Year: 2013

Tips on Selecting and Operating a Generator, by Gary D.

Those of us who plan on “bugging in” during  upcoming times of uncertainty realize the need to plan for possible extended power shortages or blackouts. These preparations can range from a total separation from anything electrical or electronic to a series of sophisticated alternate power sources designed to completely power a survival location up to pre-blackout levels.  Based on the questions frequently asked by members of the survivalist community in numerous forums, the most common item of interest for the temporary generation of power for daily living seems to be the portable generator. Some of the most frequently asked questions …


Two Letter Re: Why Is Utah Not in the American Redoubt?

Jim, To be fair, when you referenced the history of changes to LDS doctrine over the years that appears on the anti-Mormon “ldsvideo.org” web site you should have included the LDS’ perspective, which can be found here. – Kelly G. James:  I have been following your blog for a couple of weeks now. I first heard about SurvivalBlog from my father, who attended a preparedness workshop you spoke at in Lakeland, Florida a few weeks back. Your blog has been very informative, and I agree with you on many of the issues you discuss.   I am writing to respond to a letter from Jordan in Utah …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. sent us this: ECB’s Praet: All Options on Table Central Bank Could Adopt Negative Deposit Rate, Asset Purchases If Needed Reader Jeff H. mentioned this satire: The Affordable Horse Act (AHA) R.B.G. liked this piece by Karl Denninger: Obamacare: 106,185 Citi Warns “Fed Is Kicking The Can Over The Edge Of A Cliff” Items from The Economatrix: I will lose my jobless benefits by year end Gas under $3 – coming to a station near you Economy Not As Strong As It Appears


Odds ‘n Sods:

Typhoon Haiyan: Doctors running out of supplies to turn patients away    o o o Fortune magazine: What I saw at the doomsday prepper convention    o o o I heard that Augason Farms is running a 40% off sale on 100 varieties of their #10 cans, if you order $50 or more. The sale is limited to stock on hand. Reader John N. explains: “Go to your Shopping Cart (with items in it), scroll to bottom of the page, look for the “What would you like to do next?” question, then select the checkbox that says “Use Coupon Code”, …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"I am much afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them in the hearts of youth.  I advise no one to place his child where the scriptures do not reign paramount.  Every institution in which means are not unceasingly occupied with the Word of God must be corrupted." – Martin Luther


Notes from JWR:

70 years ago today, dozens of USAAF bombers struck the hydroelectric power plant and deuterium oxide (“heavy water”) factory in German-occupied Vemork, Norway. — Today we present another entry for Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $8,500+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) 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 …


An Expatriate’s Experiences In The Philippines, by M.B.

I saw your blog’s recent article about expatriating to Panama, and thought I would throw in my own 2 cents worth regarding relocation to the Philippines. There were a bunch of things that made me reach my breaking point and expatriate.  In the beginning when I purchased my home here on the tropical island, It was economic. At first it was the crazy increases in home prices in the US.  I had the idea when I left the US in 2004 that I would work a couple years, come back to the desert southwest, and build a self sufficient home. …


Economics and Investing:

Number of U.S. expatriations reaches record high in 2013 US Treasury: Ramps Up The Zimbabwe Style Printing Press. (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link.) And speaking of Zim: Zimbabwean government demands cash from churches Items from The Economatrix: The Two-Income Trap For Americans: How Dual Income Households Are A Financial Necessity In A Time When The Median per capita wage is $27,000. U.S. Dollar and Treasury Bonds are Dead – Dr. Jim Willie


Odds ‘n Sods:

Thomas M. mentioned this source for some good data that dispels some myths: EMP Effects on Vehicles    o o o Reader K.A.F. suggested this: Providing Basic Sanitation    o o o Herbal Supplements Are Often Not What They Seem    o o o DHS has a month to release ‘Internet kill switch’ plans    o o o Armed citizens in small Georgia town help catch robbery suspect


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble." – Proverbs …


Notes from JWR:

One final reminder: On Saturday November 16, 2013, I will be a featured guest speaker (via teleseminar) at the Charlotte, North Carolina Back To The Basics convention. (Formerly known as Charlotte PrepCon.) — Today we present another entry for Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $8,500+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) 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 …


The Philippines: The Stuff Has Indeed Hit the Fan by G.V.R.

I have been thinking about writing an article on what is going on in the Philippines since I first saw the news last Friday.  There is so much that I saw I realized that I would need to write far too many pages to explain it all.  But I will write a few.   I saw the news of Typhoon Yolanda, as it is called in the Philippines, live from PI.  They called it Typhoon Haiyan elsewhere.  I am married to a Pinay (a Filipina lady) and we get several of the Philippine television networks right here at home via …


Letter Re: Being Prepared to Homeschool

As a home-educated graduate and home school parent who happens to be a prepper, I have given a great deal of thought to homeschooling after a collapse as my children are not grown. There are those who are already home schoolers and those who have not and will not consider homeschooling unless there is a SHTF scenario. This article is written for the latter : those who would like to set aside educational materials for their children and their progeny in the care of a true SHTF scenario. While it would certainly be possible to buy a few workbooks at …


Three Letters Re: Your Retreat’s Privy

Jim, I just finished reading the article by Stephanie M. titled “Your Retreat’s Privy” and I’d like to add a couple of ideas. First off, let me start out by saying that I, along with my wife and 3 boys, live remote and off-grid here in Alaska. Our only form of a toilet is an outhouse, or as we call it here in Alaska, the Long Drop 🙂 The first suggestion I’d like to add to this article is if you live in colder climates, find yourself a piece of 1″ thick styrofoam and cut it out the same size …


Economics and Investing:

RBS: “The Fed Is Now Responsible For Monetizing A Record 70% Of All Net Bond Supply” Mike Maloney: Expect First Real Deflation, Then Hyperinflation Reader C.D.V. spotted this: Bill would outlaw U.S. dollar in Russia Items from The Economatrix: Richard Russell – Frightening Hyperinflation Coming To US Federal Reserve Whistleblower Tells America The REAL Reason For Quantitative Easing Three Warning Signs Of A Potential Bloodbath Ahead