Month: August 2007

Letter Re: A Nearby Wildfire Was My Preparedness Wake up Call

James: Don’t know if the callow-youth angle is of interest to your readers, but I dashed this off after a recent wildfire alert: This evening around 5:30 there were reports of a fire very near my home. Wildfires around here can get interesting quick, especially this late in the year with plenty of dry fuel waiting around. I thought we might have to Get out of Dodge and so I ordered the wife to pack up the paperwork and prep the munchkin for a few days field trip. Error. Wife does not respond well to orders, and she judged the …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Russell suggested this article on The Nightmare German Inflation (circa 1922-1924) You will note some strong similarities to the hyperinflation in present-day Zimbabwe, as described by Cathy Buckle. And, BTW, if the Federal Reserve over-reacts to the current credit crunch, they could crash the US dollar, too.   o o o Dave S. recommended a web page at the C. Crane radio web site, on preparedness.    o o o Frequent contributor Ben L. sent this: Fifty percent of U.K. drivers cannot read a map. If you find your family’s map reading skills lacking then spend a few weekends orienteering. …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The totalitarian states can do great things, but there is one thing they cannot do: they cannot give the factory-worker a rifle and tell him to take it home and keep it in his bedroom. That rifle hanging on the wall of the working-class flat or labourer’s cottage, is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there.” – George Orwell



Letter Re: Suitability of Missouri as a Retreat Locale?

Dear Mr. Rawles, I noticed that Missouri is not listed as one of your top 20 [states ranked as] desired retreat locations. Please tell me why you think Missouri would be unsuitable. Is there any possibility of meeting like minded people on your Survival Blog? Thanks so much for your help. Sincerely, – Marie R. JWR Replies: I consider Missouri unsuitable mainly because of its population density. It is also down-wind of some nuclear targets. So if you plan to stay there then I recommend that you construct a fallout shelter (like the ones that Safecastle builds), and have plenty …


Letter Re: Advice on Buying an FN 5-7 Pistol?

JWR: What is your opinion about adding a FN 5-7 Pistol to my arsenal once other more pressing needs have been fulfilled? The pistol has a capacity of 20 rounds and 5.7×28 round which was constructed to penetrate body armor. When I was working for a public safety organization when this gun hit the streets we received a ton of bulletins concerning the possibility of this gun being used against officers. I think it might be a nice weapon to have around if you are forced to venture off your retreat location and conceal a weapon. When TSHTF we will …


Letter Re: Advice on .308 Enfields Versus AKs for Barter/Charity

Sir: What are your thoughts on getting 10 of the Enfield 2A.308 carbines for barter/defense or would you go with the AK? Thanks, – F. JWR Replies: The .308 Enfield is a fine choice. They are ideal to hand out to neighbors (one way or the other–be it via barter or charity) after TSHTF. The beauty of a bolt action is that folks are more likely to aim carefully rather than just “spray and pray.” OBTW, be sure to get one spare magazine of each of those Enfields, while they are still available.


Two Letters Re: Advice on Small, Incremental Silver Investing Purchases

Hi Mr. Rawles, In response to the letter regarding buying silver in small increments each month, I know that Franklin Sanders has a monthly acquisition program (“M.A.P.”). I have made bullion coin purchases with him twice now, converting some bonds to gold and silver coin and had good experiences both times. Look for the M.A.P. link to find details about his offerings. Something to consider when buying locally versus through the mail is the difference between sales tax and shipping. If you buy from an out-of-state vendor, there should not be any sales tax. Mr. Sanders only sells and ships …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Ken M. sent us this: The US Banking/Derivatives Contagion Spreads Still Further: BNP Paribas (France’s Biggest Bank0 Freezes Funds as Loan Losses Roil Markets   o o o Christopher D. recommended a site with simple instructions on rain barrels.   o o o Hawaiian K. flagged this useful article: Top 100 Items to Disappear First in a National Emergency    o o o Adam M. sent us the link for this photographer’s tour of a civil nuclear fallout shelter, beneath Lucerne, Switzerland. I wish that the U.S. had a real civil defense system (like Switzerland’s), instead of just printing pamphlets …



Note from JWR:

I’d appreciate some help from readers to help SurvivalBlog grow in popularity. If there are any other blogs that you read regularly, watch for topics related to survival or preparedness. When they do come up, please mention SurvivalBlog, preferably by including a permalink to a related post. For example, if the subject of food storage comes up, you might mention the recent thread on Fats and Oils, and include this Permalink. Many thanks!


Two Letters Re: Providing Crucial Fats and Oils in Your Diet

Jim: I just wanted to let you know of a web site where one can buy natural oils in bulk. It’s a company in Solon, Ohio, called “Oils By Nature“. They produce their own oils with the lowest amount of refining and don’t add things like detergents and anti-foaming agents, etc. Prices are based on seasonal availability. Their customer service is great! For example, I bought a 55 lb. of unrefined Palm Kernel Oil for a very good price. This kind of fat is solid at room temperature and it’s molecular composition is very usable by the human body. It …


Letter From Lawyer Describing Real Estate During the Great Depression

The following (courtesy of Tom at CometGold.com) is an excerpt from letter written from a lawyer from Mason City, Iowa in the Corn Belt, recounting the impact of the Great Depression of the 1930s on his town. Foreclosures galore. Tom’s Comment: “Anything sound familiar?” Just substitute residential real estate for farm land, when reading the following: “The boom period of the last years of the World War and the extremely inflationary period of 1919 and 1920 were like the Mississippi Bubble and the Tulip Craze in Holland in their effect upon the general public. Farm prices shot sky high almost …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Tom at CometGold.com sent us the link to this “must see” video clip: Charlie Rose interviewed two journalists about debt securities, the sub-prime debacle, and the emerging liquidity crisis. New York Times scribe Floyd Norris described the recent wave of margin calls on debt securities as “the functional equivalent of a run on the bank.” Katherine Burton of Bloomberg News admitted that the credit crunch will “go on for a long time.” In related news, don’t miss this news story from Reuters: Central banks move to calm panicky money markets. This isn’t just a traditional credit squeeze, folks. This is …