Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Amy, of the excellent Humble Musings blog mentioned this article: Cash for Clubbers; Congress’s fabulous golf cart stimulus. It is about the new $5,300 Federal tax credit available for any street legal electric vehicle. Well, in many western states ATVs are considered street legal! So… Can I get this tax credit for an all-electric ATV, such as an Eco E ATV, a Bad Boy Buggy, or a ATV-modified golf cart? That would fit in nicely with the planned expansion of our home photovoltaic power system. And it would be a great way to go hunting in a much, much quieter–if …

GG sent us an article with more about modern-day urban chicken raisers: When the Problems Come Home to Roost.    o o o Reader BB ran across a human-powered product which can act as a well pump. BB’s comment: “Unfortunately, they will not ship to the US, Canada nor Western Europe, but it’s an interesting device I haven’t seen before. Certainly a good small scale off-the-grid solution.”    o o o Reader F.R suggested this article: Solar lantern lights up rural India’s dark nights.

Chester suggested this YouTube instructional video: AR15 / M4 Magazine Pouches    o o o You gotta love Missouri: Anvil Shooting! And here is a lot more of the same, using electric detonators.    o o o Jay mentioned the trailer for the new post-Peak Oil documentary film, titled “Collapse.” Has this guy been reading SurvivalBlog?

Jim. H. suggested this piece over at Lew Rockwell’s site by Terrence Gillespie: Ammo for Barter – Ammo vs. Money    o o o Reader GG alerted me to this: The raid that rocked the Met: Why gun and drugs op on 6,717 safety deposit boxes could cost taxpayer a fortune. GG opines: “This is evidence of why we should not store our valuables in safe deposit box.”    o o o Steve sent this video: Fearless Gas Station Clerk Grabs Shotgun From Robber. He was lucky! Never bring just muscles to a gun fight!

Jim from Illinois mentioned an eight-minute YouTube video clip titled The Fallout Shelters You Paid For. While some of their conclusions are unfounded, and some of the pictures are actually just of mines, it is still interesting to watch. Speaking of subterranean shelters, here is an elaborate private one. OBTW, did you notice teh glaring design error? Be sure to specify vault doors that open inward, so they can’t be easily blocked by falling debris or by miscreants!    o o o Peter Robinson comments in Forbes: Armageddon Time; When it comes to Iran, the U.S. may be facing a …

Don C. recommended a piece by Radley Balko at Reason: We’re All Felons, Now; Perpetual public fear of crime has turned us all into criminals. The average American unwittingly commits about three Federal felonies per day.    o o o The latest nuttiness from Nanny State Britannia: Apology for singing shop worker. (Thanks to Dewanye for the link.)    o o o A Cessna armed with Hellfire missiles. (This is not a joke.) Speaking of Cessna Caravans, any owners or would-be owners should bookmark this useful blog page: FlyingTheCessnaCaravan.    o o o Vic at Safecastle wrote to mention that …

Yishai mentioned some free CPR, AED, Choking, and Bag Valve Mask training videos that are available on-line.    o o o Britain considering banning beer glasses to reduce chance of “Brawls.” (Thanks to our Editor at Large Mike Williamson for the link.)    o o o Damon wrote to mention that Northwest Territorial Mint now offers silver bullion in fractional ounce and gram sizes.

Damon spotted and interesting web article on Everlasting Yeast.    o o o Reader JDT suggested the SOG Fusion Spirit Knife/Spear Head as a tool to have on hand for worst-case, long-term situations.    o o o Matt R. mentioned a new computer game called “I am Alive” that will be released next year.    o o o Ready Made Resources has added to their catalog some new premium albacore and salmon products with a minimum seven year shelf life.

F.G. sent us this: In trying times, hunters go after deer to put food on the table    o o o Reader Scott C. reminded me of a preparedness list that has been circulating for several years that deserves a link: The 100 Things That Run Out First in an Emergency.    o o o W..W. sent us a link to a news story on the long tradition of privately-owned firearms in Switzerland.

Reader Jane L. sent this: River walkers discover weapons cache. There rae two lessons to be learned from this: 1.) Be very careful where and how you cache your guns, and 2.) Be sure to list the serial numbers of your guns, and leave that documentation well-hidden in the home of a relative or a well-trusted friend.    o o o Jonathan sent this one about over-reliance on technology: GPS Causing Truckers to Crash Into Bridges. Jonathan’s comment: “As you have said many times, you have to know how to use your tools or you’ll get in trouble. It also …

Reader Mark K. sent a link to an interesting chart that shows the sources of state revenue. This could have a bearing on your choice of retreat locales. (As I’ve previously mentioned in SurvivalBlog, folks that want to truly “live off the land” need to consider property tax and sales tax rates carefully.)    o o o Chris mentioned this tidbit: Lone Star Energy: Why Texas Will Resist the Call for a Unified Grid.    o o o Reader HH sent this article: The Case For Withdrawing Nickels. It adds credence to my advice on stockpiling US five cent pieces …

Reader CPK pointed us to a video clip of an amazing snow vehicle concept from the 1920s that ought to be revived.    o o o Courtesy of Cheryl: Record October Cold Has Folks Scrambling to Winterize.    o o o Reader Phil E. suggested a fascinating account of Jews hiding out in caves in the Ukraine, during WWII, to survive the Holocaust. Greater detail can be found in the book The Secret of Priest’s Grotto: A Holocaust Survival Story.    o o o H.H. sent us this news blurb from oh-so-politically-correct western Oregon: Apartment residents told to take down …

Nona mentioned that the North Dakota State University Extension Service has plans for everything from bee hives and rabbit hutches to deep well water systems for your house, to vegetable cellars. You can download the 8-1/2″ x 11″ format plans as free PDF files, or order 18″ x 24″ blueprints for $4.    o o o The new AsaMom web site (“A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots”) has been growing at a phenomenal rate, thanks in part to a prominent mention on the Glenn Beck program. Check it out.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson spotted …

World Rice Stockpiles Hit as Yields Drop    o o o UN: World hunger has been increasing for a decade. Thanks to Bob for the link.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us this glimpse of the the Third World: In India: Forget the Diamond Ring, Brides Want Ceramic. “…since a “No Toilet, No Bride” campaign started about two years ago, 1.4 million toilets have been built here in the northern state of Haryana, some with government funds, according to the state’s health department… “I won’t let my daughter near a boy who doesn’t …

SF in Hawaii mentioned a low cost source for poly water tanks.    o o o Several readers wrote to tell me about a dated, yet interesting article: In 2008 Afghanistan firefight, US weapons failed    o o o Some congressmen get it: Tax Policy, Economic Growth and American Families. Too bad that they don’t hold a majority. (Thanks to JHB for the link.)    o o o Reader Michael A. asked me to remind folks that John Pugsley’s now classic book on practical tangibles investing The Alpha Strategy is available for free download in PDF.