Weather Report: The Economy — You Know! Geo-Political — USA, P&I, Next Week: Three Gardens Plus

THE ECONOMY–YOU KNOW!: money news.newsmax.com/street talk/equifax of 12/23/08 article, “Equifax: Consumers Falling Deeper Into Debt” concisely presents what a great many of us already know: job losses are increasing as our recession deepens and this is pulling consumers more deeply into debt.

Consumer job losses also have the effect of increasing bad debts for banks, already burdened with bad debt from mortgage meltdowns, by adding auto loan defaults and missed credit card payments to banks balance sheets: banking troubles are far from over.

Job losses also increase bankruptcy, reduce consumer confidence and spending (70% of the U.S. economy) and thereby reduce overall U.S. gross domestic product.

You Know!

GEO-POLITICAL–USA: newsmax.com/newsfront/homeland of 12/26/08 notes, “Report: U.S. Faces Biological Attack Within 5 Years”.

The attack(s) referred to in this article are primarily radiological, chemical, and biological in nature. They would stem from the continuing terrorist threats to the U.S. sourced in Africa and the Middle-East. Their best known representative would be al-Qaida who still seeks to inflict huge economic losses and damage on the U.S.

Note: The question here must be how a successful terrorist attack of the above nature would act as a force-multiplier to the already existing recession within the U.S.?

P&I: “Pakistan Moves Troops Toward Indian Border” says the 12/26/08 newsmax.com/international article.

The Mumbai attacks, according to this article, have prompted Pakistan to move troops from their army’s 14^th Division close to the Indian border in response to a concern that India may be preparing for an attack. India has not ruled out the use of force and Pakistan and India have fought three wars since 1947.

NEXT WEEK–THREE GARDENS PLUS: Next week we hope to present a strategy to help the prudent home cope with some of 2009’s uncertainties thru home food production.

Until next week then, keep your eyes on the horizon.