There is "prepping" to make do till things line out, then there is simply becoming more self sufficient..prepping your knowledge so to speak.
Like Ann I don't think of myself as a prepper but simply to not have to rely on the goobermint. I prefer to take care of ourselves.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobster:
I think the best bet may be what I was involved with in the Late 80's in Tampa, FL. The subdivision I lived in was predominately composed of military officers (Colonels) from CENTCOM at McDill AFB. I was VP of the HOA. The rest were military. Those guys organized the neighborhood. They conducted meetings and celebrations to bond the residents. Each board member was assessed for skills and resources so that in the event of emergency, we could coordinate a organized response and not be at each other's throats.

That's excellent. If all communities did such a thing Americans would be fine in say an EMP.

Make sure you have some cash on hand.

Most important commodity.

So is loaded ammo. A very valuable barter piece.

Bob, good military thinking, + you are right, Ann. Every community would benefit by such a system. Let me give you an example on the negative side of that scenario. Nazi Germany where on EVERY block there was someone to report on the others. Turn that around to the positive, where every block takes care of what needs to be done for the common goal. My negative example was only to prove that it does work.

CASH!

Make sure you have some saved at home.

If the shit hits the fan, it will become a necessary possession.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
CASH!

Make sure you have some saved at home.

If the shit hits the fan, it will become a necessary possession.

Perhaps better would be metal cash.

I will add that I do much more in the way of bartering skills, labor, equipment with my neighbors than exchange money. So even if one has no money, skills become very important.

Agreed, in any scenario, skills are more worthwhile than money, but even more so in this situation. Even though retired, I still have all my equipment + I can build anything in metal + copper that might be required in the worst of times (draw your own conclusions). Not to mention the capability to manufacture ammo. Those are 2 trades that are realistically useful for barter, in any market.

One reason that many are not concerned is that they are oblivious, then a large segment may be like me . . .
NOTHING they can do to stave off the inevitable so why bother.

I have friends that have a "Bug Out Bag" in their office so wen "IT" comes they can get "home".


Just an opinion of course
First depending on what "IT" is, they may well not have a car to go 20-30 miles home, if "IT" is social unrest, the streets may well be clogged with miscreants.

So if one is far enough away from any urban center they may be able to survive.

Those in areas with really severe winter are likely to survive long term.

Mutual defense will be an issue for those close to population centers and then food is still going to be the long term issue.
Those with specialized medicines will last til the pills run out.

Yes that is when life/living/surviving will get real serious.

The funny thing is that there will still be those running out of the electronics suppliers with the biggest TV they can carry.

I recently had several house guests. Some cheerfully stated they were just gonna go live in the woods if SHTF and all they needed were their lighters and a knife.



Okay, Skippy.

Yeah, I had an acquaintance several years ago who was in the Watts riots. While all his friends were looting TV's, etc. they were making fun of him for looting toilet paper + kotex..... for about a week.

An old friend ask why I didn't have a black gun I replied if it got that pad Id take my 300 H&H and shoot the first guy I saw coming my way with a battle weapon, shoot him and go get his black rifle and ammo and whatever.

Im not paranoid, I don't see that happening in my time and refuse to waste my time thinking about things I have no control over. Survivalist are ridiculas idiots, do they think they can stand off an invisible jet that can take out their camps and a section of land and they are only supplied with M-16s? When shit hits the fan its a crap shoot..and family and kids will be an anchor hard to deal with such losses..It just a subject for town talk and BS, and in reality most of the tough guys will will piss down their leg and cry for mama! If it ever happens it will be 1000 times plus horrible.

Our only hope will be as a Japanese general onece said "Im afraid we have awaken a sleeping tiger" and our military will respond..

Good point, Ray.

Ray, I agree with you. BTW, that was Admiral Yamamoto saying, "We have awakened a sleeping giant". Our fighters shot him down over the island of Bougainville, + it was a controversy, as we didn't want the nips to know that we had broken their code.But back to the original point, as Edward Abbey once said, "The B-52 bomber is the weapon of the monarchy, whereas the bolt action rifle is the weapon of democracy". A bit dated, but you get the point. As to calling in the military for support, i think that a great amount of folks are more concerned about the actions of our own government than of foreign invaders.

Bread and circuses for the Cloward/Piven masses. I started a garden in the belief that there is no down side to a deep and well stocked pantry. I have no interest is saving anyone who is not like minded.
The Ant and Grasshopper table has a very serious lessen in it. As for retaining my hard earned savings, they will not be taken.