An Expatriate’s Experiences In The Philippines, by M.B.

I saw your blog’s recent article about expatriating to Panama, and thought I would throw in my own 2 cents worth regarding relocation to the Philippines. There were a bunch of things that made me reach my breaking point and expatriate.  In the beginning when I purchased my home here on the tropical island, It was economic. At first it was the crazy increases in home prices in the US.  I had the idea when I left the US in 2004 that I would work a couple years, come back to the desert southwest, and build a self sufficient home. …


Economics and Investing:

Number of U.S. expatriations reaches record high in 2013 US Treasury: Ramps Up The Zimbabwe Style Printing Press. (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link.) And speaking of Zim: Zimbabwean government demands cash from churches Items from The Economatrix: The Two-Income Trap For Americans: How Dual Income Households Are A Financial Necessity In A Time When The Median per capita wage is $27,000. U.S. Dollar and Treasury Bonds are Dead – Dr. Jim Willie


Odds ‘n Sods:

Thomas M. mentioned this source for some good data that dispels some myths: EMP Effects on Vehicles    o o o Reader K.A.F. suggested this: Providing Basic Sanitation    o o o Herbal Supplements Are Often Not What They Seem    o o o DHS has a month to release ‘Internet kill switch’ plans    o o o Armed citizens in small Georgia town help catch robbery suspect


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble." – Proverbs …


Notes from JWR:

One final reminder: On Saturday 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.) — Today we present another entry for Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $8,500+ worth of 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 …


The Philippines: The Stuff Has Indeed Hit the Fan by G.V.R.

I have been thinking about writing an article on what is going on in the Philippines since I first saw the news last Friday.  There is so much that I saw I realized that I would need to write far too many pages to explain it all.  But I will write a few.   I saw the news of Typhoon Yolanda, as it is called in the Philippines, live from PI.  They called it Typhoon Haiyan elsewhere.  I am married to a Pinay (a Filipina lady) and we get several of the Philippine television networks right here at home via …


Letter Re: Being Prepared to Homeschool

As a home-educated graduate and home school parent who happens to be a prepper, I have given a great deal of thought to homeschooling after a collapse as my children are not grown. There are those who are already home schoolers and those who have not and will not consider homeschooling unless there is a SHTF scenario. This article is written for the latter : those who would like to set aside educational materials for their children and their progeny in the care of a true SHTF scenario. While it would certainly be possible to buy a few workbooks at …


Three Letters Re: Your Retreat’s Privy

Jim, I just finished reading the article by Stephanie M. titled “Your Retreat’s Privy” and I’d like to add a couple of ideas. First off, let me start out by saying that I, along with my wife and 3 boys, live remote and off-grid here in Alaska. Our only form of a toilet is an outhouse, or as we call it here in Alaska, the Long Drop 🙂 The first suggestion I’d like to add to this article is if you live in colder climates, find yourself a piece of 1″ thick styrofoam and cut it out the same size …


Economics and Investing:

RBS: “The Fed Is Now Responsible For Monetizing A Record 70% Of All Net Bond Supply” Mike Maloney: Expect First Real Deflation, Then Hyperinflation Reader C.D.V. spotted this: Bill would outlaw U.S. dollar in Russia Items from The Economatrix: Richard Russell – Frightening Hyperinflation Coming To US Federal Reserve Whistleblower Tells America The REAL Reason For Quantitative Easing Three Warning Signs Of A Potential Bloodbath Ahead


Odds ‘n Sods:

I prefer using 20-round magazines in ARs, so that I can get in a comfortable low prone shooting position. (Prone shooting is the most accurate and also the least likely to get yourself killed, because you present a small silhouette to your opponents. But when prone, I’ve never liked the sensation of going “high center” on a long magazine. Not only is it distracting, but it also detracts from accurate shooting.) In my opinion, 30 and 40 rounders are only apropos for sustained firing when shooting from behind cover, such as from a sandbagged position or from inside a masonry …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“It’s the same old story. We’re told guns are responsible for murders and the ‘sour economy’ is responsible for a surge in robberies. Get real. Murderers are responsible for murders. The press likes the phrase gun violence. There are violent people but no such thing as violent guns. Likewise, robbers are responsible for robberies. It’s what they do. The economy, sour or otherwise, doesn’t commit robbery. Simple truth can be wrapped in delusions but it can’t be made complicated: criminals are responsible for crime. Hence the term ‘criminals’. Why suggest otherwise? What is society’s gain in these misdirections?” – Ol’ …


Notes from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $8,500+ worth of 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.) …


War Games, by Phil S.

The United States Military tests its capabilities and preparedness by exercising its systems, soldiers and supply chains in war games. [These include field training exercises (FTXes), Command Post Exercises (CPXes), and Mobilization Exercises (MOBEXes), Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercises (EDREs) and more.]  These war games are used to ensure that their personnel is trained and fit, that the hardware of every sort works as it was intended to work and that in times of duress their supply chain will provide the fighting men at the front what supplies they need in order to be victorious.  I have extended my preparations for …


Letter Re: Why Is Utah Not in the American Redoubt?

James, All your points regarding Utah being unsuitable [for inclusion as an American Redoubt state] are well taken, I would add only a few items and clarify one statement; The plain fact is the Mormon [LDS] church controls the political and economic conditions within the state and they have always wanted to expand that control to a national level. The majority follow (in my view) a completely wrong religious doctrine, in that they practice the corporate teachings of their church, which has very little to do with the Bible. I would also say when push comes to shove 99.9% of …


Letter Re: In Extremis, Compunctions Dwindle

Sir, I know that seeing this attitude is not news to you, but I read this article and thought it may be helpful for the SurvivalBlog readers as reinforces what you and others have long said: that all bets are off in regards to morality and standards by the average Joe who has gone without food for a few days. This tale of post-Typhoon Yolanda includes the gripping quote: “I am a decent person. But if you have not eaten in three days, you do shameful things to survive.”  In any event, I thought you might find the link useful. Thank …