Note from JWR:

I was a disgusted to see the large number of U.S. flags being waved at Fourth of July celebrations that were marked “Made in China.” The bitter irony of this is almost indescribable, especially when you consider that a good portion of Chinese merchandise for the American consumer market comes from laogai (“Reform Through Labor”) prison factories. Do America a favor, and buy yourself an American-made flag. OBTW, I’ve chosen the “76” Battle of Bennington flag as the official “OPSEC-conscious” flag for SurvivalBlog readers, to identify themselves to fellow readers. And, also BTW, I just had one of my kids …


Letter Re: Some Thought on Dual-Fuel LPG Vehicles

Dear Jim, I don’t know if this applies to folks in the US, but it may be something for UK readers to consider. My main vehicle is equipped with both petrol and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanks, and I will also be installing an LPG system on my secondary vehicle. There are two main advantages to this: 1. LPG is less than half the price of petrol, and although you get a third less mileage than you do using petrol, it still works out cheaper – in fact, in the UK, you can get the installation costs back in around …


Letter Re: Home Heating Oil Price Fluctuations–Time to Buy Low

Hi Jim, Some older neighborhood houses [in the Pacific Northwest] have large oil tanks for heating under driveways, in basements, and buried under yards. Last winter, we saw our neighbors run dry during a rare 2-week snow/ice event that even chained fuel trucks couldn’t get around in. Portland and Seattle are notoriously under-prepared for ice/snow on roads, and actually have a “intentional neglect policy” of letting it melt without salt/de-icer rather than clearing the roads. Prepare to walk on uncleared pavement and stay around home! If the predictions of temporary global oil over-supply are correct and fuel oil drops to …


Letter Re: Escape From (Fill in Your City Here), 2009

Dear James Regarding Matt R.’s letter, I have been a survivalist and self-sufficient minded person most of my adult life. I live at my retreat in a prime western state. I have been reading your site for the last 18 months. I have learned some new useful information (never too late to teach old dog new tricks) from your site. I have also purchased quite a few supplies from your advertisers. For most scenarios my home/retreat is a perfect place to be if the SHTF and I can just stay home. However I do not like to have all my …


Economics and Investing:

TJ Marta tells it like it is on Tech Ticker: Bailouts for Everyone, But Who’s Going to Rescue Uncle Sam? (Thanks to Trent for the link.) KAF sent this: Swiss banks drop U.S. clients due to UBS case Greg C. and GG both sent this: US lurching towards ‘debt explosion’ with long-term interest rates on course to double Items from The Economatrix: Oil Falls 4% on Economic Recovery Concerns Stocks Mixed Amid Conflicting Economic News Dollar Discomfort Thrust Onstage for Italy Summit As Retailers Cut Back, Cities Confront “Ghostboxes” US Service Industries Contract at Slowest Pace in Nine Months BofA …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Eric S. spotted this: Grow 100 lbs. of Potatoes in Four Square Feet: How To    o o o MacLean’s (Canada’s most popular magazine) reviewed One Second After by William R. Forstchen: So your bank account’s wiped out; Given our massive debt load, this fictional apocalyptic scenario’s not looking that bad.    o o o DD spotted this: Live off the land — in the city; Wild greens, mushrooms, fruit and even fish and game can be harvested in America’s urban jungles. Dandelion salad, anyone? Or some batter-fried squirrel? That is ingenious, but if and when the Schumer Hits the …



The Nascent Depression: Be Ready to Barter and Adopt the Rhodesian View

I receive several e-mails each day from readers asking whether the currently-unfolding economic depression will be inflationary or deflationary, whether it will last long, and whether or not the US Dollar will be supplanted by a new currency. My answer is simple: “All of the above.” Back in early 2008, I warned that a depression with simultaneous inflation and deflation was possible. As I’ve mentioned several times in my blog, here in the US we are likely to see a continuation of the current gradual deflation followed by a period of mass currency inflation. Plan accordingly. Try to start looking …


Two Letters Re: Prefabricated Garden Sheds as Instant Shelters and Storage Spaces for Retreats

JWR: Just a comment on the bit about the sheds for bug-out retreats. I have designed plans for a number of such shed sizes, as well as living quarters for larger barns. A couple things to mention, one, is that if you do a sloped shed roof on your shed instead of a peaked roof…from the air, it looks like a loafing shed for your critters, this is in case it is in a more rural farm like area, instead of timber country. Another thing, the window problem: On our barn (which we are building living quarters in right now) …



Economics and Investing:

Sterling Crisis Looms as UK Unraveling Points to Budget Cuts (Thanks to Heidi for the link.) Tom G. flagged this: Unwinding at AIG Prompts Pasciucco to Ponder System Failure Frank S. mentioned this grand understatement: Biden: ‘We Misread How Bad the Economy Was’ Items from The Economatrix: Another Wave of Foreclosures is Poised to Strike [That is hardly a news flash for SurvivalBlog readers!] Obama Expands Housing Rescue: Six Things to Know Joel Skousen: Cap and Trade Bad For a Sick Economy US Stocks Slide in Dow’s Worst Drop Since April on Jobs Data With Economy Down, Cities Growing (Rather …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The latest extended-length trailer for Roland Emmerich’s new 2012 movie looks more than a bit over the top. Yes, it is another popcorn-munching special effects-laden blockbuster. But that is not surprising, since Emmerich is the man that produced The Day After Tomorrow.    o o o Reader GG mentioned some recent commentary on “the big picture”, via the Dilbert syndicated cartoon strip.    o o o Also from GG: Tent revival; More families than ever are camping for vacation at state and national parks    o o o Jon in Iraq sent us an article datelined Madison, Wisconsin: Too many …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Thus the men of democratic times require to be free in order to procure more readily those physical enjoyments for which they are always longing. It sometimes happens, however, that the excessive taste they conceive for these same enjoyments makes them surrender to the first master who appears. The passion for worldly welfare then defeats itself and, without their perceiving it, throws the object of their desires to a greater distance. There is, indeed, a most dangerous passage in the history of a democratic people. When the taste for physical gratifications among them has grown more rapidly than their education …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 23 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 foods, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $350. Third Prize: A copy of …