Economics and Investing:

Karen H. sent this: Dollar Facing ‘power shift Also from Karen: Stone Calls U.S. Economic Growth Outlook “Troublesome” in 2010 GG sent this: Silver Lining: Jim Rogers Talks Up Commodities Reader D.D. sent the link to a good piece by Bill Fleckenstein: Your dollars are just Monopoly money Items from The Economatrix: Gary North: The Fed’s Schizophrenic Monetary Economist Failed Financial Policies and Rising Unemployment in the US Stocks Bear Market Rally Will Soon Be Over Government Deficit Spending Killing the US Free Market


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader FG sent this: Terror struck four generations in deadly home invasion. F.G’s comment: “You must be armed at home, folks!” Meanwhile, The Other Jim R. sent me this home invasion news story. He noted: “This one was in New Hampshire, which is not exactly ‘big city’.”    o o o Cheryl alerted us to this: “Large Insect” Sparked Missile Truck’s Crash.    o o o Cops’ Rising Use of “Stop and Frisk” Questioned


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“With hearts fortified with these animating reflections, we most solemnly, before God and the world, declare, that, exerting the utmost energy of those powers, which our beneficent Creator hath graciously bestowed upon us, the arms we have compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverance employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with one mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live as slaves.” – John Dickinson and Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of the Cause and Necessity of Taking up Arms, 1775


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 25 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.) and C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.) Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing …


Food Storage–A Necessary Preparation, by Melanie G.

An important resource to have in times of need is a good food storage.  When I have talked to others about having an emergency supply of food in place, I have received laughter and ridicule.  I even had a neighbor to tell me when he needed emergency food, he would just come to my place.  I jokingly informed him not to bother as I had a supply of ammunition as well.  Too many people have come to rely on the grocery store.  But the threat of a snow storm here in Kentucky clears out the milk and bread in record …


Letter Re: Older Technology Radio Receivers

James, I was glad that a reader mentioned the Hallicrafters S-38 series of radios. I had forgotten to mention that the All American Five (AA5) type of radio was also sold in a multi-iband version by Hallicrafters. These are still often available for under $100 in working condition. I have a Hallicrafters model 5R10A, which is a lot like a [Hallicrafters] S-38D. It’s an AC/DC design like the AA5 radio that can be run on nine or ten car batteries wired in series with no inverter. (In a test, I found that nine fully-charged “12-volt” batteries wired in series provide …


Letter Re: Making Your Own Maps for the Field

Jim, I have several books, folded sheet, and other type maps. I wanted to purchase or acquire a good satellite image map with roads and terrain. After thinking, big mistake, I realized I already had the answer loaded on my computer. I have Google Earth. On Google Earth you can add lots of legend material, Miles/ Kilometer, parks, etc, I went to the area I was in and printed out several elevations. In some areas you can zoom down to 100 feet elevation. I then went to the nearby office place and had the sheets laminated, and spiral bound. Keep …


Economics and Investing:

Reader Brian S. sent this: Dutch DSB Bank Nationalized After Bank Run By Clients. “The Netherlands’ central bank said Monday it has taken control of DSB Bank NV after clients began a run amid fears the regional lender might collapse.” Brian notes: “People can [presently] only take 250 Euro per day from their accounts.” Icahn: Risk of Double Dip, Investor ‘Bloodbath’. (Thanks to Flavio for the linkio.) A piece by Charles Hugh Smith posted over at Housing Storm: Deflation or Inflation: Who Cares? Analysis from Greg Fielding (also at Housing Storm): Did the FHA make bad loans with taxpayer money …


Odds ‘n Sods:

GS in the State of Jefferson sent us this: Schwarzenegger signs ammunition sales bill. A thumbprint and detailed personal information before completing an ammo sale? BTW, this new law includes .22 Long Rifle ammo! What insanity. Once again, my advice to SurvivalBlog readers is to get out of California. It is a lost cause. Vote with your feet!    o o o Exercise can extend survival even in ‘oldest old’ (Thanks to Roxie for the link.)    o o o Ralph U. sent this one: Cold temperatures threaten Idaho seed potato crop


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Every man who goes into the Indian country should be armed with a rifle and revolver, and he should never, either in camp or out of it, lose sight of them. When not on the march, they should be placed in such a position that they can be seized at an instant’s warning; and when moving about outside the camp, the revolver should invariably be worn in the belt, as the person does not know at what moment he may have use for it. – Randolph B. Marcy, Captain, U.S. Army, The Prairie Traveler, 1859


Notes from JWR:

I’ve added The SurvivalBlog Gold World Coin Melt Value Calculator (Excel Spreadsheet) to our Investing page, courtesy of reader Eric C. (He also developed the The SurvivalBlog Silver World Coin Melt Value Calculator.) Thanks, Eric! — Today’s blog posts include one from SurvivalBlog’s volunteer correspondent in Israel, an American expatriate.


What Recovery? Find Yourself a Recoveryless Job

For more than a month, the mainstream media has been yammering about an economic recovery. Chasing phantom “good number” statistics amidst an onslaught of otherwise bad economic and global credit market news, the Wall Street cheering section is desperately seeking some news that the current recession is coming to an end. They talk about “the recovery in progress”–almost a fait accompli. They have been so good at this that they have fooled some investors into putting their sidelined money back into the stock market. What a masterpiece of disingenuous grandstanding. But the sad truth is that there is no genuine …


Experience With Bicycle Commuting and Touring, Hammocks, and Stoves, by David in Israel

Since June of this year when my new Dahon Speed 8 folding bicycle arrived I have greatly increased my bicycle mileage typically doing about 120 miles a week commuting instead of taking the bus in. The Dahon is a 20″ wheel folder so I have the option of bagging it up throwing it in the back seat or trunk and catching a ride with friends or taking the inter-city bus if I am tired, this hitch-hike-ability could be an important to a survivalist trying to cover long distances, perhaps even beating out the larger harder to stash 26″ wheel folding …


Three Letters Re: Heating With Wood

James Wesley, That was a good informative article by SGT B., however there was one glaring omission in the safety section : “Which brings me to the always wear appropriate safety gear rule. Always do. Period. Long sleeves and pants, boots, gloves, helmet with a face-guard or safety glasses, hearing protection.” He didn’t mention Kevlar chainsaw safety chaps, which jam a chain in milliseconds are now considered required for wood cutting, one moment of inattentiveness and your thigh, shin, etc, can be hamburger. The least expensive, yet best ones out there are from Labonville. Remember chainsaws don’t just cut flesh …


Economics and Investing:

Mara spotted this: First Fannie and Freddie, Now the FHA? Mara’s comment: “Every time I read about more bailout money for existing “customers” or new bailout money for new “customers,” I start to get woozy and lightheaded! Good thing I am sitting down when I read this stuff!” GG flagged this New York Times piece: Failures of Small Banks Grow, Straining F.D.I.C. (100th US bank failure thusfar for 2009.) Items from The Economatrix: The Great Recession: The Numbers Tell The Story Investors to Companies: Show Us Higher Sales State Budgets Get Adrenaline Shot From Clunkers World’s Largest Shopping Mall is …