Odds ‘n Sods:

Don’t mistake this tyranny for some sort of “moderation” or “compromise”: Deal on gun background checks hinges on tracking sales. Please contact your congressmen and senators to again remind them that intrastate private party sales of used guns are OUTSIDE of the scope of the Interstate Commerce Clause. No Federal nexus means no Federal jurisdiction!    o o o For those who prefer to store plain sea salt: Redmond Real Salt    o o o Lew Rockwell: Prozacked Nation    o o o Rather than backtracking, “Shotgun Joe” Biden is digging himself a deeper hole. Oh, and speaking of scatterguns, …



Notes from JWR:

Now feeling fully Sequestered and safe in the American Redoubt, your Editor notes that the sky has not fallen, as predicted by the pundits on MSNBC. In fact the $109 billion in “dreaded automatic budget cuts” are merely a decrease in the rate of budget increase. Federal spending will actually be going up by more than $14 billion. But I’m sure that BHO and company will misdirect as many departmental cuts as possible, to maximize the perceived stress. Much anguished hand-wringing, nay-saying and fear mongering, to follow in the weeks to come. They will no doubt brand it a “crisis.” …


Emergency Bags for Your Vehicle, by Z.T.

Most preppers probably have a pretty good handle on how to assemble a bug-out-bag (BOB). And, it’s probably so large and ungainly, that it gets stuck in the closet, just like mine. Let’s be honest, are you going to have it when you need it? I think we have covered the likelihood of being at home when “it” happens in plenty of detail in the past. We have seen that the chances of you being at home on your couch with your BOB beside you are slim. What about all the other situations? In other words, where to you spend …


Letter Re: Today is the Day Christianity Became Illegal in Canada

Mr. Rawles, I have, most of the time been proud to be a Canadian. We have our problems, much like other countries, but I’d always believed that our country was one of the best, most free in the world. It both infuriates me and causes me great sadness to write the latter in the past tense. Today I read an article from a news source I have followed for many years and trust implicitly, Lifesitenews. Essentially, the Supreme Court of Canada has killed freedom of speech and freedom of religion in one fell blow. If we can no longer as …


Economics and Investing:

Jim W. was the first of several readers to point me to this piece at Zero Hedge: Silver Demand Surges To Record For February. Jim W. correctly observed that the paper markets for precious metals are increasingly irrelevant. The true relevance in the grand scheme of things can be found in the fact that the supply of paper is limitless and he supply of silver is fixed. Don’t be frightened by short term swings in the market. Just be thankful for the dips–our opportunities to buy in in the midst of a long term bull market. Buy tangibles, not conceptuals. …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cooking With Three Candle Flames    o o o The Spring Survival Medicine classes with SurvivalBlog’s Medical Editor Dr. Cynthia Koelker (of Armageddon Medicine) are now open for registration.  Learn to suture, cast, and much more. The available seats fill up early, so register soon.    o o o Safecastle now offers a discount price for quantity purchases of Waterbricks. Through a special arrangement with the manufacturer, these are shipped directly from the factory, to reduce shipping costs. Waterbricks are great for storing water, bulk grain, bulk legumes, or even bulk .22 LR ammo. 😉    o o o Reports of …



Notes from JWR:

Idaho’s federal gun enforcement protection bill will go before committee today. (Friday, March 1, 2013.) If you live near the capitol, please try to attend the hearing, to show your support. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in the State Affairs Committee room. (Garden level house side, east side.) Here is a link to the text of the bill. — Today is the last day of Camping Survival’s semi-annual sale on Mountain House foods. They are offering 25% off #10 cans and kits, and 15% off all pouches. Get your order in by midnight, eastern time on March 1, …


Field Evasion Skills, by JOAT

So there I was, in the back of the UH-60 Blackhawk lifting my feet at various intervals for fear that they would scrape the pine trees as the pilot hugged the terrain below with the chopper.  One thing led to another and the next thing I knew the chopper was on the ground and I was running full speed to get to the trees to find concealment from nearby hostiles that intended to do me harm. As I got up and over the nearest ridge and ducked into some temporary concealment; I stopped and listened. After waiting for what seemed …


Letter Re: .300 AAC Blackout Uppers for AR-15s

Hi James, I read your excellent forum every day, before I read the local paper. In case you haven’t looked at the new .300 AAC Blackout, you might want to take a hard look at it.   The PDF of a presentation by an AAI executive describes it quite well. With just an upper receiver swap out, you can have an AR-15 that will shoot through a pretty hefty tree, vehicle panel or door.  I load my own and convert old 5.56  brass into Blackout brass with a single stroke of the press handle. A Dillon electric case trimmer whacks …


Letter Re: A Primer on Guns for Survival

Mr. Rawles, I would like to add to the shotgun portion of this posting. While we all like to have the latest high tech looter stopper, a trip to the used section of your local gun shop will yield some hidden treasures. You can have your 18.5 inch pump riot gun for a fractional price of a new one. Perusing my local large chain yielded a pile of old, but still serviceable pieces. Many are old department store guns wearing hideous looking chokes, but the guns were made by Remington, Winchester, Ithaca etc. Price ranged from $100 to $249, this included …


Two Letters Re: Bug Out Vehicle Advice

Mr. Rawles, I have not seen the subject of a 2WD with a limited slip differential versus a 4WD addressed on your blog. If it has, I have missed it. Most 4WD vehicles have “open” differentials and if one wheel on that axle spins, then the other stops. I have seen 4WD trucks spinning the driver side front wheel and the passenger side rear wheel and nothing from the other 2 wheels (dead stop). There are vehicles with limited slip front and rear but they are uncommon unless you special order them that way new or have aftermarket parts installed. …


Auction Update: PVS-14 Gen 3+ Night Vision Scope to Benefit C.R.O.S.S. Ministries

CURRENT BID is $3,000 (Bid by Reader D.J.G.) Simply e-mail us your bids. I will post regular updates on the bidding. The final deadline will be Midnight EST on Monday, March 11, 2013. Thanks for your generous bids in support of C.R.O.S.S. Ministries. We are continuing a benefit auction of a brand new AN/PVS-14 Gen 3+ Night Vision Scope. All proceeds (100% of your bid) will be donated to C.R.O.S.S. Ministries. (A very worthy Christian ministry that is sharing the Gospel of Christ in South Sudan. Their outreach method is unique: They are teaching rural villagers tactical marksmanship, water purification, …


Economics and Investing:

Panic in Greek pharmacies as hundreds of medicines run short H.L. sent this, also from The Guardian: We’re so well educated – but we’re useless (Also true in much of America) Aaron H. suggested: If inflation is zero, why does my paycheck feel like it’s shrinking? Items from The Economatrix: Eurozone Crisis As It Happened:  Italian Political Deadlock Sends Markets Tumbling Will Italy Be The Spark That Sets Off Financial Armageddon In Europe? I Hope You’re Ready: “The Selloff Today Is The Start, Not The End