Odds ‘n Sods:

David V. sent us the link to some commentary by Bob Chapman on the derivatives threat: The Quadrillion Dollar Powder Keg Waiting To Blow. David also sent us the link to this piece by Porter Stansberry: How AIG’s Collapse Began a Global Run on the Banks

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Several folks sent us this “must read” piece by Bill Bonner: The Next Crisis Will Be Over Food. It begins: “The United States is now a net importer of food, we read recently. If we understand that correctly, there is no longer enough food Made in the USA to feed Americans’ appetites”

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More Friday Evening Follies: Meridian Bank and Main Street Bank both bite the dust. (The FDIC makes a habit of announcing bank failures on Fridays, just after business hours.)

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There are just two days left in Safecastle’s 25%-off Mountain House sale. This sale price probably won’t be repeated for a year, so get your order in soon!

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Some news from England, courtesy of Jack B.: Credit crunch-hit Brits turn to bartering. Also, this grim news: Bodies of the dead not being buried in echo of Winter of Discontent as effects of credit crunch spread across Britain