Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Reader Lee C. sent this: In California, Louder Calls to Prepare for Quakes    o o o Reader RBS mentioned a 2008 news story that was recently highlighted in The Survival Spot Blog. This illustrates how even fairly large communities can “disappear”, with terrain masking and some rudimentary camouflage: Lost middle-class tribe’s ‘secret’ eco-village in Wales spotted in aerial photograph taken by plane.    o o o The WRSA says: 19 April 2010: Bring Your Sidearms and Longarms To The Banks of the Potomac    o o o From Brian B.: Cap and Trade: A License Required for Your Home.

R.R.S. sent us this YouTube video link: Army Pro Shooting Tips: How to Speed Reload a Shotgun. Those AMU shooter techniques are fast, but note that they both looked down continuously, while reloading. (Watch it twice, and count how many seconds they take their eyes away from scanning for opponents.) I do not recommend that much loss of situational awareness! Instead, learn to both reload by Braille, and the “shoot one, load one” drill. These may be a bit slower, but I think that you’ll live longer. The “by touch” reloading method is a practiced skill that will serve you …

Readers R.V.L. and S.S. both sent this good bit of news: Arizona House approves concealed weapons bill. If it is enacted, I suspect that several other western states will follow suit with Vermont-style “no-permit-required” concealed carry bills.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson forwarded this: More Air Marshalls arrested than arrests made.    o o o Jon in Wyoming sent these two articles that underscore the importance of finding a retreat locale with plentiful water: Water publication focuses on drought, and Colorado Basin nears drought tipping point.    o o o Reader J.M.S. recommended that …

GWF spotted this news article on photobioreactors from the “Grow Your Own” state: Algae the new crop harvested by home-growers    o o o Reader Ron T. suggested the Liberty Letter by Peter J. Mancus (et al), posted over at Bill St. Clair’s site.    o o o Sounds like something from a novel I once read wrote: Many of Haiti’s most-wanted on the loose after earthquake. (A hat tip to Deborah D. for the link.)

Neal spotted a web site for an interesting camping stove that has an integrated thermoelectric generator (TEG), to provide a draft. Given its design and the materials used, I have my doubts about its useful working life, but the overall concept is captivating.    o o o Israel distributes biochemical war protection kits to civilians.    o o o An expensive lesson on Big Bears and Big Government: Alaska man who fed wild bears pleads guilty. (A hat tip to RBS for the link.)

GG sent this: Ham Radio Growing In The Age Of Twitter    o o o Greg C. liked this piece by Dr. Gary North: Oldspapers and the Crisis of the Establishment    o o o These surveillance videos illustrate the enormity of the illegal immigration problem in the US: Border Invasion Pics. (Thanks to reader D.V.D. for the link.)    o o o I heard that Freeze Dry Guy has extended their freeze dried fruit special for the entire month of April. They are selling a 108-Day Fruit Unit for $170, with a free Sparkie and free shipping in CONUS. …

Christine sent a link to a fascinating article: Phones in remote Washington come at high cost.    o o o Courtesy of Richard S.: Canada set to repeal registration of hunting rifles, shotguns    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson offered this: HUD and CPSC Issue Guidance on Repairing Homes With Problem Drywall. Mike’s comment: “Yet more fine quality from Chinese slave labor.”    o o o Kevin A. spotted this: Privacy Lives Report- State of Oklahoma makes millions selling resident’s info. ” Kevin asks: “Do you think any other states might be doing this?” Oh, …

 Alan E. sent us an article about Californians envisioning “The Big One.”    o o o L.S. suggested a web site with some useful resources on Rooftop & Urban Gardening.    o o o I heard about a small company in Illinois called Eden’s Way that is selling a “weed-free” and organic raised bed gardening system that reportedly will produce as much as four times more vegetables than other garden systems.    o o o Lynn G. forwarded this piece by Ronald Kessler: EMP Attack Would Decimate America    o o o Rufus sent this: Finnish post to open love …

Reader F.J.R. liked this piece over at the Lew Rockwell site, that includes some great audio clips: Gerald Celente: What to Do in a Crisis. The video clip includes his account of surviving the recent earthquake in Chile.    o o o Felix wrote me to mention that Michael Bane’s The Best Defense: Survival! television series from 2009 is now available on DVD. The series features a number of subject matter experts, including SurvivalBlog’s own Editor At Large, Michael Z. Williamson.    o o o Mike Williamson spotted this: Hunt fraternity has new quarry in sight: a Conservative government.

Thanks to IJS for sending this: Firestorm over wolf introductions erupting throughout Western states    o o o A reader mentioned the portable photovoltaic power systems made by Powerenz.com. They look interesting, but I haven’t yet seen this gear in person.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us a video clip with a warning on contaminated imported seafood.

Some good news: Christian faith: Calvinism is back. (A hat tip to Tom W. for the link.)    o o o Mike M. suggested: Urban Forager; A Bitter Green Bouquet. (Our thanks to Mike M. for the link.)    o o o This recently-posted bio was over-the-top. (I certainly don’t belong at the beginning of that list, or perhaps even on it at all, since I’m from the subsequent generation of survivalists.) I’m only posting it because it includes a clip of one of my interviews where I give some practical advice.    o o o Lisa mentioned that Breadtopia …

Michael Yon’s recent photo essay and narrative on water supplies in Afghanistan is fascinating.    o o o Dr. Dean suggested this article: Invest in Precious Metals: Gold, Silver, and Lead, by Skip Coryell    o o o I just heard about a company called BePreparedNow.net They sell non-hybrid vegetable seeds and a few other items. Check them out.    o o o G.G. mentioned this: Survivalism in the Suburbs

I’ve only had one speeding ticket in the past 12 years, for driving 32 is 25 zone. Wouldn’t you know, I got it in a locale that I just recently found precisely described at this handy site: The National Speedtrap Exchange. (Thanks to K.T. for the link.)    o o o Interactive US map on concealed carry changes over the years (Thanks to Pete A. for the link.) Let freedom reign!    o o o And speaking of maps, Ben H. suggested the “This is Where We Live” map of the U.S. that was published back in 2006. Be sure …

J.K. sent this article that gave me a bit of Northern Exposure reminiscence: Move to Northern Minnesota and get $240k? J.K.’s comment: “Unfortunately you have to be a dentist. If I was one I’d be ‘chomping’ at this opportunity.”    o o o Ron. R. sent this: The kitchen is my closet; Meet the kitchenistas — New Yorkers who store their clothes in ovens and fridges. Ron’s terse comment on this ingrained lack of preparedness: “It won’t end well in Manhattan.”    o o o The DVD of seasons 1 and 2 of the British post-pandemic television series “Survivors” will …

Talkeetna Patriot found an interesting thread about constructing a hybrid ALICE/MOLLE bag.    o o o Cheryl sent this: Swine Flu Season Not Over, Warn Health Officials    o o o The leftist CNN is in hot water, after grossly under-reporting the size of the March 27th Tea Party Express gathering in Searchlight, Nevada. They described it as “hundreds of people or at least dozens of people” of people. Many more reliable accounts said that there were at least 10,000 people there. The Mainstream Media has obviously developed a bad case of myopia.