Day: November 3, 2011

Notes from JWR:

Do you have any favorite quotes that relate to preparedness, traditional skills, economics, or individual liberty? If so, then please e-mail properly attributed quotes to us and they will likely be featured as Quotes of the Day. (We’ve now archived more than 2,200 quotes.) Thanks! — Today we present another entry for Round 37 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses …


Prepping For Death, by J.D.A.

Preparing for death is probably not the usual topic discussed on this board, but a recent illness in my family has put this issue squarely in my face.   It is my hope that all reading this blog will live many more years and will leave this earth either via the Rapture or natural causes at a ripe old age. That being said, death is something we have to consider in our plans.  I approach this topic from two angles: 1) losing a loved one in a non-Schumer situation, 2) losing a loved one in a Schumeresque situation.  I hope to …


The Dexia Bank Collapse Underscores the Fragility of the Global Credit Market and Derivatives

A major bank failure in Europe that began in September didn’t get much press coverage here in the United States. But is bears special mention, because it underscores the fragility of the global credit market and credit default swap derivatives. A victim of the ongoing Greek Tragedy, the Franco-Belgian Dexia Bank failed last month. It had to be bailed out by $6 billion from France and Belgium, and Luxembourg. Inevitably, those bailouts are backed by the “full faith and credit” of their respective governments. Read: French, Belgian, and Luxembourgian taxpayers. Dexia was formed in 1996 when the Belgian Crédit Communal …



Letter Re: Uses of Thermoses and Hot Water Bottles

Hi Jim, I have been a long time user of the Nissan & Stanley line of stainless steel thermoses, water bottles and coffee mugs and have a couple of things to add to BigSky’s article.  One pertains to TSA’s interest in them and the other is about over-the-fire uses.   I have carried the Nissan stainless steel coffee mug (16 oz.) everywhere for years, including airports.  Last Christmas there was a “threat alert” pertaining to bomb making material being carried in stainless steel thermoses.  Ever since then I have been pulled out of line for further inspection by the TSA because …


Economics and Investing:

Day of reckoning for shadow inventory and distressed properties – 40 percent of properties in foreclosure have not made a payment in two years or more. Bill Fleckenstein interviewed about gold and the European credit debacle. (Thanks to J. McC. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Trucks, SUVs Power Strong Auto Sales in October No Major Fed Moves Expected Despite Europe Fears Factory Activity Slows as Economy Stays Sluggish Bill Whittle has some biting commentary on the “rich” and “poor” in America.


Odds ‘n Sods:

p>By way of Tam’s blog: World population hits 7 billion. Overpopulation always leads to war over scarce resources.    o o o Gee, how many rights does this violate, all at once? Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, … FCC cracks down on religious broadcasters: If a church broadcasts the word of God on TV without closed captions, it risks incurring the wrath of the FCC    o o o Ian R. sent a news headline that came in the wake of some east coast power failures: Long Lines Form for Gas. Ian’s comment: “The Golden Horde …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Regulators here and in Europe have no idea — repeat, no idea — of the full extent of the derivatives exposure that could be triggered by an “official” Greek default, or by the failure of a major French bank. And if the people in charge have no clue as to the fallout from what may be trillions of dollars in side bets waiting to be triggered in a catastrophic cascade, they’re basically flying blind.” – Matt Miller, in a Washington Post editorial on derivatives titled: Europe’s debt crisis and the danger we can’t see