Month: December 2009

Letter Re: Preparedness with Very Limited Resources

Mr. Rawles, I am grateful to you for providing this site. I am one of perhaps to many, who can barely make it check to check. Though I have been aware of what is happening for several years now, the amount of provisions I have been able to secure has amounted to nothing compared to what I am reading here. However, within this site is information which has been the greatest of value to, at the least, strengthen me with understanding. I sit here in the comfort of my home, surrounded outside with cold and over a foot of fresh …


Economics and Investing:

Arrow Trucking suspends operations leaves hundreds of drivers stranded. (Our thanks to HPD for the link.) El Jefe Jeff E. spotted this: Consumer Spending in U.S. Climbs Less Than Forecast From Chris J.: Economy revised downward (AGAIN!). Chris’s comment: “It looks like the men in the know have yet again revised the third quarter downward, from 3.5% to 2.8% to 2.2%. Of course this CNN article doesn’t mention that the cash-for-clunkers and home buyer’s credits are estimated to be worth 2.0 to 2.5 percentage points. It takes faith though; the “experts” who didn’t get it right last time assure us …


Odds ‘n Sods:

J.K. recommended the publications of Astragal Press. They emphasize “early tools, trades, and technology” J.K. commented “I ran across them a while back while researching my slide rule collection. There’s several books on blacksmithing and woodworking with traditional tools that I’m planning on adding to my preparedness library, in case I end up having to operate in a long-duration ‘low-tech’ environment.”    o o o G&K sent a story from Fox News: The Nazareth Hardened Home.    o o o Mike Williamson sent a link to a clever improvised ox roast.    o o o Ted B. sent a link …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, the the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” – The Gospel of Luke 2:8-11 (KJV)


Notes from JWR:

Our blog database overhaul work is now almost complete. Things should be back to normal–and the entire blog (with archives) fully searchable–by Christmas Day. Thanks for your patience! — Today we present another entry for Round 26 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 …


Post-SHTF Anesthetic Medicine Options

[Introductory Note from JWR: The following article is presented for educational purposes only. As previously discussed in SurvivalBlog, using vinyl ether for anesthesia can be very tricky. Not only are its vapors highly flammable, but it can can induce deep levels of sedation much more quickly than desired. Thus, at a minimum can can compromise the patient’s airway, and thereby very possibly kill the patient. So unless you have both the equipment and the regularly-practiced expertise to safely intubate and extubate your patient, then do not use ether!] Pain is not my friend!  In some circumstances, it is useful, perhaps …


Economics and Investing:

Jeff D. mentioned: Employment funds going ‘absolutely broke’; 40 state programs to be emptied by the jobless tsunami within two years GG spotted this: The Inflation Bomb Hiding on The Fed’s Balance Sheet Tom B. spotted an article in The Shanghai Daily: Harder to buy US Treasuries. Here is a brief quote: “…it was inevitable that the dollar would continue to fall in value because Washington continued to issue more Treasuries to finance its deficit spending.” Items from The Economatrix: Gasoline Prices Flatten Below $2.60. This may be a good opportunity to refill your storage tanks with fairly reasonably priced …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Brett F. recommend this piece: Loaded for bear, or wolves–both as a data point on the wolf pack population explosion in the western US and for some good points on gear to carry when in the back-country.    o o o Jim W. sent us a tidbit for the “Global Warming ” file: Big freeze kills at least 80 across Europe    o o o Reader G.G. wrote to mention that appears that Richard Daughty (aka The Mogambo Guru) has retired from journalism. There is a fan site attempting to get Kitco, Daily Reckoning, Agora, and The Asia Times, …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Be on your guard against the ruling power; for they who exercise it draw no man near to them except for their own interests; appearing as friends when it is to their own advantage, they stand not by a man in the hour of his need.” [2:3] “Judge not your neighbor until you have come into his place.” [2:5] “In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.” [2:6] “Let your friend’s honor be as dear to you as your own.” [2:15] – Selected quotes from “Sayings of the Fathers” in the Standard Prayer Book, a …


Note from #1 Son: Don’t Panic!

Don’t panic! This is still SurvivalBlog.com. Nothing significant is changing, but we are making some upgrades to our software. We are in the midst of upgrading to MovableType 4.3. SurvivalBlog will be looking a little funny for a while, while we are getting everything working. Things should be back to normal soon, along with some new features. Right now, the search and other functions should be working again, and each day’s blog will continue to be available here, at SurvivalBlog.com. Thank you for your patience! – #1 Son, Webmaster, SurvivalBlog


Lessons from History: The Immigrant and the Refugee

As a student of history, it is surprising how often the same traumatic patterns emerge in times of economic turmoil, political upheavals, and civil unrest. All too frequently, average citizens get caught in the middle of tumultuous situations and unwittingly are soon reduced to the status of refugee. Unlike someone that intentionally emigrates to better themselves, a refugee typically hits the road with few or any assets and no sure destination. As I’ve mentioned before in SurvivalBlog, if the 20th century taught us anything, it is that the one category you don’t want to find yourself in is “refugee.” Refugees …


Letter Re: Stow Your Gear Securely in Your Vehicle

JWR, I didn’t know how to post this, so I thought I’d email it. [JWR Adds: Email is the preferred method for submitting letters or articles to the blog, at james@rawles.to.] A couple of Sundays ago, we lost our “getaway” car. My wife and I had our 2004 V-10 Ford Excursion tricked out for anything, including an emergency kit with everything from soup to nuts in the back. And best of all, it was paid for! We could grab the grandkids and go. Might even take the kids, too! Anyway, a little road rage from some miscreant in a Toyota …


Three Letters Re: Vehicle Recommendations

Hi Jim, One of the most common failures which will cripple your G.O.O.D. (Get Out Of Dodge) vehicle is a broken fan/accessory belt. Granted, the newer [flat, grooved] serpentine belts last a lot longer than the old V-belts, but failure will mean overheating or the eventual loss of ignition due to battery discharge, especially at night if headlights are needed. So a spare belt and tension release tool (usually a 1/2″ ratchet or breaker bar, for a serpentine belt) is a must for your emergency parts kit. [JWR Adds: Whenever you change your vehicle’s serpentine as a part of a …


Economics and Investing:

From Vanity Fair, on Iceland’s financial rise and fall: Wall Street on the Tundra (HT: Sharon) Flagler County, Florida, had the state’s highest jobless rate: 16.8 percent (HT: F.G.) Items from The Economatrix: Federal Salaries Targeted As Private Sector Pay Stagnates Skies Darken For Bernanke Nomination Luxury Retailers Look To State Christmas Comeback What People Are Splurging On Tech Stocks Pull Market Out Of 3-Day Slide 7 US Banks Seized, 2009 Total Now 140 66% Americans Not Confident Their Children’s Lives Will Be Better Greenspan: Threat To U.S. Fiscal Stability Larger Than Ever


Odds ‘n Sods:

There is just one day left for the BulletProofME.com body armor sale, with 20% to 30% off helmets, and Interceptor Tactical Vests as low as $590.    o o o On the Lifehacker Blog: Use a Crock Pot to Make Homemade Candles    o o o Tricia R. recommended the book “Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things” from Reader’s Digest.