Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.
Word For The Day:
Guantanadome – n. The domed sports arena where refugees are searched and then 'detained' for their own protection by armed guards and denied the freedom to leave.
Word For The Day:
Guantanadome – n. The domed sports arena where refugees are searched and then ‘detained’ for their own protection by armed guards and denied the freedom to leave.
Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.
Its gotten to the point where I simply cannot read any more about the refugees in the Superdome. Between .gov saying that citizens will not be released (like prisoners, I guess) and the citizens whining about the conditions, I want to get up and scream at them long and hard about being sheeple.
Seriously, everything goes red around the edges andm y shest hurts when I read this stuff.
For a refreshingly different take, is riding it out in a generator equipped data center. And he has net acces so he's probably the closest thing to 'our man in New Orleans'. And, he's the LJ-er formally known as so he's the last one to be caught standing in a .gov/FEMA food line. Good reading.
Its gotten to the point where I simply cannot read any more about the refugees in the Superdome. Between .gov saying that citizens will not be released (like prisoners, I guess) and the citizens whining about the conditions, I want to get up and scream at them long and hard about being sheeple.
Seriously, everything goes red around the edges andm y shest hurts when I read this stuff.
For a refreshingly different take, interdictor is riding it out in a generator equipped data center. And he has net acces so he’s probably the closest thing to ‘our man in New Orleans’. And, he’s the LJ-er formally known as ikilled007 so he’s the last one to be caught standing in a .gov/FEMA food line. Good reading.
Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.
Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.
Theres two thoughts about 'survival' that used to be dominant, although one has mostly fallen from favor.
One idea was that it was best to be highly mobile, not being tied down to any one location. Without a static supply depot you'd be less likely to die defending it. You could evade the hordes. Think 'Mad Max'.
The contrary idea was hunker in your bunker. Heavily fortified and ready to repel looters at a moments notice. Think 'Dawn of the Dead'.
The first lifestyle has generally given way to the idea of low-profile, well-stocked, heavily-fortified, savagely-defended homes/retreats. Im in that particular camp. 'Never, ever become a refugee' is the cry of several authoers in the field (Benson, Long, etc, etc.) To this, I agree… once you become a refugee you have dropped to the bottom of the totem pole. You are vulnerable, lost and at the mercy of all, good (the people giving you handouts) and the bad (those wanting to take them away). To wit:
These are not 'victims', these are not 'innocents', these are not 'unfortunates' – these are refugees. At the Superdome, if you want to enter the facility and try to weather the weather you are searched for weapons, drugs, etc. and you are told to bring your own food/water/bedding. Lets think about this….
Theres a hurricane bearing down on your position. For some unfathomable reason you ignored the three days or so of notice to get the hell out of dodge and then, at the 11th hour, decide 'eh, I'll go to the Dome'. Unless you feel youre capable of carry a 5-gallon jug of water, a sleeping bag, clothes, toiletries, food and entertainment for each person in your party on your back, youre probably going to show up with nothing….and then the National Guardsmen are going to toss all your gear looking for drugs. Good luck convincing them that prescription heart medicine isnt ecstasy. Once inside the facility youre now at the mercy of any group larger than yours…much like prison. The toilets? They'll be out of commission in a few days…toilet paper will be gone in a few hours. Potable water? Maybe…get in line at the drinking fountains intil the water pressure dies due to pump failures. Food? Im sure the Red Cross will be handing out cookies, juice boxes and the like. Sleep? If you can sleep in a chair with all your belongings that you brought safeguarded from your strange neighbors. Im curious to know if theyre letting people OUT of the Superdome. “Uhm, I'll just be heading home thanks…make myself some dinner and chang clothes. Thanks for everything.” “Sir, we cant let you leave. For your own safety, we are not allowing anyone to leave the Superdome until [insert local government authority here] says we can. Please return to your seat.”
Ever been stuck on a runway in a plane that couldnt take off and had to sit on the tarmac for a few hours? Well, thats what this is going to be like.
These people had a choice….they had days of warning. They ignored it. Dont say 'they couldnt leave because theyre poor/black/didnt have cars/were misinformed/etc'. Any person with a television, radio or a freakin' newspaper could have learned that it was going to be a killer hurricane three days ago and either called Cousin Billy to come get them, paid $40 for a bus ticket, gotten on a freakin' bicycle and gotten out of the impact areas.
My sympathies, such as they are, are going to be with those who stayed with their homes or left town and came back later… at least by doing one of those things they made a decision and did something.
Theres two thoughts about ‘survival’ that used to be dominant, although one has mostly fallen from favor.
One idea was that it was best to be highly mobile, not being tied down to any one location. Without a static supply depot you’d be less likely to die defending it. You could evade the hordes. Think ‘Mad Max’.
The contrary idea was hunker in your bunker. Heavily fortified and ready to repel looters at a moments notice. Think ‘Dawn of the Dead’.
The first lifestyle has generally given way to the idea of low-profile, well-stocked, heavily-fortified, savagely-defended homes/retreats. Im in that particular camp. ‘Never, ever become a refugee’ is the cry of several authoers in the field (Benson, Long, etc, etc.) To this, I agree… once you become a refugee you have dropped to the bottom of the totem pole. You are vulnerable, lost and at the mercy of all, good (the people giving you handouts) and the bad (those wanting to take them away). To wit:
These are not ‘victims’, these are not ‘innocents’, these are not ‘unfortunates’ – these are refugees. At the Superdome, if you want to enter the facility and try to weather the weather you are searched for weapons, drugs, etc. and you are told to bring your own food/water/bedding. Lets think about this….
Theres a hurricane bearing down on your position. For some unfathomable reason you ignored the three days or so of notice to get the hell out of dodge and then, at the 11th hour, decide ‘eh, I’ll go to the Dome’. Unless you feel youre capable of carry a 5-gallon jug of water, a sleeping bag, clothes, toiletries, food and entertainment for each person in your party on your back, youre probably going to show up with nothing….and then the National Guardsmen are going to toss all your gear looking for drugs. Good luck convincing them that prescription heart medicine isnt ecstasy. Once inside the facility youre now at the mercy of any group larger than yours…much like prison. The toilets? They’ll be out of commission in a few days…toilet paper will be gone in a few hours. Potable water? Maybe…get in line at the drinking fountains intil the water pressure dies due to pump failures. Food? Im sure the Red Cross will be handing out cookies, juice boxes and the like. Sleep? If you can sleep in a chair with all your belongings that you brought safeguarded from your strange neighbors. Im curious to know if theyre letting people OUT of the Superdome. “Uhm, I’ll just be heading home thanks…make myself some dinner and chang clothes. Thanks for everything.” “Sir, we cant let you leave. For your own safety, we are not allowing anyone to leave the Superdome until [insert local government authority here] says we can. Please return to your seat.”
Ever been stuck on a runway in a plane that couldnt take off and had to sit on the tarmac for a few hours? Well, thats what this is going to be like.
These people had a choice….they had days of warning. They ignored it. Dont say ‘they couldnt leave because theyre poor/black/didnt have cars/were misinformed/etc’. Any person with a television, radio or a freakin’ newspaper could have learned that it was going to be a killer hurricane three days ago and either called Cousin Billy to come get them, paid $40 for a bus ticket, gotten on a freakin’ bicycle and gotten out of the impact areas.
My sympathies, such as they are, are going to be with those who stayed with their homes or left town and came back later… at least by doing one of those things they made a decision and did something.
Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.
Well, if you live in New Orleans its time to get your Zero on. The TV has been flooded(!) with dire predictions about New Orleans washing out to sea. I'm going to ignore the horror of a culture without America's national capital of boobflashing-for-palstic-beads…..for now. Should be interesting and quite the learning experience when this all blows over and we start getting reports from survivors of how things went. Im sure the various preparedness boards will be eating it up.
=====
The girlfriend pointed out that while US oil supplies on hand were good for a few weeks, our refining capacity has been curtailed and on this news oil prices, and gas prices, went up again. Its supposed to be worse in the next few days so we headed to WallyWorld and picked up 3 5-gallon gas cans and filled 'em at CostCo for $2.48 a gallon. And filled the truck. We have a long trip to Billings in about two weeks and this might save us a few bucks in the long run. And given the uncertainty in the energy world right now I am waaaaaaay cool with having a few 5 gallon cans of gas laid back.
=====
Picked up forty NIB military contract AR mags with green followers. Score. That and the .30 can of SS109 greentip in the bunker give a happy warm fuzzy feeling.
Longer (much longer) post later.. Im tired from travelling.
Well, if you live in New Orleans its time to get your Zero on. The TV has been flooded(!) with dire predictions about New Orleans washing out to sea. I’m going to ignore the horror of a culture without America’s national capital of boobflashing-for-palstic-beads…..for now. Should be interesting and quite the learning experience when this all blows over and we start getting reports from survivors of how things went. Im sure the various preparedness boards will be eating it up.
=====
The girlfriend pointed out that while US oil supplies on hand were good for a few weeks, our refining capacity has been curtailed and on this news oil prices, and gas prices, went up again. Its supposed to be worse in the next few days so we headed to WallyWorld and picked up 3 5-gallon gas cans and filled ’em at CostCo for $2.48 a gallon. And filled the truck. We have a long trip to Billings in about two weeks and this might save us a few bucks in the long run. And given the uncertainty in the energy world right now I am waaaaaaay cool with having a few 5 gallon cans of gas laid back.
=====
Picked up forty NIB military contract AR mags with green followers. Score. That and the .30 can of SS109 greentip in the bunker give a happy warm fuzzy feeling.
Longer (much longer) post later.. Im tired from travelling.
