Economics and Investing:

Thanks to Tom W. for sending this link: Fiscal Crises Hit Closer to Home; States and localities face burgeoning deficits; next phase in debt-deflation? Ben M. suggested this New York Times link: Junk Bond Avalanche Looms for Credit Markets. Several folks sent this link: Rising food prices may start with seeds Items from The Economatrix: Not Durable? Gold, Silver and Oil: Buying the Essentials in Tough Markets Fed May Hint at How Long the Rates Will Stay Low What Credit Card Pay-offs? Consumers are Dumping Debt! IRS: Get Tax Relief if Lender Forgives Part of Home Debt Housing Construction Drops …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I have long been an advocate of folding bicycles as a Get Out of Dodge Option, especially for folks that regularly commute into an urban area. The Montague and SwissBike folding bicycles sold sold by SafeCastle are probably the best bet in the U.S. and Canada. But in the UK, the more expensive–and even more compact–Brompton brand might be a viable alternative.    o o o Larry M. suggested this essay by a commentator who has “connected the dots” regarding multi-generational TEOTWAWKI: How Many Shoes? by Tom Baugh. It will take traditional self-reliant skills, not just a pile of stuff …



Notes from JWR:

Check out the several new retreat property listings that have recently been added to our spin-off web site, SurvivalRealty.com — I owe an apology to Fernando “FerFAL” Aquirre, the editor of the Surviving in Argentina blog. In a recent radio interview, I made reference to some of his comments in the Minion Report Forums, that I had construed as anti-semitic. He e-mailed me yesterday to clarify that he is not an anti-semite, but rather that he is only opposed to Nationalist Zionism. He explained: “I don’t agree with Israel’s foreign policy, which was led until recently by violent Zionist extremists.” …


Letter Re: Northeastern Colorado as a Retreat Locale

Sir, Having lived in the northeastern corner of the state for the past 16 years (retired from the Air Force in 1994), I can give you some accurate information about the area for your readers who are considering moving to a retreat area. The northeast is a very sparsely populated part of the state. I live in Washington county which has an area of some two million plus acres but only has about 5,000 or so people living here. The area is mainly in farming and ranching, and the far eastern part of this corner of the state is located …


Letter Re: Some Notes on SCADA Software

James: I have been reading SurvivalBlog for some time and have read your novel “Patriots“ and now reading “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It”. Great job and love your work. I work as a SCADA programmer for water, waste water and power plants and was wondering if you had some background on this. I know you are somewhat hard on the system as an overall and it is well aimed. Most of the programs and programmer I am around take much care as possible to keep the Windows based computer as a window into …


Letter Re: Considerations for Building and Equipping the Underground Room You Need

Mr. Rawles, I hope most readers that are considering building underground shelters that are 16′ by 20′ with a 6″ cap or roof, hire the expertise of a registered structural engineer. The design of an underground structure that have a 6″ cap or ceiling as proposed by Jim O., with 1/2″ rebar is not to be considered heavily reinforced by any means, and would probably be not to any CRSI design standards, unless it is braced underneath with several columns. It does not really matter if a house sets on top or several feet of earth, when properly designed. I …


Economics and Investing:

Several readers mentioned this: Social Security to start cashing Uncle Sam’s IOUs. This does not bode well. The most telling statement is in the sixth paragraph. In summary, we’ll be borrowing from foreigners to pay our Social Security benefits. This article certainly makes it clear that Al Gore’s “Lock Box” rhetoric during a presidential campaign a few years back was absolute nonsense. Congress has been busily spending your Social Security “contributions”, for many years. Here is a quote from the article: “In all, the agency has about $2.5 trillion in bonds, all backed by the full faith and credit of …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Lawlessness after quake in Chile fishing village. The article begins: “Rene Orellana sleeps with a shotgun in his hands. ‘I have to,’ he says, motioning towards a shattered window frame covered with a tarpaulin.” (Thanks to Alex S. for the link.) We also read: Chile May Face More Blackouts After 80% Lose Power    o o o Some excellent “old knowledge” links to references like Late 19th Century/Early 20th Century formularies were recently posted over at the LATOC Forums. I recommend archiving some of these on CD-ROMs. (Thanks to Bob G. for sending the tip!)    o o o M24 …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“…the United States government and its agencies have, by far, the largest pile-up of interest-bearing debts ($15.6 trillion), the largest accumulation of unsecured obligations (over $60 trillion), the largest yearly deficit ($1.6 trillion), and the greatest indebtedness to the rest of the world ($4.8 trillion).” – Martin D. Weiss


Notes from JWR:

I’ve added several new bookmarks to my Links page. — Today is the last day in the Ready Made Resources 25% off sale on Mountain House freeze dried foods in #10 cans. They are now offering free shipping on mixed case lots, as long as you order in increments of full cases! Get your order in by midnight, eastern time! — Today we present another entry for Round 27 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 …


The Palm Stick for Self-Defense, by Kent

The palm stick, sometimes called a Yawara stick, or Kubotan, is an excellent and highly effective tool for self-defense. The tactical folding knife and the concealed pistol typically dominate the self-defense culture, especially when weapons are discussed. However, the palm stick has several advantages and applications that firearms and knives cannot match. Typically a palm stick measure around six inches in length, and about a half inch in diameter. Six inches is a good length, in my opinion. This combines concealment with a length that is still practical for offensive moves. A half inch may be a tad skinny, but …


Letter Re: More About CO2 for Extending Food Storage Life

Hello, Thank you so much for your books and Internet work. I have been storing food using the method of dry ice fumigation with five gallon buckets and mylar bags [as described in “How to Survive the End of the World As We Know It”. and in the “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course]. My family and I enjoy using brown rice quite a bit and I have read many articles explaining the oxidation of the fatty acids which is what causes the brown rice to have a short shelf life. What I can’t seem to find is an answer …


Letter Re: A Total Collapse of the Dollar?

James, Chris Wood, of CLSA and author of the Greed & Fear newsletter, was recently interviewed on CNBC and stated that the collapse of the Dollar would likely take place within five years. CNBC’s Dennis Kneale, however, asserts that the Dollar is “self-healing”, so that when the panic begins, “…suddenly people want to go into the Dollar, because the US Government is the most stable government on the planet”. I had to rewind, because I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. This is precisely why looking to mainstream news sources as reliable conduits of factual information is so dangerous. …


Economics and Investing:

J.D.D. sent this British newspaper article: Detroit family homes sell for just $10 CNN Money offers a baker’s dozen of articles about America’s fiscal disaster. (Thanks to S.M. for the link.) Straycat sent us this item: States Facing Financial Doomsday as Debts Mount SurvivalBlog’s Poet Laureate, George Gordon (“GG”), spotted this: New round of foreclosures threatens housing market My old friend Sandy mentioned this: Iceland, the Mouse that Roared. Odds ‘n Sods: