Economics and Investing:

Be sure to listen to this! Jim Pulplava interviews Ann Barnhardt about institutional wickedness by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and MF Global: The Entire Futures/Options Market Has Been Destroyed by the MF Global Collapse. Barnhardt predicts systemic collapse and hence the need to shift into tangibles including long guns, ammunition, fuel, and precious metals. (Thanks to David W. for the link.) Sometimes “Just In Time” inventory control has a nasty bite: Residents in Alaska city could get $9-a-gallon gas. (BTW, this adds credence to my advice to not choose Alaska as a retreat locale.) Central Banks Augment Currency Swap Capabilities. …


Odds ‘n Sods:

John G. mentioned: Digging into China’s nuclear tunnels. Without an inspection regime, we are essentially in the dark about the size of China’s nuclear arsenal. Back in my home town, this information deficit is a Z Division nightmare.    o o o Ron in Vermont mentioned a ham radio network that has been set up by the American Preparedness Radio Net in cooperation with the Catastrophe Network. Ron notes: “Sunday evening there is a digital net on 40 meters on 7.073 MHz @ 1930 EST, and a voice net on 80 meters @ 3.818 MHz. Topics vary from gardening, communications, …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint [them] for himself, for his chariots, and [to be] his horsemen; and [some] shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and [will set them] to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take …


TEOTWAWKI Mental Health Issues, by Dr. Bob

There are many things about our “on-the-grid lives” that really are not all that fun.  We get depressed about stuff and certainly have anxiety over lots of things that will simply disappear WTSHTF.  My personal philosophy, along with many of our readers and patients, is that without a grid, life will be a little more simple.  With preparation, things don’t have to be that gloomy.  It will sure be a bummer for lots of other people, but for us and ours, it means a return to the basics.  The reality is:  none of us knows how we will cope with …


Letter Re: A Practical, Reliable Bug-Out Vehicle

A brand new Hummer or Jeep Wrangler, decked out with every available option may sound like the best, most capable vehicle in an emergency situation. The harsh reality is that they could be one of the worst. Don’t get me wrong, they are both very nice, with proven track records, but in an emergency, can leave you and your loved ones stranded. The problem lies with the tremendous amount of electronics needed for the vehicle to operate. The average newer vehicle (especially within the last ten years) has several computers on board that control not only the engine, but also …


Letter Re: An Exception to the Upcoming U.S. Light Bulb Ban

Jim: You recently posted a link to an article titled: “Time to Stock up on Light Bulbs”. I appreciate very much the helpful instruction I receive on SurvivalBlog. You put a lot of effort into credible and accurate information. It is with that in mind that I share the following with you. I have been selling light bulbs into the Commercial / Industrial market for 17 years. While it is true “most” 100 watt A19 incandescents are outlawed as of January 1st 2012, NOT ALL are. One quick search under “EISA 2007” category “lighting” will yield the real story. The …


Economics and Investing:

John R. recommended this: Perpetual QE Without the Billboard (Jim Willie) K.T. sent a link to a video of Chris Martenson’s presentation at the Gold & Silver Meeting in Madrid. This is a great lecture and hence a hour well-spent! A key question: Are you living in a state that is a energy exporter or an energy importer? (Think: Geothermal, coal, natural gas, and oil.) Plan ahead, and relocate your family strategically. G.P. suggested: IMF rescue of Italy will spark global uprising Michael A. alerted me to this: US gives money to Eurozone. (And much of it will come out …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Stephen F. flagged an article about a spiral pump at the The No Tech Magazine web site. They have a wealth of information and links.     o o o Rand Paul warns preppers that the government considers you terrorists. (A hat tip to Joseph R. for the link.)    o o o Furious at Latest U.S. Attack, Pakistan Shuts Down Resupply Routes to Afghanistan “Permanently”    o o o Horse meat may be back on the menu. (The number of horses already being shipped to Canada for slaughter was already huge. Ditto for the dog food trade here in the …



Announcing the SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Prize Winners for Round 37

We’ve completed the judging for Round 37 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest: First Prize goes to Paul B., for Staple Foods Storage By The Numbers, posted on November 10th. He will receive: A.) 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 B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 …


How to Find a Doctor to Help You Prepare, by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Last week I received disturbing news from a reader.  His physician was ready and willing to help him prepare for a protracted sailboat cruise.  He planned to be gone several months, and requested medicine to take along, just in case he or his family became ill – sounds reasonable to me.  However, before the doctor wrote the prescriptions, the practice manager stepped in and vetoed the idea.  Turns out, the doctors were salaried, hence subject to the constraints of their employers. In thinking back to my earlier article on SurvivalBlog (How to Get Your Doctor to Help You Stockpile Medicine), …


A Grandfather’s Advice on How to Survive and Thrive, by M.R.B.

I have managed to learn about two really important things in my lifetime.  I’m not talking about plumbing, math, how to tie my shoes, how to make waffles, and the countless skills I have acquired.  I’m talking about really important things.  The first is understanding money. Think about the game Monopoly?  Each player is given some paper money (ones, fives, tens, etc.) with instructions that this money can be used to buy property and pay fines, rent, and get out of jail.  With our game hats on we enter the world where these pieces of paper are money.  We roll …


Letter Re: Gauze and Water: A Combat Medic’s Guide to Preparedness Medicine

Background: I converted my wife to prepping, working on the “kids”. Thirty Five years in EMS and 22 as an Emergency Medicine physician: prior work with Appleseed and Western Rifle Shooter’s Association travel course on Grid Down Medicine at its inception. Some austere medical and rescue training and operations, no military (I failed the physical).  I fully endorse your previous recommendations for the various medical education/training resources cited.   I would like to confirm Walker’s position, that for a mobile/bugout situation humping the ruck, his kit and strategy make a lot of sense. Protection from environmental factors, sanitation, water, and …


Economics and Investing:

MF Global: Proof that the U.S. government is not able or willing to protect investors. (Thanks to Jeff H. for the link.) Karl Smith: The Euro-Crisis is Much Worse Than It Looks Just as if they were cranking up the printing presses: Top central banks move to avoid global liquidity crunch. Meanwhile, overseas: China cuts reserve ratio in move to inject cash. (Thanks to K.A.F. for the link.) Harrisburg: a city at war with itself. (The first major U.S. city to declare bankruptcy. The first of many, I fear.) Items from The Economatrix: Prepare For Riots In Euro Collapse, Foreign …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cheryl (aka The Economatrix) sent this: More Women Are Canning, Becoming Domestic Homesteaders    o o o Vamoose to the Rural Retreat! Crisis-hit Greeks leave the cities for a new rural life    o o o Stephen F. sent this: Handy farm devices and how to make them    o o o Also from Stephen F.: Cable plowing, where a winch pulls the plow by cable.  (“Energy efficient because you just move the tool.”)