Economics and Investing:

FDIC Disowns Geithner Embarrassment. (Thanks to “Word” for the link.)

Morris suggested an editorial about the coming collapse in commercial real estate by Doug Hornig of Casey Research: De Nile is not just a river in Egypt

G.S. liked this: The gun that beat inflation; Commentary: How the Colt Peacemaker outshone gold. [JWR Adds: And you can’t shoot a burglar with a Krugerrand. Well, maybe you could with a Wrist Rocket, but that would take some explaining, in court.]

Items from The Economatrix:

Fed: GMAC to Receive More Bailout Money

Sprint Plans to Cut Up to 2,500 Jobs

Economists Seek to Fix a Data Defect That Overstates the Nation’s Vigor

Harmony in G-20 Starting to Unravel

UK: Financial Mess Isn’t Even at the End of the Beginning

Daddy, If Incomes are Down, Where is All the Economic Spending Coming From?

The New Faces of Day Labor

Landing a Job is Like Getting into Harvard

Odds ‘n Sods:

Joshua K. suggested this free instructional video: How to make your own powdered eggs.

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Several readers suggested this article: Blackout raises doubts over Brazil infrastructure. Reader Steven W. noted: “Knowing how fragile our grid system is, I thought the readers would find this article on yesterday’s power outage in Brazil interesting, especially the note about gunmen robbing people en masse, in Rio.. I work for a Brazilian company and have been to both Rio and Sao Paulo and can tell you they are not safe under normal circumstances and I cannot imagine what really happened during the blackout.”

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Ron B. sent me the link to some commentary from novelist Ralph Peters: Fort Hood’s 9/11.

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Chicago Mayor Daley Blames Fort Hood on America’s Love of Guns! One of the first few comments was priceless: “Does he blame 9/11 on a love of planes?” Perhaps Daley would like to disarm the US Army and just teach them how to use taunts, harsh language, and projected farm animals.

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"The mania for giving the Government power to meddle with the private affairs of cities or citizens is likely to cause endless trouble, through the rivalry of schools and creeds that are anxious to obtain official recognition, and there is great danger that our people will lose our independence of thought and action which is the cause of much of our greatness, and sink into the helplessness of the Frenchman or German who expects his government to feed him when hungry, clothe him when naked, to prescribe when his child may be born and when he may die, and, in time, to regulate every act of humanity from the cradle to the tomb, including the manner in which he may seek future admission to paradise." – Mark Twain

Notes from JWR:

Today, 11/11, is Veteran’s Day in the US (aka Remembrance Day or Poppy Day in Canada), when we honor the hundreds of thousands of men that have selflessly served, and often bled and died, in the defense of our Republic. If you have a relative that served, please send them a thank you note or e-mail, or give them a call , to thank them for their service.

—

In response to my recent comment about the Federal Tax credit available for some electric vehicles, where I mentioned Eco E ATVs and Bad Boy Buggies, I received this contributed article. Although it is essentially promotional, it includes some very useful information. Please note that I have not made an endorsement of any particular brand. Do your own research on the specifications, reliability, and relative merits of electric ATVs from different makers! Take note of the Dec. 31st deadline to make a purchase and take delivery, and get verification in writing that the model you choose has been certified as eligible for the tax credit!

Solar Electric Vehicles for TEOTWAWKI, by Pete Montgomery

Having been a “prepper” for more than 25 years, growing up in Florida where you had to be prepared for the inevitable annual hurricane, I have experienced many powerful storms, with the associated loss of power and the joy of waiting in line for gasoline. These experiences have cultivated a growing interest in solar power and how it relates to providing power in an emergency situation. Until recently photovoltaic (PV) power solutions were out of reach and electric transportation was just a pipe dream. I always wished that I could have a motor vehicle that didn’t depend on the “grid” for its power, i.e. gas, diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol, etc. With recent advances in PV technology and electric vehicle technologies, that wish is now a reality.

In the mind of the “prepper”, PV power has always been a viable means of providing power to his or her retreat, dating back as far as the early 1970s. Early visionaries put largely inefficient banks of PV panels on their homes or barns to utilize the sun’s endless power. However, back then, the primary drawback was the enormous price tag and limited power that first generation PV panels produced.  Until recently PV options have remained principally out of reach; however, with the advancements in solar technology and falling prices, as well as tremendous increase in quality and efficiency of PV panels, energy directly from the sun is now reliable and affordable for the average consumer.

With never-to-be-seen-again Federal Tax incentives, PVs are certainly worth a closer look.  Just think of the uses for solar on the family farm/retreat or even the home in the suburbs.  Power the well, produce all the power needed for the home and sell what you don’t need back to the grid for peak prices.  The uses are virtually endless around the home but what about getting around on the homestead? Why not take advantage of the sun’s limitless power with the vehicle you drive?I’m not talking about those fancy space-age looking gizmos that you’ve seen gliding along on the Salt Flats someplace in Utah. We have developed something more functional and far more cost effective for the average person or family that wants an alternative means of transportation.

The new PV vehicles that are being produced by several manufacturers in the US are classified by the IRS as Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs), most of which can be used on any road, meaning, any public road that is posted 35 mph or under and allowed by local ordinances.  These LSVs are quickly gaining national attention and are completely “Street Legal”. Likewise, there is an “off-road” or ATV classification of the LSV, which can be driven on or off-road while still qualifying as a “Street Legal” LSV. You must be a licensed driver to operate a LSV on any public roadway.

The uses for this type of vehicle on the retreat are endless, not to mention they are a lot of fun to drive. What’s even better is the “fill up” is free; all you have to do is park your LSV in the sun to let it recharge, free of charge. [JWR Adds: Keep in mind, however, that it would take more than two days of full sun to recharge a LSV’s batteries that have been deeply discharged. Also, like any other lead-acid deep cycle battery bank, you will need to buy a new set of batteries once every 4 to 7 years, because of inevitable sulfation.]     

This year I had the opportunity to go to work for Long Drive Solar, LLC a company that markets and sells street legal, PV electric hybrid, low speed vehicles (LSVs) for “on-road” and “off-road” use. As long as you have sunlight, you have reliable transportation.

The product line starts with vehicles that may appear similar to a standard golf cart all the way up to 24-seat trams. These vehicles are powered by strong 5.5 horsepower motors, use Curtis charge controllers and a powerful 48-volt battery bank with eight large 6 VDC batteries, (8-Trojan T-145s, producing 260 amp hours), self-adjusting drum brakes, turn signals, headlights, taillights, brake lights, horn, seat belts, and DOT-appoved windshields.  The factory installed 210 or 230 watt solar panel is state-of-the-art, giving you higher performance, greater range, and substantially longer operating time between battery charges. Long Drive Solar has a wide range of on and off-road tires for just about any terrain or environment. Every vehicle has a 120 VAC plug-in charger, in case you ever need a conventional charge. However, under normal usage, you’ll find that the sun is all you need to keep your vehicle fully charged and ready to go.

Options include just about anything you can think of including AM/FM radio, CD player, wood grain trim, etc. But the one that I like the best is the 12 VDC to 120 VAC power inverter. This lets you have a 110 power outlet anywhere you can take the vehicle, as the solar panel acts as your own personal portable generator.  Most models sold by Long Drive Solar have been certified by the IRS and are GSA approved.

So what’s the difference between a standard golf cart and a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV)?  Golf carts are not street legal [in most jurisdictions], and most have a top speed of around 10 mph, whereas the LSVs (by law) must travel between 20 and 25 mph.  The golf cart motor is normally just 3 horsepower, while our LSVs are 5.5 horsepower, and up. There are many additional difference, so when you go to buy your LSV, make sure you get the right vehicle for your money.      

Long Drive Solar has several models to choose from but the one that works best for a retreat application is unquestionably the Scout.  The Scout is designed for on or off-road or trail use. It has 8” ground clearance to the axles, and an unusually-high 19″ ground clearance to the bottom of the deck, off-road knobby tires, brush guards/bumper, front basket, and top rack (if you don’t use solar, however, I strongly suggest the solar option). The Scout comes in 2, 4, and 6 seat configurations and can also have a box body on the back for hauling hay, firewood, garden produce, or other items.  This is clearly the way to go for a rural retreat.

One of the most frequently asked questions is how far and how fast will these vehicles go. As previously stated, to qualify as an LSV, the vehicle must go between 20 and 25 mph. As to “how far”, most standard golf carts have a range of about 20 miles on a single charge. Our LSVs are constantly charging the batteries through the solar panel and have an average range of 80-100 miles [in a day] on a single charge.  That mileage may vary depending on terrain and driving conditions.  Either way, you can count on a minimum of at least a 30% increase in performance.  I’ve driven the one I have for several months and I have never had to “plug it in”, not once.

Federal and State Tax Credits
With the Federal and State governments pushing to implement “green technologies”, this opportunity is just right for those interested in buying a vehicle that is a self-sustaining, affordable means of transportation. Although a vehicle like this costs between $7,000 to $10,000 dollars (with a solar top), thanks to Uncle Sam and your local State government you get an early Christmas present in the form of huge Tax Credits. Depending on which State you live in, you could get your “dream-come-true” off-road vehicle for a net cost of zero; that’s right, zero.  If you happen to live in Oklahoma, you have the ability to capture up to 120% of the actual cost. Yes, you can actually make money by purchasing one of these vehicles. Other states, like Georgia, Hawaii, and Florida benefit in the 70-80% Tax Credit range. Go to www.dsireusa.org and http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ to find out what your State offers as Tax Credits.

Note that the largest part of the Federal Tax Credits expire on December 31, 2009 and will likely mot be renewed, therefore, all electric vehicles must be purchased no later than December 31, 2009, to take advantage of this tax credit. Individual State Tax Credits vary, some end at the end of this year, while others extend until 2015. Please check with your local State Tax Commission on the time lines.

So where can you buy your LSV?
Here’s where I get to plug our company and some of our competition. If you go to our web site LongDriveSolar.com, you can find a lot of good info and can take a look at some of our products.  Long Drive Solar has its corporate offices in Atlanta, Georgia. We also have a large Dealership in Oklahoma City and dealer representatives located throughout the US. Please give us a call or contact us online. Some of the other companies that provide quality products are Tomberlin Vehicles, Eco E ATV, Bad Boy Buggies and several others.  Note: Long Drive Solar is the only company in the US that sells a factory installed solar system on most models of their LSVs.

Beware before you buy: When you go to buy your vehicle, make sure that your dealer provides you with certification from the IRS that their vehicle (and specifically the model you are buying) qualifies for the Federal and State Tax Credits. Make sure you check with your tax accountant regarding any paperwork you will need to get from the dealer, so that you can legally take advantage of the tax credits.

One other important note: All electric vehicles are not created equal with respect to the Federal tax credits. The IRS has many different levels of tax credits on the same vehicle. The amount of credit depends on the amp rating of the battery bank; the higher the amp rating, the higher the credit, so make sure you’re getting the most power and the highest available tax credit for your dollar.

For those of you that lean toward the “green movement”, and believe me I’m all for renewable energy, these vehicles can help with your LEEDS certification points as well as helping to offset your personal carbon footprint.

If you have always wanted a reliable means of transportation with a renewable source of energy it would be well worth your time to take a look at the new forms of sustainable transportation on the market today, as well as the once-in-a-lifetime Tax Credits that could make your solar vehicle absolutely free [after you complete your taxes for 2009]. Believe me, my solar LSV was looking mighty fine when gas was pushing $5 per gallon.

From my perspective this type of transportation is something to consider. Just remember, do your homework and buy the best you can afford because one day your life may depend on what you have invested in.

If you would like to learn more about any of the products or technology talked about here please feel free to contact me at: pmontgomery@longdrivesolar.com

Two Letters Re: Maintaining OPSEC in a Geographically Extended Retreat Group

James,
An idea for maintaining security: One could setup and run their own IP telephone server and use encrypted IP phones to communicate amongst their group. Asterisk is an example of an open source telephony server that runs on Linux. The server must be connected to the internet and has to be made specifically aware of the particular encrypted phones that the group uses. The phones must also have Internet connections. The entire comm channel is encrypted. If the server can be kept secure, then I think there is no point in the channel that is subject to monitoring. If someone were able to piece together all of the IP packets for a particular conversation they would then have to break the encryption.

I have not proven this out in any way, but to my understanding this could be a solution. Keep up the good work. – Michael W.

Sir,
Concerning the post, “Letter Re: Maintaining OPSEC in a Geographically Extended Retreat Group,” one answer might by Skype. Video calls need not be used, calls can be made from computer to computer or computer to phone, and conference calling is possible. For some details on encryption see this article. With Very Kind Regards, – Suburban Survivalist

Economics and Investing:

Flaw in US Data Overstates Growth, Productivity. (Thanks to Garth for the link.)

Jonathan H. sent this from The Wall Street Journal: Three Decades of Subsidized Risk

K.T. sent this: CNBC – Dollar Will be Utterly Destroyed, Global Currency, New World Order

Bobbie-Sue spotted this interview: Peter Schiff: The Government Chose Wrong. Here comes inflation!

Items from The Economatrix:

Dollar Down Again as G-20 Backs On-Going Stimulus

Stock Volatility Sign of Aging Bull?

UK: Zombies Lurking On Every High Street

Credit Card Firms Hurry to Raise Rates

Now Ex-CitiGroup Boss Becomes A Glass-Steagall Convert

BoE Says Financiers are Fueling an Economic “Doom Loop”

When Economists Get Nasty

Banks Gone Wild

Crisis Compels Economists to Reach for New Paradigm

Odds ‘n Sods:

Damon recommended this tutorial written by a university professor: Beginning Cheesemaking.

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Tom at Camping Survival (one of our loyal advertisers) has announced a special “Overstock Giveaway”, just for SurvivalBlog readers. Only the first five readers that respond via e-mail will receive a FREE Coghlan’s C Tech Wireless Weather Station. Here is a description: “This device lets you keep an eye on the weather conditions and trends. The high-impact body with rubberized finish is weather-resistant for reliable service in outdoor environments. Includes a long-lasting lithium battery and includes a lanyard cord for carrying. The detachable wireless sensor has a 100-foot range, providing you with ample placement options. This item also features a display with weather icons and trend graph which will relay future weather predictions based on the preceding 8-hour time period. The temperature can be displayed in either Celsius or Fahrenheit and the thermometer has a min/max temperature function for both indoors and outdoors. Integrated hygrometer provides relative humidity percentage, which is helpful in determining the heat index. Also provides clock functions which works on a 12 or 24 hour format with an alarm features. The integrated calendar display shows day, date, month and year. These retail for $34.” Thanks, Tom!

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Reader Michael D. mentioned the Solar Ovens web page.

 

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"You have never lived until you have almost died. For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the protected will never know." – An unattributed quote, penned on a C-ration box for display at a Marine Corps command post, Khe Sahn, South Vietnam, during the 77-day siege in 1968

Letter Re: Food Storage–of Mice and Moths

Mr. Rawles,
I’m writing both a thank you and a warning. First, thank you, thank you, for putting together the “Rawles Gets You Ready” family preparedness course. By getting almost all of our storage food at Sam’s Club and packaging it ourselves in 6-gallon “super pail” food storage buckets, we saved hundreds dollars, versus buying commercially-packed storage food. That alone made the course worthwhile. (Not to mention the ton of other useful information it includes.) I have also loaned our course binder to both my sister and to my sister-in-law, so the course has also gotten triple the mileage!

Now here is the warning part, for SurvivalBlog readers: When we bought most of our food (in the Fall of ’08), we didn’t have quite enough buckets to fit it all. So I thought, “Well, I’ll just leave out those bags of rice, spelt, beans, pasta, and use them up first, before we use what’s in the buckets.” Logical, right? Well, a couple of weeks ago, I got into the back of our pantry, and pulled out a 5-pound bag of rice, from the top of the back row [on the shelves]. It spilled all over the floor A mouse had eaten a hole in the back end of it. Then I looked more closely, and I found out that a family of mice had built their house, behind a wall of plastic-bagged and cardboard box[ed] food! They even made a bed out of food and some fluffy material (probably furniture stuffing, I haven’t located that destruction yet). And not to just be content with opening a few bags, they chewed holes in almost all of the bags! So as my kids and I were cleaning up the mess–nearly filling a plastic garbage can, I found that among the few bags and boxes that the mice hadn’t penetrated, some moths had. There were weevils! I was practically in tears, ready to scream. So I had to throw out nearly everything else that wasn’t in the thick buckets. Crumb!

The good news is that the mice and moths did not get into any of the stack of big [6-gallon] pails that we had stored with the dry ice [CO2 packing] method you taught in the course. (Which is 90 percent of the food we had stored.) So we learned a valuable lesson, and luckily not too costly a one. Mostly just a big, sickening mess. I just wish that I had taken your advice and put all of it in the pails. I have found, that just like you said, the Gamma Seal screw lids make it very easy to get into the buckets on a regular basis. If I had just bought a few more buckets and Gamma Seal lids, I could have avoided all that waste, mess, and clean-up time. Y’ all learn from my mistake, people.

Thanks again or sharing your wisdom and knowledge! – Jessica in Raleigh, North Carolina (Still Learning!)

Letter Re: Maintaining OPSEC in a Geographically Extended Retreat Group

My Dear Brother in Christ,
Before I get to my question my wife and I would like to express our sympathy (a overused word I now but heart felt) at the loss of your partner and our sister in Christ. I know there is joy to be had for her being with Jesus but the loss is still felt by you and your kids and our prayers are with you.

Now my main question. Do you have any ideas regarding security with it comes to putting a group together where the potential members are separated to the extent that it is impossible for them to get together on a regular basis to formulate ideas and plans? The concern over theories that “Big Brother” is out there listening to every phone call or reading every e-mail for certain phrases causes some people to balk at the idea of conference calls. What are you thoughts.
Thank you and God Bless, In Christ, – G.S.

JWR Replies: I was reluctant to post your e-mail and this reply, for fear that it might be misconstrued by someone that is new to SurvivalBlog. (Since we’ve never advocated doing anything illegal, but posts on security might erroneously lead newcomers to think that we have “something to hide.”) With that said, since operational security (OPSEC) is a concern for many readers, here goes: Beyond a cell structure, such as those used by resistance groups, and avoidance of paper trails, bit trails, “cookie crumbs”, and using the phone, there are no perfect solutions. Just don’t recruit anyone into your prepping group that might do anything illegal. You have little to fear, as long as all of your preps are legal. That is, unless “hoarding” (by someone else’s definition) someday becomes a crime. But just on principal, you should exercise discretion, and utilize plenty of OPSEC and communications security (COMSEC).

For extended groups, to avoid a bit trail, hard copy letters that are distributed via snail mail in a circular rotation might work–since we live in the era of inexpensive photocopying. (“Circular letters”.) Each letter is given a number, and each addenda that is eventually tacked on is given a letter. Subsequent letters can reference the content of earlier ones. (“As mentioned in Letter 2-A…”)

Be discreet and proceed with prayer. And it won’t hurt to memorize Psalm 91.

Economics and Investing:

Raymond sent this New York Times piece: Inside The Global Frenzy For Gold

Several readers sent this: Gold price hits record high as dollar wanes. JWR’s advice: Wait until the next profit-taking dip in precious metals, but then invest in silver, not gold. (I anticipate that silver may dip to as low as $12 per ounce, a proportionately much deeper drop, than gold. Watch the silver-to-gold price ratio closely! In the long term, the value of silver will gain versus gold, since silver is being consumed–and not reclaimed–from industrial use. (Nearly all gold is reclaimed, but an incredible amount of silver ends up in landfills.)

“Oxy” liked this article: The Next Big Bubble?

Items from The Economatrix:

AIG Taps Another $2.1 Billion from US for ILFC Share Purchase

Calderon Says Mexico No Longer in Recession

Mexico Faces Possible Downgrade After Tax Bill

World Unemployment Up Despite Economic Recovery

Japan PM: The State of the Economy is Severe

Japanese Shares Close Down 2.31% Over Doubts of US Recovery

Bank of Japan Begins Gradual Pullout of Credit Markets

Odds ‘n Sods:

Jeff B. flagged this from ABC: Massachusetts family of six lives off $4 per week for food. Coupon clipping pays off! For anyone on a low income: If you have the time, but not the cash, then this is one way to stock your larder. (With our Search Posts on SurvivalBlog box, enter the word “coupons” to find previous articles with links to online printable coupons and discount codes, such as this one.)

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Jim W. and Norman both suggested this 60 Minutes segment about a former US spy chief’s dire warning about the vulnerability of America’s power grids: Sabotaging the System.

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Zach F. and Cheryl both mentioned this piece: How Safe Is Your Safe-Deposit Box?

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Bridget sent us another installment on the growth of Nanny State Britannia: Now safety police want to check all our smoke alarms. Britons: If you haven’t caught the clue yet, now is the time to Take The Gap!

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Of all contrivances for cheating the laboring classes of mankind, none has been more effective than that which deludes them with paper money." – Daniel Webster

Note from JWR:

The special sale price on the “Rawles Gets You Ready” family preparedness course from Arbogast Publishing began Friday night, and will run until November 30th. Just the first folks that order will also get a free copy of my book “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It“, so order soon! The course is designed to get a family’s food storage squared away in a hurry, by stocking up on bulks foods, most efficiently a “big box” store such as a COSTCO. Oh, and speaking of COSTCO, my new book is now being sold there (for around $12), and is featured in their latest “COSTCO Connection” member newsletter. The sale ends on November 30th. But again, the free copies of my book “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It” won’t last nearly that long.