Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Just as I predicted a more than a year ago, and again more explicitly in October of 2007, the hedge fund failure rate is about ready to turn into an avalanche, in agonizing quarterly installments: Hedge funds ready to blow as positions liquidated. (A hat tip to Mike McD. for for finding that link.)    o o o For all of you that have been waiting, after many months of shortages, Mountain House has finally resumed selling their freeze dried foods in #10 (one gallon) vacuum-packed cans on the civilian market. My advice: Get them while you can. When the …

We saw this one coming: U.S. Rescue Seen at Hand for Two Mortgage Giants. The Mother of All Bailouts (MOAB) continues to grow!    o o o Season 2 of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (TSCC) begins tomorrow (September 8, 2008). In agreement with the fans at The Sarah Connor Society, I consider it is the best quasi-survivalist show on television. Don’t look for many useful preparedness tips, but at least it is entertaining and motivational for those of us with the preparedness mindset. Meanwhile, the fourth feature film in the Terminator movie franchise (“Terminator: Salvation”)–starring Christian Bale and Sam …

Bill N. recommended bookmarking the National Weather Service Doppler Radar Maps Page.    o o o The latest big dose of Gloom-und-Doom from SurvivalBlog’s Economic Editor: House Price Crash Goes Global, In the Eye of the Credit Crisis Hurricane, GM, Ford, Chrysler on Sales Collapse Risk Bankruptcy, Purge the [Financial] System of its Failures, Two Wall St. Brokers Accused of $1Bn Subprime Fraud, GMAC To Cut Staff, Close Mortgage Operations to Cut Costs, I Want To Scare The H*ll Out Of You, Tice: Huge Stock Decline Ahead, Lightening The Mood With A Deflator (The Mogambo Guru), Pick-A-Payment Loans Turn Poisonous, …

Dave S. flagged this: Greek youths rob supermarket, hand out food    o o o More economic cheer, gleaned by SurvivalBlog’s Economic Editor, Cheryl N.: Fed Imposes Financial Sector Imperialism Over US, HSBC Super-Rich Clients Moving Into Cash, No Credit For Central Bankers by The Mogambo Guru, Ponzi Dynamics Still At Play, Gustav Hits US Economy, More Impact Due to Weaker Economy, and Intaxicating Rebate Checks–The Mogambo Guru.    o o o I generally agree with Bill Gross, but his recent suggestion smacks of socialism to me: U.S. Must Buy Assets to Prevent `Tsunami,’ Gross Says. (A hat tip to …

I’ll begin with some positive news from an Australian newspaper, by way of reader Kevin A.: Fifty Reasons To Thank NASA    o o o FerFAL (SurvivalBlog’s correspondent in Argentina) recently posted some quotes and commentary on Gabe Suarez’s description of his training trip to Argentina.    o o o Pamela mentioned a commercially-made fireplace log rolling machine that speeds the newspaper rolling process that was described in a SurvivalBlog article posted earlier this year.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Economic Editor Cheryl N. sent us another batch of economic news and commentary: Credit Crunch Cancer Metastasizing, US National Debt …

I noticed that the spot price of silver dipped below $12.70 per ounce for the first time in many moons. Given the pitiful intrinsic value of the US Dollar, in my opinion silver priced anywhere south of $13.50 is a bargain. Buy on the dips!    o o o Reader “MGB” flagged a web site that illustrate which countries to avoid for offshore banking: This US IRS page shows the countries that have “transparency” via tax treaties And MGB recommend the Sovereign Society web site as a resource for comparing banking privacy of various nations.    o o o Naish …

KAF recommended this: Documentary shows tough reality of doctors in war. (Warning: Not for children or for the squeamish!)    o o o Cheryl N. sent us yet another raft of economic news and commentary: Stagflation Becoming Economic Reality, FDIC Admits Short-Term Loans Might Be Needed, The Building Storm: Gold, the Dollar and Inflation, WAMU The Killer Bank, US Thrifts Lost $5.4bn in 2Q, Second Largest Ever, Bankruptcy Filings Near 1M in Past 12 Months; Up Almost 30%, Economic Depression: Who Will Suffer Least?, Credit Crunch: It’s Just The Beginning Of The End, Private Foreign Investors Dump US Debt, and …

Eric sent us this tale of unintended consequences: Wind Energy Bumps Into Power Grid’s Limits    o o o Some interesting demographics: The study is a bit dated, but a 2001 survey showed Wyoming as the state with the highest rate of gun ownership: The top three states were Wyoming (59.7%), Alaska (57.8%), and Montana (57.7%). Following close behind—all at around 55%–were Idaho, South Dakota, Mississippi and West Virginia. By the way, a neighbor told me that when a gal in Wyoming gets serious about finding a husband, all she has to do is switch her perfume to Hoppes #9, …

Reader A.M. in Cocoa, Florida sent a link to a very interesting video clip about a solar/hydrogen powered house. Coveting is a sin, but I must admit that I sorely wish that I had his sort of budget.    o o o Kevin A. recommended a piece of commentary by Darryl Schoon: Don’t Cry For Me Argentina… Save Your Tears For Yourself    o o o Some escalation in the war of words in the nascent Cold War II: Russia Issues warning : Military help for Georgia is a ‘declaration of war’, and Russia bans poultry imports from 19 U.S. …

With Gustav Approaching New Orleans Residents Stocking Up on AR-15s and ammo    o o o KAF sent this: Rat meat in demand as inflation bites    o o o L.A. Police Gear (a likely new SurvivalBlog advertiser) is having a 10% off sale, for Labor Day Weekend. Enter coupon code “LABOR”.    o o o Kevin A. suggested a background article on economics by Louis Even, titled Guernsey’s Monetary Experiment. Here is a key quote: “The issues of national currency by the States of Guernsey caused neither inflation nor idleness. They created activity and prosperity. But these issues did …

“I think there is a 90% probability the great crisis will be upon us within ten years” says Richard Maybury, of the Early Warning Report newsletter. Maybury has been uncannily prescient on geopolitical and economics for many years. Thanks, to Nick, for the link    o o o F.M. sent us this: PEMEX Expects Oil Depletion in Seven Years    o o o OSOM flagged this article: Fannie and Freddie Failure Would be Catastrophic. OSOM’s comment: “So the question is, how much of our taxpayer money, and inflationary fiat money will be used to bail them out?”    o o …

Dave in S.C. recommended a handy FAQ on DC batteries.    o o o Cyberiot sent us this article: Problem bank list keeps growing. It includes this troubling metric: “FDIC says list of troubled banks in 2nd quarter grows to 117 with $78 billion in assets – up from 90 banks, $26 billion in assets in 1st quarter…” Speaking of the FDIC, several other readers suggested this article: FDIC weighs tapping Treasury as funds run low. I’ve said it before: Be ready for a massive wave of bank runs, folks.    o o o Reader “MGB” suggested a piece over …

One of our many subscribers with a Hushmail address suggested this TED Talk video: Adam Grosser: A new vision for refrigeration    o o o Cheryl N. sent us this: FDIC Gets Ready for Bank Failures    o o o Also from Cheryl: Wall Street Fears the Worst as US Housing Sales Continue to Fall    o o o A SurvivalBlog reader in Arizona wote me to mention that he just acquired several Wells Fargo vaults (about 5′ x 6′ and around 3,000 pounds each) along with several smaller but still large safes and fireproof filing cabinets. If any readers …

New SurvivalBlog reader Brad H. mentioned the old farmer’s standby product: Bag Balm. It is a medicated petroleum jelly that is marketed towards livestock but works wonders for dried skin on humans Brad notes: “Working winters in construction, my hands constantly become cracked. After a few days of using the balm, the crack is healed. I also use it for abrasions and small cuts and shortens the healing time. Most Agway [and other feed] stores carry the product.”    o o o Costa Rica Jones flagged this: Diesel-Powered Mitsubishi Racing Lancer Fulfills Every Post-Apocalypse Fantasy Ever, Has 480 Lb-Ft Of …

FerFAL (SurvivalBlog’s correspondent in Argentina) recently posted some interesting comments on resisting violent crime, in his personal blog    o o o The WRSA has another “Grid-Down Medical Course” scheduled in Everett, Washington, September 12th to 14th. Their training is inexpensive, and highly recommended.    o o o Pauly from Canada recommended the National Geographic documentary “Guns, Germs, and Steel” to add some historical perspective to Richard Heinberg’s recent article.    o o o Update: I spoke too soon yesterday when I mentioned that Detroit’s Big Three Auto makers are courting Congress for a $25 billion bailout. “Photo Tom” sent …