Odds ‘n Sods:

File under: Predictable Posturing: Obama: Honor Trayvon Martin by battling gun violence. JWR’s Comment: Statists like BHO of course want “gun control.” But I assert that gun control was used. Consider that Zimmerman fired just one shot, center of mass, and pulled the trigger only after the situation was truly and clearly life-threatening. (Zimmerman was pinned to the ground and his head was being repeatedly slammed on the sidewalk, and he feared that he was going to pass out.) Waiting until then showed tremendous control. That was certainly a lot more gun control than some police display. I’m sure that …



The Quest for Safety: Is Jackson County, Florida America’s Ideal Retreat Locale?

I recently found a YouTube slide show that is a good example of flawed statistical analysis: Economic Collapse Survival Map – Risk Analysis of best area in United States. In it, you will see how “Paul Revere” narrowed his search down to just Jackson County, Florida. While I’m sure that he was well-intentioned, this gent seems to have assigned undue weight on the factor of year-round crop production. In my estimation, if the power grids go down the key factors in survivability will be population density and proximity to urban areas rather than the ability to grow tomatoes in January. …


Pat’s Product Review: CRKT Otanashi Noh Ken Folder

I spent more than half my life involved in the martial arts – and not just one style, either. I started out in Judo, and earned my Black Belt in this style. I went on to study several different styles of Karate, as well as Kung Fu. I hold Black Belt rank in five different styles of martial arts, with my highest Black Belt ranking a 6th Degree. Not bragging, not in the least, as I honestly believe that when you get your Black Belt, you are then a very serious student of the martial arts. I have adapted what …


Letter Re: The Dark Side of the New Illinois CCW Law

Dear Jim, I’m hoping that you will help me get the word out nationwide on this: As many celebrate the passage of Concealed Carry in Illinois it comes with a very heavy price. Municipalities have 10 days from the law’s enactment to pass their own “Assault Weapons” bans. Many of us in the suburbs of Chicago will face a choice in 90 days to move our weapons somewhere else, render them permanently inoperable or turn them over to the police. Lets call it what it is, Confiscation! No grandfathering, straight up outlawing of previously lawfully owned rifles and standard capacity …


Recipe of the Week:

Sassy C.’s Shelf Stable Chicken Enchilada Chili For my boys with large appetites –the following recipe only serves three people! 1 onion chopped (can be replaced with dried onions) 1 can chopped green chilis–do not drain, add both chilis and juice 1 large can white chicken 1 can corn 1 can black beans (can be replaced with dried beans that are cooked up) 1 can enchilada sauce (I’ve used both green and red–the green is a little more sour, the red a little more sweet. Use the larger can if you want to serve over spinach or lettuce) 1 envelope …


Economics and Investing:

Five years of the Fed and Treasury Department’s forced Zero Interest Rate Policy (ZIRP) have badly distorted our economy, removing any pretense of a “free market.” All that we have left are markets on life support. With yields of less than 1/4 of 1%, passbook savings accounts are joke. Money market rates ranging from 0.40% to 0.85% aren’t much better. With ZIRP, local, state, and Federal government over-spending has had no serious consequences. But when rates eventually do spike, there will be a bloodbath. Bond yields are completely out of whack. Banks have been given unrealistically high reserves. So ZIRP …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I recently heard about a useful site: PrepperDating.com. I ‘ve just added that link to my Finding Like-Minded People in Your Area static page.    o o o Sarah Connor saw it coming: Boston Dynamics has been busy working on an entrant for DARPA’s Virtual Robotics Challenge, a contest aimed to create robots that can help in disaster situations. Gee, “…someday save you from a crumbling building.” That sounds so noble. So what about: “… someday relentlessly track you down and shoot you, or crush your skull.”    o o o The good folks at Cajun Safety and Survival are …



Notes from JWR:

Please pray that any protests following the George Zimmerman verdict will be peaceful. I urge my readers–especially those in cities in the southeastern United States–to be prepared to hunker down at home to avoid a lengthy period of rioting. (This could be similar to the west coast riots following the Rodney King trial decision.) The history of riots here in the States shows that riots during summer months can be the worst and the most protracted. — Barton Biggs passed away one year ago, today. He was a money manager who favored personal preparedness. He is greatly missed. — This …


Tea Tree Oil When There Is No Medicine, by B.R. in San Diego

Disclaimer: I am a retired military officer and school teacher.  I have no formal medical or first aid training.  My recommendations are made based on anecdotal personal experience.  Nothing I recommend should be undertaken without first consulting with a physician.   When there is no medicine. Preppers have usually read and probably own copies of well-respected books having to do with post-TEOTWAWKI conditions in which medical and dental care are not available.  Most of us have accumulated some knowledge of what medicines to stockpile, their uses, and shelf-lives.  After persuading a physician to write prescriptions for the desired medicinals, some have …


Letter Re: Old Military Physical Fitness Manuals

JWR, You were spot on with your comments regarding the improper stretching.  In fact, the U.S. Navy has recently made major changes to it’s authorized workout routine because PT standards from just a year ago are now considered potentially harmful.  The new workout routine is as follows…The beginning of a workout involves “Dynamic warmups” instead of stretches to prevent injury.  Here’s a link to the PDF on dynamic warmups.   The workout commences once the full-body dynamic stretches are complete.  “Static Stretching” is only done at the end of the workout.  Here’s another link that highlights good and bad forms. Regards, – Anonymous …


Letter Re: Dehydration and Rehydration Solutions

James, Rehydration can still be accomplished when a person cannot take anything by mouth. Normally he would be given an IV. In a SHTF situation, this may not be possible. Rather one can fill an enema bag with normal saline (very dilute salt water-recipe on the internet-need not be sterile) attach a rubber urinary catheter to the enema tip, Using vaseline jelly feed the rubber catheter into the rectum carefully as not to pierce the bowel and let the tepid salt water very slowly drip in. It should be able to be absorbed because it is going in very slowly and a little higher up rather than being …


Economics and Investing:

Gold And Silver – Knowledge Is Not Of Value. Using It Is Bill Bonner’s latest commentary on mass inflation: Gono, but Not Forgotten F.G. sent this news from Arizona: APS seeks higher bills for new solar customers Items from The Economatrix: Dr. Paul Craig Roberts:  US Trying to Push Back a Dollar Blowup US Consumer Borrowing Up As Credit Card Use Rises 15 Signs That The Quality Of Jobs In America Is Going Downhill Really Fast


Odds ‘n Sods:

Why we need full capacity magazines: Multiple attackers.    o o o Signing UN Arms Trade Treaty While Congress at Summer Recess. (This move arrogantly contradicts the U.S. Senate’s vote, in March.)    o o o Federal judge: Post Office violated man’s rights by banning gun from parking lot    o o o Some sad statistics: 27 Facts That Prove Families In America Are In The Worst Shape Ever    o o o A reader in Oz metioned that the Wikipedia article on the NLR (Nous sommes la résistance)–“an Australian prepper organisation” has been recommended for deletion. It seems notable …