"It Looked Like A Battlefield" - Photos Show California Mudslides' Devastating Aftermath | Zero Hedge
Description: So far, 13 people have been confirmed dead from the mudslides, while 25 more were ijured and another 50 had to be rescued...

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## Gold Hits All-Time Highs Priced In Emerging Market Currencies

by GoldCore - Jan 10, 2018 7:54 am

Gold is a hedge against currency debasement and depreciation of fiat currencies (see chart). Charade of US dollar hegemony is not going to continue for much longer ...

## Bank Earnings are Fully Valued

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Take out your red crayons and follow along.

## Police State: Thousands of Americans’ Electronics Illegally Searched at Border

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Over 30,000 people had their electronic devices searched without probable cause or a warrant in 2017.

# "It Looked Like A Battlefield" - Photos Show California Mudslides' Devastating Aftermath

California just can't catch a break.

After wildfires - including the largest blaze in California history - tore through Southern California last month, causing billions of dollars in property damage, heavy rains triggered mudslides in some of the areas hardest-hit by the fires - including Montecito in Santa Barbara county, where the most deaths were reported.

The storm may be over, but the hunt for survivors isn't. So far, 13 people have been confirmed dead, while 25 more were injured and another 50 had to be rescued. But those numbers could rise as the search is deepened and expanded Wednesday, with a major search-and-rescue team arriving from nearby Los Angeles County and help from the Coast Guard and National Guard along with law enforcement, according to the Associated Press.

And as the search for victims ramps up, more photos over the devastation wrought by the mudslides are beginning to emerge.

The mudslides took thousands of Californians by surprise.It was unleashed in the dead of night by flash flooding in the steep, fire-scarred Santa Ynez Mountains. As the AP explains, scorched areas are especially susceptible to destructive mudslides because the earth doesn’t absorb water well and the land is easily eroded when there's no vegetation.

Montecito was burned by the Thomas Fire, which erupted Dec. 4 and became the largest ever recorded in California. It eventually spread to more than 440 square miles (1,140 square kilometers) and destroyed 1,063 buildings and homes. It continues to burn deep in the wilderness.

Some witnesses likened the sound of the mud to a freight train or an earthquake as the torrent arrived suddenly, carrying rocks and trees as it washed away cars and trashed homes.

Video shows rescue workers saving a man whose car was washed away in the mudslides.

> Victim who was swept away in their vehicle was located by the crew of AirSquad6. Victim was hoisted and flown to awaiting ground personnel. pic.twitter.com/RvX743x0yi

> — VenturaCoAirUnit (@VCAirUnit) January 9, 2018

Thomas Tighe said he stepped outside his Montecito home in the middle of the night and heard “a deep rumbling, an ominous sound I knew was ... boulders moving as the mud was rising.”

Rescue personnel in Santa Barbara County early on Wednesday morning continued searching for victims where mudslides slammed into homes, covered highways and swept away vehicles early on Tuesday when more than a half-inch (1.5 cm) of rain fell in five minutes, a rate that far exceeds the normal flash flood threshold.

Video and images of the 101 Freeway showed the road completely covered in mud. The road between Montecito and Santa Barbara will remain closed for at least 48 hours, according to Capt. Cindy Pontes of the California Highway Patrol.

> The US 101 Freeway at the Olive Mill Road overpass flooded with runoff water from Montecito Creek. pic.twitter.com/SjaSOgOFMm

> — SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) January 9, 2018

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown told CNN that the mudslides “looked like a World War I battlefield.”

"It was literally a carpet of mud and debris everywhere, with huge boulders, rocks, downed trees, power lines, wrecked cars, lots of obstacles and challenges for rescue personnel to get to homes, let alone to get people out of them," Brown said. More than 500 firefighters were assisting with the rescue effort in Santa Barbara alone.

In Burbank, a dozen firefighters sheltered in place after being trapped by mud and debris in Burbank.

But as the storm passed Wednesday morning, a rainbow appeared over Santa Barbara County...

...Proving once again that mother nature does have a sense of humor.

Tags
Disaster Accident
Environment

## Comments

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buzzsaw99 Jan 10, 2018 7:57 AM Permalink

I THOUGHT GLOBAL WARMING MEANT THAT IT WOULD NEVER RAIN THERE EVER AGAIN?

edit: sorry about the caps lock. [/caps]

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Cognitive Dissonance buzzsaw99 Jan 10, 2018 8:09 AM Permalink

No one event signals anything more than normal weather. But trends appear to be changing and the debate rages on about what the cause is.

I am old enough to remember when the scientist were talking about the planet freezing. Now they are talking about high temps.

My vote is be flexible in your thinking and your wardrobe.

In reply to I THOUGHT GLOBAL WARMING… by buzzsaw99

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Gaius Frakkin'… Cognitive Dissonance Jan 10, 2018 8:13 AM Permalink

Now they need the big one to shake.

In reply to No one event signals… by Cognitive Dissonance

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NoDebt Gaius Frakkin'… Jan 10, 2018 8:21 AM Permalink

Oh! Well at least there was a nice mutli-cultural rainbow at the end. Everything's going to be just fine now.

In reply to Now they need a earthquake. by Gaius Frakkin'…

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gmrpeabody NoDebt Jan 10, 2018 8:48 AM Permalink

Mud outlawed in California in 3-2-1...

In reply to Oh! Well at least there was… by NoDebt

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ThanksChump gmrpeabody Jan 10, 2018 9:55 AM Permalink

It's only communists and socialists. Why all the fuss?

Ohhhh. It's an efficiency deal. That makes sense.

In reply to Mud outlawed in California… by gmrpeabody

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1 Alabama Cognitive Dissonance Jan 10, 2018 8:15 AM Permalink

Its just a pile of rocks and dirt pushed upwards by moving techtonic plates.

In reply to No one event signals… by Cognitive Dissonance

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buzzsaw99 Cognitive Dissonance Jan 10, 2018 8:24 AM Permalink

i was mocking jerry brown.

In reply to No one event signals… by Cognitive Dissonance

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Cognitive Dissonance buzzsaw99 Jan 10, 2018 9:08 AM Permalink

I got it.

It was the all caps, the mocking tone and your ugly avatar that clued me in to your intent.

LOL

In reply to i was mocking jerry brown. by buzzsaw99

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Wang Dang SP Cognitive Dissonance Jan 10, 2018 10:48 AM Permalink

Overheard Jerry Brown humming a tune this morning...

Seems it never rains in southern California
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before
It never rains in California, but girl, don't they warn ya?
It pours, man, it pours (by Albert Hammond)

In reply to I got it… by Cognitive Dissonance

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Endgame Napoleon Wang Dang SP Jan 10, 2018 11:40 AM Permalink

.....while these people live it, rather than living vicariously through a song....Ugh, it looks horrible.

https://www.google.com/amp/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN1EZ0YS

In reply to Overheard Jerry Brown… by Wang Dang SP

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JIMSJOE2 Cognitive Dissonance Jan 10, 2018 8:42 AM Permalink

Actually there is no debate as NASA has confirmed what Armstrong Economics has confirmed with there computer models that the reduced sun spot activity is making the earth much colder. As we moved in 2015 both the 12 and 17 year cycles correlated with the record cold and snow across northern US and Europe. This decreased sun activity also causes increased hurricanes and volcanic activity which we have been seeing. It has also produced the flooding. The models forecast a few years back that southern Europe where food is grown year long will experience record freeze in late spring and or early summer in 2016 wiping out crops. This in fact happened and there was actually shortages of certain foods especially on the UK with prices spiking if you could even find it. As we move further forward the models are forecasting that this will cause food prices to skyrocket and also cause the largest migration since the 1800s as people only venture out to work and buy the essentials which will seriously hurt businesses who rely on customers discretionary income. People and businesses will eventually be forced to move to the south especially farmers who produce food. Prices will not go down until enough farmers move south and start to produce food to bring prices down. We are already seeing farmers planting later and harvesting sooner reducing crop yield.

In reply to No one event signals… by Cognitive Dissonance

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koan JIMSJOE2 Jan 10, 2018 8:57 AM Permalink

It would be amusing if what was really occurring was another ice age, and not "global warming".

In reply to Actually there is no debate… by JIMSJOE2

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northern vigor JIMSJOE2 Jan 10, 2018 9:16 AM Permalink

If you look at a world map, you will see most of the world's bread basket is between the 30 and 60 north parallels. As you move closer to the equator the length of sunlight particles hitting plant cells is more direct and creates a less digestive lignin...poorer quality feed and less food production. People at equators are usually starving. Between the 30 and 60 in the southern hemisphere there is basically water. Man has no where to migrate to.

In reply to Actually there is no debate… by JIMSJOE2

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BarkingCat northern vigor Jan 10, 2018 9:56 AM Permalink

Near equator is actually very lush in South America and at least parts of Africa.

The reason they are starving in that region of Africa is because they are too stupid to farm.

Rhodesia is a perfect example (although a bit south of the equator).

When whites were farming the land, there was enough food surplus to export to other countries.

Then Rhodesia because Zimbabwe and the white farmers were either killed or forced off their land.

Now the low IQ natives are starving.

You have to be really fucking stupid to starve while living on some of the best farm soils and climate in the world.

You could give these people Europe and with all the modern infrastructure and equipment, they would be extinct in a couple of decades.

In reply to If you look at a world map,… by northern vigor

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Bay of Pigs BarkingCat Jan 10, 2018 10:47 AM Permalink

This is a historical fact, not an opinion or racist remark.

Rhodesia-Zimbabwe was the “bread basket” of Africa for a long time which then became the hyperinflationary shithole and economic train wreck under Mugabe.

In reply to Near equator is actually… by BarkingCat

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Socratic Dog Bay of Pigs Jan 10, 2018 11:22 AM Permalink

Course it's raciss. Troof, or otherwise, has nothing to do with whether it's raciss. It's a raciss troof. And you be raciss for saying it. Or thinking it. Or even knowing it.

In reply to This is a historical fact,… by Bay of Pigs

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Solio northern vigor Jan 10, 2018 10:17 AM Permalink

Isn't that the area where they have done most of the nuclear testing? The leaders are geniuses.

In reply to If you look at a world map,… by northern vigor

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Abitdodgie JIMSJOE2 Jan 10, 2018 10:11 AM Permalink

We are already seeing farmers planting later and harvesting sooner reducing crop yield. I am sorry but i live in North Dakota and we are planting and harvesting at just the same time as we always have i call BS

In reply to Actually there is no debate… by JIMSJOE2

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XWeatherman JIMSJOE2 Jan 10, 2018 10:23 AM Permalink

Mini-cold periods like the Maunder Minimum were attributed to volcano eruptions. Could be that current cold spell is due to you fascist government's chemtrails.

In reply to Actually there is no debate… by JIMSJOE2

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northern vigor Cognitive Dissonance Jan 10, 2018 9:05 AM Permalink

They're talking about it freezing again. Their jobs depend on changing the narrative every generation or so.

In reply to No one event signals… by Cognitive Dissonance

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bcking Cognitive Dissonance Jan 10, 2018 10:21 AM Permalink

Dipshit. It's the sun, not man that causes weather changes. You can take your diplomas/degrees/paper ego puffers and wipe your ass with them because that's what they're worth. There is no man-made climate change.

In reply to No one event signals… by Cognitive Dissonance

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cpnscarlet Cognitive Dissonance Jan 10, 2018 10:26 AM Permalink

My vote is that flexible is good, but looking at real (observable) science is what's needed - the next Grand Solar Minimum is coming and things will be significantly colder for a number of years. (Suspicious Observer)

In reply to No one event signals… by Cognitive Dissonance

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CheapBastard buzzsaw99 Jan 10, 2018 8:12 AM Permalink

Any reports if the smelt are ok out there?

In reply to I THOUGHT GLOBAL WARMING… by buzzsaw99

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YourAverageJoe CheapBastard Jan 10, 2018 9:08 AM Permalink

A side dish of strontium 90 to go with your smelt sir?

In reply to Any reports if the smelt are… by CheapBastard

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Solio YourAverageJoe Jan 10, 2018 10:14 AM Permalink

They got cooked while they were swimming.

In reply to A side dish of strontium 90… by YourAverageJoe

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bloostar buzzsaw99 Jan 10, 2018 8:14 AM Permalink

Yes, but the bigger question is whether the Tesla managed to autonomously avoid the collision with one of the floating logs.

In reply to I THOUGHT GLOBAL WARMING… by buzzsaw99

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FORD_FIESTA buzzsaw99 Jan 10, 2018 8:21 AM Permalink

No,,,No,,,No,,,,federal relief aid. Nada.....take it out of the Cali government employees wages. Temporary tax to all Cali government employees 20%....elected officials 30%.

In reply to I THOUGHT GLOBAL WARMING… by buzzsaw99

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Ban KKiller buzzsaw99 Jan 10, 2018 8:48 AM Permalink

We get to pick what era of weather we like. No more changes! Stable weather forever with no fluctuations...

No more climate change! Ha ha ha ha ha.

In reply to I THOUGHT GLOBAL WARMING… by buzzsaw99

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SubjectivObject Jan 10, 2018 7:58 AM Permalink

those rainbows are always a damn insult

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mobius8curve SubjectivObject Jan 10, 2018 8:04 AM Permalink

No those rainbows are a sign of how quickly the ants living on Father's globe can quickly see their kingdom thrown into calamity for refusing to seek His Kingdom:

Proverbs 1:24-29 Because I have called, and ye have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man hath regarded; (25) But ye have set at nought all my counsel, And would none of my reproof: (26) I also will laugh in the day of your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; (27) When your fear cometh as a storm, And your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind; When distress and anguish come upon you. (28) Then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me: (29) For that they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of Jehovah:

https://sumofthyword.com/2017/01/18/the-mystery-of-lawlessness/

In reply to those rainbows are always a… by SubjectivObject

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44_shooter mobius8curve Jan 10, 2018 8:32 AM Permalink

I thought in California the rainbow is for gay pride.

In reply to No those rainbows are a sign… by mobius8curve

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SubjectivObject mobius8curve Jan 10, 2018 8:57 AM Permalink

dat daer deity of yourn shur has a lot of ((human sentiments))

the bible gets no brownie points for predicting same results for continuing unevolved humans; who's being is essentially unchanged since its ancient history began.

In reply to No those rainbows are a sign… by mobius8curve

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MFL5591 SubjectivObject Jan 10, 2018 8:11 AM Permalink

The work of the Government just look in the sky at the chemtrails in Arizona and California (yes I know that is all fiction right? No wrong!!). This is disgraceful. This is not mother nature, this is all by design. Geoengineering distress out of Langley!

In reply to those rainbows are always a… by SubjectivObject

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verumcuibono MFL5591 Jan 10, 2018 9:17 AM Permalink

I think this is grossly misunderstood and underestimated by most people.

In reply to The work of the Government… by MFL5591

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Tennessee Patriot MFL5591 Jan 10, 2018 9:29 AM Permalink

MFL,

Look on the bright side. When the "Big Crash" comes, there won't be any more money for the Chem Trails, excuse me, "Extended Condensation Trails" to be paid for.

Problem solved.

In reply to The work of the Government… by MFL5591

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SoDamnMad SubjectivObject Jan 10, 2018 8:25 AM Permalink

So perhaps God isn't a Democrat?

In reply to those rainbows are always a… by SubjectivObject

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DuneCreature Jan 10, 2018 8:00 AM Permalink

Watch the Feds roll in and try and Agenda 21 the place. ..

A little OT - Sorry, .... but the Feds do do some F'ed Up shit to good folks having a hard time of it.

Wow! ........ A great interview with Cliven and Ryan Bundy =

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pl87nvz8e8

We need more dudes like this, IMHO.

Live Hard, Humble Americans Breaking Bad By Being Stand-up Cowboys, Die Free

~ DC v8.4

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ThirteenthFloor DuneCreature Jan 10, 2018 8:40 AM Permalink

Thanks DC. Enjoyed that interview. Reminds me when RFK, told Kern County sheriff to go read the Constitution.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MExv2bSnikQ

In reply to Watch the Feds roll in and… by DuneCreature

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DuneCreature ThirteenthFloor Jan 10, 2018 8:50 AM Permalink

Yep, that's what we are going to need alright; .... A lot more US Constitutionally savvy county sheriffs nationwide.

Excellent link, TF.

Live Hard, I'm A Tad Bit Worried About My Own County Sheriff, Die Free

~ DC v8.4

In reply to Thanks DC. Enjoyed that… by ThirteenthFloor

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Chupacabra-322 DuneCreature Jan 10, 2018 10:29 AM Permalink

@ Dune,

Deputize me & it would be done.

Someone needs to go Wyatt Earp on her Pure Evil War Criminal Treasonous Seditious Psychopath ass & her Security Detail.

Simple as that.

In the words of Marsalis Walus from the movie Pulp Fiction.

“I’m gonna call a couple of hard pipe’n Niggaz to go to work on the Holmes here. With a pair of pillars & a blow torch. You here me talk’n Pure Evil War Criminal Treasonous Seditious Psychopath Hillary Clinton! I ain’t though with you by a Damn sight. I’m gonna get Med Evil on your Ass.”

Then.

Arrest.

Indict.

Tri.

Enprison.

And,

Execute. For Crimes Against Humanity & Crimes Against The American People.

It’s about balls. Me. First order of duty would have been Elimination via EO & one swift writing of the pen right in front of the top MIC / Pentagram brass & most importantly the head of The Pure Evil War Criminal Treasonous Seditious Psychopath at the CIA.

Then, immediately stream a live web cast to The American People from Right where I sit. Or better yet. Do it live for all the World to see the absolute, total, complete Elimination of the Pure Evil War Criminal Treasonous Seditious Psychopaths at the CIA. For Crimes Against Humanity & Crimes Against The American People.

See, that my friend. Is Balls.

In reply to Yep, that's what we are… by DuneCreature

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DuneCreature Chupacabra-322 Jan 10, 2018 11:29 AM Permalink

Yes, that is ballzy, C322.

And I will be happy and honored to be your pen pal in the Federal slammer.

What we would like to do, what the right thing to do and what can actually be pulled off are frequently altogether different fruits of the same endeavor.

I say we gather some help so we aren't just labeled lone wolf domestic terrorists and gunned down at the starting line.

What say ye, Rambo?

Live Hard, I Never Fancied Myself A Japanese Kamikaze Pilot Either, I Want Dolittle's Raid Odds Or Better Of Accomplishing AND Surviving The Mission, Die Free

~ DC v8.4

In reply to @ Dune,… by Chupacabra-322

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G-R-U-N-T DuneCreature Jan 10, 2018 10:01 AM Permalink

Indeed, an excellent interview to be sure, thanks D.C..

In reply to Watch the Feds roll in and… by DuneCreature

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Solio DuneCreature Jan 10, 2018 10:21 AM Permalink

Level those mountains and build casinos.

In reply to Watch the Feds roll in and… by DuneCreature

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DuneCreature Solio Jan 10, 2018 11:02 AM Permalink

We already have a few of those evil asset-stripping dens of pirate thieving. ....... Casinos and horse racing tracks. Worse yet, they deliver like Amazon. .. It's called Video Poker and every bar, restaurant and hillbilly beer joint has a little room out back with no windows but lots of security cameras and probably covert scanners looking for hidden cash in your socks. They give you privacy in that little cubicle they use to suck that disability check right out of your drawers in. .... No kids in the room but plenty of flashing mind control screens to help you fleece yourself.

It is a cash cow for the WV state and some 'Preferred (((Mafia))) Gaming Contractor(s). ... No travel necessary to get robbed blind in these mountains.

Live Hard, Gambling Is A Tax On Those Who Can't Do Math, Die Free

~ Dc v8.4

In reply to Level those mountains and… by Solio

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Donate Moar DuneCreature Jan 10, 2018 10:47 AM Permalink

" but the Feds do do some F'ed Up shit "

"do do" ?

" but the Feds do some F'ed Up shit "

Means the same, so "do do" must have some subliminal meaning, eh?

OR: " but the Feds do do do some F'ed Up shit "

--> Live Hard, Study The Eternal Word of DuneCreature, Die Later

In reply to Watch the Feds roll in and… by DuneCreature

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DuneCreature Donate Moar Jan 10, 2018 11:16 AM Permalink

I have been known to take liberal liberties with the English language from time to time for effective effects. .. (Shit, I think I may have blown it there.)

Live Hard, Some Call It My 'Artistic License' And Some Call It My 'Autistic License' But Either Way It Gets Your Attention And May Get Me Medicated If I'm Not Careful Choosing My Words Without Stuttering So Much And Start Looking Words Up Before Butchering Them Anyway Because I Can, Die Free

~ DC v8.4

In reply to " but the Feds do do some F… by Donate Moar

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Infinite QE Jan 10, 2018 8:01 AM Permalink

Mud coming to color match the population.

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BidnessMan Jan 10, 2018 8:03 AM Permalink

Only a couple more plagues to go in the Promised Land. People in Cali should take the hint.

The big earthquake is yet to come.

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mr1963 Jan 10, 2018 8:05 AM Permalink

Overbuilt is all this is, putting houses where they shouldn't be in the first place.

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