Odds ‘n Sods:

Several readers sent us the link to this Christian Science Monitor article: Survivalist businesses surge in uncertain times. BTW the article mentions both our spin-off web site (SurvivalRealty.com and several of our advertisers.

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Speaking of retreats, readers FFF and Ben H. both mentioned that the newly-released US Census data might be useful for anyone looking to buy a retreat property:

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Michael from Texas suggested this: Google Maps Mashup Combines Your Address, Nuclear Blast

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I wish that I had better news for you for Christmas, but here is some more economic news and commentary, courtesy of Cheryl: Jobless Claims Surge to 26-Year High — US Economy Shrinks Fastest Since 9-11 — California Will Run Out of Money in February 2009 — The Party is Over if Deflation Grips the Economy — Britain’s Slide Toward Recession Accelerates — Iceland “Like Chernobyl” as Meltdown Shows that Anger Can Boil Over — US Debt Approaches Insolvency, China Currency Reserves at Risk — US Calls the Tune as Gold, Silver Plunge (PDF) — Oil Dips Below $37 on String of Bad Economic News — Increased Shoplifting is Another Sign of Bad Times — Housing Crisis Worsens as Economy Weakens