Day: June 19, 2009

Letter Re: Advice on Deep Water Wells in a Grid-Down Era

James, I know that I have seen posts about deep water wells, but when I search I really don’t see that many applicable posts. I am looking at a property where water [static level] is about 400 feet down. In a “grid-up” scenario, this isn’t really a problem, but I am looking for “grid-down” options for using a well at this depth. Not knowing much about the specifics of wells, I am not having much luck searching with Google, either. Would you be able to cover some deep well basics and some options for grid down/solar/backup pumping, specifically for deep …


Letter Re: Pre-1965 U.S. Silver Coin Confusion

James Wesley, I have just recently came across your blog. Thank you. I also just started saving nickels. I am a bit confused. Do you save all nickels or just pre-1965? I just finished Patriots this morning. Are the silver pieces used for barter in your novel nickels? Thanks, – Brent H. JWR Replies: You aren’t the only one that is confused about nickels, since outwardly, they appear as if they might be made of silver. To clarify: In general, it is just pre-1965 dimes, quarters, half dollar and dollars are 90% silver. The only nickels with silver content were …


Letter Re: Pros and Cons of Propane Storage

James, Having a lot of propane on hand has some serious issues. Homeland Security via “Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act” (EPCRA) requires anyone that has more than 10,000 pounds of virtually any hazardous material (except for explosives and radioactive materials that have their own unique requirements), to report that quantity to the State Homeland Security Office, the local Fire Marshal, and the Local Emergency Management Manager yearly. These reports are open to anybody that wants to see them. (Now you know how the bad guy knows where the stuff is, all they have to do is ask and the …


Influenza Pandemic Update:

Chem-Bio Daily (hosted by Anser.org) reports: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other experts have rejected a report that a new strain of the novel H1N1 influenza virus has been identified in a Brazilian patient.” (Thanks to NH for the tip.) Clouded, Suspicious Baxter to Make Swine Flu Vaccine Virus Mix-Up By Lab Could Have Resulted in Pandemic Swine Flu Cases Spring Up in Middle East Bird Flu Virus Can Survive For Two Years in Birds’ Carcasses [JWR Adds an Important Safety Tip: Do not eat two-year old bird carcasses!] Kids May Get Swine Flu Shots First


Economics and Investing:

Readers Greg C. and FJR both sent us this “must read” piece by Chris Hedges: The American Empire is Bankrupt KAF sent this key indicator of some incipient unraveling: Standard & Poor’s cuts ratings on 18 banks From frequent content contributor GG: China sells US bonds to ‘show concern’ Also from GG: Russia’s industrial output drops massive 17 per cent in May despite government reassurances Items from The Economatrix: Californian Hard Times Driving People Back to the “Dust Bowl” US Mortgage Applications Plunge to Near Seven-Month Low That Worrying Wall of Debt “…the leveraged loan market is fixated on one …


Odds ‘n Sods:

A SurvivalBlog reader in Alaska mentioned some commentary by John Derbyshire in The National Review. Don’t miss the last line!    o o o Backyard Chickens On Rise, Despite Neighbors’ Clucks    o o o Popular Culture Update: Preparedness has migrated from your street to Main Street, to Sesame Street.    o o o A reader in Canton, Ohio mentioned a blast-hardened Microwave Repeater Facility for sale in New Philadelphia, Ohio, that might be suitable as a defendable ‘bug-in” group retreat.