Month: June 2009

Notes from JWR:

Please keep The Memsahib in your prayers. Her health and strength are failing, but her faith in Christ is strong. — Today we present another entry for Round 23 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize: A.) 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, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried foods, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from …


The Anti-Bug Out Bag, by Jason C.

Have you heard of a Bug out bag (BOB)? If you have read even a few articles on urban survival then you have heard of this mysterious thing. Loosely defined, it is a bag packed with supplies and equipment for a few days to a week. It is intended to be something handy to grab, if you have to get out of where you are quickly. The thousands of items that could possibly be packed in a BOB are often a source of great debate among people building, packing, and storing their own bag. But what about the times when …


Letter Re: Walking Tractors and Similar Powered Farming Implements

James I have gardened a lot. The topic of tractors is one that you need to think about before you purchase one. If you have one acre to plow a Ford 8 or 9n is to big to utilize in fact I would not think about a riding tractor unless the plot size reaches three acres or more. There are tractors that will plow that you walk behind and then utilize a tiller. SurvivalBlog reader LRM is right in the fact that a tiller can be hard to use if you do not prepare the ground before you crank the …



Economics and Investing:

The editor of the Mountain Steps Blog recently presented an interesting timeline of the Weimar Republic Hyperinflation. “The Frontman” sent us a link to an interesting article about the coinage shortage in Argentina. Americans take note: This could happen here, too! Currie sent us this from The Times: Swedish banks fear writedowns; Financial turmoil in the Baltics is rocking Sweden’s banks, after Latvia’s failure to raise money in a bond auction. Currie’s comment: “Another domino tumbles…” Items from The Economatrix:s Temporary Work Masks Joblesseness Unemployment hits “9.4%” GM to Sell Saturn Brand to Roger Penske Chain Stocks Waver After Better-Than-Expected …



Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"The economics of disaster commence when the holders of money wealth revolt. It is as simple as that. The government has little or nothing to say or do about it…They do not fly flags or demonstrate in the streets to express their revolt; they simply get rid of their money…The duller the holders of money wealth are, the longer the government can go on storing up inflation but, by the same token, the more cataclysmic must the eventual dam burst be. The Germans [of the early 1920s] were among the dullest and most disciplined of all holders of money wealth, …


Note from JWR:

Last day! Safecastle’s 25% Off Mountain House storage food sale ends at midnight, eastern time (June 5th.). Safecastle Royal members will also get a free copy of the novel One Second After by William R. Forstchen if they purchase four or more cases of Mountain House foods.


Two Letters Re: Walking Tractors and Similar Powered Farming Implements

Hi; The ongoing discussion about tractors is interesting. I was recently able to purchase a fully restored 1952 Ford 8N for $3,500. The tires, front end bushings, everything is new, and the motor is rebuilt. This is a deal of a lifetime to be sure. But, there are plenty of other good deals out there, this is the time to look. Check with farmers to see if they have an extra tractor to sell. Many farms own multiple tractors and if they need money you might get lucky. And if you get real lucky you might find an old one …


Mexican Flu Update:

WHO: Swine Flu Alert Closer to Pandemic 64 countries, 18,965 cases, 117 deaths (mostly US & Mexico) “‘We still are waiting for evidence of really widespread community activity in these countries, and so it’s fair to say that they are in transition and are not quite there yet, which is why we are not in phase 6 yet,’ Fukuda said.” NYC Reports Two New Deaths From Swine Flu Both aged 25-64, 553 total cases, 341 hospitalizations Swine Flu In All 50 States More than 10,000 US residents confirmed infected. Confirmed cases represent about 1 in 20 of actual cases. (JWR …


Economics and Investing:

The welfare state, firmly entrenched: Benefit spending soars to new high (1 in 6 dollars of income come from governments checks. Let’s not forget: Every dollar that is “given”, must first be “taken” from someone.) Thanks to G.H. for the link. Currie sent us this: Latvian debt crisis shakes Eastern Europe. When sovereign debt markets disintegrate, you can expect governments to topple. And it won’t just be pipsqueak nation states like Iceland and Latvia that are at risk. From reader C.S.: Medical bills underlie 60 percent of U.S. bankruptcies: study Julian Robertson’s Steepener Swap Play (Shorting US Treasuries) When Julian …


Odds ‘n Sods:

We were thrilled to attend Maker Faire, in San Mateo, California, last weekend. It is an amazingly educational and inspirational gathering, and I highly recommend it, if you ever have the opportunity. (Maker Faire events are also held in Newcastle, England and in Austin, Texas.) These annual events, sponsored by Makezine, bring together an eclectic and often wacky group of creative geniuses. Among the huge roster of exhibitors, I saw lots of practical displays and demonstrations there that have applicability to preparedness–including steam engines, gasifier experimenter kits (GEKs), umpteen human-powered machines (including a way-cool pedal-powered rail car, made with box …



Note from JWR:

I have expanded the SurvivalBlog Bookshelf page. Most notably, I have added some survivalist fiction book lists, and greatly expanded my “Second Tier” list of recommended specialty books. Note that if you buy any items from Amazon.com (even radios, band-aids or Break Free) via our links, SurvivalBlog will earn a small commission. Thanks!


Two Letters Re: Walking Tractors and Similar Powered Farming Implements

James, I just wanted to respond to the recent article on small tractors. In 1981 my wife and I bought 12 acres and started market gardening, selling produce locally. I grew about 3 acres of produce each year and put up hay for animals. Our first big investment at the time was a BCS 725 machine with the tiller and sickle-bar mower attachments. We used that machine, and used it hard. Today it’s 2009 and I just finished cutting hay and putting in my green bean patch, using that 725. It’s still on the original engine, which has never been …