Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Jim H. sent us this: Three-in-one oven could ease energy needs in developing world    o o o This thread over at the often-wacky Above Top Secret forum is a must read: An event at my grocery store. This describes the chaos caused by a minor power and data glitch that caused credit card and WIC payment terminals to go down. And then the store’s ATM (“cash machine”) went down… Keep in mind that this was just a brief interruption at one grocery store. Extrapolate from this small event for a more serious, widespread situation, where the power grids go …

I was doing some research on sunspot cycles (whilst pondering whether it would be worthwhile to buy some more ham radio gear to work the 40 and 80 meter bands), and I stumbled across this web page from Finland: Timo Niroma: One possible explanation for the cyclicity in the Sun. Part 5 talks about possible climate change. It would be incredibly ironic if this new century were to be a Little Ice Age rather than the much-heralded Global Warming that Al Gore et al have been shouting about. Needless to say, the climate change jury is still out, and there …

F.G. spotted this bit of inspiration for SurvivalBlog’s older readers: Never Too Old: The Story of Captain Samuel Whittemore. (Who went to war at age 80.)    o o o Do you remember my comments back in May, on the “Three K” depression-proof jobs? This Fox News article confirms it: Now Hiring: Everywhere You Didn’t Want to Work    o o o The recent much-publicized dehydration death of a child in Death Valley, California, prompted several SurvivalBlog readers to comment. The consensus on vehicular off-pavement travel in desert country is to over-prepare: Carry two spare mounted tires, extra fuel, sleeping …

Eric S. recommends the following story from PhysOrg.com: UK conservation agency launches plastic beehive    o o o From Karen H.: Wind Promises Blackouts as Obama Strains Grid with Renewables    o o o Federal Judges Order California to Release 43,000 Inmates. The streets of California may soon get a bit more mean.    o o o Mr. Cleans for Hire Tasked with Tidying Foreclosed Homes. (Thanks to Jeremy L. for the link.) OBTW ,SurvivalBlog readers should take note, and consider this a “growth” industry for the next decade. It fits with my recommendations of setting up a recession-proof small …

What varmint is killing your chickens? Ellen F. suggested this informative predation web site.    o o o Slate conducts a thought experiment: The End of America 2009: How it will happen.    o o o In case you missed it when it aired in June, the US ABC television network’s “what if” documentary Earth 2100 has been posted to YouTube. Although it has plenty of Al Gore-style guilt-ridden “we ruined the environment” hand-wringing, it is still worth watching.    o o o Some rules of civilization (outside of a handful of cruel exceptions like the Ik tribesmen) are almost …

Steve W. and Brian M. both mentioned that there will be an EMP risks and risk mitigation conference in Niagara Falls, New York in September: EMPactAmerica. For a conference of this nature, registration is reasonably priced. The “early registration rate” deadline is August 8th. As with other public events where preppers congregate, if you attend, then wear or carry SurvivalBlog or Bennington Flag meet-up gear. You never know who you might bump into!    o o o Patton sent this: 34 Million Americans on Food Stamps    o o o From GG: More ask to carry concealed weapons; Political, economic …

10 Things You Need to Know to Live on the Streets    o o o From Cheryl: Russian Subs Patrolling Off East Coast    o o o Outcry Causes Obama Administration To Change Language on Cash for Clunkers Website    o o o Hawaiian K. mentioned a piece by Jack Spirko, posted over at LRC: Modern Survivalism Tenet Number Five; Food stored is an exceptional investment. You simply can’t lose by storing additional food that you use on a regular basis

Reader WW says: “Welcome to the Third World, America”: Horse slaughters have Miami-area owners on edge    o o o Beware march of the killer robots, expert warns. (Thanks to FG for the lead.)    o o o Hey, I just noticed that I finally logged my first reader in Cuba! So it is time for an experiment: Fidel Castro is expected to die before the end of August, but will not be succeeded by Hermano Raúl Modesto. (I’ll bet that I suddenly get several more mapped hits in “Cuber”. But of course, they will all just be los escuchas …

Thanks to Karen H. for spotting this: Dehydration and Heat Stroke    o o o Long-time SurvivalBlog reader “E.” found this blog valuable: Early Retirement Extreme. E.’s comment:” The early retirement process is completely compatible with the preparedness lifestyle: pay off your debts, simplify, don’t fall into the consumerism trap, be as self-sufficient as possible, get in shape, learn useful skills so you can do-it-yourself, don’t depend on The System to take care of you, and so on. The author also subscribes to the Peak Oil theory. BTW, ‘early retirement’ provides a wonderful cover for those who want to keep …

Karen H. recommended this piece over at the Utah Prepper’s site: Making Better Char Cloth    o o o Trent H. and GG were the first of nearly a dozen readers to send us this Wall Street Journal piece that is right up our alley: Hollywood Destroys the World The new wave of disaster movies and TV shows isn’t about staving off the apocalypse. It’s what happens afterwards that counts. Viggo Mortensen versus the cannibals.    o o o SurvivalBlog just became a featured blog at AmmoLand.com    o o o What part of “no jurisdiction” don’t they understand? Up …

Craig K. sent us this: Germans Hoarding Traditional Light Bulbs    o o o Congressmen “fearful for their safety” as town hall meetings “run wild” (Thanks to F.G. for the link.) Gee, it sounds like the “Angry Villager Rule” from Dungeons and Dragons. Perhaps the sale of tar and feathers should be banned, just in case.    o o o House Approves Overhaul of Food Safety Regulations Some claim that this would give the US Government total control over food production.    o o o Five Freedoms You’d Lose in Healthcare Reform

Laura H. spotted this: Congressman: Smart Grid Can be Wiped Out by Electromagnetic Weapons    o o o S.T. highlighted this: The Bed Bunker. I suppose that if two modules were bolted together, then it might be fairly hard to tote away. But I’d feel a lot better if the entire unit were bolted to the floor or to a wall. The “up on legs” design makes it far too convenient for a miscreant to apply leverage via a large iron bar, or perhaps even a pallet jack, if they planned ahead. (Far too many gun safes get hauled away …

Ebola in Pigs New Health Threat    o o o New on the market: Stay Alert caffeine chewing gum. (Obviously, this is something only for short-term emergency situations–like staying awake during the second half of a non-stop 800 -mile G.O.O.D. evacuation drive.)    o o o North Korea Warns of “Unimaginably Deadly Blows” to US    o o o Greg W. mentioned the soon-to-be-released Enertia electric motorcycle. $12,000 is a lot of money for a cycle with such limited range and speed. But it might be appropriate for short trips for someone that already has a large photovoltaic power system.

Police can now legally fire at “fleeing cars” in Chicago. (Thanks to F.G. for the link.)    o o o From Heather H.: Maine’s wild blueberry crop imperiled by leaf spot fungus. Heather’s comment: “First the wheat fungus, then the potato blight, and now the blueberries are dying. What’s next?”    o o o Hard times drive more Michiganders to fish for food. (Thanks to “Survival Mama” for the link.)    o o o PD sent this: IDF Vets Train U.S. Jews to Protect Their Communities PD’s comment on the trigger fondling and errant muzzle direction: “It looks like they …

Luis S. mentioned a great site with web feeds of police and fire department frequencies from all over the US. This is a useful adjunct to having a scanner, especially when choosing GOOD routes that are outside your scanner’s range. It might also be useful as a tool for evaluating retreat locales before you move.    o o o Can you spell: “Agent Provocateur”? (No, not the lingerie company.)    o o o Reader DD sent this sign of the times: Los Angeles Airport parking lot is home away from home for airline workers    o o o Do any …