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 …


Advice on a One Man Git Kit, by J.S.I.

Growing up in a family which camped a lot, the family slang for what is now usually called the B.O.B. was “the Git Kit.”  As I am now an ossified old coot, I reserve the right to keep calling it just that. Something I have noticed in most written descriptions of BOBs/Git Kits is a generality of speech bordering on the uselessly vague.  No weights, no measures, no manufacturers, no clues!  It’s enough to give  Horace Kephart’s ghost a ripping case of hives. With that in mind, I dug into my gear with the goal of providing a more detailed, …


Product Review: Choate Machine and Tool AR-15 Hook Stock

The Choate Machine and Tool AR-15 Hook Stock (see photo) is another well-designed piece of hardware from Choate. The hook at the bottom works very well for supported fire, and isn’t in the way otherwise. The internal compartment is large enough for a full cleaning kit, spare bolt and some other sundries. The length is the same as the A2 stock, with a slight cant forward at the bottom. For tall shooters, this makes for a very comfortable stance, especially when prone. I would rather the bottom was cut for a mil spec sling mount, rather than having a standard …


Letter Re: Learning from Living History Interpretors

Jim, D.R.W.’s essay titled “Learning from Living History Interpretors” describes a very clever and practical way to learn to do things as our ancestors did. He has hit on a great plan. In a TEOTWAWKI situation, we may not be starting from scratch–i.e. with only a rock and a sharp stick–but we will need to have skills that are foreign to almost all of us today. Those skills will restore a sense of community and division of labor. What better way to restore civilization, therefore, than to learn useful skills that will be beneficial to ourselves and others? Learning to …


Economics and Investing:

Over at the View From the Porch blog, Tamara posted this gem on the recoveryless housing market: Missing the point. The comments that follow are also worth reading. Reader Sue C. highlighted this article: OECD Says Slowdown ‘More Pronounced’ Than Anticipated KAF sent this: Stimulus? Who Said Anything About a Stimulus? Items from The Economatrix: Stocks Resume Rally as European Debt Worries Ease. Consumers Cut Back on Credit Card Use Once Again Job Openings Rise for First Time Since April Hopes Rise as Jobless Claims Fall, Trade Gap Eases Stocks Extend Gains After Drop In Jobless Claims Mortgage Rates Edge …



Odds ‘n Sods:

Today is the big day for Mayor Eddie Perez–his scheduled felony sentencing day. Perez is one of the many members of Mayor Bloomberg’s Mayors Against Illegal Guns that are criminals. This so-called “law and order” group has had an inordinately large number of member-mayors that have been felony indicted or convicted including Sheila Dixon, Kwame Kilpatrick, Gary Becker, Larry Langford, Samuel Rivera, Jerramiah Healy, the late Frank Melton, Will Wynn, and David Della Donna.) Perez faces up to 60 years in prison after conviction on five corruption charges.    o o o More than a dozen readers recommended this Stratfor …



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 …


Letter Re: A Recommended Vehicular G.O.O.D. Kit Packing List

Jim: I developed the following vehicular bug out bag (BOB) or “Get Out of Dodge” (G.O.O.D.) kit packing list. [JWR Adds: There is no “one size fits all” for G.O.O.D. lists. Your own list should be tailored for your personal circumstances. Your age, climate, local terrain, local hydrology, population density, physical fitness, and many other factors will necessitate changes to the following list. There are also vast differences between “what you can carry in your car” versus “what you can carry on your back” lists.]   Food & Water: ­­3 – 10 days of lightweight food _____ MRE (1 = …


Letter Re: FDIC Insider in Illinois Reports Diminishing Bank Merger Possibilities

Mr. Rawles, A close personal friend of mine is a FDIC bank auditor in Illinois. This person gives the final word on whether they will close a bank or not, to put it in simple terms. I’m sorry I cannot provide you with any more credible source other than my word which is based upon our conversations, but I feel it important to share this information with you and with the readers here. A little background: Most failed banks are essentially sold to other banks and some go into receivership. The common maneuver here is to transfer the assets and …


Economics and Investing:

For the “Why am I Not Surprised?” Department: New Steel 5 Pence and 10 Pence Coins a Disaster. SurvivalBlog readers on this side of the Atlantic should still be stocking up on nickels, before a similar switch! (Hat tips to Tod P. and Tony B. for the link.) A good one for USD Index watchers: Deflation Never Had a Chance Michael Pento Says Fed Will Buy Stocks And Real Estate In Its Next Attempt To Create Inflation. (Thanks to Nick J. for the link.) G.G. flagged this: No defence left against double-dip recession, says Nouriel Roubini “SIG” spotted this piece …


Inflation Watch:

Reader Z.D.G. notes: “Our little small town in Texas recently raised our water rates by a whopping 59%. Ouch! Time to get water independence.” Homeless Outraged That $1 Menu at San Francisco McDonald’s Now 50 Cents More Higher taxes and fees ahead in 2011 and beyond: Recession Continues to Batter State Budgets; State Responses Could Slow Recovery


Odds ‘n Sods:

Bicycles offer a lifeline in rural Zambia. Bikes are used for transportation and even grain grinding.    o o o Several readers sent this: Long Island Man Arrested For Defending Home With AK-47. Jeff E. notes: “This guy fired three shots into the dirt to deter several hostile gang members approaching his home and threatening him and his family. And who went to jail? The homeowner. I’m sorry to be so blunt, but only a complete moron would continue to live in New York.”    o o o Joe O. sent this: Our terrifyingly crowded solar system: New video reveals …