Economics and Investing:

Reader DEK sent this: Zoellick Warns Stimulus ‘Sugar High’ Won’t Stem Unemployment Long known as a propaganda outlet, Pravda occasionally gets a few things right: American capitalism gone with a whimper.(This piece was mentioned by more than a dozen SurvivalBlog readers.) Items from The Economatrix: GDP Drops For Second Consecutive Quarter Troubled Bank Loans Hit Record High BofA Lead Director Resigns; More Pressure on CEO Jefferson County, Alabama, Out of Money in Two Weeks After Tax Repealed Financial Markets And Economic Crash, The Next Leg Down Will Be Worse “Make no mistake – we are selling off our future and …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The recent AP wire service article on survivalism certainly has grown some long legs. To date, it has been featured on CBS, ABC, MSNBC, Breitbart, Yahoo News, the Drudge Report, NPR, the Huffington Post, newspapers in more than 40 states, at least a dozen television news web sites, and even overseas in The Jerusalem Post.    o o o NOAA Issues New Solar Cycle Prediction. (Thanks to Paul B. for the link.)    o o o From reader R.M.: Ideas For Self Sufficient Living During Financially Turbulent Times    o o o Jim W., a missionary, recommended a visit to …



Notes from JWR:

I was overwhelmed by more than 80 responses to my recent Seeking Reader Input for “Patriots” Sequels post. I now have more than enough volunteers! (The only subject area where I still need some more input is Belize.) My apologies if I don’t send all of you immediate replies. In many cases, I won’t be replying with follow-up questions until I’m actively engaged in writing those particular parts of the manuscript. My sincere thanks for your input, folks! — Today we present the final entry for Round 22 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. (BTW, I have some others that …


Anesthesia for Traumatic Times, by Scott N., EMT

Introductory Proviso from JWR: The following article is intended for educational purposes only. DO NOT attempt to administer anesthesia without the proper training. There is a very fine line between unconsciousness and death, and this path should be tread only by a trained specialist. This is a very delicate art (and science) that requires advanced training, constant practice, and some advanced monitoring equipment. All vital signs must be closely monitored closely. Even for someone with an “MD” after their name, it is EXCEEDINGLY EASY to mess up, and the consequences of doing so are tremendous. (In short: If you are …


Economics and Investing:

Leap in U.S. debt hits taxpayers with 12% more red ink GG flagged this: Silver poised for biggest monthly gain in 22 years; gold rises Items from The Economatrix: Economy Shrinks 5.7% in First Quarter Taxpayers Could Lose Billions in GM Revamp “GM expected to file bankruptcy on Monday.” Ford’s Top Supplier Files for Bankruptcy “Visteon bankruptcy protection filing is another blow to auto supply base.” Bond Markets Defy Feds as Treasury Yields Spike “The US Federal Reserve may soon be forced to launch fresh blitz of quantitative easing whatever the consequences for the US dollar, or risk seeing economic …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Bill N. sent this great tip: Something Down The Drain? Retrieve it Without a Wrench    o o o Safecastle’s semi-annual 25% Off Mountain House storage food sale ends on June 5th, so get your order in soon! Buyers will get a free copy of the novel One Second After by William R. Forstchen if they purchase four or more cases of Mountain House foods.    o o o From Florida Guy: Mormon lessons in self-reliance can help families survive tough times. JWR Adds: While I’ll never see eye-to-eye with the LDS Church doctrinally, I give them nothing but praise …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Today, prayer is still a powerful force in America, and our faith in God is a mighty source of strength. Our Pledge of Allegiance states that we are ‘one nation under God,’ and our currency bears the motto, ‘In God we Trust.’ The morality and values such faith implies are deeply embedded in our national character. Our country embraces those principles by design, and we abandon them at our peril.” – Ronald Reagan


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 22 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 $350. Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles …


Creating a Crisis Decision Matrix, by Steve N.

It’s been said, “It takes a village to raise a child”. While I do not agree with much of anything else Hillary says, that was certainly true in my case. My upbringing consisted of guidance and council from a rather diverse group of individuals, a large segment of whom were 1970s-era survivalists, (How many of you remember Mel Tappan’s “Personal Survival Letter”?). These were self-sufficient, hard-money, common sense, salt-of-the-earth type people. A few even had underground bunkers, (I mean “root cellars”). Given the mind set of my mentors, you might assume that I’m all stocked up on beans, bullets, and …


Economics and Investing:

Hungary’s Economy Minister warns of currency crisis, “social collapse” without deep reform GG sent this Los Angeles Times piece: From deflation fear to inflation panic, so soon? Items from The Economatrix: Exploding Debt Threatens America With no change in policy, US debt will equal US GDP in just five years. Coming Dollar Bust–All But A Few Have No Clue “The failure of the housing market is only 40% to 50% over. All this is happening as policymakers, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Citicorp, etc., and the rest of the elitists are shifting all the debt from the financial sector to …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cheryl spotted this on a Israeli news site: WWIII Has Started    o o o JHB sent is a link to a new variety of self-contained fingertip pulse oximeter. Being able to monitor heart rate and blood oxygen saturation will be crucial, especially if you are handling a trauma case or severe illness case where respiration is shallow and your supply of medical oxygen is scant.    o o o In the “signs of the times” department, comes this from Powder Valley: “At this time we are not taking any new backorders for primers that are not listed here. We …



Notes from JWR:

If you have any favorite quotes that relate to survival, preparedness, faith, patriotism, Constitutional rights, or perhaps something on economics, then please e-mail it to me, and I’ll likely post them as Quotes of the Day. Thanks! — Today we present another entry for Round 22 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 …


Pest Prevention and Control Measures for Food Storage, by Elk H.

Something you may not have given much thought about in your planning for long term food storage is Pest Control. All the hard work, preparedness and money spent on stockpiling and storing food can be quickly ruined by pests. You need to protect your investment. As a former exterminator I have seen my share of these pests and can share my experience and knowledge of control measures. While some of these measures are just ordinary common sense, we all know that common sense isn’t all that common. A few things to consider: Most infestations come home from the store with …