Month: September 2009

Economics and Investing:

Sluggish growth in france leading to big trouble. (Thanks to DD for the link.) Larry T. sent this: Why Default on U.S. Treasuries is Likely, by Jeffrey Rogers Hummel. “Buried within the October 3, 2008 bailout bill was a provision permitting the Fed to pay interest on bank reserves. Within days, the Fed implemented this new power, essentially converting bank reserves into more government debt. Now, any seigniorage that government gains from creating bank reserves will completely vanish or be greatly reduced.” Items from The Economatrix: Five Weeks on the Brink: Reliving the ’08 Meltdown Brown to G-20: Economy at …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cheryl mentioned: 13 Tips On Cutting The Family Budget    o o o I made the mistake of spending more than a half hour on the phone with this journalist who promised me that he was sympathetic to the preparedness movement, and would write a favorable article. Either he was disingenuous, or his editor thoroughly re-wrote the piece: The new survivalists: Oregon ‘preppers’ stockpile guns and food in fear of calamity. Oh well, at least they spelled my name correctly. Oh, and don’t miss the lengthy comments section. It shows how ultra-liberal Portland has become.    o o o Reader …



An Instructive Survival Story from the 1930s

Do you thrill to read pulse-quickening stories of survival where individuals triumph over extreme odds? How about a survival situation that didn’t occur over a period of minutes, such as a tornado….or a survival situation that didn’t occur over a period of hours, such as a hurricane ….or a survival situation that didn’t occur over a period of days, such as a flood. What about a horrifying survival story that dragged on year after year with no help, no rescue, no hope, no end in sight? Fearful survival stories of the last Great Depression abound, but we are losing those …


Letter Re: Surviving an Expedient Ambush Roadblock While Traveling by Vehicle, by M.W.

Mr. Editor, In his article “Surviving an Expedient Ambush Roadblock While Traveling by Vehicle“, M.W. was incorrect when he wrote, “The lead vehicle should place their vehicle at a 45-degree angle to the direction of travel and the weapon system should then be employed across the hood so that the engine block provides a [limited] ballistic shield for those person(s) providing cover[ing fire].” Do not stand leaning over a vehicle[, thinking that it will provide ballistic protection.]. At 200 yards .30-06 FMJ will penetrate 20 inches solid white pine. It will just as easily penetrate the sheet metal of a …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Michigan State Fair Ending After this Year Items from The Economatrix: Cerberus to Ban Withdrawal From New Hedge Funds for Three Years. Note: JWR warned us about hedge fund redemption suspensions, two years ago! So You Just Squandered Billions…Take Another Whack at it Soft Number Folly (The Mogambo Guru) Scam H*ll Ahead (The Mogambo Guru) Americans’ Income Slump Biggest on Record The Renminbi as the World Reserve Currency (Pt. 1) Hit Me Again (The Mogambo Guru) Video: Peter Schiff on CNBC Fast Money Small Retailers Feel Sharper Pinch Loan Sharks Circle Credit-Starved Consumers Mike Whitney: Band-aids for the Recession John …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday." – Psalm 37:3-6


Note from JWR:

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 between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) and C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $345 value.) Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing …


You’re Not (Yet) Prepared, by Ted B.

You saw the warning signs years ago and decided to be the ant, not the grasshopper. You found and purchased the home on land that is now your residence as well as your retreat.  You’ve gathered the materials to survive, perhaps even thrive, during the coming storms of political upheaval, food shortages, social disorder and economic distress.  You took courses on weapons use and feel confident in your ability to defend home and kin with any of the weapons in your personal armory.  You assembled canning materials and learned how to use them.  You consume, replenish and rotate those foods …



Economics and Investing:

I found this linked over at TotalInvestor.com: Worst of slump yet to come, says economist; Ann Pettifor predicted a painful end to the good times. Now she says that only radical action can prevent further gloom. Her prediction was right, but it is sad to see that she has bought in to the notion that governments can “spend their way out” of the credit collapse. GG sent this: Students Borrow More Than Ever for College–25% Increase FG flagged this Wall Street Journal piece: The Coming Reset in State Government – Governor Mitch Daniel. The governor of Indiana explains why the …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Marko liked this Lifehacker article: Build a BBQ Smoker for Under $50.    o o o JRH Enterprises (one of our most loyal advertisers) is running a Labor Day special on new 3rd Generation PVS-14s for only $2,995. This is a great price, so I’m buying one! The sale ends on September 8th.    o o o Ticketing tiff ends with courtroom gunfire.    o o o Two radio towers in Washington state toppled. Possibly the work of eco-terrorists. (Thanks to FG for the link.)



Letter Re: Some Economic Indicators to Watch

James Wesley, I just had lunch today with a senior bank executive in Chicago. He confirmed much of what I have been seeing in the economy. After picking his brains, I have put together a few economic indicators to watch: – Christmas will be a financial disaster – people are reluctant to spend their cash. Weak sales will be a tipping point for many retailers – Commercial real estate is the next “shoe-to-drop” – Small businesses continue to struggle – their problems will broaden and deepen as credit is strangled – SBA loans are off-the-street, defaults may be as high …


Two Letters Re: Do it Yourself Low Temperature Casting

James J.W.G. has a great idea with the zinc pennies. When I need to fabricate a part I usually look under the hood of a junked car for something to melt, many easily-cast metals are under the hood requiring only a blown charcoal forge and covered dry steel pot. The Multimachine web site pointed me to a great source of high very quality casting aluminum: the overhead cam cylinder head from a motor that does not use separate cam bushings. Just ask a mechanic that you trust. Here in Israel there are also easily found junked brass plumbing fittings often …