Replies

People are thinking about preparedness now...
(From a newsgroup)

I’m 48 and not really a “survivor” like so many here. I’m still learning
and ( like Winston) have a wife that’s not helping much. Also, little kids.
It’s hard to go cache something when it’s your turn to cover school pick-ups
and dinner.

That said, I think pursuing Survival is a great cause. Anything that promotes
personal indepence is worthwhile as gov’t power ( and “civil rights” ) always
come at the cost of individual liberties. Whether that is neccessary or not is
a matter of opinion.

It is still my personal opinion that Survivalism is largely a rural option for
many reasons, not the least of which is that when YOU are the only one on the
block or in the apart. bldg. with heat, h2o, and food in any long-term survival
scenario it won’t be long before the neighbors come knocking. Think of some
of the old Twilight Zone episodes for what comes next. Also, survivalism does
need some money and some time. What ? You go camping 5 times a year and don’t
hardly pay a dime ? Most people I know couldn’t get that much leave if they paid
for it. So there is certainly a cynical side to survivalism — that is, the diff
between what books say and what working families in the ‘burbs can actually do
and/or afford.

So just give up and die ? Not at all. But you need to be realistic; All your
skills won’t help you when an NBC attack in your area leaves you and your
family on a Nat’l Guard truck with 5 other families heading for the Camp
with one bag only ( and that searched for “contraband”). Survivalism does good
with disaster — fair with collapse — poorly with betrayal or corruption, or
wholesale repression. All need to be considered carefully. Despite the Rambo
movies, even your mighty skills and weaponry will be of little use againest a
platoon of reasonably equipped Nat’l Guardsmen. I’d rather be the first to join
the resistance with all my stores gone, than the first againest the wall with my
“ideals” still intact.

Will “IT” happen in our lifetimes ? I think it is more likely now than it ever
was. Why ? First, because the Nuclear Genie has never been closer to getting
out of the bag. Second, because as others have said above, society/industry
is less able to absorb severe disruption or provide lasting response to urgent
need. We are the most successful country on earth but now we require continued
success just to keep heads above water. Third, bcause the powers of American
gov’t have never had greater potential for repression. The western cowpoke of
the 1870’s would consider you a Wage Slave; How will you see your Great-Great
Grand-Kids if you could live that long ?

Finally you might ask yourself if you involvement with survivalism really
requires the sense of urgency that TEOTWAWKI scenarios always promote.
I see survivalism like a good 401K. A reasonable option that should be adopted
to your own best level and then, like the 401K, nutured and expanded upon as
needs and resources allow. Simply put, it is a smart choice.

Andrew