Category: Odds ‘n Sods

J.H.B. sent us the link to this update at the Gun Owners of America (GOA) web site: Firearms Legislation in the 111th Congress. (a good page to bookmark.) Readers should note that H.R. 45 currently has little support (it is not gathering co-sponsors) so at least for the present time please don’t expend too much time organizing and letter writing about this bill.    o o o John C. sent us this article, which has some implications for survivalists that foresee a breakdown in law and order, and large, organized gangs of looters: Congo town mounts own defense against rebels …

Hawaiian K. flagged a great article at Kevin Kelly’s Technium Blog: Amish Hackers    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson pointed us to the comments accompanying this article: Second Circuit to Second Amendment: Drop Dead…. The article was informative, but I thought that the comment from “Bruce” was potentially quite practical: “[I]f you live in a rural area like I do, go out in the woods somewhere and dig a hole. Don’t fill it in. We’ll call it the ‘plausible deniability hole’. Then, when the state comes for your guns (bullion, whatever), take the officers to …

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles returns to the small screen tomorrow evening. It has been moved to what has been called the Friday night “death slot.” There are rumors that the series will canceled. Cue the sad, sweet theme music to Firefly. 🙁 Meanwhile, there is plenty of buzz about the Terminator 4: Salvation feature film, which should be released on May 22nd.    o o o Craig W. flagged this: The (Zimbabwean) Dollar – The Point of No Return. (They’ve slashed another 12 zeroes!)    o o o Thanks to Stephen B. who was the first of several SurvivalBlog …

Bullion sales hit record in rush to safety    o o o Rory sent us a link to a video clip of a home invasion robbery foiled by an armed and vigilant Tucson homeowner. Given the 1-to-4 defender to attacker ratio, the homeowner did a creditable job.    o o o Our thanks to Florida Guy and Scotty who both sent this: Gun dealers experiencing shortages of ammo    o o o Some news and commentary, courtesy of The Economatrix: Marc Faber: US Will Default on Debt or Enter Hyperinflation — California Begins Employee Furloughs, Closing Offices — Record 19 …

The recent fires in Australia with large loss of life and property underscore the need to have defensible space around buildings. There is one factor in the Australian bush fires is not common knowledge in the US: In extremely hot weather, some tree species found in Australia–such as eucalyptus–exude volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are extremely flammable. When the conditions are just right, this can cause a firestorm effect.    o o o Chris E. flagged this: Rep. Kanjorski: $550 Billion Disappeared in “Electronic Run on the Banks.” A key quote: “[if the Federal reserve had not acted] by two …

Bob at Ready Made Resources wrote to tell me that they have just one BP-Solar 190 Watt Solar Module in stock, that a customer had canceled after it already shipped;. (It was re-routed back to RMR but the panel is still brand new.) Because of the circumstances, they are selling this one panel below wholesale cost at $750, plus shipping. (Additional panels are available at RMR’s normally-discounted price.) Call RMR during normal business hours (Eastern time) for the special price 1(800) 627-3809.    o o o Our friend Art suggested that those interested in a gun-friendly nationwide alternative to Craigslist, …

Our Editor at Large (Michael Z. Williamson) sent this evidence that the MOAB will continue to grow, unchecked: A $15,000 gift for home buyers?    o o o Reader Leon H. suggested this great video segment: Peter Schiff: Stimulus Bill Will Lead to “Unmitigated Disaster”    o o o Bob McC. flagged this: California, Georgia banks are latest to be seized. Bob’s comment: “These bank failures were in Southern California and Atlanta, Georgia, no doubt being dragged down by failing real estate, in two of the formerly hottest markets. Is it me, or do the bank failures seem to be …

Dateline: Nanny State, Hawaii: Now they want to ban pocket knives! What is next, pencils? (“You might put your eye out!”) And speaking of over-reaching paternalism, Chad from Colorado spotted this: Schoolteacher Suspended for Facebook Gun Photo. My, how times change! My maternal grandfather, an Army Reserve Major, was a Junior ROTC instructor that taught marksmanship at a California public high school, before his untimely death in 1943. It was not uncommon for students to bring their own rimfire rifles from home to shoot at the high school’s indoor shooting range. And nobody blinked an eye…    o o o …

David V. recommended the latest essay from commentator Charles Hugh Smith’s Of Two Minds blog: Pandemic, Drug Resistance and Natural Selection    o o As the red ink continues to spread across the globe, here is today’s economic news: Some Deep Schumer talk in the UK: Gordon Brown suggests world heading for a ‘depression’. SF in Hawaii suggested this: Afshin Rattansi talks to Max Keiser about the Dollar. Max Keiser says: “Free market capitalism in America is dead”, and: “The technical strength of the Dollar will be short-lived.” Reader H.P.D. sent us a link to Mish Shedlock’s latest commentary: The …

SF in Hawaii mentioned this: Australians rule, when ranked for elbow room. But I can be proud of the fact that I live in a part of the US with one of the lowest population densities– about 5 people per square mile, and most of those are squeezed inside city limits. (“Give me land, lots of land, and the starry skies above…”)    o o o On the economic front: Pointing the finger of blame at credit derivatives: What Cooked the World’s Economy? (Thanks to Charley for the link.) And all these came from Cheryl: The Whole World is Rioting …

I just heard that JRH Enterprises (one of our first and most loyal advertisers) has a very limited supply of new, genuine AN/PVS-14 night vision monoculars with Gen III tubes (complete with ITT factory data sheets) on sale for $2,995.    o o o Heather H. found this article from El Paso, Texas: Mexico collapse unlikely: Experts say government stable despite mounting border violence. The journalist/pianists in El Paso are obviously standing on the soft pedal!    o o o I hope that folks took my advice and stocked up on full capacity magazines. It is amazing watching the prices …

Norman in England spotted this: Plight of the Humble Bee    o o o KI4U (the NukAlert folks) just announced a 10th Anniversary SurvivalBlog Special: In celebration of our 10th year in business, and gratefulness for the support and encouragement of SurvivalBlog readers, if you order any two of the same products using their online order form and you’ll be shipped a third one free. (Buy 2, Get 3). The order form won’t reflect it, but type “SurvivalBlog” in the comments section, and you’ll be shipped a third extra item for every two you order. This special will be honored …

Be advised that the 25% off special on Mountain House and Alpine Aire freeze-dried foods in #10 cans at Ready Made Resources is just a short term sale. This sale ends on February 14th, so be sure to get your order in soon! Ready Made Resource was the very first advertiser to support SurvivalBlog, and they have loyally been with us continuously since our first week of publishing, in 2005. They deserve your business.    o o o Bryce pointed out that Newsweek recently had an interesting article on survival in emergency situations titled: What it Takes to Survive.    …

B.R.H. sent an item from The Guardian that I suspect was inspired by the remake of the series “Survivors”, (which the BBC aired last Fall): Life after the apocalypse. The article begins: “What if the doomsayers are right … what if society, as we know it, really is about to collapse? Do you have what it takes to make it in a world without electricity and running water? Tanya Gold offers an essential survival guide.” There is a fairly lengthy accompanying video clip of the reporter getting trained. B.R.H. commented: “A member of the ‘Golden Horde’ gets a taste of …

In Texas, they wouldn’t call this a “weapons cache”, rather they’d describe it as a “a good start at a gun collection”: Weapons Cache Found Near Home of Former N.J. Cop (A tip of the hat to Hawaiian K. for the link.)    o o o Florida Guy sent us this bit of anticipated news: Zimbabwe abandons its currency. So it seems that that via hyperinflation, Comrade Mugabe and his cronies have effectively fleeced the entire life savings of virtually everyone in that once-prosperous nation. The only value the Zimbabwean dollar now has is as a novelty item for currency …