Category: Odds ‘n Sods

RBS mentioned an interesting article that ran in Popular Mechanics magazine, back in 2001: E-Bombs And Terrorists   o o o “Crazy” to ignore commodities plays, says a JP Morgan fund manager    o o o The derivatives bubble continues to expand, Bloomberg reports: “The global derivatives market grew at the fastest pace in at least nine years during 2006 as the amount of contracts based on bonds more than doubled to $29 trillion, the Bank for International Settlements said today.”    o o o A useful reference on EMP and TREE shielding, from TM 5-690: ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE (EMP) PROTECTION

S.H. found an article by Brian Tiemann, describing his tour of the InfoBunker–an ex-USAF facility retrofitted for ultra-secure data storage.   o o o Todd Savage mentioned an interesting retreat property in northern Idaho that he has toured and found worthy: It is an off-grid (PV-powered) 2,000 square foot 5 bedroom house on 40 acres, in Boundary County. The property has “end of the road privacy” and a large pond. For details, contact Todd at his new office in Bonner’s Ferry, at: (208) 946-1151.    o o o SF in Hawaii recommended this Red Cross book on emergency surgery, available …

A left winger comments on Bush’s new National Continuity [of Government] Policy   o o o Kansas professor warns of return to ‘Dirty Thirties’ Dust Bowl    o o o Detroit shuts off water to scofflaws    o o o More on CCD: Organic Beekeepers Report No Losses While Conventional Operations Report Massive Colony Losses

SurvivalBlog reader Matt said that he found a great article on lessons learned from the recent New Jersey wildfire.    o o o Just a minor bubonic plague breakout in Denver.   o o o War Stretches Nation’s Ammo Supply   o o o Jason sent us this one: A young man in Idaho turns 18 and decides to exercise his Constitutional rights inside city limits.

RBS sent us this: Utilities brace for worker shortage.OBTW, folks looking for their “ticket” to the boonies might consider this sort of work. America has hundreds or rural utility companies, many of which are co-ops. Utility company employment is steady work, even during deep recessions.   o o o Video clip: Just another day in Beirut, Lebanon    o o o PJH and Hutch both sent us this article: Solar Flashlight Lets Africa’s Sun Deliver the Luxury of Light to the Poorest Villages. Their “buy one, give one” arrangement sounds like a great way to dispense charity.    o o …

Some interesting economic analysis from Jim Willie’s Hat Trick Letter    o o o Causes of the recent rally in grain futures. If you haven’t done so already, stock you family up on bulk grain storage. Retail prices will likely double soon! See my Links page for a list of recommended food storage vendors.    o o o Russia accused of unleashing cyber war to disable Estonia    o o o Energy Efficient Desalination Takes A Step Forward

Our friend Ben sent us: Solar panels find a home with Amish   o o o Tim L. flagged this article for us: Off-grid farming in Canada    o o o From RBS: Global Mergers and Acquisitions Rise 60% to $2 Trillion, Led by Europe Deals and Leveraged Buyouts. It is clear to me that far too may money managers have deluded themselves into believing that the bull market in equities will go on indefinitely. Today’s entrepreneurs will be tomorrow’s contrapreneurs.    o o o At www.safecastleroyal.com, Vic is running a one-time “Food Load-up Sale and Membership Free for All.” …

From the CATO Institute: The World’s Greatest Unreported Hyperinflation   o o o Australian water crisis could be worse than thought. Australia, one of the world’s wheat exporters, will actually be importing wheat this year.    o o o Hawaiian K. sent us the link to a:detailed analysis of oilfield depletion, at The Oil Drum web site   o o o “Ready Room” sent us an article about a Russian in-wention: A non-nuclear EMP generator

Reader Vlad mentioned: “If you and your family have bicycles, you may wish to buy airfree tires. I’ve used them for six years and now would use [traditional] pneumatics only in extremis.   o o o The Financial Post reports on those wacky Gold Bears.    o o o I suppose that it was inevitable that the recently announced cancellation of the Jericho television series would inspire a petition drive. They gathered 27,000 electronic signatures in just the first day!    o o o The Housing Tipping Point. 3 Factors That Will Burst the Bubble: The Negative Wealth Effect, Negative …

In reference to my recent mention of the recently-introduced Arctic Cat diesel ATVs, reader Keith in Texas reminded me that several other makers also produce diesel engine “Utility/Side By Side” ATVs. These include Bobcat (the Toolcat 5600 B-Series), Club Car (the XRT 1500), Kubota (the RTV 900) and John Deere (the Gator HPX 4X4). Many of these models have hydraulic-powered attachments which can add to their versatility. And it is noteworthy that the Kubota three cylinder diesel engine used in several of these models is known for its reliability.   o o o Any readers that own a Saiga (AK) …

Countrytek mentioned: More mass fish kills, in the upper Midwestern states. Viral hemorrhagic septicemia is blamed.   o o o KT sent us a link to video from Taurus, hyping their “Judge” .45 Colt/.410 shotshell revolver. This revolver might sense for folks in bear country. And bear country is also often grouse or ptarmigan country. So this whompin’ big revolver might be practical in several ways. I certainly wouldn’t want to make it my primary self-defense handgun (versus two-legged predators), but it does offer some interesting possibilities. As for the Taurus marketeer’s suggestion of using The Judge as a counter-carjacking …

The U.S. recession is here: Wal-Mart posts worst sales ever as US retail figures slump   o o o Hawaiian K sent us this web link with more on CCD: One beekeeper claims that using smaller comb foundations shows success in fighting Varroa and Tracheal mite infestations.    o o o KT found us this article: Council on Foreign Relations on U.S. Dollar: “An Absurdity… Supported Only by Faith”    o o o Rob at $49 MURS Radios told us that he has created a page detailing how to use an external antenna to increase the range of both MURS …

Holly Deyo’s analysis of the 2007 U.S. tornado season. It’s already a bad year! Meanwhile, we read Kansas tornado disaster renews National Guard debate   o o o All states except six: Allstate Insurance to stop insuring California homes. Allstate has also stopped writing new homeowners policies in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida and New Jersey as well as in eight coastal New York counties. Perhaps they should rename the company “MostStates”.    o o o Commentary from Recombinomics: Qinghai H5N1 Evolution Revolution    o o o Terror Close to Home: In oil-rich Venezuela, a volatile leader befriends bad actors from the …

The Mogambo Guru speaks: Elements of the Dollar’s Death Knell   o o o Signs of the times? Fish die offs in the American southwest and in Idaho.    o o o From financial commentator Darryl Schoon: Depression, not a Recession, expected.    o o o A hospital emergency room in Atlanta, Georgia: “We’re at the Breaking Point.”

From Steve Quayle’s site: Additives Across Asia Feed Fears. In related news: Concerns raised on China’s global health disclosures   o o o Calls for increased U.S. defense spending, as China’s defense budget rises 17.8%.    o o o Reader Luke F. recommended this commentary from David Kopel: A World Without Guns