Category: Odds ‘n Sods

There is an excellent thread of discourse in progress over at TMM’s Gulching/Self-Sufficiency Forum titled, Burn a CD with survival and gulching information on it, what would you include?    o o o As you’ve doubtless already heard, the “rogue state” nuclear threat index just increased. I consider “Kim Jong Il ” and “Unstable” synonymous.    o o o Florida Guy sent a news article on the latest manifestation of hoplophobia: New York. proposes new bill to register and track all state ammo sales

I was disappointed to see that my novel “Patriots” has slipped from the 4.5 star rating that it consistently held on Amazon.com for the past nine years, down to just 4 stars. The reason? It is obvious that several readers who just don’t “get it” when it comes to the concept of preparedness bought copies of the novel from the racks at their local bookstores. Perhaps they thought that it would just be another in the endless parade of Tom Clancy clones–formulaic “techno thrillers”, which seem to invariably be set in either New York City, or inside the DC Beltway. …

Brent F. recommneded a site that focuses on Third World technology: How to Make Everything.    o o o A Sunset magazine article flagged by reader LRG: Make your own backyard adobe oven    o o o William Atkin has posted a very useful guide to sprouting. There is also a PDF available for download.

Cattle Rustling on the Rise as US Recession Bites    o o o Credit Bill OK’d with Gun Provision    o o o With the Economy Tough, the Tough Go Camping    o o o America’s Poor Are its Most Generous Givers    o o o SF in Hawaii mentioned the Local Harvest web site, and their map of family farms. SF’s comment: “Thinking about relocating? Take a look at this map. It might be nice to have some small farm neighbors.”.

Eric wrote to mention that the Survivalist Groups Listing Page URL has changed.    o o o Chris–the editor of the LDS Preparedness manual that I recently mentioned–wrote to say: “Version 6.00 of the manual is almost complete and will be released in June. But for now, you can get a printable PDF copy of the Preparedness Manual for LDS Members, Version 5.01 (Nov.1, 2008) There are also hard bound printed copes available–rather than downloading and printing 200+ pages. It can also be found on my homepage.”    o o o GG spotted this: Spam sales soar as buyers seek …

Safecastle has announced a 25% Off Mountain House storage food sale that will be running from May 23 to June 5th. As a bonus, you’ll also get a free copy of the novel One Second After by William R. Forstchen if you purchase four or more cases of Mountain House foods    o o o Struggling Families Look at Adoption    o o o Peak Phosphorous? GG sent us a link to a summary of a new Scientific American article: Phosphorus: A Looming Crisis. (The full text of the article is not yet available on-line.)    o o o Brian …

Mark A. sent a link to a LDS Preparedness Manual in PDF. This is a 222-page manual about food storage and some other topics.   o o o Farming and Hunting magazines among very few to increase advertising revenue. (Thanks to GG for the link.)    o o o The folks at the Ancient Pathways outdoor survival school mentioned that they have expanded the survival gear section of their web site and are now offering two new instructional DVDs.

Reader RTK recommended a New York Times Op-Ed piece: All Disasters Are Local    o o o Here is a link to a brief YouTube segment on how to seal foods in Mylar bags, using a Foodsaver    o o o Big-Box Stores Comparisons    o o o Disaster risk increasing, says UN    o o o From Trapper Mike: GPS system ‘close to breakdown’; Network of satellites could begin to fail as early as 2010

EMB suggested this blog piece: Root-cellar plan    o o o Thanks to Scott N. for this link: Critics Deride Bill Designed to Keep Weapons Out of Terrorists’ Hands    o o o JRH Enterprises is running a $2,995 special on new 3rd Generation PVS-14 night vision scopes, with brand-new factory-original image intesifier tubes, complete with certified factory data sheets. If you want the ultimate in retreat security, buy one. Most other dealers sell these same scopes for close to $4,000. You won’t regret it!    o o os Police: Man said 30,000 bullets were for target practice. Did I …

Thanks to Kevin A. for sending this: Navajos largely unscathed by recession. Hmmm… Owning livestock, living self-sufficiently, and living debt free. Does this sound familiar?    o o o Cheryl sent us this: NRA Thrives Amid Fears of Heightened Gun-Control Efforts    o o o A herd of common sense, from a Cody, Wyoming newspaper: Pioneer spirit needed during tough times.(I was pleased to see that the article quotes my top five states for retreats locales.)    o o o KAF sent us links to two interesting pieces on the 1930s: The Great Depression: ‘We were all in the same …

Denny Z. sent us a link to a YouTube clip of a comedy classic: Archie Bunker on Gun Control    o o o “John Smith” suggested a You Tube clip of a James Burke “Connections” documentary episode from 1978. Burke’s description of the 1965 New York blackout illustrates the interconnections and fragility of urban society. It is rather prophetic. Given our far greater tecnological dependence these days, it some serrious food for thought.    o o o Cheryl sent this: Another 1,225,980+ Guns Bought By Americans in April 2009 This number is based on just the background checks by FFL …

KAF flagged this article: U.S. Has Plan to Secure Pakistan Nukes if Country Falls to Taliban    o o o Jason mentioned that Ammoman is selling brand new original Colt-made 30 round AR-15 magazines for about the same price that most gun show sellers are charging for generic USGI contract magazines.    o o o Cheryl saw this video clip and recommended it: Lou Dobbs: Obama Pushing Anti-Gun Treaty

JHB mentioned this article about survivalists in Russia: Survivalists stock up for End of Days    o o o SurvivalBlog regular Bill Buppert was recently interviwed for the LewRockwell.com podcast. The topic was state secession.    o o o SF in Hawaii mentioned these two sites: Everyone Deserves a Roof and The Bike Trailer Blog (which includes some tariler tents).    o o o A trailer for the movie The Road has been released. Gee, this makes SurvivalBlog readers look like relative optimists.

Any of our readers living in Norway (and Norwegian ex-pats) will want to bookmark this blog: Ingen fare…Undergangen er skremmende nær!    o o o More about Pakistan, the Taliban, and The Bomb: Experts predict Pakistan’s collapse. Speaking of Pakistan, here is a prime example of lack of planning and lack of the survivalist mindset: Pakistan’s ‘displaced deluge’. Do your best to never be a “refugee ” It is just one short step away from “casualty statistic.” (Thanks to Ben M. for the second link.)    o o o Tamara mentioned that the National Rifle Association (NRA) is continuing their …

Cheryl sent this: How Gardening Became Fashionable Again    o o o Also courtesy of Cheryl: USA Today Poll: 96% Affirm 2nd Amendment    o o o Now that I’ve successfully met my manuscript deadline with Penguin Books, I can come up for air. For the first time in many weeks, I’ll have the time for some quasi-recreational reading. I’m about to begin 7 Deadly Scenarios: A Military Futurist Explores War in the 21st Century. (Yes, I’ll post a review.)    o o o Mike Williamson (our Editor at Large) mentioned that Survivalblog advertiser Shelf Reliance now has a “monthly …