We Have Lost Our Way, by An Optimist in the Redoubt

This may inflame some folks, but for others I hope it jogs our brain cells to ask, how did we get to this spot, and why are we of this prepper mindset? Think back to the early sixties (if you can), 6th grade in sunny California, and unlike my folks who suffered through the Great Depression, life was good.  NY Yankees’ Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris were hitting away, trying to break the Babe’s home run record.  Every kid in my school played ball, at every opportunity, and you carried your glove with you, everywhere…it was a mark of boyhood. …


Letter Re: Gluten Free Foods at COSTCO

Dear Mr. Rawles, I follow you via RSS and have purchases your past archives from Amazon. Following the advice in your blog, I just got done on COSTCO.com purchasing some gluten free meal kits. I find it amazing they have these for people with food allergies and yet at rock bottom prices (even with the non-member surcharge.) I will sleep much better at night for my wife, 17 month old daughter and myself. God Bless you and thank you for your wealth of resources! Thanks! – Andy P. JWR Replies: As I highlighted in the Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness …


Economics and Investing:

The Wall Street Journal reports: Uneasy Investors Sell Billions in Treasurys. (Thanks to Robert L. for the link.) Tim J. sent: Food Prices Could Rise if the Country Hits the Debt Ceiling Items from The Economatrix: Marc Faber Warns “There Is No Safe Haven” The “Aggregation Of Rackets” That American Life Has Become Is Rolling Over There Is No Question That We Are Now In The End Game


Odds ‘n Sods:

A man who is a living legend wrote this review: Reading List: Expatriates. I feel honored that this brilliant man enjoyed my book and took the time to write a review. (John Walker is the founder of Autodesk, Inc. and co-author of the widely-used AutoCAD software.)    o o o A reminder: On November 16, 2013, I will be a featured guest speaker (via teleseminar) at the Charlotte, North Carolina Back To The Basics convention. (Formerly known as Charlotte PrepCon.)    o o o Reader Rich R. mentioned this in The Washington Post: NSA collects millions of e-mail address books …



Notes from JWR:

Today we welcome our newest advertiser: Montie Gear. Some of their fine products were reviewed favorably by SurvivalBlog’s Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio, in July of 2012, and in June of 2013. — Featured today is a guest article by Joel Ho, the founder of an engineering firm that specializes in EMP protection.


Preparing for EMP and DEW — A Layman’s Guide, by Joel Ho

As and engineer and founder of an EMP protection startup company , I wanted to explain some EMP basics and also educate readers about current Directed Energy Weapons (DEW.) Qualifications: My team has developed the first EMP simulator-tested laptop EMP shield that lets you protect and use your laptop (including wireless.) So, over the past year, we’ve learned firsthand what’s true and what’s not regarding radio frequencies. All subjects mentioned are the opinion of MobileSec Solutions LLC but not legally binding.   General Overview Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is generated usually when a nuclear device is detonated in the upper atmosphere. …


Letter Re: The Inflationary Handwriting on the Wall

To SurvivalBlog Readers: I have gone back and read or skimmed the archives of every entry in SurvivalBlog since it’s inception in 2005. I’m sure that anyone who has read even a small portion of this excellent resource has come to realize that a means of self-protection is critical in a SHTF situation and that firearms are the primary tool to that end. To those that may not yet be aware, many popular types of ammunition have been scarce and have become more expensive and attempts by the government to regulate sales and possession of ammunition are becoming more frequent. …


Economics and Investing:

Here it comes! The IMF Proposes A 10% Supertax On All Eurozone Household Savings. Americans should be forewarned. We too need to minimize our bank deposits and shift into tangibles investing. (Thanks to “Beekeeper” for the link.) C.D.V. sent this: Fitch puts US AAA rating on rating watch negative Nobel Prize U.S. winner warns of ‘bubbly’ global home prices Items from The Economatrix: 22 Reasons To Be Concerned About The U.S. Economy As We Head Into The Holiday Season The US cannot avoid a soft default even if a hard default is avoided: Debt ceiling already breached and US Treasury …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Arthur S. sent the link to an interesting “clock” showing worldwide births and deaths, in real time.    o o o Randy F. wrote to note: “As if made by the TEOTWAWKI crowd,  National Geographic is going to premiere the [docudrama] movie Blackout on October 27, 2013. It is about the effects of a total grid failure blackout in America after a cyber attack.  They follow the travails on a young family expecting a second child any minute, a yuppie couple in NYC, a group of college students stuck in their dorm, a prepper family of four, a teenage …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour." – Winston S. Churchill


Notes from JWR:

Several readers mentioned this: EBT card food stamp recipients ransack Wal-Mart stores, stealing carts full of food during federal computer glitch. Keep in mind: A nationwide grid power failure would also mean a nationwide EBT card system failure. If and when this happens, it will not be pretty. For further perspective, see this over at Ace of Spades HQ: I saw DOOM drinking a piña colada at Trader Vic’s and his hair was perfect. And the always insightful Karl Denninger had these comments: No, I Will Not Help, Donate, Or Continue. At 1:20 PM Central Time today, I will interviewed …


Second Chances, by Dirt Surgeon

Introductory Note: I originally composed this story in August of 2011 just months after our family went through a devastating event.  At the time of writing the essay was short, sweet and to the point.  I have reconstructed my family’s journey of the past 24 months to the present. Thanks for all that you and others do by sharing information, educating and inspiring the thought process. It is my hope that this short family history will provoke some to think about their lifestyle, what is important and the effect an event like this has on a family. Four years ago …


Letter Re: EBT Card Chaos Parallels “The Wayward Journey”

Hi James, I just came across the news story about some EBT cards to have apparently unlimited balances leading to the almost cleaning out of a Wal-Mart before the computer glitch was corrected. I bring this up because it is a near perfect parallel to the situation Nathan Hale Jefferson put in “The Wayward Journey” which I reviewed several months back.  He deserves a pat on the back for anticipating this. – Harry


Letter Re: Some Stump Burning Advice

Mr. Rawles, Here is a way to efficiently burn stumps: 1.  Get a 55 gallon steel drum 2.  Remove both the top and bottom 3.  Cut some holes in the lower sides from ground level to about 1/3 the way up. 4.  Place the barrel sleeve over a stump.  Put a few crumpled-up paper sacks soaked in diesel fuel in the bottom and close to some of the holes. Pile all your wood debris in the barrel.  5.  Light the sacks. [The barrel .sleeve contains the heat, creates a draft, and keeps the wood fuel from rolling off.] 6.  Every couple …