island living

ISLAND LIVING


I just love it all to pieces when I read a link saying something to the effect that “Citi-Bank reports food prices to soar”, “Bank Of America reports gold to reach $2,000 this year”, “ChinaBank reports oil to hit $150”. At first you think, my what super nice people these bankers are, taking the time and money to study about this potential problem and warning us ahead of time so we can prepare ourselves. And then, if you think further, you should be saying to yourself, my, those central bank anal whores are lying about the causes of inflation by pointing to commodity prices reacting to both supply decline and currency inflation as the cause itself of rising prices. The dollars are printed to keep the government going ( and the bank collecting interest ) and more currency in circulation equals their decline in value equals prices rising. The banks are hiding their role as currency value usurper behind misdirection. As usual, the banks ain’t helping you out, they are trying to screw you. Just like they aren’t helping you out to get better credit so you can enjoy the good stuff in life. They are asking you to go into debt and pay promptly so you can qualify for more credit to get deeper in debt. The best thing you can do for yourself is to have terrible credit. If possible, file for bankruptcy. Free up that cash for preps. Economic system dependent on credit which is dependent on growth which is dependent on surplus which needs cheap and abundant energy. Without that type of energy the economy is done. Stick a fork in it. Without the economy, you don’t need credit. Bankrupt. Thank me later as you have plenty of wheat gruel amidst the falling radioactive particles of Washington DC.

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Speaking of a general disbelief that the end of cheap oil is the end of our economy as we know it, I’ve been instructed to clear the shelves of canned meat at work at the food bank. But wait, I implored, in the event of a drop off of donations of frozen meat, I would like to have a stockpile of canned meat. Since our client base has ballooned explosively and such. Vile, foul, out-of-date cans was the reply. So, because it ain’t my sand box and I don’t make the rules, I’m getting rid of the canned meat. It truly hurts. Watching the stockpile dwindle. In normal times rotation of canned goods makes perfect sense and it would be stupid not to. I sure hope I’m wrong about this one ( it may surprise you to know I hope I’m wrong about all my doom and gloom. I won’t be embarrassed, just relieved ).

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At the end of basic training ( we had one site training, the same barracks and instructors for a combined basic and advanced training ) 95% of the class was assigned to nuke site security in Germany. At first I was relieved, still brainwashed with visions of a glorious law enforcement career. With hindsight I would have been better off, great at security and really bad at law enforcement ( well, I can’t be positive since years long lack of practice might have had something to do about it. But once it was crunch time I froze and only by luck nothing bad happened ). But at the time I was positively gloating that I was assigned to Hawaii ( technically an overseas posting ). All those scum bags had to suck up facing the commie menace and I was able to soak up the tropical sun. And I didn’t even get stuck in some crap hole like the 25th Infantry. I got a security gig at Inscom. That was a nice three years, although the gods always have the last laugh and I had to do penance at the 2nd Infantry in Korea ( what a bunch of uptight pricks. Thought they were jarheads or something. The base commander thought it would be cool for us idiots at the gate to scream “Second ID, Second To None” at all waved through vehicles. Over the noise of their diesel engines. Try doing that for twelve hours. The prostitutes were cheap though ). And believe it or not, I actually had some time left for Doom And Gloom thoughts in between my nearly constant drunkenness.

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It was evident right away we were on an island far away, just from the prices. And even back almost thirty years ago they had pretty bad gun control. I had thought about mail ordering a rifle but since I was only assigned off base as long as my marriage lasted ( not too long- never marry your best drinking buddy ) that wouldn’t have worked out too well. Oddly, the island aspect didn’t worry me too much. I did have a half assed idea that a nearby culvert would be great place from fallout ( if not on base, which was conveniently underground- I’m sure we would have lasted as long as the generator sucked in air for us. But I have my doubts about any plans to keep any of us alive, we surely would have been unneeded by then ). I was more worried about fallout than being stuck on an island. Hey, I was a drunk 20 year old punk ( one of these days I’ll tell you about the stop sign they named after me ). Nowadays, I wouldn’t want to live on an island for the simple fact you can’t escape. A few could, on a few boats. But any Johnny Come Lately ( 99% of us ) would be left screwing the pooch.

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When I read over at Rawles about the plea to join a prepper in Ireland, I knew I had to reply. Normally, I just ignore the bleating over there. A good resource, but much must be taken with a grain of salt ( I’m sure Jim says the same thing about this publication, but without the “good resource” part ). I mean, come on! Now besides a retreat, a four wheel bug out truck, now we need a friggin boat, too?!? Anyway, while there is much I admire about Ireland, it’s fierce independent folks that show a lot more gumption fighting their occupational force than we do ours ( we might have thrown out the British-even if only by the help of the French- but then we let the anti-Constitutionalists occupy us ), the smallholder farming, etc., they are still stuck on an island. Okay, that might have something to do with the combativeness. No where to run. But I want to run at the first sign of trouble. We can discus later if I would regroup and fight back later. It is nice to at least have the option of fleeing. On an island, you swim, fight or die. I want to include option Scamper Away.

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I’m sure I still have a minion on Hawaii. He might disagree with what I’m saying. He is probably quite comfortable in his location ( he might think it better to fight than freeze like I might do ). I wouldn’t move back there. Nor to Ireland or Scotland or any other island ( I’ve thought about New Zealand but I was informed to keep my unskilled butt back where it was ). Kind of painting yourself in a corner.

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