Odds ‘n Sods:

I was disappointed to hear that Matt Savinar shut down his Life After the Oil Crash (LATOC) web site after apparently deciding that astrology was more important to him. Somehow, this reminds me of Boston T. Party recounting (in his much-recommended book Boston’s Gun Bible) about how he once bought a nearly new AR-15 at a gun show. When he asked the seller his motivation, the man replied that he needed the cash to buy a Jet-Ski. Reader Nancy T. reports that many of the people who were involved with the LATOC Forums have moved to the Silent Country Forums. …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 33 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 round case of 12 Gauge Hornady …


My Ten Year Caching Experiment, by Joe C.

Metal work has always appealed to me, so I weld as a hobby and a creative release and it brings in extra income. In so doing over the years I have welded various projects for any number of people, known and unknown. Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, I was referred by a friend in a nearby city to a small group of people looking for some anonymous welding. These people struck me right off as ‘survivalists’ who took OPSEC fairly seriously, so I accepted their geo-caching explanation without questioning and proceeded to cut and weld various pipe and plate to …


Three Lessons from Russian History, by R.M.B. in Tennessee

I returned to the United States in 1999 after spending an extended period of time in Russia. The country has a deep, fascinating and sometimes terrible history. However, of moment to this submission are three events that, in my opinion, are very beneficial for each of us to consider and contemplate as we go about our business of preparing. These three events are so significant because I believe that these events are illustrative of what may occur in a SHTF or TEOTWAWKI scenario. By examining what actually transpired in a modern first world civilization during times of SHTF/TEOTWAWKI we can …


Letter Re: Survival Architecture: Building a Retreat that is Defensible, Sustainable and Affordable

James Wesley: On March 25, we saw a post by Phil M. indicating that “At a point of 6′ below the surface of  the earth, temperatures stays constant at around 60°F.”  This may only be true for very specific locales.  For most locations, constant ground temperature reflects the average yearly air temperature for the locale, and ground temps are only constant at a depth of about 30 ft. and below.  At depths above 30 ft., ground temperatures begin to increasingly modulate up and down following seasonal air temperature.  In areas of the world with seasonal temperature changes similar to the …


Economics and Investing:

US Finances Rank Near Worst in the World: Study. (A hat tip to C.D.V. for the link.) J.B.G. flagged this: Worst Texas Drought in 44 Years Eroding Wheat, Beef Supply as Food Rallies Commentary from Ireland: Default or not to default? Now that’s a no-brainer Items from The Economatrix: Just Not in Time Manufacturing: Toyota Tells US Plants “Prepare to Shut Down”  Breaks in Supply Chain: Disaster in Japan Sends Ripples Through Global Economy Fed Officials See U.S. Recovery Taking Hold   Gold Fields: Gold at $1,500 Possible  Durable Goods Orders Fell 0.9% in February  


Odds ‘n Sods:

No Great Surprise Department: Tokyo Shops Ration Goods as Workers Injured at Nuke Plant    o o o More statist elitism: California: Concealed Carry For Politicians, But Not For The People. Methinks the denizens of the Sacramento Capitol Building have forgotten who it is that they represent.    o o o Ten minutes of exciting footage: Exclusive: France 24 Reporters from the front line in Libya. What they lack in skill, they partly make up for, with enthusiasm. This is the quintessence of “a steep learning curve.” (Thanks to Christian L. for the link.)    o o o My #2 …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee [as] a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend [their] bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD [is] in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne [is] in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 33 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 round case of 12 Gauge Hornady …


The Basic Family Vehicle G.O.O.D. Kit, by Kirk S.

Many of the posts in this forum have discussed the vehicle Bug Out Bag (BOB), however it’s been my observation that most of them are not designed for a family.  As an example, many articles have discussed having a full change of clothes including shoes.  I can attest from my personal experience that packing a single change of clothes, including shoes, for a family of five takes a large duffle bag.  Fitting a large duffle bag inside the trunk of our vehicle along with our BOB would take up most of the room in our trunk.  Extra clothes are a …


Letter Re: Some Useful Dry Measure Figures

Jim: How much bulk fits in a 5 gallon bucket or a #10 can? I did some research and assembled this helpful guide: Food Item #10 Can 5 Gallon Bucket Wheat 5 pounds 37 pounds White Flour 4.5 pounds 33 pounds Cornmeal 4.3 pounds 33 pounds Popping Corn 5 pounds 37 pounds Rolled Oats 2.5 pounds 20 pounds White Rice 5.3 pounds 36 pounds Spaghetti 3.9 pounds 30 pounds Macaroni 3.1 pounds 21 pounds Dried Beans 5.6 pounds 35 pounds Lima Beans 5.4 pounds 35 pounds Soy Beans 5 pounds 33 pounds Split Peas 5 pounds 33 pounds Lentils 5.5 …


Letter Re: Minimizing Magazine Confusion

Mr. Rawles: I think your readers may benefit from a recent experience of mine at the range. I was shooting several rifles and some friends were also shooting theirs. We noticed how similar (but not interchangeable)  many of the magazines were. In a stressful critical situation it would be very easy to try [inserting] a Mini-14 magazine in a M4gery or [inserting] a FN/FAL magazine in an M1A. Obviously it is best to keep them widely separated but if unfamiliar or under-trained persons were handling them, it could be a disaster. Our solution was to purchase a color assortment of …


Letter Re: Sailboats as Alternative Bugout Vehicles

Dear James: I found the question on using a sailboat as a bug out vehicle interesting, because I have been considering the same thing. However, there are some major things to consider. Piracy: • There are a few spots known for piracy today, but in reality there are many others where fishermen are not above piracy of opportunity, i.e. they are like my Viking ancestors: trade where the target is strong, raid where the target is weak. • Western style sailboats are magnets for pirates. They reek of wealth and comfort that the locals don’t have. Plus, they stand out …


Economics and Investing:

Commentary by Robert Samuelson at Real Clear Markets: Europe’s Debt Crisis Trumps Japan Tragedy Iowa farmland values shoot up 25% in one year. (Thanks to F.G. for the link.) Reader Greg C. flagged this: New Home Sales Dive to Record Low. (Slowest sales rate in nearly 50 years! LFG suggested this commentary by Ted Butler: Silver Review and Outlook. Ted and I both prefer silver over gold. Items from The Economatrix: End Game   Surviving A Societal Breakdown  Investors Flock To Japanese Stocks After Quake   Gold Just 1% Of Record Nominal High Of $1,444/Oz – Risk Of Dollar Crisis …