Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Reader C.B. suggested this product for anyone who considers their iPhone indispensable: AQUA TEK S for iPhone 4/4: A rugged case that provides extra battery life and water resistance.    o o o The Western Pit: Homestead Vehicle Lift (for underbody work)    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson has some commentary at his publisher’s web site about firearms realism, Hollywood, and “loopholes”: Getting Guns Right    o o o F.G. sent this from Nanny Looney State Britannia: Mentally ill to be allowed to become MPs, serve on juries and be company directors. JWR’s Comment: This …

Rick in New York mentioned this latest bit of Bloomberg-inspired insanity: New York OKs nation’s first ban on super-sized sugary drinks    o o o Sue C. was the first of several readers to send this: Gun Sales Hinge on Obama Re-Election: Cabela’s, Other Retailers Prepare for Surge in Demand    o o o G.G. forwarded a link to some Slate commentary that confirms my conjecture about the secret cache of Revlon Equave Hydro Nutritive Shampoo: The Biggest Problem With the Post-Apocalyptic Show Revolution: the Women’s Perfect Hair.    o o o R.B.S. sent this news from Oz: Superbugs spread …

Safecastle’s current “Repel the Chaos” sale has transitioned to Week 4, with the following special offers (ending September 21st): 1.)  Safecastle Royal members who make any single purchase (one weekly incentive per member) totaling at least $450 receive a free Katadyn Vario water filter and a 20-pack of MP1 purification tablets ($117 value). 2.)  Or, make a purchase of at least $1,250 and receive a free Katadyn Pocket water filter. (a $379 value), and 3.)  They are now discounting selected Mountain House can cases up to 33% for a very limited time. Don’t miss out.    o o o Reader …

F.G. sent: Cameras to protect speed cameras from “vandals”    o o o Sean M. sent: Small rural-Arizona school evokes old-frontier spirit    o o o A slightly different culture: Live Crab Vending Machine in China – Video    o o o Louis James of Casey Research: G. Edward Griffin on Saving the US from Totalitarianism    o o o James K. sent this link: Wood Pallet Shed Project

G.G. flagged this Vauban homage: 15 Star-Shaped Forts From Around the World    o o o James K. suggested this: Bulletproof vehicles get lighter, stronger    o o o F.G. mentioned this furniture for gun geeks: Mosin Nagant Rifle Crate Coffee Table    o o o Giving preparedness a bad name: Kissimmee man stole trailer, planned doomsday bunker, police say. (Thanks to John McC. for the link.)    o o o Assaulted: A pro-gun documentary using Kickstarter financing.

News from Korea: New Swine Flu Virus Shows Lethal Signs. (A hat tip to Tim P. for the link.)    o o o H.L. suggested this at The Daily Crux: How to grow an inconspicuous garden… no matter where you live    o o o Ready Made Resources is having a special on genuine full mil-spec AN/PVS-14 Gen 3+ night vision scopes. For a limited time they are offering these “grade A” scopes with a free Picatinny rail weapons mount, free shutter eyepiece and free shipping. As usual, these include aa head mount and carry case . These have a …

Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) mentioned: Slingshots in the Roman Empire? (Joerg is still experimenting.)    o o o Reader F.J. sent this grim prediction: Complex Systems Theorists Predict We’re About One Year From Global Food Riots    o o o K.A.F. suggested this British television series: The Wartime Kitchen & Garden    o o o H.L. liked the 52 weeks of preparedness lessons provided by ReadyNutrition.com

Karl G. recommended a great video with yet another use for IBC totes: Building an IBC aquaponic system, along with this instructive PDF. Karl notes: “You just have to make sure that the tank wasn’t used for some nasty chemicals before making this.”    o o o Rewarding Idiots with Democratic Totalitarianism    o o o I heard about an interesting new blog from a libertarian Christian philosopher who has emigrated to Chile: The Fifth Stage Blog    o o o Havana’s blackout.    o o o Tom of CampingSurvival.com co-produced this instructional video: How-To Roast Green Organic Coffee Beans …

Leauxryda sent an interesting article discussing the types of weapons used by criminals with facts that support a victim stands a better chance of defending themselves rather than passively submitting.    o o o Reader Pierre M. sent the link to a PDF of a classic public domain book that will be of interest to homeschoolers and to anyone who studies military strategy: History Of The Conquest Of England By The Normans, by Augustin Thierry. (Translated from the French.)    o o o This new group meetup page looks promising: PrepperLink Groups.    o o o You can now hear …

I’m pleased to announce that my old associate Todd Savage has officially launched www.SurvivalRetreatConsulting.com. Todd is both a former real estate agent and a Marine with a good tactical eye. He offers his on-site services for selecting and upgrading retreats in Northern Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Northwest Montana. His rates are quite affordable.    o o o R.B.S. sent: The power of the Sun: Now NASA reveals Video of a 500,000 mile ‘solar whip’ that caused an aurora on Earth    o o o Another Sustainable Preparedness Expo will be held on September 30, 2012 in Spokane, Washington.    o …

Signs of the times: Roadside solar panels nabbed. (Thanks to Brian M. for the link.)    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Mike Williamson mentioned this amazing cartridge made by shortening and necking down 20mm Vulcan cases: 14.9mm SOP    o o o Several readers mentioned this essay by novelist (and former Navy SEAL) Matt Bracken: When The Music Stops – How America’s Cities May Explode In Violence. Note that Matt Bracken isn’t a racist. He’s a realist.    o o o Cause for concern: White House circulating draft of executive order on cybersecurity. (Thanks to K.A.F. for the …

Some good advice on “flyaway bag” packing from Scott Stewart of STRATFOR: Evacuations and Contingency Planning. (Thanks to Joseph L. for the link.)    o o o M.K.P. suggested: DIY Solar panels for RV or off grid    o o o A few tactical tidbits can be found here: See What A Real Marines Mission In Afghanistan Looks Like    o o o How “Crazy Survivalists” Make The World A Better Place

From the trailer, this one looks even more prescient: Atlas Shrugged Part II. It will be released on October 12, 2012.    o o o Mike M. mentioned that there are some useful links at this Patriot Post page: Disaster Preparedness Resources & Guides    o o o F.G. sent a link to an amazing short video of an African lion hunt. The final sequence shows the importance of shot placement. Now that was a close call.    o o o Speaking of Africa, here is the latest news from Mugabestan: War vets reject draft constitution.    o o o …

One last reminder: I will be a guest speaker (via teleconference) at CharlottePrepCon, on September 8th.    o o o A follow-up with some good news from England: No charges to be brought against farm couple who bravely fought off burglary gang    o o o Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s trial on additional corruption charges is scheduled to begin today with the second round of jury selection, under a 38-charge indictment. Please pray for responsible and ethical government at all levels in our nation, and that those who have been corrupt would be brought to justice and repent. OBTW, …

F.J.R. recommended: How to Build a 12×20 Cabin on a Budget    o o o James K. sent the link to this fascinating article: Measuring the Human Urban Footprint: Density Levels and Population Size of 129 Metropolitan Regions. JWR’s Advice: If you move to a lightly-populated region, the chances will be much better that you won’t get stepped on.    o o o Reader Stephen M. sent a reminder of why firearms training is so important.    o o o J.M.L. recommended this web forum: Prepared Ham. (No, not the kind that come in cans–the kind with moon bounce antennas …