Make Yourself Valuable After TEOTWAWKI, by Dalton M.

Most people spend time perfecting their bug-out bag, or their bug-in kit, ensuring they can adequately survive on their own in the event of a catastrophe here. Many envision themselves in the role of “Eli” from the recent movie The Book of Eli, a lone wanderer who fends for himself as he travels in a post-apocalyptic world. I am of the opinion, as are many true preppers, that it will take a community to not only survive, but to prosper in a TEOTWAWKI scenario. Let’s assume for a moment that your current neighborhood is not conducive to building that community, …


Two Letters Re: Motorcycle BOV

Jim: This video shows why motorcycles are the answer to rural mobility. The 11 minute video is of a road that was washed out by storms, apparently in Japan. Much of it is overgrown and vanishing and the motorcyclist has to dodge quite a few downed limbs. – InyoKern   James, I would like to thank Jeff H. for writing this article on the use of a motorcycle as a BOV as I was planning on doing the same in the near future.  He touched on quite a few very good topics.  But, from his submission, you can tell that …


Letter Re: List of Countries by Real Population Density

James Wesley: As they say in the radio world, “long time listener, first time caller”… First off, thank you for sharing your words of wisdom for those of us who aren’t prepared.  Admittedly, I am one of those fence-sitters, liking the idea of prepping but not having near enough money to start in that direction, let alone uproot the new wife farther from her family than we already are.  Nonetheless, your articles (and those by your contributors on SurvivalBlog.com) are eye-opening and help me remind myself that we are just a few small steps from something really bad. As to …


Economics and Investing:

Peter S. sent this prediction of housing market doom: Maybe no housing rebound for a generation: Shiller . In an another interview, he said: We Are in Age of ‘Late Great Depression’ Michael Pollaro: The Bernanke Bust, the why how and when The Results Are In: Conservative States Prosper, While Liberal States Decline. (Thanks to James C. for the link.) G.G. flagged this evidence that the Mother of All Bailouts (MOAB) is far from over: Senate votes to slow closing of post offices Items from The Economatrix: Gold Will Win Money War Derivatives:  The Unregulated Global Casino For Banks Two …


Odds ‘n Sods:

An update from Dr. Bob at Surviving Healthy: Change is Good? (The Missouri State Pharmacy Board has been hounding him, so he now must see each patient in person in Branson, Missouri.)    o o o Tim J. sent this article on post-Schumer aftermath: For 22 murder victims, Los Angeles Riots leave legacy of justice eluded.    o o o Anti-Bullying Speaker Curses Christian Teens. JWR’s Comment: Sounds like a bully to me…    o o o Reader Joe K. mentioned a survivalist novel called “A Distant Eden” available as an e-book, through Amazon.com. Joe’s comment: “For 99 cents this …



Pat’s Product Review: Montie Gear AR Rest

Over the past month or so, I’ve received quite a few requests from folks who want me to test and evaluate their products. I enjoy testing products for SurvivalBlog, and reporting back my findings to SurvivalBlog readers. Some of the companies that contact me, have a lot of questions, and I’m happy to answer them. Some companies ask me if I can guarantee that I’ll write an article on their products – and the answer is “yes.” Then, they ask me if I can guarantee them that the article will appear on SurvivalBlog – I refer them to Jim Rawles, …


Letter Re: Electric Cars and Bicycles

Sir: I had an epiphany a few years ago when I first viewed “Who Killed the Electric Car?” Since then, I’ve acquired several cars converted to electric and a Nissan Leaf. We bought our last tank of petroleum fuel in May of 2011. Recently, I’ve been pondering how the electric cars might be used as a backup source of electric power. The battery packs of the conversions are readily accessible and can provide almost 100 kwh of energy. The Leaf’s battery is not accessible at this time. Inverters that use the car’s DC voltage (120-156v) as input are available but …


Recipe of the Week:

Ray R.’s Chicken Stew We have a favorite soup recipe, made as follows: Chicken Stew 16 c Water – for a soup instead of a thick stew make this 20 to 24 cups – we use water from our Berkey filter since it tastes better. 16 tsp Knorr tomato/chicken bouillon – adds a great flavor. 25 oz boneless skinless chicken – this can be fresh, frozen, or home canned – it is about a quart of my home canned chicken. 1 c Dry pearled barley – we buy these in 25 lbs sacks at Restaurant Depot which we first learned …


Economics and Investing:

From G.G.: 45% Of Americans Will Probably Run Out Of Money By Their 75th Birthday Failed Illinois Governor Quinn: “Our Rendezvous With Reality Has Arrived”. (Kudos to B.B. for sending the link.) Bryan E. sent this: Congress steering US economy toward a ‘fiscal cliff’ Economy’s Biggest Drag Right Now is Government K.T. sent this: Missouri House Votes for Gold and Silver Tender Graham Summers, by way of Zero Hedge: Spain is About to Enter a Full-Scale Collapse Speaking of Spain, Peter S. sent this: S&P Lowers Spain’s Rating Items from The Economatrix: Sinclair – Shorts Now Trapped & Gold Could …


Odds ‘n Sods:

File under Emerging Threats: Inside The Ring–The Brotherhood Threat. They are now seriously talking about terrorist use of compact non-nuclear EMP weapons.    o o o James C. suggested this instructional video: How to Make Pinhole Glasses.    o o o Yet another biased study: What is the the Most Peaceful State in the Country? “The report assigned a ‘peace index’ to each state based on tabulated data that looked at the number of reported homicides, violent crimes, citizens serving time in prison and police staffing levels. It also measured the ability to access and purchase small guns.” JWR’s Comments: …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Again, thank you for inviting me. You have prepared food, so I will not be rude, I will stay and eat. Let’s have one good meal here. Let’s make it a feast. Then I ask you, I plead with you, I beg you all, walk out of here with me, never to come back. It’s the moral and ethical thing to do. Nothing good goes on in this place. Let’s lock the doors and leave the building to the spiders, moths and four-legged rats.” – Conclusion of Robert Wenzel’s April, 2012 speech delivered at the New York Federal Reserve Bank


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 40 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 any …


Motorcycle BOV, by Jeff H.

I have what I would consider three different Bug Out Vehicles (BOVs): a 4WD pickup, a 4WD SUV and a motorcycle.  The bike of coarse could be placed in the back of the pickup and unloaded somewhere down the road as needed thus greatly extending the range of either individually.  As far as BOVs are concerned there are many advantages to using a motorcycle.  One is good fuel mileage. Another is the ability to go around snarled traffic and other obstacles.  Disadvantages are lack of carrying capacity and the personal protection of being in a big heavy vehicle. As far …


Letter Re: Disasters and the Dreaded Multigenerational Scenario

Dear Jim, We have already seen how the largely bankrupt USA has dealt with the Hurricane Katrina disaster. New Orleans remains partially empty and its population is much lower. Those who had any money left when the hurricane was announced to hit. If they returned, it was to recover a few belongings and collect their insurance checks before ceding the property/ruin back to the FedGov/State. Surrounding areas where the Hurricane spent its fury have been abandoned. The wrecked 9th Ward of New Orleans was not rebuilt. Someday it will flood again, and this time with few people to complain, it will probably turn …