Four Letters Re: Community Crisis Planning for Societal Collapse

I read the article on Community Crisis Planning for Societal Collapse, by J.I.R. and was reminded by an incident that was related to me by several individuals involved, discussed in the local papers, and is well known . In the weeks after Hurricane Katrina, the State of Illinois sent a convoy of trucks and equipment down to help the citizens in New Orleans. This convoy consisted of dump trucks and low-boys carrying backhoes, bulldozers, boats, generators, etc. The convoy also had a half dozen or so tanker trucks full of fuel. The boats were to be used for search and …


Economics and Investing:

J. in The East suggested: Rethinking Gold: What if It Isn’t a Commodity After All? EMB sent us this from the Calculated Risk blog: Unofficial Problem Bank List increases to 817 institutions. G.G. sent this: 15 Signs the U.S. Housing Market is Headed for Complete and Total Collapse. Items from The Economatrix: Jobless Rate Drops in 18 States, Rises in 14 Gasoline Prices Should Fall After Labor Day Stocks Slide as Investors Continue Sell-off Fidelity: 401(k) Hardship Withdrawals, Loans Up Investors Defensive With Data in Focus Return of the Great Bond Conspiracy World Stocks Slide on Economic Worries This Economy …


Inflation Watch:

News from England: Interest rates ‘may reach 8% by 2012’ adding £900 to the average mortgage as economists warn of need to curb ‘runaway inflation’. (Our thanks to Jean S. for the link.) Doug D. wrote to report: “I found a Costco receipt from three months ago, so decided to compare prices on similar items. What I found was shocking: + 5.7% – Bounty Paper Towel. Reduced from 968 sq ft to 915. + 8.2% – Charmin Toilet Paper. Reduced from 937 sq ft to 866. + 6.6% – Frozen Blueberries + 6.9% – Batteries, AA – 2.5% – Batteries, …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Matt R. sent us this: Peak oil alarm revealed by secret official talks.    o o o C.P. forwarded this report from China about a traffic snarl that has lasted nine days: Worst traffic jam ever? Gridlock spans 60 miles.    o o o Free Land: Build Your Homestead Without the Debt. (Thanks to Damon for the link.)




EMP Attack and Solar Storms: A Guide, by Kevin Hayden

An Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP), is generated from the detonation of a nuclear device. A similar waveform is created by extreme solar activity, such as that which was experienced in 1859, 1921, 1989 and as recent as 1994. The US Government and military have studied these phenomenon extensively and several reports have been issued regarding EMP effects on vehicles, computer networks, critical infrastructure and more. In this report, we’ll briefly cover many of the topics discussed and researched in regards to geomagnetic anomalies, solar storm activity and the effects of an electromagnetic pulse. It should be noted, however, that Congress has …


Letter Re: William T. Still’s “Secret of Oz” Documentary

Mr. Rawles, I have been reading your blog, particularly the Economics and Investing section, daily for about a year. (I had been turned on to your blog site after reading your novel “Patriots“.) I believe that this free video would be interesting to your readers: The Secret of Oz. It is quite long but I have never seen the monetary system explained like this. For me, a lot of things make more sense taken in this light. I don’t think this information will change the fact that our current system is speeding toward a complete collapse but at least I …


Economics and Investing:

Justin N. sent us a link to a Japan Times article: Consequences of U.S. debt. From frequent contributor KAF: Death of the ‘McMansion’: Era of Huge Homes Is Over S.M. sent a recent piece from NY Times Business Day: In Striking Shift, Small Investors Flee Stock Market Items from The Economatrix: Stocks Fluctuate on M&A Activity, Economic Worries Broke US Cities Sell Parking, Airports, Zoos Gerald Celente: We Are Heading For The GREATEST Depression Rense And Celente Prepare For The Worst Gloomy US Industrial Data Rattles World Markets A Permanent Housing Collapse? Bankruptcy Filings Soar in US and California Central …


Inflation Watch:

The fallacy of cheap home prices and the two income trap – dual income households underscore massive housing inflation. Nationwide home prices overvalued by 25 percent. Reader Judy G. sent this: “My family likes the Rice-a-Roni mixes. I would get them at Kroger often for $1.00 a box. Suddenly the price went to $1.47 a box. I switched to Wal-Mart (I hate to shop there) and found them for $1.12 a box. After many weeks, the Kroger price went to the” everyday low price” of $1.25. I am working on a substitute. I make a veggie cornbread for my parrots …


Odds ‘n Sods:

J.P. sent us this: Study shakes up scientists’ view of San Andreas earthquake risk: Researchers find major quakes on the southern section, on average, every 88 years — three times as often as previously thought. It’s the strongest evidence yet that we’re overdue for a massive quake.    o o o Reader N.C. recommended the new Earth Changes Central – Survive PX web site. (Membership is required for most of the content.)    o o o Tamara linked to a pitiful video clip, at her blog: Tactical Tips. At least he sounded sincere. OBTW, don’t miss the comments, that follow. …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“I started noticing in the 1980s the growing gulf between the country’s thought leaders, as they’re called—the political and media class, the universities—and those living what for lack of a better word we’ll call normal lives on the ground in America. The two groups were agitated by different things, concerned about different things, had different focuses, different world views. But I’ve never seen the gap wider than it is now. I think it is a chasm.” – Peggy Noonan in an August, 2010 essay titled: America Is At Risk Of Boiling Over, in The Wall Street Journal


Note from JWR:

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 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 …


Community Crisis Planning for Societal Collapse, by J.I.R.

I believe that in a severe crisis, most of the problems are going to have to be solved at the local level. State and federal government are too big and dependent on technology to survive a severe crisis once the grid drops and all services start to erode. Local governments, too, are ill prepared to assume this crushing responsibility, but they are much more resilient because their scope of control is smaller. Most of them have never even considered what they would do. This article is a discussion piece to stimulate thought on the subject of small community recovery after …


Letter Re: Gold Is Glittering Again. Why?

Dear James: A recent headline asked: Gold is glittering again. But why? I can give you my opinion why gold is “glittering”: * Tax law will change with respect to gold purchases on 1/1/2011 * Taxes are going up dramatically in 2011; that will kill the economy. Look for 15-20% unemployment. (I think they are lying through their teeth about the unemployment rate. If you look at the unemployed, underemployed, discouraged — and even ignore the disgruntled, left the workforce, women becoming pregnant, “frozen in place” workers I think the current rate is presently around 20%.) * Taxes are going …