Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Put It On Plastic? Gambling with Survival
How close are we to a catastrophic economic event?
In the words of the immortal Yogi Berra: "Predicting is difficult; particularly about the future." Just because you believe the end is near doesn't mean you should stock up on green bananas. Better to stock up on the foods that you normally eat with long term storage potential and rotate your stock. Most canned goods nowadays have the "best if sold by" date printed right on the can. . It's not unusual for canned goods to have expiration dates of more than a year out and, if stored in a cool dry place, they can be safely consumed even after many years.
Also, honey is a nutritious food source and (sealed) honey stores virtually forever.In addition to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties locally produced honey tends to immunize against local allergies.
As an added bonus most micro-organisms do not grow in honey making it an impromptu topical antibacterial agent as long as water is kept away from the wound which makes it a good ointment for rashes and burns. Honey can also be used to help soothe sore throats.
Is there anything we individuals can do to prevent the coming crisis?
Look, you're in the same position as a passenger on the bow of the Titanic on that fateful night just before it struck the iceberg. You are not a member of the crew and therefore are not qualified to see the iceberg. The helmsman will not heed your advice and the officer of the watch won't wake the captain with your warning. You'd best begin thinking about an alternative mode of transportation.
You've probably noticed there aren't enough lifeboats so depending on the authorities for salvation will be problematical. A wooden stateroom door doesn't provide the comforts of a lifeboat, but it floats.
Have you selected your door? The water's cold so you'll need something to tie yourself to the door with. Got rope?
Getting away from the seafaring analogies, when things go to hell in a hand basket there'll be a shortage of hand baskets. Having your own hand basket will mean you not only don't have to stand in line to get one, but you'll be helping the team effort by not being in that line and thus putting that much less strain on the over stretched and stressed hand basket providers.
Whether you shelter in place (most likely for most people) or make a run for it you'll need water, food and medicine which brings us to the next question: How ya' gunn'a get all this stuff?
Getting back to the hand basket analogy; given a crisis developing over a period of days there'll most likely be a rush to buy food and camping supplies. We've seen it all before; the weather bureau forecasts a blizzard or hurricane and the nightly news shows video of empty store shelves and people lined up at cash registers with carts full of bottled water, food, tools and supplies. You don't want to be in that line unless you're just topping off.
Why not? Since nobody knows when the tipping point will arrive why not wait till the last minute and then max out the credit cards and sit safe and secure in your chosen hideaway as the world unravels around you smug in the knowledge that the credit card bills will never come?
What makes you so sure the stores will be accepting credit cards or even open for business? Hurricanes and blizzards are local events for which merchants are happy to put survival supplies on plastic because the merchants know that when the storm is over the credit card company will still be around to pay them. But what if they aren't? Or what if the merchants fear they may not be?
Perception is reality at least insofar as we react to it and a radioactive hole in midtown Manhattan or even just a dirty bomb in the Bronx would likely cause the banks who sponsor credit card companies and the merchants who get paid by them to put the kibosh on credit until things get sorted out. But there are physical reasons you don't want to base your survival plans on plastic.
It wouldn't take a mountain sized meteor melting Montreal to put plastic survival plans in the potty. When we ran our store something as trivial as a lightning strike on a power pole would take whole sections of the city (and our credit card machines) down. The Northeast and New York City Blackouts in 1965, 1977 and 2003 made cash king for the durations.
And then there's the prospect of sabotage of our national electrical grid, Internet or banking industry infrastructure to worry about.
No, I'll stock up on food and forgo the opportunity to join the desperate mobs of looters left holding a wallet full of useless plastic when the pantry is empty.
To Comment on this article E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Would Canadian dollars circulate in the US as a replacement currency?
Given the stability issues of the American dollar would foreign currencies like the Canadian (CAD), affectionately called the "Loonie" by Canadians, or Australian (AUD) dollar or even the Swiss Frank (CHF) become substitutes for the fading US dollar?
I imagine Canadian dollars (CAD) will begin bleeding across the border more frequently and permanently soon after the American dollar (USD) becomes worth less (note I said "worth less" not worthless) than its northern counterpart. But the real penetration of the Loonie into the southern states will come with the realization that the condition isn't temporary and that the USD is approaching near worthlessness.
Residents on both sides of the Canadian/US border are used to the daily fluctuations in the exchange rate of the CAD vs. USD and take it in stride often trying to take advantage of the situation by shopping on the side of the border that gives them the best bang for the buck (or Loonie as the case may be).
Look at the "EXCHANGE RATES" chart at the bottom left of the page. The "CAD/USD" rate is the one we're talking about.
If the Loonie catches on as a unit of exchange vis-à-vis the greenback in the USA the demand will be tremendous. The government of Canada provides physical money (cash & coins) for a population of less than 35 million people. The population of the United States is over 300 million. It is with good reason that they refer to us as "The Giant to the South" among other less flattering terms.
There would be pressure on the Canadian government to increase it physical money supply, but doing so would decrease the fiscal health of the Loonie. In a country experiencing hyperinflation the news that the foreign currency they were coming to depend upon was ramping up the printing presses might undermine the value of the Loonie here too.
Australia isn't eager to accept hordes of penniless refugees either. However I've been told that remotely opening a bank account there is possible contact: Addy Cheong Business Manager, Westpac Business Banking, Westpac Banking Corp.
addycheong@westpac.com.au
There'd be little problem adapting to Australian English but getting there would be a long swim.
Switzerland is famous for it's clocks, cheese, chocolate and desire to stay Swiss. I've been told that opening a bank account in Switzerland requires a visit in person and a search for a Swiss bank willing to accept American deposits. Although most Swiss speak some English you'd be at a distinct disadvantage, language wise, there.
One solution might be to have an account in Canada, in Loonies, in a Canadian bank. Even now Canada requires some means of self support for immigrants I imagine those rules will get more stringent if a crisis unfolds.
Canada has (from their point of view) the disadvantage of speaking the same language (except Quebec) as us and being so close to the American hordes. If it comes to that I think getting in early would be preferable.
Of course there's the little matter of taking what you have with you with you if you must immigrate in a hurry. The most commonly considered vehicles of cross border wealth transportation are gold & silver bars, diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
The liquidity of these items is debatable. Unless you "know people" establishing the value (or even the authenticity) of precious stones, gold or silver bars might be problematical. Still Diamonds were one way some Jews smuggled their wealth out of Nazi hands.
In a crisis situation it'll be hard to get change for a gold bar or one carat diamond when buying a loaf of bread. Even a one ounce Krugerrand may be too much.
For what it's worth, my opinion is that gold and gems would be best for carrying wealth across national borders. Silver coins are much less portable in significant quantities but would be useful for stay-at-homes buying groceries in a TEOTWAWKI situation.
Survival sites traditionally recommend booze as "trade goods" for "survival situations" meaning hard liquor because Beer and cigarettes don't store well for long periods.
Yes Jim Beam and Johnny Walker would make good long term bunker buddies as would other brand name whiskies as long as you don't partake of too much the merchandise before trading time.
For medium term trade goods consider over the counter medicines. Most have about a year's shelf life (it's printed on the side of the bottle) and I've been told by a Special Forces medic that most over the counter medicines are useable (albeit with somewhat inhibited efficacy) long after the "sell by" date if stored in a cool dry place. I keep a year's supply on hand of each of the over the counter medicines we use and plan to stock up with several years worth if given a chance when the balloon goes up.
To Comment on this article
E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
I imagine Canadian dollars (CAD) will begin bleeding across the border more frequently and permanently soon after the American dollar (USD) becomes worth less (note I said "worth less" not worthless) than its northern counterpart. But the real penetration of the Loonie into the southern states will come with the realization that the condition isn't temporary and that the USD is approaching near worthlessness.
Residents on both sides of the Canadian/US border are used to the daily fluctuations in the exchange rate of the CAD vs. USD and take it in stride often trying to take advantage of the situation by shopping on the side of the border that gives them the best bang for the buck (or Loonie as the case may be).
Look at the "EXCHANGE RATES" chart at the bottom left of the page. The "CAD/USD" rate is the one we're talking about.
If the Loonie catches on as a unit of exchange vis-à-vis the greenback in the USA the demand will be tremendous. The government of Canada provides physical money (cash & coins) for a population of less than 35 million people. The population of the United States is over 300 million. It is with good reason that they refer to us as "The Giant to the South" among other less flattering terms.
There would be pressure on the Canadian government to increase it physical money supply, but doing so would decrease the fiscal health of the Loonie. In a country experiencing hyperinflation the news that the foreign currency they were coming to depend upon was ramping up the printing presses might undermine the value of the Loonie here too.
Australia isn't eager to accept hordes of penniless refugees either. However I've been told that remotely opening a bank account there is possible contact: Addy Cheong Business Manager, Westpac Business Banking, Westpac Banking Corp.
addycheong@westpac.com.au
There'd be little problem adapting to Australian English but getting there would be a long swim.
Switzerland is famous for it's clocks, cheese, chocolate and desire to stay Swiss. I've been told that opening a bank account in Switzerland requires a visit in person and a search for a Swiss bank willing to accept American deposits. Although most Swiss speak some English you'd be at a distinct disadvantage, language wise, there.
One solution might be to have an account in Canada, in Loonies, in a Canadian bank. Even now Canada requires some means of self support for immigrants I imagine those rules will get more stringent if a crisis unfolds.
Canada has (from their point of view) the disadvantage of speaking the same language (except Quebec) as us and being so close to the American hordes. If it comes to that I think getting in early would be preferable.
Of course there's the little matter of taking what you have with you with you if you must immigrate in a hurry. The most commonly considered vehicles of cross border wealth transportation are gold & silver bars, diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
The liquidity of these items is debatable. Unless you "know people" establishing the value (or even the authenticity) of precious stones, gold or silver bars might be problematical. Still Diamonds were one way some Jews smuggled their wealth out of Nazi hands.
In a crisis situation it'll be hard to get change for a gold bar or one carat diamond when buying a loaf of bread. Even a one ounce Krugerrand may be too much.
For what it's worth, my opinion is that gold and gems would be best for carrying wealth across national borders. Silver coins are much less portable in significant quantities but would be useful for stay-at-homes buying groceries in a TEOTWAWKI situation.
Survival sites traditionally recommend booze as "trade goods" for "survival situations" meaning hard liquor because Beer and cigarettes don't store well for long periods.
Yes Jim Beam and Johnny Walker would make good long term bunker buddies as would other brand name whiskies as long as you don't partake of too much the merchandise before trading time.
For medium term trade goods consider over the counter medicines. Most have about a year's shelf life (it's printed on the side of the bottle) and I've been told by a Special Forces medic that most over the counter medicines are useable (albeit with somewhat inhibited efficacy) long after the "sell by" date if stored in a cool dry place. I keep a year's supply on hand of each of the over the counter medicines we use and plan to stock up with several years worth if given a chance when the balloon goes up.
To Comment on this article
E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
Monday, August 9, 2010
One handed reloading of the semi-auto pistol
I recently fielded a question on another board:
"I was told you cannot use an automatic with the left hand, especially changing a clip. I never thought of this. Does anyone make a Left handed automatic? Is a custom conversion even thinkable?"
(The question reminded me that many people don't know much about guns in general or pistols in particular so I threw a few explanatory and illustrative links into my answer.)
My answer:
Whoever told you that didn't know what they were talking about. I've shot many left (weak) hand only stages at combat pistol matches with my M1911A1 (1) Browning .45 ACP caliber semi-automatic pistols. Thousands of pistol shooters fire regular off the shelf semi-auto pistols left handed every day.
Also, it's called a magazine, NOT a "clip" because the magazine surrounds the cartridges on five sides. The Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) has what is commonly called a "box magazine" because the magazine extends below the rifle. The M-1 Garand rifle and many European pistols use clips which merely "clip" the cartridges together.
Most semi-auto pistols have the magazine enclosed within the grip of the pistol when firing and are just referred to as magazines.
Many M1911 type pistols have ambidextrous thumb safeties so that's no problem for lefties if they remember to buy the right (pun intended ;-) gun. Also there are ways to fleck the thumb safety on and off with only the left hand on M1911 type pistols that I won't go into here, but they should be able to learn to do it safely from any competent firearms instructor.
To avoid the thumb safety issue altogether with Semi-automatic pistol buy a Glock pistol which has the safety in the trigger.
To change the magazine using only one hand (left or right) on a semi-auto pistol do this:
My preferred way to reload with just one hand:
Note this guy may get dirt in his muzzle:
(There are other methods that work but that I consider them to be less safe.)
If you're going to practice this maneuver be sure to do so with an unloaded gun and magazines for the first ten times or so until you're sure you're doing it safely and keeping the Muzzle pointed away from you at all times.
(1) M1911A1
(There are literally uncountable numbers of auto pistols based on Browning's design. If you've ever fired an automatic pistol chances are, no matter who made it, it was based on Browning's design.)
If you wish to try this technique do so with an unloaded (check three times) gun and magazines!
OH and one more thing!
Be sure to practice with an unloaded gun and magazines!
To Comment on this article E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
"I was told you cannot use an automatic with the left hand, especially changing a clip. I never thought of this. Does anyone make a Left handed automatic? Is a custom conversion even thinkable?"
(The question reminded me that many people don't know much about guns in general or pistols in particular so I threw a few explanatory and illustrative links into my answer.)
My answer:
Whoever told you that didn't know what they were talking about. I've shot many left (weak) hand only stages at combat pistol matches with my M1911A1 (1) Browning .45 ACP caliber semi-automatic pistols. Thousands of pistol shooters fire regular off the shelf semi-auto pistols left handed every day.
Also, it's called a magazine, NOT a "clip" because the magazine surrounds the cartridges on five sides. The Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) has what is commonly called a "box magazine" because the magazine extends below the rifle. The M-1 Garand rifle and many European pistols use clips which merely "clip" the cartridges together.
Most semi-auto pistols have the magazine enclosed within the grip of the pistol when firing and are just referred to as magazines.
Many M1911 type pistols have ambidextrous thumb safeties so that's no problem for lefties if they remember to buy the right (pun intended ;-) gun. Also there are ways to fleck the thumb safety on and off with only the left hand on M1911 type pistols that I won't go into here, but they should be able to learn to do it safely from any competent firearms instructor.
To avoid the thumb safety issue altogether with Semi-automatic pistol buy a Glock pistol which has the safety in the trigger.
To change the magazine using only one hand (left or right) on a semi-auto pistol do this:
My preferred way to reload with just one hand:
Note this guy may get dirt in his muzzle:
(There are other methods that work but that I consider them to be less safe.)
If you're going to practice this maneuver be sure to do so with an unloaded gun and magazines for the first ten times or so until you're sure you're doing it safely and keeping the Muzzle pointed away from you at all times.
(1) M1911A1
(There are literally uncountable numbers of auto pistols based on Browning's design. If you've ever fired an automatic pistol chances are, no matter who made it, it was based on Browning's design.)
If you wish to try this technique do so with an unloaded (check three times) gun and magazines!
OH and one more thing!
Be sure to practice with an unloaded gun and magazines!
To Comment on this article E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Dual Survival vs. Man vs. Wild
[Note, I've revised the knife portions of this post to reflect the ongoing influx of information on Cody and Dave's knives as the tools used change from show to show.]
I've been meaning to post something here about that new survival show Dual Survival staring Dave Canterbury; Army-trained scout, sniper, hunter who often carries a parkerized multi tool or sheath knife and barefoot minimalist, primitive skills expert Cody Lundin who carries a "Swiss Army Rock" (a knapped handheld hunk of flint or obsidian) and (probably) a Mora knife on a loop around his neck.
Their show is similar to Bear Grylls' Man vs. Wild which was also on the Discovery Channel.
Bear's modus operandi is to tell you how dangerous doing something is and that you should never do it; and then show you how to do it.
Dave & Cody just do it and after it's all over explain that they never should have done it because it's so dangerous.
Both shows are geared for ratings with survival tips thrown into the adventures.
The bits of survival technique are worthy of watching, just be sure to pay attention to the caveats.
None of these guys wears a boonie hat which would be the best way to shade the head, face and neck from sun, rain and falling debris. I guess the hat's wide brim makes it hard to light the faces for the cameras.
Bear's claim to fame is doing stupid dangerous things and eating rotting animals.
Cody's claim to fame is that he hasn't worn shoes in 20 years (although he did fudge a bit by wearing wool socks on a glacier and capitulated into sandals made from car tires when two inch cactus spines punctured his need to "be in touch with nature" in the desert.)
Dave's claim to fame is to eschew Cody's veggies & bugs in favor of "four legged furry food" which he is proficient at catching and adroitly killing.
None of the survival stars has plugged any particular knife on the shows although Bear has used a sheath knife we don't get enough of a look at it to tell what brand it is. Bear has since come out with his own custom made survival sheath knife.
Both Bear and Dave have used multi-tools on their shows to good effect (although not showing the full potential of these multiple tool tools). Cody's Mora knife is the essence of his minimalist survival technique but lacks the (so far undisclosed) versatility of Bear & Dave's multiple bladed knives.
Given my druthers I'd much prefer a genuine Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman brand multi-tool over the single blade of a Mora knife.
In a message dated 7/28/2010 2:07:04 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, serge writes:
"What did you think about Les Stroud when he was still active in the survival business?
I do recall that Les always relyed on a multitool and always carried some sort of fire starting device, like a magnesium fire starter or a fire piston.
About Dave Canterburys knife, he seems to carry the pathfinder made by Blind Horse Knives. As soon as the word got out, the pathfinder went up in price by $200.00!!
Cheers,
Serge"
Serge,
I haven't thought about Les Stroud much since his show went off the air here in the states. I just Googled him and see that he currently has a show on OLN a Canadian cable network.
Although Les is less exciting then Bear, I always thought of Les Stroud as more of a survival teacher than Bear Grylls was on Man vs. Wild. Bear was more showman than instructor. Someone alone in the wilderness following Grylls' flamboyant examples would likely end up at the bottom of a cliff; a broken boned skeleton.
I believe the knife makers (Swiss Army, Leatherman and the custom knife makers) missed out when they failed (were they ever asked?) to sponsor or advertise on the "survivor" shows.
Google agrees with you about Dave Canterbury's sheath knife as seen on Dual Survival.
Custom knives, like luxury cars, are expensive and their finer points will likely be appreciated mostly by aficionados. Any quality knife (A.G. Russell, Buck, Case, CRKT, Camillus, Leatherman, SOG, and Swiss Army etc.) will do a journeyman job skinning game; shaving tinder, whittling kindling or carving notches in trap triggers etc.
Dave
-------------
To Comment on this article
E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
I've been meaning to post something here about that new survival show Dual Survival staring Dave Canterbury; Army-trained scout, sniper, hunter who often carries a parkerized multi tool or sheath knife and barefoot minimalist, primitive skills expert Cody Lundin who carries a "Swiss Army Rock" (a knapped handheld hunk of flint or obsidian) and (probably) a Mora knife on a loop around his neck.
Their show is similar to Bear Grylls' Man vs. Wild which was also on the Discovery Channel.
Bear's modus operandi is to tell you how dangerous doing something is and that you should never do it; and then show you how to do it.
Dave & Cody just do it and after it's all over explain that they never should have done it because it's so dangerous.
Both shows are geared for ratings with survival tips thrown into the adventures.
The bits of survival technique are worthy of watching, just be sure to pay attention to the caveats.
None of these guys wears a boonie hat which would be the best way to shade the head, face and neck from sun, rain and falling debris. I guess the hat's wide brim makes it hard to light the faces for the cameras.
Bear's claim to fame is doing stupid dangerous things and eating rotting animals.
Cody's claim to fame is that he hasn't worn shoes in 20 years (although he did fudge a bit by wearing wool socks on a glacier and capitulated into sandals made from car tires when two inch cactus spines punctured his need to "be in touch with nature" in the desert.)
Dave's claim to fame is to eschew Cody's veggies & bugs in favor of "four legged furry food" which he is proficient at catching and adroitly killing.
None of the survival stars has plugged any particular knife on the shows although Bear has used a sheath knife we don't get enough of a look at it to tell what brand it is. Bear has since come out with his own custom made survival sheath knife.
Both Bear and Dave have used multi-tools on their shows to good effect (although not showing the full potential of these multiple tool tools). Cody's Mora knife is the essence of his minimalist survival technique but lacks the (so far undisclosed) versatility of Bear & Dave's multiple bladed knives.
Given my druthers I'd much prefer a genuine Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman brand multi-tool over the single blade of a Mora knife.
In a message dated 7/28/2010 2:07:04 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, serge writes:
"What did you think about Les Stroud when he was still active in the survival business?
I do recall that Les always relyed on a multitool and always carried some sort of fire starting device, like a magnesium fire starter or a fire piston.
About Dave Canterburys knife, he seems to carry the pathfinder made by Blind Horse Knives. As soon as the word got out, the pathfinder went up in price by $200.00!!
Cheers,
Serge"
Serge,
I haven't thought about Les Stroud much since his show went off the air here in the states. I just Googled him and see that he currently has a show on OLN a Canadian cable network.
Although Les is less exciting then Bear, I always thought of Les Stroud as more of a survival teacher than Bear Grylls was on Man vs. Wild. Bear was more showman than instructor. Someone alone in the wilderness following Grylls' flamboyant examples would likely end up at the bottom of a cliff; a broken boned skeleton.
I believe the knife makers (Swiss Army, Leatherman and the custom knife makers) missed out when they failed (were they ever asked?) to sponsor or advertise on the "survivor" shows.
Google agrees with you about Dave Canterbury's sheath knife as seen on Dual Survival.
Custom knives, like luxury cars, are expensive and their finer points will likely be appreciated mostly by aficionados. Any quality knife (A.G. Russell, Buck, Case, CRKT, Camillus, Leatherman, SOG, and Swiss Army etc.) will do a journeyman job skinning game; shaving tinder, whittling kindling or carving notches in trap triggers etc.
Dave
-------------
To Comment on this article
E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
We do not steer the ship
I wrote this responding to a post over on the METAR board. The person I was responding to had postulated that we (the American public) were at least in part responsible for the housing bubble/bank crisis that we're still recovering from. I was pointing out that we little people as individuals have little to say about which way the higher-ups sail the ship. And now to quote my favorite author:
Er... Maybe but you've got to remember we were in the position of a passenger at the bow of the RMS Titanic shortly before midnight on the 14th of April, 1912 who has figured out that an iceberg is dead ahead*.
What'ya gunn'a do? Ask the purser to wake Captain Smith so you can give him your opinion of his chosen course? Do you think the helmsman would obey orders from a mere passenger? What're ya' gunn'a DO?
After the first mate has refused to wake the captain** and the threatened to call the master-at-arms if you continue to scare your fellow passengers what're ya' gunn'a DO?
Should you:
A. Rearrange the deck chairs so that everyone can get a good view of the collision.
B.Go into the casino and start taking bets on whether the ship will sink (Act as the bank and accept only cash (no coins)).
C. Realize that things are going to happen despite your best efforts and take responsibility for saving yourself and safeguarding your family. Then go to the ship's kitchen, grab an ice pick and go about punching the pins out of hinges on all the wooden stateroom doors so the doors*** can be used as floatation devices.
* dead ahead
** Ever call the White House or on of your elected representatives? Do you think your message went any further than the staffer responsible for picking the correct form letter to send you?
*** I read an account of one of the Titanic's lifeboats wherein an "oriental man" was found clinging to a wooden door having tied himself to it after the ship sank. Doubtless he knew that because of the "morals" of the day he would be denied a seat in any of the lifeboats and so (thinking outside the box) took matters, and the door, into his own hands. He survived.
Desert ( When not in use, a Halkett boat's hull could be worn as a cloak or used as a blanket, its oar used as a walking stick and its sail as an umbrella.) Dave
To Comment on this article
E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
Er... Maybe but you've got to remember we were in the position of a passenger at the bow of the RMS Titanic shortly before midnight on the 14th of April, 1912 who has figured out that an iceberg is dead ahead*.
What'ya gunn'a do? Ask the purser to wake Captain Smith so you can give him your opinion of his chosen course? Do you think the helmsman would obey orders from a mere passenger? What're ya' gunn'a DO?
After the first mate has refused to wake the captain** and the threatened to call the master-at-arms if you continue to scare your fellow passengers what're ya' gunn'a DO?
Should you:
A. Rearrange the deck chairs so that everyone can get a good view of the collision.
B.Go into the casino and start taking bets on whether the ship will sink (Act as the bank and accept only cash (no coins)).
C. Realize that things are going to happen despite your best efforts and take responsibility for saving yourself and safeguarding your family. Then go to the ship's kitchen, grab an ice pick and go about punching the pins out of hinges on all the wooden stateroom doors so the doors*** can be used as floatation devices.
* dead ahead
** Ever call the White House or on of your elected representatives? Do you think your message went any further than the staffer responsible for picking the correct form letter to send you?
*** I read an account of one of the Titanic's lifeboats wherein an "oriental man" was found clinging to a wooden door having tied himself to it after the ship sank. Doubtless he knew that because of the "morals" of the day he would be denied a seat in any of the lifeboats and so (thinking outside the box) took matters, and the door, into his own hands. He survived.
Desert ( When not in use, a Halkett boat's hull could be worn as a cloak or used as a blanket, its oar used as a walking stick and its sail as an umbrella.) Dave
To Comment on this article
E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Prepper vs. Survivalist (a bit of humor)
I found some of these on survivalist web sites and made up a few. If you have any you'd like to contribute there's a link at the bottom of this article.
A Prepper has a SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
A Survivalist has a BOV (Bug Out Vehicle)
A Prepper can peel a potato.
A Survivalist can skin a beaver.
A Prepper has a GPS
A Survivalist has a compass.
A Prepper keeps extra food in a spare room.
A Survivalist keeps a year's worth of food plus heirloom seeds in a bunker.
A Prepper has a weapon for each member of the household.
A Survivalist has an arsenal for each member of the household, plus spares.
A Prepper saves restaurant matchbooks and Bic lighters.
A Survivalist can make fire rubbing sticks together, with flint & steel, with a bow drill & board, magnesium & knife, bottom of an aluminum can, magnifying glass ...
A Prepper has a Swiss Army knife and a complete set of kitchen knives.
A Survivalist lists: a Bowie knife, a dagger, a skinning knife, three throwing knives, a Swiss Army knife, a boning knife, a Fillet Knife, a combat knife, a survival knife, a Machete, a Leatherman, a tomahawk, a meat cleaver, an ax, a hatchet, a samurai sword, a dozen folders with blades over six inches and asks: "Do ninja nail clippers count?
A Prepper has a pet named Fluffy.
A Survivalist has mobile reserve protein source named Rex.
A Prepper has a gas powered generator and five gallons of fuel for emergency power.
A Survivalist has two propane powered generators (one for backup) and a full 500 gallon propane tank in the backyard.
A Prepper has a solar oven.
A Survivalist has a wood burning stove.
A Prepper has matching luggage.
A Survivalist has matching (camo) BOBs (Bug Out Bags)
A Prepper has a mouse trap.
A Survivalist has 22 gauge wire for snares.
A Prepper has a rat trap.
A Survivalist has conibear traps.
A Prepper's idea of food with a long shelf life is a case of Twinkies.
A Survivalist's idea of food with a long shelf life is a case of MREs.
A Prepper has a wine cellar.
A Survivalist has beer in a bunker.
A Prepper has a sun porch.
A Survivalist has an armory.
If you have any you'd like to add; send them to
E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
A Prepper has a SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
A Survivalist has a BOV (Bug Out Vehicle)
A Prepper can peel a potato.
A Survivalist can skin a beaver.
A Prepper has a GPS
A Survivalist has a compass.
A Prepper keeps extra food in a spare room.
A Survivalist keeps a year's worth of food plus heirloom seeds in a bunker.
A Prepper has a weapon for each member of the household.
A Survivalist has an arsenal for each member of the household, plus spares.
A Prepper saves restaurant matchbooks and Bic lighters.
A Survivalist can make fire rubbing sticks together, with flint & steel, with a bow drill & board, magnesium & knife, bottom of an aluminum can, magnifying glass ...
A Prepper has a Swiss Army knife and a complete set of kitchen knives.
A Survivalist lists: a Bowie knife, a dagger, a skinning knife, three throwing knives, a Swiss Army knife, a boning knife, a Fillet Knife, a combat knife, a survival knife, a Machete, a Leatherman, a tomahawk, a meat cleaver, an ax, a hatchet, a samurai sword, a dozen folders with blades over six inches and asks: "Do ninja nail clippers count?
A Prepper has a pet named Fluffy.
A Survivalist has mobile reserve protein source named Rex.
A Prepper has a gas powered generator and five gallons of fuel for emergency power.
A Survivalist has two propane powered generators (one for backup) and a full 500 gallon propane tank in the backyard.
A Prepper has a solar oven.
A Survivalist has a wood burning stove.
A Prepper has matching luggage.
A Survivalist has matching (camo) BOBs (Bug Out Bags)
A Prepper has a mouse trap.
A Survivalist has 22 gauge wire for snares.
A Prepper has a rat trap.
A Survivalist has conibear traps.
A Prepper's idea of food with a long shelf life is a case of Twinkies.
A Survivalist's idea of food with a long shelf life is a case of MREs.
A Prepper has a wine cellar.
A Survivalist has beer in a bunker.
A Prepper has a sun porch.
A Survivalist has an armory.
If you have any you'd like to add; send them to
E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
Friday, April 2, 2010
USD to CAD and paper to Au and Ag
The other day a friend emailed me an article with the following preliminary remarks:
I pretty much agree with this – not that it makes any difference. The day is coming when everyone will know that paper “money” is just that – paper. We have not had any backing for the US dollar except “the full faith and credit” of the United States of America since Nixon. It would appear that such faith is wearing thin – rightly so, particularly in light of the political situation and the rate at which the Fed is printing “money.”
Of course, the US dollar is up today (over 81 as this is written), and I expect it will get stronger for a bit – maybe up to 83.5 to 84. There is a big struggle going on in the “money” markets, but the struggle is trying to pick which of the depreciating currencies is going down the least. The Euro is tanking, as well as some others, but the Canadian and Aussie dollars are doing well. If you have gold in hand, however, let the other guys fight it out.
I still think that we are headed for a similar situation that occurred in Germany in the early 20’s. The German Weimar Republic began inflating the Mark in 1919, at which time an ounce of silver could be bought for four Marks. During that year the Reichsbank began monetizing the government’s debt. As a result, from 01/1921 until about 01/ 1921 inflation was about 60 percent. From 01/1922 until 10/1922 inflation rose to 5,300 percent. By 10/1923 inflation was at 16,579,999 percent. That’s right, sixteen million, five hundred seventy nine thousand, nine hundred ninety nine percent. From there it went to infinity. This situation is given credit for the rise to power of Adolph Hitler.
In my teen years, Dad gave me a German banknote from those times (I wish I still had it). It was printed only on one side, and as best I can remember, the note was for one hundred billion Marks. That note would NOT have bought the same ounce of silver that only four Marks would have purchased in 1919.
Enough pontificating
RDP
Previously he'd related to me a story his father had told him about a German postman or policeman (he forgets which) who'd developed a habit of throwing his pocket change into a bathtub at the end of each day. In those days German Pfennigs were made of silver. By the time of the inflation and later hyperinflation of the Weimar Republic he'd saved up a bathtub full of silver Pfennigs. (Let's hope he and his family had a second bathtub.) When the hyperinflation hit he and his family survived by selling the silver Pfennigs a few at a time.
But as my friend said "enough pontificating" here without further ado is my sermon on inflation in America today and hyperinflation which may well be in our future.
I'm laying out my reasoning for putting some of your American dollars into a Canadian, Swiss or Australian bank account denominated in the LOCAL currency. The American greenback is due to inflate at a rapid rate perhaps even into hyperinflation.
My reasoning is that the United States of America is Canada's largest trading partner so a slowdown in American commerce will also put the breaks on the Canadian economy. Thus, I hope, the Canuck buck will not inflate as quickly nor as much as the greenback. In any case they're much less likely to be dealing with hyperinflation.
Of course all first world currencies (including the Swiss Frank, CHF and the Australian dollar, AUD) will be hurt when the world's reserve currency proves to be as substantial as the emperor's new clothes. Then, I suspect, individuals, corporations and nations will flee to the currency of last resort: Au.
Canadian banks were much more responsible in their lending and missed the recent worldwide banking emergency. Australia and Switzerland pretty much dodged that bullet too. I believe that still is the case. That is to say the Canadian banks are stronger than US or European banks. And I believe the Swiss and Australian banks have a better chance of surviving hyperinflation (along with their currencies) too.
For now I'm just going to talk about Canadian banking because I've just jumped through the hoops involved in opening an account up there.
Of the big five Canadian banks two: Scotiabank, the Bank of Nova Scotia, (NYSE:BNS) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD) are generally agreed to be the strongest and best run of the bunch. I chose Scotiabank for our Canadian dollar account because I've looked into (and invested in) it and believe it to be the stronger of the two.
If you choose to open an account at a Canadian bank you'll need everyone you want on the account physically present (they require a "wet signature") with two picture ID's (I used my driver's license and my American Passport) to get the account opened. You'll also need to have a few utility bills to show that you live at the address you're giving them. Also very important (due to 9/11 and drug cartel money laundering); you'll need the withdrawal slip showing you withdrew the money you're about to deposit from your USA bank account.
Once your account is set up you can make further deposits via wire transfer. If you opt for a checking account you'll be able to write checks etc.
For now, at least, Americans having funds in banks outside the USA is legal as long as you pay income tax on any interest earned. There is a guy on one of the boards I frequent who has put some of his money in both Swiss and Australian banks both as regular checking and saving accounts and in their versions of CDs. He pays taxes on the interest and, I believe, considers the accounts to be insurance policies against a US dollar crash.
This from one of his recent posts:
While not as high as they have been (I'm in at 8% for 5 years), a form of diversification which might be considered is a term account (like a US CD) at an Australian bank. There are three or four very strong ones.
An example of today's rates:
http://www.westpac.com.au/personal-banking/bank-accounts/tools-calculators-rates/term-deposit-rates/
While no one can predict the future (…), the AUD over the past year has outperformed most alternatives (including gold), while paying a reasonable interest return.
The accounts may be opened without a trip to Oz (but with one piece of snail mail involved with a medallion guaranteed signature - available for free at your local US bank).
There is 10% Aussie withholding tax which can generally be recouped when you file locally. The term accounts can be easily broken (with a reasonable penalty in the interest accrued), similar to a CD. I did this twice over the past year as rates increased, leaving my account at the high water mark, but the point is you can get the funds back quickly by bank wire if you need them here in an emergency.
Not an investment recommendation, simply a way to mitigate some of the risk …
Jeff
- 0 – 0 – 0 –
As long as I'm sighting others I ought to throw this in. It was written recently by a guy named By Tom Dyson
The Royal Bank of Canada will open a non-resident account for you with two pieces of ID.
The Royal Bank of Canada operates a bank in America called RBC Bank. TD Canada Trust also operates banks in America.
Contact customer service at a Canada-based institution and ask them to send you an application for a new account. Then contact your closest branch in America and ask them to help you process the application without you having to fly to Canada.
It won't be easy. The American branch will tell you they are a totally different operating entity from the Canadian bank. You'll probably have to spend a few hours on the phone...
So now you have two ways to turn your US buck into a Canuck buck. Neither as quick and easy as going down to the local branch of your bank, but hey, if it was easy everybody would be doing it. And once everybody sees the hyperinflation handwriting on the Federal Reserve's wall I've a feeling everybody and his brother will be trying to do it. You don't want to be at the end of that line. Also, I've a feeling whoever is in charge when that happens will pass a few laws to stem the flow. Already having your money out of the country and in another currency should afford you some protection.
"But, Dave, what about gold (Au) and silver (Ag)?" Can any self respecting paranoid be satisfied with a mere foreign bank account denominated in a paper foreign currency?"
No, of course not! In my view gold and silver coins should be a part of your savings.
There's a guy named Fernando FerFAL down in Argentina who has documented the 2001 economic collapse of his country.
I reviewed his book on this blog on 10MAR10.
I recommend FerFAL's book to anyone contemplating the complexities of the next few years. FerFAL has been there and done that and he's got the T-shirt. Unlike some survivalist gurus here in the states, FerFAL just documents what has happened (in his book) and is happening now in his country on his blog.
Here's part of his answer to a reader's question on his blog on 11MAR10:
…
And the lucky ones that have a job, end up finding out that the money they make slowly loses its purchasing power.
“That’s right! Money is just poor tinder after SHTF! Lets quit our jobs and head to the retreat!”
Hold your horses my friend. You’ll get to your retreat and do exactly what? Watch DVDs and eat popcorn? Wait for the raiders to arrive?
Its not going to happen. No raiders, no zombies, no brave new world, just the same old crappy one that just keeps getting worse.
Guys, it’s a thing that goes on for YEARS.
As of right now, here in Argentina private companies estimate a 40% inflation rate per year. Official numbers don’t matter any more. Do you have any idea what this means?
These days, people in USA are noticing a bit of inflation. I sometimes get email from people telling me “You are right FerFAL, bottles, containers and packages in general are getting smaller but costing almost the same”.
I’m not right. I never said it would happen in USA. I just said it happened here, and told people to keep an eye opened if they saw the same pattern.
[Note he doesn't claim to be able to foretell the future in his country or ours.]
The pattern is unfortunately repeating itself, and even worse, its repeating itself politically as well: Redistribution of wealth, social plans, more taxes, more socialist brain washing, a media that just has to be forced to cooperate with the government, something we once called censorship.
…
http://ferfal.blogspot.com/
What FerFAL's saying he's experienced down in Argentina and what I'm expecting here in the USA is a continued worsening of economic conditions. In Argentina their debt ridden paper currency fell off an economic cliff in 2001, in England they went into an economic death spiral after WWII when they lost their empire. We could go either way. (In case you're wondering, America's "empire" is its increasingly ramshackle status as issuer of the world's reserve currency.) In either case a US pre-1965 silver dime will grow in value as the USD decreases in value.
Whether or not you believe you'll need to be packin' heat to go to the grocery store in a decade it makes sense to put some savings in precious metals in spend-able denominations (dimes, quarters, halves of pre-1965 US silver coins; one tenth, one quarter, one half ounce gold Krugerrands and/or gold Maple Leafs) just in case.
OK, so maybe a few full ounce Rands and Maples too. And some gold Pandas wouldn't hurt either after all China is in the ascendancy right now and (sad to say) we've only to look at England to see where we'll be (if we're lucky) in fifty years.
You'll want to store the coins either in a bank safe deposit box or somewhere other than your home so home invaders won't be able to torture you or your family into revealing the location and pilfer them.
If I could pry my wife out of our home here in the desert we'd buy a house half in southern Canada and half on the US side of the border so we wouldn't have to put up with those cold Canadian winters. But, like most of the American sheeple we'll remain in place and hope for the best. (But this sheeple has some food stored up.)
Desert (What's "paranoia" and why did Webster hide it so far back in his book?) Dave
To Comment on this article
E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
I pretty much agree with this – not that it makes any difference. The day is coming when everyone will know that paper “money” is just that – paper. We have not had any backing for the US dollar except “the full faith and credit” of the United States of America since Nixon. It would appear that such faith is wearing thin – rightly so, particularly in light of the political situation and the rate at which the Fed is printing “money.”
Of course, the US dollar is up today (over 81 as this is written), and I expect it will get stronger for a bit – maybe up to 83.5 to 84. There is a big struggle going on in the “money” markets, but the struggle is trying to pick which of the depreciating currencies is going down the least. The Euro is tanking, as well as some others, but the Canadian and Aussie dollars are doing well. If you have gold in hand, however, let the other guys fight it out.
I still think that we are headed for a similar situation that occurred in Germany in the early 20’s. The German Weimar Republic began inflating the Mark in 1919, at which time an ounce of silver could be bought for four Marks. During that year the Reichsbank began monetizing the government’s debt. As a result, from 01/1921 until about 01/ 1921 inflation was about 60 percent. From 01/1922 until 10/1922 inflation rose to 5,300 percent. By 10/1923 inflation was at 16,579,999 percent. That’s right, sixteen million, five hundred seventy nine thousand, nine hundred ninety nine percent. From there it went to infinity. This situation is given credit for the rise to power of Adolph Hitler.
In my teen years, Dad gave me a German banknote from those times (I wish I still had it). It was printed only on one side, and as best I can remember, the note was for one hundred billion Marks. That note would NOT have bought the same ounce of silver that only four Marks would have purchased in 1919.
Enough pontificating
RDP
Previously he'd related to me a story his father had told him about a German postman or policeman (he forgets which) who'd developed a habit of throwing his pocket change into a bathtub at the end of each day. In those days German Pfennigs were made of silver. By the time of the inflation and later hyperinflation of the Weimar Republic he'd saved up a bathtub full of silver Pfennigs. (Let's hope he and his family had a second bathtub.) When the hyperinflation hit he and his family survived by selling the silver Pfennigs a few at a time.
But as my friend said "enough pontificating" here without further ado is my sermon on inflation in America today and hyperinflation which may well be in our future.
I'm laying out my reasoning for putting some of your American dollars into a Canadian, Swiss or Australian bank account denominated in the LOCAL currency. The American greenback is due to inflate at a rapid rate perhaps even into hyperinflation.
My reasoning is that the United States of America is Canada's largest trading partner so a slowdown in American commerce will also put the breaks on the Canadian economy. Thus, I hope, the Canuck buck will not inflate as quickly nor as much as the greenback. In any case they're much less likely to be dealing with hyperinflation.
Of course all first world currencies (including the Swiss Frank, CHF and the Australian dollar, AUD) will be hurt when the world's reserve currency proves to be as substantial as the emperor's new clothes. Then, I suspect, individuals, corporations and nations will flee to the currency of last resort: Au.
Canadian banks were much more responsible in their lending and missed the recent worldwide banking emergency. Australia and Switzerland pretty much dodged that bullet too. I believe that still is the case. That is to say the Canadian banks are stronger than US or European banks. And I believe the Swiss and Australian banks have a better chance of surviving hyperinflation (along with their currencies) too.
For now I'm just going to talk about Canadian banking because I've just jumped through the hoops involved in opening an account up there.
Of the big five Canadian banks two: Scotiabank, the Bank of Nova Scotia, (NYSE:BNS) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD) are generally agreed to be the strongest and best run of the bunch. I chose Scotiabank for our Canadian dollar account because I've looked into (and invested in) it and believe it to be the stronger of the two.
If you choose to open an account at a Canadian bank you'll need everyone you want on the account physically present (they require a "wet signature") with two picture ID's (I used my driver's license and my American Passport) to get the account opened. You'll also need to have a few utility bills to show that you live at the address you're giving them. Also very important (due to 9/11 and drug cartel money laundering); you'll need the withdrawal slip showing you withdrew the money you're about to deposit from your USA bank account.
Once your account is set up you can make further deposits via wire transfer. If you opt for a checking account you'll be able to write checks etc.
For now, at least, Americans having funds in banks outside the USA is legal as long as you pay income tax on any interest earned. There is a guy on one of the boards I frequent who has put some of his money in both Swiss and Australian banks both as regular checking and saving accounts and in their versions of CDs. He pays taxes on the interest and, I believe, considers the accounts to be insurance policies against a US dollar crash.
This from one of his recent posts:
While not as high as they have been (I'm in at 8% for 5 years), a form of diversification which might be considered is a term account (like a US CD) at an Australian bank. There are three or four very strong ones.
An example of today's rates:
http://www.westpac.com.au/personal-banking/bank-accounts/tools-calculators-rates/term-deposit-rates/
While no one can predict the future (…), the AUD over the past year has outperformed most alternatives (including gold), while paying a reasonable interest return.
The accounts may be opened without a trip to Oz (but with one piece of snail mail involved with a medallion guaranteed signature - available for free at your local US bank).
There is 10% Aussie withholding tax which can generally be recouped when you file locally. The term accounts can be easily broken (with a reasonable penalty in the interest accrued), similar to a CD. I did this twice over the past year as rates increased, leaving my account at the high water mark, but the point is you can get the funds back quickly by bank wire if you need them here in an emergency.
Not an investment recommendation, simply a way to mitigate some of the risk …
Jeff
- 0 – 0 – 0 –
As long as I'm sighting others I ought to throw this in. It was written recently by a guy named By Tom Dyson
The Royal Bank of Canada will open a non-resident account for you with two pieces of ID.
The Royal Bank of Canada operates a bank in America called RBC Bank. TD Canada Trust also operates banks in America.
Contact customer service at a Canada-based institution and ask them to send you an application for a new account. Then contact your closest branch in America and ask them to help you process the application without you having to fly to Canada.
It won't be easy. The American branch will tell you they are a totally different operating entity from the Canadian bank. You'll probably have to spend a few hours on the phone...
So now you have two ways to turn your US buck into a Canuck buck. Neither as quick and easy as going down to the local branch of your bank, but hey, if it was easy everybody would be doing it. And once everybody sees the hyperinflation handwriting on the Federal Reserve's wall I've a feeling everybody and his brother will be trying to do it. You don't want to be at the end of that line. Also, I've a feeling whoever is in charge when that happens will pass a few laws to stem the flow. Already having your money out of the country and in another currency should afford you some protection.
"But, Dave, what about gold (Au) and silver (Ag)?" Can any self respecting paranoid be satisfied with a mere foreign bank account denominated in a paper foreign currency?"
No, of course not! In my view gold and silver coins should be a part of your savings.
There's a guy named Fernando FerFAL down in Argentina who has documented the 2001 economic collapse of his country.
I reviewed his book on this blog on 10MAR10.
I recommend FerFAL's book to anyone contemplating the complexities of the next few years. FerFAL has been there and done that and he's got the T-shirt. Unlike some survivalist gurus here in the states, FerFAL just documents what has happened (in his book) and is happening now in his country on his blog.
Here's part of his answer to a reader's question on his blog on 11MAR10:
…
And the lucky ones that have a job, end up finding out that the money they make slowly loses its purchasing power.
“That’s right! Money is just poor tinder after SHTF! Lets quit our jobs and head to the retreat!”
Hold your horses my friend. You’ll get to your retreat and do exactly what? Watch DVDs and eat popcorn? Wait for the raiders to arrive?
Its not going to happen. No raiders, no zombies, no brave new world, just the same old crappy one that just keeps getting worse.
Guys, it’s a thing that goes on for YEARS.
As of right now, here in Argentina private companies estimate a 40% inflation rate per year. Official numbers don’t matter any more. Do you have any idea what this means?
These days, people in USA are noticing a bit of inflation. I sometimes get email from people telling me “You are right FerFAL, bottles, containers and packages in general are getting smaller but costing almost the same”.
I’m not right. I never said it would happen in USA. I just said it happened here, and told people to keep an eye opened if they saw the same pattern.
[Note he doesn't claim to be able to foretell the future in his country or ours.]
The pattern is unfortunately repeating itself, and even worse, its repeating itself politically as well: Redistribution of wealth, social plans, more taxes, more socialist brain washing, a media that just has to be forced to cooperate with the government, something we once called censorship.
…
http://ferfal.blogspot.com/
What FerFAL's saying he's experienced down in Argentina and what I'm expecting here in the USA is a continued worsening of economic conditions. In Argentina their debt ridden paper currency fell off an economic cliff in 2001, in England they went into an economic death spiral after WWII when they lost their empire. We could go either way. (In case you're wondering, America's "empire" is its increasingly ramshackle status as issuer of the world's reserve currency.) In either case a US pre-1965 silver dime will grow in value as the USD decreases in value.
Whether or not you believe you'll need to be packin' heat to go to the grocery store in a decade it makes sense to put some savings in precious metals in spend-able denominations (dimes, quarters, halves of pre-1965 US silver coins; one tenth, one quarter, one half ounce gold Krugerrands and/or gold Maple Leafs) just in case.
OK, so maybe a few full ounce Rands and Maples too. And some gold Pandas wouldn't hurt either after all China is in the ascendancy right now and (sad to say) we've only to look at England to see where we'll be (if we're lucky) in fifty years.
You'll want to store the coins either in a bank safe deposit box or somewhere other than your home so home invaders won't be able to torture you or your family into revealing the location and pilfer them.
If I could pry my wife out of our home here in the desert we'd buy a house half in southern Canada and half on the US side of the border so we wouldn't have to put up with those cold Canadian winters. But, like most of the American sheeple we'll remain in place and hope for the best. (But this sheeple has some food stored up.)
Desert (What's "paranoia" and why did Webster hide it so far back in his book?) Dave
To Comment on this article
E-Mail Me Unless you specifically ask me not to, I'll post your reply here in the blog so everyone can read it. Of course I'll remove your last name, email address and any other specific information for privacy purposes.
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