Letter Re: The Crown Victoria — an Unlikely Bugout Vehicle

Dear Editor: Here are some videos to ponder, for those guys who are building the “Ultimate Bug Out Vehicle.” Maybe this information should be filed under the general heading of “It isn’t the gun, it is the shooter”, or more precisely, “It isn’t the car, it is the driver.” Watch these videos. (I think the driver is just taking his dog out for a walk.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=KFwPXEeJ3aI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFwPXEeJ3aI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYIJpzo2RVY&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHvXi_HejnI&feature=related – K.B.S. in Way North Illinois


Economics and Investing:

Less than 900 days for hyperinflation in the US? A “Frightening Pattern” Indicate That We Are Heading To A Massive Economic Catastrophe Unlike Anything Ever Seen And Countdown Clock Is Quickly Approaching Zero Here it comes: Americans face $3,500 fiscal cliff tax hit Items from The Economatrix: Day of Rage in Greece as More Stringent Cuts Loom Eurozone Crisis:  Spain Inching Closer to a Meltdown Death Knells for the to Sharp Slowdown in Manufacturing Why Oil Prices are Likely to Slide Further


Odds ‘n Sods:

News from the Lost Cause that was once the glorious California Republic: Governor Brown signs law banning open carry of unloaded long guns. Concealed carry of handguns was banned in California in 1923. (One of many states to enact the “Uniform Act to Regulate the Sale and Possession of Firearms”–which was originally aimed at part in disarming “uppity” black World War I veterans.) Then, in 1967 open carry of loaded guns on public streets or in motor vehicles was banned (one of then Governor Ronald Reagan’s darkest days), out of fear of a few dozen “uppity” Black Panthers. More recently, …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“If we are that weak, just think of who wants to come here first and take us over, and the last thing I ever want to see is to see this country, our country taken over because we’re so financially weak we can’t do anything and we’re moving in that direction. … We could even lose our country if we don’t get this fixed and straightened out and nobody that’s running [for public office] really talks about it, about what we have to do and why we have to do it. They would prefer not to have it discussed.” – …


Note from JWR:

Today we present the first entry for Round 43 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, 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 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for …


The End Game, by M.W.A.

Preparedness, planning, survival… Words we heed and respect as part of our every day lives for the past few years and for some, the past couple of decades. We know not what the event will be, or if the SHTF will be a multi-pronged crisis. We just know that WTSHTF is inevitable and addressing basic needs is an absolute must. Preparation starts by accumulating the rudimentary elements of survival: food, water, shelter, medical supplies, security, survival skills and a basic reactionary plan. We research and consume information through articles, books and web sites dedicated to different skills and techniques of …


Letter Re: Advice on Home Purchase: Minimize or Maximize Mortgage?

Dear James, I really enjoy your blog and try to read it every day. My husband and I live in New Jersey. We just sold our house in May and are renting for a year while we try to figure out where to move next. Unfortunately, our home lost a lot of equity so we only have $55,000 to use towards our next house. Do you believe it is better to pay cash for a house or is it wise to get a mortgage since interest rates are so low? Our original plan was to buy our next home with …


News From The American Redoubt:

For newcomers to SurvivalBlog, here is my primer on the geography and philosophy of The American Redoubt    o o o Combine demolition derby renews BSU-UI rivalry    o o o Wyoming rig count down three: The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. remained unchanged this week at 1,864. And in related news: Red states equal green jobs.    o o o Notice a great big hole in this map of school districts where teachers have been caught cheating on standardized tests? Yes, it is the American Redoubt. Well, to my chagrin there …


Economics and Investing:

W.C.P. suggested this video: Why the U.S. Federal Budget CANNOT be Balanced. RBS sent another video link: America’s Book of Secrets – Fort Knox H.L. sent: Cronyism Is Destroying Spain’s Future Items from The Economatrix: Deleveraging from One Bubble to Another Bernanke is Now a Kamikaze Pilot Panic Cash Withdrawals in Spain Drain Banks; Greece-style Economic Implosion Now Imminent What Key Shipping Index Signals About the Economy


Odds ‘n Sods:

H.L. suggested this: Meet the largest [private] landowner in America    o o o Dentist Dr. Tom Loomis will be teaching another two-day Field Dentistry Class, in Sweetwater, Tennessee on Nov. 30, and Dec. 1, 2012. Enrollment is limited to just 12 students. The class costs $400 per person. To register, send $200 by check or money order to Tom Loomis DDS, P.O. Box 510, Sweetwater, TN 37874. Phone number: 423-371-1073, or e-mail: tom.loomis@yahoo.com The class will be held at the Magnuson Hotel in Sweetwater at exit 60 off of Interstate 75. Rooms are $35 plus tax if you ask for …



Prizes Awarded — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

We’ve completed the judging for Round 42 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize goes to Dan in Alabama for Make Your Own Retort Style Charcoal, which was posted on September 19, 2012. He will receive: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, 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 …


Pat’s Product Review: Spartan Blades Horkos

I’ve been around knives all my life, and I’ve literally had thousands of knives pass through my hands. For about 18 years I wrote for Knives Illustrated magazine, and for several years, I was the West Coast Field Editor at Knives Illustrated. During the course of my duties, I had the opportunity to tour a number of knife factories and companies, to see how knives are manufactured and designed. To be sure, I’ve designed quite a few knives myself over the years, and had them produced by custom knife makers, as well as factory produced versions. So, I believe my …


Mahaffey’s Book Review: Bugging Out to Nowhere

Bugging Out to Nowhere a novel by Paylie Roberts  (ISBN 9781470010447 Published in June, 2012.)  “During the height of economic collapse in the US, Rachel and Tom flee for the countryside a day too late. With the comforts of city life unlikely to be seen again, they are determined to survive on their own out in the middle of nowhere.”  (From the jacket cover) This fictional work is told from the first person perspective, set in the very near future. Rachel and Tom are ordinary folks just trying to make ends meet. They struggle with everyday needs while preparing for what …


Letter Re: Food Stockpiling is a Lifestyle

Dear JWR: Stockpiling food has been performed for centuries.  Our earliest ancestors were hunter gatherers.  If they didn’t save up food for the winter, their existence would most certainly be doomed.  It has been recorded that in hard times throughout history people have re-learned preservation techniques that would ensure their survival for the months and years ahead.  I believe we are in a similar trend at the moment. Most everyone has a reasonable supply of food in the pantry for convenience purposes.  On the other hand some people, like our neighbors who we have affectionately named the “Pod People”, exist …