Notes from JWR:

This is the birthday of Samuel Whittemore (born, July 27, 1694 – died February 3, 1793.) He was an English-born colonial American farmer and soldier. He was eighty years old when he became the oldest known colonial combatant in the American War of Independence. Take a few minutes to read his biographical sketch. It sounds almost too astounding even for Hollywood to invent. By the way, I recommend that in a few years Clint Eastwood ought to portray Whittemore. I believe that would be a fitting way for Clint to cap his acting career, and a great way for Americans …




The Bug Out Boat, by Lean Jimmy

Every Prepper needs at least one serious bug out plan in his repertoire. Most of us will need a plan to get to our retreat when the SHTF. Even those of us fortunate enough to live in their retreat right now will have to be ready to bug out if circumstances demand. Things like a fallout cloud or a pandemic, or an invading army of zombies can’t be ignored. You may be forced to leave and you’d better know where you are going and how you are going to get there. Your bug out plan starts with an assessment of …




Letter Re: How to Survive a Serious Burn

Hello, Dr. Koelker presented some great information on surviving a serious burn. One significant issue that wasn’t fully discussed that is potentially more serious in the short term than fluid replacement. If you were to happen upon someone who suffered a serious burn and you determined it was safe for you to proceed and get your hands on the patient, you must verify that the patient has a good airway, i.e.: Can they or are they breathing? If they are making painful noises or yelling you know they do because otherwise they wouldn’t be able to use their voice. However, with …




Letter Re: Faraday Caging a Bed?

Mr. Rawles, My child is sick. I need to build a Faraday cage to surround my child’s bed. We are in a second floor apartment. Can I use wood and chicken wire? To create a ground [for the cage], can I: Take an extension cord, tear out the double prong but leave the ground post, cut off the opposite end attach the wires to the wire cage. Would that work? Thank You, – M.R. JWR Replies: I will pray for you and your child. Faraday cages have no positive health effects for humans unless for some very unlikely reason that …




Economics and Investing:

WWII shipwreck off Ireland yields $38 million of silver for deep sea firm Oil falls back to near $104 a barrel IMF urges effective Fed communication on exit strategy. JWR’s Comment: It is all just talk until they actually taper, and I don’t think they can. Items from The Economatrix: Are Big Banks Driving Up Commodity Prices? Trying To Stay Sane In An Insane World, Part I A Tour Of The Post-Crisis World Economy In 10 Easy Charts Cyprus Real Estate Prices Post Record Plunge




Odds ‘n Sods:

Several readers sent this: Feds tell Web firms to turn over user account passwords    o o o Bloomberg’s Anti-Gun Group Imploding as 50 Mayors Leave    o o o They say that “Men are from Mars, Women are From Venus,” but it seems that California’s Democrat Senators are from Zeta Reticuli: Pelosi: Congress Must Uphold Oath to ‘Protect and Defend’ Constitution… by Passing Gun Control. (Thanks to Jeff H. for the link.)    o o o Reader “Hushboy” sent a link to a key portion of the text of Canada’s Emergencies Act. (Enacted in 1985.)    o o o A …




Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD [is] upright: [he is] my rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in him.” – Psalm 92:12-15 (KJV)