Economics and Investing:

Sue C. sent this: Derivatives debate splits U.S., European regulators China in Midst of ‘Greatest Bubble in History,’ Rickards Says. (I found that article linked at The Drudge Report.) Reader Brett G. spotted this: Roubini Economist: We’re Headed For World of Inflation GG sent this: My Inflation Nightmare Chad S. sent this: Latvia government collapses amid economic crisis Also from Chad: U.S. Hyperinflation Possible by 2015 Items from The Economatrix: Moody’s Fears Social Unrest as Triple A States Implement Austerity Plans Idaho’s Plan to Downgrade the Dollar Hipsters on Food Stamps Sovereign Debt = Subprime Debt China Trims Holdings of …


Odds ‘n Sods:

S.C.W. sent a link to an update on the Ugandan Wheat Rust: Red Menace: Stop the Ug99 Fungus Before Its Spores Bring Starvation. [JWR Adds: Given the fact that the same ship cargo holds are use to transport used for seed as well as wheat used for food, it is nigh-on impossible to stop the spread of Ug-99.]    o o o Quoting the MI5 maxim, Britain is ‘four meals away from anarchy’    o o o Brian B. suggested this troubling article: Pre-Crime Policing. If buying a number of guns or a large quantity of ammo in a short …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 27 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 normally cost between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.), and D.) A 500 round case of …


Now You See It, Now You Don’t — The Value of Concealment, by Joe M.

Unless you’re lucky enough to actually live at your retreat in case of a TEOTWAWKI event, you are probably a little concerned with theft at your home away from home. Even if your primary home is your retreat, in the event of a break-in is your cache of “goodies” safe? Sure you might keep your supply of rifles, handguns, and shotguns locked in a gun vault the size of Grandma Shirley’s casket, but if thieves are given enough time they will haul the vault and anything else they find off into the night, leaving you empty handed and even worse, …


Letter Re: Some Notes About SCADA Software

James The pastor/programmer is somewhat correct about SCADA and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and his resistance of Windows based and “soft logic” is admirable. However, many SCADA systems installed out there recently have been implemented just as their name implies “SUPERVISORY CONTROL and Data Acquisition” in order to save labor costs by minimizing operator and maintenance training requirements on multiple different in- plant control systems. Most major power, refining, waste treatment systems etc. in recent years have utilized a DCS (distributed control system) as a SCADA base for overall and/or supervisory control often also monitoring or commanding smaller PLC systems …


Letter Re: Northeastern Colorado as a Retreat Locale

James: I read this article and I must say that I have a few disagreements with it. I grew up in Washington County, Colorado. Yes, it’s a wide open space with some farming, lots of ranching and a general self-reliant attitude, but there is a definite downside. 1) Weather – the weather in this area is turbulent to say the least. Expect occasional white-outs and definite bone chilling wind all the long winter. Summers are either dry enough to scorch crops or rain, hail or tornado’s flood do their thing. In all the years our family has farmed in the …


Economics and Investing:

KT flagged this: FedEx Chart Means Double-Dip for Economy From GG: ‘Black Swan’ Author Concerned About Hyperinflation Also from GG: Buyers for Puerto Rico Banks? FDIC Has Three Institutions to Sell; Downside Is They May All Need Capital Items from The Economatrix: Construction Unemployment Rate Hits 27.1% as Another 64,000 Construction Workers Lost Jobs in February Moody’s Warns US Debt Could Test Triple-A Rating Dodd Unveils Sweeping Financial Regulation Plan


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Mark P. sent this: Busy bees, but hives are besieged, diseased; Scientists struggle to find cause — and fix — for colony collapse disorder. One particularly troubling quote: “We are close to the margin” of a viable ratio of pollinators to crops, he said. “It’s amazing to me how close we are to that line.” 1/3 of US crops are increasingly at risk from this problem as they depend on honeybees for pollination.    o o o J.D. in Virginia found this item: Backyard Bunnies Are the New Urban Chickens    o o o Jason M. sent us a …



Notes from JWR:

For those who missed it, my recent lengthy radio interview with George Noory on Coast-to-Coast AM is now available on YouTube. — Today we present another entry for Round 27 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 normally cost between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready …


Your Survival Readiness Level–A True Self Assessment, by Gina W.

By definition survival preparedness means attaining the state of having been made ready to outlive another person, thing, or event. Years pass by reminding us that life is short and meant to be enjoyed. People concentrate on material items but often overlook factors involved in determining the comfort level of a new living situation. A true self assessment now will determine whether life is barely survivable or comfortable. People forget how the mind body element affects lifestyle changes. It is important to assess your actions before a situation takes away your ability to feed the habits that control you. Reflect …


Letter Re: Tsunami Evacuation, Kauai Style

Howzit J.R., I’m a newbie groupie to your site, now on a daily basis. I’m going through the archives, year by year, and am compiling useful info for my situation. I’ve realized that at some point, due to the number of visitors to your site, [voluntary] membership dues may be necessary, just to support the technical requirements of having it. No problemo. I’ve never seen anything like the SurvivalBlog site, so my dues are in-bound. I’ve seen previous posts about the tsunami warning in Hawai‘i, but not from a local resident perspective. I’ll give you mine. I live on Kaua‘i, …


Two Letters Re: The Palm Stick for Self-Defense

James Wesley: On the palm stick topic — I might add that a mountaineering carabiner — the genuine load bearing kind, not the cheap copies — would also work [as a self defense adjunct]. I routinely carry one — and, when asked, say “Oh, I found that it makes carrying all those [full] plastic bags from the grocery store much easier. They don’t bite into my hand.” People see this as clever and never consider it has some alternative purpose [serving as a brass knuckle or palm stick type device]. And BTW, it also does make a great all purpose …


Economics and Investing:

Thanks to Tom W. for sending this link: Fiscal Crises Hit Closer to Home; States and localities face burgeoning deficits; next phase in debt-deflation? Ben M. suggested this New York Times link: Junk Bond Avalanche Looms for Credit Markets. Several folks sent this link: Rising food prices may start with seeds Items from The Economatrix: Not Durable? Gold, Silver and Oil: Buying the Essentials in Tough Markets Fed May Hint at How Long the Rates Will Stay Low What Credit Card Pay-offs? Consumers are Dumping Debt! IRS: Get Tax Relief if Lender Forgives Part of Home Debt Housing Construction Drops …