Month: May 2012

Note From JWR:

Today we present two more entries for Round 40 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for …


Three Bug Out Considerations You Probably Haven’t Considered, by Jonathan G.

For most preppers, the action plan for a TEOTWAWKI scenario can be neatly categorized into basically one of two categories:  Bug in or Bug out.  Many people live in rural areas with sufficient security and provisions to be able to go to ground in the event of a disaster and ride out the storm.  “Sufficient” security might include bunkers, shooters, stockpiles of ammunition and weapons, spare parts, etc.  “Sufficient” provisions might be enough food to get the defense force and extended family of the principal through to the harvest, and enough seeds to ensure that the harvest will feed the …


Consider Your Cordage, by Andrew G.

It is very regrettable that more often than not, those who prepare for surviving the future are viewed by society as being isolationist, separatists, and downright anti-social. Sure, this can be blamed on the media, propaganda, and perhaps a few loose cannons out there, but it’s also in part because many “preppers” do fall prey to a fearful “bunker” mindset. Sometimes even removing themselves from society at large. I wonder if more people would see the value of advanced preparation if they witnessed more preppers offering positive contributions to the general welfare of others in their community, state, and nation? …


More Derivatives Market Mayhem: The JPMorgan Debacle

The mainstream media is abuzz with stories about JPMorgan’s $2 Billion in trading losses in just the past six weeks. Here some typical coverage: JPMorgan Hit by ‘Egregious’ Trading Loss of $2 Billion. The culprit? It was derivatives. Ah yes, those pesky derivatives. Ich habe es Ihnen gesagt (way back in 2006.) I won’t re-hash the details of the JP Morgan debacle that have come to light, because they have already been spelled out by many journalists. The best analysis that I’ve found thusfar came from the editors of Zero Hedge, in this piece: The “World’s Largest Prop Trading Desk” …


Economics and Investing:

Kevin S. sent this: Fed clears China’s first US bank takeover Faber Sees ’87-Type Crash if U.S. Stocks Rise Without QE3 Andre sent this: Banks prepare for the return of the drachma From G.G.: Postal Service quarterly loss widens to $3.2 billion Items from The Economatrix: Housing Bottom?  Fannie Mae Won’t Seek Tax Dollars Wages Bolster Spending as Americans as Americans Extend Hours US March Wholesale Inventories Rise 0.3%, Sales Climb 0.5% Home Prices Rise in Half of U.S. Cities as Markets Stabilize


Odds ‘n Sods:

Avoid Social Breakdown. Become Resilient. (Thanks to Kevin S. for the link.)    o o o Over at Global Guerillas: Big Twitter is Here    o o o Reader S. R. mentioned that there are some school teacher positions open in a retreat-worthy region: Navajo Public Schools. S.R. describes Jackson County, Oklahoma: “…a nice rural area with good well water at about 10-to-30 foot depth, a long growing season, and that produces wheat, Cotton, Peanuts, and Beef.” They are looking to hire a Computer teacher, Secondary Special Ed teacher and likely a Foreign Language teacher.    o o o Ed. …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The CDS [credit default swap] is probably the most important instrument in finance. What [the advent of the] CDS did is lay-off all the risk of highly leveraged institutions – and that’s what banks are, highly leveraged – on stable American and international institutions.” – Alan Greenspan, former Federal Reserve Chairman, May 2006


Note From JWR:

Today we present two more entries for Round 40 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for …


Bugging Out About Bugs, by A.D.

After a few camping trips where I learned the hard way about preparing for local wildlife I started thinking about the bugs in my bug out plan and I’m not talking about technical flaws.  Previously I had focused much of my attention on what kind of gear to pack, how to provide food and water, and various routes to travel.  A trip to the Rockies, part of the AT and a few southeastern US adventures later I realized that people weren’t the only hostile forces I might encounter and I didn’t have much prepared to deal with the critters I …


Orientation and Situational Awareness For Your Kids, by B.P.G.

I am a victim. I am a spectator. I am luck incarnate. You would think based on my chosen career for over twenty years as a US Navy SEAL that I would be the poster boy of preparedness. You would think that now retired from the military and currently a security professional that I would have stockpiled food, weapons and supplies in preparation for the next Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 or other mass casualty causing disaster. Instead, like so many others I have assumed luck is on my side. I have assumed that because I have lived a life on the …


Letter Re: A Self-Sufficient Vermonter

Hi James,  Thank you for SurvivalBlog. It’s an incredible resource. I thought you and your readers mind find this interesting: There is a man that lives with his family on his 24 acre parcel of forested mountain in Vermont, completely off the grid using hydro-electric and solar for power and a natural spring for water. He builds everything himself, including his house and workshop. His land is mostly accessible only on foot (though he has cleared a road — by hand). This guy is building a giant mechanical robot. Seriously. But the best part is that all of this is documented …


Letter Re: Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids and Birthdays

Mr. Rawles; When my first child was born, the wife of my husband’s boss gave me 7 bags of clothes her then 5 year old had out grown.  She said, “I know you don’t need these right now, but you will be amazed how quickly he will grow.”  Two years later, when my daughter was born, she gave me 3 bags of girls clothes.  Those clothes were a Godsend.  Every time I found they had outgrown what was in their drawers, I remembered that I had more stored in the garage.  10 years later, I have 2 more kids, and …


Economics and Investing:

F.G. sent this: Postal Service: Will keep rural post offices open Michael A. sent this: Liberty Dollars may be subject to seizure. | AmEx (American Expat) spotted this: Dutch With Food Aid Shows New Economic Reality Engulfing Europe Items from The Economatrix: The Countdown To The Break Up Of The Euro Has Officially Begun Economic Alert:  If You’re Not Worried Yet, You Should Be Analyst:  US Still Headed For Recession Oil Falls To Near $97 Amid Weak US, Europe Demand


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reach out and touch someone: U.S. military snipers are changing warfare. (A hat tip to James K. for sending the link.)    o o o G.G. flagged this tale of a Polar Pure’s “precursor chemical” woes: “Collateral damage.” How the DEA defines your business, your freedom, and your life.    o o o From Kevin S.: Researchers discover cell phone hackers can track your location without your knowledge    o o o Also from Kevin: Private Drone Wars    o o o Another ultralight flying video from TTabs: Dry Falls Washington – Trike Flying. His description of the terrain: Only …