Odds ‘n Sods:

Political Correctness, run amok: Google Shopping Censors All Gun, Ammo and Accessories Results    o o o Reader Chris M. recommended this web page: Switzerland National Defense as well as this review of John McPhee’s book La Place de la Concorde Suisse. By the way, don’t miss the fascinating links included in some of the comments.    o o o I was absolutely disgusted to read about the U.S. supreme court’s weaseling decision on the mandatory “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (ACA) socialized medicine scheme. It is noteworthy that the court’s deciding vote was cast by Chief Justice John …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 41 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, 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 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any …


Preparing Your Retreat For a Forest Fire or Brush Fire, by F.A.

As hundreds of thousands of acres are burning all across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Wyoming, as I write this article, the smell of smoke wafting through my window has caused me to think about the many thousands of people that have retreated to the Redoubt. While I have no way of knowing how many folks have relocated from parts other than the Rocky Mountain west, I suppose that many are not familiar with the devastation a forest fire can cause; nor how quickly the devastation can occur. I also can only assume that most of the Redoubt folks …


Letter Re: Lessons From The Colorado Wildfires

Dear Editor: Wanted to share my evacuation experiences and lessons learned while they’re still fresh in my mind.  Although it wasn’t a 5 minute evacuation, it was pretty stress-free.  Fortunately, I started serious preparations early this year, or it would have been a whole lot more work.   My house is (was?) within about five miles of the starting point of the fire.  Not far at all, but fires don’t burn that well downhill, so it was ok.  But the wind picked up big last night and sent the fire into the houses within about three miles of me.    I got my pile of “definitely …


Lessons From Tropical Storm Debby

As Tropical Storm Debby stalled in the Gulf of Mexico off the Coast of Florida it was business as usual in our area. No one was much concerned about the storm as we have become complacent in Storms and Hurricanes in our area of North Florida. I live in a rural farming area 20 miles from Live Oak and 15 miles from the town of Mayo. The following are my observations.   Saturday June 23rd – constant rain all day – all roads passable   Sunday June 24th   – constant rain all day – all roads passable   Monday June …


Letter Re: Advice on Canadian Nickels

Mr. Rawles, To follow up on the recent posts about sorting Canadian nickels, I recently stumbled across a web site that has pictures of all Canadian nickels from 1870 until 2005. After sorting close to $100 worth of nickels, I can say the vast majority of non-debased nickels span between around 1960 to 1999.  Of those, most of the pre-1982 nickels are 99% nickel and have a melt value approximately 1.5x it’s face value. All nickels from 1982 to 1999 have a copper-nickel composition similar to that of the US nickel, and a melt value currently very close to the face value. One subtle …


Economics and Investing:

Peter Schiff’s Latest Advice to Investors Reader Tom K. sent this: Stockton [California] set to become the largest US city to declare bankruptcy Discount Distortion: How Dollar Stores Actually Charge You More Allan C. sent: Is this 1931 all over again? Paul Krugman, Nouriel Roubini, Niall Ferguson and more think so Forty Million Houses in the US That No One Needs? The burden of unsupportable debt. US debt-to-GDP growing at a pace rivaling certain European nations – The dramatic problems of peak debt in 2012. From Sue C.: Euro zone Big Four confer after fifth state seeks aid Items from …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Ann Coulter: The Biggest Scandal in U.S. History    o o o In addition to their existing line of Mountain House freeze dried foods in pouches, Camping Survival has just received their first shipment of Mountain House foods in #10 cans. It is noteworthy that they have the lowest shipping rates in the industry.    o o o K.D. sent this: Buckets to Backpacks    o o o SurvivalBlogger dentist Tom Loomis is teaching another Field Dentistry class in August, 2012, in Sweetwater, Tennessee.  Contact tandsloomis@bellsouth.net


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"When the sturdy Roman plebeian, who lived by his own labor, who voted without reward according to his own convictions, and who with his fellows formed in war the terrible Roman legion, had been changed into an idle creature who craved nothing in life save the gratification of a thirst for vapid excitement, who was fed by the state, and directly or indirectly sold his vote to the highest bidder, then the end of the republic was at hand, and nothing could save it. The laws were the same as they had been, but the people behind the laws had …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 41 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, 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 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any …


Silver and Gold Bartering, Now and Post-Societal Collapse, by T.R.

Over the last few years, since awaking from my slumber that rainbows and butterflies come from baby gnomes, I have been preparing my bean, bullets and bullion for what ever may be on the other side of the eye of the hurricane, so to speak. Whether that event is the eventual collapse of not only the US dollar but currencies globally or some apocalyptic end of society as it currently exists. In that time I have found great interest in the financial aspect of this scenario. As a project manager I find that some variables in a project are non-linear …


Letter Re: Advice on Spotlights

JWR: I am looking to purchase a really good spot light. Do you have any suggestions? I have had far too many pieces of junk that were supposed to be great. I figure that you are the man to ask. Thanks, W.P. JWR Replies: While they have some utility in controlling predator wildlife (depending on your state’s fish and game laws, of course), I DO NOT recommend visible spotlights for any retreat defense situations.  Spotlights pinpoint your dwelling and can make you a target.  There could be some utility in infrared spotlights set up a distance for your position (NOT …


Economics and Investing:

Reader R.B.S. sent this interesting data: Parsing U.S. Poverty at the Metropolitan Level. Once again, the American Redoubt shines. North Las Vegas declared a disaster area–economic disaster, that is. Rim R. sent this: ‘Made in the USA’ Label Will Disappear If the World Trade Organization Plan Succeeds Six charts highlighting future trends in the housing system. Silent crashing markets, command style housing controls, and Fed top sponsor of maximum leverage. Items from The Economatrix: Why Home Prices Are Better And Worse Home Sales Reach Two-Year High as U.S. Rates Fall Oil Falls As Investors Unconvinced On EU Growth Talk What’s …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Jake K. suggested this: Switzerland’s Military Defense Involves Blowing Up All Roads Into The Country    o o o Swine flu likely claimed quarter of a million lives: study    o o o $5 Billion Camouflage SNAFU: Army ditches failed combat uniform that put a target on grunts’ backs for 8 years. (A tip of the tried and true Woodland Pattern boonie hat to The Patriot Refusenik for the link.)    o o o Chad S. recommended this, over at Volokh: OSHA targets shooting range    o o o And the winner of the world’s most spectacularly failed state is…