SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at demographic shifts caused by the ongoing Wuhan Flu pandemic.
New Trend: “Sell City, Buy Country”
Reader Jeanne L. sent this bit of confirmation for a SurvivalBlog premise, published by Politico: How Coronavirus Could Make People Move. A quote:
“Chances are, you might want to abandon crowded cities. It’s now obvious, if it weren’t before, that staying in big cities can be bad for your health. The density of social contact in urban areas—home to almost 60 percent of the global population—makes them Petri dishes for the spread of contagious diseases. The Covid-19 “attack rate” in New York City was five times the national average. (Similarly, depopulated Eastern European countries have far lower fatality rates from Covid-19 than more densely populated Western Europe.)
Of course, some cities are stickier than others. New York City may have become the Wuhan of the Western Hemisphere, but that doesn’t mean that most New Yorkers won’t stay and lobby officials to be better prepared for future catastrophes, whether viruses or hurricanes.
But other cities might not be so lucky. Milan, Madrid, Tokyo and Seattle are other wealthy, modern cities that have nonetheless become virus hot spots. Their appeal to professionals may diminish given their high cost of living and potential underpreparedness for the next virus wave.
Plus, if you’re going to be regularly quarantined, it might as well be someplace where you can enjoy a nice walk in nature. As Silicon Valley venture capitalist Balaji Srinivasan put it in a pithy tweet, ‘Sell city, buy country.'”
Seattle Cop Suspended After Opposing Lockdown Enforcement
H.L. sent this: Port of Seattle police officer suspended after speaking out against ‘tyrannical’ lockdown enforcement. JWR’s Comment: If that officer would like to move anywhere in The American Redoubt, I’m very confident that the majority of Sheriffs would gladly hire him!
Doctor Likely Killed by a Pack of Dogs
Reader Tim J. sent us this: Georgia doctor found dead in ditch likely killed by a pack of dogs: police. A snippet:
“Police out on patrol spotted a car pulled over on the wrong side of the road on Skyline Blvd. around 3 a.m. with its engine still running and door open.
An officer “got out of the patrol car to investigate and found a female that was deceased in the ditch,” Lyons Police Chief Wesley Walker told WTOC.
It was unclear what made her pull over. The incident remains under investigation.”
JWR’s Comment: Always travel well-armed!
Americans are Buying Guns Before It’s Too Late
By way of the Yer Ol’ Woodpile Report blog comes this at the Guns & Ammo web site: Buying Guns Before It’s Too Late. Gun owners are living through another history lesson.
Here is a pericope:
“The clear lesson from all of this is that anti-gun government officials will act with craven disregard for individual rights and the Constitution if they think they have justification to do so. Because of the gun store closures in New York, Massachusetts, and New Mexico, 10 percent of the country’s population – more than 30 million people – live in places where they cannot buy firearms. Even buying a firearm from a willing neighbor is not possible because each of these states have imposed universal background check laws. Americans are literally being prevented from exercising their right to keep and bear arms.
In these states, businesses like dry cleaners and liquor stores remain open as essential, but the stores that sell the only explicitly protected property named in the Constitution are forcibly shuttered…”
Bloomberg + Liberal Church Leaders = More Gun Control
Reader C.C. spotted this: Bloomberg’s Everytown Partnering With Religious Groups to Push Gun Control in November Elections
S.F. Hands Out Free Booze and Dope to Bums
D.S.V. sent us this: Homeless People In San Francisco Hotel Rooms Are Being Given Free Alcohol And Drugs
—
You can send your news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) Thanks!
Bread and Circuses BUYS Votes. Keeps the population under control. Worked in Rome UNTIL they corrupted the money so badly that there was plenty of silver plated coins (instead of solid silver denarii) BUT nobody could buy enough bread with them.
We are WELL into the Socialist’s plans to take over the House, the Senate AND the president (with a senile puppet) USING this Economic-COVID19 “Disaster.
We are well on the path with “Free Money” from the Democrats to “Assist” people through the “Trump Caused” troubles until the people figure out the Government can only create electronic digits BUT Not Bread to eat.
Pity is the Democrats have full cover from the Mass Media and like President Hoover being slammed with “Hoover Blankets” as newspapers covering the sleeping homeless, “Hoovervilles” the homeless shanty towns, “Hoover Leather” the cardboard that covered the hole in your shoe. Hoover was hosed by the Democrats and their Media Support team leading to the Election of our first Socialist President Roosevelt.
Trump and those that support him in the House and the Senate WILL be also Tarred by that Hoover Did it brush. Sheeple and Gimmie Dat’s VOTE.
As banks often failed common people kept their wealth in gold. Gold was the true basis of family wealth and every US Dollar by Law had to have 12 cents worth of Gold backing it @20.00 per ounce.
When Roosevelt needed MOAR cash to fund his “More Fair and Equitable Society” (SEE the same song even today folks) he STOLE by color of Presidential Power all the common folks gold AKA Savings by outlawing gold forcing them to SELL it to the Government 20.00 per ounce THEN stole the value of THOSE Dollars by RE-Evaluating the price of Gold to 35.00 and ounce Reducing the “Value” of those dollars in the hands of the people by some 40% (20/35).
The actions of Roosevelt did not get us out of the Great Depression, indeed the stories of farmers being forced to dump milk and sell at Government supported prices happened under him. World WAR 2 got us out of the Great Depression.
Folks look to History, it shows what people and Government really do when things get tough. Not much Gold in the hands of the citizens.
So I fully expect that the socialist war on “Boomers” and such with blame cast on “greedy rich Boomers” for not spending their money stalling the economy etc. will lead to our retirement funds and such forced into the “Safety” of Governmental DEBT (as foreigners are not buying BUT Selling our Debt) to FUND “Social Nets” and Universal Income schemes
People are people, most as long as they hear they are OK (we’re all in this together etc.), here’s your Universal Income check-EBT and such they will swallow anything until the REALITY that Government’s Electronic Digits CANNOT create Bread to eat THEN ALL Hades will break out AND the Democrats will USE the Media to make Trump and those that support them the REASON for your suffering.
Both sides have taken the easy route of kicking that can down the road. The waterfall event of Just in Time food supplies is near. From all the squalling about this minor but dangerous COVID19 our preps are not all that ready for a REAL time of troubles. Look to your weaknesses and Prepare accordingly.
Agree with all you say except for one thing.
I formerly thought that WW2 ended the Depression. I was taught that at the same time I was taught that Hoover did nothing and FDR was a great Savior and all those other myths.
My recent reading of “FDR Goes to War” challenges the idea. They present a quite well backed argument that the final smackdown of the New Deal ended the Depression. America was sick and tired of the high taxes, rationing, federal interference of the war and reacted by electing people to Congress who opposed those things and also opposed the New Deal. Reportedly Truman was all fired up to continue and expand Roosevelt’s New Deal policies (which had been somewhat put on hold during the war) but was blocked by Congress.
I suppose one could say WW2 did end the Depression but not through its economic stimulus. It was actually expected that the Depression would resume right after the war was over. It ended it by changing the voting habits of the American people and the people throwing out enough of the people who caused the Depression by choking the US economy.
Michael ,,,,,well thought out ,and dead on ,, We will look back at today and wish for such good times as we have today ,,
“Both sides have taken the path of kicking the can down the road.” Totally agree, but it doesn’t make sense to criticize liberals for social program spending when the Trump administration and the FED are deeply involved in corporate welfare schemes to the tune of trillions upon trillions of dollars.
Chris,
Yes it does. I thought about this deeply. It’s not trumps fault that he has to write these trillions of dollars of debt into the economy. The reason is, and I thought deeply about this so hear me out, is the liberal Marxist media which constantly harassed from over every single decision that is made from the oval office. If there is one ripple effect, in the economy, in the US military, in foreign affairs, in welfare system, in the education system, in public transportation, and you name it, Trump forget the blame and that’s all that will be shown on the 35 major networks until the next election I’m why we don’t need a Republican in the office.
I am convinced that our country will never recover from this debt. I didn’t believe that before 2016, but I do believe it now. If residence from cannot reduce the American deficit, being a penny pinching billionaire, the nobody can. The reason nobody can, is because you have to change Al 35 networks, all university professors, all public school abasing of social programs that have a ripple effect. So another words Chris, the deficit will never be paid off, because it will require Americans to pull their bootstraps up, and tighten their belts, and to have a massive ripple effect in order to pay this deficit off.
Nobody has an excuse to be reckless with the future of our country or dollar. Trump included. I also believe we will never recover from the debt, but if you know what the problem is why continue down the same road. If anyone wanted to save this country the spending would stop immediately.
If the current treatment of homeless people in California vs. their treatment of veterans doesn’t flip that state red its totally lost forever. Anyone with an IQ higher than a cabbage can see they are destroying themselves, and deserve their fate! #kickthemout!
Joe blow,
In 1994, a ballot proposition, Proposition 187, was approved by voters here. Here is a description of proposition from Wikipedia:
“California Proposition 187 was a 1994 ballot initiative to establish a state-run citizenship screening system and prohibit undocumented immigrants from using non-emergency health care, public education, and other services in the State of California. Voters passed the proposed law at a referendum on November 8, 1994. The law was challenged in a legal suit the day after its passage, and found unconstitutional by a federal district court on November 11. In 1999, Governor Gray Davis halted state appeals of this ruling.”
So as of 1994, there were enough Californians who opposed the massive illegal immigration to approve this proposition, and the results were overturned by a federal judge and finally laid to rest by a Democratic governor–who was later recalled by voters.
Ted Kennedy hated the America that existed in the 1960s. His continuing efforts throughout his decades in Congress to change America as we knew it transformed the country. Massive immigration from the Third World took place and it has made the country unrecognizable to anyone who died more than 50 years ago. In California, where 1/3 of all immigrants arrived, Ridley Scott’s 1982 “Blade Runner,” appeared to be more of a prophecy than entertainment. The influx of immigrants- both legal immigrants and, especially, uneducated and unskilled illegal immigrants- from socialist, Third World countries had a huge impact on the politics here.
When I first moved here, California was “The Golden State.” It was “sun, Corvettes, the Beach Boys, and surfing.” Jobs were plentiful and all things were possible. Now it is a “sanctuary state” with the highest poverty level in the country and the highest taxes. The immigrants here are very disproportionately part of that poverty, and they vote for those who will offer them the most government services and handouts because they pay no taxes or so little taxes that what they receive is essentially free.
California will never “flip red” again absent a monstrously large, society-changing event. Think a comet strike à la “Lucifer’s Hammer.” This 1977 survivalist classic written by Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven was set in Southern California and contained perhaps a couple of hundred characters. I read it in 1980. I re-read it again perhaps 10 years ago.
What struck me the second time I read it was that it contained only one Hispanic character who appeared in a couple of brief scenes.
My, how California has changed!
“California Proposition 187 was found unconstitutional by a federal district court.” The judge was a Carter appointee.
When we lived in Commufornia, PROP 8 was passed unnanmously where a marriage was now defined as being between “a man and a woman.” Ninth Circuit federal judges nixed that stating it was discriminatory – in other words from you two sentiments above, California federal judges will overturn the People’s vote, in order to keep the state Liberal and Marxist.
In other words you must vote with your feet in the state of California, because the majority of conservatives to vote, have their vote overturned by the minority scumbags appointed as liberal federal judges.
Furthermore, California’s proposition 65, is just a plug for the state of California, the state of anarchy, in the state of doom And gloom. I’ve written California state legislator continually from the American Redoubt region, to stop harassing American citizens who have left the state of California as disgruntled families, by putting the word California on every single box that you purchase at the home and garden store, any type of cleaning products that you purchased, any type of hardware tool you purchase, essentially anything that California deems can cause cancer. I wish that all of us on this blog, what write the state of California weekly and tell them to remove Proposition 65 because we want nothing to do with the state of California not even to look at the name of the state of California for the rest of our lives.
RINO governor Baker was beaten in Federal Court and gun stores are open in MA as of May 9 by appointment only, so I can buy a gun and the stores are well stocked with shootin’ irons and ammunition since they were closed for 8 weeks. I was in one the other day and the shelves are full.
https://goal.org/federal-judge-orders-firearm-retailers-can-open-range-issue-not-decided/
Re: Seattle Cop
No link to the story but it is covered pretty thoroughly locally by conservative talk radio.
Unfortunately the cop was not suspended for his beliefs. He was suspended for making his video on duty, in uniform and in his police car. It also appears he had discussed the matter with his chief, who appears to be quite fond of the officer and holds him in high regard, before making the video and was told not to do it in the manner he did.
Local reporters have been told privately that most of this small police force are in agreement with the officer. By the chief’s statement it sounds as if he may also be in agreement but he was being more discreet about it. And if one were to read between the lines of the chief’s statement, it appears he may try to let this thing blow over if he can and retain the officer if possible.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
JBH: Thanks for the additional information on Seattle police officer story.The sensationalized bold print headline seems more in line with the main stream media .
In any organization disobeying a direct order has consequences.
RE: Money is money. Even if ‘no taxpayer dollars’ are spent on free drugs & alcohol in SF, the cash (from whatever source) is being mis-spent. It should be used for legitimate purposes, freeing ‘tax dollars’ for other uses.
I agree, but my cynical side wonders if the city’s enabling is their way of cohorting those unsightly homeless people in one place and maybe having some kind of viral outbreak tragically decimate their ranks. Although from what I have personally seen, alcoholics and drug addicts seem to be more resilient to viruses than other people. (Nothing scientific to support my theory, just like there is no science tp prove that cockroaches will inherit the earth.)
RE: New Trend: “Sell City, Buy Country”
This related article references Jim’s book Patriots as their inspiration for making the move:
“Everybody Is A Believer” – COVID Sparks Apocalypse Bunker Boom
https://www.zerohedge.com/health/everybody-believer-covid-sparks-apocalypse-bunker-boom
Quoting:
Both [bunker buyers] were inspired to purchase the bunker last year after they read Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse, which is a best-seller among prepper communities. In short, the book is about the economic collapse of the US. Tom said, “It opened my eyes to the level of vulnerability that most people have if something happens and food can’t be delivered to the store for whatever reason.”
Buying a bunker and having a survival mindset are very different things. We see the Gold Card heroes roll through here every hunting season, they spend thousands of dollars and are firmly convinced that it gives them an unsurpassable advantage on opening day. Usually they fare no better than than people that have scouted and planned and spent substantially less than Mr. Gold Card. After the novelty wears off many will sell off their high dollar gear at pennies on the dollar.
Buying a place in the Redoubt or Appalachia helps very little if you have no idea what to do when you get there. An unprepared prepper could be a very dangerous neighbor.
Michael ,,,,,well thought out ,and dead on ,, We will look back at today and wish for such good times as we have today ,,
Three major pandemics destroyed the massive, mighty Roman Empire and before that process was complete, the cities had been abandoned. Wealthy elites fled to their country estates and created the feudal system — enslaving farmers who got behind on their taxes and lacked political influence.
The common people welcomed the Germanic invaders as welcome rescuers from vicious, bloodsucking Roman tax collectors.
Circa 100 AD Rome itself had roughly 1 million people — by 460 AD it only had around 20,000. See Univ of Oklahoma’s Kyle Harper’s book “The Fate of Rome” if you want a preview of what this Wuhan Virus might do to America.
Before you scoff, realize that federal debt is now $25 Trillion –equal to 12 times the annual income tax. So YOUR share of that debt is equal to 12 times whatever you paid in taxes this year. Do you think a Russian or Chinese or Mexican warlord would give you a better deal on the demand for tribute?
RE: new trend
Up until this past Mon.05/11/20 we have had only 2 reported cases of the CCP virus in our beautiful part of the redoubt.
on Tue. there was reported 7 confirmed cases in town brought in by a family visiting for a family get together by Fri. 05/15/20 there are 18 confirmed cases in town; after reports of the virus on Tue. we locked the gate and will observe from a far until this passes.
Bo Polney on Greg Hunter.
https://youtu.be/B1nuyY2150s
T.R.- thanks for the link. From the video, you can tell that Bo Polny is convinced that we are in Biblical times. He says that big things will be happening though he admits that he doesn’t know what they will be, and says that they are in God’s plan. A very exciting video that I encourage everyone to watch.
P.S.- watching the video, I must say that he loses me when he starts to talk about (space) aliens. If there are space aliens, I believe that they are most likely demons and monsters serving the devil. After seeing the whole video, I am now reaching for a grain of salt.
I don’t have time to watch/listen to a 1 hour video. Crazy that people do this. I suppose there are a few who actually make it through the entire hour. If there was a a transcript I could quickly look through it and get to the meat of what the person is trying to say. Please, people, don’t make hour long videos or write long winded treatise. Get to the point. I want to the video saw that it was an hour long and abandoned it. Imagine if he simply stated the key points in 4-5 minutes how many more viewers he would have.
I agree. I can read the transcript a lot faster than watch a video. Any time a video is posted without a transcript I skip it.
Same here. I have zero tolerance for lengthy videos or podcasts. I just want to read the info and move on; could probably read what they had to say in way less than 10 minutes instead of wasting an hour listening to someone pontificate! Seems like the trend though is towards videos and podcasts. Sigh……..
I agree also. I appreciate that someone already watched it and noted what I would have considered a waste of my time! Usually if it is more than 5 minutes or so, or there is not a transcript, I skip it too.
The doctor being killed by a pack of dogs is chilling. Pack of feral dogs are big trouble. SHTF will give us many more of these, me thinks.
As JWR says, travel armed and whenever possible, with other people.
I don’t have any research on what is the best course when attacked by a wild dog pack. Perhaps climb a tree.
Ideas?
Carry on in grace
I live in the boonies and I walk. Some homes along those dirt roads and most have dogs. I carry a collapsable baton and when I am in the areas with dogs two decent size stones. I have been braced by a pack of three. As soon as one decided to circle he got a stone to the head and I immediately had my next stone at the ready. Dogs know if you have a stick or a stone and respect it. The dog that got hit changed it’s mind and walked away. The other two backed up as I continued my walk.
Traveling armed doesn’t mean sticks and rocks. Anyone that needs help to get home shouldn’t leave in the first place.
I sometimes carry a gun but I don’t want to shoot someone’s dog. AND even more importantly I don’t want to use a gun unless there is no other way. I’m 6’2″ 200 lbs, not afraid of dogs or most animals so it doesn’t scare me to face one down. I fully understand that some people might prefer to use a gun in a case like this. That is their choice and their problem once they pull that gun.
Also she is a woman and if liberal believes in “saving all the animals in the world whilst killing all the babies in the womb…” bit. She probably got out as a nice furry little animal was being attacked and not cuddled as she deemed all animals should be. She got what’s due for being stupid!
Experts I have watched on dog attacks, not a pack per se’, said do whatever you can to stay upright and give them as little as you can, i.e., maybe just your forearm, if you cannot get your whole body safely inside car or shelter.
I’m sure there are many videos on the subject. Killer dogs are my one phobia.
I am inspired by the WWll story of a women’s prison camp in the South Pacific, where one woman purposefully ran down the ditch toward a rabid, feral dog, sacrificing herself while killing it to give the others time to flee to safety. May the Lord give us the same amount of courage for the times ahead. Blessings to each of you.
If with a partner or group, stand back to back and try to find the leader, and shoot first.
Grandpa and I got surrounded by a pack of a dozen timber shepherds, and had to shoot it out. We killed six before the pack broke and ran home. The breeder came out wondering what all the shooting was about, and once he found out his dogs tried to hunt us, he killed the rest. They were pack hunting in the national forest, and not just for deer! Grandpa was really happy I had my Mini-14 that day!
Pepper spray is just as effective on canines as it is on bruins.
A little dab’ll do ya.
Yes! A chilling story about the death of the Georgia doctor… In addition to domesticated dogs who revert to wild (usually abandoned animals), our area also has periodic problems with coyotes. These animals are crazy dangerous. Neighbors nearby often have to shoot them because they attack ranch animals. In addition to a firearm (sufficient for the purposes), the baton is a very good idea. A panic whistle is worth considering. It may offer some level of sound deterrent, and alert others who maybe near and able to offer additional help. In a true collapse, we are very likely to see many more canine packs. Among other dangers… Wild boars. We have those too.
Regarding coyotes, if you just leave out an Acme catalog, the problem will take care of itself…though you may have to deal with collateral damage from falling anvils.
Seriously, it’s open season on them down here, literally. In unincorporated areas, you can shoot on sight with no fear of penalties. We keep a close eye out for them here, and I always take a friend along for my walks in the woods. Usually a .410 revolver loaded with 000 buck for snakes, but it’ll do fine for coyotes or feral dogs.
Yes! Snakes too… In fact, this brings to mind the idea that a snake hook is a great tool to carry along. These are useful not only in handling snakes when necessary, but also to test areas where snakes might be hiding before stepping into those. In addition to hikes, these are great for gardeners. Before reaching in to harvest that gorgeous zucchini, test the area with a snake hook (or another tool) just to be sure you don’t have a venomous visitor!
We’re thinking about a .410 revolver — excellent for coyotes or snakes — and a good recommendation. Presently we carry a .45 for larger predators including bears (a relatively minor risk since black bears are usually reclusive and not interested in human encounters), and 9 mms for EDC.
If you go with the .410 revolver, it will also chamber .45 Colt. I’d recommend not going with the light weight version, such as the Taurus Public Defender. That’s what I own, and my only complaint is that the light weight means more recoil, and this weapon…well, it speaks with authority 🙂
In our area, bears are not an issue, though snakes (we have 5 venomous species, though I’ve only seen 4 of those), bobcats, and coyotes certainly are. Theoretically, alligators could be as well, but I’ve only seen one of those since we moved here 4 years ago, and I’m reasonably certain he took a wrong turn somewhere.
Sell City and Buy Country is exactly what destroyed many states, counties, etc. City and country people are two entirely different animals. City people depend on being controlled and governed and country people are independent and self sufficient. Look what California turned into as a result. Get enough city people moving here, regardless of where they are from and we will be in the same situation as California which was the most beautiful place in the country up until the 1970’s thanks to all the city people migrating. They are like locusts when it comes to stripping all of your rights and freedom because they like control….especially if they are the ones controlling. A very small percent of city people really do want to break that cycle, but it is less than 5% of them.
You raise important points of concern. We agree… 100%. We were raised in smaller communities, but lived in a very large metropolitan city for most of our adult lives until we returned to life in a tiny rural town. We absolutely love this life, and wouldn’t trade it for anything!
The article about city people buying country reminds me that when some acreage next to ours was bought by city people. There is a gas compressor close by that made quite a bit of noise. The man made a remark to us about the noise. We said that you would get used to it after awhile. He immediately wanted to get together a petition to get rid of the noisemaker. I told him that good luck with that.
Oh. My. Gosh.
I think I’m gonna need more acreage than I thought.
Yes we had a Ca. couple buy some property/home several acres over. First they complained about someone playing their music. Then they complained about someone’s burn pile. Then they complained about another neighbor riding their motorbike down a dirt road along their fence line. No one speaks to the Ca. people anymore. We just ride our dirt bikes or ATV’s down his fence line-irrigation road-just because we can. One neighbor makes sure the wind is just right before burning his burn pile now. Hopefully they’ll move. The property they bought is a lot of work for city folk.
We bought a medium-sized ranch (small by Texas standards) back in 2013. A year ago, our neighbor asked us if we were interested in buying his place. We thought about it for a few days (very few) and, after considering the fact that it had 2 water wells on it, thought even more seriously about it. We then decided it would be a matter of self-preservation to buy it. If we didn’t, we were sure that some liberal idiot from California would show up with too much money and buy it, then complain about the sound of gunfire when we had the local Sheriff’s Deputies out for “low light training” at dusk or for “Quarterly Quals” some morning. The previous owner’s brother told us he was happy we bought it. He was worried some ” lawyer from Houston” might buy it. I’m not sure which would have been worse…
As an adult I always travel armed, but when I was a younger and used to ride my bicycle a lot I kept a T Ball bat across the handlebars, it worked pretty well to discourage dogs as long as it was only one or two. Once the owner saw me smack the dog when it ran out into the road and tried to take a bite out of my leg, she was not happy.