Category: Odds ‘n Sods

The price action in the precious metals markets has been uneven for the past couple of months. It seems to be a market looking for a sense of direction. Just as with the base metals, there is of course a habitual tendency for the precious metals to follow the price of crude oil. But as previously mentioned, that linkage is weakening. Even though oil is off more than 25% from its highs of a few months ago (presently it is down in the low $50 range, per barrel), the metal prices have not followed. They’ve weakened a bit, but stayed …

SurvivalBlog reader Norman in England mentioned this piece in The Times of London; Thousands to Test Flu Emergency Response. Norman’s comments: “If this thing does mutate and get world wide then it will be very difficult if not impossible for society to hold together as it is now. What will come from this exercise will be bulls**t. I’ll try to keep you posted but I expect most of it to be kept under wraps. The systems that hold our society together have very little fault tolerance and it will not take much to bring society down. Once we are on …

Unintended consequences: Rise in ethanol demand creates a tortilla crisis.    o o o S.H. mention an interesting list of 63 field/barracks items posted at Bouhammer’s Afghanistan “List of gear for A-stan.” S.H. notes: “This may be of interest to those reviewing their G.O.O.D. or Bug-Out bags. It is very enlightening on what our troops use/need in a modern desert war environment.”    o o o There are just 16 days left in the big “Container load sale” at Survival Enterprises. Looking at their running inventories posted on the web page, I can see that several items have sold out. …

Michael Z. Williamson sent us a link to an article on how “gun control” laws are working in the UK. The following is a quote from the article: “A widow who lives alone in a Wiltshire farmhouse has taken to sleeping with a Smith & Wesson Saturday Night Special under her pillow. It belonged to her husband and is more than capable of stopping an intruder, of which she has had three in the last two years. When she goes shopping in Swindon, she slips a can of Mace into her handbag in case of assault. “Bought it at the …

Steve P. flagged this “must read” article by Doug Hornig: Climate Change Revisited    o o o From BlogIdaho: Why Cops Shoot Guys with Knives (Warning: Some graphic photos, not for the squeamish!) BTW, shallow slashing wounds to the torso of the type shown are not often fatal. It is either wounds to the neck or deep penetrating wounds to the abdomen (typically angled upward, from just under the ribcage) followed immediately by lateral motion of the blade tip that are the real killing wounds. (The latter is what one of my Army training NCOs referred to as “massive surgery …

“OSOM” sent this From Doug Casey’s newsletter: a very readable article on the French Revolution’s hyperinflation and the corruption and misery it bred. OSOM’s comment: “History doesn’t repeat exactly – but it sure looks like it’s rhyming.”    o o o There are just 19 days left in the big “Container load sale” at Survival Enterprises. All of the storage food items are “first come – first served.” The prices are less than half of retail. Survival Enterprises can take all major credit cards, PayPal, cash, gold and silver coins, but no checks or money orders. All orders must be …

Aaron in Florida noted: “The Official Department of the Army Publications and Forms web site has a tremendous number of manuals and information in PDF format.” I should also add that anyone associated with the Army (Active, Reserve, Guard, retired, army civilian employees, and even defense contractors) can get an Army Knowledge Online (AKO) account, which will give you access to even more manuals.   o o o UN Report on Climate Change “Will Shock the World”    o o o Airman JB and Joe from Tennessee both forwarded this one: Doctors fear TB strain could cause a global pandemic …

Hawaiian K. flagged this one: U.S. Navy Test Infrared Voice Communications System    o o o Reader Bob. B. suggested to taking a look at: The Provident Living (LDS) Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness web page. He suggested; “Especially look at the ‘Dry Pack Handouts’ label in the right-hand list. Great recipes for basic foods.”    o o o There are just 21 days left in the big “Container load sale” at Survival Enterprises. Some items like dehydrated margarine powder and dehydrated cabbage have already sold out, so don’t hesitate to get your order in. Do it soon, before many …

“Dancing Barefoot” mentioned this news story: Cod enzyme kills H5N1 virus    o o o U.S. Urges ‘Fivefold Expansion’ in Alberta Oilsands Production    o o o Novelist Michael Z. Williamson mentioned this book: Apocalypse Chow: How to Eat Well When the Power Goes Out

Chris forwarded this one: Scientists Report Breakthrough in Battle Against Deadly ‘Superbug’    o o o More about Federal Reserve chairman’s Benanke’s warnings on demographic shifts: Calm before the storm’ in federal deficit    o o o Novelist Michael Z. Williamson sent us a story about a very resourceful nine year old runaway.Mike’s comment: “The boy’s problems aside, he’s very determined, smart, and a sure survivor.”

Despite the fact that the price of crude oil has wandered down to around $50 USD per barrel, the spot price of silver is now back up solidly above $12.80 per ounce. This is further evidence that supports my assertion that the price of oil and the prices of precious metals are becoming de-linked. ˆ I expect this price divergence to continue to grow in coming years.    o o o Commander Zero mentioned that there is another long haul microwave “bunker” and tower site currently for sale in Montana. This one is in open country, near Miles City. (OBTW, …

Fed Chief Bernanke warns: Fiscal action needed as America’s citizenry ages    o o o Here is a handy “locator page” for finding an LDS “storage center” (cannery) in your area. The LDS church graciously makes their cannery facilities available to non-Mormons.    o o o House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Creates Global Warming Committee. Gee, Nancy, could you send some of your hot air up here? (We just had a whole week of overnight lows around 10 below zero.)    o o o I just heard that Northern Tool & Equipment (one of our Affiliate advertisers) is offering Free Shipping …

Hawaiian K. suggested a link to the article titled: “No Way Out: A 50% Dollar Devaluation“, by Robert McHugh, Ph.D.     o o o The big “Container load sale” at Survival Enterprises that I mentioned last week is now in high gear. It is all selling fast and strictly “first come – first served.” The prices are less than half of retail. Survival Enterprises can take all major credit cards, PayPal, cash, gold and silver coins, but no checks or money orders. Survival Enterprises has a web page with a running inventory list with prices. (As they sell out an …

Former CIA energy analyst Tom Whipple reports: The Peak Oil Crisis: Congressional Hearings – Round #2    o o o Cathy Buckle reports from Zimbabwe: Police crackdown on illegal small scale miners leads to deaths. Just more of the same government heavy-handedness in troubled Zimbabwe. The once quite productive and prosperous nation is now chronically racked by hyperinflation. Speaking of inflation, be sure to scroll down to Cathy’s January 6th post, which includes this: “Before Christmas a loaf of bread was 295 dollars, now it is 850 dollars – the bakers say its still not enough to cover their costs …

Reader Ben L. mentioned this one: Bird flu reports spreading in Asia. Ben’s comment: “Scary stuff. The S.E. Asians appear (!) to be holding their end in check, but the way these things tend to get out of control, I’d have to say November 2008/February 2009 would be the time to watch out for. Yes, time to stock up on animal-protein goodies from your advertisers such as Freeze Dry Guy and PrepareTV.com. (My my; their Gourmet Supreme Pack looks to be delicious.)”    o o o Hurricane-force winds and rain lashed northern Europe on Thursday    o o o I …