Notes from JWR:

Today is the birthday of the late Patrick Swayze (born August 18, 1952, died September 14, 2009.) Regardless of how good the 2012 Red Dawn remake is, the original Red Dawn from 1984 will always be remembered as the benchmark, and of course Swayze will always be remembered for his leading role. — Today we present another entry for Round 42 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 …


Shipping Containers — A Retreat on the Cheap, by Frederic W.

I would like to shed light on the convenience, structural soundness, and affordability of ISO shipping containers [commonly calles CONEXes] as potential add-ons, storage, or primary structure for your retreat or year-round compound. As an individual of efficiency, I am writing this article with the intent of casting out some research I have done on these containers; what they are capable of in a capacity form, and their versatility as a livable space. I hope many find this informative in its purist sense. Availability: Due to the nature of our global economy, especially in reference to the U.S. and its …


Two Letters Re: Camouflage Painting Firearms

Dear Mr. Rawles: As an addendum to the Friday piece on “Camouflage Painting Firearms” by Kyrottimus, I recommend this piece: Weapons Painting 101, a bulletin from the US Army TACOM detailing the officially-approved techniques for painting small arms. Cordially, – John N. Dear Editor: Regarding “Camouflage Painting Firearms”, you may want to point folks to this rather well-illustrated tutorial on painting your AR in the Multicam pattern, found over at AR15.com: How to Multicam your rifle…on the cheap! Regards, – T.


Economics and Investing:

G.G. flagged this: After the Storm – describes the stages of economic collapse. The 13-F truth comes out: George Soros Eats Own Words, Doubles Down On The Gold ETF J.D.F. mentioned: Jim Rogers: It’s Going To Get Really “Bad After The Next Election” Aaaand It’s Gone: This Is Why You Always Demand Physical Precious Metals Items from The Economatrix: World Shipping Crisis Threatens German Dominance as Greeks Win Long Game Retail Sales Up But Some Consumers Still Cautious Paulson, Soros Add to Gold Hoard as Prices Drop Most Since 2008


Odds ‘n Sods:

South African police say they were forced to fire on striking miners, killing 34. So much for the kinder, gentler post-Apartheid “Truth and Reconciliation” era under majority rule It is time for some remedial trading on fire discipline. (It sounded like a “mad minute”.) Is this a preview of the coming Austerity Riots?    o o o Check out this new product at Safecastle: AEB OX Mini Power Plant Solar Generator    o o o OSU Lab Test Pits Mountain House vs. Wise Foods … Results are WOW!    o o o A Navy SEAL speaks out about President Bolt …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 42 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 …


Camouflage Painting Firearms, by Kyrottimus

Most combat-style firearms come in one color: black. For “style” this is a safe bet, as black goes well with everything. However, in life-or-death survival situations, one must make their weapon just as concealable as themselves. Black is bad. Of all colors, black stands out the most and draws the human-eye to it before anything else. This is true for normal-spectrum vision, starlight/night-vision, IR/Near-IR/Thermal vision, etc. Anything appearing as black or reflective will stick out like a proverbial sore thumb. If you plan on wearing some type of camouflage clothing during any situation, you should consider camouflaging your weapon as …


Letter Re: Coastal Oregon as a Retreat Locale

Sir: Just a few words from someone else who lives here (Tillamook County, if you’re curious). LongJim has a lot of it right, but it’s certainly not going to be as easy as he describes. To add a touch of balance, I really should chime in here. Natural resources are indeed abundant. Crabbing, clamming, fishing, and more can be done. However, without a sailboat or kayak? You’re liable to be stuck digging for clams, drowning worms, and tossing crab pots alongside hundreds of your neighbors – from every available dock, wharf, jetty, or beach. A motorboat will only get you …


Economics and Investing:

Welcome to the Third World, Part 7: Bye Bye, Public Services. (Kudos to H.L. for the link.) Also from H.L.: Two Spanish Towns in Hock as Banks Cope with $250 Billion in Bad Loans The Political Euro Revolt Spreads To Austria: “Europe Can Only Function If Every Country Has Its Own Currency” Items from The Economatrix: Banking Damage:  ATM, Checking And Overdraft Fees Rise In 2012 Max Keiser:  We’re In A Financial Holocaust Why More States May See Gas Prices Above $4 Six U.S. Cities on the Edge of a Fiscal Cliff


Odds ‘n Sods:

Charley S. sent this infographic: Who believes the end of the world is near?    o o o F.G. sent this: Record-breaking python found in Florida Everglades with 87 eggs.    o o o F.J.R. suggested this at Cool Tools: Optimus Svea Stove    o o o Jim W. sent this news item to file under “Important Safety Tip”: North Augusta gun shop owner kills suspected burglar, injures two others    o o o G.G. sent this: Stratfor emails reveal secret, widespread TrapWire surveillance system



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 42 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 …


Coastal Oregon as a Retreat Locale, by LongJim

Years ago, as a young man, I was impacted by the 1970s gasoline crisis, making for long gas station lines and the accompanying angst, which was preceded by a few years by a strange  market-driven meat-shortage. I remember that episode resulted in ground beef prices soaring,  and even companies coming out with “textured soy protein” mixes in cartons as a substitute. That series of events probably steered me into the emerging survivalist-prepper culture, and ever since then, I’ve always had a full pantry of tuna, beans, bullets, and water wherever I went. I carried that mindset over to my career …


Letter Re: An Indiana Disaster Preparedness Meetup Site

Hi Mr. Rawles, To start, your site has been an inspiration to many people, myself included.  I am a firefighter here in Indiana and what I’ve noticed is there are so many different places to get info, some good some bad, but it is tough to get some centralized information for local training’s.  We started a Meetup group in Central Indiana that is growing fast and it is not a monetary site or a forum, just a centralized place to post training events and meetups around the area.  You are one of the main sites we encourage all of our members to go to …