http://news.yahoo.com/police-portland-protesters-arming-fight-023239672.html
In my own neck of the woods, no less....
QUOTE: Portland police warned on Friday that anti-Wall Street protesters in the city were fashioning makeshift weapons with wood and nails, in advance of a planned move by authorities to clear their two encampments over the weekend.
QUOTE #2: Details on possible plans for violence within the camps come from people inside the encampments who are concerned, Portland police Sergeant Pete Simpson said. There are reports weapons are being made with wood and nails, that a hole is being dug in one of the parks and that pallets are being turned into shields, said police.
My concern about the 'Occupy' movement has always been the potential for it to turn violent. It would be all the more dreadful if that started in my own backyard...
Friday, November 11, 2011
Search is on for cause of mysterious radiation wafting across Europe
http://news.yahoo.com/mystery-radiation-detected-across-europe-152226180.html
QUOTE: The hunt is on for the source of low level radiation detected in the atmosphere "across Europe" over the past several days, nuclear officials said today. Trace amounts of iodine-131, a type of radiation created during the operation of nuclear reactors or in the detonation of a nuclear weapon, were detected by the Czech Republic's State Office for Nuclear Safety starting two weeks ago. After the group reported its findings to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Agency released a statement today revealing similar detections had been made "in other locations across Europe." The IAEA said the current levels of iodine-131 are not high enough to warrant a public health risk, but the agency still does not know the origin of the apparent leak and an official with the agency would not say where exactly it has been detected outside the Czech Republic.
It's little more than a hunch at the moment, but I have a feeling this is going to become an important story in coming days (nothing specific, just a 'feeling'). Perhaps I have this sense as this is similar to what happened after Chernobyl melted down, that is radiation detectors began to pick up increased readings and only then did the Kremlin "come clean" about what happened. I hope it's nothing serious, but for whatever reason it seems worth keeping an eye on.
QUOTE: The hunt is on for the source of low level radiation detected in the atmosphere "across Europe" over the past several days, nuclear officials said today. Trace amounts of iodine-131, a type of radiation created during the operation of nuclear reactors or in the detonation of a nuclear weapon, were detected by the Czech Republic's State Office for Nuclear Safety starting two weeks ago. After the group reported its findings to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Agency released a statement today revealing similar detections had been made "in other locations across Europe." The IAEA said the current levels of iodine-131 are not high enough to warrant a public health risk, but the agency still does not know the origin of the apparent leak and an official with the agency would not say where exactly it has been detected outside the Czech Republic.
It's little more than a hunch at the moment, but I have a feeling this is going to become an important story in coming days (nothing specific, just a 'feeling'). Perhaps I have this sense as this is similar to what happened after Chernobyl melted down, that is radiation detectors began to pick up increased readings and only then did the Kremlin "come clean" about what happened. I hope it's nothing serious, but for whatever reason it seems worth keeping an eye on.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Paper: Israel may launch strike on Iran as soon as next month to prevent development of nuclear weapons
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2059462/Israel-launch-strike-Iran-soon-month-prevent-development-nuclear-weapons.html
QUOTE: Israel will launch military action to prevent Iran developing a nuclear weapon as soon as Christmas, intelligence chiefs have warned. A report by a UN watchdog into Iran’s nuclear ambitions ‘completely discredits’ the Islamic nation’s protestations of innocence, according to Foreign Secretary William Hague.
The International Atomic Energy Agency found that Iran is developing a nuclear test facility, nuclear detonators and computer modelling for a nuclear warhead that would fit on an existing missile. Sources say the understanding at the top of the British Government is that Israel will attempt to strike against the nuclear sites ‘sooner rather than later’ – with logistical support from the U.S.
If this is true, then (as I said earlier in the week) think about how these developments will affect your country, your region, your city. We live in a global society now and it's likely that a major conflict "over there" will have ramifications "over here" (wherever that might be). What will happen with oil prices? Availability of fuel in general? Food prices? Will this compel TSA and Homeland Security to tighten up their efforts even more? What will that mean for ease of travel?
This is why people prep, folks. Be prepared.
QUOTE: Israel will launch military action to prevent Iran developing a nuclear weapon as soon as Christmas, intelligence chiefs have warned. A report by a UN watchdog into Iran’s nuclear ambitions ‘completely discredits’ the Islamic nation’s protestations of innocence, according to Foreign Secretary William Hague.
The International Atomic Energy Agency found that Iran is developing a nuclear test facility, nuclear detonators and computer modelling for a nuclear warhead that would fit on an existing missile. Sources say the understanding at the top of the British Government is that Israel will attempt to strike against the nuclear sites ‘sooner rather than later’ – with logistical support from the U.S.
If this is true, then (as I said earlier in the week) think about how these developments will affect your country, your region, your city. We live in a global society now and it's likely that a major conflict "over there" will have ramifications "over here" (wherever that might be). What will happen with oil prices? Availability of fuel in general? Food prices? Will this compel TSA and Homeland Security to tighten up their efforts even more? What will that mean for ease of travel?
This is why people prep, folks. Be prepared.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Reason #7,894 to buy your food locally and grow your own
http://motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2011/11/supermarkets-sell-fake-honey
QUOTE: A third or more of all the honey consumed in the U.S. is likely to have been smuggled in from China and may be tainted with illegal antibiotics and heavy metals. A Food Safety News investigation has documented that millions of pounds of honey banned as unsafe in dozens of countries are being imported and sold here in record quantities.
"Honey-smuggling"? You've got to be kidding, right?
Unfortunately, according to this article there is a lot to be concerned about. And if this is happening with honey what other foods might it be happening with?
Yet another reason to get as much of your food as possible from Farmers Markets and your own backyard.
QUOTE: A third or more of all the honey consumed in the U.S. is likely to have been smuggled in from China and may be tainted with illegal antibiotics and heavy metals. A Food Safety News investigation has documented that millions of pounds of honey banned as unsafe in dozens of countries are being imported and sold here in record quantities.
"Honey-smuggling"? You've got to be kidding, right?
Unfortunately, according to this article there is a lot to be concerned about. And if this is happening with honey what other foods might it be happening with?
Yet another reason to get as much of your food as possible from Farmers Markets and your own backyard.
Stocks slump on more Euro fears, DOW down 300 at one point
http://www.cnbc.com/id/45222594
QUOTE: “The problem is, we’ve reached the domino phase, so it’s not about Greece anymore—it’s Italy and if Italy has a problem, then France has a problem too,” said Brian Battle, vice president of trading at Performance Trust Capital Partners. “The hope that there would be a solution is now non-existent.”
As someone who monitors financial developments with an eye on seeing what they can tell us about upcoming events I can say that things are beginning to unfold more quickly, as evidenced by the following news articles covering the same basic set of developments:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/45224770
http://www.cnbc.com/id/45225209
And then there's this happy, encouraging (yeah, right!) article also from CNBC: 65% Chance of Banking Crisis by End November
QUOTE: “The problem is, we’ve reached the domino phase, so it’s not about Greece anymore—it’s Italy and if Italy has a problem, then France has a problem too,” said Brian Battle, vice president of trading at Performance Trust Capital Partners. “The hope that there would be a solution is now non-existent.”
As someone who monitors financial developments with an eye on seeing what they can tell us about upcoming events I can say that things are beginning to unfold more quickly, as evidenced by the following news articles covering the same basic set of developments:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/45224770
http://www.cnbc.com/id/45225209
And then there's this happy, encouraging (yeah, right!) article also from CNBC: 65% Chance of Banking Crisis by End November
Oil going to $200 a barrel on Iran concerns?
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c22b2530-0a2f-11e1-85ca-00144feabdc0.html
QUOTE: In the first hours of the attack prices would surge, on average, by $23 a barrel, according to the survey. Under the worst case scenario, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, prices could increase, on average, by $61 a barrel, lifting Brent crude to an all-time high of $175 a barrel. Some traders warned that the increase could be much bigger, pushing oil prices up by $175 a barrel to a dizzying $290 a barrel.
It wouldn't be that big of a surprise to see it go to that higher number of $290 a barrel the way things are going these days...
Other factors to keep in mind:
QUOTE #2: The supply glitches continue to plague the market. Although Libya’s oil output has recovered to about 550,000 b/d, it remains well below the prewar level of 1.6m b/d. At the same time, oil production in Yemen and Syria has dropped by a combined 200,000 b/d due to unrest in both countries. In addition, production is running below the expected level in the North Sea, Nigeria and Azerbaijan.
Definitely worth keeping your gas tank topped off, correct? And if you have a way to store some extra fuel in a safe way (gas cans or holding tanks specifically designed for that purpose) it might not be a bad idea to do so as well.
QUOTE: In the first hours of the attack prices would surge, on average, by $23 a barrel, according to the survey. Under the worst case scenario, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, prices could increase, on average, by $61 a barrel, lifting Brent crude to an all-time high of $175 a barrel. Some traders warned that the increase could be much bigger, pushing oil prices up by $175 a barrel to a dizzying $290 a barrel.
It wouldn't be that big of a surprise to see it go to that higher number of $290 a barrel the way things are going these days...
Other factors to keep in mind:
QUOTE #2: The supply glitches continue to plague the market. Although Libya’s oil output has recovered to about 550,000 b/d, it remains well below the prewar level of 1.6m b/d. At the same time, oil production in Yemen and Syria has dropped by a combined 200,000 b/d due to unrest in both countries. In addition, production is running below the expected level in the North Sea, Nigeria and Azerbaijan.
Definitely worth keeping your gas tank topped off, correct? And if you have a way to store some extra fuel in a safe way (gas cans or holding tanks specifically designed for that purpose) it might not be a bad idea to do so as well.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Major storm to hit Alaska?
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/08/alaska-faces-one-of-its-worst-storms-ever-forecasters-say/
Wow! This looks like it could be a doozy. I'll be doing another episode later this week on Winter Survival issues, but the simplest things to keep in mind are making sure you have ways of staying warm (duh!) that don't require electricity, adequate food and water reserves, and some kind of backup communication plan in case things start to become problematic beyond what you're ready for.
QUOTE: "This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening storm which will be one of the worst on record over the Bering Sea and the west coast," NWS forecasters said in a bulletin Monday afternoon.
QUOTE #2: Winds near hurricane force of 74 mph were expected to generate seas as high as 25 feet in the northern Bering Sea, forecasters said. The winds were expected to raise sea levels as much as 9 feet in the Norton Sound. Those levels combined with the high waves were expected to cause significant coastal erosion and major flooding. The winds may also push sea ice on shore, adding to the dangers, NWS forecasters said.
I would not be surprised if some folks in Canada are also impacted by this event too, so keep an eye on the weather if you're along the periphery of that region as well. In the first forum I read about this in someone referred to the movie "The Day After Tomorrow", which may not be too far-fetched.
Wow! This looks like it could be a doozy. I'll be doing another episode later this week on Winter Survival issues, but the simplest things to keep in mind are making sure you have ways of staying warm (duh!) that don't require electricity, adequate food and water reserves, and some kind of backup communication plan in case things start to become problematic beyond what you're ready for.
QUOTE: "This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening storm which will be one of the worst on record over the Bering Sea and the west coast," NWS forecasters said in a bulletin Monday afternoon.
QUOTE #2: Winds near hurricane force of 74 mph were expected to generate seas as high as 25 feet in the northern Bering Sea, forecasters said. The winds were expected to raise sea levels as much as 9 feet in the Norton Sound. Those levels combined with the high waves were expected to cause significant coastal erosion and major flooding. The winds may also push sea ice on shore, adding to the dangers, NWS forecasters said.
I would not be surprised if some folks in Canada are also impacted by this event too, so keep an eye on the weather if you're along the periphery of that region as well. In the first forum I read about this in someone referred to the movie "The Day After Tomorrow", which may not be too far-fetched.
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