Day: August 5, 2009

Notes from JWR:

I just heard that JRM, the author of the recent article “A Prepper Husband and a Stubborn Wife,” has been tapped for a special “Publisher’s Award” by Jake Stafford, the Publisher at Arbogast Publishing. JRM will receive a complimentary copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course. Congrats! — Today we present another entry for Round 24 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 …


Incubating and Hatching Eggs for Self Reliance, by Jason C.

I recently decided to try to add to my skill set by doing something I had not tried before. Raising birds from eggs. I have included raising animals as part of my long term survival plan for TEOTWAWKI. And in my usual fashion I needed to try it first to feel comfortable in listing it as a skill to be used if the situation arose. There are many reasons that would require the need to hatch birds from eggs. Even if you have your flock already, what would happen if they were to become sick and die leaving you with …


Letter Re: Saving Clad Dimes and Quarters?

Sir, I have accumulated ‘some’ pre-1965 silver. Not the $1,000 face value per family member as seems to be the benchmark but I do have a bit over $1,400 face value and a few gold coins (about two ounces of gold, in combined weight) for my family. Someone told me that even post-1964 dimes and quarters (and of course pennies and nickels for their real metal value) would have ‘some’ value if the dollar went bust. I do not understand how this can be but I have been saving coins nonetheless. My question is am I better to take the …


Influenza Pandemic Update:

Reader Pete A. sent us a link to an updated interactive map: Tracking the global spread of swine flu First Wave of Swine Flu Peaks in UK Mexico registers big jump in swine flu cases Swine Flu Strategy Under Revision “U.S. authorities will release within days other ‘community-mitigation”‘measures, intended to help keep businesses operating, help hospitals avoid being overwhelmed and guide local authorities in deciding whether to cancel public events, officials said.”


Economics and Investing:

Most of you have noticed the recent price action in silver and gold. Typically, the precious metals go through “Summer Doldrums” each year, with light trading and moderated prices. But not this year! One can only ask: if the market this strong in August, then how will it be in November, as the US Dollar Index (USDI) continues to slide? I hope that you took my advice and bought silver when it was recently under $12.50 per ounce. In my estimation even at $14.50 per ounce, silver is still a bargain. As I’ve often written, buy on the dips. BusinessWeek …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader WW says: “Welcome to the Third World, America”: Horse slaughters have Miami-area owners on edge    o o o Beware march of the killer robots, expert warns. (Thanks to FG for the lead.)    o o o Hey, I just noticed that I finally logged my first reader in Cuba! So it is time for an experiment: Fidel Castro is expected to die before the end of August, but will not be succeeded by Hermano Raúl Modesto. (I’ll bet that I suddenly get several more mapped hits in “Cuber”. But of course, they will all just be los escuchas …