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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Bugging out revisited



Normally I'm not a huge fan of bugging out. Much rather bug in. Home is where my strength is. That's where I have access to resources and it's where my tribe is. For most situations, staying put makes perfect sense. I'm in the middle of nowhere so things like urban riots don't affect me. Food and energy shortages are easier to deal with when there's fish in the lake, game in the woods, and trees to burn for heat.

However, there are times when the logical thing to do is to bug out. Hurricane Matthew is a pretty good recent example. If you are living in the path of a hurricane it makes more sense to avoid it than defy it. The hurricane don't care. If you are in the path of a wildfire, just getting out of the way is the thing to do. Sure, you could lose your home and most of your possessions, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Your life and the lives of your loved ones are at stake. Everything else is just stuff.

You also have to pay attention to the political situation. At one time Germany was the country most friendly to Jews. That's why there were so many there just before WWII. Obviously things changed for the worse and it didn't take too long. Very few Jews survived by staying in Germany and those who did suffered greatly. WWI Jewish vets who fought bravely and served their country never thought it would turn on them. Even putting their lives on the line for their country was no protection. Germany has few Jews to this day.

What if someone wanted to avoid the horrors of WWII completely? Where could they have gone? Some countries in South America? Switzerland? -there were few places unaffected.

What would you look like when you got there? Perhaps you'd be in the same boat as the Syrian refuges today? Escaping with few possessions and resources puts you at the mercy at the host country. It's a rough way to go with uncertain outcome.

As always, those with means have better options. You don't have to pay a smuggler to cram you on an overcrowded boat with uncertain seaworthiness. Instead you board a commercial flight and go through normal passport control.

Even then, if you happen to be of the wrong political persuasion, you'd better get out before they start rounding up your kind. It doesn't matter what your kind is. As long as you are perceived to be different you can become a scapegoat. Just because you are wealthy doesn't mean your passport can't be revoked and your funds frozen.

With that in mind, bugging out early makes sense. Know which way the wind blows and avoid denial.

What about the rest of us with moderate means? Do you have relatives or friends in a safer place? Would they be happy to see you and help you get set up? Sadly, sometimes people have better luck with strangers than family. Strangers might give you a break.

There is something to be said for becoming a citizen of the sea. When power was being transferred from white to black rule in South Africa, citizens were forbidden from leaving the country with their wealth. A fair number got into sailing during those days. They did not have permission to leave the country, but one day their sailboat just disappeared over the horizon. Some had a little gold and jewels hidden in the bilge. Others left with just the boat. I know of some who became Dominican citizens because getting Dominican papers used to be fairly cheap and easy. Not sure what the situation is today.

People who don't have a plan are victims. Sometimes bugging out is the only thing to do.

-Sixbears


19 comments:

  1. I have neither the wealth nor the health to bug out, so I guess I 'll just trust in the Lord.

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    1. Even those who bug out should trust in the Lord.

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  2. Yup, when the forest is on fire and your cabin is in danger, it's time to get out of Dodge City !

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  3. A lot of South-Africans took their wealth and built large luxurious cruising sailboats. Sailed over the horizon and sold them upon arriving to a friendly shore. 20 odd years ago I refitted the interior on a South African built steel hulled sloop for a client in Freeport. It had been built as a means of moving wealth abroad.
    Back in the late 30s a lot of Germans saw the writing on the wall and beat feet to south America. My maternal grandmother with her two daughters was one of them. After the war a lot of the bad guys also showed up to blend in to already established German expat communities. Myself and a lot of the kids I grew up with in Caracas were a product of that strange melting pot.

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    1. I didn't meet any of those South-African sailors myself, but knew a lot of people who ran into them all over the world.

      One branch of my family left Germany before WWI. That's how they got to be my ancestors. :)

      I bet you had an interesting time growing up.

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  4. We were going to stay and ride out Mathew. But when they put Melbourn in the cross hairs, bet your sweet bippie it was time to bug out ! You don't stay and weather a cat 4 !
    As it was the storms eye missed us by thirty tiny miles. The difference between total destruction and just trees getting blown down....
    We were very lucky that it jogged at the last moment !!!
    This was one time that I was glad not to have a sailboat anymore heh heh. Lots of boats on the banks and rocks here right now.

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  5. We were going to stay and ride out Mathew. But when they put Melbourn in the cross hairs, bet your sweet bippie it was time to bug out ! You don't stay and weather a cat 4 !
    As it was the storms eye missed us by thirty tiny miles. The difference between total destruction and just trees getting blown down....
    We were very lucky that it jogged at the last moment !!!
    This was one time that I was glad not to have a sailboat anymore heh heh. Lots of boats on the banks and rocks here right now.

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    1. Good move Spud. Glad that little jog caused it to miss landfall at your area. Maybe your luck has finally turned for the better.

      I bet you were better prepared than all your neighbors, but that doesn't mean you want to weather a Cat 4.

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  6. Yep, having a tribe is definitely a plus, and includes options. Bugging out or staying - depends on a quick last-minute decision sometimes.

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    1. It's been a while since we practiced, but we can do a good solid bug out with supplies in 20 minutes. Faster if we have to.

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  7. The Forest Fire is my big concern here. I'd have to take off if the mountain caught fire, wouldn't have a chance otherwise.

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    1. That's where few roads and isolation work against you. You know your main threat and I'm sure you pay attention when it gets dry. Fires move a lot faster than people realize.

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  8. I think that I would stick it out at home. I have lakes with fish and frogs and woods and fields with squirrels and rabbits and lots of other critters, and have my own well, all squeezed on to my 12 acres.

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    1. That and you've got a complete second house parked next door.

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  9. "vote with your feet"

    wear good pair of footwear

    it may be a long trek...

    Wildflower

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    1. Never underestimate the value of good footwear.

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    2. I'm rebuilding my footwear collection. Too much living in hiking sandals and flip flops. Real shoes feel weird to me still.

      Of course, my winter boots are still good -in barely used condition. :)

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