts me in the same camp with “Fonzie” from the TV show “Happy Days”. Fonzie, from the show, and I had a couple of things in common, and one of the major things was that we both hated admitting we were wr…….., er, um, wro…..ohhhh, wron…..ok, ok, we hated admitting when we were wrong!! I …


Recipe of the Week: Chicken Enchilada Casserole, by Mrs. Hugh Latimer

This is a very easy recipe and one of our family’s long-time favorites. However, I also have a camping (or emergency/SHTF) version of it that is almost as good. I’m going to give you both versions, as a sneak peak for recipes I’m assembling to share in an upcoming food preparation cookbook, which has not yet been titled. (We produce and store most of the food we consume, including spices and even some medicines and teas, so stay tuned. It’s in “the works”. We also enjoy scrumptious meals regardless of where we find ourselves (at home, on the road, on …


Letter Re: The Lack of Police and Fire Training

Hugh, This comment is in regards to the Letter: The Lack of Police and Fire Training or Preparation for the Aftermath of an EMP. I have had the pleasure of working for one of the Northeast’s largest cities in their Emergency Management Department, and I am currently the Director for a County EMA in the Midwest. I agree with your comments that the risk is not high on the list that we prepare for, but we do have conversations regarding this quite a bit. Part of the problem is that the run of the mill police officer or fire fighter …


Economics and Investing:

Jim Rogers: Turmoil Is Coming. – G.G. o o o The Next Great European Financial Crisis Has Begun. – B.B. o o o Tens of thousands march against austerity in London. What will happen in our inner cities when America is similarly really BROKE????? Those in better neighborhoods will be struggling, BUT will be in more danger from those feeling “deprived”! – H.L. o o o Why A U.S Shale Slowdown Will Hardly Effect Oil Prices


Odds ‘n Sods:

Bartering in a Post-Collapse Society. – H.L. o o o Paul Craig Roberts: “Washington Is Impotent To Prevent Armageddon”. – D.C. o o o How resilient is the United States’ food system to pandemics? . – I.R. o o o Video: Building a primitive wattle and daub hut from scratch. – J.C. o o o Video: Gunpowder From Urine. – A.R.


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

Government-to-government foreign aid promotes statism, centralized planning, socialism, dependence, pauperization, inefficiency, and waste. It prolongs the poverty it is designed to cure. Voluntary private investment in private enterprise, on the other hand, promotes capitalism, production, independence, and self-reliance. – Henry Hazlitt


Notes for Sunday – June 21, 2015

June 21st is the birthday of Rex Applegate (June 21, 1914 – July 14, 1998). He was the friend and mentor of SurvivalBlog’s Senior Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 59 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three day 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 military …


Letter Re: Android Geiger Counter

Thanks for the reference to the $30 android counter; I bought one! Also, note that Radioactivity Counter is an Android ap that I have used that detects gamma radiation just using the app; there’s no external devices needed! You’re wondering how? You tape over the camera lens and the camera itself detects gamma radiation sensitivity depending on phone models. I’ve used it, and it works. – M.R.


Economics and Investing:

‘It’s time to hold physical cash,’ says one of Britain’s most senior fund managers. – G.P. o o o Citi forecasts Greek devastation, unstoppable debt spirals in Italy and Portugal. – JBG o o o ‘Last Days of Pompeii’ in Greece as crunch time approaches. – JBG o o o “Bank Holiday” Preparations Begin In Greece, Lines Form At Athens ATMs


Odds ‘n Sods:

An interesting perspective of a movie: What preppers can learn from the movie San Andreas. – J.M. o o o Thirty minutes of your time that will be well spent: Brigitte Gabriel Speaks at 2015 Watchmen on the Wall Conference . – J.T. o o o Every Mass Shooting Shares One Thing In Common & It’s NOT Weapons. – H.L. o o o An automated chicken coop! Because collecting eggs is work enough!. – T.H. o o o Belgian Doctors Are Euthanizing Patients Without Their Consent. – H.L.


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.” Luke 18:40-43 (KJV)



Guest Post: Living On The Edge When The Grid Fails, by A.M.

Using Waldon Pond as a guide and an early Banner motor home as an inspiration, 22+ years ago I wired my 2,000 square foot home for 12-volt and 110-volt solar emergency lighting and light work. Pictured is the home-built control center for the three panel system, which is 100 watts. The 300 watt wind turbine can be used for pumping water when hooked to the single battery or it may be used to charge a neighbor’s battery for barter. A short-run gas generator (110 volt 22 amp) handles the heavy loads when the grid is down and is disconnected from …


Guest Post: 150,000 Cigarettes or 3,275 Ounces of Silver, by Gary Christenson

Suppose on January 1, 1995, over 20 years ago, you quit smoking one pack per day and bought silver instead… Assume: One pack of cigs per day at their average price each month over those 20 years in the United States. Instead of buying cigs, you purchased silver once per month on the last day of the month with the savings. Some states have higher or lower taxes than average. For example, the national average price for a pack of cigs might be $6.50, while some states average over $10 per pack. Use the average price for calculations. Savings: One …


Letter: Clothes Hanger for Armor

Hugh, Many in the community have invested in steel plate body armor. Due to the weight, use of ordinary hangers is out of the question, so it ends up sitting in a heap on the floor or hooked to a nail in the wall. Constructing an effective clothes hanger for your rig so that it can hang in the closet and up off the floor takes about 15 minutes, six dollars, and a trip to Home Depot. Bill of Materials: 1 each 2-ft section of 1.25 inch diameter schedule 40 PVC Pipe $3.23 2 each PVC Pipe end caps 1.25 …