Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader “Korea” mentioned this company in Oklahoma as a source for military surplus ammo cans and landing mat sections: Calumet Industries. I’ve heard from several readers that they’ve been having trouble finding ammo cans at reasonable prices. Simple logic dictates that the millions of Americans presently buying ammunition in large quantity will need a place to store it, and hence the ammo can shortage. If you know of other ammo can suppliers with reasonable prices, please send me their URLs, and I’ll post them. Thanks!    o o o Libertarians seek a place in the New Hampshire sun. Oh, and …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. They shall hold the bow and the lance: they [are] cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, [every one] put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.” – Jeremiah 50: 41-42 (KJV)


Note from JWR:

Just two days left! Ready Made Resources is continuing their special 25% off sale on case lots of Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans, with free shipping to the Continental United States. Please don’t miss out on this sale, as they don’t happen very often. Stock up! The sale ends Wednesday, July 29th.


Community Disaster Recovery–Asking the Right People the Right Questions

I was pleased to see this post over at the Mountain Steps blog: A letter to our county commissioner about emergency preparation for hyperinflation. It is commendable to make such inquiries, but it is essential to ask detailed questions. Especially when contacting elected officials, vague, general questions tend to elicit vague, general answers, and hence most likely no action will be taken. It is also essential that you do some research first, to direct your inquiry letter or phone call to the right individuals. Flunkies don’t create or change policy, they just implement it. You need to direct your letter …


Letter Re: Your Dog’s G.O.O.D. Bag

Hello Mr. Rawles; I just found your blog site and have not read all the postings yet. One thing I have not seen is a go bag for the dog. If one has a purse mutt, a carrier with supplies is one thing but if one has a real dog that is a part of the pack (family) then a go bag for the dog is a good idea. We have a German Sheppard and she can carry her own food and water in a doggy backpack. Doggy backpacks can be found at places like Campmor.com. [JWR Adds: Dog Backpacks …


Letter Re: Distance Traveling by Waterways

Hello Jim and Family, As a former whitewater canoeing instructor (yeah, I know – but I passed my psych evaluation) I found the recent post on traveling on water to be both enjoyable and thought provoking. I would like to add, however, that all (personal flotation devices (PFDs) are not alike. It seems that in all parts of the country, commercial rafters are in business and (for the most part) guiding people safely down some mild whitewater experiences. Occasionally, and also tragically, deaths occur when people are thrown from a raft in perfectly survivable conditions. WHY they didn’t survive has …



Economics and Investing:

From GG: Regional banks on the brink Also from GG: UK GDP continues large declines Another Seven US Bank Closures Announced on Friday: Regulators Shut Six Georgia Banks, One in New York State Items from The Economatrix: Fiction Upon Fiction (The Mogambo Guru) Experts Float Debt Bubble Fears Hollywood Celebs Filing for Bankruptcy E-Trade Reports Quarterly Net Loss of $143 Million Discount-brokerage company has lost 94% of its market value in past two years Asian Stocks Rise [Friday] on US Home Sales, South Korean Growth Consumer Sentiment Falls on Jobs Concerns Stock Trading Slowdown Steepest in Two Decades; Rally May …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I just heard about Alpha Innovations, a great source for very sturdy, reasonably priced, American-made Yawaras, Koppo Sticks, Kubatons,”Letter Openers”, and other other high density injection-molded goodies. Their “Stylus Kubaton” variant is ideal for anyone that carries a touchscreen PDA or an iPhone. (Consult your local laws before ordering!) OBTW, they also make some amazing custom products and sell training DVDs.    o o o Vietnam Veteran Keeps Vow, Eats 40-Year-Old (C-ration) Pound Cake. BTW, The Memsahib and I ate the last of my old C-Rations around 1987.Those had been packed in the late 1970s, and they seemed quite old …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 23 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 House freeze-dried foods, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $350. Third Prize: A copy of …


Distance Traveling by Waterways, by Jason C.

Often looking into the past can help solve new problems. If roads become unusable for travel, or vehicles are not available we must start looking at new solutions, or old ones in this case. Paved roads as we have today are a fairly recent innovation. Even 100 years ago very few were paved and often subject to damage by rains, floods, and environmental conditions. Winding cattle trails, wagon tracks, and horse paths were the main travelways on land. And today’s roads can easily become dangerous and impassable during bad weather, earthquakes, and mudslides. But there is an alternative for almost …


Letter Re: Shoot or Don’t Shoot–Moral Implications of the Split-Second Decision to Take a Life

Hello, That was a good submission by Jeff R.! Here are some things I thought I would mention from personal experience: I work as a Pharmacist in Philadelphia and was involved in an attempted armed robbery, six years ago. Two armed men came in the store early that morning attempting to obtain narcotics. I was able to see them early enough that they didn’t get the drop on me. (Situational awareness!) The man in front had a .44 Magnum revolver with the hammer cocked. He announced “Get the f*** down, this is a stickup!” as he walked at me. I …


Economics and Investing:

GG recommend this three-part YouTube video: Hyperinflation Nation Greg C. spotted this item from New Zealand: $190,000 withdrawn in $20 bills; Irate bank customer hits back From GG: Poll: Americans lacking in emergency funds Items from The Economatrix: Retail Industry Braces for Shopping Center Collapse California Hotels Flood the Market Biden, Oh Biden! (The Mogambo Guru) Toyota Said to Plan to Shut California Car Plant on First Ever Closure Gary North: The Coming Great Government Debt Default TARP Watchdogs Criticize Treasury Over Transparency Minimum Wage Hike Could Threaten Low Earners’ Jobs CalPERS, Teachers’ Retirement Loses Almost $100 Billion Guaranty’s Collapse …


Odds ‘n Sods:

EMB spotted this article which features two of our advertisers: Six Safe, Strong—and Chic—Bomb Shelters You Can Buy Now    o o o Pro-Gun Amendment Rejected. This legislation had so much common sense that it was no surprise that Chuck Schumer hated it.    o o o [Urban] Survival School