Odds ‘n Sods:

Thanks to Laura H. for this link: California prepares to stop paying bills: Come Feb. 1, tax refunds, welfare checks replaced with IOUs

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From The Appenzell Daily Bell: U.S. ratchets up pressure on UBS. Banking privacy may indeed be another casualty of the global economic crisis.

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Bill N. suggested a short article on using the shotgun for defense.

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More economic news, starting with this from Scott N.: Thousands stuck in property funds as Standard halts exits. (Does this sound familiar? As I’ve been warning people for two years, hedge fund and insurance redemption suspensions will become increasingly commonplace as the credit market and overall economy continue to deteriorate. Matt L. found this: English Town Establishes New Currency. Luddite Jean in England sent this: Taxes to soar by £20 BILLION per year as IMF warns Britain faces deeper recession than any other country: And from Cheryl (aka The Economatrix): Fed to Leave Interest Rate Near Zero for Some TimePostmaster General: Mail Delivery Days May Have to Be CutUS Houses Spiraling Down and Down — Warning Over Collapse of Capital FlowsMillions of Chinese Set to Lose JobsSenator Warns White House Will “Create Crisis” and “Panic” to Push Stimulus BillHedging Your Investment Portfolio by Buying FirearmsBankers’ Fear of UnemploymentBad News for Food Eaters (The Mogambo Guru) — Everybody’s Business: Deep in Debt and Now Deep in Worry

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Craig W. recommended this “Gray Man” Urban Camouflage Gun Bag. (OBTW, I’ve also seen guitar cases and golf bags used to the same effect.)