Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Our recent mention of Backwoods Home magazine‘ prompted reader RJV to note: “Don’t miss some of the gems from their [extensive] archives, such as this piece on do-it-yourself steam power.”    o o o Eric found this: Diesel thefts on the rise; demand increases for locking caps. Eric’s Comment: “As someone with a rebuilt diesel BOV that includes 70+ gallons of on-board diesel fuel I too am thinking about putting locking fuel filler caps on my truck. I also came across an interesting installable anti-siphon device that might be of interest to some.” JWR Adds: I generally discourage installing an …

Stephanie in Arkansas mentioned that there are some plans for do-it-yourself gravity water filters posted over at the Alpha Rubicon site. JWR Adds: OBTW, while you are there, be sure to check out their many other references available for free download. It is a great site that has done yeoman service in preparedness circles.    o o o From Al Jazeera television, of all places: Montana Has a Lot of Guns.    o o o Dennis found us this commentary on long term Social Security obligations: Glenn Beck: The $53 trillion asteroid    o o o Luis in Utah sent …

Home Equity Loans as Next Round in Credit Crisis Don’t miss one key point that was buried near the end of the article: “…many people added second loans after taking out first mortgages, so it is impossible to say for certain how many homeowners have multiple liens on their properties.” Clearly, there are a lot of home buyers (I’ll refrain from calling them home owners, since it is the bankers that still hold controlling interest) that are getting “upside down” in their mortgages. Without a doubt, much more jingle mail is coming, as property prices continue their downward spiral.    …

Fellow novelist Matt Bracken mentioned this article: Farms of fear, about murders in rural South Africa. It gives some useful glimpses, when considering security measures for retreats in the not-too-distant Schumeresque future.    o o o Speaking of Harder Homes and Gardens, ponder this piece: Bulletproof public design in Los Angeles. (A hat tip to James K.)    o o o Inyokern spotted this sobering piece: Into the Economic Abyss: How Deep Will It Go? Even the mainstream media is catching on…    o o o Reader “EL” suggested using propane for a source of lighting. EL notes “The Amish …

Courtesy of Steve H., comes this article: Is your grocery bill going up? You’re not alone    o o o More and more bad economic news: Investment Firms Tap Fed for Billions. Meanwhile, we read: Corporate liquidity begins to dry up. Also, The Insider told me that KB Home (already in hot water for inflating home appraisals) just defaulted on a $850 million loan from Wells Fargo, and they’ve been given just 30 days to settle up, or face a foreclosure that could trigger collapse of the company. The global credit crisis is far from over, folks. The chances of …

It is important to keep track of solar flares, especially for those of us interested in amateur radio. (Sun spot activity dramatically affects radio propagation.) It is also a lot of fun to get a glimpse of auroral displays. One site that we have found useful is AuroraChasers.com. They offer a free e-mail alert service.    o o o Michael Z. Williamson found a site with lots of useful information on 12 Volt DC power systems.    o o o A reader in Pebble Beach, California is a part-time FFL that recently got “stuck” with 2,000 rounds of Black Hills …

SF in Hawaii mentioned Wisemen Trading and Supply. Check out the “Picklemeister”, near the bottom of their crocks product page.    o o o Tonight’s season finale episode of the Jericho television series (Tuesday, March 25, 2008), titled “Patriots and Tyrants” looks like it will be good. The five minute teaser for the finale (on the CBS web site) shows a pro-Second Amendment message hat is most unusual for a network television show. No wonder that the show is now rumored to be doomed to cancellation. OBTW, all of the first and second seasons are now available for online viewing. …

Hawaiian K. suggested this blog post by Rick Falkvinge of Sweden: Why the US is collapsing:    o o o The Federal Reserve has now issued denials that it discussing coordinated purchases of mortgage-backed securities with other central banks. Why am I dubious? Harken!, the MOAB commeth.    o o o With gardening season fast approaching in the northern hemisphere, here is a useful YouTube video on composting.    o o o Vic at Safecastle mentioned that the entirely revamped Safecastle Royal Store web page is now up and running. Buyers Club members get 20% off of list prices, and …

Wayne V. mentioned a piece in The Financial Times: Central banks float rescue ideas. Here it comes folks! This is the “Mother Of All Bailouts” (MOAB) that I warned you about. It may cost literally trillions of dollars. This will be very, very expensive for those of us that pay Federal taxes. If the US Treasury can’t raise enough funds through taxation, they’ll monetize the new debt. That will generate lots of inflation, which is, of course, a hidden form of taxation.    o o o SF in Hawaii suggested this blog post: Seven of the Most Important Economic Events …

Mr. Yankee suggested an editorial by Greg Evensen posted over at News With Views: The Implosion is Accelerating, Prepare While You Can. Mr. Yankee’s comment: “I don’t know this writer but the piece sounds like [it was written by] a SurvivalBlog reader.”    o o o Chester mentioned that Jim Willie has some interesting comments on the Bear Stearns debacle, posted over at Kitco.    o o o This piece by Daniel Amerman is a must read: The Subprime Crisis Is Just Starting. (A hat tip to Kurt for sending us the link.)    o o o Thanks to Robert …

The recent dip in precious metals prices is a buying opportunity for those of you that thought that you had “missed the boat.” Market analyst Adam Hewison suggests that there might be further pullbacks on the spot price of gold to $855 or perhaps even $750. My reaction? Great! A “full Fib” retracement presents a great short term buying opportunity in what will otherwise be a long term bull market.    o o o Two months ago, a few readers chided me for being too harsh in my criticism of gadget-oriented “Mall Ninja” survivalists. This auction listing shows exactly what …

A friend of ours is an investment banking consultant. He is currently engaged is raising cash to help salvage an ailing hedge fund. He said that he predicts that the vast majority of US hedge funds will go under in the next year. “The pressure from margin calls and [individual investor] redemptions will be unstoppable.” Of the nation’s top 150 hedge funds, he said, “nearly all will cease to exist in their present form.” He added that there are perhaps 12 hedge funds that are not publicly traded that might be spared the ignominious demise of their brethren.    o …

J. Ross sent us some serious Gloom und Doom: Fed Heads Back to the Well, Will It Run Dry?    o o o Trevor flagged this piece at WND: Fed abandons dollar in new round of rate cuts–Reacts to fall of investment giant Bear Stearns, Carlyle Capital Corp.    o o o Mark recommended the rifle muzzle brakes made by OPS. We have had the muzzles of all of our .30 caliber bolt actions threaded 1/2-28. That is the same thread used on many flash hiders (such as AR-15, M4 and AR-10.) Our preferred flash hider is the Vortex Model …

Todd Savage found this gem: Dollar Bear: The road to hyper-inflation    o o o Mark mentioned the M3 Medical kits available from JRH Enterprises, with fresh components    o o o Eric spotted this at MarketWatch: Wall Street watches Lehman walk on thin ice    o o o Another piece courtesy of Eric: Gulf central banks urged to sever links with tumbling US dollar

Commentary from former Fed Head Alan Greenspan: We will never have a perfect model of risk    o o o Dollar Doomsayers Draw Evidence From Bernanke Push to Cut Rates    o o o Wall Street waits for the next domino to fall.