Day: September 27, 2007

Note from JWR:

I recently had the opportunity to do some on-site consulting with a client that owns an elaborate retreat in Eastern Oregon. I really like the region, since it is wonderfully remote. The upper elevations have copious timber and wild game, and fairly plentiful water. Half of the fun of my Oregon trips is poking around county history museums and graveyards. I’m distantly related to David Lawson Shirk, one of eastern Oregon’s early cattlemen. (See the book “The Cattle Drives of David Shirk.”) Shirk was involved in a much-publicized range war with cattle baron Pete French (of the famous “P” Ranch), …


Letter Re: Running Chainsaws on Ethanol & Home Alcohol Production Stills

Hello, [As a follow-up to the letter about running gasoline engines on alcohol:] In case you don’t know it, most gasoline engines will also run on kerosene. No jet changes, all you have to do it adjust timing. Many small engines like generators and such made by Kohler and Briggs and Stratton have an adjustable timing ring. Many have markings for [setting] use to for gasoline or kerosene. It works well. Now to tell you the truth, I never tried it in a car engine. Though generally what works in small engines should work in a car, and yes, you …


Letter Re: Information Security Considerations When Selling a House with “Special Features”

Mr. Rawles- I truly enjoy and appreciate your site and hope to soon be able to express that with a [10 Cent Challenge] commitment. Perhaps one solution to the marketing of property with “special features” would be a multi-layered approach to advertising and responding. First present the property with a limited description such as general location and non-specific amenities using descriptions such as “special”, “hardened”, if appropriate and perhaps a philosophy statement and pricing that would lend a sense for the property without risking over-exposure. Interested parties could pursue a phone interview or email exchange to determine actual depth of …


Odds ‘n Sods:

US Dollar Trades Near Record Low Against Euro Before Durable Goods. When I checked last, the US Dollar Index was down to 78.56. Some analysts suggest 75 or perhaps even 72 as the next support level.   o o o Dr. Gary North asks: Has the Fed Lost Control Over Money?    o o o From The Boston Herald, by way of SHTF Daily: Despite Fed cuts, mortgage rates rise    o o o Stephen in Iraq sent us this: Subprime Panic Freezes $40 Billion of Canadian Commercial Paper


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"The real trouble with this world of ours is not that it is an unreasonable world, nor even that it is a reasonable one. The commonest kind of trouble is that it is nearly reasonable, but not quite. Life is not an illogicality; yet it is a trap for logicians. It looks just a little more mathematical and regular than it is; its exactitude is obvious, but its inexactitude is hidden; its wildness lies in wait." – G. K. Chesterton