Letter Re: Distance Traveling by Waterways

Jim, Thanks for your work. I have been a faithful reader for quite a while (and a 10-Cent Challenge subscriber). After reading LDM in Colorado’s post, I had to e-mail and correct a few problems. While I know little of white water rafting, I do know about Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). I was a Coast Guard Boarding Officer for many years, and I would like to correct some of his terminology. Unfortunately, some of his comments could place someone in danger. The rating system for PFDs is based on capabilities. Specifically, Type I: Provides 22 lbs of buoyancy and turns …



Economics and Investing:

I found this linked over at the Total Investor blog: After the fall; The collapse in world trade has stopped, but there is no sign of a recovery Thanks to Rebecca S. for this news link: Weak Treasury Auctions Raise Worries About US Debt Burden Reader Greg C. suggested this: Adrian Douglas: CFTC Conceals the Real Problem, the Infinite Dollar Items from The Economatrix: Weak US 5-Year Debt Auction Raises Worries Bernanke on the Record (video) The Hole in Our Universe (The Mogambo Guru) Commentary by John Browne: Dead Banks Walking Fed Report Suggests Recession May be Bottoming Out. [In …



Notes from JWR:

We have received more than 120 kind e-mails in the past 24 hours, in response to The Memsahib’s “Bucket List” post on Wednesday. Thank you so much for your prayers and words of encouragement. This verse sums up the sentiment: “Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise Him!” – Psalm 64:10 We feel tremendously uplifted by your prayers. And for those that have asked: We are not seeking any funds for medical expenses. Instead, please send gifts to our favorite charity: Compassion International.


Here Comes Winter!, by Peter H.

My brother wrote me recently to ask what we do to prepare for our winters here in the inland Pacific Northwest. He lives in a warmer climate but has been reading about the global cooling underway. For the last two years our area has been colder longer and this last winter we had the most snow in over 100 years. Remembering that Boy Scout slogan, “Be prepared,” prudent people are already looking ahead for the winter soon to come. Here are my odds and ends to get your thinking processes going: Dress to Save Your Life Our heaviest coats are …



Economics and Investing:

GG spotted this piece by Axel Merk: Credit Crunch Part Deux Is the mainstream media catching a clue? Surviving the ‘End of Civilization’ 2050; Six rules for investing in the worse-case scenario. (thanks to Craig M. for the link.) Curtis sent us a link to a great video segment by Marty Weiss. Items from The Economatrix: Dollar Falls to 2009 Low as Economic View Reduces Safety Demand China Warns US on Budget Deficit Unemployment in June: Map of the Worst Hit Cities Housing Recovery: Sell Now or Your Capital Will Forever Be Trapped Fiscal Drops in the Bucket Deficit (The …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Ebola in Pigs New Health Threat    o o o New on the market: Stay Alert caffeine chewing gum. (Obviously, this is something only for short-term emergency situations–like staying awake during the second half of a non-stop 800 -mile G.O.O.D. evacuation drive.)    o o o North Korea Warns of “Unimaginably Deadly Blows” to US    o o o Greg W. mentioned the soon-to-be-released Enertia electric motorcycle. $12,000 is a lot of money for a cycle with such limited range and speed. But it might be appropriate for short trips for someone that already has a large photovoltaic power system.



Odds ‘n Sods:

Police can now legally fire at “fleeing cars” in Chicago. (Thanks to F.G. for the link.)    o o o From Heather H.: Maine’s wild blueberry crop imperiled by leaf spot fungus. Heather’s comment: “First the wheat fungus, then the potato blight, and now the blueberries are dying. What’s next?”    o o o Hard times drive more Michiganders to fish for food. (Thanks to “Survival Mama” for the link.)    o o o PD sent this: IDF Vets Train U.S. Jews to Protect Their Communities PD’s comment on the trigger fondling and errant muzzle direction: “It looks like they …


Notes from JWR:

I was recently contacted by a producer for The History Channel who is making a documentary about survivalism. It is an unusual project that will include a subtext docudrama about a family that is fleeing Los Angeles in the midst of a megapandemic. He will be interviewing survivalists in Los Angeles and New York in mid-August. If you live in or near those cities and are willing to do an on-camera interview, please contact Nick Leader, via e-mail. — Last Day! Ready Made Resources is continuing their special 25% off sale on case lots of Mountain House freeze dried foods …


From The Memsahib: On My Bucket List–Looking for a Wife

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I am in a very unusual situation. I’m in my mid-40s, but I’m dying. My doctors have told me that I have less than two months to live. So I have been working on my “bucket list.” One of the items therein is finding a new wife for my husband, to marry after I go to be with the Lord. I have always been a cautious shopper, carefully analyzing and deliberating the pros and cons of each acquisition, whether it is a horse, or a piece of land, or just a pair of boots. Finding a new wife for Jim …


Letter Re: Shoot or Don’t Shoot–Moral Implications of the Split-Second Decision to Take a Life

Hi James, Thank you for the work that you do. In reference to this quote: ” As a side note: There is a video commonly shown to police academy students that depicts a real situation where a man armed with a knife attacked an armed police officer from across a room (10-to-15 feet). I have heard that merely viewing that video (and communicating the fact of said viewing) to a prosecutor can result in the dismissal of charges related to shooting a person who is threatening you with a knife. (While you’re armed with a gun). YMMV. Research carefully.” I …


Letter Re: An Outward Bound Prepper’s Perspective

Hi Jim, I’ve been out playing in the Wasatch mountains of Utah and found your e-mail when I got back. You mentioned several people had asked about my note on the significance of carrying large paper clips in your backpack. Ah, where have all the Boy Scouts gone? If you think of all the things you can do or make out of a 5-inch long piece of bailing wire you will get your mind going in the right direction. Some of the uses for a heavy duty paper clip in a wilderness survival situation are; make a fishing hook, make …