Odds ‘n Sods:

World Rice Stockpiles Hit as Yields Drop    o o o UN: World hunger has been increasing for a decade. Thanks to Bob for the link.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us this glimpse of the the Third World: In India: Forget the Diamond Ring, Brides Want Ceramic. “…since a “No Toilet, No Bride” campaign started about two years ago, 1.4 million toilets have been built here in the northern state of Haryana, some with government funds, according to the state’s health department… “I won’t let my daughter near a boy who doesn’t …



Notes from JWR:

I’m pleased to report that there have been more than $7,000 in donations received for the Linda Rawles Memorial Fund, that supports an orphanage and school in rural Zambia. Thusfar, donations have come from 36 of the 50 states, Australia, and Canada. Those that have made donations will soon receive a confirmation letter, with certification that can be used for tax purposes. (Your donations are fully tax deductible.) Many thanks for your generous donations. As per Linda’s request before her death, they have been earmarked for self-sufficiency projects for the orphanage including a grain mill, a new banana grove (more …


Perspectives on Roughing It and Covert Car Camping, by Jolly

I was a Boy Scout, and later did a fair amount of camping when I toured the US by motorcycle in the late 1980s. My tents started floorless and without mosquito netting; progressed to canvas umbrella tent with both. Later still, I was able to go to ripstop nylon “pup” style tents. Advancing, finally, to modern shock-corded aluminum poles and nylon. After a long gap of 20+ years, my son is now a scout, and I’m on the “no-other-parent-can-go-and-we’ll-have-to-cancel-if-you-don’t-volunteer” rotation for his troop. I just completed my second camp-out, and have noticed a few things that both dismay and encourage …


Letter Re: Preparations for Eyesight and Hearing

Hello Mr. Rawles, This is just a quick note from a new reader. If what I mention to you has been covered on your site, I apologize; your site takes more than a few multi-hour reads to digest! I see very little talk about contact lenses/solution and hearing aids/batteries post-TEOTWAWKI in most preparedness articles. I would think it would be most unfortunate to train, learn and prepare for any upcoming abnormalities and shortly thereafter not be able to see or hear. It would seem to me that at least a couple year’s supply of contact lenses on hand at all …


Two Letters Re: Abandonment of the Dollar is a Premature Rumor

In response to InyoKern’s letter: The title of this discussion thread and the original text that went with it could just as well have been written by any of the well-scripted talking heads on mainstream F-TV (financial television). My initial inclination is to be diplomatic, but considering the exceptional economic times we are currently witnessing, I say, “Balderdash!” I could reasonably conclude that the majority of the readers of “Survivalblog” are more apt to follow unconventional economic sages such as Jim Sinclair, Jim Willie, Jim Rogers, Bob Chapman, or Peter Schiff as opposed to the well-orchestrated financial propaganda of CNBC, …


Influenza Pandemic Update:

Karen H. sent this piece for the I told you so department: Lung Failure in H1N1 Cases Spurs Life Support Demand. I warned you that there aren’t enough ventilators! Also from Karen: Third Swine-Flu Wave Poses Threat to Hospital ICUs German Army first in line to get cutting-edge swine flu shot. Four-Year-Old Survives Swine Flu (Barely) Massachusetts House Approves Bill Okaying Quarantines Ohio School to Discuss Boy’s Swine Flu Death


Economics and Investing:

GG sent us this New York Post article: Dollar loses reserve status to yen & euro Fed’s Bullard warns on inflation, unemployment. (Thanks to GG for the link.) Value of UK farmland could double in five years. Jeff mentioned this piece at Zero Hedge: Why Did U.S. SDR Holdings Increase Five Fold in the Last Week of August? Items from The Economatrix: Weak Dollars, Strong Euro Combine to Create Eurozone Pain Rogers Sure Gold to Hit $2,000, Dollar to Lose Reserve Why Soaring Gold Prices Should Set Off Alarm Bells Unintended consequences of deflation: Colorado Minimum Wage to Drop as …


Odds ‘n Sods:

SF in Hawaii mentioned a low cost source for poly water tanks.    o o o Several readers wrote to tell me about a dated, yet interesting article: In 2008 Afghanistan firefight, US weapons failed    o o o Some congressmen get it: Tax Policy, Economic Growth and American Families. Too bad that they don’t hold a majority. (Thanks to JHB for the link.)    o o o Reader Michael A. asked me to remind folks that John Pugsley’s now classic book on practical tangibles investing The Alpha Strategy is available for free download in PDF.




Water, Water Everywhere?, by David in Israel

James, I think it important to remind the readers of survivalblog to assess their water supply situation in the event of a local or national emergency. Much of the western united states even the well irrigated areas are actually truly considered high desert and could nor supply even 10% of the population should access be lost to the water supply infrastructure. Unfortunately many people have lived their whole life with functional first world plumbing and the clear knowledge that magical faucets, toilets, and shower heads will always have a supply of clean potable water. It is imperative that anyone planning …


Letter Re: Abandonment of the Dollar is a Premature Rumor

Dear Jim and Family, I wanted to comment on the alleged threat of the Saudis to decouple the US Dollar from Oil sales. They’ve been saying that for a decade. The Iraqis promised to do it, one of the primary reasons for the invasion. The Iranians did it, but nobody cares because they’re an oil importing nation so they don’t actually matter much. The Venezuelans have been trying to get the rest of OPEC to do it since we nearly got Chavez ousted in a coup backed by the US. Pity that failed, but there will be a next time …


Letter Re: Devotional Candles as an Emergency Source of Light and Heat

Mr. Rawles, I am enjoying your “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It” book, which I purchased on Friday and have read most of it by now. I have something to offer to you by way of experience regarding votive candles as good emergency candles. We are practicing Roman Catholics and, as such, have lots of experience with the 10″ candles that you recommend for emergencies or even small-scale food heating. While they cannot be beaten for long-term service ( a week to 10 days per candle), the amount of light and heat you obtain …


Letter Re: Notes on Fuel Transfer Pumps and Fuel Filters

Jim, Your info on using electric fuel pumps from junked cars (also included in your new book) was great. Here’s a twist you may not have considered: Use the pumps from GM vehicles. They are essentially submersible gasoline pumps. Rig one with wires and connector and discharge hose. The pumps are about the size of 2 D-cell batteries–so they can fit fit down barrel bungs, underground tank fillers, holes in most 5 gallon buckets. They are designed to operate the fuel system around 30 PSI on most gm cars (pressure limited by relief valve in injection system) so they can …