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 “HJL”. Leading the news today is the U.S Virgin Islands governor’s violation of the U.S. Constitution.
Violation of the U.S. Constitution
Governor Kenneth E. Mapp, of the U.S. Virgin Islands, has issued an unconstitutional order to activate the National Guard and given them the authority to confiscate the personal firearms and ammunition of U.S. citizens living within this territory. U.S. Territories do not get to have all of the Constitution applied to them because they are not a “state” and the provisions of the Constitution that apply to states is typically not applicable. However, all the other provisions are applicable, including the first and second amendments. It is unconscionable that an active governor would take such steps in such a crises leaving the population without any protection of themselves. Thanks to R.V. for the link.
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For those interested, Reader T.D. informed us that there is a petition on Whitehouse.gov to remove Governor Mapp from office for authorizing such a violation of the Constitution. You can view and sign this petition and if it garners 100,000 votes by October 6, 2017, the White House will review and respond to it.
Hurricanes
As Hurricane Irma pounds the Caribbean islands, we learn that hundreds of thousands of residents of Puerto Rico have been left without electricity before the worst of the storm even hit. News reports are putting the number close to 300,000 without power and 4000 without water. That number is expected to rise as the fury of the storm hits the island. The infrastructure is in bad shape due to their debt crises and the inability to spend money on fixing problem utilities.
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Reader T.P. sent in this video showing the last 20 minutes or so of an online web cam located on St Maarten Maho Beach. While watching the entire video is somewhat tedious, you can fast forward every few minutes to get a sense of the power of this hurricane as it slams full force into the island. It starts out bad and just keeps escalating to the point where the visuals are totally obscured by horizontal streams of water. Eventually, the camera fails. [note: Volume warning. The wind noise is loud.]
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Reader T.P. also sent in this fantastic video from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter P-3 showing cockpit views of the crew and the inside wall of the eye of Irma. Note the careful co-ordination of the pilot and flight engineer as they work the controls, paying very close attention to how the plane responds.
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Reader L.C. sent in this resource for those who would like to stay on top of the hurricane and weather information. Windy.com tracks weather and provides information well in advance of when the main stream media decides to tell you. Just looking at today’s wind velocities shows another tropical storm forming right behind Hurricane Irma. It’s too soon to tell what is going to happen with this one, but having that information is very useful. You can also see the high pressure system that is funneling these storms right into the east coast.
EDC Humor
SurvivalBlog reader S.M. sent in this humorous outtake on EDC by Dr. Matt Carriker of Demolition Ranch. Most of us who enjoy firearms will be able to relate, especially to the moment at 18:15 in the video.
Interview with JWR
We live in an age of deception and betrayal. JWR’s latest interview with Sean at SGT Report has been posted on YouTube. This is a good interview dealing with prepping for weather related emergencies and some of the corporate propaganda that we are seeing from information giants like Google.
Underground Home
SurvivalRealty has recently listed a 5000 square foot underground home on 5.7 acres. This is a very clean looking home with ample living areas and includes several outbuildings. If your thinking about moving to the Redoubt and this home is in your budget, you should take a look at it.
News Tips:
Please send your news tips to HJL. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who watch news that is important to them. Due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” news. We often “get the scoop” on news that is most likely ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
I’m not sure where you are getting your information that the 1st and 2nd apply to territories. That’s not true at all. Perhaps in some theory but it has never been true in practice.
We really don’t have it here in it’s entirety and barely have it here with strict limitations and only in some places.
@Matt in Oklahoma
1) You are wrong with regard to the US Virgin Islands. The Revised Organic Act of 1954 –which serves as Congress’s constitution for the Virgin Islands — explicitly states in section 3 (Bill of Rights):
“The following provisions of and amendments to the Constitution of the United States are hereby extended to the Virgin Islands to the extent that they have not been previously extended to that territory and shall have the same force and effect there as in the United States or in any State of the United States: article I, section 9….THE FIRST TO NINTH AMENDMENTS INCLUSIVE; the thirteenth amendment; the second sentence of section 1 of the fourteenth amendment…”
Ref: https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/migrated/oia/about/upload/RevOrganicAct_1954.pdf ; page 88
2) Re the legal ban on confiscation of firearms see
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_government_response_to_Hurricane_Katrina#Confiscation_of_civilian_firearms
3) Governor Mapp’s actions also explicitly violates the Fifth Amendment’s ban on government taking private property for public use without compensation.
I said in practice. You can show me paper all day but go to any of the territories and try and practice your 2nd and see what happens.
Then exercise your 1st and see how far that gets you.
@Matt
See also https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/hr5013/text
Governor Mapp definitely receives US federal funds and operates under color of Federal law.
Yup have you been there or any of the other territories and openly carried? Openly spoke?
“In practice”
I wonder if Governor Mapp is disarming the people to try to enrich himself during this crisis? Things like that have been done before!
Puerto Rico. I don’t know the solution here. You build cities on an island in hurricane alley then are surprised it all gets wiped out every couple years? Then the tax payers pony up so you can rebuild in time for the next one. The same can be said in several other areas in the Gulf. I don’t know what the answer is but what we’re doing isn’t working.
I wonder just how easily the Virgin Islands folks gave up their firearms? While there must be those ready for this (with concealment taken care of) I’d guess most just rolled over.
I’m sorry if my tinfoil hat is showing, but I suspect that the VI trick is a convenient (sp) test run for localized firearm seizures on the mainland. We’re taking your guns. Because, you know, emergency. it could become quite an easy remedy to disarm gun owners incrementally, geographically, by created “emergencies”. “Oh, we’re just collecting firearms for safe keeping in Florida until this hurricane passes.” Meanwhile, everyone else in the country wouldn’t support those disarmed, saying there being unreasonable.
But I ask you, when was the last time government took something, and ever gave it back?
It already happened in New Orleans during Katrina.
I think one question to answer is whether they have registration or not.
If they do, the govt won’t have any trouble.
If they don’t, who’s to know if you have firearms. And who would admit it if they did?
Looks like the NRA might go ahead with a lawsuit against Mapp.
He needs to be relieved of his position.
Obama’s buddy Richard Branson’s luxury Caribbean
estate is wiped out:
http://metro.co.uk/2017/09/07/richard-bransons-luxury-necker-island-home-completely-destroyed-by-hurricane-irma-6909022/
Looks like Barry will have to find another rich friend
to vacation with.
this c@#p was pulled during the katrina crisis as well. As i recall several lawsuits ofter the fact settled the matter to a large settlement at taxpayer expense.
IIRC, post Katrina there was a law past specifically to prevent the repeat of civil authorities disarming citizens during a disaster. Don’t remember the details.
On Guam, they shut off the diesel generators at about 50 mph winds, the employees go home to be with their families. Most of the wires are underground, they fly a helicopter over the exposed power lines after the winds have died down. If all is well they fire up the generators and life is back to normal. I could also sit in my living room during a super typhoon and talk to my parents on the phone in Florida, like they were in the next room. It works well, for them, but we insist on building our homes with twigs.
I am a staunch supporter of the constitution and the confiscation of guns angers me. Isn’t the solution to remove the emergency power which is unconstitutional? If given the opportunity, the progressives will continue to create and/or take advantage of emergencies. I have been heavily criticized for advocating self sufficiency and refusing government help. It’s the only way I see to preserve our liberty.
History continues to repeat itself, mostly caused by the Left who don’t like things like facts and history:
After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin instituted a similar order and began confiscating legally owned and possessed firearms. The NRA intervened in federal court and was able to halt the confiscations and obtain an order requiring the return of the seized firearms. The organization then backed federal legislation to prohibit the confiscation of legal firearms from law-abiding citizens during states of emergency. In 2006, President George W. Bush signed this legislation into law.
“When 911 is non-existent and law enforcement personnel are overwhelmed with search-and-rescue missions and other emergency duties, law-abiding American citizens must be able to protect their families and loved ones. The NRA is prepared to pursue legal action to halt Gov. Mapp’s dangerous and unconstitutional order,” concluded Cox.
https://www.nraila.org/articles/20170905/nra-condemns-us-virgin-island-firearm-confiscation-plan
Windy.com looks very much like VentuSky.com, only with out all the bells and whistles. Try Ventusky and see if it is not addicting. Best displayed in Chrome (unfortunately)
They can’t confiscate this guy’s guns. He’ll just make another one out of tin cans!
Seriously, this guy makes an AR-15 lower out of melted soda cans. Very cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBWjA_5ptSk
“Violation of the U.S. Constitution” … be interesting to see someone try this in Alaska … I was discussing this with some of my fellow officers … and the consensus was bring it on … we’ll set to the side and watch the fun …