Posted on 10/19/2012 10:08:13 PM PDT by Feline_AIDS
Preppers,
I'm new to this prepping thing, and I have some questions.
I don't know exactly what you're all prepping for, because I know there are different concerns in different parts of the country. Californians, for example, are more concerned about the big one than I am on the east coast. I'm more concerned about an EMP than people in Wyoming, probably.
But what about when the SHTF? I'm assuming by SHTF everyone means economic and thus governmental collapse. Is that right? No more USA?
I have some questions that are ignorant and simple, but I was born that way, so bear with me.
Even when the SHTF, the government of the United States will persist, simply because the government is the original prepper. Mt. Weather facility and all that. So what we really mean by "governmental collapse" is extreme lawlessness and no new goods or resources. Plus government non-intervention. The government may exist, but that doesn't change the fact that hungry/thirsty/angry people will be fighting for resources. When the SHTF, Americans will have to be self-reliant without any support from any public utility or service. Many, many people will die. Many more will be desperate and act in ways they'd never imagine before they die.
How long do you all expect this state of things to last? If all public utilities in the US were permanently shut off, wouldn't it only be a matter of weeks before the great die-off happened? Dehydration would get most of them, then the rapid spread of waterborne illnesses would get lots of those left. Gangs would form and survive longer through unpleasant means. When will the well-prepped prepper stick his head out of his hidey-hole?
Because the government will persist in some capacity, it's reasonable to expect they'd eventually try to straighten things out. Maybe I'm crazy for thinking that, and I don't mean that the correct response to disaster is to sit and wait for Uncle Sam to carry us out on his shoulders. What I mean is that I don't see how the SHTF situation would last more than 6 months, max. A new, smaller society would form and rebuild, most likely without the tech we have today because the industries that support that tech would be gone.
I guess I'm just trying to reconcile two things in my brain. 1) The US government will be present in some form not too long after the catastrophe. Less than a year. Not in its ubiquitous wannabe-omnipotent present state, but it would return. This doesn't mean safety or salvation, but it probably does mean cooperation. Possibly the return of some order. And some society would develop that is fueled by the self-reliance of the remaining people. 2) Most preppers seem to be expecting a lifetime of bushcraft.
Parting thought: If Obama wins reelection, I will take prepping much more seriously in the next few weeks/months. If he doesn't, I will continue to prep for more localized catastrophes.
Prep to live and do not live to prep.
Did I ever mention I was living my life vicariously through you ?
Good to see you posting :)
Well, "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!"
Regards,
Preppers’ PING!!
You can have all the bullets I have.
For such a time as this . . . http://patburt.com/
Read about the Holy Roman Empire.
Hint: It wasn’t Holy, wasn’t Roman, and wasn’t an Empire.
The currency was lies.
Hundreds of small fiefdoms developed over time—some good, some not so good.
The rules were—there were no rules.
and—everyone who survived lived one day at a time.
“Did I ever mention I was living my life vicariously through you ?”
________________________________
Gosh, onona...should I feel honored? hahaha
You know, some years back, before Obumbo was anointed, there were a few “dog in a manger” FReepers that took delight in castigating me, calling me a traitor for becoming an Expat.
They pretty much shut up when I reminded them that America was founded by EXPATS.
I still have great love for America as it was founded.
My great, great, great uncle was the Uncle Sam, Samuel Wilson, Troy NY, war of 1812.
You should come extremely well armed as I am, and I am looking forward to meeting you (tongue in cheek!)
This is all under the assumption that the gov remains “our friend’. if o is relected i imagine them becoming hostile. In socialist countries people are stripped of every means we americans have today. preppers will be the only ones not at the mercy of the gov.. they will become public enemy.number 1.
bflr
http://www.atlassurvivalshelters.com/aboutus/nbc/backyard/
This is add'l basement storage area w/ entrance door to shelter unit, below foundation, out of view.
If you look through the post on this thread you will find examples of the three types of people that I warn many of you about, two are the Ive got lots of guns and plenty of ammo and Ill just take what I need. and the I dont prep because I dont believe anything is going to happen, but if it does preppers should share with me.
Call many of these people on their post and many will backdown or just not respond in their embarrassment, but many will reply back in righteous anger the same anger that you get from most Libs who are shocked and infuriated by preppers not putting sharing to the forefront. Even though many of us do, just we don’t to the point of endangering our own families.
Now as I said some the Ill take what I want crowd when confronted will often back off saying things like I was just joking, but I dont believe it. When I read their post I cant help but think of this quote from one of my favorite westerns Open Range: Most times a man will tell you his bad intentions if you listen, let yourself hear. Ive heard their intentions and they arent good.
The third type that I warn about are those who wish to bring Gods Armageddon into the discussion as if they know that it will be Gods will should some catastrophe befall us. They claim this despite the fact that the history of man is full of direr times which were caused by nature or man himself. History has shown us all too well that men do not need God to help them muck things up to a point were their fellows cry out for God to end it all and relieve them of their misery. Some of these I like to ask: “Do you wear a seatbelt when you drive or ride in a car? Do you have car insurance?” And if they reply yes then I tell them their faith must not be as strong as they claim.
The real problem with the its Gods will crowd who will be that many will want to see you punished as they will see your prepping as you trying to dodging Gods punishment. This group along with the I dont prep, but you should share group will be among the first to report you and your hoarding to the powers that be in their efforts to make sure you too suffer just as they do. The first group because as I said they see you as trying to escape the rightful wrath of God (as if they know the Lords mind) and the second because you proved them wrong.
You can be fairly certain that all three groups will hate you as they will be quick to blame you for the troubles because in their twisted way of thinking your prepping brought the troubles and therefore you need to be punished for your transgression
You are an intelligent, thoughtful person. I agree entirely, with this one word. There is a moment. Just one. A moment where they “Law Enforcement” types that would try to impose order on chaos aren’t strong enough yet to “take” and “share” that an organized community can resist them. That moment HAS to be anticipated, prepared for, and responded to vigorously. It is a long shot, but about the only one. If a group of folks can “thread the needle” they could potentially form the nucleus of a rapidly expanding “crystal” of folks who would insist on reinstating The FOunder’s intention. It could work.
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