Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Tom at CometGold.com sent us the link to this “must see” video clip: Charlie Rose interviewed two journalists about debt securities, the sub-prime debacle, and the emerging liquidity crisis. New York Times scribe Floyd Norris described the recent wave of margin calls on debt securities as “the functional equivalent of a run on the bank.” Katherine Burton of Bloomberg News admitted that the credit crunch will “go on for a long time.” In related news, don’t miss this news story from Reuters: Central banks move to calm panicky money markets. This isn’t just a traditional credit squeeze, folks. This is …

By way of SHTF Daily: Minneapolis bridge disaster draws attention to neglect of U.S. infrastructure   o o o David D. recommended this article on some medicinal uses of honey    o o o Hawaiian K. sent us this: The Incapacitating Flashlight–An LED flashlight makes culprits vomit. If police start to use these, I can predict lawsuits from epileptics.    o o o Thanks to SHTF Daily for posting this piece from Bloomberg: U.K.’s Subprime Crisis May Be Worse Than U.S.’s

HikerLT, DAV, and Mark B. all forwarded this gem (by way of the Drudge Report) from The Daily Telegraph: China threatens ‘nuclear option’ of dollar sales. Mark’s comment: “This is why trade deficits are a strategic and political liability! The American people have virtually put their economic future and well being in the hands of the Chi-coms!”   o o o Chris S. sent us a news story link that illustrates the signs of the times: Lead stolen from church roofs to ship to China   o o o I have updated my Links page with a new section on …

SurvivalBlog reader Chuck accurately notes that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is in a predicament. At this juncture the Fed can neither raise nor lower interest rates without powerful macro level repercussions. Chuck mentioned that Mad Money host Jim Cramer made a passionate plea to Ben Bernanke to consider cutting interest rates that would in turn help the market and the people who are losing their jobs on Wall Street. More liquidity via lower interest rates might mean a brief respite for the battered US residential real estate market as well as the equities markets. But if Mr. Bernanke lowers …

Don’t miss out on the special $99.95 sale for my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course. This is the first time that it has ever been sold for 1/3 off the regular price. The sale ends on August 8th, so place your order soon!   o o o Ben L. sent us this: Water Tables Falling and Rivers Running Dry    o o o I just heard that the prices of most of the SurvivalBlog t-shirts will be increasing soon. (The maker had previously been charging the same for shirts printed only on the front and those printed both front …

The following video clip link was recommend by Richard at KT Ordnance. That manic CNBC TV market analyst Jim Cramer says “Just Walk Away” from upside down home loan situations. He also accurately describes the incipient “2 and 28” ARM home loan rate reset disaster. I have said before in SurvivalBlog: If people get sufficiently upside down in their mortgages in the midst of a recession, they will indeed pack up and abandon their houses, leaving their bankers to clean up the mess. Feel free to quote me on this prediction.   o o o Don’t miss out on the …

Matt B. sent us this bit of news that didn’t come as much of a surprise: Bear Stearns Declares Bankruptcy   o o o GDS flagged this: Climate Change Linked to Doubling of Atlantic Hurricanes   o o o Alfie Omega forwarded us this: $10 Million Fire at Spokane Fuel Depot a likely act of Muslim terrorists in U.S.

Ken McC. sent us this: German bank becomes first EU victim of U.S. subprime mortgage woes. Ken’s comment: “The economic problems are demonstrating a world wide effect.” Meanwhile, Thanks to SHTF Daily we read: Bear Stearns halts redemptions in third hedge fund   o o o Reader David P. recommended this data on diesel generators.    o o o The high bid is still at $300 in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction for a brand new Big Berkey water filter, kindly donated by Ready Made Resources. They are one of our most loyal advertisers. The auction ends on August 15th. Just …

From SHTF Daily: Four ways to prepare for a global financial crisis   o o o This Gun Free Zone video (recommended by Richard C.) provides a bit of comic relief.    o o o RMV forwarded us this: The Numbers Don’t Add Up for Baby Boomer Retirees. Here is a quote from the article: “Consider the outlook. From 2005 to 2030, the 65-and-over population will nearly double to 71 million; its share of the population will rise to 20 percent from 12 percent. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid—programs that serve older people—already exceed 40 percent of the $2.7 trillion …

From Business Week, by way of SHTF Daily: Why Bernanke Won’t Save Investors   o o o DAV sent us this: Zimbabwe’s Leader Says He’ll Print More Cash. Good thinking, Comrade Mugabe! That ought to put a damper on the 5,000% annual rate hyperinflation!    o o o I just noticed mention over at the Kel-Tec Owner’s Group that Midway USA (not one of our advertisers, but a reputable company) currently has several different models of original Glock magazines on sale, including the 33 round “Glockamole” magazines. I don’t even own a Glock, but I just ordered 20 of these …

A brief follow-up to my July 10th post mentioning that iodine crystals and iodine solutions over 3% will be restricted in the U.S.: I just heard from my NAIS grassroots contacts that the DEA regulation will be implemented as of August 1st. That will mean that any of these products that are not already in the retail supply chain will be restricted. So this is your last chance to stock up on Polar Pure iodine crystals. I heard that Ready Made Resources only has about 275 bottles left in stock. They also have some one quart bottles of 10% Betadine …

Tom at CometGold.com flagged this piece: The Real Morons of Orange County Why America’s most reckless real estate investors come from Irvine, California. About a year ago, I coined a name for this crowd: contrapreneurs.   o o o The high bid is still at $300 in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction for a brand new Big Berkey water filter, kindly donated by Ready Made Resources. They are one of our most loyal advertisers. The auction ends on August 15th. Just e-mail us your bid.    o o o Courtesy of our friends at SHTF Daily: Europe in fire and water …

DV forwarded this one: Goldman Sachs guru warns of war-debt failure — Is America becoming a global credit risk?   o o o Thanks to B.H. for sending us this: Ammo Makers Prepare for Drop in Demand    o o o J. from East Tennessee Sterilizer Service sent us what might be the answer to the honeybee Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) mystery: A Spanish researcher blames an Asian parasite    o o o The Army Aviator sent us this one: Economist: World Is One Hedge-fund Collapse Away From Crisis. The article begins:”The problems in the U.S. subprime mortgage market could …