Day: February 16, 2008

Notes from JWR:

Congrats to Greg M., the high bidder in our most recent SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction. A new auction begins today. This auction is for three items: a 120 VAC/12 VDC BedFan Personal Cooling System (a $99 retail value), kindly donated by the manufacturer, a Thieves Oil Start Living Kit (a $161 retail value) donated by Ready Made Resources, and a copy of the latest edition of “The Encyclopedia of Country Living” by the late Carla Emery (a $32 retail value). The opening bid is just $50. The auction ends on March 15th. Please e-mail us your bids, in $10 increments. Today’s …


Guest Editorial: The Great Bust of ’08, by Mike Whitney

On January 14, 2008 the FDIC web site began posting the rules for reimbursing depositors in the event of a bank failure. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is required to “determine the total insured amount for each depositor…..as of the day of the failure” and return their money as quickly as possible. The agency is “modernizing its current business processes and procedures for determining deposit insurance coverage in the event of a failure of one of the largest insured depository institutions.” The implication is clear. The FDIC has begun the “death watch” on the many banks which are currently …


Letter Re: Questions on Freezing Canned Foods

Jim, How cold can canned goods get? Near freezing, below freezing (say teens), way below freezing (negative numbers?) I’m also interested to know this for canned butter and canned cheese. Thanks! – Maxx JWR Replies: Freezing generally will not harm the contents of most canned foods, but doing so will put the integrity of the can’s seal at risk. (And, once breached, it then opens up a whole raft of further potential problems, that range from mild (discoloration and oxidation) to severe (botulin poisoning). Reactions to freezing depend on both the can’s construction and the contents of the can. If …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Eric–one of our most prolific content contributors–sent us this: Fed Chairman Bernanke Says Nation’s Business Prospects Have Deteriorated. Methinks we can expect at least one more panic-driven interest rate cut in the US. That will surely mean a weaker US dollar and stronger precious metals prices. Meanwhile, Canada looks likely to tag along. Plan accordingly. If the USD Index drops below 72, watch out!    o o o SF in Hawaii flagged this web link to a Swiss company that has prototyped electric ATVs, scooters, and even ultralight aircraft.    o o o Reader Bill N. suggested a FAS web …