Letter Re: US Dollar Slide Versus Iraqi Dinars

Mr. Rawles, I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you I enjoy your blog daily and have read it almost from the start. I am currently in Iraq a little North of Joint Base Balad. On the local economy the Iraqi Dinar is 1000 dinars to 1 American dollar. However, the past few months if you want to pay with American dollars in the local economy, they are discounting it by 66%. What 1000 dinars buys, 1 dollar used to buy. Now it cost 3 dollars. At the local Iraqi police academy there is a stall that …


Letter Re: Deep Apprehension About Dangers in the Near Future

Mr. Rawles: I, as well as possibly tens of thousands of my fellow Americans, are extremely fearful that the United States Government is slowly becoming like the former Soviet Union and that the day will come when the citizenry is in serious trouble. I continue to prepare as best I can for my family in the event it all comes crashing down but I cannot see where I will prevail long against American soldiers, police, and gangs that might try to harm me and my family. I am further afraid because I do not know Jesus Christ as my Savior …


Economics and Investing:

Reader HPD recommended this: Why the U.S. Government Should be Cut Off Like a Subprime Borrower HPD also sent this bit of news, which comes as no great surprise: AIG Breakup Likely. Al H. said that he liked this Business Week interview: Jim Rogers Doesn’t Mince Words About the Crisis Items from The Economatrix: Fear of Global Depression Up as US Reveals True Extent of Decline Fresh Evidence Points to Paralysis of Global Economy 750,000 jobs were lost in US in February, worse to come Iran Threatened with Economic Meltdown Buffett: Economy Will Be in Shambles in 2009 Wall Street …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Bill N. asks: “Did you ever wonder what those markings spray-painted on doors by FEMA in New Orleans meant?” This PDF shows the codes.    o o o BRB and Jim E. both mentioned a design for a ram (water-powered) water pump, over at the Instructables site.    o o o Reader FS had this comment on the Obama administration’s call to renew the 1994 gun and magazine ban: “So let’s see if I understand this. Because Mexico can’t keep it together, American’s must disarm. If anything, having a violent and unstable neighbor is reason for our citizens to …



Notes from JWR:

I recently updated the web page for my novel “Patriots“, with information on the new edition that will be released in April. The old edition from XLibris just went out of print. — Today we present another entry for Round 21 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The contest prizes include: First Prize: Two transferable Front Sight  “Gray” Four Day Training Course Certificates. This is an up to $4,000 value! Second Prize: A three day course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles …


Did the American Indians Have it Right?, by MMJ

In these trying times when civilizations are at the brink of disaster and many people are already in personal collapse, we should look back through history to find out how to salvage what we have and how to survive what is to come. [Minor rant snipped.] It seems that economic collapse is imminent and that at some point in the near future it is going to be every man for himself. As we watch countries collapse, global economies fail and people across the world starve and die, I ask myself has any culture or civilization in history gotten it right? …


Two Letters Re: Advice on Night Vision Gear

Dear Mr. Rawles, I have been reading your site for almost a year now and am grateful for your advise. I’ve read both Patriots and Retreats. Currently, I live in suburban Detroit and am looking for a farm out in the country. I’m good on food and many other items, but question my weapons battery. BTW, both my wife and I have attended the excellent training at Front Sight. Currently I have three handguns: an XDM-40 with four mags, Steyr M40 with four mags and a Taurus PT92 9mm with two mags. My long guns include two short-barrel 12 gauge …


Three Letters Re: The Feeding Frenzy Continues–Gun Store Shelves are Depleted

JWR: I saw the article on how Cabela’s shares surged based on gun sales. Let me tell you, we are in the midst of a feeding frenzy here in Colorado. First, its not just guns, its all of the accessories as well. I had to return some items from Christmas to Sportsman’s Warehouse and found that the whole gun department was basically empty. They only had some black powder firearms and a couple of shotguns. Nothing else. I had run into this before Christmas when I bought my two oldest boys new elk rifles – and got the last .308 …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. flagged this: Silver outshines gold for investors. “Sales of silver American Eagle coins have reached just over four million ounces so far in 2009, almost double the rate of last year, when sales reached 19.6 million ounces for the full year.” Pat M. forwarded this Reuters news video: Hard Times Push Brits to Bartering Frequent contributor Bill N. recommended this commentary by Paul Craig Roberts: How the US Economy Was Lost. Items from The Economatrix: Watch Now as Pension Funds Get Vaporized Ron Paul: This is an End of an Era…We Can’t Reinflate the Bubble Boomers: 30% Underwater Weak …


Odds ‘n Sods:

CIA and Pentagon Wonder: Could Mexico Implode? (A hat tip to Darin B. for the link.)    o o o MP sent this: Recipes from The Great Depression.    o o o Cheryl sent this: EMP Attack: Overlooked Catastrophe    o o o Mrs. G. in Montana found a site that he thought would be of interest to the ladies: The Homemaker’s Mentor. She notes: “I was looking for directions for dehydrating eggs and found a forum for a group of women who are striving for prepare for their families. Oh and speaking of the distaff viewpoint, also check out …



Note from JWR:

The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is now at $710. This auction is for a large mixed lot, which includes:: 1.) Another “be ready to barter” box of 38 full-capacity gun magazines, from my personal collection in JASBORR. This box includes: 4 – Used original East German 30 rd. steel AK-47 magazines in a “raindrop” camouflage pattern belt pouch, 12 – Excellent-to-new condition original Bundeswehr contract HK91 (G3) alloy 20 round magazines, 6 – Well-used but serviceable condition original Austrian FN-FAL steel 20 round magazines with cartridge counter holes, 10 – Used AR-15/M16 USGI (all Colt made!) alloy …


Depression Proof Jobs for a 20 Year Depression – Part 2: Developing a Home-Based Business

Yesterday, in Part1, I discussed the “safe” and counter-cyclical occupations for the unfolding economic depression. Today, I’d like to talk about one specific approach: self-employment with a home-based business. I posted most the following back in late 2005, but there are some important points that are worth repeating: The majority of SurvivalBlog readers that I talk with tell me that they live in cities or suburbs, but they would like to live full time at a retreat in a rural area. Their complaint is almost always the same: “…but I’m not self-employed. I can’t afford to live in the country …


Letter Re: Real World Observations on Fighting Crime and Criminals

Hello Sir! While visiting your site this morning, I read a letter by someone talking about residential break-ins. While I don’t wish to contradict anything stated in the letter, there are a few points that should be made. 15 years ago, I made the decision to train as a Locksmith. I have my own locksmith business is in it’s 10th year and going strong. I’ve worked in banks, with police and even the DEA. I’ve been at the scene of scores of break-ins, assessing the damage as well as repairing and fortifying the sites. This brings me to the point; …