The recent fires in Australia with large loss of life and property underscore the need to have defensible space around buildings. There is one factor in the Australian bush fires is not common knowledge in the US: In extremely hot weather, some tree species found in Australia--such as eucalyptus--exude volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are extremely flammable. When the conditions are just right, this can cause a firestorm effect.
o o o
Chris E. flagged this: Rep. Kanjorski: $550 Billion Disappeared in "Electronic Run on the Banks." A key quote: "[if the Federal reserve had not acted] by two o'clock that afternoon $5.5 trillion would have been drawn out of the money market system of the United States. [This] would have collapsed the entire economy of the United States, and within 24 hours the world economy would have collapsed."
o o o
Cheryl sent us the following economic news and commentary: 15 Companies that May Not Survive 2009 -- Nissan to Cut 20,000 Jobs -- US Job Losses Hit College Educated -- Bank of England to Issue Grimmest Warning Yet on Economy -- US Treasury to Pump Billions More into Banks -- Grab Your Torch and Pitchforks: Homeowners Protest at Morgan Stanley CEO's Home -- Peter Schiff: this is Just the Beginning -- US Inflation Could Hit 200% -- Silver/Gold Ratio Reversion -- Merrill Lynch: Gold Hysteria Continues, Could Hit $1,500 -- Peace of Mind Comes in Yellow (The Mogambo Guru)
