Eight Letters Re: The Usefulness of the AK-47 as a Survival Rifle

James In reply to the 20 Aug 09 letter on the AK series rifles, I feel I should add my experiences. I recently returned from Afghanistan where I worked as a security contractor. When I got there our guard force was armed with the AK but many of the rifles were in poor condition. An initial inspection showed at least 30% of them weren’t worth having and the initial range training proved things to be much worse. I won’t bore you with the details but in the end we had to go through 56 rifles to find 19 that would …


Influenza Pandemic Update:

WHO predicts ‘explosion’ of swine flu cases JHB sent us a link to an updated H1N1 interactive map. Swine Flu Threat to Business Prompts a Call for Readiness Government Enlists Employers’ Help To Contain Flu Swine Flu Pandemic Paradox Kills Few, Overwhelms Hospital ICUs New Swine-Flu Vaccination to Be Ready in US By Mid-October Swine Flu Shots May Be Too Little, Too Late to Stop Outbreaks Most UK Companies Already Hit by Swine Flu Plans Drawn Up for Mass Swine Flu Graves Ill-Prepared Africa Braces as Swine Flu Hits


Economics and Investing:

The other shoe has finally dropped: China reduces holdings in US debt. Expect more of the same in the months to come. (Thanks to Dave S. for the link.) From GG: Mounting joblessness fuels US housing crisis Noah was the first of several readers to mention this article about the failure of the second largest US bank of the year: Bank Failure #81: Down Goes Guaranty Items from The Economatrix: The Mother of all Bank Runs Unemployment: The Worst Hit States in July US Stocks Rise, Sending S&P to Highest Level in 10 Months Bank Failures in the US Even …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader G.D.T. sent us a story that recently appeared in The Wall Street Journal. G.D.T. wrote: “I saw the link about cattle rustling in Pennsylvania. Now folks are stealing hay in Texas.”    o o o Tamara posted this bit of levity that has a serious lesson attached: A more dangerous breed of junkie. The point is that there was no Matrix-esque bullet-dodging going on. This was just an all-too common case of a poorly trained cop that unloaded in the general direction of his intended target–and he didn’t hit score any hits. Only hits count!    o o o …



Letter Re: Trading Numismatic $5, $10, and $20 Gold Pieces for Bullion Coins?

James: I have a question for you. Should a person keep old $20 gold coins, or convert them into 1 oz. gold American Eagles? This would assume coins with no great [numismatic] value, just old coins. Also, what about $5 and $10 gold pieces? Thanking You in Advance ,- Jim A. in Montana JWR Replies: As I’ve mentioned before, the often-mentioned threat of another gold confiscation is overblown, so essentially, “gold bullion is gold bullion.” For buyers here in the US, I recommend American Eagles from the US Mint, because they are widely recognized and accepted. There are also some …



Economics and Investing:

Greg C. sent this bit of mainstream media spin doctoring: AP source: White House projects lower deficit. Greg’s comment: “Another case of “The deficit is growing slower than we originally thought.” They fail to point out its still growing exponentially. They “saved”$250 billion while we will be at $2 trillion in the hole by year’s end. I love their math and outlook on life!” Thanks to Damon for this: Marc Faber “in China there is an investment bubble …the total collapse is ahead of us and probably a world scale war…” Reader Jim P. flagged this: Obama to raise 10-year …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Sometimes the bias of mainstream media is blatantly obvious. Compare this video clip, with this news report from CNBC. Notice how, with some clever editing, they did not inform their viewers that the man carrying the “assault rifle” in this news story about the “racist overtones” of the anti-Health Care plan protestors was in fact a black man.    o o o News from Australia: No-Warrant Terrorism Raids Proposed    o o o Reader Ken M. mentioned: “Ready Made Resources has a free solar power products catalog in PDF format that is great for anyone interested in solar power. The …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto …


Notes from JWR:

Do you have any favorite quotations that relate to preparedness, survival, or individual liberty? Please send them via e-mail, and if they haven’t been run in the blog before, I will likely post them as Quotes of the Day. Thanks! Today we present another entry for Round 24 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. 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 …


Surviving an Expedient Ambush Roadblock While Traveling by Vehicle, by M.W.

In the days following a societal collapse, there will be some people who will be on the move from where the problems exist to where they hope safety lies. There can be many reasons why people are on the move, and an equal number of reasons why someone else may wish to stop your progress. Getting on the move and out of a hostile area as early as possible in the wake of a collapse is a significant key to one’s survival, as well has having buddies to cover you during your travel. The sooner you get on the road, …


Letter Re: Cattle Rustling on the Rise

James, First off, we continue to pray for your family. Whatever the Lord’s plan is, he will show you grace and mercy. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Secondly, one of my cattle buyers, corroborated by one of my truckers, has informed me of some signs-of-the-times, unconfirmed via regular news outlets so far, cattle rustling in Pennsylvania is on the rise, including something not usually seen, carcass remnants. Several barns/pastures have cattle missing, one load of which was recovered at a sale barn, and at least a half dozen reports from different farmers finding carcasses, with primals cut out, …


Economics and Investing:

Peter Schiff: Hyperinflation Risk High, Stocks Will Crater (Thanks to “Straycat” for the link.) A interesting piece over at iTulip: Does USA 2009 = Argentina 2001? Part I: Falling economy reaches terminal velocity – Eric Janszen Karen H. notes: Nickel May Gain as Stockpiles Fail to Deter Funds: Chart of Day “Nickel, which surged 17 percent the past month, may advance further as “price momentum” and inflation expectations lure fund managers even as stockpiles of the metal approach a 14-year high, according to Commerzbank AG.” Have you been stocpiling nickels? FG mentioned this survey: L.A. ranks near bottom among big …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Greg C. sent this news article from Florida: Rush is on for concealed-guns permits    o o o From KAF: A rush for black gold in the Gulf. KAF notes: “Every country except the USA will be drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.    o o o North Korea Threatens Nuclear Strike    o o o US City of Paterson, New Jersey, Planning Curfew to Combat Rising Crime