Month: June 2006

Are Your Neighbors Prepared? by Doc

I am more comfortable with neighbors who have food stored, means to prepare it, and who know how to grow food, as well as arms to protect themselves, first aid supplies, tools, and the many other things it takes to survive an emergency. Unfortunately, that is a very rare situation. I have a unique and privileged take on the problem, since I have been in more than a thousand homes. This is because, at various points in my life, I have been an apartment repairman, handyman, finish carpenter, electrician, cable TV repairman, as well as a volunteer for a non-profit …


Letter from Rourke Re: The Popping of the U.S. Housing Bubble

Dear Jim: I respectfully disagree that the housing “bubble has popped”. (You had written in Odds ‘n Sods: “Here in the U.S., the unsold house inventory backlog jumped to 565,000 in April. The housing bubble has popped. There are no more bidding wars for houses. Now its price cut after price cut. In the coastal markets, I anticipate a race to the bottom, most likely starting in September of Aught Six.”) Thankfully the air has been coming out very steadily of this overextended price balloon, without the blow-up or popping that could have occurred. As a Wall Street Journal article …



Odds ‘n Sods:

The folks at Box o’ Truth do some tests with shotguns, with very favorable results.    o o o UN convention could mean restrictions on home schooling in the U.S.    o o o When doing a search in The Wikipedia, I stumbled across this great piece that I remembered from my army training: The Standing Orders of Rogers Rangers, along with the more complete (and more historically correct) Plan of Discipline. Some things haven’t changed since the 1700s!




Great Depression II What Will it Be Like?, by Buckshot

Because the huge debts America owes the world, once the dollar collapses the domino effect will be felt worldwide. There are plenty of sites that explain why the US Dollar will fail and what will happen. Once America starts into the hyper inflation stage it will be too late to buy your needed supplies. Trust me, there is not one Congressman or Senator that is going to tell Americans the truth. Therefore the only choice the Federal reserve will have is to print more money. Flooding the market with more printed dollars will lead to hyper inflation. There will be …


Letter Re: P-10 Self-Contained Fallout Shelter on eBay

Mr Rawles: I got a chance to tour the P-10 self-contained fallout shelter that you have mentioned a couple of times here on your blog and wanted you to know that it is as advertised in apparently really good shape. The smart money would be on this one with a complete system checkup while it is being reinstalled. I have dealt with Ready Made Resources in the past always with good results and I think he will help anyone who wants this shelter have a positive experience with its purchase. If it were not poor timing for me this shelter …


Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog reader Tom. H. recommended a thought-provoking letter that was recently posted at The High Road. It refers to an earlier essay: On Sheep, Sheepdogs, and Wolves, by Dave Grossman    o o o   The Nanny-State do-gooders at the Washington Post assert that private firearms training is “under regulated”, implying that it is some sort of threat.    o o o NY Times: Human Flu Transfers May Exceed Reports   o o o SurvivalBlog reader G.G. recommended a web site with some free text files on survival topics, including several from Kurt Saxon.  



Note From JWR:

Today we present the first article for Round 5 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The writer of the best non-fiction article will win a four day “gray” transferable Front Sight course certificate. (Worth up up to $2,000!) If you want a chance to win, start writing and e-mail us your article soon! The high bid in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction (for a fully stocked M-17 Advanced Medical Bag/Rucksack) is now up to $250. Special thanks to the folks at Ready Made Resources, who donated the kit. Please submit your bids via e-mail.


Night Shooting Skills by Christian Souljer, May 2006

I hope and pray that none of us will ever have to use our weapons to respond to invasion of our homes, our city or our country, but if we ever do – chances are that the attack will come during the night. Therefore we have reason that we should all practice our night-time shooting skills for defense. In 2004, I was able to participate in an annual “Practical Rifle Night Match” at my local gun range. The weather was cold, dark, and at times raining lightly. This match was a two gun match (pistols also) and consisted of 4 …


Three Letters Re: Stocking Up on Prescription Medications

Sir: Regarding your blog entry on the subject of prescription medications, I wish to provide you with information regarding expiration dates: I work for a pharmaceutical company. While profit is a reason why expiration dates can be conservative, it is not due to “planned obsolescence.” Here is the way things work in the U.S.: drug companies are required to put an expiration date on all drugs. Companies are required to prove to the FDA that the drugs will remain safe and effective through the expiration date on the drug (when stored as described on the label). Generating that proof is …



Letter Re: Stocking Up on Prescription Medications

Mr. Rawles: As my family ages we seem to be getting more dependent on prescription medications which I’m sure will limit our chances of survival in many SHTF scenarios. When family members are on long term prescriptions, it seems possible to set some aside for when the normal medical infrastructure may no longer be available. (Assuming the person they were prescribed for, maintains custody of the stashed meds, there doesn’t seem to be an obvious violation of the law. When the SHTF scenario occurs, the worry about law violations would probably take a much lower priority than physical survival.) It …