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 …


Letter Re: Sport Shooting for Preppers

James, Another thought on going beyond training day in and day out on firearm proficiency. Besides joining a club, hunting is a great way to practice firearms proficiency. There is the obvious aspect of practical shooting, especially when chasing small game and birds but even large game hunting is illustrative. Most people (including myself with five years active duty experience and the associated firearms training) rarely ever shoot at a live moving target. Shooting at a walking elk at 200 yards is a whole lot different than punching holes in paper. I thought I was good and what can be …


Economics and Investing:

Sue C. sent us this: Jim Rogers: US Looks Headed for Recession, Stock Crash in 2013 Also from Sue, this Reuters article: Britain in recession, intensifying government woes Jon in Montana spotted this: Detroit Mayor Bing’s proposed budget slashes government services by 50%. Jon asks: “Is this a sign of things to come, across the country?    John Grgurich: Spain is Struggling with its Debt, and You Should be Worried Items from The Economatrix: New IMF Figures Show at Current Rate Central Banks Will Buy Almost 700 Tonnes of Gold this Year Gas Prices Seen Headed Lower at Pump State …


Odds ‘n Sods:

M.E.S. wrote to mention that he likes the many do-it-yourself ideas at the Penny Wise – Homemade and Handy web page.    o o o Lynn G. sent this news article from England: Carpenter Builds Incredible Egg-shaped Treehouse Hidden From View on Crown Land    o o o R.W. sent something of interest to homeschoolers: University of Minnesota Launches Review Project For Open Textbooks    o o o Richard H. liked this at LifeHacker: DIY Gravity Water Filter.    o o o This has been mentioned once before in SurvivalBlog, but bears repeating: Making a 45-day emergency candle out of …



Note from JWR:

Today we present two more entries 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 …


What to Do With It, After It Hits the Fan, by Elizabeth J.

In Arizona a disgruntled city employee, upset with budget cuts made in 2011, manually shut down numerous valves to a large city plant. His goal was to build up enough methane gas to blow up a quarter city block.  Luckily, two hours after shutting off the valves he surrendered with no damage to the plant, and citizens were not affected by the protest.  What if there had been damage to the plant? It is time to think about these things.  After the poo hits the fan, it keeps coming! So now the question is, what are we going to with …


Letter Re: Low-Cost Knives for Long-Term Survival

James, To follow up on M.B.’s article: I use the 12″ Tramontina machete all the time.  Using a hacksaw to make it more pointed, I dropped the point 7/16″ and put a 1 3/4″ long false edge on top with a 1/8″ wide bevel, and this shortened the blade to about 11 3/8.” It was easy to get the top edge perfectly straight with a file. This drop point makes it an effective stabber without weakening the blade.   The cutting edge was sharpened with a double cut bastard file, then a single cut smooth file to put a 1/8″ bevel …


Economics and Investing:

Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: Europe faces Japan syndrome as credit demand implodes C.D.V. liked this Wall Street Journal piece: The Great California Exodus The young and the jobless – Half of bachelor’s degree-holders under the age of 25 are unemployed or underemployed, in the US. Social Security short fall highlights deeper reality of economy. Pierre M. sent this: De Borchgrave: Geneva gnome’s global dread Items from The Economatrix: Russia and Mexico Both Buy Nearly $1 Billion in Gold in March 22 Red Flags that Indicate that Very Serious Doom is Coming For Global Financial Markets What Happens When All the Money Vanishes …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Bob G. suggested three great how-to articles, over at Homestead Revival: Homemade Liquid Handsoap, Homemade Dishwasher Soap, and Homemade Laundry Soap.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson recommended a Woods Wise video showing a fire bow drill, using all natural materials.    o o o In case you missed this: A Perfect Solar Superstorm: The 1859 Carrington Event. (Thanks to J. McC. for the reminder.)    o o o Kana suggested Roy Underhill’s television show The Woodwright. He has done 28 seasons of entertaining traditional woodworking, including tool making. These episodes will soon be released …