Odds ‘n Sods:

A friend of ours is an investment banking consultant. He is currently engaged is raising cash to help salvage an ailing hedge fund. He said that he predicts that the vast majority of US hedge funds will go under in the next year. “The pressure from margin calls and [individual investor] redemptions will be unstoppable.” Of the nation’s top 150 hedge funds, he said, “nearly all will cease to exist in their present form.” He added that there are perhaps 12 hedge funds that are not publicly traded that might be spared the ignominious demise of their brethren.

   o o o

Greenleaf [Idaho] residents prepared for almost any disaster. (A hat tip to Bret for sending us this.)

   o o o

Our correspondent in Brazil, “The Werewolf”, mentioned that the archives of Cooper’s Commentaries, (previously known as Gunsite Gossip) are still available for free download.

   o o o

The Canadian Jericho Ranger Lady sent this: Financial markets turmoil stirs economists’ memories of 1929 crash