Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Mark R. and Eric both highlighted this: Depression Possible: Canadian Prime Minister. And Eric also sent this big raft of economic news: Calpers to Report Losses of 103% on its Residential Investments — Forecast: A Long, Cold Winter — HUD Chief Calls Aid on Mortgages a Failure — 55% of SoCal house sales were foreclosures — Foreclosures push So Cal house prices down 35 percent — Fed now lending money for 0% interest — Banks Show No Signs of Easing Credit in Step With Feds Rates — FDIC rules will ban new banks — Goldman Sachs’ Tax Rate Drops to …

Thanks to KAF for spotting this: A Giant Breach in Earth’s Magnetic Field. This natural event–roughly analogous to the nuclear EMP effect in that it can fry microcircuits–is all the more reason to store your spare radios in ammo cans or other Faraday cage type enclosures.    o o o Reader Bob R. notes that there was a recent “Death Map” study done with data from 1970 to 2004 that categorizes US mortality rates from natural disasters. Bob’s comment: “One would think that hurricanes would top the list, but it turns out heat is a bigger killer. I think this …

Reader T.H. in New Mexico wrote to ask, “How long will this recession last, and how deep will it get? A year ago, I would have said that it might last as little as 18 months, and that it would surely be “sharp.” But no we see many trillions of dollars being thrown at Mother of All Bailouts (MOAB), thus perpetuating the malinvestment, and doubtless delaying economic recovery. So I’d say that we will see a severe recession if not a full blown depression with lots of disruption that will last between four years and 15 years. Be ready for …

Eric sent us this: Amish homeowners: Religion trumps building codes    o o o Michael H. flagged this: Fed Refuses to Disclose Recipients of $2 Trillion    o o o I’m overwhelmed! More than 300 SurvivalBlog readers have bought Foodsaver vacuum packers at the special December sale price.This a is a great way to save money and to support SurvivalBlog! (We get a small commission on each sale, if you follow our link.) You can buy a FoodSaver v2830 for $59.99 (originally $169.99) with free Standard Shipping for orders over $100, directly from FoodSaver.com.Use code L8FAV28 at checkout. This offer …

Reader Del R. sent word that because of new EPA regulations, this may be your last month to buy large-mouth steel Jerry-type fuel cans.    o o o Rob at MURS Radio (who also does business as Affordable Shortwaves) mentioned this in an e-mail: “For a limited time I am offering a free earbud microphone with the purchase of a Dakota Alert MURS handheld transceiver. The Dakota Alert Motion Alert Transmitters (MATs) are still at the special low price of $89 each (plus shipping).Also, if you plan on purchasing four or more items (you can mix and match), just mention …

Nick at BulletProoofME.com will be running a SurvivalBlog-only special from Dec.15th through Dec. 22nd. The 30%-off special is for the mil-spec Interceptor Outer Tactical Vest. The similar sale that they ran last year for SurvivalBlog readers had an exceedingly large response. This special pricing is only available because of a military contract overrun. Note that they are running low on inventory this time around. (e.g., no size Medium on sale this time.) All items will be first come, first served.    o o o Reader T.H.Y. wrote to ask me: “Why do you bother putting flash hiders on your bolt …

Storm Cuts Power to More Than One Million Homes in New England. But of course SurvivalBlog readers were well-prepared. One key quote from the article: “It’s kind of lawless out there right now. There’s a lot of people very frustrated, stacking up at the gas stations. It’s pretty ugly.”    o o o Sans culottes! Wall Street sage Jim Rogers declares that most of the big banks in the US are “totally bankrupt.” The comment was made in the Reuters Investment Outlook 2009 teleconference: “Without giving specific names, most of the significant American banks, the larger banks, are bankrupt, totally …

Reader Scott D. suggested this piece on commentary: Constitutional Convention Sleight of Hand?    o o o Courtesy of Hawaiian K.: How a Zero-Electricity Fridge Will Bring Medicine to the Developing World    o o o From Sean M.: Money is not the only thing you can lose in a failing bank    o o o Ann M. sent this “must read” piece from Fortune magazine: Eight really, really scary predictions; Dow 4,000. Food shortages. A bubble in Treasury notes. Fortune spoke to eight of the market’s sharpest thinkers and what they had to say about the future is frightening. …

M. in the Dakotas sent us a link to an article on solar storms and possible damage to power grids.    o o o A reminder that Foodsaver vacuum packers are being offered at a special sale price, just during the month of December. You can buy a FoodSaver v2830 for $59.99 (originally $169.99) with free Standard Shipping for orders over $100, directly from FoodSaver.com.Use code L8FAV28 at checkout. This offer is valid during the month of December, or while supplies last.    o o o I just got an e-mail from our old friend “Trasel” (who will soon return …

Mosby reminded me about the upcoming annual National B.O.B. Weekend.    o o o President-almost-elect Obama says that he doesn’t want to take your guns. But if he is truly a supporter of the Second Amendment, as he claims, then why does he use the Brady Center for Civilian Disarmament‘s mantra of “Common sense gun safety laws”? Common sense to them means reducing the populace to owning just sling shots and BB guns. My level of trust for BHO on this issue is miniscule. I recommend stocking up on semi-auto firearms and full capacity magazines before he is sworn in …

Thanks to “asderathos”, who created a YouTube video of my recent interview on the Armstrong & Getty radio show. It was pretty cute how he (or she?) used a photo of “Burt Gummer” (Michael Gross from the movie Tremors) for my portrait. My favorite quote from the interview: “This guy is disappointingly reasoanable.” I guess they were hoping to interview a real wild-eyed lunatic. Sorrry to disappoint.    o o o From Cheryl, our volunteer Economic Editor: Wall Street Extends Rally on Infrastructure Plans — Oil Prices Up on Talk of OPEC Cut — Interest Rates Heading for Zero — …

As my friend “Kevin Lendel” likes to say: “Such a deal!” More than 175 SurvivalBlog readers have bought Foodsaver vacuum packers at the special December sale price. Don’t miss out on this! You can buy a FoodSaver v2830 for $59.99 (originally $169.99) with free Standard Shipping for orders over $100, directly from FoodSaver.com.Use code L8FAV28 at checkout. This offer is valid during the month of December, or while supplies last. BTW, I recommend getting the optional set of Mason Jar suction attachments, as they are particularly useful.    o o o “AZ-V” mentioned this CNBC clip where Hugh Hendry, a …

John B. pointed us to an interesting article in Slate on the effects of inflation in Argentina: Coins more valuable than bills. This ties in with my advice starting in 2007 on buying up rolls of US nickels . This is just one of several tangibles strategies to get prepared for the incipient mass inflation in the United States.    o o o New ID Scanners at Borders Raise Privacy Alarm. These RFID scanners can be overcome by an expensive commercially-made wallet, or by something a simple as a few wraps of aluminum foil. Speaking of privacy, nearly a dozen …

Reader “Photo Man” sent us this: Mob runs riot as Zimbabwe runs out of water.    o o o Courtesy of Eric comes this link: The American Crisis and the Case for an Inflationary Depression    o o o Rich Fleetwood at SurvivalRing mentioned that he has just finished creating a brand new DVD book library. It has 4 DVDs containing over 4,000 Third World appropriate technology books and articles, and a multi disk package of Alex Weir’s 44 CD library (which he asks as many folks as possible to both mirror, and offer, to readers all over the world). …

One of our neighbors–and where we live, the term “neighbor” means anyone in a 10 mile radius–mentioned that she recently obtained 20 dozen Mason-type canning jars offered gratis on Freecycle. The boxes of canning jars almost entirely filled up the back of her SUV. In my experience, Freecycle and Craig’s List should be watched diligently by preparedness-minded families. The tighter your budget, the more crucial these resources are! And, BTW, if you benefit from Freecycle, be sure to return the favor, by offering the things that you no longer need.    o o o Bob G. mentioned an informative piece …