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#Post#: 811--------------------------------------------------
Re: Shortages & JIT Problems
By: RE Date: August 26, 2021, 11:32 pm
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Well, let me give you an example of why this doesn't work for
me. The high point of Eddie's trip to Alaska was his hike up
the Whittier Glacier. It was the low point for me. I was stuck
sitting in an RV for about 6 hours by myself. Another low point
was sitting in the cabin of the sightseeing boat unable to go on
deck to look for whales with them. Maybe this works well for
Vets, it does nothing for me. It's like Window Shopping, you
can look but you can't touch. The high point of that trip for
me was the chess game I played with Eddie, that is something I
can still DO. It was probably the low point of the trip for
him, since he lost. lol.
To give my PCA something to DO with the hours allotted to me by
Medicaid, I taught her to play chess. I like teaching, but she
is quite dimwitted and really can't make the jump from simply
reacting to actually planning a strategy. So I just go through
the game mindlessly to pass the time. If there was a chess club
around here to play I might have something to do, but there is
not. The closest thing is one run by the Homeschool
organization which I participated with while I taught our
Homeschool gymmies at my first gym. Some kids were OK, but I
never ran into the next Bobby Fisher. lol.
RE
#Post#: 812--------------------------------------------------
Re: Shortages & JIT Problems
By: Phil Potts Date: August 27, 2021, 12:37 am
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There must be online chess games, or play against the computer.
Warm up with some wheelchair dodge ball to get the adrenaline
going.
#Post#: 815--------------------------------------------------
Re: Shortages & JIT Problems
By: RE Date: August 27, 2021, 4:16 am
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Playing against a computer is no fun. Set it too low and you
always win set it too high and you always lose.
Playing online is the same thing. Players cheat and use a
computer to make their moves. Maybe nowadays there is a video
connection where you can play, but that would use all of my
available bandwidth in one game.
Besides all that it's just more fun to play against a live
opponent and chat while you are playing.
RE
#Post#: 818--------------------------------------------------
Re: Shortages & JIT Problems
By: Eddie Date: August 27, 2021, 12:01 pm
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[quote author=RE link=topic=52.msg811#msg811 date=1630038759]
Well, let me give you an example of why this doesn't work for
me. The high point of Eddie's trip to Alaska was his hike up
the Whittier Glacier. It was the low point for me. I was stuck
sitting in an RV for about 6 hours by myself. Another low point
was sitting in the cabin of the sightseeing boat unable to go on
deck to look for whales with them. Maybe this works well for
Vets, it does nothing for me. It's like Window Shopping, you
can look but you can't touch. The high point of that trip for
me was the chess game I played with Eddie, that is something I
can still DO. It was probably the low point of the trip for
him, since he lost. lol.
To give my PCA something to DO with the hours allotted to me by
Medicaid, I taught her to play chess. I like teaching, but she
is quite dimwitted and really can't make the jump from simply
reacting to actually planning a strategy. So I just go through
the game mindlessly to pass the time. If there was a chess club
around here to play I might have something to do, but there is
not. The closest thing is one run by the Homeschool
organization which I participated with while I taught our
Homeschool gymmies at my first gym. Some kids were OK, but I
never ran into the next Bobby Fisher. lol.
RE
[/quote]
We hiked up to the Whittier Glacier after we dropped you off.
You had to spin your wheels when we took the Denali hike. That’s
the one you’re remembering.
I have no regrets about losing a chess game to you. You’re a
good player and I hadn’t set up the pieces since I graduated
high school. I once played fairly regularly with another friend
back then who was also a better player than I was, but I managed
to beat him occasionally.
The low point of the vacation for me was when I realized you
were just too frail to enjoy the road trip much in the RV. I had
hoped it was something you’d enjoy. And loading your scooter
into the RV at every campsite was a less than stellar
experience that didn’t do my back much good but I was okay with
it, given the circumstances.
I really enjoyed you taking us the scenic route up to Denali
over that gravel road pass..and the meal we had in Seward was
superlative. I’m sorry we weren’t too successful with our own
culinary efforts, which suffered from weather and the limited RV
kitchen.
#Post#: 819--------------------------------------------------
Re: Shortages & JIT Problems
By: RE Date: August 27, 2021, 2:02 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Eddie link=topic=52.msg818#msg818 date=1630083700]
[quote author=RE link=topic=52.msg811#msg811 date=1630038759]
Well, let me give you an example of why this doesn't work for
me. The high point of Eddie's trip to Alaska was his hike up
the Whittier Glacier. It was the low point for me. I was stuck
sitting in an RV for about 6 hours by myself. Another low point
was sitting in the cabin of the sightseeing boat unable to go on
deck to look for whales with them. Maybe this works well for
Vets, it does nothing for me. It's like Window Shopping, you
can look but you can't touch. The high point of that trip for
me was the chess game I played with Eddie, that is something I
can still DO. It was probably the low point of the trip for
him, since he lost. lol.
To give my PCA something to DO with the hours allotted to me by
Medicaid, I taught her to play chess. I like teaching, but she
is quite dimwitted and really can't make the jump from simply
reacting to actually planning a strategy. So I just go through
the game mindlessly to pass the time. If there was a chess club
around here to play I might have something to do, but there is
not. The closest thing is one run by the Homeschool
organization which I participated with while I taught our
Homeschool gymmies at my first gym. Some kids were OK, but I
never ran into the next Bobby Fisher. lol.
RE
[/quote]
We hiked up to the Whittier Glacier after we dropped you off.
You had to spin your wheels when we took the Denali hike. That’s
the one you’re remembering.
I have no regrets about losing a chess game to you. You’re a
good player and I hadn’t set up the pieces since I graduated
high school. I once played fairly regularly with another friend
back then who was also a better player than I was, but I managed
to beat him occasionally.
The low point of the vacation for me was when I realized you
were just too frail to enjoy the road trip much in the RV. I had
hoped it was something you’d enjoy. And loading your scooter
into the RV at every campsite was a less than stellar
experience that didn’t do my back much good but I was okay with
it, given the circumstances.
I really enjoyed you taking us the scenic route up to Denali
over that gravel road pass..and the meal we had in Seward was
superlative. I’m sorry we weren’t too successful with our own
culinary efforts, which suffered from weather and the limited RV
kitchen.
[/quote]
I was happy to show you a bit of Alaska, but as it turned out it
was more a vacation for you and the wife. I had hoped to spend
more time with you. She also was not real pleasant to be
around, complainig from the beginning about stuff I wanted to
bring along. I would have preferred you to come by yourself,
but she would not have let you come.
As I said, I am a burden to take anywhere. My PCAs don't mind,
they get paid $15/hr for shipping me around and pulling the
wheels in and out of the car for me. This is a bit below your
hourly rate though. lol.
So, overall I was quite bored the whole time. It's why the
suggestion that I go out and "enjoy nature" doesn't work for me.
I can be bored at home, I don't need to waste the gas.
RE
#Post#: 820--------------------------------------------------
Re: Shortages & JIT Problems
By: Digwe Must Date: August 27, 2021, 2:12 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=RE link=topic=52.msg811#msg811 date=1630038759]
Well, let me give you an example of why this doesn't work for
me. The high point of Eddie's trip to Alaska was his hike up
the Whittier Glacier. It was the low point for me. I was stuck
sitting in an RV for about 6 hours by myself. Another low point
was sitting in the cabin of the sightseeing boat unable to go on
deck to look for whales with them. Maybe this works well for
Vets, it does nothing for me. It's like Window Shopping, you
can look but you can't touch. The high point of that trip for
me was the chess game I played with Eddie, that is something I
can still DO. It was probably the low point of the trip for
him, since he lost. lol.
To give my PCA something to DO with the hours allotted to me by
Medicaid, I taught her to play chess. I like teaching, but she
is quite dimwitted and really can't make the jump from simply
reacting to actually planning a strategy. So I just go through
the game mindlessly to pass the time. If there was a chess club
around here to play I might have something to do, but there is
not. The closest thing is one run by the Homeschool
organization which I participated with while I taught our
Homeschool gymmies at my first gym. Some kids were OK, but I
never ran into the next Bobby Fisher. lol.
RE
[/quote]
Okay.
I'll bet Eddie did everything he could for you. But, I
understand your frustration. Being in the RV or below decks on
a boat is not what I was suggesting. My thought is more along
the lines of your PCA (who needs something to do) pushing you on
a manicured trail or some public access around the shore,
actually getting you to breathe good air. Of course if you have
no interest in it, there is no point.
Regarding chess - a game I am not bright enough to play - I have
a 20th century question. Does the complex where you live have a
bulletin board? Could you just put up a note that says you are
looking for folks to play chess with? Or, is everything there
electronic? My guess is you aren't the only chess player there.
I got hurt late yesterday so am in the house a bit more than
usual today.
Regarding the topic of shortages:
HTML https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/25/climate/drought-cattle.html?utm_campaign=Rockies%20Today&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20newsletter
This article is centered on N.Dakota but it is applicable to the
entire western US. I'm seeing this around here. People forced
to sell the herds they have spent a lifetime improving. They go
broke and the middlemen get rich. Grain yields are down.
Pastures exhausted early. Many contracts at the local mill
cancelled by distributors so they can sell to the Chinese at a
higher price. There is a real crisis in farm and ranch country.
A friend sent me this piece. It's from Survivalblog.
(Conservative, Christian, libertarian - not a usual source for
me) Not exactly related to shortages - unless one considers a
potential shortage of law enforcement. I'm not advocating any
of their positions or opinions I just thought some of you might
find it interesting.
WTSHTF: What Will the Police Do?, by Gramthar’s Hammer
JAMES WESLEY RAWLES AUGUST 27, 2021 Print This Post Email This
Post Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit Google LinkedIn LinkedIn
Full disclosure: I am one of them. Or I was one of them, to be
more accurate. I’m retired now, so I spend my days watching the
lawn grow and pondering various “what-ifs”. One of these
gedankenexperiments is: “What if the wheels come off the wagon
and the police are no longer guardians of peace. What would the
police do if they became hungry and angry, just like the
masses.” My wife thinks I should get a hobby, to which I answer
I already have one: prepping.
For 27 years I worked in law enforcement for several agencies.
Most of my career was spent at the federal level, but not all. I
worked in the pacific northwest, the coastal south, and the
upper Midwest. I worked in both rural areas and major population
centers. I traveled internationally as part of my job and
observed how my counterparts operate in Thailand and South
Africa. I base the following perspectives on the totality of my
experiences- the training, the personal relationships, and basic
knowledge of how law enforcement (LE) operates.
I attended five police academies – nearly two years of my adult
life were spent in formal training environments. Most smart
people in law enforcement only attend one, maybe two academies
but ambition, restlessness, or frustration propelled me to jump
ship to different agencies several times. I spent the first
third of my career as a uniformed patrol officer and the
remainder as an investigator, in both covert and overt
capacities. I was a firearms instructor for many years and
continue in this role on a part-time basis in retirement. I
mention this history so you understand how my background
influences my thinking.
The following is my personal opinion and nothing more. I
represent no agency nor ever will again.
Let’s imagine a scenario where daily norms have taken a sudden
turn for the worse. The power grid becomes unreliable, supply
chains are stressed, the threat of civil war looms on the
horizon, foreign adversaries become more menacing in their
threats and actions, the cost of food increases 3% every month,
health care systems are overwhelmed and criminals are exploiting
gaps in public safety due to defunded and demoralized police.
Just a couple of years ago, all of this would’ve seemed awfully
far-fetched, right? But how about now?
So what happens to the police when the crashing waves get bigger
and bigger until the castle of sand we know as society washes
into the sea? How should a prepper approach both planning and
the actuality of limited police, no police, or even illegitimate
police?
Disclaimer: I worked with hundreds of LEOs during my career and
can attest the vast majority are honest, dedicated, and
professional. Many, like myself, were drawn to the career to be
part of something larger than themselves and to make the world a
better place. However, there was a basic unwritten social
contract in place: the community-supported police by providing
salary and benefits, prosecutors would aggressively pursue those
who hurt the police, and the courts and penal system harshly
punished the same. What happens when those prongs of the social
contract no longer exist? What happens when the angry, hungry
mobs rise en masse, with complete disregard for previous norms,
with no accountability for their actions? What happens when
police no longer are held accountable? Here are some scenarios:
POLICE BECOME THEIR OWN MAG
In this scenario, the police go into classic “bunker mode” and
focus resources on protecting police stations and officers’
personal homes and families. The police become an exclusive
mutual assistance group (MAG) consisting of their own, with the
sole mission of protecting their workplace and residences.
Response to calls for outsider assistance will be minimal to
non-existent.
POLICE BECOME PRIVATE SECURITY
In this scenario, police devote their resources to protecting
whoever can compensate them in food and durable goods, such as
retailers, warehouses, and shipping terminals. Or possibly to
affluent people who can reward protection of life and property
with precious metals and other valuables. Again, response to
non-compensating requests for assistance will be minimal or
non-existent.
POLICE BECOME PART OF THE ANGRY HORDE
In this scenario, society has fully unraveled into every man for
themselves and the police are indiscernible from the looters,
scavengers, and thieves. Police exploit access to food storage
facilities, warehouses, and retailers. Although rare in modern
events of mass looting and civil disorder, such extralegal
police-involved looting and theft did occur to a limited extent
during Hurricane Katrina and most recently in Durban, South
Africa.
AFGHAN-STYLE DISSOLUTION
Perhaps Afghanistan isn’t a perfect template for how the United
States would collapse into lawlessness, mainly because we don’t
have a resident army of adherents to 7th century Sharia law–not
yet at least. However, it does provide insight as to what
happens when a country’s internal security apparatus falls
apart. As witnessed in just the past two weeks, when the Taliban
were no longer contained, the Afghan officers quickly discarded
their uniforms, walked away from their posts, and abandoned hope
that the government they were part of would protect them. Their
focus simply became their own survival, and survival of their
families. The Afghan police did not fall into any of the
previous examples. They simply disintegrated into a non-entity.
THE POLICE ADVANTAGE
But let’s not overlook the fact that police officers, for valid
reasons, have certain advantages which will be especially useful
in the event of SHTF situations. Officers are regularly trained
in weapon and defensive tactics. Officers have access to various
small arms, chemical deterrents, ammunition, Kevlar vests, radio
systems, and possibly even surplus armored vehicles. But most
importantly, police have each other- a group of like-minded,
motivated people they train with and conduct tactical operations
with. They know how each other think, they know how each other
will move, and they know how each other will react in fluid
situations. They know what each other’s specific role is and
that supporting each other is key to mission success. As
preppers, to have similar dynamics in place would be invaluable
when the Schumer Hits The Fan (SHTF).
WHAT THE PREPPER CAN DO
First, recognize the “good guys” might not be in a position to
respond when the SHTF and if circumstances get dire enough, the
good guys could even become bad guys. This isn’t a criticism of
police officers but a reflection of the proven adage that when
people are hungry and scared, they become capable of actions
previously believed unthinkable. A great read on this dynamic is
the excellent account of a blogger named Selco, who survived the
Bosnian civil war in the 1990s.
One specific prep that SurvivalBlog readers can adopt is forming
a MAG in your immediate domain, where you become the protection
provider in the absence of civil authority. Some ideas to
consider:
1. Establishing a core group of sheepdogs, namely close friends
and family, neighbors, and like-minded persons. Focus on
identifying earnest persons committed to protecting residences
and property and mutual resources such as water supply, crops,
wildlife, and human life.
2. Establishing mutual communications, such as ham radios and
CBs. Every member of the group should have a home base station,
mobile radios for vehicles, and handhelds with compatible
frequencies. Total cost for a complete UHF/VHF radio setup can
be as low as $600, depending on manufacturer. (An example of a
simple, practical comms set up would be a Wouxon KG-B55
Dual-band base station at buytwowayradios.com for $399, a QYT
KT-8900D car radio for $80 and a couple of Baofeng GT-3WP
handhelds for $45 each at that Brazilian river website that we
all dislike.
Sidenote: There’s another issue regards FCC licensing and
obligation to allow inspection. This topic could be a feature
article of its own… in a nutshell, yes, a federal law passed in
1934 does require radio operators (licensed and unlicensed)
allow for FCC inspection of radio equipment, including inside
their homes. I’m not going to do a deep dive into the legal
aspects now but don’t forget: the 4th amendment protects
citizens from unwarranted government searches.
3. Obtain group tactical training from someone with actual bona
fides in small unit tactics. I say this because not all tactical
trainers are created equal; avoid the big talking barrel suckers
who learned their close quarters combat techniques via YouTube.
4. Sponsor training sessions with your core group of sheepdogs
along with your and their families. Involve all attendees in the
training, whether it be a simulated hostage rescue of a family,
a mass injury first aid response, or vehicle cover and
concealment drills. Make it fun, and have a bbq dinner at the
end of the training. Recognize the days those skills get put to
actual use is going to be sooner, not later.\
CONCLUSION
I hope that the foregoing provided some insider perspective of
what to expect when the police no longer answer 911 calls. I
suspect there may be some pushback from police officers
regarding what I’ve posited in respect to police abandoning
their oaths and becoming bad guys under certain circumstances.
My response is everyone is capable of doing bad things,
especially during periods of intense strife, badge or no badge.
The more we acknowledge such and prepare for it, the less likely
that we’ll become bad guys, too.
Gotta go change the dressing. Take care out there.
#Post#: 821--------------------------------------------------
Re: Shortages & JIT Problems
By: RE Date: August 27, 2021, 2:50 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
All the air is the same around here, quite good unless of course
there is a wildfire nearby, but none this year in this
neighborhood.
You cannot push a wheelchair along a trail, you need paved roads
or at least gravel. The gravel is a very bumpy ride though, and
none too pleasant on my back. Perhaps if I had a 4-wheeler with
good suspension that might be fun. I would still need a friend
around though or PCA if I got into trouble.
I really only played chess regularly in HS. But like riding a
bicycle, you never really forget, you just get a bit rusty, as
long as you still have most of your marbles anyhow. I didn't
play at all for at least 20 years before I started teaching my
3rd & 4th grade gymmies the game.
RE
#Post#: 823--------------------------------------------------
Re: Shortages & JIT Problems
By: Digwe Must Date: August 27, 2021, 4:08 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=RE link=topic=52.msg821#msg821 date=1630093811]
All the air is the same around here, quite good unless of course
there is a wildfire nearby, but none this year in this
neighborhood.
You cannot push a wheelchair along a trail, you need paved roads
or at least gravel. The gravel is a very bumpy ride though, and
none too pleasant on my back. Perhaps if I had a 4-wheeler with
good suspension that might be fun. I would still need a friend
around though or PCA if I got into trouble.
I really only played chess regularly in HS. But like riding a
bicycle, you never really forget, you just get a bit rusty, as
long as you still have most of your marbles anyhow. I didn't
play at all for at least 20 years before I started teaching my
3rd & 4th grade gymmies the game.
RE
[/quote]
Yeah I've pushed a few. I was thinking of a paved path that
they call a "trail" in the parks or a boardwalk/dock at the
shore. Your idea of a 4 wheeler makes sense and made me think of
a modified golf cart. I've been wanting a cargo deck model with
extra clearance . I may sell my old jeep and get one. Do they
even have golf carts in Alaska? Easy to drive- your PCA could
ride along next to you while you chase moose.
So, how about the idea of asking around the joint for a chess
partner?
#Post#: 828--------------------------------------------------
Re: Shortages & JIT Problems
By: RE Date: August 27, 2021, 8:21 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Digwe Must link=topic=52.msg823#msg823
date=1630098529]
So, how about the idea of asking around the joint for a chess
partner?
[/quote]
Highly unlikely. The demographic here is the same as in the
Gulag. Those here who might have once had some marbles have
long since lost them.
RE
#Post#: 829--------------------------------------------------
Re: Shortages & JIT Problems
By: Digwe Must Date: August 27, 2021, 9:58 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Highly unlikely. The demographic here is the same as in the
Gulag. Those here who might have once had some marbles have
long since lost them.
RE
Highly unlikely is not impossible. So you live in a largely
marble-free zone. A few marbles have definitely slipped out of
my own pocket. The fish may not seem to be biting - but you
don't know for sure unless you throw your line in the water. If
playing chess would be entertaining and make you less miserable
then it seems worth the effort to find a game... It doesn't cost
anything for you to ask. Are you determined to be chronically
severely miserable - or are you determined to try and be less
miserable - maybe even smile once in a great while? If it's not
worth the effort for you to try and improve your lot then you've
chosen the former and nothing anyone says will make a
difference.
Over the years I've lost friends to suicide, murder and profound
unhappiness, as well as the usual illness and accident. What
always hurts the worst is when people choose to give up. RE you
are still a sharp guy. If you choose you can still have a life
with dignity and meaning. It's up to you.
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