Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Reader Steve B. is a broker in the wholesale canned foods market. He wrote me to mention: “As a result of the recent tsunami, canned tuna production in Samoa will be severely curtailed for many months.” We all know what the law of supply and demand dictates. So stock up now, while prices are still low!    o o o For American viewers that missed it, Survivors: Series 1 (2008–the remake of the Terry Nation 1970s British series) is now available via Netflix.    o o o Speaking of England, reader LJ spotted this: Apocalypse city: Welcome to the ‘estate …

Why does society loathe well-prepared individuals? See: Soldier suspended from school. My, things have changed since I was in high school 1970s. In that era, many of my classmates carries a Buck Folding Hunter pocketknife in a leather belt pouch, and nobody said “boo” about it. (Thanks to LSC for the news link.)    o o o Could Food Shortages Bring Down Civilization?    o o o Don’t forget that Safecastle’s final Mountain House sale for 2009, ends today (October 11th). They are offering 25% off on all Mountain House canned long-term storage foods Don’t miss out on the sale …

From Ben M.: Warning over global oil ‘decline’    o o o 2012 Survival Conference Rocks Scottsdale October 17, Teaches You to Survive Mayan Apocalypse. [JWR’s comment: These folks have a downright goofy motivation, but I can’t knock them for preparing. I suspect that just like those that prepared for exclusively for the Y2K date rollover, their preps will languish, starting in 2013.]    o o o Development plans for the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) have been accelerated by three years. Hmm…. I wonder why? Some mullahs should be mulling this over.    o o o Regular content contributor Damon …

Morgan spotted this: Brazil’s Motorists Invest in Armor    o o o Attention New Yorkers: Don’t miss the Doomsday Film Festival, October 23-25, 2009.    o o o Penny was the first of several readers to send me this: SWAT raid on food storehouse heading to trial; Family sues over confiscation of supplies, computers    o o o Mystery ‘Police’ Force Has Small Montana City on Edge. (A hat tip to KAF.)

Reader Jim F. mentioned this fascinating Wired article: Missile Silo Fixer-Upper Now Swanky Bachelor Pad    o o o A reminder that Safecastle’s final Mountain House sale for 2009, ends on October 11th. They are offering 25% off on all Mountain House canned long-term storage foods. Order soon!    o o o Feds sued to keep out of state’s gun affair; Complaint filed seeking affirmation of Montana Firearms Freedom Act. (Thanks to Clem in Wyoming, for the link.)    o o o Paint Horses for Sale: SurvivalBlog reader “Tota” wrote me: “Recently I lost my job. I have a herd …

Reader JM3 found a “kicked up” MRE cooking video.    o o o I heard that Ready Made Resources is having a sale on REC Solar SCM-220 220 watt photovoltaic panels. These panels, made in Norway, are excellent quality, and you can’t beat the price–especially when you consider the normal cost of shipping, which is free.    o o o Reader “OSOM” recommended some concealed carry wisdom from Massad Ayoob: 10 Commandments of Concealed Carry.    o o o Thanks to Tom W. for finding this item: Criminalizing Everyone

John McC. mentioned an interesting (albeit slow-loading) environmental threat map site.    o o o I heard from a reader in Wyoming about some newly-manufactured herdsman-style trailers equipped with wood stoves. They look like a good option for extended camping situations, or a way to house extra families that show up at your retreat at the 11th Hour.    o o o Damon pointed us to a Washington Times editorial: The coming war with Iran.    o o o India floods leave 2.5 million homeless, 250 dead. (My thanks to Eric C. for the link )

Reader FG flagged this news story from Texas: Soldier who stole night vision goggles sentenced. ” FG’s comment: Be very careful about any “super deals” on US mil spec night vision gear. It may be stolen Government issue.”    o o o Reader Bill D. spotted an interesting two-part article yesterday on “The Brussels Journal” web site dealing with the downfall of Bronze-Age civilization and some of the implications for our own times. Bill’s comment: “It’s very heavy on the ancient history but very much worth a read.”    o o o FG mentioned this article on cyber terrorism, from …

A reader in Florida mentioned a full-service homeschooling support group: Family Tree Private School.    o o o Larry W. flagged this Der Spiegel article: Russian Weapons Industry: Kalashnikov Manufacturer Faces Bankruptcy    o o o Ban Handguns? US Supreme Court Taking New Look. JWR’s comment: The outcome of this case may be significant for SurvivalBlog readers that live in gun-deprived states like New Jersey and California. If the Supremes hold that individual states can restrict the right to keep and bear arms, then that should be time to vote with your feet, and move to a gun-friendly state.    …

Ammo Rationing at Wal-Mart as Panic Buying Sweeps US    o o o Signs of the times in small-town America: Layoffs, lost cruisers: Problems grow for sheriff. Here is a key quote: “‘We will be a lawless society,’ worries Angela Greenwell, a county board member, fearing the latest trouble ‘basically has neutered the sheriff’s department.’”    o o o Los Angeles Times reporter Matthew Brown digs in to the conflicting reports coming out of Hardin, Montana: California entrepreneur promising to revitalize rural Montana town has checkered past. This just gets curiouser and curiouser.    o o o Reader Phil E. …

Damon flagged a good essay by Claire Wolfe, over at Backwoods Home: Circle of friends The importance of other people in our preparedness plans    o o o Andrew H. wrote to mention that the US Government Printing Office (GPO) finally has the Special Forces Medical Handbook back in stock.    o o o Eric S. noted this Popular Mechanics article; Highly Productive, Low-Stress Animals You Can Raise at Home    o o o Nanny State Britannia Update: Barmy Britain through the looking glass    o o o FG found this: Internet overtakes television to become biggest advertising sector in …

M. found a TED Talk about a very low tech wind generator built by a farmer in Malawi.    o o o The Other Jim R. mentioned this item in a Memphis newspaper: ATF tells Tennessee that a federal gun law trumps the state’s. JWR’s comment: The new laws in Tennessee and Montana are bound to see court challenges. In my estimation, the Feds are in for a first class spanking when this eventually hits the appeals court level. There is no way that the ATF’s bureaucratic proclamation will pass muster, in light of the Lopez decision. The language of …

El Nino Shift Could Boost Hurricanes and Intensify Droughts    o o o EMB mentioned a useful solar energy calculator.    o o o FG mentioned: Sweden selling 27 year old canned rations to the public    o o o Garnet sent an interesting article on where Americans are, and are not moving: Americans Tame Their Wanderlust

Damon (one of our most regular link contributors) referred us to some useful “how to” pieces on Do-it-Yourself butchering at Backwoods Home, and on You Tube.    o o o Kevin A. suggest ed this useful post: Checklist for Hard Times    o o o KAF sent this: Debate Rages Over Federal Control of the Web in a Crisis    o o o Safecastle has announced their final Mountain House sale for 2009, that runs from September 28 to October 11th. They are offering 25% off on All Mountain House canned long-term storage foods.

Karen H. recommended a piece over at the Utah Preppers site on how to dehydrate peppers.    o o o Damon mentioned a collection of interactive, online ballistics calculators, The Ballistician’s Corner, hosted by Beartooth Bullets. It includes: Exterior Ballistics, Recoil Calculator, Wound Channel Calculator, Stopping Power Calculators (multiple), Round Ball Weight Calculator, and Powder Calculators.    o o o Reader FG flagged this: Korea to Sell Old US Rifles Back. These are M1 Garands and M1 Carbines. The latest word is that these will not be sold by the CMP. Instead, they’ll be sold by commercial importers. Do you …