Month: December 2009

Economics and Investing:

Jim B. recommended this video on the Federal Reserve: The Dollar Bubble. Randy K. suggested this item: by the ever-cheery Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: Gulf petro-powers to launch currency in latest threat to dollar hegemony From J.S.: More countries at risk of default. Items from The Economatrix: World Losing Faith in Debt-Laden UK The True Danger Lurking Behind 0.00% Treasury Yields and the 1-3-6 Rule Part I The Return of Gold and Silver Eagle Rationing Airlines in Deeper Trouble than Forecast EU/IMF Revolt: Greece, Iceland, Latvia May Lead Way Bond Price Crash is Surest Bet in Town Poll Reveals Trauma of US …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cheryl sent a link to a piece by Claire Wolfe, in Backwoods Home magazine: Circle of Friends: The Importance of Other People In Our Preparedness Plans    o o o Dan in Colorado mentioned this supplier of some hard-to-find food items, such as honey locust beans: Wild Pantry.    o o o Tord mentioned that there is yet another Robin Hood film is in the works. This one is directed by Ridley Scott (who created Blade Runner, Blackhawk Down, and Gladiator.) It stars Russell Crowe, and it has a big budget, so it will mst likely be worth watching.



Notes from JWR:

My sincere thanks to the dozens of SurvivalBlog readers that have made contributions to the Linda Rawles Memorial Fund. The folks who operate the orphanage and school in Zambia have expressed their thanks. Your contributions are doing a lot of good for a very worthy charity! I urge anyone that has not yet donated to go ahead and do so. For readers in the US: If you make a donation before December 31st, it will be deductible for the current tax year. — Today we present another entry for Round 26 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize: A.) …


Prepping as an Active Duty Servicemember Overseas, by M.B.

As a member of the Armed Forces stationed overseas, and for those civilian government employees likewise stationed, we face unique situations as we attempt to get ready for TEOTWAWKI scenarios. First, when you are stationed overseas, usually for a 12 to 36 month tour, whatever happens back home seems magnified in your mind because you are so far away and feel helpless to do anything about it. Mental preparation is of utmost importance if you get a sense of panic after reading about all the horrible things going on back home.  It is important not to panic when you see …


Letter Re: Advice on Ammunition Storage

Jim, What is the best way to store handgun ammo? I have a military surplus ammo can with a good rubber seal on it. However would it be a good idea to wrap it in plastic before putting it into the ammo box. Also is there anything I should keep it away from while in storage. Thanks, – Motor Oil Man JWR Replies: The two crucial things to remember for storing ammo in milsurp cans are: 1.) Use an ammo can with a nice soft gasket, and, 2.) Drop in a commercially-made silica gel packet (or a homemade equivalent) in …


Letter Re: Infrared Imaging Countermeasures

Mr. Rawles, There are several proven, low cost techniques that can be used against thermal/infrared imagers. But none of them last an extended period of time. While they are not fool-proof they certainly do work well enough to frustrate the US military in Afghanistan. The first method being used is for men to lay down in a small depression in the ground and cover themselves with a heavy wool blanket every time they hear an engine overhead — be it a helicopter or the lawn-mower whine of a drone. This technique is well documented based on visual surveillance of groups …


Economics and Investing:

I found this linked over at The Drudge Report: Democrats plan nearly $2 trillion debt limit hike Damon sent this: Cleaning up after real estate debacle Larry mentioned this BBC piece: Greece ‘faces sinking under debt’ Items from The Economatrix: Bankruptcy of US Now Certain Gold and the Last Real American Dollar Hedge Against Hyperinflation, Hard Assets Should Continue to Appreciate During 2010 Marty Weiss: Stock Market, Gold, Commodities, and Economic Forecasts for 2010 Darryl Schoon: Deflationary Economic Depression 2010, Ready or Not, Here it Comes! Foreign Demand for US Long-Term Assets Slows Greece Defies Europe as EMU Crisis Turns …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader “+P+” sent another article on a theme that I’ve warned about: Police say suspected robbers rammed an SUV into a gun store in Avon, Indiana, and stole some weapons. Large masonry “decorative planters” should be a key part of your retreat’s defensive architecture!    o o o OSOM mentioned a treasure trove of Free Medical Books available to download.    o o o Tamara (writing in her View From the Porch blog) pointed to a piece (by way of the Blunt Object blog) about the Toronto police going ballistic over the apparent sight of a gun held by citizen: …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"We pay too little attention to the reserve power of the people to take care of themselves. We are too solicitous for government intervention, on the theory, first, that the people themselves are helpless, and second, that the government has superior capacity for action. Often times both of these conclusions are wrong." – President John Calvin Coolidge, Jr.


Letter Re: Fitness Training for WTSHTF

When the Schumer Hits the Fan (WTSHTF) are you going to be physically able to handle the new pressures of life? If not, then now is the time to get your butt in shape. Getting fit and healthy is not complicated. Losing weight comes down to two basic things, eating healthy and exercise. Forget all the so-called fitness gurus who promise you that they can get you fit and trim only if you buy their expensive equipment. You don’t need it. Forget the drug companies that say the fat will melt away if you buy their pills. You don’t need …


Letter Re: Deflation for How Long?

Dear Captain Rawles, I recently saw the following excerpted comment at Zero Hedge and the argument makes sense to me: In my opinion there is a flaw in the inflationary argument. It is only when money escapes into the general populace that the dilution effect on the currency actually occurs and drives up prices. By giving the majority of the new money directly to his buddies, Bernanke is simply changing the ratio of cash held in favor of the big banks and against the general populace. If the big banks fail to spend this money with wild abandon and instead …


Three Letters Re: Sources for Prescription Medications?

Mr. Rawles, As a physician I take significant offense to Lawrence R.’s letter regarding antibiotics. The fact is over 90% of infections presenting to US hospitals are antibiotic resistant in some form or other. He is correct that some of the older medications may be effective and that is why bacterial cultures are performed to determine antibiotic resistance. He is sadly misinformed regarding the idea that we prescribe the most expensive or newest antibiotic available. We prescribe the least expensive antibiotic that is effective against the specifically cultured infection as long as a patient is not allergic to that class …


Economics and Investing:

R.R. sent this: NS&I withdraws all its fixed-rate savings bonds Chris mentioned an article on the new underground economy and the avoidance of bank accounts. Thanks to Joan M. for finding this one: D-Day nears for Dubai’s $3.5 billion debt hurdle Also from Joan come this CBC (Canada) piece: Peak oil: Problems and possibilities Items from The Economatrix: World Stocks Up on $10 Billion Dubai Rescue Citigroup to Repay $20 Billion in Bailout Money Oil Near $69 as OPEC Signals No Output Cut US Recession “Not Over Until Job Rates Rise” White House Economist Sees Jobs Growth By Spring. JWR …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Man with master’s degree lives in Moab cave without money. (Thanks to Rick W. for the link.) For further reading, here is a link to Suelo’s web site.    o o o Lowell sent this: North Yellowstone Wolf vs. Rocky Mountain Elk    o o o Reader “MMA” forwarded a link to news article with some OPSEC implications of infrared technology: Suspect still at large after extensive air and ground search