Day: May 2, 2009

Note from JWR:

The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction. is now at $760. This auction is for a large mixed lot, which includes: 1.) A Three-Color Desert Camo Interceptor OTV (Outer Tactical Vest) size XL only, and a spare Woodland camouflage outer shell, kindly donated by BulletProofME.com. These items have a combined retail value of $960! 2.) A vehicle detection system, which includes: one MURS Alert Probe Sensor (MAPS) with 50 foot probe cable and one MURS Alert Hand Held (M538-HT) transceiver. The MAPS unit’s probe can be covertly installed under the surface of a driveway or road to detect vehicular …


Letter Re: The Rush Has Begun for Flu Prep Logistics

Aloha James, To confirm your take on the need to prepare ahead of time, I realized last weekend that this current event (Mexican Flu) would be a good opportunity to actually measure public reaction to an emergency. Thus, once the government announced a health emergency on Saturday, I began watching the shelves at three local drug stores and Amazon. Here’s what happened in Honolulu, Hawaii (a city of 800,000 and an international airport hub). Saturday – all shelves full of flu meds & masks Sunday – masks half gone, some in the back of the store, shelves full of flu …


Six Letters Re: Adapting Family Food Storage for Gluten Intolerance

James, I found out last year I am gluten intolerant, and my little girl was symptomatic with me. In our case, we found we can’t tolerate any grains–not even corn or rice. Below are some ideas for those with either condition or who are on lower-carbohydrate diets for health reasons. * In addition to beans, other carbohydrate-rich foods that you can store include potatoes, yams, peas, beets and tapioca. To avoid the additives found in some dehydrated foods, I have freeze-dried potatoes, yams, and peas. I also have some home-canned yams and plan to grow more. Beets are only available …


Mexican Flu Update:

The first really good news on the flu outbreak came yesterday: Scientists See this Flu Strain as Relatively Mild. I am hopeful that the current strain won’t mutate into something more inimical. But be sure to be well prepared, and get in the habit of frequent hand washing, regardless.OBTW, if I were in a position of influence, I’d recommend that the custom of handshaking be temporarily replaced with saluting, as was done during the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic. (But alas, these days some segments of society might see that as overly militaristic and politically incorrect.) Reader Pat M. suggested an …


Economics and Investing:

U.S. Bank Test Results Delayed as Conclusions Debated. Gee, do you think they’d be delaying the reporting if the results had been good? Kevin A. suggested a recent piece on banking opacity, from Jim Quinn. Items from The Economatrix: Martin Weiss: A Depression is Unavoidable Consumer Spending Dips Trucking Bankruptcies Continue Obama Blasts Hedge Funds as Chrysler Heads into Bankruptcy Gold Falls Under Very Large Sell Orders US Still in Deep Recession Ford Reports 32% Decline in April “Torture” of Mortgage-Bond Owners Carries Risk Chevron Has Lowest Profit in Five Years Hartford Financial Drops After Posting Loss, Cutting Forecast Continental …


Odds ‘n Sods:

J.O.N. recommended a succinct and well-reasoned piece by one of the folks from The Survival Podcast: Modern Survival Philosophy    o o o Rob at MURS Radios mentioned that he is offering an additional $5 discount from your order total if you pay via US Postal Service Money Order (PMO). He makes this discount available because PMOs eliminate the delays for check clearance, and save him the merchant fees charged for credit card transactions. Rob mentioned that he has all his cataloged items in stock and ready to ship. (MURS two-way radios, driveway alert sensors, et cetera.)    o o …