Economics and Investing:

R.C. sent this: Higher Rates End Obama’s Borrowing Cost Holiday. Speaking of interest issues: Interest on Federal Debt Hit $104B in First Half of FY2012—Despite Low Interest Rates Owe The IRS? Bill Would Suspend Passport Rights For Delinquent Taxpayers. (Thanks to F.G. for the link.) The latest from Silver Shield: The Myth of Silver Confiscation Items from The Economatrix: Iran, Oil, Europe Pose Risk To Economy:  Geithner Stanford’s Lazear:  US Suffering Worst Economic Recovery In History Iran, Oil Prices, And Gambling With The World Economy Gasoline Prices May be Getting Close to a Peak


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader B.B. sent this news from Canada: Gun owners alarmed by ammunition rule- Confusion over storage requirements. But meanwhile, some good news: Senate kills long-gun registry. (Thanks to N.L. for the latter link.)    o o o Our friend Commander Zero recently commented on: Gender issues in preparedness    o o o G.G. mentioned that Lisa Bedford (“Survival Mom”) was just interviewed by Lew Rockwell    o o o Mac Slavo of the SHTFPlan blog recently posted a link to this trucking industry warning from 2006: When Trucks Stop, America Stops    o o o An American Redoubt Job Opening: …



Letter Re: Small Unit Tactics in a Post Collapse Environment

Captain Rawles, In addition to the points you made in reference to stealth and scarce ammunition supplies post collapse, in your commentary on the named article, I would make a second point: While the squad level tactics described have proven to be rather effective for active duty military in offense;  the average Joe and his family unit will most likely not have those kinds of numbers.  The average familial size seems to be right around four, these days.  So unless one is lucky enough to have found/joined/founded a group for this purpose, when it gets to be Schumer time the …


Notes from JWR:

I received an e-mail on Friday morning from Brian Camden of Hardened Structures, alerting me that an F-18 fighter jet had just crashed, quite near their headquarters, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Thankfully, no one was killed. Here is one minute of raw post facto video. — Today we present two more entries for Round 40 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. …


How to Eat the Abundance Around You, by Linda Runyon

1

Long before the days of supermarkets and organized agriculture, people lived.  We are the evidence.  They lived in small groups and even alone as hunter gatherers.  And remember, this was in the days before language!  How did we do it?  Trial and error?  Instinct?  If so, the instinct has been lost, but with some simple rules, it may be regained. The good news is we don’t have to watch Uncle Ogg keel over in agony after grazing on a patch of poison hemlock to know that it’s something to stay away from. Solutions to common problems such as what to …


The Evolution of Radio Technology, Part 1, by Roger R.

Many preppers and other radio communications enthusiasts want to be well equipped for receiving and transmitting under adverse conditions, but most modern hams, shortwave listeners (SWLs), preppers and observers are not familiar with the evolution of receiver and transmitter designs and how that progression can give us a useful advantage in gearing up for different scenarios. Old tech is, after all, appropriate tech when the going gets rough-the rougher, the older in many instances. I want to start with receivers because a transmitter without a receiver is useful only for broadcasting, and in our endeavors broadcasting is generally our last …


Two Letters Re: Military Surplus G.O.O.D. Vehicles

James: I just read the SurvivalBlog post “Letter Re: Military Surplus G.O.O.D. Vehicles.” Here’s a web site for any of your readers in or near West Virginia looking for a Humvee, Deuce and a half or 5 ton trucks: Clark Trucks. With My Regards, – Aaron K.   Sir, Reference military surplus vehicles, I would like to recommend that for those seriously interested in something other than a “deuce” that there are several places here in the US where former Swiss or Austrian “Pinzguaers” are available.  These are very versatile, high ground clearance, 4×4 or 6×6 trucks.  They have 4-cylinder, …


Letter Re: Small Unit Tactics in a Post Collapse Environment

Hi Jim,  I agree 100% with your addenda to Gunfighter’s article, Small Unit Tactics in a Post Collapse Environment. As a consultant myself, I have had to stress (particularly to the younger crowd of OIF and OEF veterans) that Survivalists have to operate differently than Soldiers, due to the military’s reliance on body armor, advanced medical resources, et cetera. If anything, I seek out Vietnam Vets as consulting associates, for their experience in individual techniques (usually all from the prone position), from the pre-Kevlar, pre-IBA, pre-MOLLE days. I met many of them when I attended Jungle Warfare school back in 1983. …


Economics and Investing:

C.D.V. highlighted this piece by Richard Lehmann, over at Forbes: Ben Bernanke’s Secret Inflation Plan Destruction of Spain’s Economy Duplicates Greece Ron in Florida mentioned this at Zero Hedge: The Second Foreclosure Tsunami Is Coming, And Is About To Kill Any Hopes Of A “Housing Bottom” James K. sent this: Production of presidential dollars reduced G.G. flagegd this nes item: Government records 40th straight deficit month in March Items from The Economatrix: Crude Ends Higher Pre-Holiday, Posts Weekly Gain S&P Posts Worst Week an 2012 as Bulls Waver March Sales Brighten Retailers’ Profit Prospects


Odds ‘n Sods:

30 Canned Foods You Never Knew Existed. (Thanks to Joseph R. for the link.)    o o o More charming news: Gearing Up: DHS Purchases Bullet Resistant Checkpoint Booths Amid Large Scale Ammo Buildup. (Thanks to S.K. for the link.)    o o o Be careful out on the roads, folks. (Thanks to Pierre M. for the link.)    o o o David S. flagged this article: Handheld Plasma Flashlight Rids Skin of Notorious Pathogens



Notes from JWR:

Our SurvivalRealty.com spin-off site now has more than 90 listings. In fact, there have been a lot of new listings added in just the past three weeks that are captivating and unique retreat properties. Please take the time to check them out. Also note that my #1 Son has created an advertising sidebar, with 200 pixel width ads. This quite inexpensive ad space is available immediately. (Meanwhile, the advertising space waiting list at our main SurvivalBlog page is now stretching out well beyond two years.) — Today we present two more entries for Round 40 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing …


Small Unit Tactics in a Post Collapse Environment, by Gunfighter

The time may come when all order and civility have broken down into chaos and unrestrained evil. You were a wise prepper and worked through your list of lists, acquiring all of the necessary knowledge and tools for survival. All of your bases are covered. Your survival retreat is intact and manned by your entire survival group. Each individual is most likely capable of firing a weapon and you probably have a survival retreat defense plan in the event a band of raiders, or some other group of people who wish you harm, decides they want to take what isn’t …


Musings of a Newbie Prepper, by Tyson D.

After being raised on my grandfather’s farm, spending time in the military and being a first responder for the last 15 years, it is strange to find myself being a Newbie in the daunting task of creating an emergency preparedness cache for my family.  I now find myself living in a suburban/rural area of a major metropolitan city and a long way from where I grew up and started learning about some of the skills needed to survive.  I’ve always considered myself to be a prepared, self-sufficient individual.  I’ve hunted small and large game, I’ve backpacked in the backcountry for …