Frequent contributor RBS sent this article link: Credit derivative volumes rise 32 percent to $45.5 trillion. I’ve warned SurvivalBlog readers about the threat of a derivatives implosion before, but for the sake of new readers, I’ll mention it again: Derivatives–The Mystery Man Who’ll Break the Global Bank at Monte Carlo
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The bidding is now at $500 in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction, for a scarce pre-1899 antique Finnish M39 Mosin Nagant rifle from my personal collection. This rifle was rebarreled by Valmet during WWII, and is in excellent condition. It comes with a replica bayonet, original sling, and original muzzle cap. Since the receiver for this rifle was made in 1898, it can be mailed directly to the winning bidder’s doorstep, with no FFL paperwork! The auction ends on October 15th.. Just e-mail us your bid.
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From The Australian (by way of SHTF Daily): Americans watch greenback fall
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The recent mention of CONEXes prompted Mike Williamson to forward us a link to his friend John Wagner’s blog. (Foul language warning!) Wagner recently had the sad experience of having a CONEX at his remote New Mexico property broken into by some goblins with a cutting torch. They also stole several restored 4WD vehicles at a neighbor’s house. (Also unattended.) This underscores the advice that I have been giving my consulting clients and SurvivalBlog readers many years: Never leave a retreat property both stocked and unattended. Unless you have a kindly, watchful, and close proximity neighbor with line of sight that is there year-round, then you need to have someone living at your retreat. The only viable alternative to on-site security is leaving your retreat essentially “stripped” and all of the valuable goodies in a completely hidden cache room–either above or below ground. And I do mean well-hidden. One clever approach that I saw was a false wall at the far end of a 40′ x 70′ rectangular barn that left a full-height five foot deep room for storage. The entrance door was hidden by a metal wall locker. Only a clever thief with a 100 foot tape measure and plenty of time to ponder would ever find a cache room like that. Another cache room that I saw was a “half basement” that in actuality was a full basement with a poured concrete divider. The only entrance to the concealed half was via a hidden trap door in a bedroom closet and a descending ladder.