Day: December 14, 2012

Notes from JWR:

The U.S. Mint’s report to the U.S. Congress with firm recommendations for new coin compositions is due to be released today, December 14, 2012. Once Congress acts to debase the nickel (most likely switching to almost worthless stainless steel coin planchets), the window of opportunity will close. This may be our last chance to stock up on real nickels in quantity without any sorting. If you haven’t yet assembled your stack of nickel boxes, then do so NOW! — This is the birthday of Air Force General James Harold “Jimmy” Doolittle, (born in 1896, died September 27, 1993.) — Today …


Europe In The News: Ominous Prospects, by Michael F.

It appears as if there are some new developments going in on the Continent, that unfortunately appear to be old memes being resurrected for the 21st Century. Let’s take a look at the highlights of recent events: Greece continues to have widespread protests and riots as unemployment remains above 25% (25.4%, when measured in August, 2012) and austerity measures continue to be implemented. Spain is in a deep recession, and has been since 2008.  The banking industry in Spain alone could require 60 Billion Euros to remain solvent. Portugal and Italy are in similar straits to Spain and all three are close to emulating the protests, …


Letter Re: Mysterious Lights in North Dakota?

Jim, You recently linked to NightlightMap.com. What is that big huge area of brightness in [ostensibly lightly-populated] Northwest North Dakota? That makes me question the usefulness of that map at all. – Sam D. JWR Replies: Those lights are the main concentration of activity in the Bakken oil fields–see this map.  (See also, these photos.) Reader Rob H. tells me that the dots of light shown are mostly the light of burning off excess wellhead gas. (Plus, presumably: floodlights around drilling rigs, and floodlights around equipment yards, and the light of burning off excess wellhead gas, and floodlights, and the …


Letter Re: Pat’s Product Review: PakLite 9V LED Flashlight

Hi, I am a long time SurvivalBlog reader. I read the review on the Paklite and I wanted to post a link to my non-commercial blog which has some posts on the subject (where I experimented with the battery life). They are great little lights and we now own 3 of them. (Two are standard blue-white LED and one is red LED to retain night vision). I regularly encourage people to get them. Thanks and keep up the good work! – EagerGridlessBeaver


Economics and Investing:

Over at Zero Hedge: Art Cashin Previews Our $202 Trillion Destiny Reader Andre D. recommended this essay: The West is signing its own death sentence Pam C. wrote mention: “In most banks, the bulk teller is the person in charge of the ordering of currency and the vault. The bulk teller is normally stationed nearest the vault and handles the commercial deposits. This is the bank employee that you should contact about bulk ordering nickels.” Items from The Economatrix: US Stocks Rise With Metals On China; Italy Bond Plunge The Coming Derivatives Panic That Will Destroy Global Financial Markets Will …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Packin’ for the ‘pocalypse: Several readers have sent me letters with this theme: “Due to the erroneous Mayan prophecy date of December 21st, 2012, there is a strong possibility of some self-fulfilling prophecies on an individual level, such as suicides, murder-suicides, mass-suicides, or people ‘going postal’ in public places.” They recommend that everyone that has a CCW permit or that lives in a Constitutional Carry state to fully exercise their right to carry (and pack a few extra magazines) between now and December 31, 2012. That sounds wise to me!    o o o G.G. sent this: Congressman calls for …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“At the beginning of a 4th Generation civil war, everybody starts with a finite amount of ammunition. The ones who never run out are those who make every round count and thus are able to forage out the ammo pouches of the dead men who didn’t. That’s why marksmanship training matters.” – Mike Vanderboegh, Sipsey Street Irregulars, October 11, 2012