From America to Zimbabwe, the coming anarchy

[Broil]

I spent many years in Pittsfield MA and Northampton a few decades ago ...... hard to imagine dollars stores.  But I guess when I was a child the equivalent was probably Woolworths, a name which severely challenged my mother's German accent.  I can still hear her say it now.

[Seahorse]

From another thread, Colorado Springs cuts services.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14303473

[MollyStarZena]

"Lynchburg Budget Cuts Could Hurt Public Safety"
http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0110/701561.html

"Abbey Meacham, Lynchburg Local Firefighters Assoc. - "As it is we're already running more calls with less people. And if they take eighteen, nineteen positions in addition to that it's just going to make it that much harder to deliver that level of service that we're committed to.""

I would have thought firefighting would be a safe job. 


" And so it begins "             

[metaforge]

I would have thought firefighting would be a safe job. 


" And so it begins "             

It's ok, demand for fires is down due to the recession.

[Seahorse]

Article and thread on water services being shut off in Oregon.

http://www.doomers.us/forum2/index.php/topic,61629.0/topicseen.html

[Seahorse]

Yes, the commercial credit crisis is just beginning and it will be bad.  See this article from another forum:

http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/11/news/economy/tarp_commercial_loans/index.htm

The article talks about the affect that falling commercial real estate prices will have on banks and businesses, but also keep in mind in means less real estate taxes for local and state governments, including schools that rely on them.

[Seahorse]

Tickerforum discussion on the CRE bust.

http://www.tickerforum.org/cgi-ticker/akcs-www?post=127949

[Seahorse]

Another writer concludes that America is on the path to Third World status.

http://www.energybulletin.net/51513

[Seahorse]

New Jersey governor declares fiscal emergency.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61A49V20100211

[Seahorse]

New Jersey Governor issues executive order to deal with budget shortfalls.  This will lead to all kinds of political problems having to deal with unsustainable debts.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/nj_gov_christie_announces_stat_1.html

[Seahorse]

Our political system is broken and incapable of dealing with the numerous financial problems plaguing this country, as evidenced by the recent resignation of Senator Bayh.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1134

[Seahorse]

Congress woman says up to 40% of all community banks are at risk for failure due to CRE crisis in US, 2011 will be hard year.

http://www.youtube.com/user/oversightpanel

LATOC thread on it here:

http://www.doomers.us/forum2/index.php/topic,62283.0.html

[Seahorse]

met two homeless men collecting cans today in my alley and they stayed an hour and just talked of all things homeless. they lived many years on the streets in my area and shared tips and tricks but the most important thing was to have someone show the ropes if you are new. i asked about the increasing homeless and they said that they see many tent cities under the highway now and most are new to it and having a really hard time learning how to handle themselves. also some start mixing with the wrong homeless (drug users) and land themselves in bigger problems. they said networking and knowing people was the most important factor to making it on the street. about self defense they carried no weapons due to the potential to get searched by cops and most have a rap sheet so they are careful. one man had a crossbow pistol he kept at camp but never carried because of potential issues with police. one man fought only with hands and had a big black eye and was involved in a scuffle the night before. his pants still had blood and he said he kneed a man in the face when the man assaulted him.

the older man who was in the fight said in vietnam he was on a platoon with 120 people, 6 made it back alive and 2 are left including him. he also criticized Obama and his ways and said he has not had any help anywhere from all of the stimulus'. Also this caught me off guard, they in fact do keep tabs on the happenings of the world and spoke of current events in the news and how it contradicts what they see daily.

i dont know about how when TSHTF and how people will cope with being on the move but i think the key is knowing someone, meeting someone who knows others and could show you the way a big. i know in my area most people would be f**ked if they were put out on the street all of the sudden. no more cars, tv, showers etc... totally out of the comfort zone.

basically, safety in knowing the area, people and working together and even going out with someone else and not to be alone and vulnerable.

these guys had a lot of years of homelessness and they were good people but you could just tell they could take a hit and probably have taken many. i gave them some fruits and stuff as i didnt have much but their hour was insightful and i learned something. they also offered to help move my stuff but i am not ready. life is always interesting and this was by far a good experience to have for myself. i was very thankful they stayed and chatted.

http://www.doomers.us/forum2/index.php/topic,62398.0/topicseen.html

[metaforge]

Well, the Department of Veterans Affairs allegedly spent $97B.  Given that, I'd love to know why veterans are homeless.   

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_executive_departments

[TheDignityofStruggle]

Anecdotal doom: I have been searching for a used pick up truck on Craigslist, here in Austin.  I'm coming across an eerie number of Semi truck cabs being sold off, with the owners basically saying, "The money is gone, so I'm calling it quits."