Year: 2012

Letter Re: Converting a 1973-1991 Suburban to Cummins Diesel

JWR: Regarding the recent link in in SurvivalBlog to the articles on Converting a 1973-1991 Suburban to Cummins diesel engine, I have experience with the B and ISB series Cummins engines in several applications and believe they are fine powerplants. However, this swap IS an electronic engine and transmission, as described. And it is not necessarily something easily fixable in the kind of situation you envision. I would suggest that a mechanical engine (which does include the earlier 12-valve B Cummins sixes and its four cylinder sibling the 4BT) and a manual transmission might be more suitable. Several possibilities exist …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. flagged this: With Work Scarce in Athens, Greeks Go Back to the Land Farmers Sue Jon Corzine Over Missing Millions Items from The Economatrix: Unemployment Drop Masks On-going Decline Fed Seen Unveiling QE3 Bond Plans By Summer. Government Set to Sell Foreclosures in Bulk. (Here comes the initial haircut, at taxpayer expense.) US Bank Failures Declined in 2011


Odds ‘n Sods:

New Jersey Will Pay You $1,000 to Destroy the 2nd Amendment    o o o Avalanche Lily forwarded me this (just across our bedroom, but routed through our VPN server in Switzerland): Northern Plains hit hard by deer-killing disease    o o o Some cogent observations by Ol’ Remus on resistance warfare: Continuity Plan    o o o And speaking of Ol’ Remus, he had a link to this: SOPA is the end of us, say bloggers    o o o Reader Scott S. wrote to tell me that my latest novel “Survivors” was recommended in an APRN article about …



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 …


Raising Guinea Pigs as a Survival Food, by Lisa F.

A range of considerations come into play when selecting food to cache at your retreat for survival post-TEOTWAWKI: caloric load, shelf life, storage space required, price, ease of preparation, etc.  This article will deal with a topic I hold dear to my heart: fresh meat.  Depending upon where your retreat is located, hunting may or may not be a viable option; space, facilities, and season impact animal husbandry choices as well.  While pork and beef are preferred sources of meat for many Americans, there is no argument against the fact that pigs and, even more so, cattle require a fair amount …


A Prepared Child is a Safe Child, by Gary T.

I am a father of three and have one on the way. My oldest is now almost 20 years old. One thing I have learned over the years as a father is not to underestimate children and young adults. I am pretty blunt and a straightforward guy, if anyone gets anything from what I share it is this….if you love your children then do not shelter them, prepare them! Let’s tackle the big one first, children and gun’s. When my oldest was around four years of age he had a rare opportunity for someone so young, he got to see …


Letter Re: 2012 National Agricultural Classification Survey

Mr. Rawles: Have you all heard about this?  Yesterday I received a 2012 National Agricultural Classification Survey [from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service] in the mail.  They ask 25 nosey questions about how many of each animal we have on our farm i.e. cows, chickens, beehives, turkeys, sheep, goats, horses etc., how much we spend in our “operation” every year, and how much we plan to make this year.  They also ask if we have internet access, how many “operators” are involved in the decision making of our “operation” how many acres we have, how many are pasture land …


Economics and Investing:

Absurd Gold/Silver Price Ratio; Why $500/oz Silver Is Now A Certainty In The Future I recommend watching this commentary on “the coming storm” for the economy: Afterburner with Bill Whittle: Facing the Arithmetic. While more of a pep talk than practical instruction, Whittle’s comments are spot on. G.G. sent this: Six million households have only five days’ savings One end result of derivatives counterparty risk: MBS fallout could hit Wells Fargo, JPMorgan. (Mortgage backed securities are derivative securities.) Items from The Economatrix:


Odds ‘n Sods:

Do you recall my comments in the unsuitability of Alaska as a retreat locale, for all but a few? Here is a bit more confirmation: Short on Fuel, Alaskans Now Burning Their Stuff. (Without regular resupply by sea and air, most of Alaska’s cities are like isolated islands.)    o o o For an amazing collection of maps that could be useful in choosing retreat locales, see the archives at: Oh Wow Maps.    o o o F.G. sent this news of Nanny State Illinois Nincompoopery: New Law Requires Photo ID To Buy Drain Cleaner    o o o Joshua …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature…. If the next centennial does not find us a great nation … it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces." – President James Garfield


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 …


Get Home Bag Lessons Learned, by Traveling Salesman David

I’ve been seriously prepping for a decade and consider myself a prepared and competent guy.   Y2K got me started, but the events of the past few years have kicked my preps into higher gear.   I’m confidant with my guns and food storage.  I have alternate power and heat sources established at both our home and retreat location.  I have a co-worker who includes me in his prepper group’s  meetings.  My family (immediate and some extended) is on board with our plans for TEOTWAWKI.   Although I’m not where I want to be, I’m know I’m better off than 98% of the …


Social Cooperative Learning: The Benefits of Belonging to a Group of Survivalists and Preppers, by R.H.

The Beginning of My Journey: Why I decided to Start My Own Meetup Group ­ I began my journey towards preparedness about 3 years ago.  I had wanted to start preparing for an emergency but just didn’t know where to start.  It also felt very overwhelming when I thought of all the work I would need to do in order to go from being poorly prepared to becoming truly prepared.  However that egging feeling of “what if” kept pestering me.  As a San Diego native earthquakes were a natural threat and there was always that fear of the “Big One”.  …


Letter Re: Driving, Post-TEOTWAWKI

James, After reading the recent article about Driving, Post-TEOTWAWKI: I believe there is some sound G.O.O.D. advice. However, assuming unhindered travels will allow rolling stores of survival gear to pass through any measurable distance unchallenged, is a dangerous assumption. The writer cites experience traveling in a military convoy with hardened, well armed vehicles. But for realistic, civilian style convoys, the dangers are multiplied by lack of experienced scout personnel and soft equipment. If one has sustained an extended bug in and has a supportive neighborhood, that may still remain the best option if bug out was not initiated within the …