Category: Odds ‘n Sods

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 …

Here at the ranch we just finished filling the wood shed. Some of my fellow church congregants might deride me for cutting any firewood so late in the summer, but I make a habit of cutting only dead-standing or recently dead-fallen trees that are dry, but not rotted. When you have so many Red Fir and Tamarack (properly, Western Larch) trees to choose from as we do here in our corner of the American Redoubt one can afford to be picky.    o o o Jay in Missouri mentioned this informative primer: Guide to Online Coin Bidding and Buying    …

Most of New Orleans still without power; patience ‘wearing thin’. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.)    o o o I will be a guest speaker (via teleconference) at CharlottePrepCon, on September 8th.    o o o F.G. sent this: Guns in America, a Statistical Look. The article mentions that there are more than 129,817 federally licensed firearms dealers in the United States, compared to 36,569 grocery stores. F.G.’s comment: “Is this a great country, or what?”    o o o To round out our family battery here at the Rawles Ranch, I’m looking to purchase an antique Swiss 7.5mm …

Eric L. alerted me to this: New ‘Heartland’ virus discovered in sick Missouri farmers    o o o Bram mentioned this new ham radio site: Radio Preppers.    o o o H.L. sent: No Firearm Owner Is Safe: Jeff & Chris Knox tell of FBI agent sitting in prison due to overzealous justice system    o o o Yet another retreat property at SurvivalRealty.com has just sold. This one was in North Idaho, and not surprisingly it was bought by a SurvivalBlog reader. We now have about 130 listings. SurvivalRealty.com is now firmly established as the premier site for buying …

Over at Backwoods Home: Animal disease traceability, by Patrice Lewis    o o o Don in Oregon sent this: Remote Alaska to stockpile food, just in case. The state plans two food stockpiles in or near Fairbanks and Anchorage, two cities that also have military bases. Construction on the two storage facilities will begin this fall, and the first food deliveries are targeted for December. The goal is to have enough food to feed 40,000 people for up to a week, including three days of ready-to-eat meals and four days of bulk food that can be prepared and cooked for …

Upon hearing that I live in bear county, new acquaintances and distant relatives often ask me: “Do you carry pepper spray?” My answer: No, I carry lead spray. The fact is that .45 ACP beats .10 Capsicum.    o o o A reminder that another Sustainable Preparedness Expo will be held on September 30, 2012 in Spokane, Washington.    o o o H.L. sent this potential preview of the disintegration of America’s cities: Gangs of Aleppo: The Arab Spring succumbs to post-state violence    o o o I noticed that CampingSurvival.com has added Future Essentials Long Grain White Rice to …

I will be a guest speaker (via teleconference) at CharlottePrepCon, on Saturday, September 8th.    o o o JRH Enterprises is having a Labor Day weekend sale on night vision and thermal imaging devices. This includes their popular Third Generation Pinnacle Autogated AN/PVS-14 Night Vision Monoculars brand new with five year warranty for $2,695, and the Upgraded Version of the PVS-14 new with five year warranty at $3,095. Thermal Imaging Units are also on sale as low as $1,925 for a FLIR Scout.    o o o F.J. liked this Lifehacker video: DIY Paracord Fishing Kit Bracelet    o o …

Seniors Arm Themselves In Record Numbers    o o o Reader H.L. alerted us to the latest from Nanny State Britannia: Animal rights group calls for Shooting Times and The Field to be classed alongside porn. Meanwhile, in Nanny State Nebraska: Grand Island Deaf Preschooler Asked to Change the Sign for His Name in School. (Thanks to Mike Williamson for the latter link.)    o o o G.G. sent this video link:Wal-Mart Status 48 Hours Pre-Hurricane    o o o I had to chuckle when I saw the Bourne Legacy Shoulder Tote Bag is now a “featured item” on eBay. …