Category: Odds ‘n Sods

M.P. suggested a web site that describes an innovative self-watering and water efficient tomato growing system. “It is estimated that this system uses 75% less water than in-ground planting, a potentially huge benefit when the power goes out for good. Plans for building the device are given in both PDF and video format.”    o o o Signs of the times: Reader Andy H. sent us this excerpt from the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Bulletin: SOLD OUT – 415-CN. As a result over 9,000 orders already in [the] Estore and the many hundreds of other orders (received through the mail …

Chester sent us the link to his “must watch” video Real Gunfighter Lance Thomas on Justice Files. The lessons to be learned: If you live in a bad neighborhood, then relocate, as soon as possible. But regardless, get the best self defense tools and training that you can afford.    o o o Bill Six spotted this: ‘Open season’ declared on Mason Co. criminals    o o o F.R. forwarded a link to a masterful piece of gray propaganda: Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment. Its liberal bias is subtle but is a …

DD forwarded this link, from MSN: Five foods that are cheaper to grow    o o o From Cheryl: Ammo Shortages Have Police Scrambling for Sufficient Rounds    o o o More news for the Whack ‘n Stack tally: Armed Ohio couple stops home robbers    o o o M.O.B. sent this: Feinstein will not pursue assault weapons ban for now. Is this supposed to give me a warm, fuzzy feeling? Rather, it strikes me more like a “Hitler plans to stop his army’s advance at The Sudetenland For Now” sorta news story.

For the past month, I’ve been monitoring a great new open-source intelligence blog that is available to the public. Be sure to bookmark it!    o o o Dale Williams, the host of a popular conservative talk radio show in Salt Lake City has started to put his show archives online at Free West Radio. (One of JWR’s interviews is archived there.)    o o o Cheryl sent this: TWIC–A Backdoor Real ID Card    o o o Reader MMJ recommended this article on solar ovens

M.R.L. sent us a link to some fascinating details on the 1859 Carrington Solar Storm event, and some dire predictions for future similar events.    o o o Rob B. was the first of several SurvivalBlog readers that sent us this: [Low path] Bird flu found on Kentucky poultry farm Expert says strain poses little risk to humans; 20,000 chickens euthanized    o o o Greg and Kat were the first readers (of more than a dozen) that sent this Wall Street Journal article link: Electricity Grid in U.S. Penetrated by Spies    o o o Feld sent us this: …

Italy quake toll rises amid hunt for victims    o o o Michael H. suggested stockpiliing some candy, as a small supplement to a family food storage program–just as a bit of psychological first aid. (In my experience, hard candy such as lemon drops have the best storage life.)    o o o Cheryl (the Economatrix) recommended this article: Survivalists 2.0: Regular people get ready for the worst

Army Fields New [Thermal and Light Amplification] Night Vision Goggles    o o o DGT sent this news headline from Nanny State Britannia: Personal web data to be stored for a year, New law forces service providers to record all your calls and emails    o o o Tom T. recommended this Bible-based lecture series: The Men’s Fraternity.

David B. sent this from a Texas newspaper: Dallas-Fort Worth’s ‘modern survivalists’ are ready for layoffs — or war    o o o After an 18 year hiatus, during which prices rose from $700 to $4,000, the Steyr AUG A3 has finally hit the US market in a rail-topped US-made variation. The first few have already been popping up on Buddy’s Board and GunBroker.com. My advice: By one or more, if only as an investment. There may be very few sold before another Federal “assault on our rights” ban is enacted, and hence they will likely double in price.    …

From Cheryl: 2012 May Bring the Perfect Storm: Solar Flares, Systems Collapse    o o o Oni sent us a link to a follow-up story about those $20 gold pieces is Utah: Woman suspected of stealing gold coins arrested. So now the sin count is up to three: A bank teller’s covetousness, FDR’s grand larceny, and a woman’s thievery.    o o o Canada Moves to End Gun Control, Calling it an Ineffective Measure Against Crime. (Thanks to KT for the link.)    o o o Fitzy in Pennsylvania mentioned this YouTube video clip from a very bright young man …

Ah-ha! Just as I suspected: The Myth of 90 Percent: Only a Small Fraction of Guns in Mexico Come From U.S. (Thanks to Ryan at the TSLRF blog for the link.)    o o o From Cheryl:: There Was Ammo on These Shelves…    o o o Bill N. flagged this: Conservative activists detained and harassed by TSA for merely carrying cash

G.G. was the first of more than ten readers that sent this article from The Detroit News: To urban hunter, next meal is scampering by, about a 69-year old retiree who hunts raccoons for a living in Detroit. Her is a quote: “Today people got no skill and things is getting worse. What people gonna do? They gonna eat each other up is what they gonna do.”    o o o D.S. sent us this link, on how farmers made tools over 100 years ago.

Reader MPS in Nevada sent this: The True Queen of Frugal    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor-at-Large, Michael Z. Williamson’s latest science fiction novel, Contact with Chaos pits two competing groups from the Freehold of Grainne (that you’ll remember from his novel Freehold ) and Earth against each other during a “first contact” with a sentient species in another solar system. It is now available at Amazon.com. Knowing Mike’s previous work, this promises to be good!    o o o I just heard that Sturm Ruger is now producing 30-round Mini-14 magazines, available to the general public. Ruger’s sales of …

Cheryl (aka The Economatrix) found this: Demand for Ammo is Causing Supply Shortages    o o o Tamara, in her View From the Porch blog had some biting criticism of the Flint, Michigan mayor’s suggestion that abandonded neighborhoods be cordoned off and denied police and fire department protection    o o o Collecting Rain Water is Now Legal in Colorado. (Thanks to John L. for the link.)    o o o Damon sent this article: Sen. Kerry makes push for tighter gun control. My question: If these AKs are being bought at American gun shops and gun shows, then why …

Our Editor at Large, Michael Z. Williamson, sent us a news story of Nanny State Britannia Run Amok. I was dumbfounded by the descriptions of police holding back neighbors that wanted to bring ladders to rescue the family. This is the same country where homeowners have been charged with felonies for defending their own homes from armed intruders. The whole “only trained professionals” mindset infuriates me. It diverges 180 degrees from the Rawlesian Survivalist view. I believe that all adult citizens should be prepared, trained, willing, and able, to act promptly and decisively in emergencies. Seeing this article reminded me …

Semper Cynicus sent us this gem: Chechen soldiers’ Flinstonian phone charger. My father’s often quoted the old “Dollars to Sweat Ratio”. Assuming that hand tools were used, this is obviously a prime example of the “high sweat” end of the scale!    o o o I just heard that Ready Made Resources. now has just nine of the Warrior Aid and Litter Kits left on hand. If you need one of these very comprehensive medic kits for your retreat, order it soon!    o o o From FloridaGuy: Urban coyote attacks on the rise, alarming residents    o o o …