Letter Re: The Disappearing Suburban Basement

Sir, Regarding the water problem in the basement: In our own basement, we have the traditional electric (grid powered) sump pumps. However, the previous owner had installed a water-powered back-up sump pump. As long as there is cold water pressure, this pump works beautifully. After using battery-powered back-ups for years, I’ve found this to be virtually maintenance free, while serving it’s purpose well. For most folks, a power outage in a severe thunderstorm is the most common cause of basement flooding. At least for a short period of time, such a water-powered back-up should work long enough for you to …


Economics and Investing:

Mark Skousen: Gold Surge Points to Higher Inflation Reader Isaac S. sent this: Greenspan Says US May Soon Reach Borrowing Limits The latest bank casualty in the FDIC’s Friday Follies: Nevada Security Bank. (It is notable that the pace of bank failures is more than double last year’s.) Items from The Economatrix: Fannie-Freddie to Delist Shares from NYSE Coffee Prices Jump 20% in One Week Deficit Terrorists Strike in the UK Job Woes Persist as Jobless Claims Rise Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: The Euro Mutiny Begins


Odds ‘n Sods:

Several readers suggested this fascinating interactive map: Where Americans Are Moving. If you click on an individual move segment, it shows the average income level of those moving. As an interesting example, click on Teton County, Wyoming. Wow! Talk about Galt’s Gulch. (Could this be, because there is no personal income tax in Wyoming?)    o o o S-Gnome found a web site useful for those of your readers trying to stock up on food while surviving on a limited budget: Eating Well On $1 A Day. S-Gnome’s description: “This guy takes couponing to a whole new level and manages …



Note from JWR:

Just two days left! The special sale price for the “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course will be discontinued on June 21st. So order yours, soon! — Today we present another entry for Round 29 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 …


Forming a Local Preparedness Mutual Assistance Group, by Mark in Oklahoma

So you are interested in forming a group of like minded preppers. Good ! Now what? First and foremost you have to understand forming a group is damned hard work and not a little frustrating at times. Probably not what you wanted to hear but I have helped formed a large mutual assistance group (MAG) and two formal Teams. What is the difference between the two? A MAG is a less formal organization and your starting point. I should point out that not all groups reach the level of a team which is fine. A team tends to be a …


Two Letters Re: Motorcycles and Motorcycling Skills

Jim, If anyone wants to learn the right way to ride a motorcycle, the best way, in my opinion, is to refer to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. I know in my state, if you get your learners permit, take the course and complete it successfully, you get a waiver and do not have to take the state road test to receive your motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license. Also, depending on your insurance company, you get up to 10% off your insurance premiums. – Sid, Near Niagara Falls Hi Jim, When it comes to Survivalists writing about motorcycles, either online …


Economics and Investing:

Eric Sprott: Gold Running in Short Supply. (Thanks to Todd for the link.) Sharp Shepherd sent us this: More Than 90 Banks Miss TARP Payments Items from The Economatrix: Gold is an Armageddon Hedge Uncertainty Restores Glitter to an Old Refuge, Gold How All Of Us Pay for The Derivatives Market (Caution: There is a bad word in the title…..) It’s The Ratios, Stupid (Why the US Will Default on its Debt) Wholesale Prices Fall 0.3 Percent in May Home Construction Sinks, Building Permits Down The Snowball Scenario Sinks Sovereigns World Bank Says China’s Economy Slowing


Odds ‘n Sods:

EMB suggested this discussion forum thread: My Emergency Communication Box (Ham radio)    o o o Trent H. flagged this article in an Australian newspaper: Our own extinction is forecast, but he’s going by dead reckoning    o o o The folks at Directive 21 (one of our advertisers) wrote to tell me that the recently unavailable Stainless Steel Berkey Water Filter systems are now back in stock, and back orders are being processed and shipped.    o o o The National Geographic Explorer special ‘Electronic Armageddon’ is going to be replayed this Saturday, 6/19 at 7:00 PM and on …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“America faces a new culture war. This is not the culture war of the 1990s. It is not a fight over guns, gays or abortion. Those old battles have been eclipsed by a new struggle between two competing visions of the country’s future. In one, America will continue to be an exceptional nation organized around the principles of free enterprise–limited government, a reliance on entrepreneurship and rewards determined by market forces. In the other, America will move toward European-style statism grounded in expanding bureaucracies, a managed economy and large-scale income redistribution. These visions are not reconcilable. We must choose.” – …


Note from JWR:

Just three days left! The special sale price for the “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course will be discontinued on June 21st. So order yours, soon! — Today we present another entry for Round 29 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 …


Loose Lips Sink Ships, by Margaret

The title of this piece is a motto used during WWII by which the population was being warned to be circumspect about what they discussed and with whom they discussed it. It seems to me that it may be timely for the motto to be recycled for use by the Preparation Community. I’ve read over and over in this excellent blog and in other articles “find someone or a group of people you can trust”. I think that instruction is much more difficult and more time consuming than stocking up on beans, Band-Aids and bullets. Although I live in Australia …


Product Review: Timbuk2 Backpacks

I can’t speak highly enough about Timbuk2 and their products. I received one asa gift in 2003. Since then, I’ve carried it all over the world including a war zone, on business, to conventions, while driving. I’ve stuffed it to the point where I needed a knee to apply enough pressure to close it. It’s been dragged, carried, tossed, shoved, buried under luggage and cargo, through airport security hundreds of times, and there’s not a loose seam or worn zipper anywhere. It seems to be as indestructible as textiles get. While this style is no longer available, it’s demonstrative of …


Letter Re: Motorcycles and Motorcycling Skills

Dear Jim, The roads are getting worse, gas prices are high, and the taxes keep going up. Something has to give. So far road maintenance seems to be one of the breaking points. I have witnessed roads evaporate. I have witnessed them get consumed in vegetation. I have traveled in the Sierras in places where the 4WD was getting stuck and knew an off road or dual sport motorcycle would cross these places easily. I can’t help but think while I’ve learned to shoot rifles and purify water and stitch wounds, shouldn’t I put at least as much effort into …


Economics and Investing:

And so, inexorably, the The Mother of All Bailouts (MOAB) grows: Obama Officially Begins Push For New Bailout of the States. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.) D.D. sent this: “Housing Still Sluggish”—Harvard study uses the “D” word to describe the real estate market From the ever-cheery Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: AXA fears ‘fatal flaw’ will destroy eurozone. (Thanks to G.G. for the link.) Y.K. suggested a recent audio podcast interview of Gerald Celente by Lew Rockwell. Brett G. flagged this: Volcker Warns: We Are Running Out Of Time Items from The Economatrix: EU Chief Warns “Democracy Could Disappear” in Greece, Spain …