Letter Re: Using Your Library as a Resource

Hello Mr. Rawles! First off, I wanted to thank you so much for all the information you provide! It has changed my life! The second thing I wanted to mention was about using your libraries as a resource. I just completed courses to become a library director. In these courses we were strongly encouraged to "weed" out all books and materials that had older publication dates than 2000. We were told not to worry about not having any of the "classics" on hand because patrons could always use the inter-library loan system to borrow them from somewhere else. Recently, I …


Economics and Investing:

KAF sent us this: Barney Frank: Abolish Fannie and Freddie California Governor Schwarzenegger Orders Furloughs After Top Court Rules. (Thanks to B.B. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: The Horrific Derivatives Bubble that Could Destroy Entire World Financial System The Bond Market Is Signaling Trouble Ahead Oil Falls on Report of Rise in US Supplies US Economy Nears Point of No Return The Only Investment Worth Having


Inflation Watch:

Today I’m launching a new blog column, titled Inflation Watch. It is intended to expose the myth that “there’s no inflation” at present here in the United States and in other First World countries. I’m not sure if this column will become a permanent fixture at SurvivalBlog, but given the recent massive government overspending and monetization, I suspect that I’ll have plenty of material for Inflation Watch.. If you have any present-day personal accounts, or if you spot any news items that show significant inflation, then please e-mail the links to me. These can include details on the shrinking sizes …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Odds ‘n Sods: M.T. and S.M. both sent this: Appleseed Teaching History with Guns.    o o o K.A.F. flagged this item: Egg Recall 2010    o o o M.S. mentioned a mail order source for aluminum powder and iron oxide (thermite components). Of course, check your state and local laws before ordering. Thermite could come in handy someday, for your emergency welding needs. (For a description of some potential uses, see my novel: “Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse“ )


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Near civil war between town and country was a pervasive feature of this break-down in social order. Large mobs of half-starved and vindictive townsmen descended on villages to seize food from farmers accused of hoarding. The diary of one young woman described the scene at her cousin’s farm: ‘In the cart I saw three slaughtered pigs. The cowshed was drenched in blood. One cow had been slaughtered where it stood and the meat torn from its bones. The monsters had slit the udder of the finest milch cow, so that she had to be put out of her misery immediately. …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 30 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 between $500 and $600, 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 500 round case of …


Budgeting for Family Preparedness, by Allen C.

Having been a wilderness survival and firearms instructor for many years, I never considered the need for a survival retreat until I got married and moved from the country to a small city of about 30,000.  My minimalist lifestyle had allowed me a certain level of financial freedom.  Driving used cars and fixing up a home that had been previously condemned meant I had not made a car payment or house payment in years.  I spent summers running a high adventure camp for the Boy Scouts of America and worked for city the rest of the year as a firefighter …


Letter Re: Finding Utility in Plastic Sodapop Bottles

James, I have just been at the sink filling water bottles. I know you say to leave the sodas alone, and for the most part I do, but occasionally I enjoy a glass of Coca-Cola. Okay, more than occasionally, but we will move on. We also attend family gatherings and church socials where refreshments are served. There are also all those school events coming up, for those still involved in public school where people will have to provide refreshments for different occasions. Instead of the cans of soda, buy the 2 liter plastic jugs. Re-use the jugs by washing them …


Economics and Investing:

US Bankruptcies Reach Nearly Five Year High, up 11 percent from a year ago. Items from The Economatrix: Some Stores Finding Deep Discounts Aren’t Enough Factories Aid Bumpy Recovery, Housing Still Weak Russian Grain Export Ban Starts The Purpose Behind the Engineered Economic Collapse The Dallas Fed Reminds that the Economy is Doing Much Worse than in the Administration’s Worst Nightmare Another Threat to Economy: Boomers Cutting Back


Odds ‘n Sods:

Bob G. recommended this piece over at Warrior Talk: High Risk Operator – Rural Patrolling    o o o This news story from California sent in by Jacob P. illustrates the peril of rural camping in an exposed area: Three arrested in foothills camp robbery. Anyone that plans to bug out to a public park should re-think their strategy.    o o o Leland Teschler’s Editorial: How Much Power Does It Take to Run a Wind Turbine? (Thanks to Don W. for the link.)    o o o EMB flagged this: For Lean Budgets, a Plug-and-Play Solar Array.



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 30 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 between $500 and $600, 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 500 round case of …


Survival Skills and Gear, Part 1: Bug Out Kits and Bugging Out, by E.F.

Introduction If the normal daily routine of our lives is suddenly and violently interrupted by events large and dangerous (such as major riots, natural disasters, or a a terrorist nuke) how prepared are we to “bug out?” If it’s time to leave, and leave immediately, are we ready? What do we take? Important papers? Guns and ammo? Food and water? Clothes? Camping gear? Baby diapers and sani-wipes? Family photos? Medicine? And where do we go? A friend’s farm? A wilderness cabin or campground?A small town? And what direction? Upwind? Downstream? How do we travel? By foot, or car, or bicycle? …


Product Review: ATI Talon Shotgun Fore End Rail Package

The ATI Talon Shotgun Fore End Rail Package is a replacement fore end for Mossberg, Remington and Winchester pump shotguns. The kit contains the fore end, adapters for all three brands and most models, nine 2” Picatinny Rail sections and plenty of machine screws for mounting. Installation was very simple. The instructions are clear, the adapter sections are marked M,R,W for brand and F,R for front and rear. All that’s involved is unscrewing the fore end nut, sliding on the ATI and appropriate adapters, and tightening the nut. It took a few seconds with a file to improve barrel clearance …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. sent this: Another Illinois Bank Fails. KAF flagged a Fox Business new report: Fed’s Hoenig: Record-Low Rates a ‘Dangerous Gamble’ Andrew H. spotted this: 800 interested in 5 jobs Items from The Economatrix: Economic Growth Prospects Dim in US After Retail, Trade Reports US Cities Face Up to Massive Cuts Stocks Rise On Earnings, Economic Reports Oil Breaks Losing Streak, Prices Climb Wheat is New US Gold “Hindenberg Omen” and Imminent Market Crisis Savings Accounts Will Become Obsolete if Inflation Rises Next Week Greek Economy Deeper in Recession than Forecast