Economics and Investing:

Lack of Economic Data Hiding True Health of Housing Market The Baltic Dry Index (for transoceanic shipping rates) is still in the dumpster. H.L. sent: As U.S. averts default, Japan and China brace for next dollar drama And for some humor: Hitler Learns About the Obamacare Exchanges Items from The Economatrix: The Sun Is Setting On Dollar Supremacy, And With It, American Power Gas Prices Could Dip Below $3 by Year-End Ron Paul Fears The Future Under Janet Yellen “Is Grim Indeed”


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader C.D.V. spotted this: 93-Year-Old Homesteader Living It Up In The Wilderness    o o o Former Army Captain William Swenson to receive Medal of Honor at White House    o o o Colorado Governor Hickenlooper tells gun-control groups to ‘stay away’    o o o Cato Institute: The NSA: Future Crime Unit (interview with Jim Harper)


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’S servant? Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not. The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and …


Notes from JWR:

I ‘m pleased to announce that another prize has been added to the First Prize package for the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The fine folks at Privacy Abroad in Switzerland are donating both a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) annual subscription and a DigitalSafe annual subscription.  With these, the prize winner will have a VPN tunnel, secure Swiss data storage, and a secure e-mail service.  These prizes have a combined value of $195. This addition brings the value of the First Prize package to $4,185, and the combined value of the top three prizes to $8,730! — Today is the …


Surviving The E.R., by J. in Montana

This article will focus on the latter half of the oft used phrase The End of the World As We Know It.  Operative portion being “As We Know It.” As an emergency room (ER) nurse, I have the perspective of seeing on a daily basis, for patients and family members of patients, the end of their world as they know it.  While the world keeps turning for everyone else, a tragic disaster unfolds for them and life will never be the same.  I offer this article from the perspective of one who has seen a wide range of traumatic events and people’s reaction …


Letter Re: Remembering Robert W. Ford

James, You recently mentioned the death of the late Robert W. Ford, in England. I highly recommend his book Wind Between The Worlds, his account of experiences in Tibet, captivity by the communist Chinese, and his fight against brainwashing. It is an inspiring story of mental resistance which makes you wonder how well you would have fared in his position. A free PDF is available to download. Regards, – Don in Oregon


Economics and Investing:

New Jersey Island Won’t Get Its Landlines Back After Sandy Because Copper Is Too Expensive. [JWR Adds: It might be less expensive for the phone company to provide a 3-watt PV panel and DC-to-DC phone charger for each customer!] K.A. and Michael C. both sent this Zero Hedge link: Foodstamp Program Shutdown Imminent? The global copper supply glut is expected to triple in 2014–showing that the economic depression is continuing. Items from The Economatrix: Debt Deadline Approaches: Here’s What Would Happen If U.S. Defaults This Is What Has The United States Truly Terrified Fitch Places U.S. on Rating Watch Negative, …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader H.L. sent: Drastic moose die-off puzzles scientists, but they have one main suspect    o o o B.B. forwarded this: US Senate Decisively Rejects U.N. Arms Trade Treaty    o o o Non-Participation As An Effective Weapon Against Tyranny    o o o Dry Ice Goes Boom.    o o o A Guide for Guarding Personal Information in the Workplace. (Thanks to R.B.S. for the link.)


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Yet, although history never quite repeats itself, and just because no development is inevitable, we can in a measure learn from the past to avoid a repetition of the same process. One need not be a prophet to be aware of impending dangers. An accidental combination of experience and interest will often reveal events to one man under aspects which few yet see.” – Friedrich A. Hayek, The Road to Serfdom


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) 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 $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 …


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 …