Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader L.M.W. mentioned a great money-saving online swap site for children’s clothes and toys.    o o o Coded American Civil War message in bottle deciphered. (A tip of the kepi to Richard S. for the link.)    o o o Also from Richard S. comes a Daily Bell link: Fitzroy McLean on Freedom, International Investing and How to Improve ‘the Space Between One’s Ears.    o o o Den from North Carolina flagged this news item: Converting Plastic Back to Oil. But here again, the EROEI numbers tell a tale of gross inefficiency.    o o o More 2012 …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” – 1 John 5:11-13 (KJV)


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 32 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 250 round case of 12 Gauge Hornady …


Paper or Plastic? — That is the Question, by D.D.L.

A couple of years ago I was watching a commercial on television that showed two young men as they stood in a check-out line at a grocery store with a 6 pack of beer, a bag of chips and a package of Toilet Paper…when the young men found that they had only enough money for two of the three items, they chose the 6 pack and the chips. When asked by checker “Paper or plastic?” the decision was unanimous, “Paper!”  This stark reality of such a simple decision led me on a journey that would involve many years and begin …


Letter Re: Iowa Becomes a Shall-Issue CCW State

Mr. Rawles,   One of the drawbacks of Iowa as a possible retreat location has been restrictive gun laws. It will be somewhat better as of January 1, 2011 when the state becomes a  “Shall Issue” instead of a discretionary “May Issue” state for carrying concealed weapons (CCW) permits.   I think that the rural areas of Iowa offer good possibilities for retreats. The farm land is some of the best in the world. Water and rainfall are less of a problem than they are in some of the more western plains states. The people in most of the state …


More Legal Troubles for Mayor Bloomberg’s Gun Grabbers

I’d hate to be accused of Schadenfreude during the holidays, but I feel I must mention five recent news articles that tie in with my previous mentions of Mayor Bloomberg’s Mayors Against Illegal Guns civilian disarmament pressure group: Port St. Lucie Mayor arrested for misappropriation of campaign funds Ex-Morristown Mayor Cresitello will pay state $11K over alleged campaign finance violations. White Plains Mayor Adam Bradley Convicted of Attempted Assault and Other Crimes Mayor accused of ethics lapses Inglewood Mayor Dorn pleads guilty to conflict of interest, resigns The number of mayors in Bloomberg’s group that are facing felony and lesser …


Economics and Investing:

Mo sent this: Alabama Town’s Failed Pension Is a Warning Sue C. sent this item from Yahoo Finance: 16 U.S. cities that could face bankruptcy in 2011 M.M. suggested this news item: New Interest in Turning Gas to Diesel. (But you have to wonder about the EROEI efficiency!) Items from The Economatrix: Unemployed Get Another Jobless Benefit–Yoga   Americans Made Less in 2009; Minimum Wage Set to Rise in 2011   In Tough Economy, Santas Are Also Suffering   In Tough Economic Times, Bodyguard Business Is Booming 


Odds ‘n Sods:

From reader C.D.V.: A Village Was Swallowed by the Earth    o o o Airline / Army pilot points out substandard security, has personal weapon permit revoked. Why is it that the whistleblower gets punished? Unless he signed some sort of nondisclosure agreement, why should he get hammered for merely telling the truth?    o o o Peaceniks live in former Atlas missile silo.


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the LORD hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger” – Luke 2:15-16 (KJV)


Notes from JWR:

We wish a joyous Christmas to all SurvivalBlog readers. May the love of Christ be with you and yours! — Today we present another entry for Round 32 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) …


Do They Walk The Walk?, by Michael M.

I’ve been an Emergency Prepper/Survivalist for many years. I’ve participated and am a member in a number of various forums on preparedness. I go back to the old BBS days. I work with my community Emergency Management in the city I work for and county I live in. I am active on various online communities today. I’ve a close knit group of friends that are like minded and we have formed a close bond. This has taken much time, energy, discussion, introspection and prayer. This was necessary for me to learn and earn the trust and faith needed to form …


Letter Re: Two Liter Bottle Adapters

JWR,   I am a long time prepper, but didn’t really know it until I read “Patriots”. You’re right, you need your family’s support in this type of venture. I am lucky to have a wife and family that feel the same way as I do. I read with great interest the blog entry:  Emergency Preparedness, Two Liters at a Time, by Roy P.   Not too long ago, my kids coerced me to purchase a science experimenter’s “toy” that solves the bottle mating problem discussed near the end of the article. The “Tornado Tube” is a female to female …


Economics and Investing:

For Recession Victims, Gold Mining Pans Out From C.D.V.: 60 Minutes segment: “State Budgets: Day of Reckoning” Goldman Sachs Guru Sees 2011 as ‘the Year of the USA’ Goldman’s Jim O’Neill shot to fame by predicting the staggering rise of emerging-market economies like the BRIC nations, Brazil, Russia, India and China. But 2011, he says, “will be the beginning of a new phase in which the U.S. has strong GDP growth.”    Items from The Economatrix: Sales of Previously Occupied Homes Up in November   Oil Tops $90 as Government Says Crude Supplies Shrank   Citigroup Fears Fresh Wave of …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader C.D.V. sent an article that describes the future of America, as seen in California’s Central Valley. Here is a quote: “Many of the rural trailer-house compounds I saw appear to the naked eye no different from what I have seen in the Third World… …The public hears about all sorts of tough California regulations that stymie business — rigid zoning laws, strict building codes, constant inspections — but apparently none of that applies out here. It is almost as if the more California regulates, the more it does not regulate.”    o o o Reader F.G. sent this sign …