Month: January 2011

Economics and Investing:

A chart published by The Financial Times says it all: America: Paydown problems You’re insane if you don’t own gold, investors told Muni Bonds Crashing For Third Straight Day, And This Is The Worst Yet. (A hat tip to Yishai for the link.) John R. sent this by Gonzalo Lira: Why Democracies Will Always Go Bankrupt The Latest Gold Fraud Bombshell: Canada’s Only Bullion Bank Gold Vault Is Practically Empty. (Thanks to Michael H. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: At Least 10 States Have Introduced Gold-As-Currency Bills Industrial Production Rises By Most in Five Months   Holiday Spending …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Pierre M. sent a link to a fascinating blog written by a wife and mother who lives deep in the interior of Alaska: The Last Frontier. Their main access to the outside world is via bush pilot flights. The blog is posted only sporadically, since they have to fly in the gasoline to run their generator. Now that is remote!    o o o Leading computer expert warns of cyber attack on National Grid. (Thanks to Dave B. for the link.)    o o o From Chris S. comes a news account of YOYO time: Brazil Mudslide Survivors Carry Food, …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The essence of exchange is the transfer of title. Here’s the essence of what happens when I buy a gallon of milk from my grocer. I tell him that I hold title to these three dollars and he holds title to the gallon of milk. Then, I offer: If you transfer your title to that gallon of milk, I will transfer title to these three dollars. Whenever there’s voluntary exchange, the only clear conclusion that a third party can make is that both parties, in their opinion, perceived themselves as better off as a result of the exchange; otherwise, they …



Medical Quarantine — Protecting Your Family from Infection, by Dr. Cynthia Koelker

Plague.  Yellow fever.  Cholera.  Diphtheria.   Diseases which evoke images of death and despair.   Though less likely to transmit a fatal illness, would you open your door to someone with hepatitis, strep throat, or methacillin-resistant staph?  What about a person suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, a cough, or lice, or a fever?  Are you immune to measles, polio, and whooping cough – and would you even recognize these conditions?  How will you know if someone is going to come down with influenza in the next day or two? Before antibiotics, before anti-virals, before immune globulin, societies used quarantines to protect their populations.  …


Letter Re: Firsthand Experiences in the Australian Floods

James, I would like to bring you and your readers a synopsis of the floods in Australia and their probable scenarios; firstly I have a first hand view through sandbagging and seeing friends through rising floodwaters, so I have a strong viewpoint. Around where we were in Brisbane east side , the water rose very quickly, the house where our friend  is on a flat concrete slab, the water rose within 2 hours about 3 feet ! The house was saved along with much prayer. It is estimated that seven billion tons of water has been dumped on Queensland ! …


Economics and Investing:

Cost to Make Penny and Nickel Rises for US Mint. It now costs the U.S. Mint 9.22 cents to produce a nickel! Build your pile now, before the coin composition changes! (If you dawdle, then you’ll have to sort coins. And once the base metal value exceeds 2x face value, nickels will be driven out of circulation by the general public.) Illinois Lawmakers Pass 66 Percent Income Tax Increase Ben S. was the first of several readers to send this: Housing Market Slips Into Depression Territory Items from The Economatrix: S&P, Moodys Both Warn On US Credit Hard Times In …


Odds ‘n Sods:

#1 Son forwarded me this: In Nuclear Silos, Death Wears a Snuggie    o o o Some news from Israel for the Orchestrated Institutional Stupidity Department: IDF collecting settlers’ weapons    o o o Avalanche Lily flagged this one: “Food riots in America? You’re crazy…”    o o o P.J. sent this: Living large: Home going up in Highlandville to be one of country’s largest. This “one-family house” has some veeeery interesting specifications.



Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 32 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 $795, 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 250 round case of 12 Gauge …


WTSHTF and Your Medical Needs, by S. in Oklahoma

With the rising number of people aware of the need to prep for survival in the coming times there are so many needs that must be addressed. When putting together a survival group, people draw from a diverse group of people and try to match talents and skills of the members so that they may cover a very large array of needs. There are so many steps one can take to prepare for or understand certain skills which could prove useful should their network be lacking of certain skills. One of the ones nearest to me is medical care! So …


Everything Happens for a Reason, by Leep

In 2006, I left my job of 20+ years as a maintenance mechanic and construction designer, my wife left her job of 10+ years in real estate, and we cashed in a pension and a 401(k), to buy a small farm. At the time we were deemed crazy. We thought so too and to this day can’t really put a finger on the exact reasoning. This farm was one of the last small agriculturally-zoned properties in the area. The rest is sub-division. It was only five acres, but had a large 8-stall horse barn with a large loft & a …


Letter Re: Grateful for SurvivalBlog in Australia

Dear James,   I read much of your blog site and started to get prepared two years ago when the financial crisis first hit.  Now, while staying dry enough, I am surrounded by flooded towns and washed out roads and bridges.  So much of what you have written is of value here right now.  I thought you would appreciate an on-the spot report.  Now my friends are scrambling and I don’t look like such a fool.      We in Jandowae have potable water but our nearest neighbouring town, Dalby was trucking in a million litres a day.  Even locally …


Economics and Investing:

In Entitlement America, The Head Of A Household Of Four Making Minimum Wage Has More Disposable Income Than A Family Making $60,000 A Year. Moody’s warns US, Europe countries on rising costs 25 Hard Questions That You Will Not See Asked On CNN, MSNBC Or Fox News. (Thanks to J.D.D. for the link.) More banks and servicers walk away from properties Items from The Economatrix: Gerald Celente:  Internet Nuke Bomb Waiting To Go Off   Virginia Creates Subcommittee To Study Monetary Alternatives In Case Of Terminal Fed “Breakdown”  Real Silver Highs Stocks Dip After Unemployment Applications Rise   Over 1 …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Who is guarding the hen house? Secret underground room at Border Patrol agent’s home may have hidden illegal immigrants. (Thanks to M.O.B. for the link.)    o o o Joe P. recommended this page: Homemade Firearm Cleaners & Lubricants. I’ve mentioned “Ed’s Red” in the blog before, but their site has even more formulas. I’ve added it to my Links Page.    o o o Reader Art R. liked this one, over at The Art of Manliness: An Introduction to Off-Roading.