i don't really understand the deflation argument. everything i buy every day is more expensive: food, gas, rent, hydro, insurance, fees, legal bills, cocaine, hookers.
Also silver, because an ounce of silver will be a convenient bartering/black market size. Gold will be used for buying chattels (in the old sense of the word).
Buying or shorting PM's is like any other asset, when you take your position is of paramount importance. Personally I've been heavily long PM's since 2002, and expect to remain that way until later this year, at which point I'll likely sell my holdings and wait until probably 2011 or 2012 before taking the mother of all long positions.