Jim’s Quote of the Day:

[Two men are fencing in a duel to the death] Inigo Montoya: You are wonderful! Man in Black: Thank you; I’ve worked hard to become so. Inigo Montoya: I admit it, you are better than I am. Man in Black: Then why are you smiling? Inigo Montoya: Because I know something you don’t know. Man in Black: And what is that? Inigo Montoya: I… am not left-handed! [Moves his sword to his right hand and gains an advantage] Man in Black: You are amazing! Inigo Montoya: I ought to be, after 20 years. Man in Black: Oh, there’s something I …


Note from JWR:

I’d appreciate getting a few more Quotes of the Day. (After more than two years of daily SurvivalBlog posts, my personal quote collection is running dry, although I suppose that I’ll never run out of useful Bible verses.) If any of you have some favorite quotes, please send them to me via e-mail. Thanks!


Four Letters Re: Extended Care of the Chronically Ill in TEOTWAWKI

Mr. Rawles: Every once in a while, at topic comes up that I feel somewhat qualified to comment on. I’ll offer some miscellaneous comments on Dave T’s letter and your thoughts on medicine WTSHTF, as posted on SurvivalBlog. This is not meant to be exhaustive, and of course may not apply to your particular situation. Since I can’t see you, its hard for me to diagnose you or give you specific advice. Disclaimers all ’round. Chronic renal failure: It may be worth learning to do peritoneal dialysis if you may have to help someone deal with this condition in a …


Odds ‘n Sods:

David B. suggested a “must read” article by Charles Hugh Smith: The Unintended Consequences of the Housing Bubble Bursting    o o o Student-Loan Problems Add to Debt Worry    o o o s SF suggested this TED talk: Thomas Barnett: The Pentagon’s new map for war and peace    o o o There is some insightful commentary from Alex Wallenwein posted over at Gold-Eagle.com: Credit ‘Crunch’ – or Credit Collapse?



Note from JWR:

The high bid is still at $250 in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction, for six items: 1.) a Katadyn Pocket water filter, (with a $200 retail value) 2.) a Watersafe field water test kit ( a $27 retail value), both donated by Ready Made Resources, 3.) A copy of the latest edition of “The Encyclopedia of Country Living” by the late Carla Emery (a $32 retail value) 4.) an autographed copy of my novel“Patriots” (a $23 retail value), 5.) an autographed copy of my nonfiction book “Rawles on Retreats and Relocation” (a $25 retail value), and 6.) a SurvivalBlog Logo Contractor/Operator …


Three Letters Re: More on Retrofitting CONEX Containers for Habitation

Jim: In Viet-Nam we used CONEXes as underground electronic shelters. A hole was excavated that allowed space between the side of the hole and the container. The hole was deep enough to allow the top of the container to be below ground. If needed the walls of the hole were sandbagged to prevent collapse. The container and hole were roofed over with support structure and then sandbags where laid over the top. If we were in an area that was subject to indirect fire, two ramps were dug down to the level of the floor with a dogleg in the …


Letter Re: LDS-Mandated Food Storage is Not Actually Widely Practiced

Hi, I enjoyed reading your Recommended Retreat Areas page. As a member of the LDS church [commonly called the Mormon church] who has lived for a long time in Utah I think your assessment of our attitude towards preparedness is too optimistic. (Sadly). I would agree that Utah is probably better prepared than any other area that I know of, but that’s not saying much. Only 3% to 5% of LDS families in Utah have a year’s supply of food. The majority of families practice no preparedness at all. The church used to strongly suggest at least a two year …


Letter From SurvivalBlog’s Brazilian Correspondent Re: New Ebola Strain in Africa

Jim, There has been another outbreak of Ebola in Uganda, that already has killed 25 people. It is funny (in a morbid way), but the “good news” that the specialists gave about this new Ebola strain: ” …Because of its scanty history, scientists have concluded that the strain is somewhat containable because it kills its victims faster than it can spread to new hosts…” Sometimes, people around tell to us, survivalists: you are always “over-reacting” to threats that maybe never happen. Well, look at the reason why some medical workers die: ” …The mysterious strain has so far infected 104 …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Plains states ice storm leaves 410,000 without power    o o o A reminder that BulletProofME.com‘s special free shipping offer just for SurvivalBlog readers, ends tomorrow (Wednesday, December 12th)    o o o Currie flagged this one for us: Mortgage Meltdown–Interest rate ‘freeze’ – the real story is fraud. Bankers pay lip service to families while scurrying to avert suits, prison    o o o SF in Hawaii mentioned a video clip on how to use a cordless drill motor as a battery charger.



Note from JWR:

Three days a ago we recognized Pearl Harbor Day. Tomorrow (December 11th) may be remembered as another “day that will live in infamy”–the day that the Fed torpedoed the US Dollar. You see, the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors is meeting again, and as I mentioned in the blog last week, it seems very likely that the Fed will cut interest rates again. If it is a 50 basis point (or larger) cut, then it could kick off another huge round of global Dollar-dumping, and we might see the USD Index plunge into the 60 range. Coincidentally, there will be …


Letter Re: Extended Care of the Chronically Ill in TEOTWAWKI

Hello Jim, I am a 10 Cent Challenge subscriber and have looked at your site daily — great job! I have a medical background and would advise readers to consider what gear they will need if a friend, relative or team member becomes ill, hurt, disabled etc. The basic first aid supplies will not provide the level of comfort et cetera needed. We are talking basic nursing care, not “first aid”. Take care, stay safe and God Bless! – Dave T. JWR Replies: Thanks for bringing that subject up again. Aside for fairly some brief mentions (such as photovoltaically-powered CPAP …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Economist Peter Schiff comments on the US “teaser” interest rate freeze: The Mother Of All Bad Ideas. FWIW, I agree with Schiff, and I’ve previously warned of the perils of government meddling with the free market.    o o o By way of the recently revamped SHTF Daily web site: Moody’s Report Predicts House Prices Seen falling 30 Percent    o o o The special sale at Ready Made Resources for their Deluxe pocket-sized survival tool kit will end soon–once their on-hand supplies have sold out. I highly recommend this kit. Someday it may save your life, or the life …