More Middle-East Tensions and Conversations With ’Pop’ Smith

More Middle-East Tensions and Conversations With ’Pop’ Smith

More Middle -East Tensions: We spoke a short while ago about the oil-critical Strait of Hormuz and  now we see this headline over at newsmaxworld.com on 12/14/09: “Iran Working on Secret Nuclear Trigger”. Here are some of the articles key points:

• “LONDON – Confidential intelligence documents obtained by The Times show that Iran is working on testing a key final component of a nuclear bomb.” The notes, from Iran’s most sensitive military nuclear project, describe a four-year plan to test a neutron iniator, the component of a nuclear bomb that triggers an explosion. Foreign intelligence agencies date them to early 2007, four years after Iran was thought to have suspended its weapons programme.”

• “The technical document describes the use of a neutron source, uranium deuteride, which independent experts confirm has no possible civilian or military use other than in a nuclear weapon. Uranium deuteride is the material used in Pakistan’s bomb, from where Iran obtained its blueprint.”

And this from foxnews.com on 12/16/09: “Iran Test-Fires Its Longest-Range Missile” (from 12/16/09 AP):

• “TEHRAN, Iran — Iran on Wednesday test-fired an upgraded version of its most advanced missile, which is capable of hitting Israel and parts of Europe.”

• “LIVESHOTS: Important Points About Iran’s Missile Test”

• “The two-stage Sajjil-2, and is powered entirely by solid-fuel while the older, medium-range Sahab-3 missile uses a combination of soild and liquid fuel in its most advanced form.”

• “Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi  … He said the new version (the Sajjil-2) can be fueled more quickly and flies faster than previous ones making it harder to shoot down … ”

• “Solid-fuel missiles like the Sajjil-2 are more accutate than the liquid fuel missiles of similar range currently possessed by Iran. They are also a concern because they can be fueled in advance and moved or hidden in silos.”

PH Comment: The net-same as our last comment on the Strait of Hormuz situation: If we had to place a bet, it would be placed on war.
Prepare families, prepare.

Conversations With ‘Pop’ Smith: PH Question – ‘Pop’, a lot of prepping/posting folks are making                                suggestions for preparedness items as gifts during this holiday season. Any thoughts here?
‘Pop’: It’s a great time for giving preparedness gifts, what with the sales and all, as they’re sure to stimulate focus and interest on/in  preparedness. That’s especially important in these times. Here are a couple of inexpensive gifts (“stocking stuffers”) that should always prove useful:

1. A good-quality manual can-opener

2. A pair of good-quality toenail clippers

3. An eye glasses repair/maintenance kit with added spare parts (screws, etc.).

Also, I haven’t seen it mentioned much but this a great time to acquire/expand your stores with “seasonal” food items that are especially offered for holiday use at very cheap prices. Here are some of the items that I take advantage of:

1. sugar

2. baking soda

3. baking powder

4. hard candy

5. canned yams

6. cranberry sauce

just to name a few. Keep seasonal foods in mind (they can be eaten any time of year) and watch your expiration dates.
Merry Christmas!

Until next time; keep your eyes on the horizon as the weathers changing fast.