Letter Re: Sanitation Issues: Understanding Home Septic Systems

Jim: Regarding this letter: Sanitation Issues: Understanding Home Septic Systems, I have  a  few observations: When our family recently took a vacation to South America, we were instructed to throw all toilet paper, wet and dirty, into a waste can – even at the best hotels. By American standards, we found that pretty gross. I read that this is standard in many countries and greatly reduces the need for septic tank pumping – to once every 10 years instead of the recommended four  years. Although pumping is expensive, about $400 when we last had it done, that is a fraction …


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Books: The Soapmakers Companion by Susan Miller Cavitch Ditch Medicine: Advanced Field Procedures For Emergencies by Hugh Coffee Movies: Meru (A  fascinating documentary about modern alpine climbers and skiers. Available free for those with Amazon Prime.) Cast a Giant Shadow.  (A docu-drama starring Kirk Douglas about David “Mickey” Marcus, an American general officer who volunteered to help Israel form its army shortly after independence.) Music:


Economics and Investing:

Both Mr. Econocobas and blog reader D.S. pointed me to this revelatory piece over at Zero Hedge: Greenspan Warns A Crisis Is Imminent, Urges A Return To The Gold Standard o o o Some market analysis from Hubert Moolman in South Africa: Major Debt and Dow Collapse Will Set Ideal Conditions For Silver o o o British pound could hit history-making dollar parity by end of 2016 o o o Jim Rogers on Brexit: ‘Worse than any bear market you’ve seen in your lifetime’ o o o Gold is sending a dark sign that ‘almost everything has changed’ in the …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Long-time content contributor B.B. sent us this important link: The Six Things Obama Doesn’t Want You to Know About the Islamic State.  The next day,  B.B. also sent a link to this article:  ISIS Jihadists Caught This Week in California and Indiana. These articles serve to  confirm many of my conclusions about geopolitical trends. Reading them also made me feel justified in dedicating myself to writing at least five books in my new  Counter-Caliphate Chronicles novel series.  These are “survival manual dressed as fiction” stories that need to be told, to encourage freedom-loving Christians and Jews to prepare for the tumultuous …



Notes for Tuesday – June 28, 2016

June 28th, 1703 was the birthday of theologian John Wesley.  Today is also the birthday of writer, director, and actor Mel Brooks, as well as that of actor John Cusack. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 65 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded Pelican hard case (a $1,700 value), A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for …


Letter: Rebalancing Your Gun Collection

Daer Editor:I had a thought about JWR’s suggestions on re-balancing your gun collection.  While I own a few pre-1899 guns, they are now pricey, even for well-worn guns in shooting condition.  I believe an acceptable alternative would be to purchase new reproduction black powder revolvers (the Model 1858 Remington is probably one of the best) and obtain a .45 Colt conversion cylinder.  The BATFE does not consider these to be firearms, so they can be purchased with no paperwork locally or through mail order.  With the conversion cylinder installed they can fire modern cartridges, albeit at low pressures that replicate …


Letter Re: Sanitation: Can You Burn It?

Dear Editors, Regarding the question: “Has anyone tried taking the poo and simply tossing it into a hot outdoor fire?” I can answer that question in the form of a personal reminiscence: When I was serving in Vietnam if someone screwed up our Platoon Sergeant would take the offending person in the morning to old papa-san. Papa-san’s job was to take the cut down 55 gallon drums out of the latrine pour some diesel fuel into them and then burn the contents. Papa-san’s face would light up with a huge grin as the offending troop was delivered to him for …


News From The American Redoubt:

Republican Party Sea Change:  No More Business as Usual in the State of Idaho. (The political influence of the American Redoubt movement is starting to be felt!) o o o The leftist hand-wringers at The Washington Post complain: ‘I’m looking at Drudge: “Syrian Refugees Rape Little Girl at Knifepoint in Idaho” – all false’   JWR’s Comment: Oh, I see, we shouldn’t be concerned because it wasn’t a “rape”. It was a mere  “sexual assault” of the five-year old. And the perpetrators were from Iraq and Sudan, rather than from Syria, as first reported.  So am I now supposed to feel …


Economics and Investing:

Deb B. wrote to mention this useful data from Kiplinger’s for anyone considering relocating: State-by-State Guide to Taxes on Retirees o o o G.G. flagged this piece by Michael Pento:  The next recession is already here—and there isn’t much the Fed can do o o o From The Drudge Report: Shares in Barclays, RBS and building firms suspended as Brexit sends prices plunging o o o Hoarding Cash in Vaults Seen More Attractive After Brexit Vote o o o SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader “Reese” recommended an uncharacteristically well-balanced article about the Ghost Gunner milling machine published by Bloomberg Business Week: A Crypto-Anarchist Will Help You Build a DIY AR-15.  Parenthetically, after a long wait I now own a Ghost Gunner an a box of 80% lower receiver blanks. With the seasoned technical assistance of Hugh Latimer, I plan to post a full review of it in SurvivalBlog. – JWR o o o Peter S. mentioned this: Homemade submachineguns used in Tel Aviv shooting. Peter’s comment: “This shows that ‘gun control’ legislation is a myth.” o o o Several readers sent this: [City of] …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Do not wait for a national audience. Speak on any scale open to you, large or small—to your friends, your associates, your professional organizations, or any legitimate public forum. You can never tell when your words will reach the right mind at the right time. You will see no immediate results—but it is of such activities that public opinion is made.” – Ayn Rand


Notes for Monday – June 27, 2016

June 27th is the birthday of economist Dr. Ravi Batra. (Born 1943.) This is also the birthday of movie director J.J. Abrams (of Star Trek fame.) On this day in 1957,  Hurricane Audrey made landfall, killing more than  400 people. o  o  o Safecastle’s big Mountain House long term storage foods sale ends on June 30th, so get your order in soon! o  o  o Today, we present another product review by Pat Cascio, our Senior Field Gear Editor:


Recipe of the Week: K.M.’s Hot Milk Sponge Cake

Reader K.M. sent a quick and simple recipe recommendation that is great for families with both laying hens and a home dairy cow.  She notes: “We are folks who often ask ourselves: ‘What are we going to do with all these eggs and this extra warm milk?’  Here is one answer.” Hot Milk Sponge Cake Ingredients: 1 Cup All-purpose flour 1 Teaspoon baking powder 2 Eggs 1 Cup of sugar 1/2 Cup milk 2 Tablespoons of butter (or margarine) Directions: Combine flour and baking powder. Then, in a bowl mix the two eggs with a hand or electric mixer set …


Letter: Pre-1965 90% Silver Coins are the Best Defense Against Counterfeits

Dear Editor: Those buying  silver and gold coins and bars need to be aware. I work in the industry at a well known coin shop in the mid-west. Time after time…week after week customers try to sell us fake items that they purchased from eBay, pawn shops, Craigslist, and elsewhere. It has become a bigger issue over the the last year and especially so in the last few months. When purchasing coins and bullion from customers we use our scales to make sure items are of proper weight, we use our calipers to check diameters, and we have the benefit of …