Letter Re: The Northern Philippines as a Retreat Locale

I have been reading your bug out articles for awhile now and I think that there are things missing in the discussion of disaster preparedness in the US. Based on several other “end of the world” scenarios that have played out in the past 60 years or so, there are situations that really have not been discussed. I have listed several disasters that happened and how they played out. 1. The Iraq war. For the Iraqi people it was the end of the world as they knew it. I witnessed this personally and have been in the war zone here …


Economics and Investing:

R.F.J. sent a piece about the far-reaching effects of China’s embargo of rare earths: You Don’t Bring a Praseodymium Knife to a Gunfight Sue C. forwarded this: Fed’s Fisher: Policy Makers Must Be Aware of Dollar Impact B.B. suggested this piece by Bob Chapman: We See Totally Surreal Markets Thanks to Susan O. for this one: 75 Ways That The Government And The Financial Elite Will Be Sucking Even More of the Life Blood Out of the American People in 2011


Inflation Watch:

Wiedemer: Inflation on the Way Despite Deflation Fears Carlos in the U.P. wrote: “I noted with interest that the Wal-Mart I shop at had cleared the shelves of “Great Value” brand coffee in 39 oz cans for about 2 weeks. Today the new can appeared, with the following differences: 1.) Can is now 33.9 oz, down from 39 oz. Also conspicuously missing is the conversion of 2lb, 7oz therefore no comparison in pounds is easily made. 2.) Price for this smaller can is up from $9.88 to $10.48, by my rustic math an approximate 20% increase! 3.) Contents of can …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I just heard that Jerry Ahern’s anticipated new novel “Written in Time” is now shipping to bookstores. This new sci-fi novel is about time travel, and of course the protagonist is very well-armed. (Jerry Ahern will be remembered as the author of the umpteen-volume adventure novel series “The Survivalist” from the 1980s and 1990s.)    o o o Perennial content contributor F.G. sent us this: Hiker killed by Mountain Goat in Washington State National Park    o o o Republican congressional candidate says violent overthrow of government is ‘on the table’    o o o F.G. sent a link to …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“A return to the principles of a gold standard that constrain government spending and retain the value of money will in turn enable the return to the more enduring values of humanity. In the meantime, the writing is on the wall for all to see. Be careful because it could fall at any time.” – Peter Souleles, in Sydney Australia’s ABC Bullion Blog: Buy Gold Young Man


Note from JWR:

Today we present two entries for Round 31 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 between $500 and $600, 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 500 round case of …


Decision Science for TEOTWAWKI, by Dr. P.F.

This article describes how to figure the Who, What, Where, When, Why, How Long, and How Deep of preparedness. Preparing for TEOTWAWKI is a lot like buying insurance. You hope you never have to use it, but the consequences of being uninsured or under insured are severe enough to warrant the investment. Determining how much, and what type, of insurance to get can be a daunting task. The purpose of this article is to provide starting points for discussions on how best to allocate your resources in preparing for catastrophic events. It considers only those calamities, natural or man-made, at …


Outdoor Survival–The Basics, by Alan B.

Your car broke down on the side of the road, miles from help. You didn’t even bring an heavier jacket, because you figured you wouldn’t even be getting out of the car. Your cell phone batteries dead or has no signal. You have no choose but to walk for it. It’s only 50 degrees out there. That 50 degrees is now going down to 30 as the night comes on. In the morning they found you all huddled up in a ditch, trying to get out of the wind. They took your body off to the morgue and they called …


Economics and Investing:

Gold Will Explode Higher as the U.S. Dollar Bubble Bursts KAF sent: Five U.S. States with Pension Time Bombs Items from The Economatrix: Fannie, Freddie May Need Another $215B in Aid Fraudclosure: The End Run Americans Growing More Pessimistic About the Economy The US Dollar is Doomed The US Must Prepare for Savage Austerity


Odds ‘n Sods:

Report: New Strain of H1N1 Emerges. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog regular KAF for the link.)    o o o Michael Z. Williamson (our Editor at Large) sent a link to a fascinating PDF on artillery and recoilless rifles for avalanche control.    o o o Sue H. sent us this: Typhoon Megi triggers rockslides in Taiwan    o o o From C.H.: Cholera outbreak hits rural Haiti – 142 dead    o o o Clashes, protests in French tensions over pensions


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"There are certain principles that are inherent in man, that belong to man, and that were enunciated in an early day, before the United States government was formed, and they are principles that rightfully belong to all men everywhere. They are described in the Declaration of Independence as inalienable rights, one of which is that men have a right to live; another is that they have a right to pursue happiness; and another is that they have a right to be free and no man has authority to deprive them of those God-given rights, and none but tyrants would do …


Note from JWR:

Today we present two entries for Round 31 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 between $500 and $600, 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 500 round case of …


Taking the Next Step, by Eli T.

It has been interesting to watch “prepping” go mainstream. From when the U.S. DHS first advocated a three day supply of food and water to Sunset magazine running an article on a “fire season” bug out bag last month, ideas that were once considered outcast and questionable are now accepted as prudent and normal. It has also been interesting to watch off grid living and homesteading be accepted and embraced by both the “survival mindset” crowd and the “reduce your carbon footprint-local food” crowd. This is a great opportunity for us. A large majority of the country seems to be …


Organizing as an Important Part of Prepping, by K.S.

I’ve enjoyed the SurvivalBlog.com site and articles for some time now, but I never thought I would contribute an article! I have been prepping for a few years, and my husband and I have secured enough food, guns, ammo and other necessities to care for ourselves and a few relatives for at least 12-18 months. We live in the country, have spring-fed ponds, gardens and lots of game in our immediate area.  Still, we can never get cozy with the idea that we are fully prepared.  Prepping, I am finding, is a lifestyle and life skill that continues as long …


Letter Re: Extreme Cold Weather Engine Starting Without Electric Heaters

First off, let me thank you for a great web site with lots of practical information. Over the last few months I have taken the liberty to read a large portion of the information i the SurvivalBlog archives. I have, I believe, an untouched tidbit: Many folks live in areas susceptible to frost. Some of us live in areas susceptible to sub-zero temperatures. Cold starting a vehicle, either gas or diesel can become problematic at best, or almost impossible when the thermometer dips into the minus figures. Having lived in an area that sees the minus 70s (without a wind …