Category: Odds ‘n Sods

I recently received a sample body armor carrier, AK magazine pouch, and an AK magazine, all made by U.S. PALM. To start, I must mention that all of their cataloged items are made in the USA. While the vast majority of their competitors have “gone cheap” and sourced most of their products overseas (primarily in mainland China), U.S. PALM’s management made the commendable decision to produce all of their gear here in the United States. That puts them up several notches, in my book. A couple of detailed reviews will follow in the blog at a later date, but for …

C.N. sent this: Government pays for empty flights to rural airports.    o o o Tam had some great commentary on the trend toward über-tactical training that is sacrificing safety: Big Boy Rules. (About 1:30 into the video that she found, things get just plain foolishly 360-degree suicidal –with copious and un-necessary friendlies downrange, et cetera.)    o o o “Apartment Dweller” suggested some clever commentary on choosing strong computer passwords.    o o o Wilson Solar Grill Stores the Sun’s Energy for Nighttime Fuel-Free Grilling. (Thanks to Drew for the link.)

Richard S. sent this: England Used to Be a Country of Men    o o o Serious People are Starting to Realize That We May Be Looking at World War. (Thanks to K.T. for the link.)    o o o Vigilante groups protect London streets. (An example of a Neighborhood Watch on steroids, as I like to call them.)    o o o K.A.F. sent this: Taking Liberties: Conservation Groups Fighting to Keep the Peace in Idaho. Oh, and speaking of the land of the Free Ranging Spud: Idaho Touts Its Red State Culture To Attract Gun Manufacturing Jobs. (Thanks …

I’m pleased to see that John Jacob Schmidt is continuing to produce his weekly Radio Free Redoubt podcasts, each Sunday evening. There are now 10 archived shows. While not affiliated with any of my ventures, Radio Free Redoubt is nonetheless a great way for people to share ideas and information on relocating to the American Redoubt, and issues of interest for those living in the region.    o o o Chris D. suggested this: Five Reasons Why American Riots Will Be The Worst In The World    o o o More Nanny State meddling: Anonymous Call to New Animal Abuse …

File under Emerging Threats: DIY Spy Drone Sniffs Wi-Fi, Intercepts Phone Calls. (Note that if hackers can do this, so can Uncle Sugar.)    o o o New NASA Data Blow Gaping Hole In Global Warming Alarmism    o o o This looks captivating: MedCallKits™ + 24/7 Telemedicine Line     o o o Bob G. mentioned an excellent video by “Okie Prepper” on using calcium hypochlorite for water purification    o o o Birmingham riots: three men killed ‘protecting homes’. There is something especially pitiful about seeing disarmed citizens attempting to defend themselves ( A hat tip to Laura C. …

London riots: breakdown of Monday night’s violence. (Two observations from JWR: 1.) A lot of these “youths” appear to be in their 20s and 30s, and, 2.) If the rioting is this severe on such a slight pretense, then what will things be like in the midst of economic collapse, later in the decade?) It is high time to take the gap!    o o o You can’t blame these Turkish shop owners in London’s Dalston for arming themselves. Video: London Riots: Shop-owners defend their businesses in east London. (Riotguns would of course be better, but this is England.) And …

This piece from Switzerland has SurvivalBlog written all over it: Turning army forts into private homes. (OBTW, see the photo links at the bottom of this post in our archives. Fascinating, clever camouflage!)    o o o Some great commentary from Patrice Lewis: Man the lifeboats!    o o o Freeze Dry Guy has an August special on original military rations including Granola with Milk & Bananas and Granola with Milk & Blueberries, packed 60 Mylar pouches per case , at $119 per case, with even deeper multi-case discounts available.    o o o No doubt this abuse of power …

Over at Off The Grid News: One Man Living His Off-Grid Dream. (He relocated from New York to Montana.)    o o o F.J. spotted this over at LifeHacker: Make an Emergency Candle Out of a Tub of Crisco. (Don’t miss the humorous comments with a description of a bacon grease candle.)    o o o For just one day, Monday August 8, 2011 Backyard Food Production is offering a 38% discount for SurvivalBlog readers on their DVD Food Production Systems for a Backyard or Small Farm. (Amazon.com has notified them that they have to reduce my inventory – so …

F.J. spotted this over at the Makezine site: Drain Pipe Hotel.    o o o Kevin S. suggested a product that will be released later this year: DeLorme inReach—two-way satellite communication. (Pair this $250 device to your Android phone via Bluetooth and send/receive texts using the Iridium satellite network.)    o o o James K. flagged this: Harvesting Energy From Radio Signals: Two New Devices From Japan (Video)    o o o Check out this interesting bucket gardening site: Global Buckets. (Thanks to John S. for the link.)    o o o A newly-orbited Amateur Radio Satellite (AMSAT): ARISSat/KEDR. (Thanks …

A gent developed a handy new app for Android phones that calculates bullion coin value for transactions.    o o o Who would have thunk it? Federal officials have been caught facilitating moving drugs one way, and guns the other, across the border. Gee, its good to know that at least we don’t live in one of those corrupt Third World countries with a printing press economy.    o o o Gun lobby fights Mexico border rifle sale control. It is funny that the journalist picked up on the ATF’s “iron river” rhetoric, when the ATF itself is the biggest …

F.G. sent this: Cooped Up: Chickens Come Home to Roost for Urbanites With a Yen for Hen    o o o Nissan eyes powering your house from your car. (Thanks to Anthony S. for the link.)    o o o Camping Survival just got another shipment of Wise Foods, packed in food grade pails.  They created a 10% off coupon on these, just for SurvivalBlog readers:  “wise10“. These pails are in stock and ready to ship within two business days.    o o o James C. suggested this video on do it yourself evaporative refrigeration: Zeer Pot Fridge. Cool your …

John R. sent this: The Hobbits Win    o o o The new Red Dirt Cooking blog (penned by “Okie Ranch Wife”– a sobriquet familiar to SurvivalBlog readers) has some great insights and some very useful recipes. She plans to cover home canning and long term food storage, as well.    o o o Somehow, I missed this great piece when it was posted on July 6th in the Alt-Market blog: The Essential Rules Of Liberty. (Thanks to C.R.W. for sending the link.)    o o o My wife Avalanche Lily and several SurvivalBlog readers all alerted me to some …

J.D.D. sent this piece about concealed carry in Michigan: 10 years after concealed weapons law, unclear why many in state were gun-shy. (The good news is that we’re winning: I found an animated GIF at Wikipedia that shows the advance of the right to carry laws since 1986. And guess what? There hasn’t been “blood in the streets” and “wild west shootouts.” Crime rates have actually been falling. Granted, this is partly because of our aging demographics. But I believe that some of the decrease in crime can be attributed to scared spitless criminals.)    o o o K.A.F. sent …