Month: January 2010

Economics and Investing:

Keith B. liked this piece by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: America slides deeper into depression as Wall Street revels; December was the worst month for US unemployment since the Great Recession began. (Gee: I thought that companies were supposed to avoid December layoffs. So how will the January and February employment stats play out?) Obama considers levy for rescued firms. (Thanks to Rory for the link.) From GG: How nation’s true jobless rate is closer to 22% 2010 Bank Failures Start with Two. (The FDIC could become insolvent in the near future–which would mean another huge bailout…) A tip of the hat …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Global Warming Update: Snow hits southern Spain as big freeze sweeps Europe    o o o Brett G. forwarded this: U.S. agrees to timetable for UN Gun ban    o o o Tom Baugh, the author of the book “Starving The Monkeys” posted a review of my novel “Patriots” from an interesting perspective. In my defense, I can say: Yes, most of my friends (upon whom the main characters in the novel were based) were quite successful right out of college. And yes, all but one of us intentionally delayed having kids for several years after getting married. I was …



Note from JWR:

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 Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.), and D.) A 500 round case of Fiocchi 9mm Luger, 124gr. Hornady XTP/HP ammo, …


Normal Disasters, by Blane

I live in the suburbs of our nation’s capitol and of course I want to keep myself and family safe, so I have taken steps to mitigate and eliminate the dangers of my area. My challenge for a while was getting my new bride on-board with my preparations. She thought my supplies, guns and gear were “weird” and she chalked it up to my military experience and largely ignored it. If anyone else has a similar problem getting buy-in on prepping from their partners they may find this useful, it sure works better than arguing. As Mr. Miyagi said in …


Economics and Investing:

Trent spotted this on Yahoo’s Tech Ticker: Survivor america “it’s only going to get worse” Gerald Celente says Courtesy of Cousin Al: How Barter Saved Russia Items from The Economatrix: Debt Collectors Doing Huge Business in New York Iceland Blocks Repayment Deal, Sparks Global Outrage All Of Pakistan’s Oil Refineries at or Near Default Energy crisis may cripple Pakistan by the 15th Oil Rises Above $83 Amid Strong Chinese Demand Road Projects Don’t Help Unemployment Second Wave of Mortgage Defaults, Part 1 Biggest Bond Trader Dumping UK Gilts as Well as US Treasuries We’re All Icelanders Now Japan Airlines “About …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Ed B. mentioned this: Obama TSA Nominee Erroll Southers Calls Pro-Life Advocates Terrorists in Videos. (And tars survivalists with the same broad brush.) Ed’s comment: “Apparently Christians and Pro-life advocates are more dangerous than Al Qaeda. Oh and then he throws in the survivalist angle too. So if you’re prepared, you’re a danger.”    o o o Julie flagged this: Sun may soon send magnetic storms toward Earth    o o o Our friend Bill Buppert recommended this article Protect Your Family.    o o o Simon in England mentioned that Survivors – Series 2 will premiere on BBC1 tonight …



Note from JWR:

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 Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.), and D.) A 500 round case of Fiocchi 9mm Luger, 124gr. Hornady XTP/HP ammo, …


Death and Dying in TEOTWAWKI, by Snowman

Most of the SurvivalBlog.com articles focus on the “how tos” of living in or preparing for survival situations. We all understand these needs. However, there has been much less discussion on preparedness for death and dying. I have worked in the medical profession since 1975. I have worked with people in various stages of death and dying in hospitals, hospices, operating rooms, clinics and accident sites. While most of us are doing as much as possible to prepare and stay alive in bad situations we know that our options may be greatly limited in future scenarios. Death and dying are …


Letter Re: Advice on Firearms Training for Teens and Pre-Teens

Sir: I’m coming up to speed by working my way through your blog archives (which are amazing, BTW), and have come to realize that while I know how to shoot, my skills are marginal. I’ve concluded that I’m what the firearms trainers call “consciously incompetent.” My wife and I plan to go do the Appleseed training, and then once that is under my belt, I plan to go to Front Sight. (I’ve read that you can buy “gray” Front Sight “first-timer” course certificates for cheap, on eBay.) After that, my wife and I can train our kids. Here is my …


Two Letters Re: “Apocalypse Man” Absurdity on the History Channel

Good day Mr. Rawles, I love to read your blog and recently noticed a few articles about the “After Armageddon” program on your blog, but I have not seen it yet. Last night I did see a show, also on the History Channel, called “Apocalypse Man”. I usually enjoy a new book or television show along this subject line; even though most prevailing theories are fairly similar, it’s nice to compare details. “What’s in your bag?” “Mine is bigger!” “Oh yeah, how many rounds do you have?” and so on. However, the show last night was a little off the …


Letter Re: The Advantages of Home Canning Meats

Jim, Storing meat long term has been a problem for me for several reasons, but I think I have a pretty good solution. I recently started canning it myself. I bought a 25-quart pressure canner and a few dozen jars just as an experiment and tried it a few months ago and was amazed at how easy it is. Canning is not that much more trouble than freezing (assuming you re-cut and re-wrap meat before you freeze it). I still freeze steaks and fish, but I pretty much can everything else, from left-over turkey to hamburger meat. You can cook …


Economics and Investing:

Don’t Think That it Can’t Happen Here Department: Chavez devalues currency by 50%. (Thanks to Damon for the link.) Eric. C. mentioned the latest piece by Dan Denninger: A “Macro Level” Look At The Economy The Economist makes a Bubble Warning: Markets are too dependent on unsustainable government stimulus. Something’s got to give. (A tip of the hat to GG fro the link.) KAF sent this: China Overtakes Germany as World’s Biggest Exporter. But wait! You should also read this: Contrarian Investor Sees Economic Crash in China. (Thanks to Rick V. and Darryl C. for sending the latter link.) Items …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Dane S. suggested a handy winter preparedness page, over at LifeHacker.    o o o Garnet spotted this: Heavy snow halts planes, trains and cars in Europe. I hope that folks there have their fuel, gear, and food squared away!    o o o The latest from Nanny State Britannia: Myleene Klass warned by police after scaring off intruders with kitchen knife.To quote the article “The youths approached the kitchen window, before attempting to break into her garden shed, prompting Miss Klass to wave a kitchen knife to scare them away.” “When they [the police] arrived at her house they …