Year: 2012

Economics and Investing:

Jim T. suggested a good piece by Thorsten Polleit: How Deflationary Forces Will Be Turned into Inflation AmEx (American Expat) sent us this: Local currencies: ‘In the U.S. we don’t trust’ The FDIC Friday Follies have resumed: Banks closed in Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania; first failures of 2012 A reader in Manitoba wrote ask me about possible trigger dates for a financial panic. I told her that a key date is March 15, 2012. That is the day that the Greek government must either cough up the cash, or admit default. Fitch seems to consider Greek default almost a certainty. Items …


Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson spotted this little gem: Kitchen Renovation: How to Make a Secret Toekick Drawer    o o o Federal official in Arizona to plead the fifth and not answer questions on ‘furious’    o o o Fairbanks man accused in ‘meat for heat’ case hires lawyer. [JWR Asks: Why is it that in many of the United States that only Native Americans can legally sell or barter wild game? As long as bag limits are respected (to maintain stable game populations), then what you do post facto with your meat from legally-harvested game should …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 39 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 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a …


Alternative Foods in Famines, by ShepherdFarmerGeek

Several future scenarios include or produce famine on a very large scale. The goal of a famine feeding strategy is to get people from the beginning of the famine to the end alive and not permanently damaged. In extreme circumstances this may call for unusual measures… Preparing for famine. We can be reasonably confident that any future crisis will include food scarcity. From EMP to pandemic, from war to drought, food is a critical resource. (The projected death rate from an EMP, including death from a variety of causes including famine, is 9 out of 10 Americans!) The sooner we …


A Personal Preparedness Success Story, by Ranger Mat

After being a reader of SurvivalBlog for some time now, I finally noticed the tag line, right under the title states: ‘The Daily Web Log for Prepared Individuals Living in Uncertain Times.’ While we all on here are preppers in one sense or another, the thing that we all have in common is that we look forward to being prepared for uncertain times. Things like financial meltdown, government tyranny, natural disaster, war, famine, all occupy our minds at one point or another during our preparation considerations. I recently had a personal ‘uncertain time’ hit me and my family. I have …


Letter Re: Alaska as a Retreat Locale

James, I felt compelled to write this letter response to Thomas K’s post from January 18th. I found his second point to be racist at worst and ignorant at best. I must first point out that I am not a politically correct minded person nor do I wish my letter to come across as Jessie Jackson-ish rhetoric. I am married to a Manila-born Chinese/Filipino who moved to the US when she was a year old and has spent about the last 20 out of her 27 years as an American Citizen. I had a chance to visit the Philippines in …


Letter Re: Cash Transaction Limits in Belgium

Hi, Recently on the news here in Belgium they said there’s soon going to be a law effective that limits cash payments to 5,000 euro maximum, and in 2014 this limit would be decreased to only 3,000 euro. Officially it’s to limit ‘black money’. Haven’t heard much other things about it (no questions, protests, ..) so it’s interesting to follow up if that’s only our government being creative (which I doubt) or that other European countries will also apply a similar law, maybe as a way to be able to devaluate the euro currency in a few years. – A. …


Letter Re: Keeping Chickens in a Backyard Flock

Mr. Rawles, I very much enjoyed reading the article about Keeping Chicken in a Backyard Flock, by Nightshade. I have 58 hens and seven roosters and I enjoy every one of them. I did want to address one statement, however. It’s concerning the comment about the presence of a rooster and his ability to produce a hormone that turns bad cholesterol into good cholesterol. Perhaps the author of this author could verify that claim? I have contacted the nutrition experts at our state’s university research center on the matter, and they have informed me that there is no scientific evidence to support that claim. They …


Economics and Investing:

AmEx (American Expat) spotted this at Arutz Sheva: ‘Dr. Doom’ Investor: Prepare for World III G.B. mentioned this podcast: McAlvany Interview with John Williams of Shadow Statistics. Williams warns of hyperinflation, saying: “The Federal government will print money until it fails.” Reader Dean G. recommended a great post from Tim Price, at Sovereign Man: The Final Countdown   Items from The Economatrix: Greek Default Imminent Iran Oil Ban Means Economic Suicide for Europe Correction In Gold is Over and on Way to $4,500 Recovery at Risk as Americans Raid Savings


Odds ‘n Sods:

Solar blast heading our way.    o o o This medieval solution probably wouldn’t be used in western countries, for fear of lawsuits: Indonesian railway stringing concrete balls to deter roof riders. (Needless to say, the Indonesians are not famous for The Subtle Approach.)    o o o George S. found an interesting series of articles by a journalist in Washington, DC who wanted to buy a pistol: Emily Gets Her Gun. This is a lengthy chronicle of her travails, jumping through all the fiery hoops to get permission to buy a gun in the District of Criminals. And even …



Letter Re: The Year I Accidentally Grew Wheat

Hey There! I really enjoyed reading “Year I Accidentally Grew Wheat”, by Gonzo In Virginia. It’s a familiar scenario to me, as I have learned many valuable and interesting lessons by accident as well. I wanted to comment on one of the things that was mentioned in this great post. At the end o, of the article, he mentions that he now has some knowledge of ways he can use his stored wheat. I have something to add, that I learned by accident myself. If you are using your stored grain for planting (which I did last year) you will …


Note from JWR:

A reminder that Safecastle’s Freedom Awards Finalists are now posted on Safecastle’s blog site for public viewing and voting. One of the finalists is K.M., for his article “What is a Well-Stocked First Aid Kit?” (that appeared in SurvivalBlog.) Please post your vote for your favorite article or video before midnight on January 20th. — Today we present another two entries for Round 39 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 …


Self-Sufficient Farming in East Prussia in the 1930s and 1940s, by Mrs. Icebear

Please keep in mind that English is not my mother tongue, and that these recollections are from the perspective of a young girl, now in advanced years. My mother-in-law grew up in what was then called East Prussia (Ostpreussen) – now Poland. She was born 1929 – got twice evacuated – the first time at the age of 14. The beautiful area is called “die Mazurische Seenplatte” and  “die Mazuren” and is today developed for tourism. I´ve picked her brains to learn as much as I can, and here are some of the things she remembers of life on the …