Letter Re: How to Prepare for a Home Birth in a Post Collapse Situation

Hi James, I was very concerned about some of the things C.C. recommended in her letter to you for a woman giving birth, post-collapse.  I am a strong believer in natural childbirth.  After my first birth at a hospital with a doctor I swore never again!  I had my next three babies with midwives, two of the births being at home.  I read every book out there over the years on natural childbirth, including several of the ones the above writer listed.  I even trained to be a doula (woman who aids a labouring and post birth woman).  Two things the writer …


Economics and Investing:

If the US markets are considered the “safe haven” amidst all the recent EU turmoil, then why isn’t the US Dollar Index skyrocketing? (Mr. Market has some foresight.) And if the global economy is in “recovery”, then why is the Baltic Dry Index for shipping rates back in the dumpster? (JWR’s Comment: Sounds like more like a “Lohan” recovery to me, to wit: she’s checked into rehab, but there is no willingness to actually change.) US Begins Regulating BitCoin, Will Apply “Money Laundering” Rules To Virtual Transactions I found this linked over at Gold-Eagle: The Dark Truth About The Safety …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Interesting Interview With Duane Liptak of Magpul    o o o G.G. sent: Sun Storm Forecast: Tiny Chance of Havoc    o o o R&N wrote to mention that the reloading primers shortage is getting worse. Both Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are sold out of most types of rifle primers.    o o o James C. sent: 36 Sneaky Hidden Compartments    o o o DHS questioned over decision to let Saudi passengers skip normal passport controls. (Thanks to Peter S. for the link.)


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 45 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) 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 $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 …


Preparing Your Sons and Daughters, by Chuck Holton

There is a crisis of manhood in America today.  The numbers are astounding:  One in three children live in fatherless homes.  Since 2011, women receive more college degrees than men.  And recent decrees by the Obama administration will now see our wars being fought by women and homosexuals – it’s enough to make a guy like me be glad I won’t be around to see what this country looks like fifty years from now, and get a knot in my gut knowing that my children most likely will.  It makes me realize that my sons will need the skills to …


Letter Re: The Usefulness of MSDS Info for Chemicals

Jim: I saw J.A.N.’s letter about MSDS information for chemicals.  A comment J.A.N. made indicated the lengthiness of some MSDSs – very true with amazingly confusing info.  Another source is the international chemical safety card (ICSC) and can be located here.   These are typically only two pages in length, have standardized format, and are available in numerous other languages.  As an FYI – the “MSDS” is quickly becoming archaic as the U.S. is finally catching up with the international concept of SDSs  (no “M”)– with mandated format, international symbology, and definitive info for personal protective clothing/equipment (PPE).  Too many …


Economics and Investing:

Cyprus banks shut until Tuesday [March 26th] amid scramble for Plan B EU gives Cyprus bailout ultimatum, risks euro exit British Politician’s Warning to Europeans With Cash in the Bank: ‘Get Your Money Out While You Can’ Diana V. sent: For Jittery Spaniards, Bitcoin Is Looking Better and Better The Revenue Deficit From Progressive Tax Rates Items from The Economatrix: Inflation Picks Up, But Still Hovers In The Fed’s Comfort Zone Jobless Claims Fall Again As Labor Market Improves Americans Spent More On Gas, Less At The Mall ADP:  Private Sector Job Growth Remains “Sturdy” Ick!  America’s Economic Signals Are …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader H.L. mentioned: Federal Firearms License Granted for 3D Printed Guns    o o o Reader Ryan B. found this great online resource: Academic Life in Emergency Medicine    o o o VOA is still experimenting with digital modes. (Thanks to PNG for the link.)    o o o The folks at Ready Made Resources mentioned that they now have just four DPMS TAC-2 AR-15 carbines in stock at $1,399 with free shipping. (Must be shipped to an FFL holder.)    o o o New Jersey tries to intimidate NRA instructor and steal his guns. JWR’s Comment: As previously mentioned, …



Notes from JWR:

Some disappointing news: Colorado’s Democrat Governor Hickenlooper just signed two new laws: a law that will ban any magazine over 15 round capacity, a ban on shotguns that can hold (or that can be converted to hold) more than 8 shells, and a ban on private party sales of guns. It seems that he has a reading disability. (See Colorado Constitution’s Article II, Section 13.) The only glimmer of hope is that the magazine ban won’t take effect until July 1, 2013. So Coloradans have until then to stock up their lifetime supply. Since the law’s grandfather clause will be …


Become Your Own Herbal Doctor, By Elizabeth Y.

Common ailments can really keep you down in the best of times, but when the SHTF you won’t have the luxury of staying in bed and taking a sick day when a bad cold or diarrhea strikes.  In a TEOTWAWKI scenario, there will be no doctor to call and no over-the-counter medicines to treat your symptoms.  If that sounds at all scary to you…it should. But fear not! Luckily, we all have the ability to become our own doctor, as plant medicine is all around us.  But it takes more than a reference book or cursory knowledge of herbal medicine …


Letter Re: Warning on Canola Oil

Mr. Rawles; Yesterday I was in my local Costco store doing some shopping for my prepper pantry, and I noticed something new that Costco is selling, a vegetable oil blend. It’s labeled as “Mediterranean Blend” and is a mixture of canola, olive, and grapeseed oil. It may be attractive to value-conscious preppers, because the cost per liter is low; $2.97 a liter vs. Kirkland (Costco’s house brand) olive oil for $5.97 a liter.  Beware of this oil. According to Mary Enig, Ph.D., who is the current world authority on trans–fatty acids, Canola Oil is actually derived from the rapeseed, a …


Letter Re: Unloading Mossberg 500/590 Shotguns

Captain Rawles, People may already know this one, but if not, then here is a trick for anyone with a Mossberg 500/590 shotgun who wants to know how to remove shells from the tube magazine without cycling the action” Inside the loading port located on the left is a small piece of metal [called a shell stop] which holds the shells in the magazine (it’s easy to see with a shell in the magazine).  Pushing this in allows shells to be removed from the magazine one-by-one swiftly and silently.  Push the piece in until a shell pops out of the magazine, release the metal piece, …


Letter Re: The Usefulness of MSDS Info for Chemicals

Mr. Rawles:  First off A Big Thank You for all the information you make available.    I have been putting together a notebook for my office with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)  for all the chemicals that we use.  Old timers (like me) called these books HazMat Books/sheets.  This  got me to thinking about the chemicals that I use in my house; and started to put one together when the SHTF.   MSDS sheets will tell you: 1.       The Product and Company identification, 2       Ingredients ,  3.     Hazards identification,  4.     First Aid Measures ;    5.     Fire Fighting Measures  6. …