Economics and Investing:

HPD highlighted this one: 100 Ridiculous Projects Funded by the American Recovery Act SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson spotted this piece in the Wall Street Journal: How to lose $127 million. Items from The Economatrix: Greece Teeters on Bankruptcy Federal Budget Deficit for November Hits $120.3 Billion Geithner Says Treasury Faces Losses from Autos, AIG Stiglitz Urges “Powell Doctrine” to Fix Jobs Picture Market Jitters as Spain Joins Dubai on Danger List Food Stamps Go to a Record 37.2 Americans



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 26 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. 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 HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.), and D.) A 500 round case of Fiocchi 9mm Luger, 124gr. Hornady XTP/HP ammo, …


A Prepared Christmas, by Hunkerdown

As most folks are running around fiercely to holiday parties and the malls in search of the perfect gift, even in these troubled times, it dawned on me that this is a unique time of the year that preppers can share our enthusiasm for our lifestyle. I started my preparedness journey (Yes, ‘journey’, as I’m now sure there is not a final destination. Can you ever be too prepared?) a little less than a year ago, and through sites like SurvivalBlog, have spent many hours educating myself about the numerous issues we may face in TEOTWAWKI. I often find prepping …


Two Letters Re: Tourniquets in Combat Medical Planning

Sir, That was a great article on the revival of tourniquets. One very important point that the author briefly touched on is the ability of the wounded individual to apply the tourniquet without assistance. The central tenant of it’s use by our forces in the field today is that the wounded individual must be able to tend to his own ‘blowout’ while everyone else continues to engage and suppress the enemy. Otherwise the risk is that one wounded troop might multiply into more if the enemy gains fire superiority and/or individuals expose themselves to aid a wounded comrade. Individuals who …


Letter Re: Sources for Lactated Ringer’s Solution?

Jim: You recently mentioned Ciprofloxacin in your blog. Cipro is an antibacterial, a fluoroquinolone. It’s useful for urinary tract infections, bacterial (not viral) sinusitis, post-inhalation exposure to anthrax, traveler’s diarrhea, and in combination with other drugs for abdominal infections. Resistance to various sexually transmitted diseases and some bacteria that cause pneumonia (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) is increasing. Ringer’s isn’t usually given with dextrose. It can be, but not normally. Ringers is an electrolyte (salt) solution, dextrose is used to replace (just) water or water and add some carbohydrates. Electrolyte solutions are used in cases of electrolyte depletion or dehydration (often combined with …



Economics and Investing:

Reader P.D. sent this: 10 Countries most likely to default. (It is notable that because of the size of its economy, they listed California among the list of “nations” at risk of default!) Russ J. recommended a link from Nathan’s Economic Edge. to an MP3 recording of John Williams of Shadow Government Statistics. Russ’s comment: “His conclusions, if they prove out, could easily land us all in a “Patriots” scenario”. El Jefe Jeff E. sent this: U.S. Homeowners Lost $5.9 Trillion Since 2006 Peak. Jeff’s comment: “Home foreclosures topped 300,000 in October for the eighth straight month, and still growing. …


Odds ‘n Sods:

FEMA Suggests Disaster Readiness Christmas Gifts. (Thanks to Lisa E. for the link.)    o o o The Suburban Survivalist suggested a good video of Mike Rowe (of “Dirty Jobs” television fame) speaking about what he’s learned of the value of work.    o o o On a recent trip to a more populous region, I noticed that some people just don’t know how to drive in the snow. Even with chains on, the Nervous Nellies creep along at 5 to 10 m.p.h. on straight and level roads. These folks even cause accidents, by forcing those approaching them from behind …



Note from JWR:

My brief interview with G. Gordon Liddy on Wednesday went well, and it is now available as an archived podcast. Please skip past the vulgarity of his brief opening humor segment. — Today we present another entry for Round 26 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. 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, …


Preparedness Considerations for Surviving in Florida, by The Rucker

Most of the books and preparedness literature available seem to assume that our post-TEOTWAWKI lives will be in a place where we can expect cold winters and the four traditional seasons.  I understand the attraction of relocating to a mountain retreat in a lightly populated northern or western state, but like many others my current preparedness plan is for in-place survival.  I just so happen to live in tropical Florida.  I believe that many of these same considerations apply for those living in southern Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas. There are both challenges and advantages to choosing a tropical location like …


Letter Re: Sources for Prescription Medications?

James, I love your blog, I read it daily. Good article on the field craft of tourniquet applications. I do have one question to add–where can I get medical supplies for treating trauma? I love the fact that we have the blood clotting bandages available to the civilian–long live the free market. In the Army, I was a Combat Life Saver and I may be out of practice, but when truly required of me I am certain that I can start an IV to keep someone from going into shock. I have tried to find lactated ringers on the Internet, …


Letter Re: We Have Some Hard Decisions Ahead

Dear SurvivalBloggers: The economy has taken a dramatic turn for the worse for many Americans. Hundreds of pages could be written to describe how it happened and who did it. While many individuals and households have had the financial resources and good fortune which will allow them to weather economic uncertainty, many will simply not be able to maintain their standard of living. Many two income households are now one income households and that income may have decreased due to companies cutting back on work hours. This situation has been occurring for many Americans for many many months, forcing people …


Influenza Pandemic Update:

Ukraine: 445 Dead From Unknown Flu Since Beginning of Epidemic. 1.94 Million Sick, 445 Deaths, 116,982 Hospitalized, 94,000 Released (this means almost 23,000 are still hospitalized); Last 24 hours just under 44,000 have been infected. Swine Flu Hits North Korea Border Area China Death Toll From Swine Flu Triples in Two Weeks World Sees Dramatic Surge in Swine Flu Deaths Swine Flu Vaccine Patented Six Months Before First Cases Appeared WHO Probing Reports of Mutating Swine Flu Virus Some Little Known Facts About the Swine Flu CDC: Swine Flu is Widespread in Only 25 States Midwives Who Refuse to Give …