Category: Odds ‘n Sods

John T. mentioned that political maverick H. Ross Perot has launched a new web site. It is a convenient all-in-one place to access charts showing our national economic predicament.    o o o Reader “PJ” said that he found an interesting Wikipedia page on refrigeration not requiring Freon: The Einstein Refrigerator.    o o o Rudy R. notes that the government of Mexico has decided to freeze prices on 150 foods until December 31st. “Companies agreed to hold prices steady for cooking oil, tortillas, flour, tomato sauce, canned soups and tuna, beans, chili sauces and other staples of the Mexican …

Eric sent us this “signs of the times” article: More and More Moving to Escape Gas Price Burden. Meanwhile, the British press reports: Gas and electricity bills to rise 40 Percent, experts warn. (A hat tip to Jack B. for that link.)    o o o From a South African newspaper comes more troubling news from Zimbabwe. Here is a quote: “We are not going to give up our country because of a mere ‘X.’ [on a ballot]. How can a ballpoint fight with a gun?” Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe said yesterday while campaigning for reelection, in warning that he …

Bill N. wrote me to ask: “Did someone read your novel? Check out the charging system powered by a bicycle.”    o o o A reminder that Wiggy’s is having a 20 percent off sale until the end of July. They have great products at great prices, and they are American-made. Here at the ranch, we have five Wiggy’s FTRSS sleeping bag sets and four of their Lamilite ground pads that we use very regularly. They have received far above average use since 1993, so we can attest to how sturdy and well-made they are.    o o o More …

Bill N. Sent us the link to an article by two doctors on how to remove ticks. Bill’s comment: “It connects to a summary on how to remove ticks and more importantly how to avoid being their dinner.”    o o o A reminder that the WRSA has another Practical Medicine course scheduled, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, June 20 to June 22. They now have just one or two seats still available. This is excellent, very affordable training that is taught by an Emergency Room doctor with many years of practical experience. The course is subtitled: “Field Expedient Medical Care …

Eric (a frequent content contributor) spotted this: Farms Take Root in Detroit’s Foreclosures. Eric”s comment: “These articles about urban farming are popping up everywhere, where even a few weeks ago there were only a handful of articles on the subject a week now there are many more. Times are a changin’”    o o o Thanks to KAF for finding this: Waves of Emigrants Leaving Britain.    o o o Hawaiian K. sent this from Money Week: Why gold could hit $8,500 an ounce    o o o Kudos to JT for finding this: Nestlé’s Chairman: High food prices here …

Larry in Cincinnati spotted this sobering Banking Times article: Central bank body warns of Great Depression. Gee, have they been reading SurvivalBlog?    o o o Jack B. flagged this from Scotland: Petrol supplies dwindling as tanker drivers’ strike fuels panic buying    o o o If you are wealthy and want to own the ultimate “Get Out of Dodge” vehicle, I noticed that there is an U.S. Army/ARVN configuration Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando wheeled armored personnel carrier listed for sale at Dave Uhrig’s site. It make the up-armored Ferret Mark 4 that I once owned look wimpy, by comparison. …

RBS sent us the link to an editorial posted at Numismaster: U.S. May Be on Brink of Financial Crisis    o o o There are just two weeks left in BulletProofME.com’s special sale on Interceptor Body Armor and Kevlar helmets, just for SurvivalBlog readers. They only rarely offer prices this low, so don’t miss out!    o o o Mary R. mentioned this news story from New Zealand: Four weeks until power cuts    o o o “If Americans feel they are being pick-pocketed by inflation, they should take a look overseas” writes Richard Benson in With Inflation There’s No …

Eric sent us this one: Man Retrofits Freezer to Make an Ultra-Efficient Fridge    o o o Courtesy of Bob from Minnesota: BIO5 Researcher Identifies Cities at Risk for Bioterrorism. Generally, this is yet another piece of confirmation for my preferences in the SurvivalBlog Recommended Retreat Areas page.    o o o Frank S. flagged this: Too Much Money: Inflation Goes Global    o o o Carl H. found this MakerFaire video on making crystal iodine from potassium iodide. This, BTW, ties in to the DEA restrictions on Polar Pure crystals–previously mentioned in SurvivalBlog

Matt in Texas suggested this piece: Kobyashi Maru. Matt’s comment: “This should help make it clear that the Federal Reserve is between a rock and a hard place. No matter what decision is made on the discount rate…we are toast.”    o o o Thanks to David F for sending this: Two dead in Europe fuel protests. David notes: “For those who think food riots and fuel shortages are limited to the Third World, I think this article might bring things home a bit. This is hoarding, boycotts, people dying, [all] because of oil. Could the US be next?”    …

Our friend Michael Panzner of the Financial Armageddon blog just linked to this key article: Crisis shifts to regional lenders. This shows that the global credit collapse is s far from over!    o o o Larry W. flagged this piece by Jim Sinclair: Total Notional Value of Derivatives Outstanding Surpasses One Quadrillion Dollars. That is a lot of zeros! BTW, I think that Sinclair’s figures are high, since among other things, credit derivatives are actually dropping rapidly in their notional aggregate value. This is inevitable as the global credit market is continuing to contract. But regardless, the risk posed …

Thanks to Manuel for sending this “.45 ACP versus 400 pound bear” story from the mountains of eastern Oregon: ‘Bears always run away’. OBTW, hammer down on a live cartridge is not a good way to carry a Model 1911 pistol! (There are safety issues in lowering the hammer without causing a negligent discharge, and the pistol carried in “Condition Stupid” is very slow to get into action.) Most bears and two-legged predators are not nearly so polite as to give someone the time to both un-holster and then thumb-cock a M1911 pistol. These pistols are properly carried in “Condition …

Several readers flagged this: US grain reserves reach the bottom of the barrel. Here is a key quote: “The only thing left in the entire CCC inventory will be 2.7 million bushels of wheat which is about enough wheat to make 1?2 of a loaf of bread for each of the 300 million people in America.” Back in mid-April, I told a New York Sun reporter about the massive outflow of US grain, and mentioned that I was surprised that the Bush Administration has not implemented export controls. With these recent figures, I am even more concerned. I believe in …

Another bit of agreement on one of my predictions: Surging inflation will stoke riots and conflict between nations, says report    o o o Kory found us this: Antibacterial wipes can spread superbugs: study    o o o Shale sent us this AP news article: DOJ sues Honeywell over faulty bulletproof vests. Zylon is again the culprit. We’ve been warning SurvivalBlog readers for nearly three years to avoid Zylon vests.    o o o The Reuters London bureau reports a common theme on both sides of the Atlantic: Home-grown vegetables grow in popularity. The article begins: Almost 70 years after …

Dennis B. forwarded us a link to an editorial by Richard J. Greene on the dangers of buying “electronic” gold via Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Something tells me that there is some creative accounting going on. In fact, I’ll go on record as stating that I have my doubts that there is a tangible ounce of gold in custody for every “ounce” purchased.    o o o I heard from a reader about a new and informative reference site: Set2Survive.com.Take look.    o o o Several readers sent this: Avian Flu Found In Tyson Chickens (in Arkansas). “Oh, but it …

Diesel thieves wreak havoc on California farmers    o o o Yishai found us this, by way of Glenn Reynolds over at Instapundit: If GPS Gets Knocked Out, the government has a backup plan.    o o o I missed this news article when it was posted a couple of weeks ago: Home Foreclosures: Crisis Is Only Getting Deeper. More recently, we’ve read: Bernanke urges more action to stem home foreclosure crisis    o o o Some analysis by Frank Barbera: Return of the Credit Crisis – Did It Ever Leave? We still haven’t seen the full impact on the …