Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Reader AmEx sent news of the know-nothing Big Government crowd at work: Bullet tax proposal in hunt for solution to Chicago gun crime. Call for a levy of nickel for each bullet and $25 for each firearm sold in the city. I predict that their tax scheme will be counterproductive. Note that the tax would apply only to the 40 FFL holders inside Chicago City limits. Who in their right mind would pay 8 cents per round for .22 rimfire ammo, when they are accustomed to paying 3 cents? Obviously, people will take their business elsewhere–namely to gun shows outside …

Reader C.D.V. was pondering a wound cleanser which is dry, compact and inexpensive. He decided on potassium permanganate, which in addition for use (in a very dilute solution) on wounds can also purify water, treat fungal infection, canker sores, cholera, start fire and be used as an emergency signal. Wikipedia lists even more uses. A reference page on nursing notes that 400mg (1:1,000) tablets are diluted in four liters of water to give a dilution of 1:10,000 (0.01%). Obviously, just a little bit goes a long way when put in solution as a wound cleanser.    o o o Ready …

Tracey A. sent a link to an interesting piece on the new Winchester Segmented Slug.    o o o They keep getting smaller: Spy-Butterfly: Israel developing insect drone for indoor surveillance. (Thanks to F.G. for the link.)    o o o Reader F.J. pointed out this piece: Assessing Doomsday: How Cyber War Could Attack U.S. Infrastructure    o o o D.B. sent: Armed posse patrols timber land in sheriff’s place    o o o NDAA critic stranded in Hawaii after turning up on no-fly list. JWR’s Comment: Is this the America where I was born and raised?

Residents of North Dakota might find ths of interest: The GSA is auctioning off five Stanley Mickelsen Safeguard missile sites, with opening bids of $1. Go the GSA Auctions web page and enter “Stanley Mickelsen Safeguard Complex” in the search box. Fascinating.    o o o Health alert: Why you DON’T want ripped abs if you hope to survive the coming economic collapse    o o o B.B. sent: Desperation: Greece to Allow Sale of Expired Foods to Citizens.    o o o Tom B. in Oklahoma was the first of several readers to send an article about a new …

Reader F.G. mentioned this interesting analysis, over at ARFCOM: Best Choices For Self-Defense Ammo    o o o An interesting piece by Dr. Bones: The Truth About Expiration Dates    o o o A great discussion thread was started over at the CalGuns forums: Crime Avoidance & Self-Defense Advice.    o o o Pantry Paratus is passing along a special promotion being run by Wondermill to their customers: For every Electric Wondermill sold, a customer will receive a free cookbook titled, “Chef Brad Comfort Foods.” And for every Wondermill Jr hand crank mill ($235 complete with stone and steel burrs) buyers …

James C. pointed me to this 1969 FBI training film: Shooting for Survival.    o o o Ol’ Remus suggested this piece over at the Shenandoah blog: Guerrilla Radio Listening and Broadcasting. And speaking of radio, don’t miss this handy Ham Radio Cheat Sheet, over at the excellent Off Grid Survival blog.    o o o An audio clip from a talk radio caller in Fargo, North Dakota: Please Move The Deer Crossing. This call (possibly a spoof) adds a new entendre to the term “dense population.” (Thanks to Steve C.)    o o o A speaking of density, Pierre …

Jon C. suggested this article: Five Great Reasons to Grow Vegetables Vertically    o o o M.K.P. sent an article from Chile about the many pitfalls of building… The Microhydro Plant. This clever fellow even wound his own transformers! And BTW, he also has nice taste in old tube radios.    o o o Gregg mentioned: The next human pandemic    o o o B.B. sent: Massive Manure Pile Delivered to Ohio Democratic Offices. For better effect, take a lesson from our English cousins. The misexcremants should have fired up a power manure spreader just inside the front door, and …

Recommended by F.J.: HomemadeTools.net    o o o An interesting documentary: We The Tiny House People: Small Homes, Tiny Flats. JWR’s comment: Simplicity is laudable, but tiny houses leave no room for long term food storage. 🙁 How about Plan B: A tiny house with minimal living space to heat but adjacent to it build a big un-heated barn/shop/root cellar building?    o o o The reach of the Internet is amazing. Even obscure acronyms that I created just for SurvivalBlog can now be found far and wide.    o o os Beware the signs of the times, even in …

Joe K. liked this Rodale piece: 12 Low-Tech Tools You’ll Always Use    o o o Reader Jeremy I. sent us an item to file under Emerging Threats: Infamous mountain man burglar caught on video, still roams free. (Do not leave supplies cached in unattended wilderness cabins and expect them to be immune from burglary. It is important to build undetectable wall or floor caches for your valuable weapons, ammunition, optics, and electronics.)    o o o The Knob Creek machinegun shoot and plein air gun show will be held again this coming weekend. One of these years–when my writing …

Just in time to get people thinking about the consequences of the upcoming election, the movie Atlas Shrugged, Part II will be released on October 12, 2012.    o o o For those with an interest in monitoring the severity of solar flares, J.E.B. in Missouri tells me that the Rice University Web Site site has excellent up-time and has the most consistent and timely, moment-to-moment updating of solar flare data.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Back Country Editor, Mat Stein, has several book signings and workshops scheduled in Reno, Nevada, on October 13th and 14th.    o o o …

Don J. recommended this: Prioritizing Every Day Carry Gear for Personal Defense.    o o o Ralph N. was the first of several readers to send this Los Angeles Times article: Many drugs are just fine years after they ‘expire,’ study finds    o o o Of interest to folks in western Oregon: The Oregon City Emergency Preparedness Fair will be held Saturday, October 20, 2012. Free admission! 10 am – 4pm. Location: 14340 S. Donovan St. Oregon City, Oregon. Lead speaker : James Roddey, former Director of Communications of the Red Cross 1pm-2pm “Quake Up Call”. Also speaking will …

Reader F.G. suggested this: Coyotes, bears, and lions: the new urban pioneers?    o o o James C. suggested this great little anthology at Popular Mechanics: The 110 Best DIY Tips Ever    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this: 10 Coldest Temperatures in U.S. History. It is notable that several of these records were set in American Redoubt states, but take a look at the elevations. These are not spots where most folks would want to live!    o o o Claire Wolfe’s latest commentary: Your right to sell your stuff.    o o …

SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson sent: Lunch lady slammed for food that is ‘too good’. (This is like something straight out of Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”, from his Welcome to the Monkey House collection of short stories.)    o o o Some fun shooting up a lot of Uncle Sam’s ammo at Yakima: Special Forces A Team practices with M-ATVs equipped with CROWS.    o o o James C. liked this collection of photos: A Long-Term Survival Guide – Hidden Storage and Secret Compartments    o o o The latest from Montie Gear: Gloveshot. (The “Detailed Images” page …

R.B.S. mentioned: Hay thefts and intentional intrusive grazing in New Mexico.    o o o Bob G. suggested: The Grey Man approach to personal protection    o o o Reader Joe K. spotted this: Emergency uses for Paracord    o o o Do you carry a gun openly? What are your legal rights during a police stop?    o o o Do you carry concealed and/or in your car? Be aware of “Must Inform Officer” state laws. (No such laws in any of the American Redoubt states, where the gendarmes all rightly assume that most of the vehicles they pull …

Alex Jones: Elite Buying Underground Shelters in Record Numbers    o o o Safecastle’s last Mountain House sale of the year ends soon. The 25% discounts on many of the most popular #10-can entrees end on October 7th. OBTW, they also have Mountain House freeze dried strawberries at 33% off. And they also offer additional member incentives to Safecastle Royal club members. Order soon!    o o o For those who enjoy hilariously campy movies: Iron Sky has finally been released on DVD in the North American DVD format. Judging from the trailer, it looks like it was worth the …