Odds ‘n Sods:

Ebola in Pigs New Health Threat

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New on the market: Stay Alert caffeine chewing gum. (Obviously, this is something only for short-term emergency situations–like staying awake during the second half of a non-stop 800 -mile G.O.O.D. evacuation drive.)

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North Korea Warns of “Unimaginably Deadly Blows” to US

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Greg W. mentioned the soon-to-be-released Enertia electric motorcycle. $12,000 is a lot of money for a cycle with such limited range and speed. But it might be appropriate for short trips for someone that already has a large photovoltaic power system.

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"The necessity of procuring good intelligence is apparent and need not be further urged." – General George Washington, then commanding the Continental Army, 26 July 1777

Odds ‘n Sods:

Police can now legally fire at “fleeing cars” in Chicago. (Thanks to F.G. for the link.)

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From Heather H.: Maine’s wild blueberry crop imperiled by leaf spot fungus. Heather’s comment: “First the wheat fungus, then the potato blight, and now the blueberries are dying. What’s next?”

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Hard times drive more Michiganders to fish for food. (Thanks to “Survival Mama” for the link.)

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PD sent this: IDF Vets Train U.S. Jews to Protect Their Communities PD’s comment on the trigger fondling and errant muzzle direction: “It looks like they need to start out with a safety lesson!”

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From reader GG: [Canada’s] Gun registry hasn’t ‘saved a single life’

Notes from JWR:

I was recently contacted by a producer for The History Channel who is making a documentary about survivalism. It is an unusual project that will include a subtext docudrama about a family that is fleeing Los Angeles in the midst of a megapandemic. He will be interviewing survivalists in Los Angeles and New York in mid-August. If you live in or near those cities and are willing to do an on-camera interview, please contact Nick Leader, via e-mail.

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Last Day! Ready Made Resources is continuing their special 25% off sale on case lots of Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans, with free shipping to the Continental United States. Please don’t miss out on this sale, as they don’t happen very often. Stock up! The sale ends at midnight eastern time tonight. (Wednesday, July 29th.)

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Today’s first post is from my wife. Many thanks for your prayers.

From The Memsahib: On My Bucket List–Looking for a Wife

1

I am in a very unusual situation. I’m in my mid-40s, but I’m dying. My doctors have told me that I have less than two months to live. So I have been working on my “bucket list.” One of the items therein is finding a new wife for my husband, to marry after I go to be with the Lord. I have always been a cautious shopper, carefully analyzing and deliberating the pros and cons of each acquisition, whether it is a horse, or a piece of land, or just a pair of boots. Finding a new wife for Jim will be a challenge for me.

First, about Jim:

  • 48 years old, normal weight, and very healthy, but prematurely gray.
  • Has a hard-charging “Type A” personality. He doesn’t know how to relax.
  • Very punctual and neat, except for his desk.
  • Modest, loyal, and extremely devoted. (He has spent the past year by my bedside.)
  • Generous and tithes regularly.
  • A worrier. (SurvivalBlog is the professional manifestation of his worrying.)
  • Hates big cities, and will never move back to one.
  • Willing to dig lots of holes for my plants, but he is not much of a gardener.
  • Loves giving gifts but he dislikes spending money.
  • Has enough survival gear to equip a reinforced squad.

My replacement must meet these qualifications:

  • Be a devout, church-going Christian, preferably with Reformed/Calvinist doctrine. This is the first and foremost consideration. (No exceptions.)
  • Be healthy and of normal body weight. (Jim could not bear to lose another wife at a young age.)
  • Willing to put up with Jim’s eccentricities including his emphasis on OPSEC.
  • Willing to assume my responsibility of caring for three teenagers. (They are godly homeschooled kids, and a great joy to us.)
  • Willing to live at the Rawles Ranch in a remote, yet very beautiful area. (Nearly a two hour drive to any decent shopping.)
  • Willing to live in a true “four season” climate, with up to six months of snow.
  • Enjoy the outdoors (canoeing, hunting, fishing, berry picking, gardening, et cetera.)
  • Have a good sense of humor.
  • Not want to have babies. (Jim can no longer have children.)
  • No interest in television. (We don’t own a television, but we do have high speed Internet service.)
  • Be willing to visit your relatives only once or twice a year.
  • Not squeamish around slaughtering and butchering of livestock and wild game.
  • Hard working.
  • Thrifty. (Although Jim makes a very good living, shopaholics need not apply.)
  • Circumspect.
  • Loyal.

Things about you that do not matter:

  • Your age. You can be anywhere between 30 and 55 years old.
  • Your appearance. You can be ugly, maimed, deformed, scarred, or disfigured. (But you must be normal body weight and healthy!)
  • Your race.
  • Your height. (As long as you are least 5’2″.)
  • Your taste in clothes, music, or art. (Jim has eclectic tastes, but prefers women that dress modestly in public.)
  • You have been previously married or already have children (as long as they have been raised to be respectful and well-mannered.)

Things that would be preferable, but not crucial:

  • You are omnivorous. (We eat a lot of elk, venison, and trout.)
  • You are fairly athletic and enjoy vigorous exercise.
  • You have a good traditional skill set (Cooking, sewing, gardening, et cetera.)
  • A background in a medical science (Doctor, nurse, veterinarian, EMT, Paramedic, etc.)
  • Your family lives west of the Rockies.
  • You like dogs and cats.
  • You would enjoy raising livestock.
  • You can play the piano.
  • You have acting experience.
  • You are handy with tools.
  • You are artistic and/or have a good eye for nature photography.
  • You enjoy traveling.

If you believe that you meet the aforementioned qualifications and are sincerely seeking a life-long commitment with a loving husband, then consider this prayerfully, and then e-mail me your brief biography. I’ll be doing the vetting before you can talk with Jim. Needless, to say, I’m going to be very selective.

Sincerely, – The Memsahib

Letter Re: Shoot or Don’t Shoot–Moral Implications of the Split-Second Decision to Take a Life

Hi James,

Thank you for the work that you do. In reference to this quote:

” As a side note: There is a video commonly shown to police academy students that depicts a real situation where a man armed with a knife attacked an armed police officer from across a room (10-to-15 feet). I have heard that merely viewing that video (and communicating the fact of said viewing) to a prosecutor can result in the dismissal of charges related to shooting a person who is threatening you with a knife. (While you’re armed with a gun). YMMV. Research carefully.”

I believe your contributor is referencing a video [on the Tueller Drill] by Massad Ayoob. It has been awhile, but I believe the key point was about justification for lethal force when there is a perceived imbalance of power (a knife at a distance versus a firearm). Basically, by going through the drill, the people in his class new for a fact that a knife was a lethal threat at a range of 21 feet and hence there were justified in their minds by taking the shot. If you should find yourself in a similar circumstance this would be an interest topic to cover with your attorney… not with the police or prosecutor. – Scrod

Letter Re: An Outward Bound Prepper’s Perspective

Hi Jim,
I’ve been out playing in the Wasatch mountains of Utah and found your e-mail when I got back. You mentioned several people had asked about my note on the significance of carrying large paper clips in your backpack. Ah, where have all the Boy Scouts gone?

If you think of all the things you can do or make out of a 5-inch long piece of bailing wire you will get your mind going in the right direction. Some of the uses for a heavy duty paper clip in a wilderness survival situation are; make a fishing hook, make a fish or small animal spear using a stick, make a crude small animal trap or snare, make a needle for sewing, mini soldering iron, pick locks, make a compass, use to start a fire, cauterize wounds, hang meat/fish over a fire, fix various objects, fasten items, etc.

If you go on the web and Google something like, wilderness survival paper clips, you will find page after page of sites listing the various uses, sites listing paper clips in their survival kits, or sites willing to sell you survival kits with paper clips. There is a lot of information out there to weed through. For those interested, I’ve included a few hyperlinks to sites that go into detail on some of the more practical uses such as making a compass or starting a fire instead of writing the directions out here.

Paper clips are something most everyone has around and they are lightweight, small, and have a ton of uses. I can’t count the times I’ve used them over the years for a wide variety of reasons. They’re pretty close on the list to a small spool of duct tape.

One of the other things I was going to mention pertains to using trash bags for waterproofing items such as backpacks or anything else you don’t want to get wet. Trash compactor bags work much much better. They are made of a heavier gauge plastic and are square at the bottom. They fit perfectly in most backpacks or day packs because they are rectangular. They work really well for storing or protecting most anything that has dimension. Also, great for an emergency rain poncho because people are not flat like normal trash bags but have a tendency to have some width to them. Trash compactor bags are not to be confused with Contractor trash bags.

Hopefully this answers some of the questions or at least directs people to where they can find more detailed information. The links are listed below. Take care, – Sharon

Economics and Investing:

Reader David H. reminded me that the text of Murray Rothbard’s book The Case Against the Fed is available free, online.

From Kevin A.: Why Monday’s housing numbers are meaningless

Nolan S. mentioned this piece on a fundamental change in the gold-to-silver price ratio: DIVORCE!

The new ‘retirement’ plan: Just keep working. (Thanks to DD for the link.)

Also from DD: Bank of America to cut 10% of branches

From GG: China takes baby step to reduce dependence on dollar

Items from The Economatrix:

Biden: “Long Way” to Recovery

Bernanke: About 25 Financial Firms are Systemically Vital

Lender Failures Reach 64, Most Since 1992

British Economy Crashing at Record Pace

Italian Economy to Shrink 5.2% in 2009

46% More Likely to Buy a Ford Because it Didn’t Get a Bailout

Dealers Aim to Clear Lots with Cash for Clunkers Program

Baby Boomers Curb Free-Spending Habits. New focus on frugality has many companies scrambling

Bernanke: This May Be Worse than Great Depression

British Economic Collapse Rivals Great Depression

More than 1,000 Banks May Fail in Coming Years

$20 Per Gallon

Lost Value of Equities in US and State Government Pensions

When Debtors Decide to Default

Odds ‘n Sods:

Luis S. mentioned a great site with web feeds of police and fire department frequencies from all over the US. This is a useful adjunct to having a scanner, especially when choosing GOOD routes that are outside your scanner’s range. It might also be useful as a tool for evaluating retreat locales before you move.

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Can you spell: “Agent Provocateur”? (No, not the lingerie company.)

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Reader DD sent this sign of the times: Los Angeles Airport parking lot is home away from home for airline workers

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Do any SurvivalBlog readers know of a source for small diameter (unleaded fuel) spouts that will fit Scepter Military Fuel Cans (MFCs)? (All that I’ve seen advertised are large-diameter spouts, for diesel or the old style for leaded gas filler necks.) Thanks!

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New Texas Law: Police can use force to compel hurricane evacuation. (Thanks to Greg C. for the link.)

Gear Up — Appropriate and Redundant Technologies for Prepared Families

I frequently stress the importance of well-balanced preparedness in my writings. All too often, I’ve seen people that go to extremes, to the point that these extremes actually detract from the ability to survive a disaster situation. These range from the “all the gear that I’ll need to survive is in my backpack” mentality to the “a truckload of this or that” fixation. But genuine preparedness lies in comprehensive planning, strict budgeting, and moderation. Blowing your entire preparedness budget on just one category of gear is detrimental to your overall preparedness.

Another common mistake that I see among my consulting clients is an over-emphasis on either very old technologies or on the “latest and greatest” technologies. In the real world, preparedness necessitates having a bit of both. At the Rawles Ranch we have both 19th century technology (like hand-powered tools) and a few of the latest technologies like passive IR intrusion detection (Dakota Alerts), photovoltaics, and electronic night vision. My approach is to pick and choose the most appropriate technologies that I can maintain by myself, but to always have backups in the form of less exotic or earlier, albeit less-efficient technologies. For example, my main shortwave receiver is a Sony ICF-SW7600GR. But in the event of EMP, I also a have a pair of very inexpensive Kaito shortwaves and a trusty old Zenith Trans-Oceanic radio that uses vacuum tubes. Like my other spare electronics, these are all stored in a grounded galvanized steel can when not in use.

Here is my approach to preparedness gear, in a nutshell

  • Redundancy, squared. I jokingly call my basement Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR)
  • Buy durable gear. Think of it as investing for your children and grandchildren. And keep in mind that there’ll be no more “quick trips to the hardware store” after TSHTF.
  • Vigilantly watch Craigslist, Freecycle, classified ads, and eBay for gear at bargain prices.
  • Strive for balanced preparedness that “covers all bases”–all scenarios.
  • Flexibility and Adaptability (Examples: shop to match a 12 VDC standard for most small electronics, truly multi-purpose equipment, multi-ball hitches, NATO slave cable connectors for 24 VDC vehicles, Anderson Power Pole connectors for small electronics–again, 12 VDC)
  • Retain the ability to revert to older, more labor-intensive technology.
  • Fuel flexibility (For example: Flex fuel vehicles (FFVs), Tri-fuel generators, and biodiesel compatible vehicles)
  • Purchase high-quality used (but not abused) gear, preferably when bargains can be found
  • If in doubt, then buy mil-spec.
  • If in doubt, then buy the larger size and the heavier thickness.
  • If in doubt, then buy two. (Our motto: “Two is one and one is none.”)
  • Buy systematically, and only as your budget allows. (Avoid debt!)
  • Invest your sweat equity. Not only will you save money, but you also will learn more valuable skills.
  • Train with what you have, and learn from the experts. Tools without training are almost useless.
  • Learn to maintain and repair your gear. (Always buy spare parts and full service manuals!)
  • Buy guns in common calibers
  • Buy with long service life in mind (such as low self-discharge NiMH rechargeable batteries.)
  • Store extra for charity and barter
  • Grow your own and buy the tooling to make your own–don’t just store things.
  • Rust is the enemy, and lubrication and spot painting are your allies.
  • Avoid being an “early adopter” of new technology–or you’ll pay more and get lower reliability.
  • Select all of your gear with your local climate conditions in mind.
  • Recognize that there are no “style” points in survival. Don’t worry about appearances–concentrate on practicality and durability.
  • As my old friend “Doug Carlton” is fond of saying: “Just cut to size, file to fit,, and paint to match.”
  • Don’t skimp on tools. Buy quality tools (such as Snap-on and Craftsman brands), but buy them used, to save money.
  • Skills beat gadgets and practicality beats style.
  • Use group standardization for weapons and electronics. Strive for commonality of magazines, accessories and spare parts
  • Gear up to raise livestock. It is an investment that breeds.
  • Build your fences bull strong and sheep tight.
  • Tools without the appropriate safety gear (like safety goggles, helmets, and chainsaw chaps) are just accidents waiting for a place to happen.
  • Whenever you have the option, buy things in flat, earth tone colors
  • Plan ahead for things breaking or wearing out.
  • Always have a Plan B and a Plan C

If you are serious about preparedness, then I recommend that you take a similar approach.

Letter Re: Shoot or Don’t Shoot–Moral Implications of the Split-Second Decision to Take a Life

James,
I’ve gotta chime in here. Jeff R.’s submission is great but I think he overlooked one very important point. He said:

“If you are involved in a shooting and it appears there may be an official inquiry, forget flashy, emotional phrases that uninformed people throw around, such as “shoot-to-kill,” “shoot-to-wound,” or “shoot-to” anything. Facts, not flash, will win the day. You didn’t shoot to do anything other than to stop the action and end the danger to yourself and your family. The old shoot-to-kill question is a trap that has been used on police officers in court; “if you shot to kill, why could you not shoot-to-wound?” Anybody familiar with defense shooting knows that close quarters shootings involve little more than shoving the gun at the target and firing. Likewise, nobody involved in a shooting has the luxury of time to ponder nonsense questions like the above.”

I would submit that not only should you “forget flashy, emotional phrases” – you should say nothing.. Anything other than “Officer, my life was in jeopardy, I would like to speak to an attorney now.” is a perilous mistake. Even if you are totally justified, completely innocent of wrongdoing., say nothing. Not even innocent-seeming justifications or alibis. Nothing. “I would like to speak to an attorney now”. Anything else and you are in serious peril.

I am not an attorney. Here you can see a law professor explain why.

As a side note: There is a video commonly shown to police academy students that depicts a real situation where a man armed with a knife attacked an armed police officer from across a room (10-to-15 feet). I have heard that merely viewing that video (and communicating the fact of said viewing) to a prosecutor can result in the dismissal of charges related to shooting a person who is threatening you with a knife. (While you’re armed with a gun). YMMV. Research carefully. – Matt R.

Economics and Investing:

Eric S. spotted this: Five Firms Hold 80% of Derivatives Risk, Fitch Report Finds

A reader from South Carolina sent this: The weak dollar and the economy

Items from The Economatrix:

Michael Panzner: Wall Street’s Gains Equal Main Street’s Losses? “In sum, while a growing number of investors seem to believe that Main Street is on the mend, many of corporate America’s senior executives — who are normally not prone towards pessimistic outlooks — are maintaining that they see no real evidence of a revival where it counts — on the ground. In fact, amid an almost single-minded focus on reported earnings results, many of which only appear favorable in comparison to the low-ball, company managed estimates that clueless analysts have come up with, Wall Street hasn’t been paying much attention to just how dicey things look at the top of the income statement.”

Dollar Dying, Gold Gleaming

UK Oil Giants’ Profits Plunge $10 Billion

Facing Retirement: 70 is the new 65

Guaranty Bank Warns it’s on Verge of Failure

Lawmakers: California Budget Crisis Resolved, For Now

Small Business Loan Defaults Expected to Rise

School Budgets Dip, Class Sizes Grow

Weiss: The Great Global Gap

Atlas Vacant – The Commercial Real Estate Bust: Gearing up for a $3 Trillion Headache. Increase in Vacancy Rates and Higher Defaults

Negative Folly (The Mogambo Guru)

Treasuries Fall as US Begins Auction, New Home Sales Rise

Call for Rapid Recovery is Bubble All its Own

Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader “Korea” mentioned this company in Oklahoma as a source for military surplus ammo cans and landing mat sections: Calumet Industries. I’ve heard from several readers that they’ve been having trouble finding ammo cans at reasonable prices. Simple logic dictates that the millions of Americans presently buying ammunition in large quantity will need a place to store it, and hence the ammo can shortage. If you know of other ammo can suppliers with reasonable prices, please send me their URLs, and I’ll post them. Thanks!

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Libertarians seek a place in the New Hampshire sun. Oh, and speaking of liberty, HPD sent a link to an article posted over at the JPFO site by Timothy Baldwin: The American Revolution Revisited.

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Steve G. saw a Slashdot piece about EMP linked at Instapundit: Electronic Armageddon?

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DD sent us this item: Drought turning Texas as dry as toast. But elsewhere: 3,000 Low Temp Records Set This July!

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Tamara had a link to a video clip at The Breda Fallacy of an air head addressing the Santa Cruz City Council. Wow! What stunning logic. She might a have a future as a career politician in Sacramento, or even Washington, D.C. Tamara’s comment: “Visualize her in a voting booth. (Cry a little.)”