Odds ‘n Sods:

“Dancing Barefoot” mentioned this news story: Cod enzyme kills H5N1 virus    o o o U.S. Urges ‘Fivefold Expansion’ in Alberta Oilsands Production    o o o Novelist Michael Z. Williamson mentioned this book: Apocalypse Chow: How to Eat Well When the Power Goes Out




Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved." – Confucius (551 BC – 479 BC)




Note from JWR:

Wow! We’ve surpassed 42 million hits and one million unique visits since SurvivalBlog was launched in August of 2005! We now have readers in more than 75 countries. Thanks for making SurvivalBlog such a huge success. Please keep spreading the word. One of the best ways that you can do this is to paste a SurvivalBlog link logo or link text in your e-mail footer. Many thanks! Congratulations to our 1,000,000th visitor! (He e-mailed us a screen capture of the visit counter, to prove it.) His prize is two books: an autographed copy of my novel “Patriots” and an autographed …




Two Letters Re: The Next Pandemic: Starvation in a Land of Plenty

Hi Jim: Perusing the “blog” the other evening, and, in response to your post of how certain members of our society react when normalcy is interrupted. I would like to relate an experience I had during an extended power outage, with my house being the only house within a two block area having power. As I am the end house on the cul-de-sac, my assumption is I am fed from the next subdivision. None-the-less, quite an eye opening experience. One Friday afternoon, after some pretty heavy storms, the power goes out. When one of the neighbors sees that I still …




Odds ‘n Sods:

Chris forwarded this one: Scientists Report Breakthrough in Battle Against Deadly ‘Superbug’    o o o More about Federal Reserve chairman’s Benanke’s warnings on demographic shifts: Calm before the storm’ in federal deficit    o o o Novelist Michael Z. Williamson sent us a story about a very resourceful nine year old runaway.Mike’s comment: “The boy’s problems aside, he’s very determined, smart, and a sure survivor.”




Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The immigration ‘problem’ in America today is not a question of numbers, but of our failure effectively to welcome those who do come by educating them in American principles, and evoking their real commitment of heart to the unique American way of life that represents a hope for the destiny of the world. We have largely abandoned the process of educating newcomers in the special principles of the American way of life. This failure, of course, is the natural result of the even deeper problem of our own retreat from these principles — for how can we demand of newcomers …




Notes from JWR:

Today we welcome our newest advertiser, Get Ready Industries. Please visit their web site and check out their very broad line of survival gear, which includes: three day kits, food storage packages, first aid/minor surgery kits, hand crank and solar radios/flashlights, first responder kits, wheat grinders, cast iron cookware, stoves, books and DVDs, NBC protection gear, night vision gear, and much more. You name it, they’ve got it! Please also visit our other paid advertisers in the scrolling right hand bar, and check out their products and services. One of the best ways that you can support SurvivalBlog is to …




Land Navigation – More Than Just a Walk in the Woods, by GlobalScout

While sheltering in place has many advantages during an End-of-Civilization-Schumer-Dispersal scenario, there may be good reasons to travel on foot cross country. (In “Patriots” for example, squads and patrols traveled afoot for security, reconnaissance, communication, ambush and assault missions.) The following tips are offered for your consideration should you have to resort to “Shank’s Mare” for transportation. Land Navigation can be divided into “tactical” or “peacetime” methods. While even in peacetime there are times that it is better to travel undetected, in a tactical scenario, being caught might be fatal. You’ll have to judge the situation yourself, but when in …




Two Letters Re: How to Reply to “When the SHTF, I’m Going Over to Your House”, by Rolf in the Northwest

Jim: [In reply to Matt’s comments on Rolf’s original letter:] There are a lot of examples to illustrate why each person needs their own disaster preps, and the “insurance” example (“why should your fire insurance pay for my house burning down, or vice-versa?”) is a good one. Another is the “personalization” aspect: “Sorry, I’m a single guy; I doubt I’d stock your wife’s brand of feminine protection.” But people tend to think of “disaster preparations” as special or different in some way, because they are not “normal accidents,” and most people have a very hard time thinking outside a fairly …




Odds ‘n Sods:

Despite the fact that the price of crude oil has wandered down to around $50 USD per barrel, the spot price of silver is now back up solidly above $12.80 per ounce. This is further evidence that supports my assertion that the price of oil and the prices of precious metals are becoming de-linked. ˆ I expect this price divergence to continue to grow in coming years.    o o o Commander Zero mentioned that there is another long haul microwave “bunker” and tower site currently for sale in Montana. This one is in open country, near Miles City. (OBTW, …







Note from JWR:

There are now just nine days left for you to enter an article in Round 8 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The writer of the best non-fiction article will win a valuable four day “gray” transferable Front Sight course certificate. (Worth up to $1,600.) Second prize is a copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, generously donated by Jake Stafford of Arbogast Publishing. I will again be sending out a few complimentary first edition copies (Huntington House edition) of my novel “Patriots” as “honorable mention” awards. If you want a chance to win the contest, start writing …




U.S. Currency Inflation–Is It Time to Knock a Zero Off the Dollar?

There have been many recent press reports about the base metal value of some small denomination U.S. coins now exceeding their face value. (For example 1.66 cents for a pre-1983 copper penny, and 6.65 cents for a U.S. nickel 5 cent piece. The latter may eventually have to be replaced with an aluminum token.) Fearing that they might disappear from circulation, the U.S. Treasury Department recently issued an edict banning the exportation or melting of pennies and nickels. This is a stopgap measure that ignores a much bigger issue: The U.S. currency has suffered from more than 70 years of …




Letter Re: Rail Cars and Run-Flat Tires

Hello James, I was doing some thinking over the past discussions of those that will have to travel a great distance given a major event to get to their retreat. I understand that this is a less than “safe” idea, but under the scenario of an EMP attack, may be a viable option. Since main [automobile traffic] arteries will be clogged, if you have the foresight to plan your Bugout Vehicle (BOV) as an EMP resistant 4×4 Truck or Van, why not modify the undercarriage to accept train rail gear, or better yet, search for an old retired Hy-Rail truck? …




Odds ‘n Sods:

Fed Chief Bernanke warns: Fiscal action needed as America’s citizenry ages    o o o Here is a handy “locator page” for finding an LDS “storage center” (cannery) in your area. The LDS church graciously makes their cannery facilities available to non-Mormons.    o o o House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Creates Global Warming Committee. Gee, Nancy, could you send some of your hot air up here? (We just had a whole week of overnight lows around 10 below zero.)    o o o I just heard that Northern Tool & Equipment (one of our Affiliate advertisers) is offering Free Shipping …