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Dustin
Dustin
13 years ago

Welcome back Jack! Hope you had a blast at the shot show.

KAM
KAM
13 years ago

@Jack,

Interestingly enough, I saw a SHOT show video about a Colt design that has a .308 lower that has a drop-in .223 upper (mag well fits inside .308 mag well). So, if someone really wanted that, it is apparently available.

KAM
KAM
13 years ago

@Jack,

It happens, and honestly, I wish more people had the confidence to say “I got that wrong,” when they do.

RationalHusker
RationalHusker
13 years ago

Jack,
Charles in Iowa (aka, RationalHusker) – I called about the cash/liquidity question. Thanks for the verbal smackdown. Your advice about investing in the property (via utilities/improvements or increased principle payments) confirmed our plan, but I am one of those that does tend to freak out about inflation. Every time I see cash build up, I get nervous. I know you’re right about needing plenty of cash in both deflation and inflation. I tend to lean on the Peter Schiff’s of the world moreso than the Karl Denninger’s, for some reason. Truth is, we’re really seeing bi-flation, and in any case, Cash is King, at at times, like you said. Sorry if I frustrated you, but thanks for your passion and logic…a good combo.

Adjams
Adjams
13 years ago

ahhhh!! where is the hidden show 823?!?!?!

Duncan MacDuff
Duncan MacDuff
13 years ago
Reply to  Adjams

Point of intrest on this mixup is that when you download the mp3’s, no show numbers have been skipped.

Keep up the good work Jack.

Duncan

Adjams
Adjams
13 years ago
Reply to  Duncan MacDuff

Really? Are you talking about in the iTunes Feed? because I am looking at my feed right now and I am mission 823. 822 was published 1/17 and 824 on 1/18. Whats the name of your show for 823 and when was it published???

Adjams
Adjams
13 years ago
Reply to  Adjams

*missing

Adjams
Adjams
13 years ago
Reply to  Duncan MacDuff

What is the title of show number 823 then??? I don’t have any 823 in my itunes page and I have downloaded all episodes!

Help my OCD Jack. I’ve listened to every episode! Episode 1000 (coming this summer! is really going to be labeled episode 999!) This can not be!

Duncan MacDuff
Duncan MacDuff
13 years ago
Reply to  Adjams

Episode-821: epi-00821-listener-feedback-1-16-12.mp3
Episode-822: epi-00822-mike-gaisor-on-the-economy-as-of-jan-2012.mp3
Episode-824: epi-00823-dan-vamos-from-homestead-dividends.mp3
Episode-825: epi-00824-calls-1-23-12.mp3

jandg
jandg
13 years ago

“It’s easier to feed your neighbors than to shoot them” – I love it!

Tim Covington
13 years ago

Jack, what you are saying about service members is very true. I have a friend who is an Army recruiter. Not only are they already limiting re-enlistments already, they are very tight on who they let in. The Army is being very tight with who they allow to join at this time.

Roundabouts
Roundabouts
13 years ago

Ugh it torks my jaw when people don’t control there dogs. I have 3 and they are under control 98%of the time. (We have little mishaps from time to time) Just because you live in the country does not excuse your responsibility. We do fence to keep others out more than to keep ours in. However we also need protection from wild animals so I can live with that. But when I go on a walk and have dogs coming at me it just ugh!!. Even in parks or public places. People that don’t follow the leash law. I wish I could write them a ticket. They always yell out the same thing. Oh my dog is friendly he won’t bite. We have him under control Really then why is he growling over here at my dog and not by your side. I have gone off on more than one person. Will carry spray from now on.

I love dogs and it sounds to me like some one forgot to tell the neighbor dog that that part of his yard has been sold. Good advice given. he could also try to have a snack handy like a hot dog to give to the dog. Learn his name. Calling out his name and saying go home. The people here don’t respond well so I have had to get to know the dogs on my own.

Tim Covington
13 years ago
Reply to  Roundabouts

I completely understand you. A stray pit bull trapping me in my garage was the final thing that pushed me to get my concealed carry license. My garage only has the external garage door for an entrance. And, while I was in there, the dog came running up barking and growling at me. I was home alone, and couldn’t even yell out for help. I was about to grab the chainsaw to fight my way out when the dog went away. Though, I have also started carrying pepper spray for that kind of situation.

LJH
LJH
13 years ago

Jack, on the neighbor’s dog issue – I believe the breed in question was an American Bulldog, not English. Both are molossers but very different variations on that theme. An American Bulldog is a serious guard/protection dog and NOT to be trifled with – English Bulldogs, not so much, unless you fear being slimed. 😉

Both breeds, when well-bred and well-raised, are total sweethearts to family & friends and your advice about getting to know the critters was right on. I’ll bet the caller will have no trouble once the dogs know he belongs there.

rich hutchins
rich hutchins
13 years ago

In regards to the guy who has a prepping group – maybe have a weekly discussion about issues that you heard on a podcast that week – so everyone who has their fave podcast [TSP of course] could bring up what they learned, or already knew, and others can bring up what they know about the subject. This would just be a way to randomize topics.
btw-
I wish i had more time to be on the blog – because i hope to meet other Brooklyn preppers & homesteaders. so speak up if thats you!
-bloodyrich in brooklyn

RationalHusker
RationalHusker
13 years ago
Reply to  rich hutchins

@LJH,

Correct – they are American Bulldogs, and resemble Pit Bulls in stature and head shape. Very nice looking, athletic, healthy dogs. But they are very, very agressive. Especially the female…the owner says “She doesn’t like adult males (human).” Like Jack said, I’m hoping familiarity solves the problem. I do appreciate them on one hand…built-in defense/security fed by others 🙂

Jack mentioned pepper spray, which I do carry. One at least one occasion, I had my hand in my pocket on the spray ready to use it on the female dog. But I’d prefer that they get to like me/us, not hate me.

Cooper
Cooper
13 years ago

I’m very supportive of the HSA plans. I’ve had one for a couple years now, and had minor doctors visits mostly. Which are still cheaper than the difference of the premium for the low deductible insurance per month. Well… I broke my collar bone New Years Day, riding at my local motocross track and paid a visit to the ER. I was a little concerned about what it was going to cost. List price of the ER visit $1400. The insurance price which I owe, roughly $550. Expensive, Yes. But I know that many regular plans are nearly $250 copay for ER visits. Just thought I’d share because this was a sort of worse case for myself and It still pays to have the HSA. In addition, most companies are contributing to their employee’s HSA which makes them even more affordable.

Sarah
13 years ago

Regarding paleo food prep — I think folks freak out about how to handle long-term storage because anything other than perfection is no good in their eyes. For instance, my daily food comes from fresh fruit and veg, healthy oils, eggs, and meat from my freezer. Maybe this isn’t the best way to do things, but I have a lot of the foods I eat on a daily basis put back in dehydrated or freeze-dried form so that I can go to them if I have to. And I have a plan to store stuff posthaste with my pressure canner and dehydrator if power fails to my freezer that’s keeping all my wonderful grass-fed beef.

I eat paleo for health reasons. In times of stress, the last thing I want to do is start eating grain, to which I have an immune response (and a whopping blood sugar response), so I’ve given this whole thing a lot of though. It’s not as hard as folks think to put back dried meat, veg, and fruit, and there are plenty of canned options too. Just because I don’t eat canned green beans right now doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t when I had to choose between those and wheat berries.

This philosophy isn’t entirely “eat what you store and store what you eat” because yeah, I eat onion, mushrooms, peppers, and berries every day of the world, but I’m not going to choose to use the dehydrated and freeze-dried versions of those foods every day of the world.

Lastly, you could always go with a suggestion that I heard on one of Robb Wolf’s podcasts — get a 55 gallon drum of coconut oil. 🙂 Right now, I just have my 5-gallon pail, and that’ll have to suffice for now. 🙂

Josh Miller
Josh Miller
13 years ago

I work from home as a software consultant and I need to have solid internet service and do have cable or DSL service in my area. I tried satellite and it didn’t work out for me as the latency was too great. I have also used a Verizon MiFi card and that worked OK but did not give me enough bandwidth to download large files and was not consistent enough.

I recently had a T1 installed, and it’s expensive ($429/month), but it works very well and allows me to host services and have unlimited bandwidth, as well as a business SLA, public IP address space, etc.. Not recommended for private/personal use, but if you run a business from home, it’s awesome.

Josh Miller
Josh Miller
13 years ago

Wow, $1200 for the loop, that’s insane!

I went through a broker to find the deal I got and includes the connection and the loop. You’ve probably checked that already, but if not, that’s an option.

The local telco had a crew out for 2.5 weeks splicing wires and installing repeaters to get the signal to me. I had a chance to chat with the crew and they are not going to make any money on this deal, ever.

dwhoppy
dwhoppy
13 years ago

about the “Thoughts on keeping topics interesting for prepper group meetings” topic, Check out http://www.meetup.com/ click on find at the top. It is a social thing where you can find people of similar interests. I joined a hiking group in our area, and have seen 3 gardening groups and 1 Auquaponics group (http://www.meetup.com/Idaho-Aquaponics/) in our area. I need to check them out. It would be a great way to meet other people, or get groups together for sharing preparedness.

Mike C
Mike C
13 years ago

Good to have you back Jack…..I know what you mean about being at home- there’s no place like home LOL! Sounds like you need us as much as we need you. I am honored to a part of this community.

Shannon Moore
Shannon Moore
13 years ago

Jack,
About rural internet. What our community did was attend a Rural Roads meeting, essentially a meeting that coordinates various gvt departments and discusses issues with the public.

We made the argument to the county supervisor that there was a danger to law enforcement officers and fire department that they would respond to a call and not be able to use radio to communicate. Additionally the local fire station uses DSL to communicate.

Basically the county sup. was convinced that in the interest of officer safety they needed to have cell signal. So he called the cell company and “asked them” to put a tower out here. Apparently in the interest of good relations they did, and this facilitated internet over cell service. Also since the fire department got DSL, it was no big deal to get it at the house.

TL;DR Use the government by appealing to officer safety to pressure cell phone companies to install services outside their profit margin.

Lisapaintergirl
Lisapaintergirl
13 years ago

“Close down the pig trough of insurance money that doctors, hospitals, and pharmacueticals are feeding on…”
That was great!

"Top" W. Kone
13 years ago

In regardes to the Soldier and prepping, here is what we did when I was growing up and later when I served on AD. We used our cases of long term storage to take the place of our bed frames. Each case is six cans and you put three on each side and down the middle of a King size bed under the box and you have 54 number 10 cans of long term food. More if you do that with the kids beds too.

Container gardening is also a good thing, since you can just dump out the dirt and take the container with you. Storing food and water for the family is key, you won’t have an issue but your family might especially if they are off post. But since AR 525-27 has been published the Army is beginning to plan for off post families needs also. But why count on it?

Jack is right, you can be forced out, QMP is back, and they are starting at the top this time. E9’s and E8’s are getting QMPed now, SMA Chandler is on the warpath for NCO’s that can’t make weight, pass a PT test, or are not taking SSD’s. (Structured Self Development) So start making plans for what you want now.

Don’t be like some Soldiers, getting $1,124 a month and paying $793 a month on a car loan. Now is a great time to save money, live under your costs, live a pay grade lower than you are, and look for deals (not all are on post).

"Top" W. Kone
13 years ago
Reply to  "Top" W. Kone

One more thing: getting out does not mean you’re going to get a job because employers love your military experience. Vet unemployment is running at 18% over all, and for 18 to 24 year olds is over 33%. So keep working on your education, after all the Army is willing to pay your tuition right now. If you have a degree when you come out your better able to get a civilian job. Your military training does not often transfer to civilian certification.

Cooter Brown
Cooter Brown
13 years ago

RE: Health Insurance and HSA’s:
1) NRA members should check out the member benefits section of the NRA website. As members, we have access to health insurance plans, some of which are priced very nicely. Not available in all states, and not all the plans are that great but it’s a resource that’s worth a look.

2) HSA’s aren’t available as a stand-alone product; you can only get them in combination with a “qualified” high-deductible health plan.

Britton Scritchfield
Britton Scritchfield
13 years ago

I’m in for a Lake DeGray event.

Devin @ White Dog Holsters

Jack,
At the end of the ep you mentioned what would happen to Vegas if the SHTF. Well google the video game Fallout New Vegas. This is cheap entertainment to answer your question… if anything ask your son, he may have it on Xbox 360.