Month: May 2009

Letter Re: Prince of Wales Island, Alaska as a Retreat Locale?

Sir: I understand your comments on Alaska’s [poor] potential for survival retreats .Your logic is sound and I have to take seriously someone who has thought about these issues longer than I have. But there is always a but…What about Prince of Wales Island, Alaska? Backwoods Home magazine published an article written by a Jon Stram that I have not got out of mind. The article sold Prince of Wales Island very well, so [for counterbalance] I need an unbiased, expert opinion Thank you, – Russell: JWR Replies: You aren’t the first to suggest that locale to me. it. I …


Mexican Flu Update:

CDC: Up to 100,000 Are Probably Infected in US US Deaths at five, all reportedly with underlying health problems. Globally, 7,000 (which means many more cases than have been confirmed) Swine Flu Cases Continue to Rise But No Pandemic Called Yet “Fukuda notes a pandemic has nothing to do with the severity of the disease, but rather with its geographic spread.” Avian Flu Beaten By Cold Noses WHO eyes swine flu transmission rates, new vaccine


Economics and Investing:

GG sent us this: CBO admits for first time chance IMF may default From The Daily Bell: Jim Rogers: Food prices will skyrocket. Raise rates soon or face inflation disaster, experts warn… Items from The Economatrix: Hot In Recession: Cheaper Wine, Chocolate, Running Shoes, Spam GM, Chrysler Dealership Cull to Cost 100,000 Jobs The Return of the Banker’s Bet $3 Trillion Later… “Could there be a better time to be a bank? Governments are endorsing high leverage and guaranteeing huge parts of the financial system, so you get to keep the profits and palm off the losses on the taxpayer.” …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Thanks to Kevin A. for sending this: Navajos largely unscathed by recession. Hmmm… Owning livestock, living self-sufficiently, and living debt free. Does this sound familiar?    o o o Cheryl sent us this: NRA Thrives Amid Fears of Heightened Gun-Control Efforts    o o o A herd of common sense, from a Cody, Wyoming newspaper: Pioneer spirit needed during tough times.(I was pleased to see that the article quotes my top five states for retreats locales.)    o o o KAF sent us links to two interesting pieces on the 1930s: The Great Depression: ‘We were all in the same …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 22 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. Because of the recent shake-up at Front Sight, the list of contest prizes for this round has been revised: First Prize: A course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day OnPoint courses normally cost between $500 and $600. Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of $350. Third Prize: A …


Diverters and Pre-Filters for Roof Rainwater Catchment, by Dim Tim

I have had this idea floating around in the back of my mind for some time now, and with all the posts on the subject here lately, I decided it was time to share it with everyone. I hope some of you find it useful. What got me started to thinking about this was a movie on DVD that I watched recently, titled Twenty Years After. (2008) It is about people that have survived a nuke war, the disease and death that follow, and the hope that humanity will still survive. It is not the best post-SHTF movie that you …


Economics and Investing:

Yishai was the first of several readers to mention this “must read” piece: US speeding towards financial crash   Jimmy G. sent this: Stocks still face deflationary collapse: Prechter. I agree that there will be deflation, but only in the short term. I still see Uncle Sugar’s only viable option is inflating their way out of this mess. This leads me to coin a new motto: Never underestimate the ability of governments to print money. Items from The Economatrix: Six Insurers to Get Billions in Bailout Money (JWR Notes: The MOAB won’t stop growing!) GM to Close 1,100 Dealerships Consumer …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Denny Z. sent us a link to a YouTube clip of a comedy classic: Archie Bunker on Gun Control    o o o “John Smith” suggested a You Tube clip of a James Burke “Connections” documentary episode from 1978. Burke’s description of the 1965 New York blackout illustrates the interconnections and fragility of urban society. It is rather prophetic. Given our far greater tecnological dependence these days, it some serrious food for thought.    o o o Cheryl sent this: Another 1,225,980+ Guns Bought By Americans in April 2009 This number is based on just the background checks by FFL …



Note from JWR:

Congrats to M.G., the high bidder in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction that ended last night. I’ve decided to at least temporarily discontinue the auctions, since a few readers have complained that my mention of the auction bids is too distracting and “too commercial.” If you’d like to support the blog in other ways, see our Support page. Thanks!


Letter Re: Which Form of Precious Metals?

James, My experience with [US Mint] Silver Eagles is similar to your description [of their lack of widespread recognizability]. I traded 1 silver eagle for some merchandise at $20 USD per Eagle. The person was happy. I explained to them that this was 1 oz. of silver and at the time of the trade it was equal to the amount that I told them. A few days later I went back seeking to trade again and they told me that since the face value [marked] on the coin was $1 USD that it was all the value they would exchange …


Adios to Naish Piazza, But Perhaps Not to Front Sight

This news article was published yesterday: Business as Usual? Front Sight Assets Seized. Please take the time to read it. I haven’t yet been in touch with the new management at Front Sight to get any additional details. Last night, I dismissively posted a piece to SurvivalBlog, castigating the plaintiffs in this case. But then I spent several hours later last night doing web searches about the various Front Sight lawsuits, and it was an eye opener. Up until yesterday, I had thought that only one of the lawsuits had any merit, and that Naish Piazza was merely a convenient …


Economics and Investing:

Dimitri Orlov on The New Money (A hat tip to Ruby and Vlad’s Mom) The truth escapes the lips of BHO: Obama Says U.S. Long-Term Debt Load ‘Unsustainable’ I’m praying that he does the right thing, but given the composition of Big Government/Big Taxes/Big Deficits policy wonks that were picked for his Cabinet, I have my doubts. Thanks to B.H. for this video link: “The Worst Is Yet to Come”: If You’re Not Petrified, You’re Not Paying Attention GG sent us this: China’s yuan ‘set to usurp US dollar’ as world’s reserve currency Items from The Economatrix: Even BoE Has …


Odds ‘n Sods:

KAF flagged this article: U.S. Has Plan to Secure Pakistan Nukes if Country Falls to Taliban    o o o Jason mentioned that Ammoman is selling brand new original Colt-made 30 round AR-15 magazines for about the same price that most gun show sellers are charging for generic USGI contract magazines.    o o o Cheryl saw this video clip and recommended it: Lou Dobbs: Obama Pushing Anti-Gun Treaty