Links

Rick discusses the silver markets and other topics in this April 1st segment from "On The Edge with Max Keiser."

From analyst Daniel Greenfield of the SultanKnish blog, here's a trenchant analysis of why the West cannot "save" Muslims by overthrowing the tyrants who rule them:  "But as we write and read, talk goes on of how to save 1 billion Muslims from themselves. Removing their tyrannies, some cry. But what will they replace them with? More tyrannies. Governments reflect their peoples, not perfectly, but as broken mirrors. No tyrant who does not reflect what his subjects prize in this world can long endure upon his throne. If 1 billion Muslims wanted to be free, they would be. The tyrants are expressions of their condition, not repressions of their moral will. The Muslim world does not differ on whether there should be tyranny, but on what manner of tyranny it should be. "  For the complete essay, click here.

From Asian Times online, here's an excerpt from a superb analysis of the Middle East by Spengler:  "What might emerge from the Arab world two or three generations from now is beyond anyone's capacity to foresee. As individuals, Arabs are as talented and productive as anyone on earth. For the time being they are caught in the maelstrom of a failing culture."  Click here for the complete essay.

Writing in the Jerusalem Post, the peerless Caroline Glick brings sufficient clarity to her analysis of U.S. foreign policy in Egypt and Libya as to conclude that we have descended into strategic dementia.  Click here for the full essay.

Click here to access an article that explains in persuasive detail why a reactor meltdown in Japan is unlikely to produce a disaster on the order of Chernobyl.

A childhood friend of mine, Bonnie Roche-Bronfman, a New York architect with a terrific imagination and talent that radiates in many directions, is involved as set designer for a production called "From the Fire."  The drama commemorates the 100th anniversary of the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, a galvanizing event in the evolution of the country's labor laws and social reform.  The show is scheduled for a five-day run in the Judson Memorial Church and has already gotten some great press, including an upcoming article in The New Yorker.  For show times, tickets and further details, click here.

Last week's tips on how to prepare for a possible food shortage elicited many interesting responses, including one from "self sufficient prepper-survivalist" Mark Steel, a retired Navy veteran who describes himself as an "old-timer."  His heavily-trafficked web site is loaded with many fascinating and  insightful articles that he has written over the years.  For a look at www.Back2theLand.com, click here.

Sean Brodrick is a friend and author of The Ultimate Suburban Survivalist Guide, a book that I have strongly endorsed here in the past. Sean's is a kinder and gentler sort of survivalism -- one which would have us stay put and cultivate our gardens, sharing key responsibilities with neighbors,  rather than fleeing for the hills with a supply of food, water, guns and ammo. Rick's Picks subscriber Kurt Corthout has written a review of the book that you may find interesting. Click here to access it. Other reviews can be found on Amazon, where the book can be purchased new for as little as $7.99.

The stench of the banking bailout, and of Government's brazenly corrupt scheme to manipulate the housing market at the expense of taxpayers so that Big Money absolutely cannot lose, is as pungent as a week-old corpse in this excellent YouTube. It lays out the numbers so clearly that anyone can understand how the game is being played.  Click here to access the video.