Odds ‘n Sods:

Several readers sent us this one: Morgan Stanley Issues Full US Recession Alert. I could see why it looks like a recession to them…. Stephen in Iraq sent us this: $9.4 Billion Write-Down at Morgan Stanley–the firm reported the first quarterly loss in its 72-year history. Meanwhile, we read: Bear Stearns Posts 4Q Lossthe first loss in its 84-year history. Wow, they both made it through the Great Depression without posting losses. But now they are in the red. Billions of dollars in the red. We are experiencing times that are unprecedented within living memory.

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Thanks to both Eric S. and RBS for flagging this article: Fatwa against the US dollar?

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RBS also sent us this: New Solution to Copper Theft

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Take the time to check out Ranger’s Man’s SHTF Blog. He has had some very useful posts in recent weeks.