Economics and Investing:

More than a dozen readers sent this: Doomsday warnings of US apocalypse gain ground B.B. sent us this: CBO Predicts U.S. Debt Crisis if Deficits are Not Controlled Sovereign defaults ahead? Wreck the Currency or Default on the Debt? by Jeffrey Rogers Hummel. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.) Randy F. forwarded a bit of Gloom und Doom: Our Debt Is More Than All the Money in the World Items from The Economatrix: Era of Economic Illusion Over Mutant-Rat Epidemic Spreading Economic Black Plague Chinese Manufacturing Data Points to Dismal US, EU Christmas China Fears Depreciation of $2.45 Trillion of …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader R.P.B. recommended the 12-part instructional video series, available free on YouTube, prooduced by Analytical Survival.    o o o Reader James C. spotted this: Look what happens when you cross a skateboard with a tank    o o o Bill R. sent this NPR piece: Consumers Still Gear Up, Camp Out In Recession    o o o Yet another reason to avoid social networking web services: Burglars Picked Houses Based on Facebook Updates. (Our thanks to G.J. for the link.)    o o o J.B.G. liked this piece by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: The backlash begins against the world landgrab. Gee, …



Notes from JWR:

Monday (September 13th) is the last day of the big sale at Ready Made Resources on Mountain House freeze-dried foods. Don’t miss out!  — 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 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 …


The Case for Silver Investment, by J. Vigilant

I. Introduction As of September 2010, it appears that physical silver is today potentially the most explosive precious metal play in history. A combination of factors – chronic scarcity, inelastic demand, and expanding consumption has created potentially one of the most profitable opportunities ever seen. The following analysis presents the base rationale for purchasing silver. Furthermore, significant evidence exists to point towards downward manipulation of the silver market by large bullion banks, further compressing the market. It is this author’s opinion that a parabolic top in silver could easily surpass the 20x rhodium price increase from $500 to $10,000 over …


Letter Re: Many Pension Funds are Doomed

Jim: The following article is one example of why “dot gov” will basically collapse, at every level. The threat is faced by teachers and all public service employees et cetera. All of their “retirements” are doomed. Fort Worth pension bubble will blow up in our faces You don’t have to be an actuary to know that this pension plan will end badly. The technical phrase is “trending toward insolvency.” The key problem is that the city is on the hook for all the promised benefits. Taxpayers will have to pony up hefty contributions for years, even generations, and the city …


Letter Re: Lessons Learned from Hurricane Ike, by John in Texas

Jim, I really appreciate the people who share their lessons learned on SurvivalBlog.com, so I thought I would share my experiences and lessons learned from Hurricane Ike. Hurricane Ike hit Houston on Friday night September 13, 2008.  The hurricane was classified as a strong category 2 with maximum sustained winds of 110 MPH.  What was unusual about this hurricane was the large size of the storm.  Hurricane force winds extended 120 miles from the center.  Gas stations in our area ran out of gas the day before the storm (Thursday).  I waited in a very long line of cars only …


Letter Re: Assessing Those Electromagnetic Pulse Risk Assessments

Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) risk assessments have been published by journalists, defense analysts, and foreign policy experts. Unfortunately, some of these assessments rely on incomplete or incorrect information and give the mistaken impression that EMP is not an immediate threat. For example, STRATFOR Global Intelligence recently published a report titled “Gauging the Threat of an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack.” The report assesses that the risk from an EMP attack is low because “the EMP threat has been around for more than half a century and there are a number of technical and practical variables that make a HEMP [High Altitude Electromagnetic …


Economics and Investing:

John Tamny predicts: The U.S. Goes Back to the Gold Standard. (Thanks to “T Moo” for the link.) B.B. sent us this: Homebuyer tax credit: 950,000 must repay Jonathan C. flagged this: Outlook Gloomy at Secret Billionaire Meeting. “They saw the United States in a long-term slow growth environment with the near-term risk of recession quite real,” Items from The Economatrix: US Mint Running Out of Silver (and Excuses) The Lights Have Officially Gone Out in the US Union Pension Funds, the States, and Financial Ruin Sustainability Key to Global Economic Health, World Leaders Warn


Inflation Watch:

Fear As Food Prices Soar Video: DeLaughter Says Food Inflation to Drive Farmland Demand Reader L.C. wrote: “I feed my family mostly certified organic foods. We deal primarily with local farmers for our meat and produce and dairy needs, but the kids do like a hot dog every now and again. So I have been buying Applegate Farms organic hot dogs from the local organic market for years. The price in the last couple years has been $5.79 for a package of 8. Today at the market they had a “brand new look” on the new packaging. The price is …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Heck sent us the link to a great article on utilitarian bicycles.    o o o Speaking of bikes, Reader W.H. notes: “There are several great videos and plans on the net for rail bikes, both with and without motors. I thought this version [with Spanish narration] was neat because it could be broken down.” (See the SurvivalBlog Archives for several articles and letter on rail bikes like this one, including some important safety provisos.)    o o o Condie Rice tells of Bush row after 9/11. Here is an amazing quote that sounds like something out of the movie …



Notes from JWR:

Tomorrow is the last day of the big sale at Ready Made Resources on Mountain House freeze-dried foods. Be sure to order soon.  — 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 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 …


Managing Medication Withdrawal in a Prolonged Crisis, by Charles D.

As a pastoral and chemical dependency counselor who has worked in a variety of mental health, ministry and addiction settings, I would like to address one of the unique mental and behavioral health needs that may be experienced in a prolonged disaster. More specifically, I will speak to the possibility of running out of psychiatric and pain medication, and the non-medical ways of dealing with pain and mental health symptoms as well as medication withdrawal. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, almost 58 million adults in the US (one in four) suffer from mental illness, and 45% of …


Letter Re: Massive Explosion and Fire Rock San Bruno California

JWR: Here’s an example of quick reaction in a disaster: Massive Explosion and Fire Rock San Bruno. Move decisively and quickly. It highlights why your G.O.O.D. plan has to be “pre-loaded”. Your car must have your 72 hour or 1 Week kit in it. There may not be time to do anything other than run for your life. – F.J.