Day: June 9, 2010

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 29 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: 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 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 500 round case of …


Transitioning to a Seven Day Bug Out Bag, by Firefighter Charles

I was standing in the living room, watching CNN and saw the devastation of Haiti when it struck me how important a bug out bag was..  I listened to how help is coming and arrived almost immediately.  Logistical issues hampered “helps” immediate aiding of the people in Haiti.  Chile got hit  by a massive earthquake as well.  With Chile’s government not wanting any support at first, watched how Chile succumb to riots and looting in just three days after the quake.  Haiti broke down as well after five days of no food, water, or shelter.  Many people in Chile had …


Letter Re: Feral Dogs and Coyotes in a Schumeresque World

The problem of feral dogs after TSHTF will be a real one. In my part of the country we have a problem with people dumping unwanted dogs. They were cute when they were pups but outgrew the family. Some people would take them to the pound, but with it’s over population and short ‘stay’ led a lot of people think that they were doing the dogs and cats a favor by letting them loose to fend for themselves. This is animal cruelty any way you look at it. There have been several cases where a feral dog joined up with …


Letter Re: Home Packing Five Gallon Food Storage Buckets

James, Thanks to your blog, I now know where I can get cheap (or free) plastic [food grade] buckets. I’ve been building quite a pile of them, and the time it takes to wash them is minimal. I mainly plain [to pack] Pinto beans, rice, flour, and pasta. How do I make sure that I won’t open them up someday, and find them full of weevils? That would be a disaster, especially if I really need that food when it all hits the fan. Thanks, – Randall W. JWR Replies: Insects and their larvae can’t survive without oxygen. Two different …


Economics and Investing:

R.D.H. sent this: Gold Rises to Record on Demand for Haven From European Crisis. Reader David S. suggested this piece by mainstream economic journalist Scott Burns that was surprisingly frank about the possibility of an economic collapse: The Future… as a Large, Sullen Stranger G.G. liked this commentary by Robert Barone: Forget PIIGS, US Debt is Out of Control Brian B. sent this item by our friend Bill Bonner: US government is killing its own economy J.D.D. highlighted this: Long-Term Unemployed Now 46 Percent of Unemployed, Highest Percentage on Record Items from The Economatrix: Increasingly Hawkish Fed Ponder Raising Rates …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Here is “must read” article: Societal Collapse Due to Peak Oil ‘Inevitable,’ According to Researcher. (Thanks to Chris H. for the link.)    o o o Reader RBS recommended a link to some free greenhouse plans, over at Vibration Nation.    o o o Kevin S. suggested this from New Scientist: The wisdom of herds: How social mood moves the world    o o o I noticed that even more counters have been automated at the U.S. Debt Clock web site.