Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Just when we thought the economic headlines couldn’t get much worse, Mark P. for spotting this: Downturn accelerates as it circles the globe: Economies worse off than analysts predicted just weeks ago. And Paul A. sent this grim deflationary prediction from Mish Shedlock: Extreme Leverage In Reverse Portends Global Systemic Crash. Whether the incipient crash is deflationary, or inflationary, or a whipsaw of sharp deflation followed by sharp inflation (which is my personal prediction), you should get you beans, bullets, and Band-Aids together and stand ready!    o o o Mike W. sent us this “must read” piece from NASA …

Here is a round-up of grim economic tidings from England: Scotty found this one from The Times of London (online edition): World Agenda: riots in Iceland, Latvia and Bulgaria are a sign of things to come. And Jack B. found this: Britain on the brink of an economic depression, say experts. And still more bad news from the UK, by way of reader G.G.: Confident tone as UK bond sale nears. (They admit that the risk of a government bond auction failing–where the amount of money raised falls short of its target–has increased.) And Luddite Jean sent this: Gordon Brown …

Matt S. recommended this editorial: The United Ponzi States of America    o o o It’s time to pray for global warming, says Flint Journal columnist John Tomlinson. (Thanks to Rich C. for the link.)    o o o The “all things vehicular” web store JCWhitney.com (one of our Affiliate Advertisers) has a special underway for free shipping on orders of $49 or more. This could be a huge savings on heavy items. Use Promo Code SAWBBX8 at check out. This offer is valid only through February 7, 2009.    o o o Stephen S. suggested this editorial: If the …

Dr. K. flagged this for us: Experts, lawmakers concerned that US may be too reliant on drugs from abroad.    o o o The folks at Ready Made Resources have added what could best be called “Son of Blast Match” to their product line. This would be a good item to keep in each Bug Out Bag, and they are even small enough to keep on a key chain.    o o o Ben L. spotted this: Report: Al Qaeda Group Bungled Test of Unconventional Weapon. In British Football, this is called an “Own Goal” error.    o o o …

The Wall Street Journal reports on Argentina’s coinage shortage: Argentina Is Short of Cash – Literally    o o o Down Range TV Names Obama “Gun Salesman of the Year”    o o o G.G. flagged this ominous news: America Passes A Milestone! We now have more people employed in government than manufacturing.    o o o On the economic front, Jasper sent this: Tony Blankley: Economic crapshoot ahead. Jasper’s comment: “Note that this article tries to get across how little we really know about how to break the spiral we’re in. When the mainstream media is laying the groundwork …

The fine folks that operate Everlasting Seeds have announced special pricing for US military veterans, disabled veterans, and especially financially distressed disabled veterans. (Click on the”Veterans” button in their left-hand menu.) Thanks for supporting our veterans in such a tangible way!    o o o Eric sent us a link to a list of products containing peanut butter that have been recalled by Kellogg’s    o o o More economic bad news, starting with three items from Formerly Merry Olde England: RBS loses £28billion in a Year as Darling warns British economy will collapse if second bank bailout fails — …

Chuck sent this: Zimbabwe unveils Z$100 trillion banknote. (“Inflation was last reported at 231 million percent in July, but the Washington think-tank Cato Institute has estimated it now at 89.7 sextillion percent — a figure expressed with 21 zeroes.”)    o o o I just dropped by the Total Survivalist Libertarian Rantfest blog, after a long absence. I must say that the two Ryans are in fine form. Their blog has both some good informative pieces, plus plenty of their own distinctive brand of humor. Great stuff, guys!    o o o Anne E. recommended this video at the Pioneer …

George S. found this article: Cold leaves bio-diesel school buses at a standstill    o o o Eric L. sent us a link to a recent radio show clip, where economist Peter Schiff is starting to talk like a SurvivalBlogger.    o o o Signs of incipient economic depression: America’s once insatiable appetite for imported electronic gadgets has waned: Circuit City closing remaining 567 stores. (Thanks to Dan S. for the link.) And “The Divemaster” sent us this NPR news story: Searching for Vital Signs in a Sick Economy    o o o Cowboy spotted this: Smith & Wesson sales …

A tip of the hat to Eric for sending this: The other dark meat: Raccoon is making it to the table    o o o Heather sent us this: Rice prices ‘could rise sharply’    o o o Tim L. suggested this article by one of my heroes, Dr. Walter Williams: Congress’ Financial Mess. And for more of the Big Picture, see this article at Bob Chapman’s The International Forecaster: The Smell Of Panic In The Air For The Economy. (A hat tip to Bryan for the link.) And for other economic news, Cheryl kindly sent us all these items: …

The Memsahib is now “Happy McHappy” because her annual Murray McMurray poultry catalog just arrived. Along with the obligatory pile of seed catalogs, this annual event is one of the things that keeps our spirits up during the snowy winter months.    o o o Eric spotted these articles: Kansas wheat acres continue downward trend and, German bond auctions fail, and, Latvia is shaken by riots over its weak economy    o o o More gloomage, courtesy of Cheryl: Crude Tumbles Below $35 — Fears Grip Banking Sector as Barclay’s Cuts 2,100 More Jobs — FTSE 100 Joins Global Rout …

Eric sent us this: Prices for rooftop solar systems fall as supply grows    o o o “OffGrid”, James S., and KAF were the first of more than 10 readers that flagged this: U.S. military report warns ‘sudden collapse’ of Mexico is possible. Speaking of emerging threats, Semperfiwife sent this Newsweek piece: Bob Graham talks about the possible nature and likelihood of a WMD terrorist attack over the next few years.    o o o From FloridaGuy: Detroit’s credit rating downgraded to junk bond status    o o o Nick sent this: The New Paranoia: Hedge-Funders Are Bullish on Gold, …

Dave S. flagged this disturbing news: Treasury: Deficit hits new record in just three months    o o o Northern Tool & Equipment (one our affiliate advertisers), has a special offer that runs though the end of January: Free Shipping on UPS Ground Orders over $149. Use key code: 117231.    o o o Cheryl spotted this: Wisconsin Department of National Resources to Hunters: Hand Over Your Guns on Demand. Cheryl also sent us a fresh batch of economic news and commentary links: Digest: Stocks Shed 4-5%, Gold Dips 2.5%, 7.2% Unemployment — Russia, China, Brazil and India Looming Collapse …

Eric S. suggested this Washington Post piece: We’re Borrowing Like Mad. Can the U.S. Pay It Back? And if that weren’t bad enough news, here is the daily glut o’ gloom from The Economatrix: Leading Economist Fears Decade of Economic Weakness — Oil Traders Demand Ships to Store Crude at Sea Before Prices Rebound — Crude Below $40 as Demand Drops Faster than Supply — The Bond Bubble is an Accident Waiting to Happen — UK Auto Workers: Pay Cut or Lose Jobs — Japan Suicide Hotlines Overburdened in Economic Crisis — Merkel Makes 44-Billion U-Turn to Save German Economy …

Several readers sent this: Powerful Solar Storm Could Shut Down U.S. for Months. As I’ve mentioned before: Your most reliable source of power will be a home micro-hydro or photovoltaic power system that is not grid-tied. (Since a grid power connection can couple EMP or EMP-like surges over long distances.) Yes, I realize that there is now a 30% Federal tax credit for new grid-tied alternate energy systems. So my advice is to make the initial installation grid tied, but later disconnect it and make it a stand-alone system after you’ve received your tax credit and once you are no …

Perennial content contributor Bill N. sent this: NYPD Eyes Disrupting Cell Phones in Event of Terrorist Attack. So be forewarned that you can’t count on cell phone connectivity, in extremis.    o o o Check out the Pioneer Living online magazine, they have a lot of useful educational resources.    o o o FloridaGuy sent this: Radical cheap: $1,000 homes. (But you have to wonder about the safety of those neighborhoods…)    o o o Sam in Illinois mentioned this sign of the times: BATF running out of 4473 Yellow “Record of Sale” Forms.