Note from JWR:

Reader Jeff D. mentioned that he noticed that SurvivalBlog is now in the top 7,500 US web sites’ traffic ranking, on Alexa. Thanks for making the blog such a great success! Every link helps. — 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 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 …


Kids and Sleep During a Crisis, by AK. in Texas

We live in Tornado Alley which means we’ve had more than a few opportunities to break out the 72 hour kits and find out what works and what doesn’t. However, one thing we were surprised to find was that we hadn’t figured out what to do when the crisis extends through bedtime, or when it occurs while the kids are asleep. If you have to “hunker down” during a crisis, it’ll take a while for you or the kids to get sleepy. For the adults, this isn’t that big a deal, but when children miss sleep, they have a tendency …


Two Letters Re: Semi-Anonymous Internet Access

Sir, Introductory Note: Some of the activities suggested in this letter may not be legal in your country or your US State. Please ensure that you are familiar with any related laws before attempting any of the methods outlined below. They are therefore provided for information only: With regard to the recent article on semi-anonymous Internet access and the use of wi-fi, by Jeff T: I agree with many of the suggestions in this article, but also wanted to expand on these and identify a number of possible additional risks associated with using wi-fi connectivity. Ben from Tennessee is quite …


Letter Re: How to Remove Your House Image from Google Maps Street View

James, Your readers might be interested to know that the street view of their house can be viewed by anyone using Google Maps. If they do not wish to have the view showing all your expensive SUVs and G.O.O.D. vehicles, do the following: 1. Using Google Maps, find your address. 2. Activate the Street View for that address. 3. At the bottom of the view is a link that says “Report A Problem.” By clicking that link, you are taken to a form that allows you to request that your house photo be removed. Simply follow the directions on the …


Letter Re: Northeastern Colorado as a Retreat Locale

Dear Mr. Rawles: Having read both of the letters about Northeastern Colorado Retreats and having personally lived the general area since 1967 I wish to offer the following comments. I believe there are merits in both letters. The area is best described as semi-arid with an annual rainfall in the range of 12-13 inches per year; but, keep in mind we are recovering from a 10 year drought with average annual rainfall around 8 inches. These averages are accurate as our family has farmed and have kept accurate records since 1973. We have a large garden and routinely can more …


Economics and Investing:

SurvivalBlog’s Poet Laureate, George Gordon, sent this: Underemployment Hits 20% in Mid-March H.H. spotted this: North Korean finance chief executed for botched currency reform. H.H.’s comment: “How ironic. In the United States, when a Treasury Secretary or Fed Chairman screw up the nation’s economy through back-door deals, insider trading and the manipulation of the currency, they are granted even more power. In North Korea, even if you’re just trying to do your job, you’re treated a bit differently.” Items from The Economatrix: Japan Joins China in Reducing Holdings of US Treasury Debt Bonds Reveal US Losing AAA Status IMF Warning …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Kyle was the first of several readers to mention this: Poll: Most Americans Fear U.S. Economy Could Collapse    o o o UN: Polluted water killing, sickening millions    o o o My Coast to Coast AM interview inspired a talented photographer to create this: Beans, Bullets, and Band-Aids.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson found a link to a YouTube video showing a nifty sandbag tool. Mikes’s comment: “Very clever. It fills them with enough slack space left for a fold or tie.”


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

Eli: “No, I walk by faith, not by sight. It means that you know something even if you don’t know something. It doesn’t have to make sense, it’s faith, it’s faith. It’s the flower of light in the field of darkness, it’s giving me the strength to carry on, you understand?” Solara: “Is that from your book?” Eli: “No it’s Johnny Cash, Live at Folsom Prison.” – Denzel Washington as Eli, The Book of Eli. (Screenplay by Gary Whitta)


Note from JWR:

I’m scheduled to be the guest in the first hour tonight on the Nightwatch syndicated radio show, from 9 to 10 p.m. Central time in the U.S. — 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 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, …


A “10% Test” Survival Trip by C.J. in Helena Montana Edited by Capt. Barr

I work as an independent hospital contractor. Our home base is in Montana, but I am independent. I work as temporary health care staff at hospitals, being licensed in about 5 states. I usually make pretty good money traveling, but I miss having a fixed point in case of crisis. My wife and I really enjoy living in Montana, we were having a good life: hunting in the mountains panning for gold and camping. While working at a good paying contract, the hospital I was with had asked about renewing the job for another several weeks. I accepted the renewal …


Letter Re: How to Stock up on FDA-Approved Prescription Medicines

Mr. Rawles: I have been a registered pharmacist for 34 years. Most drugstores and insurance companies allow you to get up to a 90-day supply of prescription medications at a time. The “Refill-Too-Soon” edit, which is what prevents you from getting a prescription right after getting another one for the same drug filled is usually set at 75% of the days supply. For example, if you are taking a high blood pressure medication once a day, then a 90-day supply is 90 pills. Seventy-five percent of ninety days is sixty-eight days. Therefore, if we use April 1, 2010 as the …


Four Letters Re: Building Your Kits for Survival

James, I read with great interest the piece by Jeff M. on building kits. I was kind of taken aback by his statement “I just won’t be one of those guys who carries a purse”. I guess in these days I need to understand what a purse is because I am a professional person who goes to meeting all over the state in a suit and tie and I always have what my family calls my purse with me. I carry an old trusted backpack that contains my laptop, but also carries all of my immediate survival needs (knife, first …


Economics and Investing:

GG sent this Wall Street Journal article: Public Pension Deficits Are Worse Than You Think Reader S.M. sent us some more evidence that the US is slipping towards the edge of a bond rating downgrade by Moody’s: Obama Pays More Than Buffett as U.S. Risks AAA Rating. Also, further economic difficulties with managing growing public debt: Lipsky Says ‘Acute’ Debt Challenges Face Advanced Economies. Items from The Economatrix: Agora Financial’s Five-Minute Forecast Court Says Fed Must Disclose Bank Bailout Records A Salon opinion piece by Gene Lyons: It’s Time for Wall Street to Pay Health Care Companies Pull Stock Market …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Greg C. wrote to mention that Wiggy’s is continuing their 20% off sale on sleeping bags, with free shipping. Order soon, since they rarely extend their sales into the backpacking season!    o o o Frequent content contributor Brian B. sent this: There’s a new buzz in gardening; With honey bees in decline, stacking-tray ‘condos’ attract mason bees that will pollinate fruit trees    o o o “Oxy” sent us this from The Wall Street Journal: Cartel Wars Gut Juárez, a Onetime Boom Town