The mainstream media pundits keep saying that “inflation remains low”, yet Uncle Sugar’s own statistics show that the aggregate supply of U.S. dollars in circulation (both printed and electronic) grew from $2.5 trillion in 2000 to $4.5 trillion by the end of 2005. So is it any wonder that price of gold and gasoline have nearly doubled? One might conclude that we are not so much seeing commodities going up in value as we are seeing the dollar going down in value. I recommend that you protect yourself from the mass price inflation to come. There could even a full scale monetary crisis and dollar devaluation. Invest in tangibles.
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“Secret Squirrel” (a regular SurvivalBlog contributor) recommends two useful web sites: http//solarcooking.org and the CDC’s page on water treatment: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/water_treatment.htm
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I just noticed that Safecastle has added several varieties of large “ScramKits” to their product line (I posted a review of their smallest kit, which fits in a belt pouch, back on Friday, January 27, 2006.) Their big ChowHaul duffle bag kits are ideal to keep stowed right next to your Get Out Of Dodge (G.O.O.D.) backpacks. Because ScramKit sales have been brisk, most of their kits are currently sold out, so please be patient.
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SurvivalBlog contributor Dr. Sidney Zweibel mentioned that the ubiquitous Wikipedia has added a new page titled “PetroEuro“–describing the implications of the nascent Iranian oil bourse. It will be denominated in Euros rather than U.S. dollars, so it could have major implications. The same article mentions that about the same time that the new oil bourse opens up, the M3 aggregate money supply figure will no longer be reported by the U.S. Treasury Department. I’m sure that these two developments did not escape the attention of either the oil traders or the international currency traders. Two possibilities: war with Iran or a dollar crisis–we might expect either (or both) in the near future. Buckle your seatbelts. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroeuro
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A site that focuses on country, organic foods, and self sufficiency issues was recommended by a SurvivalBlog reader. He described it as “educational and empowering.” See: http://www.metrofarm.com
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Syria switches to the Euro amid confrontation with U.S.. See: http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyid=2006-02-13T153028Z_01_L13432231_RTRUKOC_0_US-SYRIA-US-FOREX.xml&rpc=22
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A web site for those who would be interested in heirloom fruit trees and berries: http://www.treesofantiquity.com
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The latest news about using RFID biochip implants in humans: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/ec414700-9bf4-11da-8baa-0000779e2340.html