Year: 2010

Economics and Investing:

G.G. was the first of several readers to mention this New York Times article: Crisis Awaits World’s Banks as Trillions Come Due. Be ready folks. We could be on the precipice of a global debt implosion that will make the current crisis seem small, by comparison. I’ve warned you before, folks: be ready for bank runs. Here is a quote: “Banks worldwide owe nearly $5 trillion to bondholders and other creditors that will come due through 2012, according to estimates by the Bank for International Settlements. About $2.6 trillion of the liabilities are in Europe.” From David W.: Historian warns …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Kevin S. liked this PDF: Guide to Sustainable Utility Free Living    o o o After eight months of R&D with military contractor, KI4U is exclusively releasing a new product, The RADSticker™. This is an inexpensive, peel & stick postage stamped sized, instantly color changing radiation dosimeter.    o o o Mike H. mentioned a Daily Oklahoman newspaper editorial: Americans are petrified about their future.    o o o Kelly D. flagegd this: Top 10 Public Health Disasters of the 20th Century.


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The next amendment is,’A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.’ One of the ordinary modes, by which tyrants accomplish their purposes without resistance, is, by disarming the people, and making it an offence to keep arms, and by substituting a regular army in the stead of a resort to the militia. The friends of a free government cannot be too watchful, to overcome the dangerous tendency of the public mind to sacrifice, for the sake of mere private convenience, this …


Notes from JWR:

The recent Agence France-Presse article “Apocalypse now? In US and abroad many are prepared” was a bit of mixed bag. To begin, I must mention that I hardly deserve to be called “the patron saint of survivalism”. Only one man deserves that title: Mel Tappan. The article included a biting subtext that I’ve seen before from statist journalists. It sounded condescendingly anti-survivalist and anti-Christian. (One data point: The journalist’s name is Sara Hussein. That is one of the reasons that I declined to do an interview for the article. I suspected that it might be a hatchet job.) I should …


The Essential Gun for Survival, by Cory M.

At least one firearm chambered in .22 Long Rifle (LR) rimfire should be part of every survival plan.  If you do not currently own a firearm or if a .22 is not part of your current arsenal it should be high on your “next to buy” list, if not at the top.  The .22 is essential to your TEOTWAWKI preparation.  From providing food for the family to [marginal] self defense, the .22 will work for you.  Here are a few reasons the .22 LR is so important to your preparation and survival. Practice Whether or not you are currently familiar …


Letter Re: Finding a Job in Depressed Economy

Good Afternoon, Jim, What can Christian people do if they have lost their income when the economy crashed in October 2008 and they still have limited funds? I am a professional and the market I serve is in decline. Suggestions? I have applied to hundreds of jobs with no reply. Thanks, – Paul S. At this point, the prospects for economic “recovery” seem remote, especially with the planned tax increases (January 1, 2011) and the inevitability of higher interest rates. I recommend that you start your own business, in something recession/depression proof. Look through the 75+ SurvivalBlog articles in the …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader E.B. was the first of several readers to mention this article that has some TEOTWAWKI implications: Baghdad kills 58,000 stray dogs in three-month span.    o o o F.J. spotted a useful piece on emergency kits for cars.    o o o B.B. sent this article that shows that the First Amendment and the Second Amendment go hand-in-hand: Federal judge orders Osceola County sheriff to issue gun permit. (And to attend a course on the First Amendment.)


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"The concept most fundamental to long term disaster preparedness, in retreating, is having a safe place to go to avoid the concentrated violence destined to erupt in the cities. When you have a growing apprehensive awareness that the time grows short for you to relocate away from areas of greatest danger, then choose [where you will live] carefully." – Mel Tappan


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 …


Pseudo-Currency: Items You Can Trade Like Cash Or Use Yourself if the Balloon Goes Up, by Scott in Wisconsin

If the power grid fails for a weekend, dollar bills will always be accepted.  And I think it’s a good idea to keep at least $500 on hand in your home, in $5 and $10 denominations.  If the stores are open, but their credit card machines are not working, you’ll still be fine. But what happens if things really fall apart?  It’s easy to imagine a time when cash will no longer be king. What if an EMP knocks out all our electronic infrastructure?  If you’ve read “One Second After,” you get a feel for how quickly all our technology …


Letter Re: Lessons Learned From A Novice Hunting Trip

Sir: I would like to commend the author of “Lessons Learned From A Novice Hunting Trip”. Being a hunter and avid backpacker, I can attest to the validity of each of his points. I can add a couple of lessons I have learned over the years as well: 1. To get from point A to point B in terms of weight; you need more water than food, more food than junk. Long duration movement is physically taxing and every ounce must be worth carrying and purposeful. Don’t skimp on quality when your life may depend upon it, whether it be …


Letter Re: Equipping My G.O.O.D. Boat

James: I read your comments on The San Juan’s and Canadian Gulf Islands with interest. We have lived in the islands for 17 years now and have a fair amount of experience with the pro and con’s involved in being separated from the mainland. I liken it to being off grid in many ways. From the residents point of view we are dependent on the Washington State Ferry System for almost all of our consumer needs. This is fine as long as they are running, which during normal times is not a problem. However from the prepper/survivalists point of view, …


Letter Re: Triage Systems for Crisis: Making the Hard Calls in Life or Death Situations

Mr. Editor: The first part of the Kathy S. article was well done in describing potential scenarios and the medical problems with triage.  I would take issue with her triage system and her method for establishing the categories.  The standard civilian approach is that of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS).  It has been used and taught in the military. In a mass casualty situation, it requires establishing who has the best chance of survival within the constraints of time, manpower and materials.  I am a retired Army physician (non-surgeon) who has been an ATLS instructor for many years prior to …


Economics and Investing:

Jimmy Rogers: ‘I don’t have investments in the UK’. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Disappearing Perk: Employee Stock Options Americans May Be Slammed with Shocking Tax Hike US Shopping Center Vacancies Approach Record High Before The Bell: US Stock Futures Down Over Worries On Growth Oil Prices Rise in Volatile Trade European Banks are Worse than Wall Street World Sovereign Default Risk Rose 30% as European Debt Crisis Deepened


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader RBS recommended this piece over at the Alpha Rubicon site: Introducing the Prepping & Survival Mindset to Others    o o o Chris F. mentioned that Bardin & Marsee Publishing produces a Waterproof Bible. They are printed on plastic, they are tear resistant and 100% waterproof.    o o o El Jefe Jeff E. sent this: USDA Reports Food Shortages: Wall Street ‘Caught Off Guard’ by Severity.