Odds ‘n Sods:

“T.” wrote to mention a useful article at Lifehacker: Make a Map Book Using Google Maps    o o o Reader F.G. sent a news article about the new British Army issue: ‘Stunglasses’ that can resist a shotgun blast from 16ft to be issued to 92,000 UK troops    o o o Bob Mc.C. recommended this thread over at M4Carbine.net: Some thoughts about defending your retreat. (Six myths of retreat security.)    o o o C.D.V. spotted this: Stranded Japanese farmer, 75, found alone in Minami Soma, city rocked by tsunami, earthquake    o o o News from Nanny State …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"If men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences that can invite the consideration of mankind, reason is of no use; the freedom of speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." – George Washington


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 34 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 …


The Married, But Solo Prepper – A Woman’s Perspective, by M.G.

The Married, But Solo Prepper  – A Woman’s Perspective, by M.G. Waking up to the realization that my safe, comfortable world as I have always known it to be was not the result of watching any “end of the world” movies or documentaries, or from reading something about it or from a friend convincing me.  I feel it was a gift, a freebie wake-up call from the heavenly powers that be.   I can’t help but think that I am supposed to be a survivor…..at least long enough to keep my children alive and healthy until they are grown and can …


Pat’s Product Reviews: Cold Steel Knives

I’ve carried a pocket knife of some type, ever since I was about six years old. Growing-up in Chicago, meant you were either going to take care of yourself, or become a meal for the next predator on the mean streets. There was a time, when I was a kid, that it seemed like everyone carried a pocket knife. I can remember going to elementary school, and most of the guys I went to school with carried pocket knives – in school! The police weren’t called, and you weren’t expelled from school, for carrying a “weapon.” It was just part of …


Letter Re: Predator-Proofing Your Property

Greetings Mr. Rawles; First, allow me to thank you for your work.  I have only recently become aware of your site, having heard you on Mike Ruppert’s radio show.  In the short time since, I’ve gathered many useful facts and sources from the material on your site.  We all owe you a debt of thanks. The post on protection from predators by John L.  is very valuable.  I have no disagreements with any of his approaches or solutions.  I would like to offer an alternative that has worked for us for the last 15 years, and may be suitable for …


Letter Re: Ammunition Storage and Do-It-Yourself Desiccants

Hi Jim.   Dry wall is made of Gypsum, which is composed of Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate, with the chemical formula CaSO4·2H2O. It is found naturally and also made Synthetically by Flue Gas Desulfurization at some coal-fired electric power plants. Synthetic Gypsum can be used interchangeably with Natural Gypsum in some applications. There was a problem with drywall from China which contains too much Sulfur probably from the flue gas desulfurization process. When Water is absorbed by the bad drywall, Hydrogen Sulfide is formed which induces corrosion in some metals. I would not trust using drywall as a desiccant for ammo storage. Just think …


Economics and Investing:

The truth behind the “budget slashing” rhetoric: Debt Jumped $54.1 Billion in 8 Days Preceding Obama-Boehner Deal to Cut $38.5 Billion for Rest of Year If you thought that the systematic looting of the Social Security trust fund was bad, then read this sad portent of future thievery: Treasury may borrow federal retirement funds in debt emergency. (“No cause for alarm. Nothing to see here, move along…”) Over at The Daily Bell: The Story of Entitlement Addiction Items from The Economatrix: Shopper Spending Surprisingly Strong in March (Monetization as stimulus?) Ron Paul:  Gold, Commodity Prices “Big Event” Signaling Economic Collapse …


Inflation Watch:

Inflation Watch: Pierre M. suggested this: Rush to Use Crops as Fuel Raises Food Prices and Hunger Fears U.S. Postal Service to Hike Rates on April 17th. Meanwhile, across the pond: Royal Mail Stamp Prices to Rise in April 2011. (A 13% increase.) Husqvarna Announces Price Increase (an average of 15%) Multiple crop failures are pushing cotton prices through the roof!


Odds ‘n Sods:

Christopher Y. sent us a news item about England’s NHS to file under Dulce et decorum est: Socialized Medicine Director Dies Waiting for Operation    o o o Pat Buchanan asks: Is tribalism the future?    o o o I just heard that Emergency Essentials has some Iosat Potassium Iodide Tablets in transit that are scheduled to arrive early next week. They wrote: “After we have filled all backorders, a limited quantity of additional tablets will be available. Order today and you’ll be put into the queue for this shipment. We’ll stop taking orders after this shipment is sold out. …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 34 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 …


Self-Sufficiency or Communal Living?, by Lisa T.

Is it truly possible for someone to be self-sufficient? I like to garden, grow medicinal herbs and believe it’s good to learn whatever we can about the old-fashioned ways of doing things. Some of my friends like to make their own soap, keep bees, garden, can vegetables, make wine, make their own bread, hunt, butcher their own deer, and raise chickens, and I would love to raise goats, sheep and cows if we had enough land. It appears to be part of a nationwide trend toward natural living. The reasons for the trend, at least in the beginning, appear to …


Letter Re: Ammunition Storage and Do-It-Yourself Desiccants

Mr. Rawles: Most herbal supply web sites (San Francisco Herb Company, for one)  offer heat-sealable tea filter paper bags (large size, empty ‘tea bags’ that are used for making tea bags, bath salts bags etc). You seal them with a regular clothes iron. These are perfect for making the silica packets for putting in with stored ammo. – Paulette


Two Letters Re: Living Proof: It All Comes Down to Diet and Exercise

Sir, I have to agree with this article.  I first heard about the South Beach diet from a coworker who lost over 100 pound and kept it off for many years this way.  I’ve successfully used it myself, me, who thought I could never stick to a diet.  It was developed by a cardiologist with the goal being to provide his patients with a diet that would greatly lower their risk of stroke and heart attack and improve their cardiac and blood profiles.  My only caveat is I don’t agree with his recommended use of Splenda and NutraSweet.  Use all …