Jim’s Quote of the Day:

This is a coalition to ban coalitions, I ain’t a politician but I’ve got views. Some folks want to ban cars some want to get rid of Fender guitars. Why don’t you do your thing and we do our thing too? Now they want to take my cigarettes and all my good whiskey And these d**n coalitions they are after you and me They want to get rid of my forty fours and all the R-rated films If they only knew how much we’d all love to get rid of them And this is a coalition to ban coalitions, the …



Charity, Civility, Community, and Hope

Whilst pondering the various possibilities for the future, it is easy to get caught up in the minutiae of radio frequencies, milligram dosages, microns of filtration, calibers, and calories per ounce. (You” read plenty of those details in SurvivalBlog. But in doing so we can easily lose sight of bigger, far more important issues such as charity, civility, community, and hope. Charity Most of you reading this are the heads of households that are far better prepared than your neighbors. Your deep larder, expansive fuel storage, advanced skills, and wide range of useful tools will put you in a distinctly …


Letter Re: The Big Chill Causes Diesel Gelling Problems in the Lower 48

Hi Jim, My Bug Out Vehicle is a diesel truck that is also converted to run waste [vegetable] oil, on my trips to my retreat I sometimes need to tank up. As all diesel owners (should) know our new diesel is ULSD which is a new standard for low sulfur in diesel. As this fuel becomes more common and mandated more and more diesel pumps dispense it with no other option. Important information for those running diesels as their prime source of transport. We’ve had fleets of school buses and even our street plows taken out of commission in the …


Bug Out Bag Preparedness Tips From the Mouths of Babes

Hello Thank you for all the work you do. I thought I’d give you a Christmas chuckle. My small daughter was telling us the Christmas story, but it had a twist. She told us that “the wise men brought Jesus gold, food, and water, because they [Joseph and Mary] had to leave quickly and didn’t get their bags ready.” Just when you think your children aren’t listening… Needless to say, we set her straight on the real story, but have been, and will continue to smile over that story for a long time. Have a terrific Holiday, – Mr. O. …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Several readers sent us the link to this Christian Science Monitor article: Survivalist businesses surge in uncertain times. BTW the article mentions both our spin-off web site (SurvivalRealty.com and several of our advertisers.    o o o Speaking of retreats, readers FFF and Ben H. both mentioned that the newly-released US Census data might be useful for anyone looking to buy a retreat property:    o o o Michael from Texas suggested this: Google Maps Mashup Combines Your Address, Nuclear Blast    o o o I wish that I had better news for you for Christmas, but here is some …




Letter Re: Winter Solstice Slam 2008–Observations from the Pacific Northwest

Hello Jim: I send this to you from the snowy Seattle, Washington metropolitan area where we are digging out of a fairly impressive storm of snow and icy temperatures that have plagued an unprepared area. As a cop and a Preparedness Oriented Person (POP), I have been watching the lead up to and duration of this weather event. Here are some observations: Advance Warning & Notification Folks in these parts complained that there was little warning of the impending snow event. Some stated that since weather forecasters were often wrong, they would be wrong about this. When you had local …


Four Letters Re: Long Haul Voice and Data Communications in a Post-Collapse Environment

Mr. Rawles. Regarding long range communications: If any SurvivalBlog readers are already ham operators they can join their county Radio Emergency Service (ARES) network.It already well established throughout the US. There are county emergency coordinators who have Same Time “meetings” on a regular basis. You might even become an Emergency Coordinator for your County. I would strongly recommend that our fellow readers get their ham Operator License no matter what. There is no longer a Morse Code requirement [for the Technician license] and the test in relatively simple . Then you can legally buy equipment, legally use it, as well …


Letter Re: What Are the Best Magazines for Investment?

Dear JWR: I took your wise advice posted in the blog back in October and stocked up on magazines for all my guns. I ‘ve even bought some mags [for other guns] that I just plan to buy, such as M14 magazines for my eventual super match M1A buy. But what I’m thinking is, I should also do is by even more magazines just “on spec”, knowing that with Obama coming in[to office, that] a ban of some sort is more likely that not. What types/model high capacity magazines would be best to invest in, for the most possible gain? …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Chris M. sent this from UPS: Global Supply Chains Not Ready for Challenging Times    o o o Jim G. sent us a link to a YouTube clip with some timely humor: Sponsor an Executive    o o o Eric sent this big batch of economic train wreck news and commentary: Where’d the bailout money from taxpayers go? Shhhh, it’s a secret — Bailed-Out Executives Got $1.6 Billion in 2007 — Housing crisis worsens as economy weakens — House-price stabilisation is not imminent — Banks brace for an ugly 2009 — Mortgage Re-Defaults Rising With No Sign of Slowing …



Letter Re: Long Haul Voice and Data Communications in a Post-Collapse Environment

Mr. Rawles; In the event of total meltdown, have you thought about using bulletin board systems (BBSes) as a means of communicating? If, and that could be a big if, the phone land lines were still operating, but ISPs were down, then a BBS would be a excellent way to keep folks informed. Pre-Internet I ran BBSes with multiple phone lines with great success. Just an idea. Also, while on that topic, has there been any discussion as to shortwave frequencies that you may support? Is there/are base stations set up for relays of news and information? A survival Net …


Letter Re: Comparing the Big Three Battle Rifle Chamberings in the United States

Jim, Regarding the comments from PPPP and Hugh D.: I couldn’t agree with them more! Both were exactly spot on! The person shooting is 99% of the equation. Training (and lots of it) is the most important aspect, and in the long run, will probably wind up being more expensive than the firearm itself (instruction, gas to the range, ammo consumption and cleaning supplies are just to name a few). I strongly urge your readers to partake in any excellent training afforded by professional institutes such as Front Sight, OnPoint Tactical, Suarez International, et al. If these locations are too …