[jstolzen]

I'm becoming more and more convinced that we are ALL going to have to "fend for ourselves" IF anything ever happens.

Just had an interesting conversation with my local emergency management department for our county. They are clueless and I got the impression that they have less of a plan to respond to an NBC event than any of us here do (we are FAR more ahead, based on what I talked to with their Director this morning).

Since I live in a house with a "walkout" basement (one whole wall is windows and is at ground level, whereas the other end of the room is typical poured concrete wall underground - our lot "slopes"), I decided "shelter in place" is probably not going to save me if there's a radiological event (like I think there may very well be in 2004). So, I called to ask.."are there any designated locations [schools, hospitals, etc] that are set aside for residents to come to if something like this happens". Her advice (even after I described the window problem) was "stay put. close your windows, etc". Gee..THAT is encouraging - NOT! This lady knew DIDDLY about what radiation can do - how to properly protect yourself, etc.

She also seemed totally unconcerned about anything affecting us here in SE Michigan. Told her about the Washington Post article about NEST guys being here the other day. She didn't even know. All she could come back with was "well, that's Intel, and we deal with preparation" (um..isn't part of being prepared knowing what you are at risk for?). Then she "assured" me that even if anything happened in Detroit, that we wouldn't be affected here 20-30 miles out (um, no..radiation goes further, depending on the size of the device).

Net net, I came away from that conversation with a reinforcement of my initial belief that many of those who are "protecting" us are idiots. Guess it's time to build myself a saferoom with concrete walls and NBC filtering, cuz the government SURE isn't going to be of any help if anything (God forbid) DOES happen.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

...Net net, I came away from that conversation with a reinforcement of my initial belief that many of those who are "protecting" us are idiots....

However cold and harsh a view of reality that is, it is also the truth.

[jstolzen]

Just wondering what everyone's plans are IF a WMD attack ever occurs.

How many of you have a way to stay put with adequate shelter? (I know many of us stock food & water, but shelter is my #1 concern right now as I don't have a good place to go).

Does anyone have anything more in place than just going into your basement? And what about those who don't have basements? Have you had any luck finding a place to go in your community - and if so..how did you find it?

I guess the last question is..how many will say "the heck with it" and run for the nearest countryside?

TIA..

[Calpernia]

Your interaction with your local emergency management department is not indigenous to Michigan.

[JustPiper]

Great AlQ is in the "operational" phase and your town idiot is in the preparing when occurs phase?!

[TomInNJ]

"Net net, I came away from that conversation with a reinforcement of my initial belief that many of those who are "protecting" us are idiots. Guess it's time to build myself a saferoom with concrete walls and NBC filtering, cuz the government SURE isn't going to be of any help if anything (God forbid) DOES happen."

I've been searching the last couple of days for info on whether the government has an obligation to protect it's people. I'm not talking here about the Constitution or the oaths taken by various government officials. I haven't found anything, so I'm of the opinion that Gvt. officials are NOT, under the laws, obligated to the protection of their citizens, only to the continuity of the government, be it federal, state or local.