Category: Odds ‘n Sods

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 …

Reader “Korea” mentioned this company in Oklahoma as a source for military surplus ammo cans and landing mat sections: Calumet Industries. I’ve heard from several readers that they’ve been having trouble finding ammo cans at reasonable prices. Simple logic dictates that the millions of Americans presently buying ammunition in large quantity will need a place to store it, and hence the ammo can shortage. If you know of other ammo can suppliers with reasonable prices, please send me their URLs, and I’ll post them. Thanks!    o o o Libertarians seek a place in the New Hampshire sun. Oh, and …

I just heard about Alpha Innovations, a great source for very sturdy, reasonably priced, American-made Yawaras, Koppo Sticks, Kubatons,”Letter Openers”, and other other high density injection-molded goodies. Their “Stylus Kubaton” variant is ideal for anyone that carries a touchscreen PDA or an iPhone. (Consult your local laws before ordering!) OBTW, they also make some amazing custom products and sell training DVDs.    o o o Vietnam Veteran Keeps Vow, Eats 40-Year-Old (C-ration) Pound Cake. BTW, The Memsahib and I ate the last of my old C-Rations around 1987.Those had been packed in the late 1970s, and they seemed quite old …

EMB spotted this article which features two of our advertisers: Six Safe, Strong—and Chic—Bomb Shelters You Can Buy Now    o o o Pro-Gun Amendment Rejected. This legislation had so much common sense that it was no surprise that Chuck Schumer hated it.    o o o [Urban] Survival School

Simon J. recommended this Gizmag article: SCORE Project seeks funding to roll out Bio-Mass Stove in developing countries    o o o El Niño Threatens Food Shortages    o o o ATF To Montana: You Will Respect Our Authority! And here’s a related article: Washington drops hammer on state gun plan    o o o John S. spotted this useful blog: Couponing in Critical Times

Chris O. sent this article, that came from of all places, GQ magazine: Could You Survive Without Money? Meet the Guy Who Does. “In Utah, a modern-day caveman has lived for the better part of a decade on zero dollars a day. People used to think he was crazy.”    o o o My Brother in Christ Bob G. this: Middle East atomic conflict would kill tens of millions: report    o o o Didn’t Joe Biden ever take OPSEC 101? It ‘s only a “secret bunker”, if you keep it a secret.    o o o The asking price …