Month: May 2009

Mexican Flu Update:

Top Flu Expert Warns of a Swine-Bird Flu Mix 12 More Swine Flu Cases Confirmed in Massachusetts First Flu Death in Canada; US Cases Rise Mexico Deaths; Cases Higher than Reported Swine Flu May Be More Infectious than Thought Swine Flu Moments and Decisions Lie Ahead WHO Reports Big Jump in Worldwide Swine Flu Cases 3,440 Cases, 29 Countries, 48 Deaths Japan, Oz Confirm First Cases of Swine Flu Swine Flu Lacks 1918 Killer Traits (So Far) US, Costa Rica Flu Deaths Mexico has suspected upswing in cases, delaying school reopening in six states Number of American Flu Cases Overtake …


Economics and Investing:

Now, the truth comes out: Banks Won Concessions on Tests. I figured the “tests” were rigged, but not quite so blatantly. And here are some more details on the “Buddy-Buddy” Creative Accounting: Fed cut banks’ deficits after negotiations: report. (Thanks to Roger Y. for the links.) Reader D.D. sent his one: Next challenge for banks: Credit card losses Number usually tracks unemployment, but this time it may be worse Items from The Economatrix: Global Financial & Economic Crisis: How Much Time Do We Have Left? “The US-Dollar has been technically hyper inflated, even though no one is saying “the king …



Odds ‘n Sods:

Only in America! The Weaponizers (A hat tip to KAF for the link.)    o o o I heard that Midwest Outfitters just received just under one full pallet of 5.56 NATO 55 grain FMJ (“ball”), fresh 2008-production ammo. This ammo is newly-manufactured to military specifications by Bitteroot Valley Ammunition Components in Montana.This is not re-manufactured but made with all new components. The head stamp on this batch is BVAC 08 and the NATO symbol. Right now, just for SurvivalBlog readers they are offering a case of 1,000 rounds for $500 with Free Shipping. At last count, they had only …


Notes from JWR:

For SurvivalBlog readers that are conversant auf Deutsch, there was a review of my novel in the widely-read Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) newspaper: Amerikanischer Bestseller: „Patriots“ Wie das Ende unserer Welt zu überleben ist. — The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction. is now at $1,100. This auction ends in just four days. It 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 …


Letter Re: An Expedient Manual Clothes Washer

Mr. Rawles: How about washing clothes without electricity? One way that works fairly well is to take 5-to-6 gallon plastic buckets and cut a small hole in the center of the lid just big enough for a toilet plunger. Fill 3/4 ways with water add soap (you did remember laundry soap for a year right?) add clothes for about one person pants, shirt t-shirt, under wear and socks, plunged for 1 minute let soak for 5 minutes plunge again for 10 seconds. Dump out water, fill with fresh water again plunge for 1 minute dump out, fill again with clean …


Letter Re: A Practical Tip on Using Roof Catchment Rainwater

Jim There are simple old time solutions to the possible problem of collecting and using “polluted” roof gathered rain water. Add a splitter, (an upside down Y shaped piece of pipe), to the downspout before the pipe runs into your cistern or rain barrel. One side of the “Y” goes to your catchment, the other to the ground or drain. Add a simple flip value to the inside of the splitter. During the first 5 minutes of any rain, turn or flip the valve to run the water out onto the ground or into the usual drain. Once the roof …


Three Letters Re: Deer Ticks – The Threat Within Your Perimeter

Jim, Good post about Lyme Disease today. I live in Connecticut and caught Lyme in 1995. Took me years of antibiotics to get it into remission. Also, please note that on 50% of people get the classic “bulls eye” rash. I didn’t, and as a result I was misdiagnosed for five months while it established itself in my neurological system. I recently purchased some special undergarments from Rynoskin which the ticks and other bugs can’t get though. Maybe some of your readers would be interested. Cabela’s sells their own version, called Bugskins but I’m not as familiar with it. Keep …



Economics and Investing:

From Eric S.: 24,700,000 Unemployed or Underemployed Americans: Job Losses Accelerate with 6 million unemployed over last year. Real Unemployment rate now at 15.8 Percent. Also from Eric: FDIC Insures $4.7 Trillion in Deposits with a $13.6 Billion Deposit Insurance Fund. This is Like Going into a Hurricane with a 99 Cent Store Umbrella. Items from The Economatrix: UK House Prices Continue To Plummet 401(k)s Hit By Withdrawal Freezes Global Crisis “Vastly Worse” Than 1930’s, Taleb Says “The global economy is facing “big deflation,” though the risks of inflation are also increasing as governments print more money, Taleb told the …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Several readers sent the link to this BBC article: Do you need to stock up the bunker? Rawlesians are looking more and more mainstream…    o o o The latest from Nanny State Deutschland: German government plans to curb use of guns. (Even paintball, Airsoft, and laser tag sports may be banned!)    o o o KAF mentioned this: The Grandson of Vespa will have Four-Stroke Engine. Talk about fuel economy!    o o o Also from KAF: Tennessee House OKs Guns in Eateries|



Letter Re: Deer Ticks – The Threat Within Your Perimeter

People who venture into the woods or fields should be aware of a very serious, but underreported, threat to their health, the deer tick. Deer ticks carry and transmit Lyme disease and a half dozen other serious diseases. Deer ticks can be found in most parts of the world. They are very common in Central Wisconsin which has a large population of deer, their preferred host. Thanks to the anti-hunting nuts and poor government management practices deer can found in residential neighborhoods, including large cities. Most people are familiar with the dog or wood tick, a large, easy-to-spot tick that …


Economics and Investing:

Swine Flu: Worst to Come in Autumn “Doctors are being warned to prepare for a second, “much worse” wave of swine flu hitting Britain in the autumn, the Health Secretary has disclosed.” Tamiflu Linked to Abnormal Behavior KAF sent this: Economic crisis in European Union Items from The Economatrix: Real Unemployment 15.8%; Highest Since ADA Began Tracking The Greatest Boondoggle in History Skousen: Bailouts & Bankruptcy: Undoing The Rule of Law GM Spots Bankruptcy In Rearview Mirror as it Burns Tankfuls of Gas Toyota First Annual Loss Stress Tests Show 10 Biggest Banks Need to Raise $75 Billion China Fears …


Odds ‘n Sods:

JHB sent this from The Daily Sound. Couple survive Mission Canyon firestorm in bunker    o o o 60 Million Armed Patriots…And Counting    o o o Ammo Hard to Find as Gun Owners Stock Up (This os hardly a news flash to SurvivalBlog readers)    o o o Jesusita Fire Forces Out 30,000 Residents