Day: November 17, 2009

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 25 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 $350 value.) Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing …


Lessons Leaned from a Wildfire Evacuation, by Daniel in Montana

It was a gorgeous Saturday night, Sept. in Montana’s mountains the weather was hanging onto summer’s 70 degree temperatures, warm and dry. Working all day at the hospital and finishing some of my home preparedness projects gave me a satisfaction and sense of accomplishment. Time to relax, I sat down, put my feet up and was sipping my week’s end treat, a cold beer. I phoned my friend, “Brett” to finalize our plans to butcher a few of his farm animals tomorrow. He was finishing a Bible reading with his boys and was putting them to bed, and would call …


Two Letters Re: Long Term Food Storage Package Now Sold at COSTCO

Hi Jim, You’ve probably already seen this storage food now sold by COSTCO but it was news to me. Is that a sign of the times or what? In Him, – Karen H. Jim, I just noticed that Shelf Reliance “Thrive” brand food is being sold at CostCo.com. I love your site, – Robert C. JWR Replies: With a few supplements, the Thrive food storage system would make a very good “core” food storage system for someone that puts a premium on their time. These are top quality products. You would of course want to add other foods for variety …


Letter Re: Converting Precious Metals ETFs to Physical Metals

Jim, I send this respectfully to those delusioned Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) investors. Just like the people of earth believing the world was flat, it will become common knowledge that ETFs are just a vehicle for investors and not for those who believe in the metal. It is proven in the ETF prospectus that most are backed with the same faith as our Federal Reserve Notes. Both are still good for trading for profit now but when TSHTF at least your dollars can be used as tinder. You will never be shipped a single ounce of precious metal from an …


Economics and Investing:

GG suggested this commentary by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: China has now become the biggest risk to the world economy Reader “Gravy” sent a link to an interesting animated map on changes in unemployment rates. Mr. D. sent a link to a National Pravda Radio news story: Joshua Kosman, Predicting The Next Credit Crisis. And on a similar note, GG sent this from The New York Post: Book: Spike in PE-owned firm defaults ahead Items from The Economatrix: Irish Government to Pay Immigrants to Go Home Have Prices Already Risen Too Much, Too Soon? Karl Denninger: Better Late Than Never Economists Fear …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Ryan (not one of the one of the Ryans of TSLRF fame) sent this news item from a southern Idaho newspaper: Driggs boy shoots bear on family’s porch. Ryan’s comment: “This is great. Hope my daughter turns out like this”. Speaking of bears in Idaho, my old college roommate e-mailed me the link to this archived picture from the Colt Firearms collection.That was lucky shot. (Needless to say, .32 ACP is not a reliable stopper for predators of either the two-legged or four-legged varieties! Here at the ranch, we regularly carry .45 ACPs in the woods, and feel just barely …