Economics and Investing:

KAF sent us this: Facing Closure, U.S.’s Largest Sleeping Bag Maker Seeks Relief From Free Trade Loophole. (JWR Adds: Meanwhile, Wiggy’s, a sleeping bag manufactures that produces all of their products in the U.S. at their small Colorado soldiers on, seeking no handouts or special treatment. This SurvivalBlog advertiser deserves your business!)

Reader R.M. sent this: Moody’s slashes Irish debt to three grades above junk. Ouch! So what will a Punt be worth, if Ireland is ejected from the Euro circle? And what does this tell us about the indebtedness of the U.S. government?

John R. recommended this piece over at Zero Hedge: Stockman Explains To Ratigan How In Thirty Years America Spent Enough Debt to LBO Itself, and Ended Up Bankrupt.

IMF chief worried about Europe domino effect. (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link.)

Video: U.S. Losing Control of Bombs to China’s Neodymium Monopoly

Items from The Economatrix:

France’s AAA Grade At Risk As Rating Cuts Spread Through Europe  

Doomsday For The US Dollar?  

Buying Gold:  Why Are The Chinese Gobbling Up Gold Like There’s No Tomorrow  

16 Shocking Facts About The Student Loan Debt Bubble And The Great College Education Scam  

Underfunded Pensions Dwarf Deficit