Odds ‘n Sods:

Michael Z. Williamson recommended this 24 Hour World Disaster Map.

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SurvivalBlog reader Fred the Valmet-meister mentioned this essay by Pat Buchanan, about the decline of General Motors.

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David in Israel Recommends: “Start stocking up on UV resistant plastic sheeting which can be purchased from garden and many hardware and farm stores. This sheeting can be used to collect rainwater, patch a roof, make solar still, and build greenhouses. It can last up to three years in sunlight.” JWR Adds: One of the major brands of semi-transparent polyethylene plastic is “Visqueen.” For longest life (in sunlight) and the greatest versatility, be sure to get the thicker (6 mil) variety. Another great product to stock up on is UV resistant white shrink wrap. This is the heavy white sheeting that you’ve probably seen on power boats that have been “winter wrapped.”

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Mr. Bravo spotted this story about the mountains of disaster relief supplies that the American Red Cross has warehoused. Upon reading this, I realized that in a truly major disaster that transport will be disrupted, so odds are that the vast majority of those supplies will not make it into the hands of the people that need them. This underscores the importance of every family being well-prepared and self-sufficient. Folks can’t depend on the cavalry charging over the hill to their rescue. For most of us, natural disasters are a YOYO (“You’re on Your Own”) situation. I just hope that enough people get my preparedness course and use it to get their key logistics squared away.