Odds ‘n Sods:

World Rice Stockpiles Hit as Yields Drop

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UN: World hunger has been increasing for a decade. Thanks to Bob for the link.

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SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent us this glimpse of the the Third World: In India: Forget the Diamond Ring, Brides Want Ceramic. “…since a “No Toilet, No Bride” campaign started about two years ago, 1.4 million toilets have been built here in the northern state of Haryana, some with government funds, according to the state’s health department… “I won’t let my daughter near a boy who doesn’t have a latrine,” said Usha Pagdi, who made sure that daughter Vimlas Sasva, 18, finished high school and took courses in electronics at a technical school. “No loo? No ‘I do,’ ” Vimlas said, laughing as she repeated a radio jingle.” Mike’s comment: “As has been mentioned here recently, most westerners don’t really grasp how essential modern plumbing, from water to sewage systems, are to modern society. Without them, large cities are simply impossible, and small housing lots lead quickly to the type of pestilences that wiped out large areas of Europe and Asia during various plagues. Bacterial infections can reduce populations in a matter of days. There is, of course, an irony that the vocal eco activists (the anti-human, pro-wildlife types) would never suggest getting rid of indoor plumbing, even though doing so would reduce the world’s urban population significantly.” [JWR Adds: Coincidentally, we may see some public health issues in the tent cities that are springing up in the US.]

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This product has some possibilities: the Ballistic Clipboard. If carried in a briefcase or in a laptop bag, it might give you some protection, particularly in locations where you must be disarmed–such as in many office buildings, courthouses, and inside airport terminals. In those circumstances, having some protection is better than nothing!