Notes for Saturday – April 18, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 58 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 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 or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with …


Letter Re: Strike Anywhere Matches

HJL, With all this talk about Strike Anywhere matches, I have to point out the obvious– that’s old technology. If you want to start a fire (anywhere), use a Benzomatic self-igniting torch. Various models are available at big box stores for between $24.97 and $42.97. I’ve used one to start our wood fireplace for about five years before I had to switch out the gas cylinder. You can set soaking wet wood on fire with one. – G.G. HJL Replies: I can see the benefits of using such a device from the home or vehicle. However, when backpacking, it’s tough …


Economics and Investing:

One of our largest firms involved in oil extraction! Schlumberger slashes 11,000 jobs. – H.L. o o o Why even high earners are struggling to save. – G.G. o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: “We’re All Frogs In Boiling Water” Santelli Says After Lacy Hunt Warns “This Is Far From Over” Is May 9 The Grexit Date? – Interesting Take Stocks Slammed – Dow Tumbles 350 Points Into Red Year-To-Date US Rig Count Drops For Record 19th Week In A Row


Odds ‘n Sods:

Conspiracy Theorists, Bloggers Compared To ISIS During Congressional Hearing. – H.L. o o o Your car’s hidden ‘black box’ and how to keep it private. – JBG o o o ‘Intelligent’ Streetlights to ‘Watch’ Florida Residents. – G.P. HJL notes: Currently, this implementation is rather benign, but the company already lists the technology on their web site for a much more Orwellian experience. o o o Dry Wells Plague California as Drought Has Water Tables Plunging 1800′ wells for water! – P.S. o o o Video: Make Your Own $7 Ultimate Bushcraft Axe. – RBS


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: who shall offer it before the Lord, and make an atonement for her” Leviticus 12:6&7a (KJV)


Notes for Friday – April 17, 2015

On April 17, 1961, about 1,500 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in a failed attempt to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro. Due to the Cuba/Soviet intelligence network as well as loose talk by members of the brigade, which was repeated in U.S. and foreign newspaper reports, the Cuban government knew, in advance, of the planned invasion. The Washington Post also reported that the Soviets knew the exact date of the attack, that the CIA was aware that they knew, and that the CIA did not inform president Kennedy. o o o Today, …


Letter Re: LE Criticism

HJL, I believe there are a few points being lost in the ongoing debate concerning law enforcement’s attitude towards their job and the public. Time and time again the blanket statement levied in support of law enforcement’s defense is “ Not all cops are bad”. I agree with this wholeheartedly, and I think any sane person would also agree with this. However, as a person who exercises critical thinking, I have to wonder, where are the “good cops”? Where are the whistleblowers? Good cops don’t allow flagrant abuse of police powers, good cops don’t blindly follow, Good cops don’t stand …


Economics and Investing:

How many more working persons can you fit into a household until the entire family cannot afford anything? o o o Is Saudi Arabia Setting The World Up For Major Oil Price Spike? o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Japan Now Holds More U.S. Debt than China – The trend here is interesting… Bets Are Off on ‘Grexit’ as Default Fears Grow Fed’s Fischer Says Fed Can’t Be “On Hold For Ever”, Spooks Bonds & Bullion


Odds ‘n Sods:

Leaked Document From Mayor to Police: Your Paycheck Depends on How Many Tickets You Write. – H.L. o o o ISIS-trained man arrested in U.S., DOJ says. – D.S. o o o California’s Green Drought. How bad policies are compounding the state’s water shortage. – T.P. o o o Judge opens door for cops to storm your home. – D.S. o o o I’ve been reading John Mosby’s blog for a bit now and have watched with interest as he has joined with Forward Observer Magazine. Their focus is Intelligence and they have some very good articles. I think SurvivalBlog …



Notes for Thursday – April 16, 2015

April 16th is the birthday of two notable novelists– J. Neil Schulman and Samuel Youd. Agorist-Libertarian activist J. Neil Schulman (born April 16, 1953) is best known as author of the novel Alongside Night. The late Samuel Youd (born 1922, died February 3, 2012) was the British novelist who was best known for his science fiction writings under the pseudonym John Christopher, including the survivalist novel Death of Grass(titled No Blade of Grass, in the American edition) as well as the Tripods Seriesof young adult sci-fi novel series. A fascinating man, Youd wrote prolifically, using eight pen names. He was …


Letter: Anti-LE Tilt

HJL, On occasion I see an anti-LE tilt to some e-mails submitted to SurvivalBlog. I have to wonder at anyone who is at age 35 trying to break into law enforcement, but that is their choice. It actually sounds like some public defenders I know. Recalling my brother-in-law’s academy adventure, he was @10 weeks into a boot camp style police academy for a prestigious city PD and was ready to quit. Too hard? Not really; it was just that as a former Air Force NCO, he did not think he was being treated in a deferential manner as he was …


Economics and Investing:

Guess who holds even more US debt than China or Japan. – G.G. o o o Ron Paul on CNBC: ‘The whole system is built on fractional reserve banking, accumulation of debt, and malinvestment….Things are very, very fragile.’ o o o From our friends Frank and Fern: Negative Interest is Here o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Why Is WalMart Mysteriously Shuttering Stores Nationwide For “Plumbing Issues”? – Not sure there is really anything to read into or not, but it’s interesting none the less. Greece Running Out of Time as Officials Draw Contingency Plans Draghi’s Deranged Paranormal: European …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Another Showdown? Armed Members of Oath Keepers Group Preparing for Standoff Against BLM. – B.B. o o o Federal court rejects Third Amendment claim against police officers. – T.P. o o o Inventor of Antivirus Sofware: “Encryption Doesn’t Matter In a World Where Anyone Can Plant Software On Your Phone and See What You’re Seeing”. – H.L. o o o Ruskin mailman tries flying to Capitol in gyrocopter to deliver campaign reform message to Congress. – P.M. SurvivalBlog reader T.P. notes that there is no visible “N” number or “Experimental” placard, which are both FAA required for every kit rotorcraft …