[nw_arizona_granny]

Hello,

May I comment on this one?

I will stay where I am, as health says that I won't be able to run.

So I will be the home site for family and friends, the area isn't too bad, about a 100 miles from Vegas and no military or plants to bomb. Plus I live in the desert, not town.

My concern is not what "I" will do, but the chaos that will come from the city folks, who will run----and run, with no place to go.

During WW2 and Viet Nam, I lived in San Diego, even during the Nam war, we were not allowed to remove our kids from school if there was an attack. We were told that there were 3 days of food in the stores and warehouses for the town, AND that the Gov. would lock it up and take it under control.

The evacuation routes all went thru military areas and were not able to carry the traffic (2 lane roads), so the signs with the arrows pointing up toward heaven truly carried the message that heaven was where the route would take you.

From San Diego, you have a choice of Los Angeles, El Centro or Mexico. Not my idea of escaping to safety.

Why am I talking about San Diego? It is a good sample town.

Do you remember the California fires earlier last year?

I was reading the reports and thinking that it was an attack, do you realize that many times there were no roads open to leave the area? Yes, even freeways were closed.

I think that it was Lake Arrowhead that the evacuated with a stream of cars, 7 lanes wide, bumper to bumper for 27 miles.

Someone was driving down the freeway and starting grass fires every mile or so, at the off ramps.

Several times roads were blocked with burning vehicles.

It is all in the Free Republic threads for the fires.

Unless you have a place to go and get an early start, it is better to stay put and fight to hold your place. ( My opinion).

Today, I live near Kingman, Az. We will have problems, as there are no plans for our needs, if there is a major strike on the California coast.

During the Nam war, it was thought that if there was a nuclear strike in San Diego, the radiation fallout would hit Phoenix and Tucson, Az. The official military opinion.

Kingman was the evacuation site for them. We had blankets and crackers stored in the court house basement. But, no longer, it is offices and as far as I know has never been replaced since it was cleaned out 20 years ago.

I am not as afraid of terrorists, as I am all the people on the road, who are scared and hungry.

During the Nam war, a friend was on the Wellton, Az school board, the military sent an adviser to help them, he told them that the California coast people would wind up out of gas about Wellton (35 miles from Yuma, as I recall 220 miles from San Diego.

I always thought of my brother, who had a screaming wife and 4 kids under 6 years old, they were the prime example of what would be attempting to take over what ever someone else had, scared, desperate and tired of attempting to keep order in the car and having no idea where he was going.

Today 35 years later, he still is not prepared and yes, I still preach at him because he isn't.

Store food and water. (I buy my storage food from waltonfeed.com, I have absolutely no connection with them. Check out the survival links to the website, lots of info on how to survive.)

I have attempted to talk folks into storing extra shoes and coats, etc.

During WW2, America did their own manufacturing, even with rationing there were limited items available.

Today, it will be easy to cut off our supply of clothes and food. Don't forget the missing ships, they will work nicely to shut down the Panama Canal. It will be easy to bring America to a halt.

Yes, I admit that at times, I do play with thinking around corners, guess as a FReeper, I will have to break down and make a Tinfoil hat, is it OK to have feathers and flowers or does it have to be plain?

Please overlook the misspelled words, I don't often write, so have gotten rusty.

Prayers for your safety and happiness,

Ruth

[eastforker]

I live on the far outskirts of Houston on Lake Houston.My fear would be an epidemic of something like SP.If for some reason supply lines where cut to the supermarkets there would be a mass exodus from the inner city of people without a clue how to survive except to steal from someone else.We are a pretty close knit neighborhood accessible by only one road. I am sure we would all take turns to defend our homes from unwanted guest. There is enough fish and wildlife around to support us.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Very good points, Ruth.

[Calpernia]

>>>>I lived in San Diego, even during the Nam war, we were not allowed to remove our kids from school if there was an attack.

We were sent home notices months ago about the schools going into lock down. Had to send in supplies for 3 days, ie., clothes, etc.

I really don't think any of the parents knew what that meant and I think they don't realize that it is still a current concern.

[No Blue States]

"Store food and water. (I buy my storage food from waltonfeed.com, I have absolutely no connection with them. Check out the survival links to the website, lots of info on how to survive.)"

Hi Granny, I bought from Waltonfeed prior to the Y2k threat. I was very pleased with their price and service. I have a closet dedicated to a 6 month supply of food that is still non perishable for another 6-8 years because of the freeze dried packing. It offers great piece of mind to know in an emergency my family is not dependent on grocery stores, and that as the man of my house I have provision covered. We also have a water purifier and a 1000 gallon goldfish pond in the back yard. I like the sound of the waterfall anyway.

Am i a survival nut? Maybe, But my family wont starve. And we wouldnt get fat while our neighbors starve but we would share with those we could trust. People should at least store some drinking water and stock up on canned goods, its not like it wont be used anyway.

Boy Scout Motto: Be Prepared. Tom Hanks in the Castaway movie really sends home the wisdom of having things you dont need versus not having things you do need if The S ever Hits the fan.

[Hegemony Cricket]

You sound like someone who would be very interesting to sit down and talk with...

[JustPiper]

Prayers for your safety and happiness, - Ruth

How good to have you here Ruth! My plan is take my children down to their grandma's in Alabama. I wish most of family wasn't 2000 miles, which in this scenario, is way too far. I keep thinking back to the drills in the 50's and 60's and if we thought 'we' were frightened, how must our kids/grandkids be feeling? ;(

[JustPiper]

Tinfoil hat, is it OK to have feathers and flowers or does it have to be plain?

How could 'we' have plain tin foil, it is so NOT 60's ;)

[thecabal]

First of all, God bless you. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us.

Today, I live near Kingman, Az. We will have problems, as there are no plans for our needs, if there is a major strike on the California coast.

I've passed through Kingman once, and if I remember correctly there is a lot of nothing around there. Good thing you stock up on supplies in case of emergency.

I am not as afraid of terrorists, as I am all the people on the road, who are scared and hungry.

In your case, I'm sure that's an accurate assessment.

I always thought of my brother, who had a screaming wife and 4 kids under 6 years old, they were the prime example of what would be attempting to take over what ever someone else had, scared, desperate and tired of attempting to keep order in the car and having no idea where he was going.

Today 35 years later, he still is not prepared and yes, I still preach at him because he isn't.

I haven't lived as many years as you, but one thing that I have learned is that people won't listen to you unless they are truly ready to accept the reality of what you are saying. Most people are too shocked or stubborn to accept that such a thing could happen, even though we had an attack no one ever thought would happen, 9/11. In my experience, the best thing to do is to plan to put away extra for those you love, if you can. Most of the time, it's very hard to convince someone to plan...it's much too close to acting like a "crazy" survivalist.

Store food and water.

Good advice for anyone. Bad things happen; not just terrorist attacks, but other things like natural disasters, riots, etc. Why not put away some basic provisions? The unfortunate thing for poor schmucks like me who live in apartments is that storage space is very much at a premium.

Today, it will be easy to cut off our supply of clothes and food. Don't forget the missing ships, they will work nicely to shut down the Panama Canal. It will be easy to bring America to a halt.

Very, very true words. Most people don't realize how truely vunerable we are these days.

Yes, I admit that at times, I do play with thinking around corners, guess as a FReeper, I will have to break down and make a Tinfoil hat, is it OK to have feathers and flowers or does it have to be plain?

Bless you for having the courage to think outside of the "acceptable" norm. Some people think it is a crime to think about the possibilities.

Thanks for the great message, all the best to you and yours.

[Oorang]

nwagranny thank you so much for your words of wisdom. I am fortunate in that my husband and I think alike when it comes to preparations. We have enough food to last 2 years, raise our own beef and chickens, etc.

If I may throw in my 2 cents. The #1 thing I would recommend is to move away from a large city. I know that is easier said than done, but, I had to say it :-). Ignore friends/family that think you are nuts. Just tell them this is your new hobby and spending $ on a good supply of food is better than "spending it at the pool hall". If you can afford to stock up enough for them as well do it. As Granny said, if it comes down to it, they will end up at your house since you are prepared. Stock up on water but rotate it as after about 1 year it will taste like the plastic jug it is stored in. Won't hurt you, will just taste funny. Pick up some water purification tablets at the sporting goods store, just in case.

For storing your bulk dry goods (beans, rice, flour, etc.) use food grade tubs, otherwise again, the food over time will have a plastic taste. Here is a good source for getting food grade containers: containers

Get a supply of potassium iodide: potassium-iodide and if it gives you peace of mind get some antibiotics (we got some online a couple of years ago) and keep it in the fridge. Stock up on all your first aid supplies. Can never have too much Hydrogen Peroxide. It's good for tons of things.

Remember, if things get really bad, you'll wants guns and lots of ammo.

Battery powered radio. Batteries keep longer in the freezer so stock up. If you have a smoker, smoke lots of meat (salmon, chicken, turkey) then seal-a-meal it. Tastes great and keeps a long time.

I have more suggestions if anyone wants them, let me know. Sorry this is so long.