Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Panic room saved artist Kurt Westergaard from Islamist assassin. (Mentioned by numerous blog readers.) Every home and retreat should have a stout room that can be a place of temporary refuge against home invasions.    o o o Dale W. was the first of several readers to mention this: Court upholds police pointing gun at lawful carrier. [JWR Adds: This is a bad legal precedent, but the main underlying problem is prevailing attitudes. If you don’t live in a region where open carry is legal, and where concealed carry is considered normal, then you are living in the wrong state–or …

GG flagged this interesting piece: Can farming save Detroit?   o o o Reported, in all places, The Los Angeles Times: Ron Paul’s ideas no longer fringe; With the economy still struggling, the lawmaker’s libertarian views are getting serious attention. (Thanks to Andrew B. for the link.)     o o o Paul D. sent an interesting article that compares ammunition to money.

Bobbi-Sue sent a link to some crunch leading indicators with individual and regional railroads in accessible graphs.    o o o GPS-led travel goes amiss; Three Oregon parties rescued    o o o Super C. sent a link to some informative text and video about about unexpected immersion in cold water.    o o o Reader Mike O. sent us this: Packing Heat in Helsinki; Why do Finns own so many guns? This piece in the liberally-biased Slate, fails to mention several key facts. Among these: 1.) Although firearms ownership is widespread in Finland, its violent street crime rate is …

G.S. in the State of Jefferson flagged this: Preparing for a ‘nuclear event’ – LA Daily News    o o o Wicket sent an item that illustrates the point that sometimes the most simple solutions are entirely effective and adequate: Man fights intruder after using ‘beer can’ alarm.

The mainstreaming of survivalism continues: Newsweek now seems to be saying that individual preparedness is a good idea. (Thanks to Mike F. and several other readers for sending the link.)    o o o Wendell in Tx. wrote mention a source for fish traps, Heinsohn.com. They run a country store in Texas.    o o o Ohio Jim mentioned that starting Friday, January 1st, you can’t drive an APV on your own property in Ohio unless it’s registered and licensed.

John C. recommended this: Seven Resource for Learning to Safely Forage for Wild Food.    o o o Do you want to buy American, but you’re frustrated by the profusion of imported goods? Reader K.T. suggested a company that is one of the last of the All-American textile firms: Maine Heritage Weavers.    o o o Larry O. flagged this: Plan to turn farms into forest worries Obama official    o o o Ferd spotted this over at KK Cool Tools: Eskimold Igloo-building kit

Ferd was the first of several readers to mention a news article that illustrates both the current over-reliance on GPS and the need to keep outdoor survival gear packed in your car: Couple stranded three days after GPS leads them astray.    o o o Our friend Tamara (the editor of the very entertaining View From The Porch blog), suggested this piece about weather whiners. OBTW, Tamara refers to the new Avatar movie as “White Guilt in 3-D. aka Dances with Aliens.”    o o o Best Prices Storable Foods (aka The Internet Grocer) has announced an End-of-Year Blowout Clearance …

Tod sent us this troubling piece of news: First Case of Highly Resistant TB Seen in U.S.    o o o I recently got a chance to see the new movie The Road, based on the same-titled novel by Cormac McCarthy. Do not consider this movie a survival manual, since the tactical mistakes displayed were numerous. Most notably, large campfires were lit at night, in circumstance where it was in fact important to avoid detection. “Cold camps” or at least using small tin can stoves would have been much more appropriate! I don’t want to post any spoilers, so I’ll …

F.G. spotted this: New high-tech vehicles pose trouble for mechanics. Here is a quote from the article: “As cars become vastly more complicated than models made just a few years ago, Baur is often turning down jobs and referring customers to auto dealer shops. Like many other independent mechanics, he does not have the thousands of dollars to purchase the online manuals and specialized tools needed to fix the computer-controlled machines.” F.G.’s comment: “It sounds like that clean, 1965 Mustang, or 1978 pick-up truck may be a better investment than just being a nice vintage ride. You can still work …

EMB mentioned this creative housing uses for old water tanks and round grain bins: Annesley’s Art House    o o o Also from EMB: New Panasonic Lithium-Ion Battery to Power Up a House–New Li-Ion Battery Coming from Panasonic in 2011    o o o K.T. sent this humorous Steve Lee music video from Australia: I Like Guns. Visually, you will note that it is orchestrated into a lovely crescendo of shooty goodness.

The Road hits the theaters. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog old timer Charley S. for the link.)    o o o Safety First: Frozen lake leads to tragedy for California family. People do love their pets, but human life must be preserved, above all!    o o o Reader F.G. mentioned this smokin’ deal: Complete MOLLE II pack, frame, straps, ruck, belt, and sleep bag carrier sets for under $50

Thanks to C.B. for sending the link to Joel Skousen’s recently updated web page on Strategic Relocation.    o o o F.G. sent a link to this story: In classic NIMBY behavior, Senator Diane Feinstein nixes solar, wind farms in the California desert.    o o o D.A.S. sent an article from Brownell’s on rust preventatives.

J.K. recommended the publications of Astragal Press. They emphasize “early tools, trades, and technology” J.K. commented “I ran across them a while back while researching my slide rule collection. There’s several books on blacksmithing and woodworking with traditional tools that I’m planning on adding to my preparedness library, in case I end up having to operate in a long-duration ‘low-tech’ environment.”    o o o G&K sent a story from Fox News: The Nazareth Hardened Home.    o o o Mike Williamson sent a link to a clever improvised ox roast.    o o o Ted B. sent a link …

Reader Brett F. recommend this piece: Loaded for bear, or wolves–both as a data point on the wolf pack population explosion in the western US and for some good points on gear to carry when in the back-country.    o o o Jim W. sent us a tidbit for the “Global Warming ” file: Big freeze kills at least 80 across Europe    o o o Reader G.G. wrote to mention that appears that Richard Daughty (aka The Mogambo Guru) has retired from journalism. There is a fan site attempting to get Kitco, Daily Reckoning, Agora, and The Asia Times, …

There is just one day left for the BulletProofME.com body armor sale, with 20% to 30% off helmets, and Interceptor Tactical Vests as low as $590.    o o o On the Lifehacker Blog: Use a Crock Pot to Make Homemade Candles    o o o Tricia R. recommended the book “Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things” from Reader’s Digest.