Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 32 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: First Prize: 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 $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 250 round case of 12 Gauge Hornady …


The Razor’s Edge, by Don V.

“The sharp edge of a razor is difficult to pass over; thus the wise say the path to Salvation is hard.” – W. Somerset Maugham The United States and a majority of the world stand at the proverbial razor’s edge and as most preppers realize, the road to salvation will definitely be difficult.  The coming changes may happen tomorrow or ten years from now but the grand clock is in countdown mode.  Many experts like to focus on specific issues but it is the culmination of these separate issues that will create the ultimate crisis.  Evaluating each issue allows the …


Letter Re: Ballistic Protection From Compressed Earth Blocks

Jim: Some folks tested .50 BMG bullets on unprotected 18″-thick earth bag (Compressed Earth Block (CEB)) walls. See; “Bullet Resistance of Compressed Earth” located at the Earth Bag Building Blog. There is a YouTube video attached though. I thought this was pretty important, as this is the type of housing structure my husband and I are using. – Sky Watcher.


Two Letters Re: Thoughts on SHTF Communications

Sir: I feel that any article that brings attention to the need for communications in the future is a very good article! However, Carl really needs to upgrade to a General or higher class license and experience just what some of the HF bands can do for him. How well something like 75 meter phone can cover a very wide area that will put his favored two meters to shame, no matter how “big” the two meter station is. Not to mention really long distance communications with no infrastructure whatsoever on whatever ham band happens to be working at the …


Economics and Investing:

John R. recommended a piece by Jim Willie: Ultimate Cost of 0% Money Also from John R.: U.S. foreclosures jumped in the third quarter; Newly initiated foreclosures up more than 30 percent Venezuela Devaluing Currency to Revive Economy/ (Thanks to Dan L. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Dude, Where’s My Job?   Gold Hits Three-Week High On Weak Dollar   Energy Stocks Rally to Fresh Two-Year Highs US Dollar Seen Rising in 2011 After Rough 2010   (JWR is dubious…) 10% Brits Will Be Jobless in 2011 


Odds ‘n Sods:

Dennis mentioned the Sustainable Local Food and Farm Conference in Grass Valley, California that will be held on January 22, 2011.    o o o Our changing sun. Solar max by the middle of the decade? Major flares?    o o o A World in Crisis: What the thirties tell us about today. (Thanks to John R. for the link,)    o o o Beau spotted a web site with a lot of military field manuals. Most of the manuals can be downloaded and saved or printed.      o o o The Polish Rosomak APC Debuts in Afghanistan



Notes from JWR:

The folks in Queensland, Australia that have been inundated are in our prayers. This catastrophe should serve as a reminder for everyone living in lowland areas to be prepared! — Today we present another two entries for Round 32 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: First Prize: 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, …


Thoughts on SHTF Communications, by Carl L.

The scope of this article: I was involved in a discussion in the SHTF411 chat-room regarding SHTF radio communications.  Being a licensed Amateur Radio (ham) operator, I jumped in and put my two cents into the mix.  In the course of that discussion, I was asked to write something up on the subject.   Now, I am no expert on the subject and to be sure.  I sometimes feel that I am the least qualified among my peers.  With that in mind, please understand that much of what I’ve written in this essay is only my opinion and there will …


Physical Fitness For Survival, by Rob B.

With all the many choices and ways of how to prepare for a natural or man induced and instigated crisis, one detail that is critical and mostly overlooked is being relatively physically fit.  Yes it is time to face your fear of physical activity, but that is why I am writing this article, so you can have a better understanding of the amazing creation know as the human body.  Having spent most of my life in some form of sport or physical job situation, I want to share what I have learned about ways to regain and maintain a healthy …


Letter Re: Greenbackism is Not The Solution

Regarding the recent link to The Daily Bell‘s discussion of state-owned banks (Brownian Schism–Ellen Brown Restoring Credit with a Publicly-owned Bank: The Model of the Bank of North Dakota), economist Dr. Gary North has shredded and exposed Ellen Brown as a statist. The siren song of Greenbackism is entrancing Congressmen like Dennis Kucinich and even normally reliable commentators like Karl Denninger. Fiat credit, either through Greenbackism or state-owned bank, leads only to misery, not prosperity. Godspeed to you and yours. – B.G. in Wisconsin. JWR Replies: SurvivalBlog readers may also be interested in this recent piece by Dr. North: How …


Economics and Investing:

Lee H. sent this: China cutting rare earth exports to the world by 10+%. China provides 97% of rare earths to the world. Peter Schiff: Home Prices Are Still Too High. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.) Steve C. sent a link to an article quoting Marc Faber: Long-Term US Treasurys Are ‘Suicidal Investment’ Items from The Economatrix: Fewer Join Unemployment Rolls; Good Sign for 2011   Stocks Down Slightly As Investors Lock In 2010   Oil Settles Below $90 On Government Supply Report   


Odds ‘n Sods:

African Huts Far From the Grid Glow With Renewable Power    o o o What a concept! ‘We the people’ to open next Congress House to read Constitution    o o o Jim B. mentioned a review of three anatomy books.    o o o Mary F. flagged this from The New York Times: With Ambulances Stuck in Snow, City Resorted to Triage    o o o Commentary from Marko The Munchkin Wrangler: The Snow Gestapo



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 32 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: First Prize: 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 $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 250 round case of 12 Gauge Hornady …