Odds ‘n Sods:

A consulting client asked me what brand of AR-15 or M4gery that I’d recommend he buy as a secondary weapon. By coincidence, I had earlier that same day received a link from reader Bill N. that features a chart that shows which AR makers use full mil-spec parts. Before seeing that chart, I would have recommended Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT), but now it looks like Noveske Rifleworks has the edge. You may ask: Why not Colt ARs? I despise their concessions to political correctness–namely their over-grown lower receiver pins, weak chopped-out (half circle) bolt carriers, and their now perennial two screws-in-place-of-a-front-pivot-pin design. What a monstrosity!

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Reader “Panda”, suggested building an Alvin Vacuum Sealer, as shown over at the Instructables web site. This is a very simple hand pump design (using an automotive brake bleeder) that makes a great backup system for extended power blackouts.

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SF in Hawaii recommended listening to an audio clip by archaeologist Dr. Joseph A. Tainter on the history of economic collapses.

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Thanks to JT for this one, from The Jerusalem Post: Emirates calls on GCC countries to de-peg currencies from US dollar