There is "suspicion of wolves' involvement in Ms. Berner's death." (Suspicion? I guess those enormous red paw prints the snow might have been a clue.)

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Man Spends Four Days Stuck in Car in Snowbank. (A Cadillac would not be my first choice for an off-pavement vehicle.)

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Thanks to Kevin S. for sending this link: Psychopaths' Brains Wired to Seek Rewards, No Matter the Consequences. (Thankfully, they are only 1% of the population is psychopathic, and perhaps 4% is sociopathic. (But taken together, that is around 15 million people in the United States. Got ammo?)

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Check out the free information available through The American Prepper's Network and Pioneer Living.

S.C.W. sent a link to an update on the Ugandan Wheat Rust: Red Menace: Stop the Ug99 Fungus Before Its Spores Bring Starvation. [JWR Adds: Given the fact that the same ship cargo holds are use to transport used for seed as well as wheat used for food, it is nigh-on impossible to stop the spread of Ug-99.]

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Quoting the MI5 maxim, Britain is ‘four meals away from anarchy’

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Brian B. suggested this troubling article: Pre-Crime Policing. If buying a number of guns or a large quantity of ammo in a short period of time is now a red flag, then I'd better stop going to gun shows. ;-)

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Regular content contributor Chad S. mentioned some more ludicrous news from the U.K. Nanny State: £1,000 fine for using wrong bin: Families face new crackdown over household waste

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B. sent us this: A million library books to be sent down the mines

Reader Mark P. sent this: Busy bees, but hives are besieged, diseased; Scientists struggle to find cause — and fix — for colony collapse disorder. One particularly troubling quote: "We are close to the margin" of a viable ratio of pollinators to crops, he said. "It's amazing to me how close we are to that line." 1/3 of US crops are increasingly at risk from this problem as they depend on honeybees for pollination.

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J.D. in Virginia found this item: Backyard Bunnies Are the New Urban Chickens

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Jason M. sent us a link to a video of a genuine character somewhere in the Deep South that demonstrates how to catch snapping turtles, by hand.

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Software Turns Your Cell Phone Against You. As previously mentioned, the only way to be absolutely sure that your cell phone can't be used for tracking or eavesdropping is to remove the battery. (A hat tip to Brian B for the link. )

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SurvivalBlog's Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us a link to this article: Army drops bayonets, busts abs in training revamp. Mike's comment: "They are stupidly dropping bayonet drills, which promote aggressiveness and are a useful combat skill. While one need not spend boatloads of time on it. Boxing is another thing they should use to promote aggressiveness."

I have long been an advocate of folding bicycles as a Get Out of Dodge Option, especially for folks that regularly commute into an urban area. The Montague and SwissBike folding bicycles sold sold by SafeCastle are probably the best bet in the U.S. and Canada. But in the UK, the more expensive--and even more compact--Brompton brand might be a viable alternative.

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Larry M. suggested this essay by a commentator who has "connected the dots" regarding multi-generational TEOTWAWKI: How Many Shoes? by Tom Baugh. It will take traditional self-reliant skills, not just a pile of stuff to pull through a lengthy societal collapse.

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Reader P.E.D. liked USA Today's recent piece on modern-day ghost towns.

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James K. suggested the recent Instructables piece on hand-spinning wool. (As previously mentioned in the blog, we recommend that you join a local Fiber Guild to get hands-on instruction.)

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Chad S. sent this: Indiana government positions surpass factory jobs. Chad's tongue-in-cheek comment: "I'm starting to think I should get a government job so I can have job security. At least the money will never run out, right?"

Lawlessness after quake in Chile fishing village. The article begins: "Rene Orellana sleeps with a shotgun in his hands. 'I have to,' he says, motioning towards a shattered window frame covered with a tarpaulin." (Thanks to Alex S. for the link.) We also read: Chile May Face More Blackouts After 80% Lose Power
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Some excellent "old knowledge" links to references like Late 19th Century/Early 20th Century formularies were recently posted over at the LATOC Forums. I recommend archiving some of these on CD-ROMs. (Thanks to Bob G. for sending the tip!)

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M24 Sniper Rifle Fixes in the Works.

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Several folks wrote to ask me for more information about the The Carrington Event of 1859, that I mentioned in my recent radio interview with George Noory on Coast-to-Coast AM. Here is a good summary: The Great Storm: Solar Tempest of 1859 Revealed.

Richard S. liked this article on aquaculture: Dan Barber: How I fell in love with a fish.

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My brother Bruce (the well-known Sacred Geometry author) sent me a link to a YouTube video that has absolutely nothing to do with preparedness, but that is a lot of fun: The Ultimate Rube Goldberg Contraption. (Don't forget that despite my rural locale, I'm still one of those semi-geeky Makezine guys that likes watching those Eepy Bird Experiments.)

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U.S. reverses stance on treaty to regulate arms trade. (Watch out folks: Hillary is at the helm on this one!)

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Ian (from Nanny State Britannia) set a link to a BBC piece about the Open Carry movement in the United States: Armed and ready to shop. The dozens of anti-gun comments that were posted following the article are indicative that the UK is a lost cause. Take the Gap!

John at SurvivalistBooks.com sent us a link to an interesting article on American preppers, from a French newspaper: If the sh** hits the fan, they are ready for it.

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Chuck sent me this: Hard Times Turn Coupon Clipping Into the Newest Extreme Sport

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Tomorrow is the last day in the Ready Made Resources 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are now offering free shipping on mixed case lots, as long as you order in increments of full cases! Get your order in by midnight, eastern time on the 15th!

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Troy V. wrote to mention a radio interview with Gerald Celente, wherein he recounts his experiences in Chile during the recent earthquake. Apparently, he and a friend set a new world speed record for running down hotel stairwells.

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Several readers sent the link to this piece by Michelle Malkin: Obama’s war on fishing?

Paul D. recommended this article from The Guardian: How food and water are driving a 21st-century African land grab.

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From E.M.B.: Energizer Battery Charger Comes with a Software Backdoor. Yikes!

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There are now just three days left in the Ready Made Resources 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are offering free shipping on even mixed case lots. These foods are delicious, compact, and have a 30 year shelf life. Order soon!

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Cheryl sent this news: Wyoming Governor Signs Sovereignty Resolution. This comes on the heels of several recent legislative victories for the Firearms Freedom Act movement, which also has the 10th Amendment at its heart.

Marjory of BackyardFoodProduction.com is co-hosting a "Sustainable Living Meetup" in southeastern Idaho on Thursday March 18th. This is a chance for preppers to to meet, network, and share resources. (If you attend any event of this nature, of course all the usual OPSEC provisos apply. For example, I wouldn't recommend mentioning your surname to strangers.) The meeting will be held at the Aurasoma Conference Center in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, starting at 6:30 pm. Marjory says: "Bring a potluck item that you have grown, or just like to eat." For further details, contact Marjory through her web site.

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Jerry Ahern is the former president of Detonics USA and author of the well-known 29-volume paperback novel series "The Survivalist", that was published back in the 1980s. He's just announced that his new non-fiction book "Survive!: The Disaster, Crisis and Emergency Handbook" will be released in April. Amazon.com is already taking pre-orders. I suspect that his new book will probably best enjoyed by someone wearing Ray-Bans and carrying both a Sting 1A custom fighting knife and a pair of Detonics pistols nestled in a well-worn Alessi shoulder rig. Whilst reading, you should occasionally flick a Zippo lighter with your free hand... ;-)

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I was doing some web wandering yesterday, and stumbled into Subterranea Britannica. Fascinating! (BTW, my only underground experiences in the UK were riding the London Underground subway, and touring a slate mine in Wales, with the late Memsahib.)

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Reader G.L.S. sent this: Moringa Oleifera Tree Provides Low-Cost Water Purification for Developing World.

Mark P. spotted this: For Pennies, a Disposable Toilet That Could Help Grow Crops.

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There are now just a few days left in the Ready Made Resources 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are offering free shipping on full case lots. These foods are delicious, compact, and have a 30 year shelf life. Order soon!

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Two news items about Nanny State Britannia: Countryside ban for children because mums cannot read maps and hate mud, and Britain May Force Owners to Microchip Dogs to Curb 'Weapon' Pets. (A hat tip to Chad S. for the links.)

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The folks at CampingSurvival have announced the third of five big product giveaways. This one is a drawing for a free Cold Steel Kitchen Classics Knife Set.

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Florida Guy mentioned: Amazon pulls the plug on online business affiliates in Colorado

Jorge sent us this: Detroit City land turned into farmland.
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Flavio sent this linkio from a television news show in May, 2008: Farmer Saves $70 a Day by Trading Tractor for Mule Power

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SurvivalBlog's Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us a link to a great resource of small-scale aquaponics: Faith and Sustainable Technologies (F.A.S.T.).

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More videotaped fun at the range with Mongo and Jeff: Thermal imager views of machineguns and tracers.

Reader Rod B. wrote to mention that Popular Science magazine has greatly expanded their free archives to include the entire 137 year collection!

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Just in case there's wholesale panic on the scale depicted in the movie Miracle Mile, reader H.N. in San Diego suggested researching maps of your city's storm drain system. For example, he mentioned that he found this map of San Diego's storm drain system, with just a quick web search. (Of course all the usual safety provisos apply.)

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Tamara over at the View From the Porch blog mentioned that SurvivalBlog readers, on average, are twice as likely to use Microsoft Explorer than her visitors that arrive from other sites. For those that have an interest, here are the most recent browser statistics on the web browsers that are used by SurvivalBlog readers:

Internet Explorer (4,352,882 visits) 60.5 %
Firefox (1,917,463 visits) 26.6 %
Safari (649,604 visits) 9 %

In my opinion, such heavy reliance on the Bill Gates Brain Trust is pretty pitiful. Haven't you read the warnings about using Microsoft's browser? Please, please please switch to Firefox or Safari, folks. Both of those browsers are available free, and you can easily migrate your existing bookmarks (also called "favorites") to a new browser. You won't lose a thing except some susceptibility.

Ready Made Resources is running a semi-annual 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are now offering free shipping on mixed case lots, as long as you order in increments of full cases! These foods are delicious, compact, and have a 30 year shelf life. There is now just 7 days left for the sale, so order soon!

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Attention Coast to Coast AM radio fans: I will be interviewed by George Noory on Thursday night (March 11th) at 10 p.m., Pacific Time. This interview will be about my book "How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It: Tactics, Techniques, and Technologies for Uncertain Times". The conversation is scheduled to be two hours long, so we'll be able to go into considerable detail.

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My brother sent me a link to a video about a new compact folding electric bicycle that's been invented in New Zealand: The Yike Bike.

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I recently had a conversation with a producer of the ABC television program 20/20. He sounded sincere and fairly sympathetic to the preparedness movement. He asked me to post this note for him: "I am interested in interviewing one or two SurvivalBlog readers, and videotaping their family and group preparations. Our story will focus on how this movement has become more mainstream. I am hoping to find typical families who have had to wrestle with all the planning and details involved in getting ready for TEOTWAWKI. In addition, if they belong to a larger group of preppers who train together in the backwoods and teach each other various skills, I would like to document some of that on camera as well. It would not be a problem for us to obscure specific locations, since I know that is a sensitive issue." Contact: Glenn Ruppel. E-mail: ruppelg@abc.com

Art suggested this piece by an economist: Stocking up on meds and ammo, NOW!

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Norman in England mentioned that he had found 680 tree fact sheets available from University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Department.

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Ready Made Resources has expanded their 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are now offering free shipping on mixed case lots, as long as you order increments of full cases! There's just one week left for the sale, so order soon!

James K. sent a link to a humorous little video clip: Prepared Police Fail.

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In my recent mention of the recently-passed Wyoming Firearms Freedom Bill, I neglected to mention that the South Dakota legislature has passed similar legislation, and that another 10 Amendment amplifying bill has already been signed into law, in Utah.

Mike T. sent this: Drug gangs taking over US public lands

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Wyoming House Passes Firearms Freedom Act. (Thanks to George S. for the link.) I suspect that this will be signed into law, following suit with Montana and Tennessee.

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I found an interesting article linked at The Drudge Report by South Carolina Republican Senator Jim DeMint: White House land grab

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Zac in Kentucky mentioned a congressional candidate from Missouri that is seeking donations of $5.56 apiece.

"Luddite Jean" thought that a nuclear bunker listed on eBay.uk might be of interest to British readers of SurvivalBlog. Jean's comments: "It's a bit small, but in the UK, there is no restriction or planning permission needed for underground buildings."

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Louisiana police envision TEOTWAWKI in their cities: Bossier sheriff launches 'Operation Exodus'. Thanks to "B9" for the link.

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From Cheryl: US Gun Owners Buy 14+ Million Guns in 2009--More than 21 of the World's Standing Armies

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Marko marked this one for us: Quake mission casts the [Chilean] army as good guys at last

I was doing some research on behalf of reader Dan K. about temperature stability for medications that are buried in waterproof containers, and I came across this useful map, which is probably already familiar to many gardeners.

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Ready Made Resources is running a semi-annual 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are offering free shipping on full case lots. These foods are delicious, compact, and have a 30 year shelf life. There is now just 10 days left for the sale, so order soon!

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Courtesy of reader Jim B.: Cellphones Become Our Comfort Objects During Disaster

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Sleepless in Seattle, but Clueless in Tacoma: ATF seizes 30 toy guns, infuriating local business owner. JWR Adds: I'd love to meet the expert that could "readily convert" those to shoot live ammo. Perhaps the same wizard could transmute some lead into gold for me, while he's at it! (A tip of the hat to Chad S., for the link.)

Reader "Straycat" says: Don't count on 911, and don't be one of the Sheeple: Man Dies During Storm When 911 Calls Go Unheeded

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Devon yachtsman jailed for 'piracy protection' shotgun. (Thanks to Dane S. for the link.)

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Reader Steve K. found this: Backpack Hydroelectric Plant Gives You 500 Watts on the Move

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Bob G. sent this humorous short video clip of BHO addressing a US Navy audience. (BTW, more often that not, Navy "Corpsmen" end up with a surviving patient, rather than a corpse. So they get my heartfelt praise!)

Garnet sent this one: Gun fans cheer Starbucks' policy

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In case you missed it in the theater, the DVD of Roland Emmerich's 2012 mega-disaster movie is scheduled to be released today.

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Ready Made Resources has launched a semi-annual 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are offering free shipping on full case lots. These foods are delicious, compact, and have a 30 year shelf life. There is now less than two weeks left for the sale, so order soon!

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Teresa F. sent us this: Utah Legislature: Rainwater could be legally yours

NPR reports: Solar Storms Could Be Earth's Next Katrina. (Kudos for R.T.K. for sending the link.)

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The folks at Medical Corps are holding another one of their excellent three-day Combat/Field Medicine School courses, April 30th through May 2nd. The class will be held near Caldwell, Ohio at the Ohio State University Extension building. Contact: Chuck Fenwick at 740-783-8009 for details.

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Former New Orleans Detective Pleads Guilty in Katrina Shooting Cover-up. That investigation is just scratching the surface. I'm not sure if all of the bodies that were buried after Hurricane Katrina were checked for bullet holes or blunt trauma. There might have been quite a few "shoot shovel, and shut up" incidents.

Matt B. notes that the residents of Hawaii (reacting to the recent tsunami warning, following the Chilean earthquakes) seem to have ignored the Boy Scout's Motto.....it just goes to show how out of the blue emergent circumstances can catch all of us who ignore preparations unaware. Imagine your family at home and you 'waiting in line at the super market' because you were not prepped for the most likely event to disrupt civility. Reader M.M. echoed Matt's sentiment: "Even if this is a big nothing for the state of Hawaii, it should be a wake up call to everyone. Get yourself and your family prepared. Better years too early than a second too late!"

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Some bad judicial news: Canada - No Constitutional Right to own or use firearms. (Ontario, Canada's Court of Appeals decision announced Thursday, on the Bruce Monatque firearms case. See numbered paragraphs [20] and [21] , in particular. ) You can always vote with your feet.

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The latest from Nanny State Britannia: Woman who found coin worth £2,000 in garden becomes first to be prosecuted for not reporting treasure. Not only is the treasure reporting act a bad law, but it is also is an ex post facto law. (She found the coin 14 years ago. The law was enacted in 1996.) A tip of the hat to Chad S. for the link. (I could mention voting with your feet, but that would sound repetitious.)

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A reader spotted this job listing on Craigslist: Wilderness Field Instructor (Saint George Utah.) That would be great job for a SurvivalBlogger. And Zion National Monument would be practically in your back yard.

Mike C. liked an article comparing ammunition with other barter items. The authors list and rankings are interesting.

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I noticed that there are some great links to information on gun caching and long term storage, over at MouseGuns.com.

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I've been pleased to see that GunPal--the pro-gun alternative to the PayPal online payment service, is expanding rapidly. You can now buy thousands of items with the GunBroker.com auction service, where payments are accepted via GunPal. As background, I must mention that for nearly a decade, PayPal (owned by eBay, and both headquartered in California) has gradually turned the screws on anyone making transactions related to firearms or ammunition. It is clear that PayPal and eBay are trying to apply California-style Political Correctness on the entire nation. They have suspended accounts of thousands of gun owners, often tying up their money for months in the process. They have destroyed the livelihoods of countless "mom and pop" gun-related businesses. I recommend that you both avoid eBay as much as possible, and get a GunPal account, since it just takes a few minutes to set one up. Their payment fees are lower than PayPal's, too! Several months ago, I added GunPal as one of the payment options for Ten Cent Challenge voluntary SurvivalBlog subscriptions. I was glad to provide folks with a way to avoid PayPal!

Steve W. wrote to mention that he'd found an interesting resource web site with links to appropriate technologies of all sorts: Practical Action.

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Courtesy of Kevin S.: Where have all the MANPADS gone? And here is a related article: Anti-Missile Jammers on Commercial Jets

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A trend to watch? Spokane Tax Assessor Wants Low Altitude High Resolution Photos of Private Property. A hat tip to Chad S. for the link.

GG sent this: The Boogeyman Bomb; How afraid should we be of electromagnetic pulse weapons?

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Israelis Building a NBC-Proof Hospital. (Thanks to P.S. for the link.)

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SurvivalBound has just launched a new spin-of web site: SurvivalClassifieds.com. I'm hopeful that it will flourish. Please check it out, and take advantage of their free classified ads.

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Here they go again, this time in Illinois, with another proposed "assault weapons" ban law. I recommend that any Illinois residents contact their assemblymen, to let them know your position on this legislation. (Thanks to Brett, for the news tip.) Oh, and for the record: Marko had it it right, when he wrote: "Assault is a behavior, not a device."

Several readers mentioned this Wired article: Extreme Test: Going Ballistic on Bulletproof Vests

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Our Editor-at-Large Mike Williamson sent this: Nature's power plants; On the hunt for renewable energy, scientists revisit Mother Nature's original power source: Photosynthesis and plants

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Here in the U.S., a new Federal law that allows carrying guns in National Parks went into effect on Monday. This will be a relief to our readers that live in bear country. (Up until Monday, all that could be used to stop a bear attack inside a National Park were shouts of "Bad bear, go home!" and pepper spray.)

F.R. sent this news item: Shipwrecked students feared remote death at sea. F.R.'s comment: It pays to be lucky, but being prepared is better.

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A reminder that the folks at Medical Corps are holding another one of their excellent three-day Combat/Field Medicine School courses, April 30th through May 2nd. The class will be held near Caldwell, Ohio at the Ohio State University Extension building. Contact: Chuck Fenwick at 740-783-8009 for details.

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I noticed that some of the gardeners over at the LATOC Forums have organized: The Great LATOC Seed Swap of 2010. For anyone that saves heirloom seeds, this sounds like a great way to accumulated some new heirloom varieties.

Loren sent this: Is This the Safest House in the World? [JWR's Comment: No, it isn't! To start with, its in Los Angeles... Talk about an OPSEC nightmare!]

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EliteT sent us a link to an interesting New York Times piece about a home aquaponics experimenter. (Be sure to click on the link to the YouTube video But don't get too excited.. Just think how many PV panels it would take to run those pumps, 24/7. Traditional pond aquaponics are more suitable for preppers. )

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Thanks to RVL for this article link: What are the Longest Lasting Batteries?

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Joe Ordinary Voortrekker sent a link to a site with a great way to teach people how radio waves propagate.

The latest recommendation on heart attack CPR: 100 press-per-minute continuous chest compressions.

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I heard from my editor at Penguin that they are going back to press in March for another 10,000 copies of my recent nonfiction book "How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It: Tactics, Techniques, and Technologies for Uncertain Times", which will bring the total in print to just over 70,000 copies. Thanks for helping to spread the word, folks!

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"Cowboy" sent us this from The Los Angeles Times: 'Survivors' on BBC America--The British are so civilized at world's end. The tongue-in-cheek review begins with these priceless words: "Even if you watch "Survivors," a post-apocalyptic drama premiering on BBC America, with the sound off, you would know it was British for one reason: No guns. A plague quickly wipes out 90% of the world's population leaving a few scattered survivors, and no one has the sense to bear arms. Except one clearly crazy man who shows up in Episode 2 to terrorize the "good guys" with a lone rifle [JWR Adds: Actually, it was double-barrel shotgun] not once, not twice, but three times and still no shots are fired. I realize the British gun laws are stricter than ours, but still -- these people did build an empire once upon a time, and they didn't do it with pluck and goodwill."

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There is a great post on fire starting gear posted over at Leon Pantenburg's new blog. His blog emphasizes outdoors survival topics. It is well-worth bookmarking!

Reader Rick V. recommended a piece by Nadia Arumugam in Slate magazine: Expiration dates mean very little.

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The Marines are Looking for a Few Good Rounds: Corps to use more lethal ammo in Afghanistan

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Travis H. sent us this link: Smuggled guns used in cartel hits. What the liberally-biased CNN journalists don't mention is that the vast majority of guns used by the drug cartels are either stolen from the Mexican Army, or smuggled in from Mexico's southern neighbors. Their U.S.-sourced guns are the small minority of what they have, and many of those are stolen--not purchased from storefronts or at gun shows!

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The folks at Sunflower Ammo are offering a special for SurvivalBlog readers: The first 20 readers to purchase a AA flashlight will receive a free 4 pack
of Rayovac AA 4.0 NiMH 2300mAh Batteries--these are the "Hybrid Rechargeable Low Self Discharge Ready to Us" variety. The batteries are a $14.99 value. Readers just have to write "SurvivalBlog" in the Special Instruction box when checking out.

Yishai alerted us to this clever set of plastic kitchen products: Jar Tops: Universal Lids for Mason Some Jars.

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J.B. mentioned this: Finns propose ban on handguns after shootings. Who do they think that are they kidding? In a nation with 5.4 million people and an estimated 4 million privately-owned guns, I suspect that the only one of the panel's recommendations that will actually get implemented will be raising the age threshold for owning handguns.

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Reader R.S.R. wrote to mention that Wal-Mart stores are presently offering a "killer deal" on Coleman dual fuel stoves. They are sale priced at $29.99. This is the same stove that Amazon.com sells for $68.99.

The Medical Corps private training organization is holding another one of their excellent three-day Combat/Field Medicine School courses, April 30th through May 2nd. The class will be held near Caldwell, Ohio at the Ohio State University Extension building. Contact: Chuck Fenwick at (740) 783-8009 for details.

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The good folks that organize the EMPACT America conferences are currently lobbying Congress for funding to re-fit some US military bases as EMP-proof "bastions" as centers for rebuilding societal infrastructure, following either an EMP attack or a Carrington-scale Solar Flare event. If the BHO Administration wants to spend money to stimulate the economy, then this seems a much better use of taxpayer dollars than paying for the salaries of hundreds of thousands of ACORN employees to shuffle papers..

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Garnet sent us this: Florida family gives up on small-town North Dakota

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Craig K. suggested a web site with a lot of useful preparedness and military skills reference links: Drum-Runners.com.

Could this start a trend? Bill seeks to outlaw lengthy overnights at Minnesota rest areas. (Thanks to Chad S. for the link.)

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My book "How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It: Tactics, Techniques, and Technologies for Uncertain Times" is featured in the March-April 2010 Books in Brief section of The Futurist magazine, under the headline: Alarmingly Practical Advice For Doomsday. You can look for it on pages 60 and 61 of the March-April issue.

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Reader G.S. in the State of Jefferson spotted this interesting thread, over at the Life After The Oil Crash (LATOC) forums: MZBs: Are you prepared?

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Judge: Seattle gun carry ban declared illegal. (Thanks to Steve S. for the link.)

Merry mentioned an interesting video on self defense techniques when riding a horse. JWR Adds: BTW, I can personally attest that it takes quite a while to gradually get a horse accustomed to the sound of gunfire (starting with just the sight and smell of guns, then the sound of .22 Shorts, ...), but it is time well spent! The training results (as shown in the various CMSA videos) can be impressive.

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Desert T. pointed us to an article that ran in The Wall Street Journal: A Growing Obsession: Rare Seeds. (When The Wall Street Journal starts to report about heirloom seeds, then it is time to batten down the hatches!)

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Americans Most Satisfied in Cold Northern States, Least Satisfied in Nevada. JWR's Observation: As someone that has lived in Nevada, I can attest that a large portion of the population there was born in other states--mostly California. Could it be that these folks were dissatisfied where they were living, and moved to Nevada because it was "someplace different"? Methinks that they brought their dissatisfaction with them. (A hat tip to Richard S. for the link.)

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Reader Brian F. sent this: String of Snow Days Deprives Many Students of Food. Brian's comment: "It's a shame how many 'sheeple' in the large cities have so little food on hand that they can't even feed their children if there's no school that day."

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Another GPS-dependent flat lander with no common sense nearly gets himself killed with a "shortcut": Snow traps Indiana driver for days in Rio Grande National Forest.

"River Chief" was the first of several readers to send us the link to this article in The Guardian: Americans stock up to be ready for end of the world

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Sale ends tomorrow! JRH Enterprises is running a sale on new Third Generation AN/PVS-14 night vision weapons sight/monoculars--now with a five year warranty--for $2,995. I bought one of these from JRH last summer, and I love it. I have it mounted on a "flat top" AR, just behind an Aimpoint Comp 3 electronic red dot scope (with a 2 MOA adjustable brightness dot). With a flip of the throw-lever on the GG&G mount (sold separately) the PVS-14 detaches. This allows me to use it as a hand-held monocular, and makes the rifle available for daytime shooting. What a great combination! Orders yours, before close of business on Tuesday, February 16th. Quantities are limited.

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Tamara's commentary on the recent hoopla in Massachusetts over some guy's gun collection: If the pants fit, wet them. Why did the police display a bunch of legal guns and ammunition. So far as I can tell, their only legitimate beefs were some tear gas grenades, and the gent doing some plinking in his attic. They seemed to go into apoplexy at the sight of 17 full ammo cans. Shoot, I've bought that much ammo at just one gun show. Based on the number of guns he had, I'd rate him as positively light on ammo!

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Reader JDD suggested a very informative FBI report in scanned PDF format titled "Violent Encounters: A Study of Felonious Assaults on Our Nation’s Law Enforcement Officers".

Bobbi sent us this sobering news: Haiti, One Month Later

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C.N. sent us an interesting article on bear preparedness.

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Several readers mentioned this troubling article, written by Declan McCullagh: Feds push for tracking cell phones

H.D. in Alaska recommended a piece by Mona Charen in National Review Online: "Frontier Suburbanite".

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Scientists Invent Rice That Doesn't Need Cooking. (Thanks to Joe P. for the link.)

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JRH Enterprises is running a President's Day sale on new Third Generation AN/PVS-14 night vision weapons sight/monoculars--now with a five year warranty--for $2,995. I bought one of these from JRH last summer, and I love it. I have it mounted on a "flat top" AR, just behind an Aimpoint Comp 3 electronic red dot scope (with a 2 MOA dot). With a flip of the throw-lever on the GG&G mount (sold separately) the PVS-14 detaches. This allows me to use it as a hand-held monocular, and makes the rifle available for daytime shooting. What a great combination! Orders yours, ASAP. Quantities are limited, and the sale ends sale ends on Tuesday!

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Tamara over at the View From the Porch blog posted a link to this blog piece: Beretta Revolver Shotgun – Taiwan Edition. It just goes to show, that if there's a will--and a milling machine- there's a way...

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Global Warming update: University of Oklahoma Student Collecting Pictures of [Simultaneous] Snow in All 50 States

Karen H. forwarded this news item: High sugar prices will soon hit bakeries. Here at SurvivalBlog, we warned you about this as far back as May of 2009. Stock up. (But preferably with more healthy natural sweeteners like honey and stevia.)

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Bruce T. spotted this in Popular Science magazine: New Armored Wall System Assembles Like Legos, Could Replace Sandbags in Afghanistan. Somehow, I doubt that these Big Boy Legos will ever see much use outside of "Green Zone" roadblock set-ups. Let's face it: Empty sandbags are cheap, and they fit in a backpack. It is safe to predict that sandbags will still be used for a few more centuries. They'll just start making them from Kevlar, or goat milk spider silk, or somesuch.

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The BBC report: GPS to suffer from awakening sun; As the Sun exits its period of solar activity and the numbers of flares increase, users of sat-nav technology will face errors and outages. (A hat tip to Mac The Gadget Guy, for the link.)

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Don W. sent us an article to file under: Big City OPSEC: Police: Man with weapons cache was preparing for 'Armageddon'. (This comes from Massachusetts, the birthplace of the American Revolution. My, how times change, and how attitudes differ, regionally. Here in the Unnamed Western State, the sheriff's deputies would just say : "Nice gun collection", and "Gee, what a great place to do some pistol practice, when its snowing." (Or, if inside city limits, they'd probably just issue a stern warning.) Here is William Norman Grigg's insightful take on this, posted over at the Lew Rockwell blog: Paramilitary Thugs Steal Private Arms Collection.

There are just two days left in the 25% off sale at SafeCastle on all Mountain House foods in #10 cans is in progress. They are offering free shipping to the 48 continental states! The sale ends on February 13th, so order soon!

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"Hokie" sent us this: High demand for road salt prompts rationing in Maryland and Virginia

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Just one week remains in Directive 21's sale on the Royal Berkey water filters. Presently just $262.50, the price will revert to $275, on the 18th of February.

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More about the USDA's plans replace the NAIS plan, posted over at the Truth Farmer blog: Easter Bunny Reports "NAIS is Dead!!!!"

The BHO administration seems bent on paving their way out of the recession, with $20 billion in new road and bridge building contracts. But I'm dubious about how efficacious this will be in creating permanent jobs, and boosting economy. This is all just sinking us (collectively) deeper in debt. Take a look at Japan's massive road building program in the1990s. It certainly didn't buy them an economic recovery. How can the BHO administration expect anything different?

Chad flagged this: Is Washington's tax exemption on bullion a gold mine? [JWR Adds: As the majority of the 50 States get increasingly desperate for revenue, we can expect to see similar headlines pop up soon.]

GG sent this: Rash of retirements pushes Social Security to brink.

The Other Jim R. sent this: Italy Seizes Bank of America, Dexia Assets in Derivatives Probe

Items from The Economatrix:

Public Employees: Rolling in Dough

In Praise of Mammoth Deficits

What's a College Degree Really Worth?

Baltic Dry Index Collapses 40%, Signal Further Worldwide Economic Weakness

Mexican GDP Down 6.8% in 2009, Worst in 30 Years

Crisis Looms in Japan as its Economy Slowly Melts

Stocks Trade Mixed as European Debt Woes Remain

Stock Futures Climb Ahead of Opening

EU Searches for Way Out of Debt Crisis

Oil Above $72 on Weakening Dollar

European Stocks Up Cautiously on Hopes for Greece

Reader Dick S. mentioned that there's a great article in the February issue of Field & Stream magazine, titled; "The Ultimate Survivor: Life in the wild with Alaska's toughest trapper."

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The 25% off sale at SafeCastle on all Mountain House foods in #10 cans is in progress. They are offering free shipping to the 48 continental states! The sale ends on February 13th, so order soon!

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The recent article titled "Forges Foundries, and Factories" by JIR prompted several readers to write to remind me about the wealth of resources on traditional skills, published by Lindsay Books. Yes, they've been mentioned before in SurvivalBlog, but it bears repeating. BTW, one of their latest titles is devoted wood gasification--alowing you to make electricity from firewood.

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The folks at Medical Corps are holding another one of their excellent three-day "Combat/Field Medicine School" courses, from April 30th through May 2nd. The class will be held near Caldwell, Ohio at the Ohio State University Extension building. Contact: Chuck Fenwick at 740-783-8009 for details.

More than a dozen SurvivalBlog readers sent us a television news piece about King, North Carolina (in the Winston-Salem region) banning the purchase of guns, or carrying guns outside one's home, during the recent heavy snowstorm. Here is a quote: "'Other restrictions included a ban on the sale or purchase of any type of firearm, ammunition, explosive or any possession of such items off a person's own premises." [Emphasis added.] Needless to say, this will have some major political repercussions, once all the snow gets shoveled. A police chief will likely have to find new employment, after making such a monumentally-bad judgment call. It is noteworthy that there are more than 80 pages of comments about the story at the television station's web site.

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Legislation that parallels the already-enacted Montana Firearms Freedom Act is gaining momentum in more than a dozen states. Oh, and speaking of happenings up in Montana, I heard that there is a pro-gun Constitutionalist running for Sheriff in Lake County, Montana.

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SJ in Montana suggested this video clip: Ron Paul Warns of Coming Social and Political Chaos. He warns of "...the complete breakdown of law and order."

The original NAIS plan may be dead! Jeff B. sent us this link: USDA starting over on national animal ID system

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F.R. suggested this resource that is great for homeschoolers: The Basic English Grammar ebook.

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FG sent us an item for the "Bring Enough Gun" Department: Giant, 25 foot Crocodile has eaten 200 men in 20 years (This sounds like something out of a tabloid, but it is a BBC news piece.)

Steve K. sent us this link: Snowpocalypse 2010: Everybody Panic!

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Mark O. sent us an article that has both libertarian and OPSEC ramifications. Is That A Castle You're Hiding Behind That Haystack? Perhaps Mr. Fidler should have moved to one of the many states in the western US where no building permits are required, and there is no mandatory building code. (except inside city limits, by some local ordinances).

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A reader recommended getting a copy of the Pocket Ref, by Thomas J. Glover. One reviewer described it as: "... part encyclopedia, part trivia tome, part entertainment and part dispute-solver. Buried in the various tables and charts are tons of data and facts to aid the rider, roadside mechanic or budding MacGyver."

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 KT sent us a link to The Virtual Turnpike--a site that offers ground-level photographs of house, with n almost frightening level of detail.

Please stop! Some well-intentioned (but naive) folks are forwarding the e-mail titled "See with your own eyes Nephilim" with several Photoshop-doctored pictures of supposed skeletal remains of 16-foot tall humanoids. Here is a link to one of the original photos that they doctored. Again, please stop forwarding this fakery!

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Kurt B. sent this: Nuclear missile threats to U.S. mount; Report warns of Pyongyang's aims

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Chad S. spotted another piece from Nanny State Britannia: Cheers! Brits toast new shatterproof pint glass. Chad Adds: "Note that this was developed by the British Government, not private industry."

Ham radio: A fading hobby ... until emergencies hit. (A hat tip to John M. for the link.)

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Mark A. was the first of several readers to mention this: Digital doomsday: the end of knowledge

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Joel S. sent us this: Bogota's Bulletproof Tailor

I thought that the map at this web page: Electoral College Reform was fascinating. (But of course any such plan would be grossly unconstitutional--so I consider it nothing more than an intellectual exercise.) And ponder this set of graphics at the same web site: 50 States and 50 Metros. If nothing else, these maps illustrate just how lightly populated some of my recommended retreat locales are. (Thanks to Hal H. for the links.)

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The folks at Survival Bound just did a major expansion to their free manual collection. It was 5 gigabytes, but now it is 25 gigabytes!

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Ammo proves better than money in the bank: 308 Ammo in 1000 & 1500 round cases (A follow-up post on the second page explains where the ammo was buried, back when the Clintonistas were in power..)

From Chad S.: Seed shortages could imperil home gardens. JWR Adds: Stock up on heirloom varieties before gardening season. I'm sure that our advertisers that sell non-hybrid seeds would appreciate your patronage.

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S.F. in Hawaii mentioned that John C. Campbell's Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina has expanded its course catalog. Some of the traditional skills taught there such as metalworking, spinning, and weaving would be important in the event of a societal collapse.

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Inadequate sanitation leads to disease in Haiti, just as predicted: Chaos eases as Haiti food lines focus on women. (Thanks to Russ D. for the link.) And, in the No Great Surprise Department, we read: Haiti food convoy attacked; UN warns of volatility. (Thanks to R.D. for the link.)

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Reader F.D. spotted this: New groups mobilize as Indians embrace the right to bear arms

Chad suggested this piece on austere medicine: Hard lessons, humility for big-city doctors in Haiti

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G.G. mentioned that both my novel "Patriots" and my latest non-fiction book were part of this round up book review: Three Views of TEOTWAWKI.

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SurvivalBlog regular Matt R. recently posted a great vehicular gear list, over at AtlasTrekker.

I was pleased to see that Mel Tappan's hard-to-find book Survival Guns has gone back into print, by Paladin Press. Although the book is now a bit dated, it is still a great reference. His subsequent book Tappan on Survival (published shortly after his death) has also been back in print for about a year. The new edition has an introduction penned by Bruce D. Clayton.) I have often mentioned that Mel Tappan had a profound influence in the development of my preparedness philosophy.

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Clifford D. May's piece in National Review Online, titled The Sun Also Flares is well worth reading. (A tip of the hat to both Brian B. and Craig M. for sending the link.)

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EMB sent some sad news: K.B.I./Charles Daly is quitting business. If you have any of their guns and need spare parts, then stock up, pronto!

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Chad S. suggested a 1997 article from Outside magazine: As Freezing Persons Recollect the Snow--First Chill--Then Stupor--Then the Letting Go; The cold hard facts of freezing to death

Reader "P.S." sent this article from an Arizona newspaper: City won't let homeowners live with solar power

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SurvivalBlog's Editor At Large, Michael Z. Williamson, mentioned an interesting privacy-related article over at Tech Republic: GoogleSharing: A way to prevent tracking by Google

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F.R. sent us this link: How to Survive a Fall Through Ice

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Chris S. sent a link to a video that illustrates why you should not buy a cheap light-gauge gun vault. As I've often said: There is no substitute for mass. Buy a proper vault with sufficient wall and door thicknesses! And, as previously mention in my blog, be sure to bolt it down to the floor!

Our Editor At Large (Michael Z. Williamson) wrote to mention that there have been several new "underground homes" added to the 20th Century Castles (aka MissileBases.com) web site. JWR Notes: These are far beyond my budget, but interesting, nonetheless.

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I was pleased to see that the Atlas Trekker blog is now getting frequent updates. They've had some great posts on vehicular gear.

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Some folks seem that think that pump action shotguns are obsolete. I beg to differ. Courtesy of Michael Bane, here is a video of a reloading technique for advanced shooters that can keep a shotgun that has been "shot dry" or even one with a dented magazine tube still in the fight: Jasmine Jessie’s reloading technique. (To explain: under some local Cowboy Action Shooting rules, to "make it fair", a shotgun's loading is limited to just two shells. This puts pump gun shooters on a fairly level playing field with double-barrel shotgun shooters. Hence the need for rapid reloading, by hand.) For more information on this fun sport, see the SASS web site.

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A reminder that SurvivalBlog reader had a small batch of subdued Battle of Bennington flag shoulder patches custom made. This is the same flag used on our OPSEC hats and T-shirts, but in subdued brown and black colors. He now has less that 50 left, that he is now selling right near his cost, at $2.75 each. E-mail:: opsecflag@verizon.net to reserve yours!

Reader Brian B. sent us a link to some news from near Machu Picchu, Peru: The folks in Aguas Calientes are in hot water. Brian's comments: "Mudslides have blocked all roads and the train tracks leading to the area, stranding up to 2,000 tourists. Locally, some 10,000 residents have been affected and 2,000 homes have been destroyed. Poor weather has hampered rescue and relief efforts. Food and fresh water are becoming increasingly difficult to locate which has led to price gouging ($3.50 for a bottle of water)."

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Chuck M. flagged this article from a British newspaper: My free and easy life. It begins:: "When Katharine Hibbert lost her job and her flat she didn't just downsize – she decided to dispense with money altogether, living on the stuff the rest of us throw away."

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There are just two days left in the unprecedented 25% off sale on Alpine Aire freeze dried foods at Ready Made Resources. They are offering free shipping on full case lots. Don't miss out, as this is a special "test" sale, approved for just Ready Made Resources by Alpine Aire, and might not be repeated.

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After Three Months, Only 35 Subscriptions for Newsday's Web Site. JWR Adds: Gee, and people ask me why I don't have a "by subscription only" option for "premium content." I'd rather continue to put everything in SurvivalBlog out there free for the taking, and let advertising and a few Ten Cent Challenge subscriptions pay the bills here at the ranch.

Wayne P. alerted me that Canary Islands Press now offers a free downloadable PDF of an older edition of J.J. Luna's privacy book "How To Be Invisible". It has a lot of useful tips. I'm not sure how long it will be available, so download your copy soon.

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The Baker sent this article that illustrates what I like to call A Neighborhood Watch on Steroids: In the midst of Haiti's devastation, a community of strangers comes together

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SurvivalBlog reader "N." mentioned that there is a wealth of free manuals available online at SurvivalBound.com.

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The folks at Directive21 (one of our advertisers) have the Travel Berkey water filter sale priced at $205. That's $15 off the regular price.

F.R. highlighted a post over at The Sipsey Street Irregulars blog that has a link to a PDF from a 1960s military journal, article, titled "Organized Looting." Here is the Sipsey Street editor's comment: "This article by Leo Heiman, a veteran of the Rossokovsy Brigade of Russian Partisans, from Military Review, February 1965 discusses some of the uncomfortable logistics issues guerrillas must face. Read it, consider which of its lessons apply to you and redouble your caching efforts." JWR Adds: FWIW, the same thing went on in communist revolutions worldwide, throughput the 20th Century, and may explain why so many of them have failed: Citizens don't enjoy seeing their property toted away for some amorphous "cause."

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Man Arrested After Weapons, Map of U.S. Military Facility Seized From N.J. Motel Room. (Thanks to Word for the link. Word's comment: "Gee, you don't suppose the guy is a Muslim, do ya?"

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Trent H. sent me a news story that describes how the 2010 US Census is beginning in the hinterboonies of Alaska.

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Reader F.G. spotted this news article: California inmate release plan begins. Here is a quote from the article: "The state's controversial plan to reduce its prison population by 6,500 inmates over the next year begins today, with victims and law enforcement groups once again warning it will increase crime."

Mike The Blacksmith wrote to mention that BBC America will start to broadcast the new post-pandemic Survivors series (an updated version of the 1970s Terry Nation series, first aired in 2008) starting February 13th at 7 p.m. Central time. Like the recent "After Armageddon" docudrama, this should serve as a motivational tool. (But like most television envisionings of an inimical future, don't expect to pick up many useful survival tips.)

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Matt T. recommended this book: Living the Martial Way: A Manual for the Way a Modern Warrior Should Think. Matt's comments: "While it was written for military or law enforcement members who must or may have to fight to survive, I believe it could be useful to people preparing to survive. There is a lot in there from choosing a martial art, strategy and tactics, mindset, and importantly how to train, but written in a way that is applicable regardless of what your particular martial art is. Preparedness is about training, not just stockpiling, and I think this book helps in that area."

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Mark H. sent us this bit of food for thought: Tourist skiers cause a food shortage, so Officials shut down highways. to Big Bear Valley. File under: Noteworthy Precedents.

CBS News commentator Rebecca Solnit crosses the line into justifying the looter mentality, in this piece of editorial excess: When the Media is the Disaster. (A tip of the hat to reader Bill W. for the link.) A word of warning to Mrs. Solnit: If you advocate looting, then don't be surprised if someday a group of low lifes comes to loot your house, whether or not you are at home. And when they do, try not to "judge" them! For that matter, don't be judgmental about their preference for light or dark meat.

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I've been pleased to see that US firearms magazine manufacturers have finally caught up with demand, and that prices has dropped back down to normal levels. (For example, the recent sales ads at CDNN and Cheaper Than Dirt are indicative of the recent drop in prices.) Don't complacently ignore the threat of a renewed ban on 11+ round magazines. Stock up and buy plenty of full capacity magazines, including some extra for barter!

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Dennis M. flagged this: Electrical Grid Weathers a Hit from Latest Storms. Dennis notes: "I call your attention to the bit about maintenance spending being cut by up to 50%. What will be the implications?"

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Garnet sent us this: Scientists create model of monster 'Frankenstorm'

Entire Town of Wenden [Arizona] Underwater After Storm. (Thanks to FJR for the link.) Floods don't happen often in Arizona, but when they do, they often crete some deep drama.

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Steve G. and Dane B. both mentioned this LifeHacker article: Use the Universal Edibility Test to Find Food in a Survival Situation. JWR adds this proviso: This "universal" test is not foolproof! It will not \detect many toxins, including micotoxins. And you must consider that the quantity of some plants such as poison hemlock that you ingest in "testing" might be enough to kill you!

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Robert H. alerted us to this article about the Haitian earthquake aftermath: The Coast Guard in Haiti: First Responders, in for the Long Haul. The portion of the article that describes patient triage was particularly interesting.

Wisconsin Senate passes bill allowing people to can food without a license. Only high acid foods, and no more than $5,000 worth. (Thanks to GG for the link.)

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Reader Art A. wrote: "Some time ago you stated that people would use Google Earth to find things worth stealing. You were right Here is proof: high tech koi thieves."

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A truncated version of my review of the movie "The Road" just ran in The Guardian newspaper in England: The Road to Ruin

Bill S. mentioned this article from a Dallas newspaper: Stockpiling food, water in case of emergency is smart, not paranoid

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Nanci wrote to tell me that Dolly Freed, the author of the recently re-released book Possum Living: How to Live Well Without a Job and with (Almost) No Money, has launched her own blog, also called Possum Living.

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Sri sent me a link to an interesting older article at Bill St. Clair's site by Mike Vanderboegh that predates my launch of SurvivalBlog in 2005: What Good Can a Handgun Do Against an Army.....?

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Damon was the first of several readers that sent us this, by way of The Drudge Report: Sewage runs, garbage piles up at Haiti quake camps

Luddite Jean recommended the Aquagear water filter, available in the U.K. She commented "I have used these, and have drunk some very dodgy-looking creek water with no ill-effects after being filtered through this bottle. Best of all, it's instantaneous. It's not meant for large-scale water purification, but as a back up, and for G.O.O.D. situations, it will save carrying potable water. I have one per family member at the moment, and will be buying extra the next time I see them at show prices."

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Also from Luddite Jean comes this from The Daily Mail, Wife went to buy Christmas turkey, got stuck in the snow, returns home a month later.

From Reader RSR mentioned that Reliance Aqua-Tainer seven gallon containers are presently on sale for $8 each at Wal-Mart stores. I just saw the same containers for $17 each at an REI store. And speaking of water containers, Walgreens pharmacies now have 25 ounce "Green Canteen" brand stainless steel water bottles on sale for $4 each. They are out of stock at their online stores, but many individual brick and mortar stores still have them on hand. OBTW, beware that they are made in mainland China.

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We were sent two interesting, if impractical items from ImpactLab: a table that converts into a fort, and a house disguised as a woodpile. Thanks to F.R. for the link.

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SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this link: http://www.lifesaversystems.com/hydrocarry.html

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From reader Robert S.: A simple OPSEC failure in Haiti leads to trouble.

Sandy in Illinois sent a link to a post from a missionary outside Port au Prince in Haiti.

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Harold M. mentioned a gent selling complete ALICE packs for $30: CJLEnterprize.com.

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Possible garden seed shortages in 2010? Thanks to Bob W. for the link.

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The ultimate bug-out vehicle? Chris M. sent this story from RD Mag: Street-legal airplane made possible with new rules, new software.

From Discovery.com: Laminated Linen Protected Alexander the Great

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Mike M. flagged this US Geological Survey PDF: Consequences of an Earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

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Lynch mob beats to death a looter and drags his body through the streets as Haiti descends into anarchy. A tip of the hat to GG for the link.

Trent H. sent a link to Pack and Saddle Shop's horse packing tips.

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Troy H. sent these links, about an energy-independent farming own in Germany. He comments, "These folks already generate their own heat and electricity (enough in fact to sell surplus wattage back the grid!), and seem well positioned for long-term independence. A 'covenant community' or 'retreat township' model might benefit from these sorts of systems." There are two articles, an overview, and a detailed photo essay, with more technical details.

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From the British Medical Journal: Surgeon performs self-apendectomy in Antarctica. Thanks to Jim T. for the link.

SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us this New York Times story:. Here is a quote: "She said a Coast Guard helicopter flew over the United Nations compound and could see that there were people there trapped under building debris. Thousands of residents were seen assembled outside the gates at a government facility in the city, and large groups were also assembled in other streets and public areas. The pilot of her ship’s helicopter reported seeing people working in several areas to dig out survivors. But for the most part, she said, the city appeared to be waiting for rescue and relief efforts to arrive." Mike's Comment: So, I think we can deduce a lesson from that, and Haiti's status as the poorest nation in this hemisphere. Waiting for other people to bootstrap you is not a viable strategy." Meanwhile, we read two bits of confirmation: Haiti Relief: Anger Mounts Among Desperate Haitians Over Supplies Stuck at Airport, and Looters roam Port-au-Prince as earthquake death toll estimate climbs, Hunger and thirst turn to violence in Haiti as planes unable to offload aid supplies fast enough. Oh, and don't miss this letter to a Muskogee newspaper: When disaster comes, men turn into wolves.

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Ready Made Resources has launched an unprecedented 25% off sale on Alpine Aire freeze dried foods, with free shipping on full case lots. Don't miss out, as this is a special "test" sale, approved for just Ready Made Resources by Alpine Aire, and might not be repeated.

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EMB was the first of several readers to send us the link to this amazing video of the Haiti earthquake.

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While on a recent trip to the lowlands of California, I noticed the sign for one of a new chain of hotels: Hotel Sierra. I suspect that this chain was founded by a former military aviator!

News from across the Atlantic: Panic buying hits supermarkets as shelves stripped of essentials over snow fears. (Thanks to Chad S. for the link.)

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A SurvivalBlog reader took the initiative and had a small batch of subdued Battle of Bennington flag shoulder patches custom made. This is the same flag used on our OPSEC hats and T-shirts, but in subdued brown and black colors. He told me that he now has just 50 left, that he is now selling right near his cost, at $2.75 each. Contact:: opsecflag@verizon.net to reserve yours!

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Who's running Haiti? No one, say the people

"N" mentioned this excellent YouTube video: "Concept U.S.K." - Surviving Urban Disaster

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The latest from the White House: President Obama Signs Executive Order Establishing Council of Governors; Executive Order will Strengthen Further Partnership Between the Federal and State and Local Governments to Better Protect Our Nation. Hmmm... In Beltway speak "partnership" or "cooperation" often mean "control." This could considerably degrade our 10 Amendment protections!

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Veteran economic and preparedness commentator Howard J. Ruff warns: Things We've Forgotten. (Thanks to GG for the link.)

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Attention Oklahomans! Tibbs’ law makes it illegal to ‘fortify’ a private home

Global Warming Update: Snow hits southern Spain as big freeze sweeps Europe

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Brett G. forwarded this: U.S. agrees to timetable for UN Gun ban

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Tom Baugh, the author of the book "Starving The Monkeys" posted a review of my novel "Patriots" from an interesting perspective. In my defense, I can say: Yes, most of my friends (upon whom the main characters in the novel were based) were quite successful right out of college. And yes, all but one of us intentionally delayed having kids for several years after getting married. I was 31 when my first child was born.

Ed B. mentioned this: Obama TSA Nominee Erroll Southers Calls Pro-Life Advocates Terrorists in Videos. (And tars survivalists with the same broad brush.) Ed's comment: "Apparently Christians and Pro-life advocates are more dangerous than Al Qaeda. Oh and then he throws in the survivalist angle too. So if you're prepared, you’re a danger."

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Julie flagged this: Sun may soon send magnetic storms toward Earth

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Our friend Bill Buppert recommended this article Protect Your Family.

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Simon in England mentioned that Survivors - Series 2 will premiere on BBC1 tonight (Tuesday, January 12th, at 9 PM GMT.

Dane S. suggested a handy winter preparedness page, over at LifeHacker.

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Garnet spotted this: Heavy snow halts planes, trains and cars in Europe. I hope that folks there have their fuel, gear, and food squared away!

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The latest from Nanny State Britannia: Myleene Klass warned by police after scaring off intruders with kitchen knife.To quote the article "The youths approached the kitchen window, before attempting to break into her garden shed, prompting Miss Klass to wave a kitchen knife to scare them away." "When they [the police] arrived at her house they informed her that she should not have used a knife to scare off the youths because carrying an "offensive weapon" – even in her own home – was illegal." (Thanks to GG and Ferd for the link.)

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NRA News: UN Doomsday Treaty With Ginny Simon. (Thanks to Word for the link.) Beware: International treaties could usher in "back door" gun legislation!

By way of Tamara's View From The Porch blog, comes an interesting article about Magpul Industries.

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Reader Dean G. reminded me to again mention of the copious links and references made available by The American Civil Defense Association (TACDA). Take a look!

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Ferdinand found a little Gerber sharpener mentioned on KK Cool Tools. Ferd notes: "It fits perfectly in my knife sheath's sidecar pocket and cost just a few dollars. It measures 2-1/4 x 1-3/4 inches, and is easy to use, with one side marked "coarse," the other "fine," and a little thumb-forefinger hold in between. It's actually been effective sharpening the folding knife I keep by my desk, and its lightweight, small profile and low cost make it perfect for leaving in a bag, just in case."

As a follow-up to previous mentions in SurvivalBlog, Nanci M. suggested this article: Finding Dolly Freed.

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Reader Trent H. spotted this interesting article: An Amish Entrepreneur's Old-Fashioned Approach; Without electricity, a car, or a cell phone, Amos Miller turned his dad's Pennsylvania farm into a $1.8 million national food retailer. Oh, and speaking of locally-grown foods, Jason W. sent us the link to Well Fed Neighbor.

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Yishai flagged this: IDF to blanket Israel with gas masks. Yishai's comments: "To show the chemical threat is real, and to point out to your readers that retail gas masks may be scarce in the near future, Israel will be making and distributing gas masks to every citizen over the next three years. An Israeli blogger pointed out that the distribution should take less than three years, and he's right about the distribution, but there is almost eight million Israeli citizens (Jewish and Arab), so the production of the kits will be the bottleneck."

Attention SurvivalBlog readers in California: I just got this from the NRA's legislative arm: Right-to-Carry Bill Scheduled to be Heard Next Week! Please Contact the Members of the Assembly Public Safety Committee Today! Assembly Bill 357 is scheduled to be heard by the Assembly Committee on Public Safety on Tuesday, January 12. AB357, sponsored by Assembly Member Steve Knight Republican, District 36), would create a “shall issue” concealed handgun permit system in California. Under current law, an applicant must show cause as to why they should be issued a permit to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense. AB357 would remove that stipulation and require sheriffs to issue the license if all other mandated criteria are satisfied. Please contact the members of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety immediately and respectfully urge them to support AB357.

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From The Telegraph: At last a minister says it: we need to grow more food For the first time in more than a decade, a government minister has been talking about ensuring that we have something to eat, says Clive Aslet; (Thanks to GG for the link.)

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A friend in Ireland mentioned this web page with some Ray Mears video links Extreme Military Survival.

Rob C. mentioned this item: Barton Biggs: 1 in 10 Chance of Anarchy in the U.S. That should get insurance actuaries quaking in their boots, and SurvivalBlog readers loading stripper clips!

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Reader Paul B. mentioned The Photographer's Ephemeris. Paul's description: "This is a free application that, although designed for photographers, would seem to have many uses for people hunting, fishing, or otherwise engaged in outdoor activities, [including the tactical variety.] Basically, you put in the date and your location and it pops up a google map showing you the direction of sunrise/sunset/moonrise/moonset, time for twilight (civil, nautical, astronomical). Also does some other things like compute distance and bearing, shadow length. It might be also useful for people doing considering a property purchase who are interested in how the sun will rise and set on the property, et cetera.

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News from across the pond: At the mercy of the deep freeze: Schools shut, firms hit... now another six inches of snow. (Some of the Nanny State Dependency mentality is showing. It is time for folks to become better prepared individually, and more self-reliant!Our thanks to Ferdinand for sending the link.)

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"Ski" Jim mentioned another notable home invasion robbery, in Colorado. Don't become complacent, thinking that this only happens in big cities on the coasts.

Dave B. suggested this New York Times article: Broadband, Yes. Toilet, No.; Alaskan Couple Turns Yurt into Shelter in the Wild

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Tom from MA suggested St. Dalfour Gourmet-to-Go products. He commented "They are small tins with meals in them which bear a striking resemblance to the French RCIR rations. I'm wondering if they are made in the same plant? I found them next to all of the other tinned meats and tuna. They have a 2-3 year 'best by' date and seem to be a good addition to any bug out bag, or just as a supplement to an overall storage plan. The Whole Grain with Vegetables was good, as was the Wild Salmon salad. I'll be picking up a few more on my next shopping visit."

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Reader JK sent this video of Jim Scoutten explaining the ammo shortage. He misses a crucial distinction between preparing and hoarding. Ammunition is still being produced, and production will either increase to meet demand, or demand will drop off. If this "panic" gets people to keep more ammunition on hand, it is a good thing.

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SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent a link to this Wikipedia article: Equipment of a combat medic.

Panic room saved artist Kurt Westergaard from Islamist assassin. (Mentioned by numerous blog readers.) Every home and retreat should have a stout room that can be a place of temporary refuge against home invasions.

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Dale W. was the first of several readers to mention this: Court upholds police pointing gun at lawful carrier. [JWR Adds: This is a bad legal precedent, but the main underlying problem is prevailing attitudes. If you don't live in a region where open carry is legal, and where concealed carry is considered normal, then you are living in the wrong state--or perhaps in an over-populated part of an otherwise good state. Vote with your feet!]

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JK recommended this piece over at Market Skeptics: 2010 Food Crisis for Dummies

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Rustlers ride wide open range of Great Basin. (Thanks to G.S. for the link.)

GG flagged this interesting piece: Can farming save Detroit?

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Reported, in all places, The Los Angeles Times: Ron Paul's ideas no longer fringe; With the economy still struggling, the lawmaker's libertarian views are getting serious attention. (Thanks to Andrew B. for the link.)
 
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Paul D. sent an interesting article that compares ammunition to money.

Bobbi-Sue sent a link to some crunch leading indicators with individual and regional railroads in accessible graphs.

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GPS-led travel goes amiss; Three Oregon parties rescued

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Super C. sent a link to some informative text and video about about unexpected immersion in cold water.

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Reader Mike O. sent us this: Packing Heat in Helsinki; Why do Finns own so many guns? This piece in the liberally-biased Slate, fails to mention several key facts. Among these: 1.) Although firearms ownership is widespread in Finland, its violent street crime rate is lower than in almost "gun-free" England. 2.) The journalist attributes the predominance of gun ownership to the hunting culture. This is partially true, but they failed to mention that many Finns consider private gun ownership "invasion insurance." I guess the Slate writer never heard about the Winter War, and 3.) The two mass shootings that he mentioned were aberrations. Finns are largely peaceable folk. And whether the folks at Slate want to admit it or not, being well-armed helps keep their society peaceable.

G.S. in the State of Jefferson flagged this: Preparing for a 'nuclear event' - LA Daily News

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Wicket sent an item that illustrates the point that sometimes the most simple solutions are entirely effective and adequate: Man fights intruder after using 'beer can' alarm.

The mainstreaming of survivalism continues: Newsweek now seems to be saying that individual preparedness is a good idea. (Thanks to Mike F. and several other readers for sending the link.)

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Wendell in Tx. wrote mention a source for fish traps, Heinsohn.com. They run a country store in Texas.

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Ohio Jim mentioned that starting Friday, January 1st, you can't drive an APV on your own property in Ohio unless it's registered and licensed.

John C. recommended this: Seven Resource for Learning to Safely Forage for Wild Food.

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Do you want to buy American, but you're frustrated by the profusion of imported goods? Reader K.T. suggested a company that is one of the last of the All-American textile firms: Maine Heritage Weavers.

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Larry O. flagged this: Plan to turn farms into forest worries Obama official

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Ferd spotted this over at KK Cool Tools: Eskimold Igloo-building kit

Ferd was the first of several readers to mention a news article that illustrates both the current over-reliance on GPS and the need to keep outdoor survival gear packed in your car: Couple stranded three days after GPS leads them astray.

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Our friend Tamara (the editor of the very entertaining View From The Porch blog), suggested this piece about weather whiners. OBTW, Tamara refers to the new Avatar movie as "White Guilt in 3-D. aka Dances with Aliens."

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Best Prices Storable Foods (aka The Internet Grocer) has announced an End-of-Year Blowout Clearance Sale, with the following discounts:

15% off Canned Dehydrated Foods (*excluding* Milk, Morning Moo and Wheat). Code is DEC15.
15% off Mountain House on any order. Free shipping (48 states) on orders over $150. Code is MH15.
15% off Canned Meats, full cases (including Mixed Cases, but not Sample Cases). Code is MEAT15.
15% off Life Sprouts. Code is SPR15.

NOTE: Their shopping cart will accept only one discount code. They will know to apply the other codes if you qualify for them. Sale items for sprouts, meats and Mountain House is limited to the items in stock (Ground Beef--both sizes--is out-of-stock until January). If you qualify for free shipping, don't panic when the cart "charges" shipping. They remove those charges manually before your card is charged. They a are offering (48 continental US states) for year units only. If you've been toying with the idea of getting a Year's Supply
for 1, 2 or 4 (or a 3 Month Supply for 1), they've adjusted pricing for them to allow for free shipping in the continental US

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Reader M.P. mentioned this Scientific American article: Bugs Inside: What Happens When the Microbes That Keep Us Healthy Disappear? The human body has more microbial than human cells, but this rich diversity of micro-helpers that has evolved along with us is undergoing a rapid shift--one that may have very macro health consequences

Tod sent us this troubling piece of news: First Case of Highly Resistant TB Seen in U.S.

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I recently got a chance to see the new movie The Road, based on the same-titled novel by Cormac McCarthy. Do not consider this movie a survival manual, since the tactical mistakes displayed were numerous. Most notably, large campfires were lit at night, in circumstance where it was in fact important to avoid detection. "Cold camps" or at least using small tin can stoves would have been much more appropriate! I don't want to post any spoilers, so I'll refrain from further comment on details in the movie. Despite the gaffes, the film is still worth seeing, and I even more highly recommend reading the novel.

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Reader F.G. noticed this National Geographic article: North Magnetic Pole Moving East at 37 miles per year. Even if you don't get the most current topographic maps, then at least be sure to update the magnetic north declination data on the maps that you keep on hand and carry!

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Mark P. sent us this: Solar power coming to a store near you; Buyer be warned, however — the DIY part of solar goes beyond installation

F.G. spotted this: New high-tech vehicles pose trouble for mechanics. Here is a quote from the article: "As cars become vastly more complicated than models made just a few years ago, Baur is often turning down jobs and referring customers to auto dealer shops. Like many other independent mechanics, he does not have the thousands of dollars to purchase the online manuals and specialized tools needed to fix the computer-controlled machines." F.G.'s comment: "It sounds like that clean, 1965 Mustang, or 1978 pick-up truck may be a better investment than just being a nice vintage ride. You can still work on it yourself. "

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Freeze Dry Guy has introduced a number of novel scheduled buying club plans. This is designed to inexpensively and consistently set aside a supply of long term storage food for your family. These plans uses calendar-scheduled discount purchases, based on your available budget.

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Reader D.A.S. notes that Brownell's has a article on different rust preventatives and their effectiveness. This great information for storing metal equipment and tools.

EMB mentioned this creative housing uses for old water tanks and round grain bins: Annesley's Art House

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Also from EMB: New Panasonic Lithium-Ion Battery to Power Up a House--New Li-Ion Battery Coming from Panasonic in 2011

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K.T. sent this humorous Steve Lee music video from Australia: I Like Guns. Visually, you will note that it is orchestrated into a lovely crescendo of shooty goodness.

The Road hits the theaters. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog old timer Charley S. for the link.)

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Safety First: Frozen lake leads to tragedy for California family. People do love their pets, but human life must be preserved, above all!

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Reader F.G. mentioned this smokin' deal: Complete MOLLE II pack, frame, straps, ruck, belt, and sleep bag carrier sets for under $50

Thanks to C.B. for sending the link to Joel Skousen's recently updated web page on Strategic Relocation.

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F.G. sent a link to this story: In classic NIMBY behavior, Senator Diane Feinstein nixes solar, wind farms in the California desert.

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D.A.S. sent an article from Brownell's on rust preventatives.

J.K. recommended the publications of Astragal Press. They emphasize "early tools, trades, and technology" J.K. commented "I ran across them a while back while researching my slide rule collection. There's several books on blacksmithing and woodworking with traditional tools that I'm planning on adding to my preparedness library, in case I end up having to operate in a long-duration 'low-tech' environment."

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G&K sent a story from Fox News: The Nazareth Hardened Home.

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Mike Williamson sent a link to a clever improvised ox roast.

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Ted B. sent a link to this news story about declining crime rates from MSNBC. Ted's comments: "The news media is at a loss to explain why, with huge unemployment numbers and a devastated economy, the major crime levels are down. They make numerous guesses, most of which are patently wrong. Heinlein had it right: 'An armed society is a polite society.'"

Reader Brett F. recommend this piece: Loaded for bear, or wolves--both as a data point on the wolf pack population explosion in the western US and for some good points on gear to carry when in the back-country.

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Jim W. sent us a tidbit for the "Global Warming " file: Big freeze kills at least 80 across Europe

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Reader G.G. wrote to mention that appears that Richard Daughty (aka The Mogambo Guru) has retired from journalism. There is a fan site attempting to get Kitco, Daily Reckoning, Agora, and The Asia Times, to bring him back. He recently (12/14) wrote a short piece for the site.

There is just one day left for the BulletProofME.com body armor sale, with 20% to 30% off helmets, and Interceptor Tactical Vests as low as $590.

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On the Lifehacker Blog: Use a Crock Pot to Make Homemade Candles

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Tricia R. recommended the book "Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things" from Reader's Digest.

Reader Joe G. sent a link to a story on a house that is so "green", it produces surplus electricity.

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Ed C. sent us this link to at start-up company in Polson, Montana. Gearpods is offering containerized survival gear, mostly in Nalgene style water containers, from day pack kits to shelter systems.

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Reader Johnny G. sent this link: S.F. bank's startling interest: 79 percent. And SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent a link to a similar story, from Fox News.

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John F. suggested this story on the Art of Manliness blog: 13 Things a Man Should Keep in His Car

Henry L. suggested this article over at Market Skeptics: 2010 Food Crisis for Dummies

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SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson spotted a blog post about a warning poster at Fort Benning. Mike's comment: "We're terrorists, apparently."

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From Ferdinand: Man kills bobcat with bare hands during north Phoenix attack. He comments, "Even if it isn't a complete collapse, things like this will become more common. Being defenseless--having to use your bare hands qualifies you as defenseless--is a death sentence, in my opinion."

From John S.: Happiest U.S. States Pinned Down. Note the correlation with my Recommended Retreat Areas ranking.

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Chuck M. flagged this from The Guardian: Why Britain faces a bleak future of food shortages

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Reader M.S. mentioned some analysis from Washington's Blog: Officials and Experts Warn of Crash-Induced Unrest

A Year End Reminder, from Bill in Missouri: "Let the IRS help you restock your pantry every year. Take your food that is nearing its expiration to a local food pantry and donate it to them. It will be used before it expires, and you will walk away with a donation receipt which is tax deductible. Food banks are always in need of donations, especially now that the unemployment level is so high. This is a win/win for you and the food bank, and a loss for the IRS."

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Michael Williamson, SurvivalBlog's Editor-at-Large forwarded this story. Energy-efficient traffic lights can't melt snow..

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From Popular Science magazine: How to Make Convincing Fake Gold Bars. Educate yourself on how to recognize counterfeits, and only buy name-brand serialized bars with well-known marks, from reputable dealers. Unless you have more than a quarter million to invest, you shouldn't even get into gold bullion. Silver will likely out-perform gold, and counterfeiting is much more rare with silver. You can usually sell 100 oz. serialized silver bars without a call for assaying. (A tip of the hat to Ferdinand for the link.)

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There are just five days left in the BulletProofME.com body armor sale, with 20% to 30% off helmets, and Interceptor Tactical Vests as low as $590.

Cheryl sent a link to a piece by Claire Wolfe, in Backwoods Home magazine: Circle of Friends: The Importance of Other People In Our Preparedness Plans

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Dan in Colorado mentioned this supplier of some hard-to-find food items, such as honey locust beans: Wild Pantry.

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Tord mentioned that there is yet another Robin Hood film is in the works. This one is directed by Ridley Scott (who created Blade Runner, Blackhawk Down, and Gladiator.) It stars Russell Crowe, and it has a big budget, so it will mst likely be worth watching.

Reader "+P+" sent another article on a theme that I've warned about: Police say suspected robbers rammed an SUV into a gun store in Avon, Indiana, and stole some weapons. Large masonry "decorative planters" should be a key part of your retreat's defensive architecture!

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OSOM mentioned a treasure trove of Free Medical Books available to download.

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Tamara (writing in her View From the Porch blog) pointed to a piece (by way of the Blunt Object blog) about the Toronto police going ballistic over the apparent sight of a gun held by citizen: Police piece together fake Lego gun case, after armed takedown. Here is the Blunt Object blog editor's summary: "So: Torontonian buys [a] Lego Glock kit online. Torontonian assembles said kit in his office. Other Torontonian freaks out, fails to notice Lego pips atop the slide, and calls the police. Toronto [Police Department]’s Emergency Task Force bounces Lego-Man off a few walls before discovering said Lego pips atop the slide."

Man with master's degree lives in Moab cave without money. (Thanks to Rick W. for the link.) For further reading, here is a link to Suelo's web site.

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Lowell sent this: North Yellowstone Wolf vs. Rocky Mountain Elk

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Reader "MMA" forwarded a link to news article with some OPSEC implications of infrared technology: Suspect still at large after extensive air and ground search

SurvivalBlog's British-born Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson catalogued another article on the descent into Nanny State Britannia: Three -inch pocketknives illegal in the UK.

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I was just introduced to a great dry firing trigger kit for Glocks, made by Southwest Shooting Authority. These provide a very realistic feeling trigger pull and trigger reset. Unlike those made by their competitors, the Southwest dry practice kits have a 90 day warranty, and are useful for up to 50,000 trigger presses. Installation and removal are a breeze. (It takes less than a minute for anyone that is familiar with Glocks.) With the current high price of ammunition, I consider dry practice a must, and these kits provide the best way get that practice for Glock owners, with no repetitive slide racking required! To my mind, these kits provide the most realistic dry firing experience. Most importantly, if you get in the habit of racking your pistol's slide repeatedly in dry practice, that muscle memory might carry over into the high stress of a defensive pistol shooting situation, turning your Glock into a manual repeater, dumping half of your ammo as live "rounds on the ground". Don't laugh--people do indeed revert to their training when under high stress.

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Thanks to Jeff B. for spotting this: Freak winds freeze rural county. (Six to eight foot drifts!)

Gun laws are getting looser across much of US. (Thanks to Garnet for the link.)

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SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson found an interesting article for advanced home machinists: The Making of a Rifled Barrel.

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BulletProofME.com, one of our most loyal advertisers, is running a 20% - 30% off sale on Kevlar helmets and Interceptor Tactical Vests, ending December 23rd.

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Kathryn D. told me about a line of SPF 30 clothing that is ideal for people that live in sunny climates. Kathryn's comments: "The pieces are permanently SPF 30, feel like sandwashed silk, and made with underarm and back ventilation so they are very cool and comfortable. [These are] a little more expensive than regular clothing but worth it, and you don't need many pieces to have yourself covered."

FEMA Suggests Disaster Readiness Christmas Gifts. (Thanks to Lisa E. for the link.)

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The Suburban Survivalist suggested a good video of Mike Rowe (of "Dirty Jobs" television fame) speaking about what he's learned of the value of work.

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On a recent trip to a more populous region, I noticed that some people just don't know how to drive in the snow. Even with chains on, the Nervous Nellies creep along at 5 to 10 m.p.h. on straight and level roads. These folks even cause accidents, by forcing those approaching them from behind to apply their brakes.

Solar Storms Ahead? (Thanks to Donald G. for the link.)

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Rob at MURS-Radio.com (one of our loyal advertisers) wrote to let us know that he is running a special offer just for SurvivalBlog readers, until December 17th. By using the code SB5OFF at checkout customers will receive 5% off their total order (before shipping). There is no minimum order and the code can be used multiple times. Any order placed on or before December 17th will be shipped to arrived before Christmas.

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A cousin mentioned this collection of links over at Mouseguns.com: Hiding Guns and Preparing Guns for Long Term Storage.

Reader J.K. sent this one to file under "Emerging Threats": Two burglaries today used vehicles to smash into buildings. J.K.'s comment: "This serves as evidence that vehicles can/will be used as modified 'entry tools'".

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My old friend Peter K. (now living in Germany) mentioned this web page that helps explain the current shortage of loaded ammunition and reloading components: Why Can't I Find Sierra Bullets?

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For those of us that take buying American-made products seriously (or at least Not Buying Mainland Chinese), Ron B. suggested this site: MadeInUSA.org

Jen suggested this article, which has some Get Out of Dodge Vehicle implications: I live in a van down by Duke University; How do I afford grad school without going into debt? A '94 Econoline, bulk food and creative civil disobedience

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Safecastle (one of our most loyal advertisers) is offering a 2-for-1 special on long term storage dehydrated diced potatoes.

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F.G. flagged this one: Minnesota man arrested for trespassing on his own land

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Erik Prince, head of US security firm Blackwater, ‘was CIA operative’ (Thanks to Damon for the link)

Reader "Hope in the Northwest" stumbled across a good basic web site with articles on common health issues, with pictures included. Some useful topics covered are bugs, eye diseases, foot problems, etc. There’s also basic info on treatment for common illnesses.

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The Californization of Colorado continues: Colorado State University bans guns on campus. (Thanks to Chad S. for the link.)

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The folks at DNS Down announced that they are now giving away their software free of charge, as a public service. Be sure to check it out!

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Glade was the first of several readers to point us tthis Washington Post article: The $700 billion man - The FedGov's former TARP administrator is now hunkered down at a rural retreat in the foothils of California's Sierra Nevada mountains. Glade's comment: "Probably a good idea for some more bankers to head for the hills, but not real good OPSEC."

Joe H. mentioned a site with an animated map of global air traffic patterns that was linked once before on SurvivalBlog. Joe's comments: "Two key things to note are that you can see the 'sunny side' and air traffic seems to increase by a factor of five as daylight arrives, and there is not much air traffic routing around Cuba-- a hole in the traffic."

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C.B. was the first of several readers to mention this Popular Science article: How to Build a Propane-Fired Metal Forge

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Reader Michael G. wrote to mention that he noticed that Springfield Armory is having a 30% off sale. Mike commented: "I'm buying several XD-M .40 magazines saving $10 on each one, amongst other things. Time to stock up!"

Reader Todd H. mentioned a newspaper article about Cupertino's Fairgrove Neighborhood

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Michael W. mentioned that Wiggy's makes a dog coat that is insulated with Lamilite-- the same material as their sleeping bags. Michael says: "Our dog loves hers."

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Damon S. found an article on pinhole emergency glasses.

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From CNET News: EFF Sues Feds For Info On Social-Network Surveillance

Reader Brian S. noted that plastic drum liners look like a good way to re-use otherwise sketchy 55 gallon drums for at least storing washing water. Brian's comment: "I've ordered other items from US Plastics before. It is a good place to buy in bulk."

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From Cheryl: At Midnight Last Night (Dec 1st), The UK Ceased To Be A Sovereign State

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SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson found an amazing story that illustrates the anarchic situation in Somalia: Somali Pirates Open Up a "Stock Exchange". Mike pointed out this quote: "Piracy investor Sahra Ibrahim, a 22-year-old divorcee, was lined up with others waiting for her cut of a ransom pay-out after one of the gangs freed a Spanish tuna fishing vessel. 'I am waiting for my share after I contributed a rocket-propelled grenade for the operation,' she said, adding that she got the weapon from her ex-husband in alimony. 'I am really happy and lucky. I have made $75,000 in only 38 days since I joined the 'company.'"

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Doc Gary spotted this: Zero House.

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Edward T. mentioned that he keeps a set of FAA Low Altitude Sectional maps of his area that can be used for ground navigation. Edward notes: "They are inexpensive, available at most local airports, have topographical information, are intended for navigation, and have good relief. They have to be current for legal use in the air, but current or out of date sectionals could come in handy should a person be in need of detailed topographic maps. I keep identical sets in all my vehicles and G.O.O.D. bags." JWR Adds: Slightly out-of date Sectionals are usually available free for the asking. Just ask any private pilot you know, or at your local General Aviation airport's flying club.]

BulletProofME.com (one of most loyal advertisers) is running an Interceptor Body Armor special until December. 23rd: $590 in Small and Extra Large ($830 for Medium or Large), and 20% to 30% off selected Kevlar Helmets. For example: $156 for a Level III-A helmet with the ACH / MICH blunt trauma pad system, and as low as $67 for unused, military contract overrun PASGT helmets.

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KT sent this indicative piece on The Guns of Goldman: Arming Goldman With Pistols Against Public.

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A SurvivalBlog reader has a launched a business making a line of trailer-mounted photovoltaic power systems. Check them out.

Jim B. sent a link to a BBC story about a British prisoner of war who smuggled himself into Auschwitz during WWII. It includes some interesting observations on cigarettes as barter items.

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Courtesy of Captain Bill and Bayou Renaissance Man, a The Daily Mail piece about a British couple who demonstrated what not to do when your house catches fire.

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SurvivalBlog regular Bill Buppert sent a link to a study on the effectiveness of current camouflage patterns. Bill's comments: "One of the keenest bits of advice is contained in paragraph 4.b. in the Conclusions and Recommendations wherein it states that the USMC should be emulated for adopting the coyote color for all personal kit so it can be accommodated by all aspects of the environment e.g., woodland and desert. Wise words indeed. If you must wear camo uniforms, don't match the scheme to your accessories such as packs, slings, etc. Monochrome is best for versatility. My biggest disappointment was not seeing the old Army Woodland and Three Color Desert patterns tested against the ones in the report. Talk to most soldiers returning from the Middle East and they will tell you that the old desert pattern is very effective."

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A reader recently asked about Moss tents. I mentioned the Moss Stardome II model in "Patriots", and my family has been using our Moss tents for over 15 years. Sadly, they are no longer in production. I have not yet discovered a new source for sturdy, American-made expedition tent that comes in earth tones. I found the discontinued Moss brand Little Dipper and Stardome II designs to be the most practical. You might look for used Moss tents in good condition on eBay.

Jack H. mentioned a good article in The City Journal: The Cyber-Threat Grows

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SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson said he thought that this book looked interesting: Confessions of an Igloo Dweller: Memories of the Old Arctic

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A reminder that the special two-week 25% off sale on canned Mountain House foods at Ready Made Resources ends on Monday. They are offering free shipping on full ("unbroken") cases lots. But because of the higher handling costs, if you "mix and match" cans within cases, shipping will be charged.

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HPD pointed us to a piece in The Telegraph by Gerald Warner: Climategate e-mails sweep America, may scuttle Barack Obama’s Cap and Trade laws.

M.K. sent a link to a piece on potassium iodide (KI) that ran on NPR. By the way, KI and KI03 are sold by several SurvivalBlog advertisers.

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Joe Ordinary sent a link to footage of a large meteor that went over South Africa late Saturday evening. Listening to eyewitness accounts it was seen from as far away as Maputo (in Mozambique) Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The meteor was traveling northwest and was presumed to have landed beyond the Botswana border. This video footage was taken approx 350 kilometers from the border.

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The editor of The Mountainsteps Blog posted a very favorable review of my latest book.

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Jason sent a link to a sporadically-updated blog on trikes, bikes and small campers.

Reader Paul D. sent us a YouTube link that shows how to make a 16 Brick Rocket Stove.

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FJ forwarded a link to an article on Teeny Tiny Houses

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Reader MP recommended this Wired article: Vanishing in the modern age

Real estate bust opens doors for parties at vacant houses. (Thanks to GG for the link.)

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Reader Ken S. wrote to mention: "I have also been diving construction dumpsters at various construction sites for excess building materials. You'd be shocked at what a construction hand will throw away. It's just another way to survive this worsening economy and put stacks of building materials in my storage shed."

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Courtesy of reader HPD comes another Nanny State Britannia Update: British police arrest people ‘just for the DNA’; More than three-quarters of young black men are on system, watchdog says

My old friend Fred the Valmet-meister has been helping me for the last few months in restoring several "All-American Five" 1940s vintage AM and Shortwave table radios. These have included a RCA, a Crosley, a Motorola and two Pilot brand radios. Fred has installed all new replacement capacitors, checked the tubes, cleaned the tuners, and realigned the radios. The end result has been EMP-proof dual band radios that can operate on both AC and DC power. As previously mentioned in SurvivalBlog, these are ideal for anyone that has an alternative power system where they have a 110-to-120 volt VDC battery bank. A surprising variety of replacement and replica parts for radios of this vintage are available via the Internet.

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Reader Steve S. recommended sfherb.com as a good source for mail order herbs and spices, with reasonable prices.

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SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson spotted this over at the Classical Values blog: Where Were You When Wood Became A Felony?

On a recent trip in foul weather, we were reminded how useful it is to have several whitewater rafting "dry bags." These heavy-duty rubberized nylon bags have a virtually watertight seal, and have become ubiquitous with the paddling crowd. Ours were purchased back in the early 1990s, and were made by Northwest River Supply (NRS). This is back in the days when nearly all of the NRS products were made by hand in Moscow, Idaho. And this was when their "Bill's Bag" was available in green. (Now, the only choice is "shoot me " red!) There are now umpteen dry bag makers, and umpteen styles and colors available. We find these very handy both for canoeing and for road trips--for stowing extra gear on our rig's roof rack. In addition to the lightweight version with a carry handle and lightweight shoulder straps, you can pay more and get a full-up "portage pack" with internal stainless steel stays and more-heavily padded shoulder straps and a proper backpack-style padded hip belt.

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Bret F. told us about a swell deal in Mountain Home, Idaho. An auto dealership there is running a "Buy a Truck, Get a Gun" promotion.

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Our family has recently been reading the newly updated Making the Best of Basics by James Talmage Stevens. We've been impressed at the extent to which the book has been expanded and updated. If you have one of the older editions I highly recommend that you upgrade to the new edition, and pass along your older copy to a friend.

SurvivalBlog's British-born Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this: British Navy was within 50 feet of Somali Pirates as they Kidnapped British Citizens. Mike's comment: "Their poltroonery in letting the pirates do this may be related to the advice that no pirate should be taken on a British ship in case he might apply for political asylum. Words cannot express how far this is from the Nelsonian tradition."

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Also sent in by Mike: No, they're not kidding: UK proposal to ration carbon usage on an individual basis.

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Attention South Carolina Citizens: S.C. offering shoppers tax-free weekend on guns. "Second Amendment Weekend" begins just after Thanksgiving. Ya gotta love the South. Somehow, I can't imagine New Jersey doing the same thing.

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I just heard that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has taken a cue from Nancy Pelosi. They may try a "Saturday night sneak " vote tonight on ObamaCare! If this troubles you, then please take a few minutes to contact your US Senator, today!

We've had a tough deer and elk season here at the Rawles Ranch. Thusfar, we've filled just two deer tags, and haven't yet got an elk. The season has been difficult because there have been two hard winters in succession with deep snow that have taken their toll on the herds. The local wolf population seems to be increasing as well, and their depredations have been obvious. (And so are their big piles of scat that we see all-too frequently when we are out in the woods!) After they've cleaned out the deer, I suspect they'll move on to consuming domestic sheep, dogs, cats, and perhaps even unarmed people. BTW, a bumper sticker is now popular in our region: "Too Many Wolves! Smoke a Pack a Day"

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Reader Joe K. spotted this at the VOA's web site that provides one more reason to have a deep larder: More Americans Than Ever Experiencing Food Insecurity

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Walt H. was the first of several readers that wrote to mention a deadly home invasion robbery in Utah that had "prepper with bad OPSEC" written all over it: Neighbor describes a horrifying scenario in man's slaying in Payson.

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Damon sent this article link illustrating another close call: Meteor illuminates the Utah sky

Reader Chris B. wrote to mention that a software update glitch caused him to lose all of the address book data on his Blackberry. He wanted to remind folks to periodically write down (or upload and print out) all of the phone numbers, addresses, and e-mail addresses that you keep stored on hand-held devices. Chris wrote: "I felt pretty sheepish, using my laptop to e-mail everyone for their cell phone numbers because I don't know them and didn't have the foresight to write them down." Nothing beats a hard copy backup!

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Gun Sales Shoot Up Amid America's Fear of Rising Crime and Terrorism

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Cheryl mentioned some Free Downloadable Survival Books

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Don't miss out on the special two-week 25% off sale on canned Mountain House foods that runs through the end of November, at Ready Made Resources. For even greater savings, they are offering free shipping on full (unbroken) cases lots. But because of the higher handling costs, if you "mix and match" cans within cases, shipping will be charged.

Bobbi-Sue spot what must surely be our cue to stock up before some hefty retail price increases: Rice to Return 100% as Typhoons, Drought Roil Asians

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Chalk up one minor victory for personal liberty: Airport rules changed after Ron Paul aide detained. (A hat tip to HPD for the link.)

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Straycat sent us this: Death Valley Bones May Solve Mystery of Missing German Tourists. The Cat's Comment: "First rule of survival; Be prepared! Second rule; Don't do anything stupid! "

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'2012' Movie Tops Box Office, Pulls in $225M Worldwide. (Thanks to KAF for the link.)

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CampingSurvival.com has announced that they’re giving away a free Nukalert every month!

Ryan (not one of the one of the Ryans of TSLRF fame) sent this news item from a southern Idaho newspaper: Driggs boy shoots bear on family's porch. Ryan's comment: "This is great. Hope my daughter turns out like this". Speaking of bears in Idaho, my old college roommate e-mailed me the link to this archived picture from the Colt Firearms collection.That was lucky shot. (Needless to say, .32 ACP is not a reliable stopper for predators of either the two-legged or four-legged varieties! Here at the ranch, we regularly carry .45 ACPs in the woods, and feel just barely sufficiently armed.)

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I heard from a reader that as of January 1st, in California and Washington it will be illegal to balance car and truck wheels with lead weights.This might present an opportunity for anyone in California or Washington to acquire some scrap lead for various post-TEOTWAWKI projects. Just ask your local tire shop what they plan to do with their bins of old weights, and offer them a nominal sum for what they have left. You might get a real bargain.

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K.L. in Alaska suggested this article from England: Organic GM alternative considered. K.L's comment: "Apparently there's a move afoot to re-brand genetically engineered seeds
as "organic" to make this monopolistic practice more palatable to the public."

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Lawrence in West Virginia let me know that the mail order catalog/Internet company Sportsman's Guide got another batch of pre-1899 Chilean contract Mausers, that they are selling sans papiere for $299. That is a fair price, these days.They have them in both 7x57 Mauser, and arsenal conversions to 7.62mm NATO. The latter are safe to shoot with standard 7.62mm NATO ball, but NOT with commercially loaded .308 Winchester soft nose, since it has substantially higher chamber pressure! If you want to shoot soft nose through these, then work up a mild hand load. Or, using a .30 caliber bullet puller collet and a reloading press, carefully pull the bullets from loaded standard 7.62mm NATO ball cartridges and re-seat soft nose 150 grain spitzer bullets. (This is how some high power rifle target shooters make "Mexican Match.") By the way, for some details on the legalities of pre-1899 guns, read my Pre-1889 Cartridge Guns FAQ.

Yishai spotted a link to New Scientist, posted by Glenn Reynolds, over at Instapundit: Mini ice age took hold of Europe in months

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Steve S. mentioned a recent article in The Detroit News that briefly quotes JWR: Apocalypse now: Armageddon scenarios reach fever pitch

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SurvivalBlog's British-born Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson mentioned this incredible news story from Nanny State Britannia: Find a gun, go to jail.

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For the OPSEC-minded amongst us, Ron A. suggested this article with umpteen links: Web World Wide -- 50 Free Internet Tools for Tin-Foil Hat Wearers. OBTW, I take offense at the "tin foil hat " moniker. SurvivalBloggers' hats are made of food grade reflective mylar, topped with a region-specific camouflage cover. ;-)

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Ken M. suggested some short videos on how to escape from "zip tie" handcuffs. Ken's comment: "This might come in handy if you are ever in a hostage situation."

Cheryl (aka The Economatrix) mentioned that Sun Tzu's Art of War (Sonshi's translation, not the Giles edition) free on-line. Be sure to check out the Strategy Course.

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I found this linked at The Drudge Report (a very good news aggregation page that I scan at least once a week): Asteroid passes just 8,700 miles from Earth - with only 15 hours warning

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Also from Drudge: Cuba orders extreme measures to cut energy use. An energy saving tip for Papa Fidel: You could save half a million watts, if you just pull the plug on the Schumer that spews forth from La Voz de la Propagandistas.

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Cheryl spotted this article: Survival School: Why More Americans Are Learning To Pick Locks, Bust Out Of Handcuffs, And Avoid Surveillance

D.F. in Michigan's Upper Peninsula suggested this solar homesteading and woodworking web site: ManyTracks

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Jimmy suggested a YouTube clip on inexpensive heat and light: A Common Man's Grease Lamp. It uses Australian beeswax and petroleum jelly mix, sold under the brand name Murray's Beeswax. Buy a jar for each of your survival kits. OBTW, it will likely melt in a hot car trunk, so be sure to store each jar in two thicknesses of Ziploc bags. Or, if you live in a hot climate, perhaps re-pack your supply in a small water-tight container with an o-ring seal, like a Pelican micro case. (That is somethimg that I already carry my tinder and matches in, as part of my outdoor survival kit.) Stock up before the US Dollar slips further against the Aussie Dollar.

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Another State (Ohio) Introduces Firearms Freedom Act, similar to those enacted in Tennessee and Montana.

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SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this: Power for U.S. From Russia’s Old Nuclear Weapons

Joshua K. suggested this free instructional video: How to make your own powdered eggs.

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Several readers suggested this article: Blackout raises doubts over Brazil infrastructure. Reader Steven W. noted: "Knowing how fragile our grid system is, I thought the readers would find this article on yesterday’s power outage in Brazil interesting, especially the note about gunmen robbing people en masse, in Rio.. I work for a Brazilian company and have been to both Rio and Sao Paulo and can tell you they are not safe under normal circumstances and I cannot imagine what really happened during the blackout."

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Ron B. sent me the link to some commentary from novelist Ralph Peters: Fort Hood's 9/11.

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Chicago Mayor Daley Blames Fort Hood on America’s Love of Guns! One of the first few comments was priceless: "Does he blame 9/11 on a love of planes?" Perhaps Daley would like to disarm the US Army and just teach them how to use taunts, harsh language, and projected farm animals.

Damon recommended this tutorial written by a university professor: Beginning Cheesemaking.

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Tom at Camping Survival (one of our loyal advertisers) has announced a special "Overstock Giveaway", just for SurvivalBlog readers. Only the first five readers that respond via e-mail will receive a FREE Coghlan's C Tech Wireless Weather Station. Here is a description: "This device lets you keep an eye on the weather conditions and trends. The high-impact body with rubberized finish is weather-resistant for reliable service in outdoor environments. Includes a long-lasting lithium battery and includes a lanyard cord for carrying. The detachable wireless sensor has a 100-foot range, providing you with ample placement options. This item also features a display with weather icons and trend graph which will relay future weather predictions based on the preceding 8-hour time period. The temperature can be displayed in either Celsius or Fahrenheit and the thermometer has a min/max temperature function for both indoors and outdoors. Integrated hygrometer provides relative humidity percentage, which is helpful in determining the heat index. Also provides clock functions which works on a 12 or 24 hour format with an alarm features. The integrated calendar display shows day, date, month and year. These retail for $34." Thanks, Tom!

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Reader Michael D. mentioned the Solar Ovens web page.

Jeff B. flagged this from ABC: Massachusetts family of six lives off $4 per week for food. Coupon clipping pays off! For anyone on a low income: If you have the time, but not the cash, then this is one way to stock your larder. (With our Search Posts on SurvivalBlog box, enter the word "coupons" to find previous articles with links to online printable coupons and discount codes, such as this one.)

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Jim W. and Norman both suggested this 60 Minutes segment about a former US spy chief's dire warning about the vulnerability of America's power grids: Sabotaging the System.

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Zach F. and Cheryl both mentioned this piece: How Safe Is Your Safe-Deposit Box?

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Bridget sent us another installment on the growth of Nanny State Britannia: Now safety police want to check all our smoke alarms. Britons: If you haven't caught the clue yet, now is the time to Take The Gap!

Several how-to videos have been posted that were filmed by Outside Magazine editor Joe Spring who accompanied Tony Nester of the Ancient Pathways school on a "Knife-Only" outdoor survival course.

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File this is the "Why Am I Not Surprised?" Department: U.S. reverses stance on treaty to regulate arms trade. This, BTW, is the same Presidential Administration headed by the guy that promised voters: "I'm not going to take away your guns."

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Jeff B. forwarded this link: Seven (more) ) Abandoned Wonders of America: From Deserted Breweries to Famous Auto Factories.

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Pelosi: Buy a $15,000 Policy or Go to Jail. We are just now starting to learn what was hidden in the "fine print" of HR 3962, the 2,000+ page bill that was just ramrodded through the House of Representatives on a Saturday.. All that we can hope to do now is stop this socialist legislation in the US Senate. If you are concerned about this bill, then please contact your Senator by both phone and snail mail!

Brits put Cold War bunker on preservation list: U.S.-built fortress left obsolete by fall of Berlin Wall becomes landmark. (Thanks to Mike H. for the link.)

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Do you have one of those great folding bicycles? Now you can get a collapsible cargo trailer, to go with.

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Josh in Chicagoland flagged this: Computer meltdown creates traffic-light chaos in Montgomery. Josh's comment: " This shows just how fragile our way of life is - one computer goes down causing gridlock! This should be an eye-opener and stress the importance of having alternate routes for G.O.O.D."

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Judy Kendall, the director or Anchor Charities sent us an update on the Linda Rawles Memorial Fund, that benefits The Anchor Institute Orphanage and School, in rural Zambia. Judy wrote: "We are moving forward with our plans to build a boarding school. Our blueprints should be completed in the next few weeks. Our goal is to lay the foundation for the boarding school in May of next year (our next scheduled trip). We're hoping the boarding school will serve two purposes. One, it will allow paying students to attend school at Anchor and those funds can be used to support daily expenses for all that attend school there such as food, books, etc. Two, it will allow our little orphans to integrate with other children." JWR Adds: My sincere thanks to the more than 170 SurvivalBlog readers that have thusfar contributed more than $9,000 to the Linda Rawles Memorial Fund. The Anchor School is a very worthy charity!

Important Safety Tip: Don't sleep in bear's den. Bear kills militants in Kashmir.

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Don T. suggested this: Farmers growing electricity along with their crops

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The spin-meisters are at it again! Here is an update on the Jordanian-American terrorist gunman at Fort Hood, Texas: Now they've stopped calling it "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" since he had never been deployed to Iraq! Well, perhaps "Pre-Traumatic Stress Disorder"? Or, since Major Hasan was a psychiatrist with the US Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, perhaps his case should be labeled: "The Stress of Studying Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder"

Rourke suggested this article: What Survivalists Have Right

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Reader Jim S. suggested this mainly humorous piece: 12 places to go if the world goes to h***

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Bob B. found an essay titled: Why Bother? (To Prepare) Bob says: "It underscores the fact that preparing significantly alters your mindset, which might turn out to be the most valuable preparation of all."

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"Straycat" sent us this: Water rationing for Venezuela's capital city. Have you bought a Berkey or Katadyn filter for your family yet?

Reader Bill R. recommended the RadioReference.com. Here is Bill's description of the site: "It is the only site that I've found that covers county 911 dispatch in my county in rural northwestern Tennessee. This is a good site to find out what's going on at any time. There is a wealth of real time information here, as well as threads and discussions re: 911 comms, amateur radio, and all things radio."

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The folks at Ready Made Resources have announced that they are having another free drawing for November. It will be for a Lifesaver 4000 water filtration bottle (a $169 retail value.). It is free to sign up, with no purchase necessary. They will also be having a sale on Mountain House canned long-life storage foods, from November 15th to 30th. Full Case Lots will be 25% off and qualify for free shipping! Mixed Case Lots are 25% off, plus shipping.

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Disasters may catch Canada unprepared: AG report. (Thanks to Richard S. for the link.)

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One of my relatives mentioned the products from Tactical Medical Packs. They appear to be top quality. Take a look.

Reader B.B. sent this: U.S. sees shortage of ammunition. I'm glad that I bought most of mine in the early 1990s. Back then, military surplus 7.62mm NATO ball was just $5 per box, if you shopped around.

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Damon mentioned this article in Backwoods Home magazine: Consider the 20-gauge shotgun, by Massad Ayoob

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KT flagged this: Russian sniper rifles take aim at American market

Jeff B. sent us this: The one man army: How a Cambridge-educated botanist fought a three-year war against 4,000 Japanese troops. Here is a link to a book about Chapman: Jungle Soldier: The True Story of Freddy Spencer Chapman.

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Tom B. mentioned this: DEQ issues well-water warnings

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Rick W. sent this news item from Utah: Mock disaster 'eye-opening' for Centerville responders

Reader Brian B. mentioned a new Internet service called GunPal opened last week which allows for the online payment of all transactions, including firearms-related commerce. (PayPal is notoriously anti-gun.) Hopefully this new service will prosper and provide a valuable resource for those requiring freedom of choice. It was founded by a group of pro-gun gents--mostly from CalGuns--and their roster of advisory board members includes fellow pro-gun blogger Oleg Volk. We should help grow GunPal -- effectively voting with our dollars. It took just five minutes for me to set up a GunPal account, and I've already added it as an option for payments for consulting, advertising payments, and voluntary Ten Cent Challenge subscriptions. Let's get the new company off to a great start!

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Bob B.: suggested this Nightline video from 2008 that you might have missed: Living the Real Simple Life. It shows how much food one family can grow on just 1/5th acre.

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"Arrggh, me buckos. Time to board that ship!" You gotta love this: The Laserlyte Pistol Bayonet. (The seller, BTW, takes GunPal payments). Take a few minutes to check out Willow Bend's more practical gun gear.)

Tree house man lives off the land. I think he needs to spend less time in the hammock, and more time cutting firewood for the coming winter!

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Other news from England: Bullets used by British soldiers 'too small to defeat Taliban'. Not only is 5.56 too small, but the entire Enfield L85 (aka SA80) bullpup development and procurement program has been a foul-up from day one. I suppose that it is time to break out some L1A1s from their war reserve arsenal. That is, assuming they still have a few hundred thousand of them... There may not be that many. Many thousands of L1A1 parts kits that came into the US in the early 1990s. The rifles were sold off by the short-sighted British government. Their full-auto receivers were slagged, but thankfully all of the rest of the parts were then legal to sell in the US as surplus. (A tip of the hat to P.D. of the link.)

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Reader Ron S. suggested a great YouTube Video: From Cherry Log to Country Chair: making furniture with hand tools. BTW, everyself-sufficient carpenter should own a shingle froe, a hardwood mallet ("maul"), an adze, and a draw knife. For any serious production, a home-built shaving horse (treadle woodworking clamp) is also a must.

A new 2010 Survival Calendar is now available. I was delighted to see that the designer included one page devoted to SurvivalBlog. Check it out! OBTW, you can use the coupon code "survivalblog" (without the quotes) to get a $4 discount on checkout.

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Brian H. wrote me to mention that Gene Logsdon's classic 1977 book "Small-Scale Grain Raising" is back in print in an updated paperback edition. Be sure to order the Second edition.

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Reader HPD sent this: Cash for Clunkers costs taxpayers $24,000 per car. And Damon sent this, on this article, with a similar theme: The Stimulus Saved 650,000 Jobs? I'm Not Impressed. ($230,769 to create each job? Only a Federal bureaucrat could call that a success.)

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Wal-Mart Starts Selling Caskets, Urns On-Line. At least they are made in the USA, unlike most of the other products sold at what my brother calls "Great Wall of China Mart".

Reader Beth T. flagged this news item: Explorer Ernest Shackleton's whiskey stash has been discovered in Antarctica, over 100 years after his failed expedition to the South Pole.

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Kimberly suggested an article that Kellene Bishop wrote on her blog site, titled: Why I Worry About You. Kimberly's comment: "It would be a great article for your readers to send to friends who are sitting on the fence or are completely unaware of, or the extent of, current challenges facing this country and her people. It is a 'heart to heart' message."

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"Word" was the first of several readers to send this: Toronto musician dies after coyote attack in Cape Breton. If just two coyotes can do that, then what could a whole pack of wolves do? Always a carry a gun when you step off your front porch! Don't forget that predators come in both two-legged and four-legged varieties.

Amy, of the excellent Humble Musings blog mentioned this article: Cash for Clubbers; Congress's fabulous golf cart stimulus. It is about the new $5,300 Federal tax credit available for any street legal electric vehicle. Well, in many western states ATVs are considered street legal! So... Can I get this tax credit for an all-electric ATV, such as an Eco E ATV, a Bad Boy Buggy, or a ATV-modified golf cart? That would fit in nicely with the planned expansion of our home photovoltaic power system. And it would be a great way to go hunting in a much, much quieter--if not quasi-tactical--ATV. Please don't tell Nancy Pelosi about my plan, or she'll have a conniption fit! An please note that this is not a money giveaway program or a tax refund. It is just a tax credit that will mean that I can keep some of my hard-earned money for a practical use. So I won't suffer guilt pangs over it.

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As The Fongman would say: "Oh maaaan!" What a bummer. They found Tamara K.'s backup cache. Or, as Slim Pickens would say: "Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas, with all that stuff."

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G.&K. sent this: Bay Bridge Closure Sets Stage For Commute Chaos. Their comment: "If ever there was evidence for why to not have a major bridge between you and your retreat..."

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Our Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson recommended this Washington Times editorial by James Carafano: Why 1978 was a very bad year

GG sent us an article with more about modern-day urban chicken raisers: When the Problems Come Home to Roost.

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Reader BB ran across a human-powered product which can act as a well pump. BB's comment: "Unfortunately, they will not ship to the US, Canada nor Western Europe, but it's an interesting device I haven't seen before. Certainly a good small scale off-the-grid solution."

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Reader F.R suggested this article: Solar lantern lights up rural India's dark nights.

Chester suggested this YouTube instructional video: AR15 / M4 Magazine Pouches

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You gotta love Missouri: Anvil Shooting! And here is a lot more of the same, using electric detonators.

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Jay mentioned the trailer for the new post-Peak Oil documentary film, titled "Collapse." Has this guy been reading SurvivalBlog?

Jim. H. suggested this piece over at Lew Rockwell's site by Terrence Gillespie: Ammo for Barter – Ammo vs. Money

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Reader GG alerted me to this: The raid that rocked the Met: Why gun and drugs op on 6,717 safety deposit boxes could cost taxpayer a fortune. GG opines: "This is evidence of why we should not store our valuables in safe deposit box."

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Steve sent this video: Fearless Gas Station Clerk Grabs Shotgun From Robber. He was lucky! Never bring just muscles to a gun fight!

Jim from Illinois mentioned an eight-minute YouTube video clip titled The Fallout Shelters You Paid For. While some of their conclusions are unfounded, and some of the pictures are actually just of mines, it is still interesting to watch. Speaking of subterranean shelters, here is an elaborate private one. OBTW, did you notice teh glaring design error? Be sure to specify vault doors that open inward, so they can't be easily blocked by falling debris or by miscreants!

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Peter Robinson comments in Forbes: Armageddon Time; When it comes to Iran, the U.S. may be facing a cataclysm

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Reader Jim A. recommended a source for defensive wire: Razor Wire International, in Arizona. Jim A.'s comments: "They have excellent prices and really know the business. In fact they sell to prisons across the country. Contact: Steve at 1(800) 510-0840. They several types of razor wire and concertina wire."

Don C. recommended a piece by Radley Balko at Reason: We're All Felons, Now; Perpetual public fear of crime has turned us all into criminals. The average American unwittingly commits about three Federal felonies per day.

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The latest nuttiness from Nanny State Britannia: Apology for singing shop worker. (Thanks to Dewanye for the link.)

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A Cessna armed with Hellfire missiles. (This is not a joke.) Speaking of Cessna Caravans, any owners or would-be owners should bookmark this useful blog page: FlyingTheCessnaCaravan.

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Vic at Safecastle wrote to mention that Canadian customers can now purchase Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. Their partner distributor in Ontario has ten different Mountain House varieties in stock, ready to ship across Canada. This is great news for preppers up north that have heretofore been forced to pay international shipping rates.

Yishai mentioned some free CPR, AED, Choking, and Bag Valve Mask training videos that are available on-line.

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Britain considering banning beer glasses to reduce chance of "Brawls." (Thanks to our Editor at Large Mike Williamson for the link.)

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Damon wrote to mention that Northwest Territorial Mint now offers silver bullion in fractional ounce and gram sizes.

Damon spotted and interesting web article on Everlasting Yeast.

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Reader JDT suggested the SOG Fusion Spirit Knife/Spear Head as a tool to have on hand for worst-case, long-term situations.

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Matt R. mentioned a new computer game called "I am Alive" that will be released next year.

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Ready Made Resources has added to their catalog some new premium albacore and salmon products with a minimum seven year shelf life.

F.G. sent us this: In trying times, hunters go after deer to put food on the table

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Reader Scott C. reminded me of a preparedness list that has been circulating for several years that deserves a link: The 100 Things That Run Out First in an Emergency.

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W..W. sent us a link to a news story on the long tradition of privately-owned firearms in Switzerland.

Reader Jane L. sent this: River walkers discover weapons cache. There rae two lessons to be learned from this: 1.) Be very careful where and how you cache your guns, and 2.) Be sure to list the serial numbers of your guns, and leave that documentation well-hidden in the home of a relative or a well-trusted friend.

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Jonathan sent this one about over-reliance on technology: GPS Causing Truckers to Crash Into Bridges. Jonathan's comment: "As you have said many times, you have to know how to use your tools or you'll get in trouble. It also shows the need to use the right tool for the job. In this case truckers are using consumer-focused GPS units that don't look at truck requirements like bridge height and road restrictions."

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Field and Stream readers go ballistic, debating the survival firearms selection implications of "Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse". Rather than debating the merits of my book, they embarked on a lively debate about guns, traps, snares, and even primitive weapons. Gee, just imagine how much they'd have to debate if they actually read my novel!

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HPD sent this news item from Nanny State Scotland: Why can kids get these weapons? William Wallace is surely rolling in his grave!

Reader Mark K. sent a link to an interesting chart that shows the sources of state revenue. This could have a bearing on your choice of retreat locales. (As I've previously mentioned in SurvivalBlog, folks that want to truly "live off the land" need to consider property tax and sales tax rates carefully.)

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Chris mentioned this tidbit: Lone Star Energy: Why Texas Will Resist the Call for a Unified Grid.

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Reader HH sent this article: The Case For Withdrawing Nickels. It adds credence to my advice on stockpiling US five cent pieces as an inflation hedge. Once silver zooms up past $25 per ounce, I predict that nickels will become the poor man's alternative to silver!

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Jerrold spotted this article: Harrods to sell gold bullion for first time.

Reader CPK pointed us to a video clip of an amazing snow vehicle concept from the 1920s that ought to be revived.

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Courtesy of Cheryl: Record October Cold Has Folks Scrambling to Winterize.

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Reader Phil E. suggested a fascinating account of Jews hiding out in caves in the Ukraine, during WWII, to survive the Holocaust. Greater detail can be found in the book The Secret of Priest's Grotto: A Holocaust Survival Story.

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H.H. sent us this news blurb from oh-so-politically-correct western Oregon: Apartment residents told to take down U.S. flags. Here are two quotes: "...the American flag symbolizes problems", and "Residents we talked to who had been approached to take down their flags all told us the same thing: that management told them the flags could be offensive because they live in a diverse community."

Nona mentioned that the North Dakota State University Extension Service has plans for everything from bee hives and rabbit hutches to deep well water systems for your house, to vegetable cellars. You can download the 8-1/2" x 11" format plans as free PDF files, or order 18" x 24" blueprints for $4.

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The new AsaMom web site ("A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots") has been growing at a phenomenal rate, thanks in part to a prominent mention on the Glenn Beck program. Check it out.

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SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson spotted some further evidence that the British Nanny State has run amok: Review of babysitting ban ordered. Ironically, the issue is nannying.

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JHB spotted this item with multi-generational TEOTWAWKI potential: Scientific Sundials. Note: These will be no use for you George Noory "Coast-to-Coast AM" fans who believe in "Earth thrown off its axis" pole shift theory. ;-)

World Rice Stockpiles Hit as Yields Drop

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UN: World hunger has been increasing for a decade. Thanks to Bob for the link.

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SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us this glimpse of the the Third World: In India: Forget the Diamond Ring, Brides Want Ceramic. "…since a “No Toilet, No Bride” campaign started about two years ago, 1.4 million toilets have been built here in the northern state of Haryana, some with government funds, according to the state’s health department… “I won’t let my daughter near a boy who doesn’t have a latrine,” said Usha Pagdi, who made sure that daughter Vimlas Sasva, 18, finished high school and took courses in electronics at a technical school. “No loo? No ‘I do,’ ” Vimlas said, laughing as she repeated a radio jingle." Mike's comment: "As has been mentioned here recently, most westerners don't really grasp how essential modern plumbing, from water to sewage systems, are to modern society. Without them, large cities are simply impossible, and small housing lots lead quickly to the type of pestilences that wiped out large areas of Europe and Asia during various plagues. Bacterial infections can reduce populations in a matter of days. There is, of course, an irony that the vocal eco activists (the anti-human, pro-wildlife types) would never suggest getting rid of indoor plumbing, even though doing so would reduce the world's urban population significantly." [JWR Adds: Coincidentally, we may see some public health issues in the tent cities that are springing up in the US.]

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This product has some possibilities: the Ballistic Clipboard. If carried in a briefcase or in a laptop bag, it might give you some protection, particularly in locations where you must be disarmed--such as in many office buildings, courthouses, and inside airport terminals. In those circumstances, having some protection is better than nothing!

SF in Hawaii mentioned a low cost source for poly water tanks.

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Several readers wrote to tell me about a dated, yet interesting article: In 2008 Afghanistan firefight, US weapons failed

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Some congressmen get it: Tax Policy, Economic Growth and American Families. Too bad that they don't hold a majority. (Thanks to JHB for the link.)

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Reader Michael A. asked me to remind folks that John Pugsley's now classic book on practical tangibles investing The Alpha Strategy is available for free download in PDF.

Reader FG sent this: Terror struck four generations in deadly home invasion. F.G's comment: "You must be armed at home, folks!" Meanwhile, The Other Jim R. sent me this home invasion news story. He noted: "This one was in New Hampshire, which is not exactly 'big city'."

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Cheryl alerted us to this: "Large Insect" Sparked Missile Truck's Crash.

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Cops' Rising Use of "Stop and Frisk" Questioned

GS in the State of Jefferson sent us this: Schwarzenegger signs ammunition sales bill. A thumbprint and detailed personal information before completing an ammo sale? BTW, this new law includes .22 Long Rifle ammo! What insanity. Once again, my advice to SurvivalBlog readers is to get out of California. It is a lost cause. Vote with your feet!

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Exercise can extend survival even in 'oldest old' (Thanks to Roxie for the link.)

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Ralph U. sent this one: Cold temperatures threaten Idaho seed potato crop

Reader Steve B. is a broker in the wholesale canned foods market. He wrote me to mention: "As a result of the recent tsunami, canned tuna production in Samoa will be severely
curtailed for many months." We all know what the law of supply and demand dictates. So stock up now, while prices are still low!

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For American viewers that missed it, Survivors: Series 1 (2008--the remake of the Terry Nation 1970s British series) is now available via Netflix.

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Speaking of England, reader LJ spotted this: Apocalypse city: Welcome to the 'estate that time forgot' (or when regeneration plans don't go ahead as planned

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A new book that was co-authored by the late Carla Emery has been released: Canning and Preserving Your Own Harvest an Encyclopedia of Country Living Guide

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Pittsburgh Police Deny G-20 'Sound Cannon' Allegations. Gee, then they'd better have those YouTube videos removed.

Why does society loathe well-prepared individuals? See: Soldier suspended from school. My, things have changed since I was in high school 1970s. In that era, many of my classmates carries a Buck Folding Hunter pocketknife in a leather belt pouch, and nobody said "boo" about it. (Thanks to LSC for the news link.)

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Could Food Shortages Bring Down Civilization?

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Don't forget that Safecastle's final Mountain House sale for 2009, ends today (October 11th). They are offering 25% off on all Mountain House canned long-term storage foods Don't miss out on the sale pricing for these excellent foods, most of which have a 30 year shelf life.

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'Ravenwood' Comes to America, by Chuck Baldwin

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Reader "Maddog" mentioned this WND piece: 2012 forecast: Food riots, ghost malls, mob rule, terror

From Ben M.: Warning over global oil 'decline'

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2012 Survival Conference Rocks Scottsdale October 17, Teaches You to Survive Mayan Apocalypse. [JWR's comment: These folks have a downright goofy motivation, but I can't knock them for preparing. I suspect that just like those that prepared for exclusively for the Y2K date rollover, their preps will languish, starting in 2013.]

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Development plans for the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) have been accelerated by three years. Hmm.... I wonder why? Some mullahs should be mulling this over.

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Regular content contributor Damon S. spotted this: Suspected Ebola outbreak kills 23 in south Sudan.

Morgan spotted this: Brazil’s Motorists Invest in Armor

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Attention New Yorkers: Don't miss the Doomsday Film Festival, October 23-25, 2009.

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Penny was the first of several readers to send me this: SWAT raid on food storehouse heading to trial; Family sues over confiscation of supplies, computers

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Mystery 'Police' Force Has Small Montana City on Edge. (A hat tip to KAF.)

Reader Jim F. mentioned this fascinating Wired article: Missile Silo Fixer-Upper Now Swanky Bachelor Pad

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A reminder that Safecastle's final Mountain House sale for 2009, ends on October 11th. They are offering 25% off on all Mountain House canned long-term storage foods. Order soon!

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Feds sued to keep out of state's gun affair; Complaint filed seeking affirmation of Montana Firearms Freedom Act. (Thanks to Clem in Wyoming, for the link.)

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Paint Horses for Sale: SurvivalBlog reader "Tota" wrote me: "Recently I lost my job. I have a herd of Ten (10) Paint/Quarter horses horses that I need to sell because I cannot afford to feed them. I am located in southeastern Idaho. The package includes a young Black/White (Homozygous for color and pattern) stallion, 6 broodmares - 1 mare is also homozygous for color and pattern -1 black QH mare 1- sorrel QH mare, grade paint mare that produces color even bred to solid horses and a paint mare. There are also some 2-year olds yearlings and foals by the above stallion. This package is the best in Paint and QH breeding. The stallion has had four months of professional training, four of the mares are rideable and some even double as pack horses. The whole herd is $15,000." If you are a serious buyer, please e-mail me, and I will forward it to "Tota".

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Robert M. mentioned: Serious Green: A Guide to Keeping City Chickens

Reader JM3 found a "kicked up" MRE cooking video.

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I heard that Ready Made Resources is having a sale on REC Solar SCM-220 220 watt photovoltaic panels. These panels, made in Norway, are excellent quality, and you can't beat the price--especially when you consider the normal cost of shipping, which is free.

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Reader "OSOM" recommended some concealed carry wisdom from Massad Ayoob: 10 Commandments of Concealed Carry.

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Thanks to Tom W. for finding this item: Criminalizing Everyone

John McC. mentioned an interesting (albeit slow-loading) environmental threat map site.

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I heard from a reader in Wyoming about some newly-manufactured herdsman-style trailers equipped with wood stoves. They look like a good option for extended camping situations, or a way to house extra families that show up at your retreat at the 11th Hour.

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Damon pointed us to a Washington Times editorial: The coming war with Iran.

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India floods leave 2.5 million homeless, 250 dead. (My thanks to Eric C. for the link )

Reader FG flagged this news story from Texas: Soldier who stole night vision goggles sentenced. " FG's comment: Be very careful about any "super deals" on US mil spec night vision gear. It may be stolen Government issue."

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Reader Bill D. spotted an interesting two-part article yesterday on “The Brussels Journal” web site dealing with the downfall of Bronze-Age civilization and some of the implications for our own times. Bill's comment: "It’s very heavy on the ancient history but very much worth a read."

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FG mentioned this article on cyber terrorism, from an Australian newspaper: Internet 'biggest threat' to the US

A reader in Florida mentioned a full-service homeschooling support group: Family Tree Private School.

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Larry W. flagged this Der Spiegel article: Russian Weapons Industry: Kalashnikov Manufacturer Faces Bankruptcy

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Ban Handguns? US Supreme Court Taking New Look. JWR's comment: The outcome of this case may be significant for SurvivalBlog readers that live in gun-deprived states like New Jersey and California. If the Supremes hold that individual states can restrict the right to keep and bear arms, then that should be time to vote with your feet, and move to a gun-friendly state.

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Secession Movement Moves Beyond Texas

Ammo Rationing at Wal-Mart as Panic Buying Sweeps US

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Signs of the times in small-town America: Layoffs, lost cruisers: Problems grow for sheriff. Here is a key quote: "'We will be a lawless society,' worries Angela Greenwell, a county board member, fearing the latest trouble 'basically has neutered the sheriff's department.'"

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Los Angeles Times reporter Matthew Brown digs in to the conflicting reports coming out of Hardin, Montana: California entrepreneur promising to revitalize rural Montana town has checkered past. This just gets curiouser and curiouser.

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Reader Phil E. discovered a map graphic that could prove useful: McDonalds fast food franchises in the USA. Phil's comments: "Predictably, it shows many blank areas in the west. It is very similar to the lights-at-night pictures, with fewer data points. It makes a good point about relocation areas." JWR's comment: This squares perfectly with my postulate on "Stop n' Rob" convenience stores that I've often mentioned to my consulting clients. Some of the safest places to be during the unfolding economic depression will be small towns without the conveniences and franchise chains. These towns will have no appeal to the assorted riffraff that will wander out of the big cities in a "slow slide" collapse. They'll likely just pass through, opting instead for larger towns with welfare infrastructures that can accommodate them.

Damon flagged a good essay by Claire Wolfe, over at Backwoods Home: Circle of friends The importance of other people in our preparedness plans

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Andrew H. wrote to mention that the US Government Printing Office (GPO) finally has the Special Forces Medical Handbook back in stock.

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Eric S. noted this Popular Mechanics article; Highly Productive, Low-Stress Animals You Can Raise at Home

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Nanny State Britannia Update: Barmy Britain through the looking glass

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FG found this: Internet overtakes television to become biggest advertising sector in the UK. The accompanying comment from FG: "Television viewing is quickly being buried by Internet. No great loss. The Internet allows real choice, input, and opposing viewpoints. Television offers none of the above."

M. found a TED Talk about a very low tech wind generator built by a farmer in Malawi.

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The Other Jim R. mentioned this item in a Memphis newspaper: ATF tells Tennessee that a federal gun law trumps the state’s. JWR's comment: The new laws in Tennessee and Montana are bound to see court challenges. In my estimation, the Feds are in for a first class spanking when this eventually hits the appeals court level. There is no way that the ATF's bureaucratic proclamation will pass muster, in light of the Lopez decision. The language of the 10th Amendment is clear, and the interstate commerce clause cannot be stretched to include purely intrastate transactions. No Federal nexus means no Federal jurisdiction!

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Ready Made Resources has announced that they will have a free prize drawing, in the month October. The prize is a Columbia River M21-14SF M21 Special Forces- Combo Edge Knife, a $129 value.

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Jim M. alerted us to a New York Times article: Solar Power, Without All Those Panels

El Nino Shift Could Boost Hurricanes and Intensify Droughts

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EMB mentioned a useful solar energy calculator.

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FG mentioned: Sweden selling 27 year old canned rations to the public

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Garnet sent an interesting article on where Americans are, and are not moving: Americans Tame Their Wanderlust

Damon (one of our most regular link contributors) referred us to some useful "how to" pieces on Do-it-Yourself butchering at Backwoods Home, and on You Tube.

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Kevin A. suggest ed this useful post: Checklist for Hard Times

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KAF sent this: Debate Rages Over Federal Control of the Web in a Crisis

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Safecastle has announced their final Mountain House sale for 2009, that runs from September 28 to October 11th. They are offering 25% off on All Mountain House canned long-term storage foods.

Karen H. recommended a piece over at the Utah Preppers site on how to dehydrate peppers.

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Damon mentioned a collection of interactive, online ballistics calculators, The Ballistician's Corner, hosted by Beartooth Bullets. It includes: Exterior Ballistics, Recoil Calculator, Wound Channel
Calculator, Stopping Power Calculators (multiple), Round Ball Weight Calculator, and Powder Calculators.

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Reader FG flagged this: Korea to Sell Old US Rifles Back. These are M1 Garands and M1 Carbines. The latest word is that these will not be sold by the CMP. Instead, they'll be sold by commercial importers. Do you remember the "Blue Sky" stamped M1s of the early 1990s? Blue Skies in the forecast!

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Ya gotta love the Palmetto State: South Carolina political candidate raffles away an AK-47. (Also courtesy of FG)

Tim mentioned: The Most Remote Inhabited Place on Earth

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EU and US Face Spread of New Disease ("Chik")

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Tida sent us this: Micro-Hydro for Homestead/Retreat Power Generation

Regular content contributor FG was first of a dozen readers to send us this news article link: America armed, but guns not necessarily loaded. JWR's comment: The US ammo shortage is likely to abate early next year, as demand is satiated, and supplies increase.

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Reader John G. mentioned that James Talmage Stevens has just released the 11th edition of his heretofore hard-to-find book Making the Best of Basics - Family Preparedness Handbook. In the new updated and expanded edition, the page count has nearly doubled. I consider this book a "must have" for every well-prepared family's bookshelf.

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Cheryl was the first of several readers to mention this: How a Family Shed $106,000 in Debt in One Year

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R.O. recommended this article: Curfew-trapped Hondurans seek food amid crisis

Marko liked this piece on Mexican desert living that he found on Treehugger: Young Couple Says NO to a Mortgaged Life

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From my old Defense Electronics magazine compadre Ken Timmerman: U.S. May Face 9/11-Scale Threat from Venezuela

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Slack: the unused portion of economy's productive capacity, U.S. economy is swimming in spare capacity

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I heard that to pay off some large legal bills stemming from BATFE harassment (no Federal charges were ever filed), KT Ordnance is running a half-price special on all of their 80% complete receivers (except the P-50), They offer 80% complete receivers for 1911s, AR-15s AR-10s and Mark Is. Use promotional code "Molon Labe" to receive your 50% discount.

Damon mentioned a web site that describes the construction of inexpensive sand water filters.

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Directive 21 (one of advertisers) just added the Go Berkey Kit to heir product line. It is a smaller (one quart) Berkey system. It definitely fills a preparedness niche.

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Just as he predicted in an e-mail to me, my friend Jeff's edits to the Wikipedia page on the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition.were repeatedly ripped out by an anti-gun cabal. I am amazed at how Wikipedia has become so politicized and manipulated by the Politically Correct. Oh well, Jeff tells me that if you want to see "the rest of the story" about Mayor Bloomberg's coalition, then take a look at the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Conservapedia page. Wow! Lots of indictments and felony convictions for members of a "crime fighting" organization!

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McChrystal: More Forces or 'Mission Failure' in Afghanistan

Inyokern spotted a web page on a 1 oz. beverage can stove which burns denatured alcohol. Inyokern notes: "This is a great bug-out bag item that is popular with Blue Ridge ultralight backpackers. This, plus fishing line, a folding knife, hooks, and a pan or pot with a lid would make a lightweight emergency kit."

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F.G. sent this: South Carolina mayor prohibits cops from chasing suspects either by car, or on foot!

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J.B. found a piece that describes urban camouflage: the 'Special Operations Tactical Suit' (SOTACS)

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Reader A.V. was the first of several to mention a recent Dilbert comic strip.

Michael Z. Williamson, SurvivalBlog's Editor at Large, sent a link to a fascinating web page about vehicular Cuban boat people. Talk about improvisation and ingenuity!

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FG sent a sixteen-second long YouTube video that shows the level of firearms competence that a 13 year-old girl is capable of. (The pinging noises are hits.) Are your teenagers her equal? If not, then get them to the range more often, and schedule some training!

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Frequent content contributor FG sent this news of "Clunkers" program that I agree with: Purchase a new SIG-Sauer P220, P226, P229, 1911, SIG556 pistol, or SIG556 rifle from your dealer’s inventory before November 30th, 2009, and SIG-Sauer will give you $200 for your old "Klunker" pistol or revolver.

An average of once per day, I get forwarded "warning" e-mails about two essentially mythical legislative threats: SB-2099 and HR-45. Let me clear up some misunderstandings: SB 2099 is dead in committee, and is a piece of Illinois state legislation (not Federal), with no co-sponsors. HR-45 (a.k.a. The Blair Holt bill) is an actual bill before the US House of Representatives but it is similarly dead in committee, with no co-sponsors. (See the last two paragraphs of its Snopes article. BTW, I consider it horribly disingenuous of the leftist Snopes editors to bury this information at the bottom of the article.) Please stop forwarding this nonsense, and instead concentrate your efforts on real legislative threats.

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Cheryl sent this: Poll: 45% of Doctors Would Consider Quitting if Health Care Overhaul is Passed. Contradicts what the White House and AMA are saying

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UK Think Tank Says US Power is Fading

A reader mentioned a new web site that is worth a look: The Biblical View of Self-Defense

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Andrew D. suggested this from Popular Mechanics: Off-the-Grid Living – Self Reliance Through Home Solar and Wind Power and Farming

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FG flagged this: Sheriff's Department Responds to Sonic Device Outrage. Another article notes " The device was stationed by San Diego County Sheriff deputies at a recent town hall forum hosted by Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) in Spring Valley and at a subsequent town hall with Congressman Darrell Issa (R-San Diego)." [JWR's comment: I guess that tasering folks one at a time was deemed inefficient. There is nothing quite like watching an entire crowd in symphonious agony. Joe Stalin would be proud.]

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Paul G. suggested this Treehugger article: Travel By Rail In Style on a RailRider. (Please take a few minutes to review the extant SurvivalBlog articles and letters on this topic, such as this one from 2007, especially the safety warnings.

Tamara (of the always entertaining View From The Porch blog), linked to this: The Plow, The Surplus, and The Idiot. Don't you know how cruel honey is, people? [Sarcasm Mode On: "Oh, those poor imprisoned bees! And wool? Totally cruel, like, all those poor cuddly sheeps and sheeplings, all senselessly slaughtered just for their wool coats. You know, we should just think of them as taller baby fur seals. The barbarity of wool harvesting must be stopped. The world would be a better place., Oh, and Naugahyde, too. All those little Naugas, butchered for their hides, by greedy, cruel capitalists!" And please don't tell this woman that tofu actually comes from Ostrich eggs, or she'll starve to death. Sarcasm Mode Off.]

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FG sent this: British Special Forces training Libyan troops. (FG's comment on the politicians that orchestrated this travesty: "Galactic Level Stupidity"). JWR's comment: First we hear that the Lockerbie bombing's mastermind was set free from prison and returned to Libya to a hero's welcome. And now this. Clearly, there must have been some backroom deals made with The Coiffured Colonel that have not yet been made public.

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Reader J.K. asks: Can it work here in the US? Home power plants project unveiled in Germany.

Marko like this Instructables piece: How to Build Your Own BBQ Barrel. OBTW, all the usual warnings about toxic chemicals and paint apply! It is best to start with a "virgin" barrel.

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Inyokern suggested a 18 minute mini-documentary on solar flares from the Discovery Channel, on Hulu. Attack of the Sun

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Reader FG sent an article from The Guardian for those who might mistakenly consider the bayonet a useless anachronism. (Although a bayonet on an Enfield SA-80 bullpup rifle must be far from ergonomic.) Speaking of the British school of soldiering, FG also sent the link to a long, photo intensive piece by our friend Michael Yon. Take special note of the photo of "Snowy" cleaning his weapon, including each individual rifle cartridge. Since my blog is a bit short today, take a few minutes to read Michael Yon's. Any correspondent that files reports from a two-way rifle range gets high marks, in my book. He also deserves a little clinkage in his tip jar.

Courtesy of reader Trent H. comes the link to this Draft Horse Journal article: A Horse-Powered Produce Farm

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Sean M. suggested a PDF on small hydroelectric plants.

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Will M. flagged this piece by Grandpappy: Five Different Shelf Life Studies: Two on Canned Food and Three on Dry Food

This is not overtly related to survival and preparedness, but I found a page of photos linked over at Tamara's blog simply fascinating: Abandoned Soviet Fortifications and Cities of the Kola Peninsula.

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Heather H. liked this piece: Quick Preserves an Alternative to Canning

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Cheryl flagged this: CSIS Report: US Preparing for North Korea Collapse Scenario. (Thankfully, the Dear Leader has decreed that a societal collapse will not be tolerated.)

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Another open carry victory: