Three Letters Re: Choosing a BOV

Hello Jim, et al, Reading Choosing a BOV by “Brian B in Iraq”, there are a few inaccuracies that I should mention. Some of the statements are definitely subjective, but I’ll leave those alone and just deal with the factual stuff: Regarding this statement: “These “first generation” Cummins trucks used a Bosch rotary injection pump (called a VE pump)….” This is incorrect. The First Generation trucks used, and use, the P7100 Injection Pump. The “Bosch pump” is the VP44, used in the Second Generation trucks. There’s a huge difference between the systems, and I’m not going to go into that, …


Six More Letters Re: New-Found Respect for .223 as a Potential Man Stopper

Note from JWR: The string is starting to degenerate into one of those endlessly-mired “Ford Versus Chevy” or “Revolver Versus Automatic” debates, so this will likely be the last batch of letters that I post on this topic. Hey Jim: The .223 versus.308 [debate] is interesting. I think that several factors should be examined when selecting a cartridge and weapon. Military and police snipers shoot .308 or bigger. Why? Killing power. all the hype about .223 boils down to this. It is a varmint round meant to shoot things under 50 pounds. Jeff Cooper described the controversy very succinctly. a …


Odds ‘n Sods:

“Florida Guy” sent us an article that clearly warns that the recession bellwether is starting to bah loudly:  Sears profit plunges 99 percent    o o o More bad news for the dollar as the UAE gets ready to dump it. (A hat tip to L.W. for send us that.)    o o o Eric S. suggested this article from Der Spiegel: Is Atomic Radiation as Dangerous as We Thought?    o o o Thanks to Hawaiian K. for sending this article from Harper’s: Six Questions for Chris Whalen on our speculation-based economy and the 2008 elections. This guy is …



Notes from JWR:

Congrats to LP, the winner of the latest round of the SurvivalBlog nonfiction writing contest. His article “Preparedness While on Business Travel –What to Pack” wins the grand prize: four day “gray” transferable Front Sight course certificate. (Worth up to $2,000!) Second prize goes to Paul B. for his article “Building a Scout Rifle on a Budget”. His prize is a copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, generously donated by Jake Stafford of Arbogast Publishing. Honorable Mention awards go to “Jerry the Generator Guy” for his article “Home/Retreat Power Generator Noise Reduction” and to Nathaniel for his …


Western Washington — A Retreat Potential and Disaster Assessment, by B.H.

I am writing to you at length today about Western Washington and its retreat potential and Assessment of disaster scenarios. Last year I made a career move that required us to move to Western Washington from Eastern Washington. We moved into what is considered the South Sound area of Western Washington (WWA) this area includes the State capital of Olympia and its bedroom communities of Tumwater and Lacey. Lacey and South East Olympia border the “Argonne Forest” of Fort Lewis. On a side note the 3rd Stryker Brigade is starting to rotate back home—Great job to you all and were …


Letter Re: Updated Nuclear Targets in the United States

The recent post [on nuclear targets] that mentioned the prevailing winds reminded me that Weather Underground posts graphs of historical weather data, including wind direction. Because the chart is for the calendar year, the seasonality of the wind in a different region can be determined. For instance, compare the hot south summer winds in Dallas, with the summer ocean winds in Los Angeles, and the northwest fury in Missoula, Montana. Even Eugene, Oregon and Boise, Idaho, despite being close to the same latitude, have different wind trends. OBTW, if you know the local airport code, you can just alter the …


Letter Re: Security for Unattended Retreats

Technology has so advanced that we are now on the threshold of a new era in security. Off-the-shelf wireless burglar alarms are getting so sophisticated that you no longer need the services of a security company. If your retreat is in an area that has cell phone service, you can get a system that requires no hard line. Look for a GSM [Global System for Mobile Communications] Wireless Security System. GSM is the newer cell phone that uses a card. You don’t have to sign up for service at your retreat location and pay a monthly charge. Simply buy a …


Letter Re: Reactions to Preparedness Course

Jim: What a coincidence. I’m quite certain, that the amazing e-mail that you received from HH happens to be from my very good friend and colleague. HH is a good man that care’s for his family and friends. He cares so much, that he often risks the ridicule and accusations as he mentioned, to try and help inform and consequently protect his loved ones with the gift of information. People are waking up, and I am one of those people. I was the guy that listened to the wisdom HH was resonating, much of that information came from the “Rawles …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Bruce A. found this article about Tamiflu for us: Panel Seeks New Warning on Flu Drug    o o o Frequent contributor Eric S. sent us this from The Australian: Chinese tiger has nothing in tank. The piece begins: “China is running out of fuel. Police are guarding petrol stations in several inland provinces to prevent fights, as shortages of petrol and diesel are causing huge queues of trucks, buses and cars.”    o o o Pete D. sent us a link to a downright scary article on Credit Default Swaps from the Sudden Debt Blog: CDS: Phantom Menace    …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“In six days–less than a week–the world turned upside down. San Francisco became a war zone. Do you know what people do when you tell them they no longer have rights? That an individual is powerless? They fight. It was ludicrous to think mankind would just roll on its back and comply. I saw my neighbors–people I’ve known for years–become bloodthirsty savages. Infected, uninfected, it didn’t matter. We were all driven mad. The survival instinct went ballistic. Food, guns, medicine, blood–it all became priceless. Worth killing for. Those who had became the targets of the had nots. A city of …


Notes from JWR:

By popular demand, the 33% off sale price for the “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course has been extended until Monday night (December 3rd.) Be sure to place your order online (or have it postmarked) before midnight, Monday. Today’s first article is from the SurvivalBlog archives. I wrote it back in August of 2005. For the sake of the many newbies, I am re-posting it:


The Pre-Test and the Ultimate Test

There may come a day when you have to put all of your training and preparations to use. That will be ultimate test of whether or not you have a true survival mindset. Do you think that you are ready for WTSHTF, physically and mentally? Assuming that you live in the suburbs, try a weekend “grid down” test with your family. This will test both your mental preparedness and how well you have prepared for the basics. Here is how it is done: Some Friday evening, unannounced, turn off your main circuit breaker and shut the valves the gas main …


Letter Re: Security for Unattended Retreats

Hello Jim, Todd’s article [on Friday, November 23rd] was a good discussion on the all encompassing aspects of your retreat. It has been some time since security has been discussed on the blog, namely security systems. Here are some things that could, (should) alert you to a detrimental event at your intended retreat when you do not live there. Have a security system wired into you future retreat, motor home, CONEX, outbuilding, etc… I would venture a cost range from $300-to-$2,000 to cover your structure from basic to very well covered. Monitoring varies and will likely run around a Dollar …