Odds ‘n Sods:

I’ve mentioned bond insurers several times before in the blog. A recent Reuters article, (courtesy of RBS), shows that the mainstream media has finally caught on to some of the broader implications: New York Governor Spitzer warns: Bond insurer woes could become market “tsunami”

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HH sent us this: Putin threatens to add the Ukraine to nuclear target list if they join NATO.

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I spotted this story linked at Drudge: U.S. will down failed satellite. The article doesn’t do a good job of describing what is planned. If an interceptor hits the satellite it will probably not change its de-orbiting path significantly. At best, it will just result in burning up its remaining fuel and hopefully create a smaller spray of chunks. Well, at least the chances are 5 in 6 that it will come down over an ocean.

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Chuck G. mentioned that James Howard Kunstler (well-known for his nonfiction Peak Oil book “The Long Emergency“) has just written a post-collapse novel titled “World Made by Hand” that will will be released on February 28, 2008. Amazon.com is now offering the novel at a pre-order discount.