U.S. NAVY EVACUATES GULF

[Large Sarge]

http://www.survivalistnews.com/2010/07/08/u-s-navy-evacuates-gulf/
U.S. NAVY EVACUATES GULF
Posted on July 8, 2010
Filed Under Breaking News, Oil Disaster | 2 Comments

Under the guise of the “war on drugs� the U.S. Military is evacuating its ships and hardware from the Gulf of Mexico to safety off the sheltered coast of Costa Rica.

The “war on drugs� cover story is laughable being that we can’t even get that level of engagement on our border with Mexico where all the drugs come through.

The Navy is obviously worried about either poison from the methane/corexit 9500 mix or a massive methane explosion/tsunami. A tsunami fits with the NOAA blackout of the U.S. tsunami warning system. It also explains why BP is not actively cleaning up the oil on the beaches. Why clean them up if they are going to be gone.

On the 2nd July 2010 the Costa Rica Congress authorized the entry of 46 U.S. warships capable of carrying 200 helicopters and warplanes, plus 7,000 U.S. Marines “who may circulate the country in uniform without any restrictions� , plus submarine killer ships to the Costa Rican coast for “anti-narcotics operations and humanitarian missions between 1st July 2010 until 31st December 2010.

With this kind of nation destroying firepower, it gives real meaning to the expression “war on drugs�, but if this a real six month “war on drugs� we should expect to see some fantastic results, right?

Politicians representing the Acción Ciudadana (PAC), the Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) and the Frente Amplio (FA) political parties opposed the measure saying that the destructive force of the ships, helicopters and 7,000 US Marines is “disproportionate for the fight against drug trafficking.�

On Sunday, the President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla said that the government does not intend to militarize the fight against drugs and the Minister of Public Security Jose Maria Tijerino stressed that this huge, powerful military force would be under the command of the US Coast Guard and not the US Navy.

Although I don’t suppose the Costa Ricans, the drug traffickers or we expats will notice the difference…

Another politician Francisco Chacón defended the arrival of the US forces saying that “they would give humanitarian support, build schools and fight against drug traffickers.�

If these 7,000 US Marines, 200 helicopters, warplanes and submarine killers are coming to Costa Rica to “give humanitarian support, build schools and fight against drug traffickers,� perhaps we could ask them to repair the new highway to Caldera? With that kind of manpower they could have it finished in a week.

Read Full Article Here: 46 US Warships Plus 7,000 US Marines On Route To Costa Rica?.

We are sending a war level force of 46 naval ships to stop drugs in Costa Rica which is roughly the size of Vermont with less coast line than Louisiana. Why has the mainstream media not mentioned this massive military buildup? Obviously it is not a buildup…it is an evacuation.

If you are in the gulf coast region you should consider evacuating.

Here is another article on the evacuation.

[Large Sarge]

I am thinking the tsunami might be real

and I guess I agree with this guy, they evacuated the entire Gulf (almost 50 naval ships) HUGE

to go fight drugs in costa rica

none of that adds up

[MNeagle]

Kind of a misleading title, I was thinking they forced residents out of the gulf coast.

They can HAARP a tsumani can't they?

[k-os]

Kind of a misleading title, I was thinking they forced residents out of the gulf coast.

They can HAARP a tsumani can't they?


I had the same thought from the title.

[Large Sarge]

do we have any more reports of military evacuating the Gulf area, Specifically planes that are based/housed near the gulf??

Naval Air Stations being emptied?

just from a glance, I guess its almost 1800 miles from Louisiana to Costa Rica, and the important point is that the strait at the yucatan, would shelter any ships near costa rica from a tsunami

[oldmansmith]

WOW !
This is a major news for those who can read between the lies.


Fixed it for ya.

[Silver Rocket Bitches!]

though the title should read US NAVY EVACUATES THEIR SHIPS FROM THE GULF,

this is huge news and it will interesting to see the spin put on it in the coming days...

[Steal]

I know from first hand experiance how articles, stories etc. change each time they are told. Curious as to where the ' evacuate from gulf' came from. Really doubt this size of military might was just sittin in the gulf, with the storm that just rescently passed through. Original article pasted below. But that in its self is just a coast rica fan club site. Anyone have any hard links to support this?

coasta rica under seige (http://www.welovecostarica.com/public/46_US_Warships_Plus_7000_US_Marines_On_Route_To_Co sta_Rica.cfm)

[Libertytree]

I know from first hand experiance how articles, stories etc. change each time they are told. Curious as to where the ' evacuate from gulf' came from. Really doubt this size of military might was just sittin in the gulf, with the storm that just rescently passed through. Original article pasted below. But that in its self is just a coast rica fan club site. Anyone have any hard links to support this?

coasta rica under seige (http://www.welovecostarica.com/public/46_US_Warships_Plus_7000_US_Marines_On_Route_To_Co sta_Rica.cfm)



Steal, this link was in the story you provided, it's from the major newspaper in CR. From my sketchy Spanish it seems pretty legit to me. I've been reading Scott Olivers newsletter for a couple or so years and his stories usually have good merit.

http://www.nacion.com/2010-07-02/ElPais/NotasSecundarias/ElPais2431541.aspx

[EE_]

This is BS and has nothing to do about a little oil leak in the gulf.
Oh, the leak will be plugged in a couple weeks...end of story.

How bout that Labron, ah!

[FunnyMoney]

Steal, this link was in the story you provided, it's from the major newspaper in CR. From my sketchy Spanish it seems pretty legit to me. I've been reading Scott Olivers newsletter for a couple or so years and his stories usually have good merit.

http://www.nacion.com/2010-07-02/ElPais/NotasSecundarias/ElPais2431541.aspx


I read the article and through some of the replies. Some of the replies say the US Navy is completely out of bounds and they question how on Earth could the govts possibly need so many ships to combat drug runners.

From the surface and what I have read so far, this seems to be a credible story, that there's no giant mission in the war on drugs but they are indeed evacuating.

[Libertytree]

I have to say that I was becoming complacent and thought I had a little more time to relocate, but after taking in this news I'm back to plan A. Having lived and traveled in CR this just doesn't add up but it's a great cover story! I wonder how much money the CR .gov got for allowing this? Did we do it for reasons pure of heart? I don't fvckin think so or we'd be on the Arizona border with those 7,000 Marines!! What a crock of crap!

[FunnyMoney]

I have to say that I was becoming complacent and thought I had a little more time to relocate, but after taking in this news I'm back to plan A.


I think I was one of the members who posted to "not quit the job and high tail it quite yet" when you mentioned your ideas a week or so back. I feel bad about my suggestions now as I really don't know what's best at this point. I think everybody outside the matrix knew from day one that this was a horrific event of epic proportions, it's just we're at a loss as to how to deal with it. I heard from a close friend in Florida recently, they told me you couldn't even give their home away right now. Btw, they paid several hundred thousand for it just a few years back.

I sincerely wish I had a better suggestion. The only thing that I can hope is that the event somehow produces a huge awakening and a revolt against the federal govts and central banksters of the world. But that's probably just dreaming on my part. Please keep us informed on what you decide and what you are finding out as you go through this terrible event.

[Large Sarge]

the only other possible thing I see is that they are down there to guard the panama canal, which means WW3 is about to start

Fearing China, Russia, or? might destroy or takeover the panama canal


but I think the evacuation is the most likely.

Thats an overkill to protect the panama canal

[Carbon]

the only other possible thing I see is that they are down there to guard the panama canal, which means WW3 is about to start



I think you're limiting yourself - we've released the Kraken out of the Macondo well.

Nothing can stop it.

http://shareit.yhgfl.net/doncaster/askernspa/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/kraken2.jpg

[Spectrism]

the only other possible thing I see is that they are down there to guard the panama canal, which means WW3 is about to start

Fearing China, Russia, or? might destroy or takeover the panama canal


but I think the evacuation is the most likely.

Thats an overkill to protect the panama canal




Good options to think about. This whole thing is feeling like a streched rubber band. We will see another 2 or 3 disasters hit and it will really become odd. Volcanoes, earthquakes, meteors, solar flares, oil blast? Much of the earth will be scorched by sun and chemical.

[uranian]

sounding far too familiar.

Royal Navy flotilla withdrawn to cut costs, weeks before Haiti disaster (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6994452.ece)


A Royal Navy flotilla that might have provided relief in the first hours after the Haitian earthquake was withdrawn weeks before the disaster because of budget constraints :baa, the Ministry of Defence said last night.

Naval sources told The Times that the unpublicised cut marked the first time that the Royal Navy has had a significant gap in cover in the Caribbean since the 17th century.

I can't see a much more obvious warning sign about getting the heck out of there now. Thousands of BP workers sick, reliable reports that in places the gulf is now tens of thousands of PPM corexit, credible people reporting that the stuff is being sprayed over land at night, dead whales and fish aplenty...time to run, not walk.

[Libertytree]

I have to say that I was becoming complacent and thought I had a little more time to relocate, but after taking in this news I'm back to plan A.


I think I was one of the members who posted to "not quit the job and high tail it quite yet" when you mentioned your ideas a week or so back. I feel bad about my suggestions now as I really don't know what's best at this point. I think everybody outside the matrix knew from day one that this was a horrific event of epic proportions, it's just we're at a loss as to how to deal with it. I heard from a close friend in Florida recently, they told me you couldn't even give their home away right now. Btw, they paid several hundred thousand for it just a few years back.

I sincerely wish I had a better suggestion. The only thing that I can hope is that the event somehow produces a huge awakening and a revolt against the federal govts and central banksters of the world. But that's probably just dreaming on my part. Please keep us informed on what you decide and what you are finding out as you go through this terrible event.


No problem FM, no one knows the future or for that matter what's really going on today, just the results of how today affects tomorrow. I certainly don't have the answers but my gut tells me at the very minimum that as time unfolds the Gulf will see either a slow or a rapid exodus and I think I'd like to be ahead of those events, if for no other reason less competition in the job market, wherever I decide to go up north. Right now I'm stuck until I can accrue enough cash to make a move and I hate moving from the place I love and have made my home, hell, this was my bugout location! Oh well, such is life, deal with it.

I don't know if this is enough to spark a revolt but one can dream if nothing else. Most people here are still under the facade that they are cleaning up the Gulf and everything will be fine. What's really crazy is that some of my customers say that they are depending on me to keep them abreast of what's goin' on, they won't worry about it themselves, too busy. Wait till winter gets here and the prevailing winds are from the north/northwest, then the oil will set in here too, if a hurricane doesn't do the trick 1st.

I've got a loose plan and many things to do to make it happen but I'm sure I'll be here at some points along the way. GSUS is a friggin' addiction :)

[Horn]

plus 7,000 U.S. Marines “who may circulate the country in uniform without any restrictions�

Is there no safe place left on Earth?

The answer seems, yes.

[INDIGO]

The Navy is obviously worried about either poison from the methane/corexit 9500 mix or a massive methane explosion/tsunami. A tsunami fits with the NOAA blackout of the U.S. tsunami warning system.



I'm not saying it can't happen but this above statement is a little misleading. There isn't a NOAA Tsunami warning system in the Atlantic like there is in Hawaii & Alaska for the Pacific.

[uranian]

map of the buoys for the tsunami warning system:

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/images/maps/DART.gif

[uranian]

webbots from March 2010:


governments merge naval operations into some large and mysterious fleet operations.

[Phoenix]

If the Navy were "evacuating" the Gulf of Mexico, would it not make more sense to redeploy the ships to the Eastern Seaboard, instead?

[Bullfrog]

plus 7,000 U.S. Marines “who may circulate the country in uniform without any restrictions�

Is there no safe place left on Earth?

The answer seems, yes.


Change that to maybe. When I was in Okinawa, 95% of all crime on the island was done by U.S. Marines.

[TPTB]

Southcom doesn't seem to be evacuating operations out of Tampa.

[Large Sarge]

I will say it again

it could be the start of WW3 and they want to keep the panama canal open


I just do not see the drug thing as real, and cannot come up with another reason to move that many ships down there

hmmm?

[Horn]

I will say it again

it could be the start of WW3 and they want to keep the panama canal open


I just do not see the drug thing as real, and cannot come up with another reason to move that many ships down there

hmmm?




Nor do I, my guess is their arrival is going to scare some new International Government transgression laws onto the books in Costa Rica, maybe corrupt an otherwise stable sovereign nation?

It is a key stronghold to Central & South American politics, I would say more so than Panama

[Large Sarge]

I will say it again

it could be the start of WW3 and they want to keep the panama canal open


I just do not see the drug thing as real, and cannot come up with another reason to move that many ships down there

hmmm?




Nor do I, my guess is their arrival is going to scare some new International Government transgression laws onto the books in Costa Rica, maybe corrupt an otherwise stable sovereign nation?

It is a key stronghold to Central & South American politics, I would say more so than Panama



not all that familiar with costa rica, one thing I have heard is that it is like the banking center for central (and parts of south america)

kind of like the switzerland of central america (except they do not like guns like the swiss do)

;D

[Horn]

As part of the War on Everything, the US is invading Costa Rica. About 7,000 marines on 46 warships are sailing to the small country and will, according to the US embassy, “be able to enjoy freedom of movement and the right to carry out the activities that they consider necessary to complete their mission.�

The effort seems to be related to fighting drug trafficking. Which is of course nonsense. Reports Lat/Am Daily:

A proportionally very large amount of cocaine is busted in Costa Rica every year, and the country has become something of a bodega for Mexican and Colombian drug smugglers, what with its good infrastructure, weak judicial system, ill-equipped police force, long coastlines, remote beaches, terrible immigration enforcement, and ample opportunities for laundering money through real estate transactions and layers of shell corporations.

I’m not sure how well-armed helicopters will change any of those factors, unless you could make the National Registry more transparent by slipping a few Hellfire missiles through the front door . Probably wouldn’t hurt.

Anyway, keep ironing around that wrinkle fellas. You’ll win the war on drugs any day now.

Progressives are of course furiously opposed to what they call “turning Costa Rica into a military targetâ€Â�. The Popular Movement says in El PaÃÂ*s that with this action, Laura Chinchilla’s government is joining Plan Colombia and agression against Venezuela and other South American nations that are being threatened by the United States.

It is also mentioned that not all ships will patrol Costa Rican waters. That is further emphasized by the fact that last Friday July 2nd, US military vessels transited the Panama Canal under increased security.

http://www.bananamarepublic.com/?p=1085

Is a cryin shame one of the last states that did business with all, but made alliances with none, seems to be turning over to one side here.

[Horn]

I will say it again

it could be the start of WW3 and they want to keep the panama canal open


I just do not see the drug thing as real, and cannot come up with another reason to move that many ships down there

hmmm?




Nor do I, my guess is their arrival is going to scare some new International Government transgression laws onto the books in Costa Rica, maybe corrupt an otherwise stable sovereign nation?

It is a key stronghold to Central & South American politics, I would say more so than Panama



not all that familiar with costa rica, one thing I have heard is that it is like the banking center for central (and parts of south america)

kind of like the switzerland of central america (except they do not like guns like the swiss do)

;D



Right, banking & educational center for the region.

Was previously mostly uncorrupted, I think.

Until this event may change that though.

Not so big on the WMD there, but every major business has armed guards...

Most banks have streetsweepers displayed.

[Steal]

Legislators Appeal To Constitutional Court To Stop U.S Warships From Entering Costa Rican Waters

The decision authorizing the patrol of Costa Rican waters by U.S. warships is being contested by a group of legislators, headed by Gloria Bejarano, who filed an action of unconstitutionality with the Sala Constitucional (Costa Rica's constitutional court).


link here (http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2010/july/09/costarica10070911.htm)

[Horn]

Legislators Appeal To Constitutional Court To Stop U.S Warships From Entering Costa Rican Waters

The decision authorizing the patrol of Costa Rican waters by U.S. warships is being contested by a group of legislators, headed by Gloria Bejarano, who filed an action of unconstitutionality with the Sala Constitucional (Costa Rica's constitutional court).


link here (http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2010/july/09/costarica10070911.htm)


Viva La Republica!!!

[Steal]

Coast Guard dispatching ships and personnel to Costa Rica to threaten Nicaragua


Wayne Madsen
Online Journal
July 8, 2010

(WMR) � After conducting its successful coup d’etat in Honduras against President Manuel Zelaya, the imperialistic Barack Obama administration is now bent on ousting Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega by massing a huge U.S. Coast Guard and Marine Corps presence in neighboring Costa Rica, a base of operations for Reagan administration-backed CIA operations in the 1980s in support of the Nicaraguan contras.
hmmm (http://www.infowars.com/coast-guard-dispatching-ships-and-personnel-to-costa-rica-to-threaten-nicaragua-2/#comments)

[Horn]

Nicaragua is destitute, I still feel the reason is bring International law & forms of taxation to the region.

Or if Nicaragua is involved not to protect from it, but to assimilate into the mass co-op.

[FunnyMoney]

If the Navy were "evacuating" the Gulf of Mexico, would it not make more sense to redeploy the ships to the Eastern Seaboard, instead?


Like LS says, it could be the start of something much bigger and either the panama canal is in play or as Horn said something to do regarding the financial interests in Costa Rica. Or maybe the Eastern seaboard won't be safe soon and we'll see more movements coming soon.

I really don't know, there's too much information to absorb and not enough solid details coming out from behind the curtain.

It's definately a spiral down situation worldwide, and even the webbots are starting to get hits on some of their predictions. But getting a direct line on future events is proving to be more difficult than ever. The constant shilling and deception tactics that the "liberty" forums are faced with and now with the near total destruction of GIM (the case could be made the destruction is total) it has become very difficult to predict future events.

At GIM, we were able to call the war, the elections, the price of oil and gold with amazing exactness over and over, this going on for some years as well. But now we are being hit from the flanks. The enemy has moved from the frontal "in your face" tactics of 911, Iraq, financial crashes and bailouts, back to now more stealth forms of attack. The gulf event is an "accident". Movements by war ships are now for some side purpose. A distraction in Arizona to try and pit city folk against each other. Unemployment, ordinary folk bail outs / programs, recent tax breaks for the middle class, all these things due to simply expire. There's no organized opposition that has not been made either a moot point or taken down the road of controlled opposition.

All signs now point to the destruction of the USA as we know it by the end of this decade or sooner.

[Book]

http://swarthmoreasianorganization.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/end.jpg

5+ years since first logging onto GIM and the World hasn't ended yet. Ponce first posted "Many Will Die" years ago when he bought his first case of toilet paper. Years ago Hypertiger was posting his eminent doom. The title and topic of this thread (and others) is hyperbole with no convincing evidence of eminent doom. Been visiting LATOC and Timebomb2000 and SurvivalBlog for years and ditto there.

Here in Idaho we have plenty of breathable air and drinkable water and nobody talks about fleeing anywhere. I'm willing to bet some serious metal coins that our sun WILL rise in the morning sky tomorrow...lol.

:)

[FunnyMoney]

5+ years since first logging onto GIM and the World hasn't ended yet.

I don't think the world is ending, and I've never said that. Over at GIM, we predicted very hard times to come for the middle class, a huge hit to come to the western economies, a continuation of the wars, a victory by Osama, I mean Obama, and side kick BinLaden, mean Biden. We predicted the recent gains by the banking sectors of the world, an increase of world govt agends and a whole variety of details inside the con game matrix.

Very few predicted the world to end in a sudden SHTF and most subscribed to the slow road to serfdom theory and still do. I would go back 5 years and show you the posts and numerous polls to prove it, but that's not going to happen now is it. Ever wonder why that is?

[Book]

Very few predicted the world to end in a sudden SHTF and most subscribed to the slow road to serfdom theory and still do. I would go back 5 years and show you the posts and numerous polls to prove it, but that's not going to happen now is it.



http://www.e-zakynthos.com/zante.tips/images/family.vacation.holidays.jpg

http://www.arcadialodge.com/images/family_on_beach350pix.jpg

I was as guilty as anyone with the doomer stuff. My point now is that Life itself wasn't anywhere near doom-ish except when we logged onto these forums and entered our mutual echo feedback loop. Outside our neighbors didn't even notice. They went about their Life and probably got more fresh air and exercise and fun each day then us. I see it all around me now especially on these summer days.

:)

[Large Sarge]

Very few predicted the world to end in a sudden SHTF and most subscribed to the slow road to serfdom theory and still do. I would go back 5 years and show you the posts and numerous polls to prove it, but that's not going to happen now is it.



http://www.e-zakynthos.com/zante.tips/images/family.vacation.holidays.jpg

http://www.arcadialodge.com/images/family_on_beach350pix.jpg

I was as guilty as anyone with the doomer stuff. My point now is that Life itself wasn't anywhere near doom-ish except when we logged onto these forums and entered our mutual echo feedback loop. Outside our neighbors didn't even notice. They went about their Life and probably got more fresh air and exercise and fun each day then us. I see it all around me now especially on these summer days.

:)


Summer in Idaho Book?

is that about 3 weeks on a good year?

;D

I get the impression its real real cold there....
maybe colder than montana

[Steal]

Very few predicted the world to end in a sudden SHTF and most subscribed to the slow road to serfdom theory and still do. I would go back 5 years and show you the posts and numerous polls to prove it, but that's not going to happen now is it.



http://www.e-zakynthos.com/zante.tips/images/family.vacation.holidays.jpg

http://www.arcadialodge.com/images/family_on_beach350pix.jpg

I was as guilty as anyone with the doomer stuff. My point now is that Life itself wasn't anywhere near doom-ish except when we logged onto these forums and entered our mutual echo feedback loop. Outside our neighbors didn't even notice. They went about their Life and probably got more fresh air and exercise and fun each day then us. I see it all around me now especially on these summer days.

:)


Alot of truth here. I actually , at first glance, thought that was a little gadsden flag on the castle in the first pic. hehe.

edit: in retrospect, if something goes south and fast with the oilcano, you can bet all media attention will suddenly be on US Navy , at an easy location to avert eyes too.

[crazychicken]

http://swarthmoreasianorganization.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/end.jpg


Here in Idaho we have plenty of breathable air and drinkable water and nobody talks about fleeing anywhere. I'm willing to bet some serious metal coins that our sun WILL rise in the morning sky tomorrow...lol.

:)


We are on the Oregon/Nevada border. I agree with your statement 100%.

I'm real happy to be in the NW.

CC

[Book]

We are on the Oregon/Nevada border. I agree with your statement 100%.

I'm real happy to be in the NW.



Exactly. Makes no sense for us up here in the Pacific North West to get too excited about what is happening in the Gulf. Earth is a big place. When we stub our toe our thumb doesn't think that it is the end of the world...lol.

:D

[Horn]

We are on the Oregon/Nevada border. I agree with your statement 100%.

I'm real happy to be in the NW.



Exactly. Makes no sense for us up here in the Pacific North West to get too excited about what is happening in the Gulf. Earth is a big place. When we stub our toe our thumb doesn't think that it is the end of the world...lol.

:D


Until spreading to the foot it grows gangrenous, resulting loss of balance & then sitting on your thumb.

[Horn]

At GIM, we were able to call the war, the elections, the price of oil and gold with amazing exactness over and over, this going on for some years as well. But now we are being hit from the flanks.

Is true, at this point the future is all hazy to me, like some great event is blocking my vision.

http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Entertainment/Images/dr-manhattan-watchmen.jpg

[Libertytree]

I wouldn't expect anyone in the PNW to be as freaked out by the Gulf situation as those that live here and are directly affected. It does though have the potential to change the face of the country in a multitude of ways, from the displacement of millions of people to other geographical areas to the damage done to an already struggling/dying economy, not to mention the increased police state tactics that we see being used now.

[uranian]

reports of fishermen getting sick now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1mI-DJII1U

[Book]

We are on the Oregon/Nevada border. I agree with your statement 100%.

I'm real happy to be in the NW.



Exactly. Makes no sense for us up here in the Pacific North West to get too excited about what is happening in the Gulf. Earth is a big place. When we stub our toe our thumb doesn't think that it is the end of the world...lol.

:D


Won't be a problem for you unless/until mass evacuations take place, sending thousands to your pristine Pacific North West. The earth is indeed a big place but becoming smaller every day due to the population explosion. And compared to the Universe, this rock is a small place. We are all connected to it.


Ok. Let's use just this one example:



...already packed can goods in 60 five gallons plastic containers with another 100 or more to go........found a place where they will sell them to me for $1.50 each, used only one time and the lid have a rubber seal around it in the inside.

http://gold-silver.us/forum/general-discussion/%27and-many-will-die%27-ponce/msg76979/#msg76979


Me and Crazychicken and Ponce are PNW neighbors. Ponce has famously for the past 5+ years been stockpiling doomer preps and here he is today in his panic MILLIONS WILL DIE thread reporting additions. Ponce lives alone and already has a warehouse full of toilet paper and canned food. He already has security cameras and escape tunnels around his compound house. All set for the zombies. Meanwhile our other PNW neighbors are taking their kids to the park for barbecues or up in the mountains every weekend fishing and camping and basically enjoying this nice summer weather:

http://image1.masterfile.com/getImage/NjAwLTAwMDA3NzUwbi4wMDAwMDAwMA=AKq9Lv/600-00007750n.jpg

When I was a kid me and my dad were walking in San Francisco and noticed an old guy holding a sign yelling incoherently. He looked kinda like this guy:

http://www.thisisbrian.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/the-20end-20is-20near-small.jpg

I asked my dad about this and he said "the end IS near........FOR HIM". This was around 1965. It appears that me and Crazychicken and our PNW neighbors see a different Reality than those now living in the Gulf...for logical reasons. Up here the weather and society and countryside are pretty great right now. Ponce needs to get out and go fishing or something. His panic MILLIONS WILL DIE is hyperbole in the PNW.

:oo-->

[Horn]

Gee, If it's this wonderful in the PNW, we should all head up there.

Book, is anyone sleeping in the den?

[crazychicken]

I wouldn't expect anyone in the PNW to be as freaked out by the Gulf situation as those that live here and are directly affected. It does though have the potential to change the face of the country in a multitude of ways, from the displacement of millions of people to other geographical areas to the damage done to an already struggling/dying economy, not to mention the increased police state tactics that we see being used now.


You know I agree with you 1000% percent plus!

CC

[Book]

Gee, If it's this wonderful in the PNW, we should all head up there. Book, is anyone sleeping in the den?



Didn't you leave the USA and move to Costa Rico? You make a good point though Horn. I moved from California to Idaho back in 1980. Watching the news on teevee about California now sitting here in Idaho is my happy Reality. No reason why people now living in the Gulf can't move to a better place.

Problem solved...for them. Simple as that.

:)

[k-os]

It's nice to read the opposite of doom, too. Thanks, Book. I went to look at a sweet RV today and if all of the stars align just right, I'll be buying it on Monday.

See you a few months after that, PNW! ;D So, watch out!

I am going to make the best of this doom and GTFO of Florida (temp to perm), but also just enjoy traveling across the USA while avoiding the gas clouds, tsunamis, giant methane bubbles, benzene exposure, panic, cannibalism, and zombie attacks that are sure to plague Florida in no time.

[Large Sarge]

It's nice to read the opposite of doom, too. Thanks, Book. I went to look at a sweet RV today and if all of the stars align just right, I'll be buying it on Monday.

See you a few months after that, PNW! ;D So, watch out!

I am going to make the best of this doom and GTFO of Florida (temp to perm), but also just enjoy traveling across the USA while avoiding the gas clouds, tsunamis, giant methane bubbles, benzene exposure, panic, cannibalism, and zombie attacks that are sure to plague Florida in no time.


Thanks for that LOL
:ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL:

[k-os]

Happy to be of service, Large Sarge. ;D

[Large Sarge]

keeping your humor is an important survival skill.

I would advise all you folks near the gulf to start planning a bugout

My Folks live in S. Carolina, and a lot of their plants are dying (weird brown spots, etc)

Dad said he felt/saw oily substance on some leaves

[crazychicken]

I don't disagree with what you are saying. But we made the effort to get to what we see as the best position to be in. That isn't "head in the sand", it is positioning. We have been blessed and had the opportunity. But we don't spend our time cowering, we are living. Hunt, fish, ranching, mining----AGAIN---LIVING. Everything is evolutionary. But sitting in a closet waiting for the sky to fall is not our way, or Book's, or a whole lot of people up this way.

We are remote, with 82 square miles of ground, with a sustainable cattle herd, hogs, chickens and a lot of wild game. Water is no problem. We are so remote anyone has to work to get here. You can see anyone coming two miles away.

That doesn't make any of us with our heads in our a.s! It means we are in some better shape than many.

THE WORLD



Book, you bring up an interesting point with the "doom" meme which circulates in this and other forums. I once thought the same thing. I even quit GIM because of it. But my denial could never stop me from reading between the lies, and I returned.

The interesting thing though, is that 5+ years ago those of us at GIM were predicting and reading between the lines about subjects which are now coming to fruition.

Judging from your posts, it seems like you are condoning sticking your head in the sand like your neighbors while the fabric of society becomes frayed due to economic and global disasters. If that is your new stance, I respect that but then why are you still here rubbing elbows with us doomsayers? In Idaho, there is no reason to flee. The police state will come to you.

[crazychicken]

It's nice to read the opposite of doom, too. Thanks, Book. I went to look at a sweet RV today and if all of the stars align just right, I'll be buying it on Monday.

See you a few months after that, PNW! ;D So, watch out!

I am going to make the best of this doom and GTFO of Florida (temp to perm), but also just enjoy traveling across the USA while avoiding the gas clouds, tsunamis, giant methane bubbles, benzene exposure, panic, cannibalism, and zombie attacks that are sure to plague Florida in no time.


So--You guys coming this way? Make sure you drop buy.

CC

[Libertytree]

keeping your humor is an important survival skill.

I would advise all you folks near the gulf to start planning a bugout

My Folks live in S. Carolina, and a lot of their plants are dying (weird brown spots, etc)

Dad said he felt/saw oily substance on some leaves




Well hells bells....SC was one of my possible relocation destinations, this is the second report I've heard from SC about the oily rain. Where abouts Sarge?

[Large Sarge]

keeping your humor is an important survival skill.

I would advise all you folks near the gulf to start planning a bugout

My Folks live in S. Carolina, and a lot of their plants are dying (weird brown spots, etc)

Dad said he felt/saw oily substance on some leaves




Well hells bells....SC was one of my possible relocation destinations, this is the second report I've heard from SC about the oily rain. Where abouts Sarge?


about 45 minutes Southwest of Columbia, towards Georgia

[Book]

I am going to make the best of this doom and GTFO of Florida (temp to perm), but also just enjoy traveling across the USA while avoiding the gas clouds, tsunamis, giant methane bubbles, benzene exposure, panic, cannibalism, and zombie attacks that are sure to plague Florida in no time.



http://www.hivenet.is/rex/spurs/applause.gif

This post is as sane as it gets on the internet. K-os identified the problem and has the courage to responsibly ACT upon her logical solution.

:)

[Libertytree]

Thanks, I was thinking about the Santee/Marion Lake area, but maybe the PNW is the ticket?

[Large Sarge]

webbots say anything above 40 degrees north is ok

but as with all things "DYODD"

[Book]

It means we are in some better shape than many.



http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEDYR0UhT-Y/SxRMIhHnXnI/AAAAAAAACDY/UE1g_1e2okA/s400/uhaul.jpg

Exactly. Because we logically chose to relocate to a better place.

:D

[Book]

keeping your humor is an important survival skill.



http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/files/uhaul_647.jpg

Makes all the difference Sarge...lol.

;D

[k-os]

http://www.hivenet.is/rex/spurs/applause.gif

This post is as sane as it gets on the internet. K-os identified the problem and has the courage to responsibly ACT upon her logical solution.

:)


Oh Book, you are making me blush.

I am lucky that my circumstances in life afford me the flexibility to easily make a decision like this. I do not envy people who must decide what is best for their family, or who have to leave a job, etc. The cards dealt to me at this point in my life just happen to be right for a cross country adventure. My family and friends don't even think I am too crazy (because this really isn't out of character for me), so everyone is supportive.

Watch out crazychicken, you better believe I'll be stopping by to say hi! Sounds amazing where you are.

[boogietillyapuke]

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away............

Evacuation my ass. I live 30 miles inland, smack dab between Pensacola and Fort Walton. There are no navy ships based in the gulf unless you want to count the U.S.S Alabama sitting in its mudhole over in Mobile, or the Oriskany when they finally sunk it offshore from Pensacola for a dive attraction, or the Lexington over in Corpus Christi. Travel over to Panama City and you might find a few little rowboats used in the EOD school and some SpecOps training. There is no Gulf Coast fleet to evacuate.

Just sayin'.........

[Libertytree]

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away............

Evacuation my ass. I live 30 miles inland, smack dab between Pensacola and Fort Walton. There are no navy ships based in the gulf unless you want to count the U.S.S Alabama sitting in its mudhole over in Mobile, or the Oriskany when they finally sunk it offshore from Pensacola for a dive attraction, or the Lexington over in Corpus Christi. Travel over to Panama City and you might find a few little rowboats used in the EOD school and some SpecOps training. There is no Gulf Coast fleet to evacuate.

Just sayin'.........





So where do you suppose the 46+ ships are coming from?

[crazychicken]

You know the offer has gone out to several if the need arises.

We'll leave a light on for you and yours.

You other folks know who you are!

CC






http://www.hivenet.is/rex/spurs/applause.gif

This post is as sane as it gets on the internet. K-os identified the problem and has the courage to responsibly ACT upon her logical solution.

:)


Oh Book, you are making me blush.

I am lucky that my circumstances in life afford me the flexibility to easily make a decision like this. I do not envy people who must decide what is best for their family, or who have to leave a job, etc. The cards dealt to me at this point in my life just happen to be right for a cross country adventure. My family and friends don't even think I am too crazy (because this really isn't out of character for me), so everyone is supportive.

Watch out crazychicken, you better believe I'll be stopping by to say hi! Sounds amazing where you are.

[Book]

http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/79521a19-2a35-4853-b723-6dc445ba3fa8/uploadedartwork/450X450/fd12ea30-60ed-4736-848f-acf828e26db2.jpg

We don't have roots. We have feet that can take us to more futile ground...lol.

:)

[crazychicken]

That is funny as heck, and would be funnier if the phrase "MORE FUTILE GROUND" wasn't so tragic.

CC



http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/79521a19-2a35-4853-b723-6dc445ba3fa8/uploadedartwork/450X450/fd12ea30-60ed-4736-848f-acf828e26db2.jpg

We don't have roots. We have feet that can take us to more futile ground...lol.

:)

[Book]

That is funny as heck, and would be funnier if the phrase "MORE FUTILE GROUND" wasn't so tragic.

CC



http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/79521a19-2a35-4853-b723-6dc445ba3fa8/uploadedartwork/450X450/fd12ea30-60ed-4736-848f-acf828e26db2.jpg

We don't have roots. We have feet that can take us to more futile ground...lol.

:)



K-os gets it and already perfected her MODE OF TRAVEL (http://gold-silver.us/forum/religion-and-philosophy/the-thread-about-absolutely-nothing/msg73118/#msg73118) while getting ready to uproot and move on...lol.

:)

[k-os]

K-os gets it and already perfected her MODE OF TRAVEL (http://gold-silver.us/forum/religion-and-philosophy/the-thread-about-absolutely-nothing/msg73118/#msg73118) while getting ready to uproot and move on...lol.

:)


Funny. You'll know me by the flags on my toes. :D

[Horn]

I'm still waiting for my invitation to sleep in the den... :'(

[Heimdhal]

Were still planning on central Tennessee. We've been wanting to go up there for a few years now and this event seems like the kick in the butt we need. We arent super tied down, my wife and I. Our daughter isnt in school yet, and is too young to have any true friendships, so its little difference to us to leave, other than the few family well be leving behind.

HOWEVER, if these stories are true about SC getting some effects from this, which I do take with a grain of salt of course, then Tennessee might not be a viable location.

The PNW is my second most desired location. Not sure how Fanta feels about it, but I like the country up there, from the high desert to the forest. Ive heard work is getting sparce up there though? Not that it isnt elsewhere, but I heard it started going down about the same time florida did (which was before everywhere else).

[old steel]

There are reports of tar balls washing up on New Jersey beaches now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx15oOb2X7s

[StackerKen]

There are reports of tar balls washing up on New Jersey beaches now.




:oo-->

[Horn]

Were still planning on central Tennessee.

Visiting Tennessee on Aug. 5th to poke around a little, my sister lives somewhere thereabouts.

Probably stay a couple weeks, or so.

Maybe we can all get together at the Grand Ole Opre?

[Horn]

See you a few months after that, PNW! ;D So, watch out!

I am going to make the best of this doom and GTFO of Florida (temp to perm), but also just enjoy traveling across the USA while avoiding the gas clouds, tsunamis, giant methane bubbles, benzene exposure, panic, cannibalism, and zombie attacks that are sure to plague Florida in no time.


Are you passing thru central Tennessee on your way to Book's house.

Maybe I'll hitch a ride to sleep in the den?

[k-os]

See you a few months after that, PNW! ;D So, watch out!

I am going to make the best of this doom and GTFO of Florida (temp to perm), but also just enjoy traveling across the USA while avoiding the gas clouds, tsunamis, giant methane bubbles, benzene exposure, panic, cannibalism, and zombie attacks that are sure to plague Florida in no time.


Are you passing thru central Tennessee on your way to Book's house.

Maybe I'll hitch a ride to sleep in the den?


I promised my friends that I wouldn't pick up hitch hikers, but I could make an exception for you. Book hasn't invited me to his house and he sure hasn't invited you. :D

[oldmansmith]

You are probably not heading up to New England, but if you are Mrs. Old and I would be happy to put you up (as long as you don't mind picking blueberries with us, the freezer is almost full).

[k-os]

You are probably not heading up to New England, but if you are Mrs. Old and I would be happy to put you up (as long as you don't mind picking blueberries with us, the freezer is almost full).




Sounds awesome. I don't have an actual plan, so . . . maybe picking blueberries falls right into that. :D

[oldmansmith]

You are probably not heading up to New England, but if you are Mrs. Old and I would be happy to put you up (as long as you don't mind picking blueberries with us, the freezer is almost full).




Sounds awesome. I don't have an actual plan, so . . . maybe picking blueberries falls right into that. :D


We also go rockclimbing every week if you ever wanted to try it....

[Book]

I don't have an actual plan, so . . .



Gonna eventually snow and get icy in the North after September. Might be a good idea to travel up North now and later drop back down South when Winter arrives. Winter up North ain't like your Florida. Your new RV equipped with a snow plow?

:D

[k-os]

I don't have an actual plan, so . . .



Gonna eventually snow and get icy in the North after September. Might be a good idea to travel up North now and later drop back down South when Winter arrives. Winter up North ain't like your Florida. Your new RV equipped with a snow plow?

:D


Good point. "No plan" was slightly a stretch of the truth. I do plan on going North first, and seeing places I have never seen before. If I settle, I see myself settling where there is very little snow. I can't take the cold. :-\

[Horn]

See you a few months after that, PNW! ;D So, watch out!

I am going to make the best of this doom and GTFO of Florida (temp to perm), but also just enjoy traveling across the USA while avoiding the gas clouds, tsunamis, giant methane bubbles, benzene exposure, panic, cannibalism, and zombie attacks that are sure to plague Florida in no time.


Are you passing thru central Tennessee on your way to Book's house.

Maybe I'll hitch a ride to sleep in the den?


I promised my friends that I wouldn't pick up hitch hikers, but I could make an exception for you. Book hasn't invited me to his house and he sure hasn't invited you. :D


Well the return trip to Costa Rica to pick up more coca leaves seems to be delayed past the end of the year at this point :morph:, so its looks like the Cumberland plateau for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o8HUNj499U

[Kali]

the only other possible thing I see is that they are down there to guard the panama canal, which means WW3 is about to start


Could it have something to do with the Panama Canal expansion project?

[TPTB]

If this deal really is about drug trafficking then I think we can all expect a boom of cocaine related crimes shortly. Just as soon as our wonderful military secures the supply.

And while drug crimes are always convenient for keeping the Prison Industry healthy,
it's occurred to me that historically a blizzard of blow seems to hit the streets just prior to a major outbreak of war.

[Sparky]

I don't have an actual plan, so . . .



Gonna eventually snow and get icy in the North after September. Might be a good idea to travel up North now and later drop back down South when Winter arrives. Winter up North ain't like your Florida. Your new RV equipped with a snow plow?

:D


Good point. "No plan" was slightly a stretch of the truth. I do plan on going North first, and seeing places I have never seen before. If I settle, I see myself settling where there is very little snow. I can't take the cold. :-\

Just a little adjustment to this thought...

Don't draw the weather line for the north in September. The Northeast is in its full glory from the first day of autumn (September 21st) through the 3rd week of October. The weather doesn't really go downhill until mid-November.

[k-os]

Just a little adjustment to this thought...

Don't draw the weather line for the north in September. The Northeast is in its full glory from the first day of autumn (September 21st) through the 3rd week of October. The weather doesn't really go downhill until mid-November.


Noted. Thanks, Sparky. :-*

[MNeagle]

Yes, if you've never seen "Fall Colors" be sure to do it while you can!!

[k-os]

Yes, if you've never seen "Fall Colors" be sure to do it while you can!!


I've seen 'em, and they are spectacular.

[oldmansmith]

Yes, if you've never seen "Fall Colors" be sure to do it while you can!!


I've seen 'em, and they are spectacular.


Exactly. As a friend of mine from Colorado said "the people out west think they have fall colors. But they really don't."

[Libertytree]

I grew up with the "fall colors" and I hated it! It was a foreboding time that meant that winter in all of its gray, dead and dreary days were on its way. I loathe the prospect of witnessing it again but we do what we gotta do.

[Sparky]

I grew up with the "fall colors" and I hated it! It was a foreboding time that meant that winter in all of its gray, dead and dreary days were on its way. I loathe the prospect of witnessing it again but we do what we gotta do.

I think winter is underrated. Although the early part of winter is foreboding and dreary, and the late part of winter seems interminable, the heart of winter (January to mid-February) can be very invigorating. The air is crisp and clean, the night sky is clear and beautiful, the snowy landscape is a postcard, and from the streets at night the lighted homes appear as a beacon of warmth. The cold really isn't so bad unless it's windy. (Then, admittedly, it will cut right through you!)

[k-os]

Sparky, I guess we know now why you chose that image for your avatar. :)

[willie pete]

I grew up with the "fall colors" and I hated it! It was a foreboding time that meant that winter in all of its gray, dead and dreary days were on its way. I loathe the prospect of witnessing it again but we do what we gotta do.

I think winter is underrated. Although the early part of winter is foreboding and dreary, and the late part of winter seems interminable, the heart of winter (January to mid-February) can be very invigorating. The air is crisp and clean, the night sky is clear and beautiful, the snowy landscape is a postcard, and from the streets at night the lighted homes appear as a beacon of warmth. The cold really isn't so bad unless it's windy. (Then, admittedly, it will cut right through you!)


Ahhh...the seasons in Westport...Fall then Winter Beautiful ;D BUT COLD!!!! After you've been in the sunshine for awhile, it's hard to go back to the Cold ;D

[Libertytree]

I grew up with the "fall colors" and I hated it! It was a foreboding time that meant that winter in all of its gray, dead and dreary days were on its way. I loathe the prospect of witnessing it again but we do what we gotta do.

I think winter is underrated. Although the early part of winter is foreboding and dreary, and the late part of winter seems interminable, the heart of winter (January to mid-February) can be very invigorating. The air is crisp and clean, the night sky is clear and beautiful, the snowy landscape is a postcard, and from the streets at night the lighted homes appear as a beacon of warmth. The cold really isn't so bad unless it's windy. (Then, admittedly, it will cut right through you!)


In my perfect world Sparky there is no such thing as too hot or too much humidity, I thrive on both of them. Removing myself from these things is a mighty blow to my preferences and happiness. There's even a part of me that says stay here and die warm and happy or even miserable, F it. The other part of me says try the second best option, mild winter, close to fresh water and suck the winter up, just like I used to do. Hell, I hate winter here in S Florida and if I could would live on the friggin' equator.

[k-os]

I vote for the equator too, Libertytree.

[Libertytree]

I vote for the equator too, Libertytree.


Wonder what the drive time is for there? I know it's brutal through Mexico and Centro America and the road pretty much stops in northern Panama. Sounds like a good alternative at this point though. Renew passport?

[k-os]

Just renewed mine a couple years ago. I am ready. Are there backroads to take to avoid Mexico altogether?









You know I am kidding, right?

[oldmansmith]

I grew up with the "fall colors" and I hated it! It was a foreboding time that meant that winter in all of its gray, dead and dreary days were on its way. I loathe the prospect of witnessing it again but we do what we gotta do.

I think winter is underrated. Although the early part of winter is foreboding and dreary, and the late part of winter seems interminable, the heart of winter (January to mid-February) can be very invigorating. The air is crisp and clean, the night sky is clear and beautiful, the snowy landscape is a postcard, and from the streets at night the lighted homes appear as a beacon of warmth. The cold really isn't so bad unless it's windy. (Then, admittedly, it will cut right through you!)


here here!

I go cross-country skiing every day in the winter and I get a suntan from the reflection off the snow covered pond nearby. You can dress for the cold, and I like to move so it is never a problem. What do you do when it is 95 and humid other than sit and pant? It got over 90 here a couple of days last week and it SUCKED! And as a bonus we have no poisonous snakes, no scorpions, no black widow spiders, no chiggers, and no illegal immigrants who can't take minus 20.

[Libertytree]

Just renewed mine a couple years ago. I am ready. Are there backroads to take to avoid Mexico altogether?









You know I am kidding, right?


Yeah, there are "backroads" and it's called a boat, LMAO.....lets call Liquid!

[FunnyMoney]

We have 3 pages on this thread now, but we seem to be no closer to the truth behind the navy movements than when we started.

Is the navy moving into the port of Costa Rica with more than 30 ships or not? When do they arrive? WTF are they really doing there?

Not that it probably matters in the end, just curious.

[Sparky]

I grew up with the "fall colors" and I hated it! It was a foreboding time that meant that winter in all of its gray, dead and dreary days were on its way. I loathe the prospect of witnessing it again but we do what we gotta do.

I think winter is underrated. Although the early part of winter is foreboding and dreary, and the late part of winter seems interminable, the heart of winter (January to mid-February) can be very invigorating. The air is crisp and clean, the night sky is clear and beautiful, the snowy landscape is a postcard, and from the streets at night the lighted homes appear as a beacon of warmth. The cold really isn't so bad unless it's windy. (Then, admittedly, it will cut right through you!)


here here!

I go cross-country skiing every day in the winter and I get a suntan from the reflection off the snow covered pond nearby. You can dress for the cold, and I like to move so it is never a problem. What do you do when it is 95 and humid other than sit and pant? It got over 90 here a couple of days last week and it SUCKED! And as a bonus we have no poisonous snakes, no scorpions, no black widow spiders, no chiggers, and no illegal immigrants who can't take minus 20.




When I'm outside and it's -20 wind chill, I just remind myself how nice it is with no flying insects!

Your'e in western MA, right? If the Kos-A-Van makes it out your way, maybe I'll drive out and join you. I've picked many a blueberry. What county are you in?

[TPTB]

We have 3 pages on this thread now, but we seem to be no closer to the truth behind the navy movements than when we started.

Is the navy moving into the port of Costa Rica with more than 30 ships or not? When do they arrive? WTF are they really doing there?

Not that it probably matters in the end, just curious.




Here's another article confirming the OP without the evacuation angle.

Maybe they're closing in on Venezuela. :conf:

http://www.globalpost.com/webblog/costa-rica/7000-us-marines-landing-the-beaches-costa-rica


7,000 U.S. Marines Landing on the Beaches of Costa Rica
By Costa Rica Blogger , Global Blogger
Published: July 12, 2010 10:29 ET in The Americas
Costa Rica doesn’t ‘officially’ have an army – but apparently it will be home to one for the rest of 2010.

U.S. Navy military warships steam toward Costa Rica, Central AmericaA flotilla of 46 United States Navy warships capable of carrying 200 helicopters, along with 10 Harrier vertical take-off and landing fighter jets, and 7,000 combat ready marines available for land based operations is on its way to this Central American country with no standing army.

On July 1, 2010 the Costa Rica Legislative Assembly voted 31-8 to grant the U.S. military full in-country access through the end of 2010 to help fight drug trafficking.

As of this writing the new administration of President Laura Chinchilla -- who was previously Costa Rica’s Vice-President, Justice Minister and Minister of Public Security -- has not commented in great detail as to what the U.S. troops will be trying to accomplish with their new right of entry other than to say there will be a combination of anti-drug and humanitarian operations.

This type of deal is a growing trend in Latin American countries.

Columbia has for the last decade been increasing its commitment to full-time anti-narcotic U.S. support.

In September 2009, ten years after the last U.S. troops had ‘officially’ left Panama soil due to the canal treaties, the United States entered into a new agreement to open 2 new U.S. military bases on their Pacific coast in exchange for $7 million to fight organized crime associated with illicit drugs.

April 2009 Honduras opened a new Navy base near the border of Nicaragua with $2 million from the U.S. and most recently announced July 10, 2010 another new military base will be constructed on the Caribbean with U.S. funding to help fight drug trafficking.
The Switzerland of Central America

As for Costa Rica, it has prided itself as the first country in the world to formally abolish military forces while being known for its stability in a region where other countries often struggle both politically and economically.

And although Costa Rica continues to earn high rankings both regionally and worldwide in areas of health care, education, public safety and equality; the geographic location that makes it so uniquely beautiful is also causing some major security concerns – often from outside sources.

Illicit drug producers from South America seeking paths of least resistance have found running shipments of cocaine along un-enforced or under-patrolled shorelines, air and land routes of sovereign Central American nations very effective in getting shipments through to their North American customers.

America drug trafficking routes.

The spread of these drug-trafficking cartels has affected all of the Americas in terms of increased violent crime. In Costa Rica, the murder rate nearly doubled between 2004 and 2008 with mostly foreign drug gangs being attributed to a majority of this increase.

During the 2009-2010 presidential campaign ‘security’ consistently polled as the number one concern of the Costa Rica people. Then candidate Laura Chinchilla ran on a platform of being tough on crime proposing the hiring of more police, professionalizing the various law enforcement agencies with improved training and increased salaries, and eradicating corruption throughout all levels of government. In one of her first acts, then President-elect Chinchilla created the first Costa Rica anti-drug czar as part of her incoming cabinet.
Show Me the Money

But it takes money to fight a war on drugs, gangs, violence and corruption.

With a large debt burden due to previous president Oscar Arias’ borrowing heavily to insulate Costa Rica from a worldwide recession, tourism revenues being down due to reduced discretionary spending by potential travelers and the fruition of aggressive free-trade agreements that exchanged immediate import tariff income for supposed longer-term benefits … Costa Rica finds itself cash-strapped for even the most necessary of infrastructure improvements, let alone another country’s “war on drugs�.

Costa Rica Coast GuardIn 1999 a U.S.-Costa Rica Counter-Narcotics Maritime Agreement or “Joint Patrol� accord began the alliance between the two countries in anti-drug enforcement efforts. As part of the arrangement the U.S. donated a retiring Coast Guard ship to the Costa Rica Ministry of Security toward formally establishing the Costa Rica Coast Guard in the year 2000.

Since then both the U.S. Coast Guard and Costa Rica Coast Guard (Guardacostas de Costa Rica) have been publicly working together to patrol Costa Rica waters and airways. Pacific and Caribbean international waters off the coast of Costa Rica have less formally been under the supervision of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM).

Operational funds for the various Costa Rica law enforcement agencies involved in fighting drug trafficking and its associated organized crime come from a variety of sources, with the largest contributor being the United States via direct funding for Costa Rica’s Public Security Ministry (Ministerio Seguridad Pública – MSP) who in-turn reallocates funds as needed to its divisions of Coast Guard, Drug Control Police (PolicÃÂ*a de Control de Drogas - PCD) and National Public Police (Fuerza Pública ). Other funds provided to the Costa Rica Judiciary (Poder Judicial) are allocated to investigate drug related crimes by the Judicial Investigation Organization (Organismo de Investigación Judicial – OIJ) and prosecute alleged criminals within the judicial system.

Annual, semi-annual and special need requests for additional monies are made by Costa Rica to the U.S. for continued and increased police narcotics interdiction activities. Although regular requests are made openly, it would be naive to think all resources asked for and received are a matter of public record.
Fact, Conspiracy, or Just Plain B!tching

News of this very public vote by the Costa Rica legislature to invite the United States military into its territory was a bomb unto itself for many, prompting viral Internet coverage and even an anti-military rally or "Gran Manifestación contra la Presencia Militar en Costa Rica" in front of the former San José military fortress (Cuartel Bellavista) that is now the National Museum (Museo Nacional de Costa Rica).

Even though Costa Rica’s own democratically elected government from the president on down chose this course of action by an almost unanimous vote, the citizens and foreign residents had a lot to say and constitutional court challenges are more than likely to follow.

As a matter of fact, Costa Rica abolished its military in 1949 with constitutional Article 12:

English translation: "Military forces may only be organized under a continental agreement or for the national defense; in either case, they shall always be subordinate to the civil power: they may not deliberate or make statements or representations individually or collectively.�

But does this prohibit the elected representatives of the Costa Rican people from entering into agreements with foreign militaries for defense or support of internal security problems? Probably not. The 1999 to present U.S.-Costa Rica “Joint Agreement� is standing proof that such security force treaties will most likely withstand a court challenge whether it is in its current form or a modified version after court review.

Conspiracies are only theories until they come true … especially when history teaches us that governmental decisions too often are not made in the best interests of the public as a whole. That said, some of the conspiracy theories floating around this ‘military invasion’ are fairly interesting:

* Costa Rica is re-instituting their military to keep out Rush Limbaugh. [ie: The OxyContin Theory]
* The U.S. in maintaining the appearance of combating the flow of drugs is actually protecting established CIA drug trade routes by cracking-down on competing freelance operations that don’t pay the expected cuts or protection fees.
* The electricity went out again at Jurassic Park. [ie: The Jurassic Park was Really Filmed in Costa Rica Theory]
* The U.S. is borrowing money from China to fund military operations. China is an ally of North Korea and bedfellows with Russia, Iran, Cuba and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. China is attempting to influence Central American countries with financial advantages like Costa Rica’s 200 free police cars and new National Stadium. The U.S. has a large military presence sitting in the Pacific looking at China. Do the math. [ie: The “Renminbi� or “Yuan� Theory]
* The ever imperialistic United States is putting itself in a position to take over countries throughout the Americas one-by-one using anti-drug trafficking as an excuse for military bases and troops.
* They're gonna nuke the gulf oil spill so they’re moving all the ships South. As for the coastal population, they’re gonna study the effects. Nothing to worry about.
* NATO has ordered the forces relocated away from the Gulf of Mexico for fear the BP oil disaster is about to rupture the fracture zone between the North American and Caribbean plates potentially unleashing a catastrophic methane earthquake/tsunami. [ie: The Big Fart Theory]
* The U.S. is either getting ready to invade Venezuela to remove Hugo Chavez from power or just make him “behave� while an Iran offensive is launched.
* After conducting its successful coup d’état in Honduras against President Manuel Zelaya, the Obama administration is now bent on ousting Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Costa Rican Vice President Luis Lieberman, a noted Zionist, has arranged for Israeli special forces to participate in operations directed against the Sandinista government of Nicaragua.
* Costa Rica President Laura Chinchilla was heard saying the influx of Marines is to “provide a boost to lagging sex tourism" in this country where prostitution is legal. [ie: The U.S. Economic Stimulus Package Theory]

Or one could go with a theory much less fun but a little more rational:

“There is not going to be any convoy of 46 warships. There will be small groups of 4 to 5 ships rotating through the area on both coasts for a month or two at a time. They will do training and drug intervention while they are down there. As one group rotates down another group will return to the U.S. With the water of the northern Gulf of Mexico restricted due to the oil spill they cannot train there. There are a number of small cargo and fishing boats down there that never seem to transport enough cargo or even carry fishing gear but always have the money to pay for fuel. The DEA has agents in every port down there and have been watching these ships for years. That is the target.� –ANNED

As for points of view, these too are subjective.

With Cost Rica promoting itself as a peaceful, green paradise to tourists and investors … a large U.S. military presence can send the wrong signals to potential vacationers and those that relocated or are considering making the move to a country that is supposedly conflict free.

U.S. military Central America deploymentWhile some are comforted in knowing their beach is protected by the occasional Navy or Coast Guard ship manned by highly trained personnel. Others get sick to their stomachs if a boat in the distance resembles anything other than a Carnival Cruise ship.

Business owners benefiting from several thousand sailors and marines on shore leave might not have the same opinion as a yoga/raw food retreat that doesn’t appreciate the new low flying helicopter interruptions.

Some peace activists that feel "where there is an army, there is violence" will never like this situation.

But please keep this in mind regardless of any opinion on U.S. political policy or Costa Rica’s decision to allow U.S. military forces within its territory; those in uniform are part of a brave, volunteer, highly trained force that unselfishly go anyplace in the world where they are needed – whether it is for disaster responses, humanitarian missions or conflict resolutions.

These men and women deserve respect and will hopefully find Costa Rica a hospitable destination during their deployment.

¡Pura Flota!

[Horn]

My pick as for conspiracy would be this one.


* The U.S. in maintaining the appearance of combating the flow of drugs is actually protecting established CIA drug trade routes by cracking-down on competing freelance operations that don’t pay the expected cuts or protection fees.

And as mentioned further down the article, only 3 or 4 ships would be on patrol, with select patrols of marines to secure or re-establish the existing drug routes that may have been cut off during recent years by Fuerza de Republica itself.

[Horn]

I grew up with the "fall colors" and I hated it! It was a foreboding time that meant that winter in all of its gray, dead and dreary days were on its way. I loathe the prospect of witnessing it again but we do what we gotta do.


Equally impressed here, I'm more of a terrain guy myself when traveling especially.

As far as that goes nothing beats New Mexico to my recollection, but Tennessee offers some of the same variety of interest aswell.

[oldmansmith]

When I'm outside and it's -20 wind chill, I just remind myself how nice it is with no flying insects!

Your'e in western MA, right? If the Kos-A-Van makes it out your way, maybe I'll drive out and join you. I've picked many a blueberry. What county are you in?
[/quote]




Franklin, you can make it in under 2 hours from Boston (if there is no traffic your way of course).

[Awoke]

I'm disappointed with all the Ponce-bashing I see in this thread.

I think everyone prepares for TEOTW their own way. If it provides assurance and comfort for Ponce to have a mountain of TP and a zillion pails of food, good for him.

I try to tell people to prepare for the worst, and when I tell them I have about 8 months of food and water stored up, they think I'm some kind of wing-nut. WTS finally HTF, they can knock on my door till their knuckles bleed, because I wont be there.

Granted, if you live in central in-land states, you obviously have less to worry about that the people along the gulf coast right now, but this latest mishap is far from the end of the hard times we have coming. This is just "another" dart in the board.

Mountains will be brought low, and valleys will rise. Plagues, pestilence, war and rumours of war.

You get my drift.