Category: Odds ‘n Sods

A web search yielded this useful video on tactical movement for concealed carry. This gent’s foot work suggestions make sense. They certainly beat just blind “back-pedaling.”   o o o From southwestern Oregon: Pitiful percentages for community-sustained agriculture (CSA) and heavy dependence on petroleum-based fertilizers. This does not bode well for local sustainability in any future disasters.    o o o Florida tries to wipe out cat-sized African rats    o o o Some implications of the continuing decline of the US Dollar versus foreign currencies

There is an interesting thread over at the Claire Files Forums on plastic versus steel gas cans.   o o o Reader Bruce C., recommended some commentary by Victor Davis Hansen: Is The Sky Falling on America? Bruce’s comment: “While this article does not present a rock solid case for TEOTWAWKI, it provides an important framework for “survivalists” and “preppers” to maintain as they wonder why the Schumer has yet to hit the fan.”    o o o Fred the Valmet-meister sent us this link on provisioning, Alabama style: Boy Bags Wild Hog Bigger Than ‘Hogzilla’    o o o …

I recently added a link for the Depression2 blog, over at my Links page. The blog aggregates some insightful commentary, mostly on economics and investing. Check it out.   o o o Bob at Ready Made Resources mentioned that he is brokering the sale of a used fully self-contained P10 underground blast/fallout/storm shelter. These shelters sell for $100,000 new, but this one is used and selling for just $45,000 plus shipping. It is an upgraded model with a Level 4 ballistic protection entry hatch and an oversize water tank. It has been reconditioned (including fresh paint), but it needs a …

Desperation selling? Home Sales Post Highest Monthly Gain in 14 Years While Prices Plunge o o o Freeze Dry Guy (one of our most loyal advertisers) told us that because of the overwhelming response, they are extending their May Special through the month of June! This special is for a Mountain House Freeze Dried Meat Variety Pack that includes: 3 – #10 Cans of Mountain House Cooked Ground Beef, yield 81 cup servings 3 – #10 Cans of Mountain House Cooked Diced Chicken, yield 63 cup servings (Total of 144 cup servings.) This package has a retail value of more …

RBS mentioned an interesting article that ran in Popular Mechanics magazine, back in 2001: E-Bombs And Terrorists   o o o “Crazy” to ignore commodities plays, says a JP Morgan fund manager    o o o The derivatives bubble continues to expand, Bloomberg reports: “The global derivatives market grew at the fastest pace in at least nine years during 2006 as the amount of contracts based on bonds more than doubled to $29 trillion, the Bank for International Settlements said today.”    o o o A useful reference on EMP and TREE shielding, from TM 5-690: ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE (EMP) PROTECTION

S.H. found an article by Brian Tiemann, describing his tour of the InfoBunker–an ex-USAF facility retrofitted for ultra-secure data storage.   o o o Todd Savage mentioned an interesting retreat property in northern Idaho that he has toured and found worthy: It is an off-grid (PV-powered) 2,000 square foot 5 bedroom house on 40 acres, in Boundary County. The property has “end of the road privacy” and a large pond. For details, contact Todd at his new office in Bonner’s Ferry, at: (208) 946-1151.    o o o SF in Hawaii recommended this Red Cross book on emergency surgery, available …

A left winger comments on Bush’s new National Continuity [of Government] Policy   o o o Kansas professor warns of return to ‘Dirty Thirties’ Dust Bowl    o o o Detroit shuts off water to scofflaws    o o o More on CCD: Organic Beekeepers Report No Losses While Conventional Operations Report Massive Colony Losses

SurvivalBlog reader Matt said that he found a great article on lessons learned from the recent New Jersey wildfire.    o o o Just a minor bubonic plague breakout in Denver.   o o o War Stretches Nation’s Ammo Supply   o o o Jason sent us this one: A young man in Idaho turns 18 and decides to exercise his Constitutional rights inside city limits.

RBS sent us this: Utilities brace for worker shortage.OBTW, folks looking for their “ticket” to the boonies might consider this sort of work. America has hundreds or rural utility companies, many of which are co-ops. Utility company employment is steady work, even during deep recessions.   o o o Video clip: Just another day in Beirut, Lebanon    o o o PJH and Hutch both sent us this article: Solar Flashlight Lets Africa’s Sun Deliver the Luxury of Light to the Poorest Villages. Their “buy one, give one” arrangement sounds like a great way to dispense charity.    o o …

Some interesting economic analysis from Jim Willie’s Hat Trick Letter    o o o Causes of the recent rally in grain futures. If you haven’t done so already, stock you family up on bulk grain storage. Retail prices will likely double soon! See my Links page for a list of recommended food storage vendors.    o o o Russia accused of unleashing cyber war to disable Estonia    o o o Energy Efficient Desalination Takes A Step Forward

Our friend Ben sent us: Solar panels find a home with Amish   o o o Tim L. flagged this article for us: Off-grid farming in Canada    o o o From RBS: Global Mergers and Acquisitions Rise 60% to $2 Trillion, Led by Europe Deals and Leveraged Buyouts. It is clear to me that far too may money managers have deluded themselves into believing that the bull market in equities will go on indefinitely. Today’s entrepreneurs will be tomorrow’s contrapreneurs.    o o o At www.safecastleroyal.com, Vic is running a one-time “Food Load-up Sale and Membership Free for All.” …

From the CATO Institute: The World’s Greatest Unreported Hyperinflation   o o o Australian water crisis could be worse than thought. Australia, one of the world’s wheat exporters, will actually be importing wheat this year.    o o o Hawaiian K. sent us the link to a:detailed analysis of oilfield depletion, at The Oil Drum web site   o o o “Ready Room” sent us an article about a Russian in-wention: A non-nuclear EMP generator

Reader Vlad mentioned: “If you and your family have bicycles, you may wish to buy airfree tires. I’ve used them for six years and now would use [traditional] pneumatics only in extremis.   o o o The Financial Post reports on those wacky Gold Bears.    o o o I suppose that it was inevitable that the recently announced cancellation of the Jericho television series would inspire a petition drive. They gathered 27,000 electronic signatures in just the first day!    o o o The Housing Tipping Point. 3 Factors That Will Burst the Bubble: The Negative Wealth Effect, Negative …

In reference to my recent mention of the recently-introduced Arctic Cat diesel ATVs, reader Keith in Texas reminded me that several other makers also produce diesel engine “Utility/Side By Side” ATVs. These include Bobcat (the Toolcat 5600 B-Series), Club Car (the XRT 1500), Kubota (the RTV 900) and John Deere (the Gator HPX 4X4). Many of these models have hydraulic-powered attachments which can add to their versatility. And it is noteworthy that the Kubota three cylinder diesel engine used in several of these models is known for its reliability.   o o o Any readers that own a Saiga (AK) …

Countrytek mentioned: More mass fish kills, in the upper Midwestern states. Viral hemorrhagic septicemia is blamed.   o o o KT sent us a link to video from Taurus, hyping their “Judge” .45 Colt/.410 shotshell revolver. This revolver might sense for folks in bear country. And bear country is also often grouse or ptarmigan country. So this whompin’ big revolver might be practical in several ways. I certainly wouldn’t want to make it my primary self-defense handgun (versus two-legged predators), but it does offer some interesting possibilities. As for the Taurus marketeer’s suggestion of using The Judge as a counter-carjacking …