Meanwhile in Venezuela...

[DrHenley]

The donkeys are disappearing...

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/venezuela/article215644840.html

 

[tmttactical]

@DrHenley Great article and a welcome update as to what is happening there. I sometimes wonder when folks talk about bugging out when it hits the fan, if they think there will be an announcement that it is about to hit the fan? --- Hello Ladies and Gentlemen and what ever else, this coming Monday the S is going to Hit the Fan. Please load up all your prepping supplies and bug out no later that this coming Sunday. Thank you, this has been a public service announcement. --- I just don't see it happening that way, I see it happening over a long period of time and a death by a 1,000 cuts. I don't see WW3 or EMP attack but I do see an economic collapse. The slow death. The only people not starving to death will be the (( very remote)) farmers and the fishermen. The government will attempt to take over the big farms and local fisheries. Only those isolated (too far to be cost effective for government to steal and operate) will have a fighting chance. First the cats and dogs, then all the zoo animals , then any critter that can be caught and eaten, including long pork. We almost wiped out all the buffalo, what makes anybody think they will be able to head for the woods and live off the wild life. The wild hog population problem will be solved the first year. The gator and croc problem will be solved by the second year. All the deer, elk, antelope, bear and every other wild creature will be hunted to near if not complete extinction by the end of the third year. If you plan to eat, you better be able to grow and protect your food source. The farmers and ranchers in Venezuela have learned this the hard way, their guard dogs were killed and in some case eaten. They are having to stand guard over their fields and animals. That wonderful little family garden in the back yard will get somebody killed, you, a family member or the thief trying to steal your meager crop. Venezuela is our fate if we do not take back our country. JM2C

 

[Silent Earth]

And when they have eaten all the native flora and fauna guess what happenss next?, Yup they start looking north where the rich Gringos live and THEY WILL COME. Then you have the problem of your Leftys, Socialists and democrats who think they should be welcomed to the US and fed, housed, financed by YOU.

 

[DrHenley]

If they make it this far on foot, they probably deserve to inherit the Earth. LOL

 

[tmttactical]

If they make it this far on foot, they probably deserve to inherit the Earth. LOL

Yep, 6 foot by 3 foot by 3 foot.

 

[DrHenley]

The Venezuela Government decided it's going to stabilize the economy by taking three zeros off of the currency. Then they decided to take off five zeros. Reissue the currency with fewer zeros...yeah that should fix things
Oh, BTW, they already tried this once before.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/strippin...ve-venezuelan-economy-analysts-013834311.html

 

[Squirtgunsquirter]

Man, 2005 - 2007 we're big years for me, financially. 6 figure years. All the trades we're booming, work was everywhere. Gas fired peakers and windmills we're going to see us all through to retirement, and we would all be fat and happy.
But it didn't feel right. I was watching guys on alternative media talking about a housing crash, and the debt. I moved my pension to the safest portfolio I could come up with, and learned how to make knives, and fishing poles... I started placing things at the BOL, and learning to shoot, got involved with some other ex military guys who were into it. Also got a divorce, lol. Oops.
I feel the same way now. There are just a few stocks that drive the market higher. The world is as chaotic as I can remember it. Alot going on. Crime here is worse, the city is visibly worse.
Venezuala serves as a valuable lesson. Seems like just yesterday oil prices were high and Chavez was thumping his chest. From massive debt fueled infrastructure building and social program expansion, to eating guard dogs and donkeys in decade.
Right now, this area is seeing a new home and business boom.
This too shall pass.
I'll come out the other side a little more prepared than I did last time, God willing.

 

[tmttactical]

Another great update Doc. One million bolivar to buy ONE cig. Or 10 to 20 Billion Bolivar service charge to use your credit of debit card. Socialist governments really works. AND based on the usual socialist theory of it did not work the first time , so lets do it again. Six month later and another million will be dead or another million people will be departing country and they will try another theory proven to not work.

 

[Brent S]

It’s hard to imagine inflation that out of control. All I can say is be aware that it can happen here as well. No government currency is fool proof, even the almighty dollar. With investments stay diversified, and make sure some of those investments are tangible items like ammo, soap, food, etc.

 

[user 6493]

gloom and doom,,,,,,

 

[DrPrepper1]

I know Colombia borders next to Venezuela. I have read a lot about American retirees going down to Colombia to live because it is much cheaper. I think a lot of people who didn't save enough for retirement might end up elsewhere. However, it seems they don't have a problem with Venezuelan's flooding their borders, and things are bad enough in Venezuela for people to take desperate measures. I wonder how they are keeping their borders secure. Maybe the U.S could learn a thing or two?

 

[tmttactical]

I know Colombia borders next to Venezuela. I have read a lot about American retirees going down to Colombia to live because it is much cheaper. I think a lot of people who didn't save enough for retirement might end up elsewhere. However, it seems they don't have a problem with Venezuelan's flooding their borders, and things are bad enough in Venezuela for people to take desperate measures. I wonder how they are keeping their borders secure. Maybe the U.S could learn a thing or two?

Colombia has a special way to to deal with all the illegal folks crossing (yes, it does have a limit on legal immigrants). They have the "Voluntary Deportation Program". To work or sell stuff in Colombia requires a license, The cost of the license is way about what any illegal immigrants can afford. So here is how it works. The police arrest the illegal immigrant for not having a licence. The illegal immigrant is given a choice, go before a judge (magistrate) and pay a fine (which it too high for them to pay) , fail to pay the fine and go to jail OR the illegal can choose to self deport and the Police will take them back to the border before they have to see a judge. Now the Colombian government can claim they are not deporting these illegal immigrants but that they are self deporting. Now you can see how Columbia is working to Humanely handle this crisis. I don't blame Columbia but I really dislike political BS too. Be up front and just build the wall and forget the political posturing. know

 

[brandx]

@DrHenley Great article and a welcome update as to what is happening there. I sometimes wonder when folks talk about bugging out when it hits the fan, if they think there will be an announcement that it is about to hit the fan? --- Hello Ladies and Gentlemen and what ever else, this coming Monday the S is going to Hit the Fan. Please load up all your prepping supplies and bug out no later that this coming Sunday. Thank you, this has been a public service announcement. --- I just don't see it happening that way, I see it happening over a long period of time and a death by a 1,000 cuts. I don't see WW3 or EMP attack but I do see an economic collapse. The slow death. The only people not starving to death will be the (( very remote)) farmers and the fishermen. The government will attempt to take over the big farms and local fisheries. Only those isolated (too far to be cost effective for government to steal and operate) will have a fighting chance. First the cats and dogs, then all the zoo animals , then any critter that can be caught and eaten, including long pork. We almost wiped out all the buffalo, what makes anybody think they will be able to head for the woods and live off the wild life. The wild hog population problem will be solved the first year. The gator and croc problem will be solved by the second year. All the deer, elk, antelope, bear and every other wild creature will be hunted to near if not complete extinction by the end of the third year. If you plan to eat, you better be able to grow and protect your food source. The farmers and ranchers in Venezuela have learned this the hard way, their guard dogs were killed and in some case eaten. They are having to stand guard over their fields and animals. That wonderful little family garden in the back yard will get somebody killed, you, a family member or the thief trying to steal your meager crop. Venezuela is our fate if we do not take back our country. JM2C

Yes, and the Python problem in Florida.

 

[brandx]

Man, 2005 - 2007 we're big years for me, financially. 6 figure years. All the trades we're booming, work was everywhere. Gas fired peakers and windmills we're going to see us all through to retirement, and we would all be fat and happy.
But it didn't feel right. I was watching guys on alternative media talking about a housing crash, and the debt. I moved my pension to the safest portfolio I could come up with, and learned how to make knives, and fishing poles... I started placing things at the BOL, and learning to shoot, got involved with some other ex military guys who were into it. Also got a divorce, lol. Oops.
I feel the same way now. There are just a few stocks that drive the market higher. The world is as chaotic as I can remember it. Alot going on. Crime here is worse, the city is visibly worse.
Venezuala serves as a valuable lesson. Seems like just yesterday oil prices were high and Chavez was thumping his chest. From massive debt fueled infrastructure building and social program expansion, to eating guard dogs and donkeys in decade.
Right now, this area is seeing a new home and business boom.
This too shall pass.
I'll come out the other side a little more prepared than I did last time, God willing.

I realized this is old news( May 2018), but Russia selling off American investments, debt, etc. Wonder about that? I have a retirement account, would love to get my money out and have gold instead, but can't gain access yet. Not sure about keeping paper money. Everything is worse all around, inflation just a tax and run by the government?

 

[brandx]

The Venezuela Government decided it's going to stabilize the economy by taking three zeros off of the currency. Then they decided to take off five zeros. Reissue the currency with fewer zeros...yeah that should fix things
Oh, BTW, they already tried this once before.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/strippin...ve-venezuelan-economy-analysts-013834311.html

I thought they had to have other countries print their money and now can't afford to pay for it to be printed. What a mess.

 

[WGregMiller]

Interesting. Somebody may or may NOT have tried to kill their president today.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venezuelan-president-speech-cut-short-panic-57035240

Kinda sounds to me like he’s trying to rally his people against someone else. Reckon he’ll blame the US?

 

[tmttactical]

Yeah, when your economy is approaching a 7 figure inflation rate, somebody is not going to like you very much. Gov't says a drone with explosives, fire fighters say gas tank in nearby building. Either way, we are going to get blamed.

 

[SheilaT.]

It was drones "packed with explosives"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-45073385

And you are correct Urban, it's all your fault apparently!

 

[tmttactical]

It was drones "packed with explosives"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-45073385

And you are correct Urban, it's all your fault apparently!

I will try harder next time. :rocket:

 

[DrHenley]

Hospitals scrap surgeries, Venezuelans forgo showers as taps run dry
http://news.trust.org/item/20180815120014-zxwh0

"For many years this deterioration process was not noticeable. But now the water transport systems are very damaged," said Jose De Viana, former president of Hidrocapital, the state-run utility in charge of Caracas' water supply.

Venezuela's socialist government typically says water cuts are due to sabotage by right-wing "terrorists."

Malfunctions in the capital's water network due to lack of maintenance have taken a turn for the worst in recent months, depriving many in this city of 3 million people of regular running water.

Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez in July announced a "special plan" to fix the issues, but did not provide details. The Information Ministry and Hidrocapital did not respond to a request for information.

Lack of water - and taps that sometimes spurt out brown liquid - have triggered health concerns in a country lacking basic antibiotics and vaccines.

About 75 percent of Caracas residents said they do not receive water regularly, according to a survey published by two Venezuelan non-governmental organizations this month. Around 11 percent said they thought dirty water had caused skin and stomach problems. The survey does not have comparative figures.

Medical consequences are hard to gauge as the Health Ministry no longer releases once-weekly data, but doctors say scabies and diarrhea are on the rise.

Water shortages have also made some basic daily activities untenable. Poor residents say they take fewer showers.​

 

[DrHenley]

Argentina to File Case Against Venezuela at Hague, Macri Says
https://www.bloombergquint.com/poli...inst-venezuela-at-hague-macri-says#gs.FTZyE9c

Argentina plans to ask the International Criminal Court to investigate Venezuela’s government for crimes against humanity, as other nations in the region step up efforts to isolate Venezuela.

 

[tmttactical]

More political B.S. that will accomplish nothing. Names and agenda in the news but not results.

 

[DrPrepper1]

Hospitals scrap surgeries, Venezuelans forgo showers as taps run dry
http://news.trust.org/item/20180815120014-zxwh0

"For many years this deterioration process was not noticeable. But now the water transport systems are very damaged," said Jose De Viana, former president of Hidrocapital, the state-run utility in charge of Caracas' water supply.

Venezuela's socialist government typically says water cuts are due to sabotage by right-wing "terrorists."

Malfunctions in the capital's water network due to lack of maintenance have taken a turn for the worst in recent months, depriving many in this city of 3 million people of regular running water.

Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez in July announced a "special plan" to fix the issues, but did not provide details. The Information Ministry and Hidrocapital did not respond to a request for information.

Lack of water - and taps that sometimes spurt out brown liquid - have triggered health concerns in a country lacking basic antibiotics and vaccines.

About 75 percent of Caracas residents said they do not receive water regularly, according to a survey published by two Venezuelan non-governmental organizations this month. Around 11 percent said they thought dirty water had caused skin and stomach problems. The survey does not have comparative figures.

Medical consequences are hard to gauge as the Health Ministry no longer releases once-weekly data, but doctors say scabies and diarrhea are on the rise.

Water shortages have also made some basic daily activities untenable. Poor residents say they take fewer showers.​

I understand things are bad there, but when the water goes, the term the SHTF gets taken to a whole new level.

 

[tmttactical]

AND the hits just keep on coming. Hope you all are paying attention. This is what I predict will be out grand kids future, if we do not get control and keep control of our government.

 

[Brent S]

I hear a lot about how people say that this is all Venezuela’s fault. I would agree that they are to blame some, along with declining oil prices, but the majority of their economic issues are caused by our sanctions and the pressure we have put on other countries to not trade or be able to bank with them. All I’m sure of is their government people are still eating, it’s the average citizen that is suffering the most. I read where a days minimum rations cost 3 days of average pay now. I genuinely feel for anyone watching their children starve.

 

[Proud Prepper]

I hear a lot about how people say that this is all Venezuela’s fault. I would agree that they are to blame some, along with declining oil prices, but the majority of their economic issues are caused by our sanctions and the pressure we have put on other countries to not trade or be able to bank with them. All I’m sure of is their government people are still eating, it’s the average citizen that is suffering the most. I read where a days minimum rations cost 3 days of average pay now. I genuinely feel for anyone watching their children starve.

You dont understand do you? Do you know why sanctions are in place? How do you propose we deal with enemy regimes? Assasinate them? I can only imagine what you would say if we did that.

 

[Brent S]

You dont understand do you? Do you know why sanctions are in place? How do you propose we deal with enemy regimes? Assasinate them? I can only imagine what you would say if we did that.

I personally think the general population would suffer a lot less if we did assinate an enemy regimes leaders. My biggest concern is who gets to decide who is an ‘enemy regime’ and what are the qualifications for it? I seem to remember Vietnam Nat was evil, Korea, saddam hussain, Cuba, etc. all I know for sure is a lot of patriotic young men have been killed and maimed for these enemy regimes. It seems to me that we just keep finding reasons to have these enemies. Now, don’t get me wrong, when a country invades another or starts mass murder of its own people then I think someone should step up. I just feel that we have been telling the world how to live for too long, and too many have suffered for it. Now we seem to be befriending leaders like Kim and Putin that are doing some rotten things. I guess I just don’t feel our leaders are qualified to judge who is good or bad anymore.

 

[Proud Prepper]

I personally think the general population would suffer a lot less if we did assinate an enemy regimes leaders. My biggest concern is who gets to decide who is an ‘enemy regime’ and what are the qualifications for it? I seem to remember Vietnam Nat was evil, Korea, saddam hussain, Cuba, etc. all I know for sure is a lot of patriotic young men have been killed and maimed for these enemy regimes. It seems to me that we just keep finding reasons to have these enemies. Now, don’t get me wrong, when a country invades another or starts mass murder of its own people then I think someone should step up. I just feel that we have been telling the world how to live for too long, and too many have suffered for it. Now we seem to be befriending leaders like Kim and Putin that are doing some rotten things. I guess I just don’t feel our leaders are qualified to judge who is good or bad anymore.

I understand how you feel Brent, but its just feelings and emotional responce for the suffering of the people there. I would suggest learning whats really happening there and why the US sanctions are in place. There in place to force the corrupt socialist regine out of power and to protect against that regime from liquidating the countries (peoples) assests.

 

[DrHenley]

The Bay of Pigs kind of made us gunshy about assassinating tinhorn despots in Central and South America. Seems it's a lot easier to get rid of them overseas than closer to home for some reason.

 

[Mountain trapper]

The people in Venezuela are getting the socialism that they voted for. Will they, or anyone else, learn from this mess? Absolutely not. Too many people today want something for nothing. And they are dumb enough to believe any slick talking politician that promises to take from the "rich" and give it to them. I'm sure they'd vote the same way again.
I've heard some misinformed people blame "falling" oil prices for Venezuelas problems. That's just plain BS. Venezuelas problem is their own elected socialist government! Historically the price of oil is still extremely high and is very profitable when managed by private companies, not socialist governments.
If Venezuelan kids are starving it's their own parents fault; they voted for this. It's almost kind of funny too how some people try to blame the US for the problems in Venezuela. That sounds a lot like obama talking when he was taking his world apology tour.