Saturday, February 26, 2011

An interesting way to look at events in the Middle East

http://www.debka.com/article/20710/

Found this link on a political news site, and found it fairly interesting.  A completely different viewpoint than what you're hearing on the mainstream news.  Read through it and if you find yourself believing it is an accurate depiction of what's transpiring...  Well, you'll be very glad you are a survivalist. :)

Friday, February 25, 2011

Tiny houses.... Silly idea or something to think about?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/garden/24tiny.html?src=twrhp

I think from a preparedness viewpoint there could be a lot to learn from this idea.  Shelter is shelter is shelter...  Who knows if this will become a common trend in the near future, but there are some interesting aspects to this "mini-house" movement that dovetail nicely with the perspectives of survivalists. 

Interesting Survivalblog.com post regarding bank runs

http://www.survivalblog.com/2011/02/letter_re_a_bank_run_reality_c.html

Your humble podcast host once worked as a bank teller and I can tell you from my experience that what the above article says is true.  It's been a very long time since we've seen bank runs, at least in my country, but if something happens to drive people to pull their money...  watch out! 

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Web site dealing with primitive skills

http://www.primitiveways.com/

I just came across this web site dealing with numerous aspects of primitive methods of doing various life activities (making fire, etc.) and thought that it might be a good resource for listeners.  Obviously none of these are of any use unless you try them out and learn how to do them quickly and with relative ease.  With spring and summer (hopefully) on the way soon, might be as good a time as any to start planning that "survival campout"...

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

And this is why you store water....

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1489632/Eighty-per-cent-of-Christchurch-without-water

Just like Katrina...  Just like Haiti...  This is an illustration of why you need to have water supplies and a way to purify water.  And not all stored in one place (in case your house collapses).  A flat or two of water stored in your car might be a good situation along with a portable purification system, as you'll eventually run out no matter how much you store.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Another quake hits New Zealand

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41709359/

Oh my goodness.  That's twice in five months.  Those poor folks.  We can only hope and pray that the loss of life is kept to a minimum (this article says 65 fatalities to this point).  What a dreadful tragedy.  Our best wishes to those of you dealing with this traumatic event. 

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Unrest everywhere and the brewing civil war in Libya

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/20/unrest-morocco-iran-algeria-yemen-china

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12520586

Gas is already up to $3.50 in our neck of the woods.  Food prices have soared through the roof.  Libyan forces are firing machine guns into crowds.  Even China is starting to see scattered protests.

If you haven't become a survivalist/prepper by now you're just not paying attention. 

Friday, February 18, 2011

Twitter feeds and what's happening in Wisconsin

http://twitter.com/#search?q=wisconsin

Read these comments and then tell me whether or not we're heading for a crisis in this country.  You have operatives from the President's organization ("Organizing for America" is the same group as the 2008 "Obama for America") going into a sovereign state and fomenting some pretty serious unrest.  Some of the rhetoric is starting to grow quite heated on the ground and in online posts such as those on Twitter.  Please realize that I am not discussing this situation as a pro- or anti-union issue, but rather pointing out the possibility for significant escalation, perhaps in multiple states.  I told my wife a couple of weeks ago that what happened in Tunisia and Egypt could come to our shores if things play out in a certain way.

I am starting to believe more than ever that we could be heading for a civil crisis in this country, as predicted by people like Gerald Celente and Glenn Beck (I'm not a fan of either of their delivery styles, but they may be right on this one).

Keep prepping. 
(NOTE: This usefulness of this link will probably expire after a few days as often happens with Twitter links)

Thursday, February 17, 2011

The real unemployment picture is getting worse

http://www.gallup.com/poll/146147/Gallup-Finds-Unemployment-Mid-February.aspx

I read a poll a day or two ago that seemed to indicate the American people are not buying the notion of an economic recovery.  Maybe this is why?  (NOTE: This is one reason why I pay little heed to the official government numbers.  They appear to be completely and totally "massaged" these days for purely political purposes.  I've been watching it for some time and this Gallup Index seems to be a better picture of what's truly going on "out there", not to mention the anecdotal accounts I hear from people around me and via listener email.

More on the developing Wisconsin situation

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110217/ap_on_re_us/us_wisconsin_budget_unions

A couple of years ago I remember hearing Gerald Celente (a noted trends forecaster) talk about the sort of unrest we've seen in the Middle East.  He went so far as to say it could come to Europe and the US as well.
Looks like he might be correct.
An "austerity" movement (cutting government spending by drastic margins) is almost certain because of the dire financial positions states and even countries are finding themselves in.  Will we see the unrest that has occurred in other countries make its way here?
That is the billion dollar question, I suppose.

Do you have anything in your survival plan for dealing with deadly giant birds?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/8318367/Australians-hit-by-Cyclone-Yasi-warned-to-stay-away-from-deadly-giant-birds.html

Looks like if you're in certain parts of Australia, you should.  But on a serious note, one thing this points out is that people need to be able to think about threats they never considered possible.  Feral dogs running together in packs after a significant disaster?  What could the reintroduction of wolves to certain regions do in the long run?  How about cougars? (A potential problem in my part of the world...)  And so on.  Hopefully you get my point that aspects of the world around us we don't give a second thought could one day pose a threat that we haven't considered. 

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Largest solar flare in years headed for Earth

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/02/16/biggest-solar-flare-in-years-headed-for-earth/

I think I'll be doing a show soon on Coronal Mass Ejections and EMP effects.  Seems like the Sun is starting to kick things up a notch lately and since this storm is already supposed to be affecting China, who knows what we may see in coming months and years. 

Wisconsin governor to call in National Guard to deal with state employees?

http://www.wuwm.com/programs/news/view_news.php?articleid=7765

This part jumped out at me: "His plan calls for workers to lose nearly all their collective bargaining rights. State employees also would be required to pay more for pension and health care benefits."  Is it really possible that we might see civil unrest and the need to call out the National Guard as some of these states begin to implement emergency budget procedures?

Possible Mexican Military Incurions into the US?

http://www.krgv.com/news/local/story/Possible-Mexican-Military-Incursion-On-U-S-Soil/x_-oXhrE3Um61ytja1xnKg.cspx

I've wondered if we would would begin to see active operations of either Mexican military or the drug cartels on US soil.  It's probably already happening more than we think, but this is certainly something to keep an eye on.

Major Food Distributor Sysco: “Immediate Volatile Prices, Expected Limited Availability, and Mediocre Quality at Best”

http://www.shtfplan.com/commodities/major-food-distributor-sysco-immediate-volatile-prices-expected-limited-availability-and-mediocre-quality-at-best_02132011

Not good, folks.  Not good at all.  The issue of global food supplies and prices is a huge looming problem for geopolitics and the average person, especially in poorer countries.  You could even say that what's happening Egypt and the rest of the Middle East is a symptom of food prices. (Man, I sound like a worry-wort lately.  Sorry about that. Guess it's just all the crazy stuff happening in the world at large.)  :)

Well lookie here, Zinc really does help fight colds

http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_17398356

Sometimes survival and preparedness are about the simple things.  Such as, how do you deal with illness in day-to-day life, as well as in disaster situations?  Well, in my mind anything that makes you a little bit better prepared (in this case, healthier) is an advantage worth noting.  Looks like I'll be stocking up on Zinc lozenges again.... :)

Monday, February 14, 2011

And in Chip's neck of the woods... Mt. St. Helens starts to shake again

http://www.kgw.com/news/local/33-quake-hits-Mt-St-Helens-around-1030-am-116172814.html

You've heard me talk about this volcano and its impact on myself and family back in the early 80s.  In fact, it probably played a significant role in how my familiar first "got into" survivalism and preparedness. 
This is likely just one of those events that happens there occasionally, but still worth watching along with all the other crazy things in the world. :)

Heavy Snow in South Korea

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12445509

This is a winter that never seems to want to end, does it.  The article says that the military are out helping stranded citizens and it makes you wonder what plans are in place in that area for something like this.  If you are one of my listeners in South Korea drop me an email and let me know how you're making out.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Coming Global Superstorms... (Sounds like an Art Bell book and a good subject for a movie)

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/february042011/globaltemp.php


Superstorms can also cause certain societies, cultures or whole countries to collapse. Others may go to war with each other...

Not sure how much validity you want to give this article, but it's fascinating on a couple of different levels.  The comments are worth reading for the insight they offer into any sort of discussion along these lines.  

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Secretary of State Clinton calls diplomats home for historic meeting

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/48471.html

There's always the chance that this could mean nothing.  But after what has transpired over the past few years do you want to assume there's not an important reason why 260 ambassadors are coming home for a meeting?  Something to keep an eye on for certain...

Thursday, February 3, 2011

A great show to get kids thinking about prepping

I just watched this with my almost-5-yr-old son today.  I thought it was a good gateway for helping him understand a bit about preparedness and the podcast his daddy does.  I post it here as it might be useful for some of my listeners with young children.




Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Things are escalating in Egypt

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=206429


http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/02/egypt.world.reaction/

I've been watching developments in Egypt off and on today.  For good or for bad, we are watching history unfold in the Middle East.  I was playing with my kids this morning and the thought crossed my mind that the world they will grow up in is being formed today.   We should all pray for the peace of that region and learn what we can from what is transpiring there.  As survival/prepper folks there is much that can be taken away from these breathtaking events in Cairo and beyond.

Interesting idea for converting birdshot into slugs...

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/08/24/turning-birdshot-into-slugs-for-self-defense/

I came across this a while ago and happened upon a link to it today.  Before trying something like this make sure it's not contrary to any laws where you live.  That said...  If you're talking long-term disaster and you need something with more punch than birdshow, well this might be an option.  Just thought I'd share.... :)