Letter Re: A Prepper Goes to College

JWR: S. John’s article on higher education generated some great responses, many of which urged careful attention to choosing an area of study that would be of practical use if/when TSHTF, engineering, medicine or nursing rather than law, English, sociology or political science.  I couldn’t agree more that practical skills will be needed.   In spite of the general disrepute in which lawyers are held, however, I’d like to suggest that law is and will always be a practical skill. If I claimed that 90% (or even 95%) of all knowledge in the field of medicine has been acquired in the …


Economics and Investing:

It was no great surprise on Monday to see spot gold punch through the $1,600 per ounce level for the first time ever, and spot silver back up above $40 per ounce. But just wait…. If Greece defaults on its sovereign debt, there could be some real fireworks in the metals markets. (And in the credit markets, and the FOREX currencies market…) Loyal content contributor F.G. sent this news item: Wealthy Britons Prepare To Flee Central Banks’ First-Half Gold Buying Surpasses 2010 Total. (Thanks to Jeff B. for the link.) Michael W. sent this: Free seeds helping Americans get by, …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Captain Anaconda sent this MiiU link: AxMan’s $30 Bug Out Bag. (I’m hoping that the MiiU wiki continues to grow.)    o o o If you must live in California, then at least live in a county where you have a reasonable chance of getting a CCW permit. Here is a useful map.    o o o Commentary from Tamara, over at View From The Porch: On brain drains and foot voting…    o o o The Idaho County Free Press reported that a Christian Reformed Church is forming in the Clearwater Valley of north-central Idaho. Those interested are invited …



Smoke and Mirrors: The Full Implications of the U.S. National Debt

We are told by U.S. Treasury officials and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that the Federal Government’s debt is now just over 100% of our nation’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and while this level of debt is “alarming”, it is “still sustainable.” Meanwhile, Greece’s sovereign debt is now 157% of its GDP, and the nation is on the verge of default and collapse. I presume that Joe Sixpack here in the U.S. sees the news headlines and says to Mrs. Sixpack: “Wow, those poor Greeks. I’m glad that we don’t live there. I wouldn’t feel safe, living in Greece.” …


Pat’s Product Review: Springfield Armory M1A

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I hear from quite a few SurvivalBlog readers about my articles. Most of you are pretty knowledgeable, polite and have questions. There’s a few SurvivalBlog readers who are rude, it’s okay, we’re all entitled to our opinions. When you’re reading a review of any product, be it a gun, knife, camping gear, or whatever, you must remember, you are reading the opinion of the writer. Although I’ve been writing about firearms and knives for almost 20-years now, and I’ve been a shooter for more than 40 years, I don’t consider myself an “expert” of any sort. Instead, I call myself …


Letter Re: Labor Requirements Expectations, Post Collapse

Hello James: This letter is an attempt to throw some stakes into the ground that might serve as  a realistic basis for “expectation management”. People’s ability to soldier onward under adverse conditions is very closely tied to the alignment (or gap) between expectations and the reality of the moment.   People who have had every advantage have given up and committed suicide because their expectation was that they were destined to become the Chief Executive Officer of a Fortune 500 company before their 45th birthday.  Others greet every morning with relentless cheerfulness even though their day meant 10 hours of mopping …


Two Letters Re: Unleaded Spout Solution for NATO Gas Cans

Dear JWR: In his Letter Re: Unleaded Spout Solution for NATO Gas Cans  in the July 14th edition of SurvivalBlog, writer Lee H. wrote that “Like many others that bought military surplus steel NATO fuel cans, I was frustrated by the fact that only large diameter leaded fuel spouts were available for these cans.” Happily, this is not the case. HQ Company (“Surplus and Survival headquarters”) in Colorado Springs, Colorado offers both screw-on type nozzles for the old U.S. military Jerry cans as well as the clamp-on NATO-type fuel can spout, both of which have their tips reduced for use with U.S. …


Two Letters Re: Fast-Deploying Paracord Bundles

Jim: I saw this YouTube video two years ago demonstrating how to make a “rip-cord” style paracord bracelet. I made one, but not for a bracelet. Instead of a wallet chain, I have a paracord rip-cord chain with about 30 feet. Same principle, and super-easy to unwind! One warning: When unwound, it’s ‘loopy’ so when unwinding, if possible, try straightening it as you go. – Tangalor   James; This World News clip on how to tie fast deploying paracord bundles could be a good way to keep the young ones busy on a rainy day. Your blog is a great …


Letter Re: Update on Midget White Turkeys

Dear Mr. Rawles: A few months ago I sent in an article titled, ‘Midget White Turkey, the Perfect Homestead Bird’.  The article described everything as it was…then.  But we’ve had a few hitches and I thought if people are preparing for serious times, they might want to know some of the problems we’ve also faced (and are facing) raising turkeys, especially since Survivalblog keeps a ‘library’ of all the articles that come in and someone might be using our article as a guide. After the first successful hatch, we were unable to raise a second one.  Multiple candlings showed most …


Economics and Investing:

Does this sound familiar? Iran’s Economic Spiral: Country to Cut ‘4 Zeros’ Off of National Currency. (A hat tip to F.J. for the link.) The same thing could eventually happen here. If it does, anyone holding coinage will reap a huge overnight profit. (Since coinage is usually not part of a currency exchange.) Have you been stocking up on Nickels? Items from The Economatrix: Ireland’s Debt Junked as Euro Crisis Spreads The Beginning of the End of Europe Eurozone Hits The Fan:  Gold Price Surging & Silver Begins to Make a Move A Run on the United States Government Alternative …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Jeff B. wrote to mention this site: DNSDown.com. FWIW, our IP address is: 64.92.111.122. Please make note of it–both in your browser’s bookmarks file and on the back of a business card in your wallet. And just in case this blog (or even the whole Internet) ever disappears, a SurvivalBlog 5-Year Archive CD-ROM is available for just $14.95. Production of the CD-ROM will end on August 1st, so order soon! (We are currently developing a prototype with a new vendor. Stay tuned.)    o o o Reader John R. mentioned the trailer for a high budget Hollywood movie with lots …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 35 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) 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, and B.) Two cases of Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo, and E.) …


The Early Stages of Preparation, by St. Croix

The Early Stages of Preparation, by St. Croix Over the past couple of years I have had a few people, two in particular, hint to me that it would not be a bad idea to begin picking up a few extra non-perishable items on my weekly visits to Wal-Mart or the local grocery store.  I began realizing, like most of the population, when me or my wife go to the store, we normally only pick up a “few things”, or just enough to get us through the week.  However, thanks to their continuous subtle remarks, and the assistance of the …