Letter Re: Growing Poppies for a Long Term Societal Collapse

James Wesley; Long-Term Preparedness and the Eight Mechanical Arts by J.D. was an excellent article. I just wanted to point out that there are very effective herbal painkillers. [Papaver somniferum] poppies are the source for morphine. (See: Poppies.org.) It is not currently legal to process poppy sap at home, but it is legal to grow poppies. Poppy seeds can be used to make a pain-killing tea. Yes, poppy tea, morphine and heroin are dangerous addictive drugs, but they have a legitimate place in a long term/multi-generational scenario. I think it is worthwhile to grow the best quality [opium] poppies you …


Two Letters Re: How to Get Your Doctor to Help You Stockpile Medicine

Greetings Jim, I just wanted to offer a few words about my experience with my doctor in helping me to stockpile prescription medication I take daily. A couple years ago while undergoing treatment for migraines, my neurologist prescribed nortriptylene, a rather old antidepressant that can also help treat some types of migraines. My doctor originally prescribed up to 100 milligrams every night at bedtime, but she advised me that if a lower dose kept my migraines away, go with the lowest effective dose. Over time I realized that 50 milligrams every night was sufficient and told my neurologist that on …


Economics and Investing:

Does this sound familiar? Russia’s kopeck coin may soon be scrap metal. (A hat tip to RBS for the link.) B.B. sent us this: For the Unemployed Over 50, Fears of Never Working Again Also from B.B. a link to a piece over at the GATA site: Brazil’s central bank president says no country can hold dollar up G.G. sent this: Haven Trust is the 126th bank to collapse this year. Items from The Economatrix: The Curious Case for $936 Oz. Silver US Is Bankrupt And We Don’t Even Know It Banking System Collapse, On The Edge Of The Precipice …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Steve L. recommended a recent Survival Podcast episode: An Interview with Chris Martenson.    o o o Jamieson sent this: Solar Flare to paralyse Earth in 2013. See also this BBC report: Are solar flares a real threat? (Thanks to R.L. for that link.)    o o o RBS and several other readers sent this: O Rings for Accuracy on AR15, M16 and AK47    o o o More on the risk of solar flares: Astronomer fears apocalypse 2012 is true



Notes from JWR:

Do you have any favorite quotes that relate to preparedness, survival, self-sufficiency, the Second Amendment, or hard money economics? If so, then please send them via e-mail, and I will likely post them as Quotes of the Day, if they haven’t been used before in SurvivalBlog. (We now have more than 1,700 archived quotes!) Please send only quotes that are properly attributed, and that you’ve checked for authenticity. Many Thanks! — Today we present another entry for Round 30 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint …


The Plan “B” Map, by T.L.F.

To everyone who reads this article, I want you to ask yourself one question: “If a major catastrophe happened tomorrow, would I be ready?” In all honesty, my answer would be no. For me, this is a very scary scenario. I do my best to budget, plan and  continue to stock my supply closet with food and water, but we all know in our current economic state,  it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the funds to build up supplies for “The End of the World as We Know It”. I know there are many people out there who are …


Product Review: The Don’t Die Out There! Card Deck

The Don’t Die Out There! Card Deck is one of the card decks that doubles as an information source, in this case, on disaster response. It’s printed on very sturdy plastic coated stock, about twice as heavy as typical decks, but the same overall thickness. It’s well organized, with each suit covering different areas–Diamonds: survival essentials, signals, navigation and shelters. Spades: situational assessment, evac techniques, water, fire and food. Hearts: First aid, environmental and medical concerns. Clubs: CPR, severe trauma and evacuation of the injured. The Aces serve as indexes, and Jokers as forewords. It’s a handy pocket survival book …


Letter Re: Making Land Navigation and Stealthy Movement Fun

Taking a page from my Marine Corps training from way back and utilizing the civilian environment which we are in I believe I have come across a fun way for groups/families to practice land navigation (land nav) and stealth/concealment at the same time. I have two young teen age children and have been trying to teach them land nav which is somewhat fun for a short time but they haven’t really gotten it yet. One thing kids really like is hide and seek another is to camouflage up. I liked it and in the past become very proficient and blending …


Economics and Investing:

“Hi-yo Silver!” (I’ll spare you the “I-told-you-so” snide comments. Or did that just count as one?) Cy D. mentioned this over at Zero Hedge: Wal-Mart’s CEO Provides the Starkest Visual of the Modern Bread Line Yet B.B. sent us a link to these comments by Howard Katz: Sobering Lesson for the World as Gold and Silver Set to Explode Higher Obama tells UN leaders world has dodged depression. Yeah, right… Items from The Economatrix: Homebuilding Industry Years Away From Recovery Fed Signals It Will Take Further Steps If Needed. [JWR Notes: I get nervous whenever I hear someone with weapons …


Inflation Watch:

The Yahoo-Bing Search Deal May Raise Ad Rates. Online advertisers may see up to a 78% price increase in paid-search rates once Yahoo and Microsoft wrap up their search alliance. Cost-per-click will likely rise sharply as advertisers shift to the single Bing search platform. Unusual Worry for the Economy: Is Inflation Too Low? Corn, Soybeans Hit Two-Year Highs While Cotton Jumps to 15-Year Peak Food Makers Ready to Raise Prices


Odds ‘n Sods:

RBS mentioned that there are pictorials of some natural materials building projects available at the Solar Haven web site.    o o o When “Dry Practice” isn’t dry: Deputy in town for firearms training accidentally fires weapon in hotel room. This serves as a reminder: Always double check that your weapon is empty, that you have no ammo in the training area, and that you have a safe backstop! (Thanks to Richard S. for the link.)    o o o A new catalyst: Turning $25 of Natural Gas into a $75 Barrel of Oil?    o o o Dr. A.W. …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“It is also important for the State to inculcate in its subjects an aversion to any outcropping of what is now called ‘a conspiracy theory of history.’ For a search for ‘conspiracies,’ as misguided as the results often are, means a search for motives, and an attribution of individual responsibility for the historical misdeeds of ruling elites. If, however, any tyranny or venality, or aggressive war imposed by the State was brought about not by particular State rulers but by mysterious and arcane ‘social forces,’ or by the imperfect state of the world — or if, in some way, everyone …


Note from JWR:

Today we present a guest article by, Cynthia J. Koelker, MD, the author of 101 Ways to Save Money on Health Care. Not only is she a fellow Penguin Group author, but we even have the same editor in Penguin’s Plume division. This is a topic that should interest many SurvivalBlog readers.


How to Get Your Doctor to Help You Stockpile Medicine, by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Picture this: Your doctor enters the room and asks, “How can I help you today?” “I’d like enough medicine to survive the end of the world as we know it,” you reply. He narrows his eyes and responds, “Just how much Prozac would you need?” . . . Finding a physician to help you stockpile medications will be a challenge. Unless your doctor, too, believes Armageddon is nigh, he’s not likely to grant your request. Why not? Doctors are responsible for the medications we prescribe and the consequences, intended or unintended. Remember, every medication is a potential poison. You’re probably …