Year: 2010

Odds ‘n Sods:

Jim W. sent this article: Squatters take over South Florida. homes in what police call latest fraud in housing crisis    o o o Ethnic riots sweep Kyrgyzstan, government begs for help. (A hat tip to Mike M. for the link.)    o o o Rick in Canada mentioned a National Geographic documentary that will air on Tuesday, June 15th at 10 p.m.: Electronic Armageddon. It is about the effects of a High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) on the US.    o o o F.G. sent this one: Black Flight Hits Detroit: After 10 burglaries in seven years, a professional …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Within, I would say, the next six years, interest payments on the [U.S.] Federal debt will exceed the defence budget. I think that one of the clear lessons of history is that is a major turning point for any [global] power. From Spain in the 17th Century , The Netherlands in the 18th Century, through the Turks in the 19th Century, and British in the 20th Century: When you are spending more on your debts than [on] your Army or Navy, it’s all over as a great power.” – Niall Ferguson, in a 2010 lecture on sovereign debt and crises …


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 …


The Disappearing Suburban Basement–Part 1, by Jeff W.

Two years ago, as I began preparing for TEOTWAWKI, the first thing I did was take a real, accurate assessment of what I had and what I was going to be able to do for my preparations. One of the first issues I needed to face was the fact I would never have a true “survival retreat” located out west, far away from any major population centers, and tucked away in some forgotten corner of the country. As much as I would love to have something like this in place, the balancing act between having a family, financial commitments and …


Three Letters Re: Ammo Carrying Options for M1 Garand Owners

JWR: A gentleman posted some options about carrying M1 Garand ammo clips, and I wanted to share this link and his story if that was possible: Olongapo Outfitters He makes gear specifically for Carbines and Garands, and while he has a bit of a wait time, he’s had good reviews. – M.W. James: In addition to the methods described in the 11 June SurvivalBlog letter from Matt R. regarding M1 Garand ammo carrying options, there are at least three other excellent methods worthy of note. The twin-magazine MOLLE pouches meant for the carry of a pair of 30-round M16 magazines …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. flagged this item from McNewspaper: Bankruptcy filings are nearing the record 2 million of 2005 Also from G.G. come this item from the Australian branch of The Daily Reckoning: The Housing Non-Recovery Frequent content contributor RBS sent this: Silver? The Swiss franc? Fear sends investors to safety Items from The Economatrix: Too Much Risk: $1.2 Quadrillion Derivatives Market Dwarfs the World’s GDP Hedge Funds Hit in “Monstrous” May Bernanke All But Rules Out Double Dip Inflation Corroded Copper Coins (The Mogambo Guru dispels the coinage “hoarding” myth.) 50 Statistics About the US Economy that are Almost Too Crazy to …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Man who dug space under home sues city; Owner says private property is being taken; crews set to start filling pit today. (Thanks to M.T.)    o o o Chaos, Anarchy to Reign if Paterson Shuts Down New York    o o o More wrath of God stuff: Worst Locust Plague in Two Decades Threatens Australian Harvest    o o o Kevin S. suggested this very useful STRATFOR article: A Primer on Situational Awareness



Notes from JWR:

I just heard from my editor at Penguin USA that they’ve gone back to press yet again on my nonfiction book “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It”. This ninth printing of 15,000 copies will bring the total in print to 96,000. — 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 …


Baby Steps, by Doctus

If you have seen the movie What About Bob can in some way relate to the OCD character Bob and cannot help but laugh at his ridiculous antics.  The funniest and perhaps most well known scene is when Bob meets with the psychiatrist and receives what would become the most famous cinema prescription, “Baby steps.”  When trying to conquer any fear, or overcome difficult circumstances in any situation, we need the same advice, baby steps. I was just recently introduced to the SurvivalBlog. Upon first reading it, the amount of information is daunting.  The amount of preparation for TEOTWAWKI is …


Letter Re: Advice on Insuring Survival Gear

Hi. I have a question that I haven’t found the answer to yet on your site (which I read every day.) I have over $40,000 in storage food and survival supplies. I was wondering about insuring it with my homeowners insurance. I doubt my company would believe me if a fire or tornado destroyed everything. If I take out a supplemental addition to my insurance there goes OPSEC. Should I just take pictures on everything and store them off site? What are your thoughts on this? Thanks for all the great information. – Nancy S. JWR Replies: Many homeowner’s policies …


Letter Re: House Passes Power Grid Protection Bill

James Wesley: The House of Representatives yesterday passed the “Grid Reliability and Infrastructure Defense Act” which is “intended to bolster that national electric grid against terrorist attacks, cyber threats, electromagnetic pulse weapons and solar storms. The Act authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue emergency orders to protect critical electric infrastructure, and to take other measures to address current and potential vulnerabilities.” Given the speed at which government moves, I don’t think I’ll be unpacking my bug out bag or getting rid of my food stores! – Michael H.


Economics and Investing:

Evan D. mentioned this article: Next bubble: Corporate bonds..or stocks The BBC reports: Finland in double-dip recession. (Our thanks to Evan D. for the link.) By way of The Daily Bell, we read: Britain Becomes The First To Choose Deflation Reader S.M. sent us this: Bernanke Puzzled by Gold Rally. Obviously, Helicopter Ben doesn’t understand that gold is a proven hedge against both inflation and deflation. Thankfully, Mr. Market isn’t fooled by such political pronouncements. When I last checked, spot gold was at around €1,018 per troy ounce. This is near its all-time high in Euro terms. In my estimation, …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Brandy down in Bianchiland suggested this piece in the Los Angeles Times: Economic Slump Stirs Up Homemade Preserves Industry    o o o RNS mentioned this troubling news from Sweden: Robberies raise prospect of retail cash ban. What great logic. So if they ban water, there’d be no more drownings!    o o o Roger Y. suggested this article: Doorstep bank raids plague cash-loving Argentina    o o o One of our former advertisers, BulletProofME.com, currently has a special on their overstock of US-made Interceptor vest nylon outershells. These are in camouflage. They are just $20 each if you mention …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“It is a blessing upon every one that feareth the Lord, and walks in His ways, that he shall eat the labor of his hands. And he that without his own labor either of body or mind eats the labor of other men’s hands only, and lives by their sweat, is but like unto lice, and other such vermin.” – John Robinson, “Observations of Knowledge and Virtue”