Letter Re: A Little Insight on Diesel Engines

JWR: I second the recommendations in Gary’s letter wholeheartedly. My survival vehicle of choice is a 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 with faded paint and some cosmetic body damage from its former life as a work truck. Now it is known as the “McDodge”, thanks to the conversion kit from Greasecar.com which has been running in it for about two years and 12,000 greasy miles. I did extensive research when I was deciding what vehicle to purchase and came down to either an 1980s model Mercedes diesel (which have legendary reliability) or the 1994-1998 Dodge diesel with the also-legendary 5.9L Cummins …


Letter Re: The Family Cow as a Measure of Wealth

Dear Mr. Rawles: Whether you are bugging out, hunkering down, or just trying to live well in uncertain times, it is hard to beat a dual-purpose meat and milk cow as a portable and productive asset. The family cow has historically been a family’s single biggest store of wealth. Until quite recently, in places like Ireland and Texas, cattle were the primary measure of wealth even for chieftains and barons. Some say that cattle still are the only measure of real wealth. Is anyone going to argue that wealth is better stored in Federal Reserve Notes, pieces of paper representing …


Letter Re: Defensive Firearms Options in Canada

Letter Re: Defensive Firearms Options in Canada Hi Jim, This is in response to Roger C.’s letter “Prospects for Canada in a Societal Collapse.” My guess is southern Alberta would be one of the best places in Canada to be in in a TEOTWAWKI scenario. Albertans generally buck the norm when it comes to Canadian values. Even among the conservative Canadian west, we are far more socially and fiscally conservative. This makes Albertans generally more self reliant, charitable, and less dependent upon government handouts than most other Canadians. We have a stigma for “cowboy culture” here for a reason. Other …


Economics and Investing:

Jon M. in England sent this: Are we heading for a replay of 1930s? Agoura Hills and a $280,000 discount on a once million dollar home. B.B. sent this one: 1099 Supply Shock for Gold Buyers. Perhaps its time to switch to fractional gold bullion coins, and VF slabbed $5 and $10 gold pieces. Steven B. forwarded this: Chinese Economy Next Enron: Chanos video Jim Rogers: Gold to Soar to $2,000 an Ounce in Decade. (Thanks to Brett G. for the link.) Mike H. flagged this: House passes bill aimed at Chinese currency. “How dare they free-float their currency? The …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Supply of some key medications dangerously low. (Thanks to Sarah Connor’s Brother for the link.)    o o o Mike Williamson mentioned that Smith & Wesson is offering discounts or free magazines for active duty and retired armed forces members, on their M&P rifles and handguns.    o o o KAF sent this piece of uber-gloom: It’s the End of the World: Eight Potential Armageddons    o o o New York City residents might find this new blog useful: N.Y.C. Survival    o o o Dirk W. forwarded this: Pentagon Loses Control of Bombs to China Metal Monopoly


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God [is] my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ [feet], and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” – Habakkuk 3:17-19 (KJV)


Note from JWR

Today we present another entry 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 …


Furry Friend Today: Food Tomorrow, by T.L.F.

As our population continues to increase and expand, the small towns are now big towns, the rural outskirts of town are vibrant mini-metroplexes and quaint little mountain towns are growing communities. With this progression of population and expansion of where we are choosing to live, the fusing of nature and your home is becoming an everyday occurrence. Drive through your neighborhood and you will see the cute little bunny rabbits sitting in the corners of the lawns. How many bird feeders and birdbaths do you see with a songbird sitting on the edge watching you drive by? Watch for the …


Letter Re: Europe’s Anti-Austerity Protests

JWR: Here are two links to recent news articles: Anti-austerity protests sweep across Europe, and Demonstrators protest spending cuts across Europe. How long until something similar begins to impact the U.S. may be as simple as this. The “hidden from public” depression, camouflaged by government “Robin Hood” programs like Food stamps, EBT cards, extended unemployment, various grants and subsidies, will become increasingly evident when, not if, the Fed slows down and/or stops payments that keep the masses satiated. It certainly can happen if austerity budgets rear their ugly heads and the wheels begin to come off our society. Or hyperinflation …


Economics and Investing

G.G. sent this: Capital controls eyed as global currency wars escalate Reader Danny B. forwarded this: Citi sued by Norwegian central bank Michigan, Florida Lead 34 States With Drop in Household Income Meredith Whitney’s new target: The states David S. suggested this: Politics Versus Gold Items from The Economatrix: World Gripped by “International Currency War” How Realistic is $5,000 Gold? Faber: Accumulate Gold and Keep it as Cash “Gold To Go” Taps into Gold Fever with ATMs Stocks Sizzled in Third Quarter, But Will it Last? Jobless Benefit Applications Drop to 453,000


Odds ‘n Sods

K-Dog mentioned that the U.S. Army is investing more in proper nutrition to aid in recovery from training, under the Soldier Athlete initiative.    o o o Sergio spotted this article: Global Cooling and the New World Order    o o o The folks at Ready Made Resources wrote mention that they have canned clarified butter (ghee) back in stock. Don’t overlook essential fats and oils in your food storage plan!    o o o J.A.M. sent this Science Daily article: Less than half of essential workers willing to report to work during a serious pandemic, study finds    o …



Notes from JWR:

This news story from U.S.A. Today sounds like something out of a novel I once read wrote: More families, friends move in together. They even refer to it as “doubling up.” A hat tip to Jeff S. for sending us the link. — We’ve completed the judging for Round 30 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. And the winners are… First Prize goes to Nomad Medic for the article: Dealing With Diarrhoeal Diseases, which was posted on Sept. 26, 2010. He will receive: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of …


Letter Re: Recommendation for Reunel Truck Bumpers

James Wesley: I live in a part of western Wyoming “where the deer and the antelope play.” Drivers around here often have deer collisions. There are so many collisions that “deer wreck” repairs are the main source of business for the local auto body shops. (And the standing joke here is, you aren’t a real citizen of the state until you’ve had your first deer wreck.) Because of this, it is pretty typical to see heavy-duty brushguard type bumpers on pickups and SUVs all around my region. But I heard from the local body shop that many of these bumpers …


Letter Re: Thoughts on Upcoming Quantitative Easing

Mister Rawles: As many of the SurvivalBlog readers and individuals who are on the inflation/deflation watch have noticed over the weekend is the rumor that the Federal Reserve will begin what is commonly referred to at this point as Quantitative Easing, Round 2 (or “QE2”) , Fed Will Boost Balance Sheet by $500 Billion . Why is this important for the average American? The opening of the novel “Patriots” lays out a scenario where the Federal Reserve begins to buy U.S. Treasury debt which spirals out of control leading to the implosion of the government. There should be warning lights …