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Do you need to stock up the bunker?
BBC News Magazine ^ | 2 May 2008 | Brendan O'Neill

Posted on 05/10/2009 5:42:44 PM PDT by appleseed

In the 1950s and 1960s, bunkers were a feature of many American suburban homes, populated by families fearful of the prospect of nuclear war. That threat has subsided, but now many reasonable people are stocking up on essential supplies in preparation for a new cataclysm.

When you hear the word "survivalist", what image comes to mind?

Or maybe you think of end-of-the-world religionists retreating to a fortified camp with enough food and drink to last them until Judgement Day.

But today there is a new breed of survivalist – and they're well-heeled, well-educated and more likely to wear an immaculately pressed suit than a camouflage flak jacket.

Civilisation breakdown

Barton M Biggs is about as far as you can get from the old John Rambo-style survivalist. Forget long, unkempt hair and a sweat-stained vest. Mr Biggs is a former chief global strategist for Morgan Stanley, who now runs the hedge fund Traxis Partners in New York.

Yet in his latest book, Wealth, War and Wisdom, he suggests that all right-minded people should "assume the possibility of a breakdown of the civilised infrastructure".

"The four horsemen of the apocalypse ride out every two generations, and they come in different disguises," he says. "We are due to see the horsemen again some time in the next 10 to 20 years – and the prudent person with wealth should take out an insurance policy against them."

{Cut}

The price of food is rising dramatically and oil is at record prices. Even brief periods of crisis can have severe consequences.

Blackout looting

Mr Biggs cites the massive power outages that struck north-eastern and mid-western America and parts of Canada in 2003 – also known as The Northeastern Blackout – when for a few hours an estimated 50 million people were without electricity.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 111th; bho44; husseinobama; preparedness; preppers; second100days; survivalists; teotwawki
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To: EBH

With that much food, you can help some of the less fortunate, discreetly of course.


121 posted on 05/11/2009 10:04:35 AM PDT by Patriotic1 (Dic mihi solum facta, domina - Just the facts, ma'am)
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To: AAABEST

“It’s not like Y2K when a bunch of mostly tinfoil types were ranting and raving whle stocking up on beans and water purification stuff.”

I prefered to look at it as “well now I’m better prepared for whatever happens”. But of course I’m not prepared for long enough! Although that winter storm a few years ago where we were without power for 10 days. Sure was nice to have lights, heat and plenty of food. (All the stores within 50 miles were also limited - running on generators, etc.)

Even took in the elderly neighbor.


122 posted on 05/11/2009 10:17:03 AM PDT by 21twelve (Drive Reality out with a pitchfork if you want , it always comes back.)
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To: mylife

I was wondering about that, I didn’t know if I could shoot a 12 gauge like the guy in the photo. He is holding it like I hold my M4


123 posted on 05/11/2009 2:50:38 PM PDT by joesjane (The strength of the pack is the wolf - Rudyard Kipling)
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To: mylife

$900.00+???? jeeze


124 posted on 05/11/2009 3:01:10 PM PDT by joesjane (The strength of the pack is the wolf - Rudyard Kipling)
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To: EBH

I know for a fact if it takes a year I am outta this location...parts unknown!


125 posted on 05/11/2009 3:05:49 PM PDT by joesjane (The strength of the pack is the wolf - Rudyard Kipling)
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To: Think free or die

That is what me and my girls call T-rash!


126 posted on 05/11/2009 3:07:29 PM PDT by joesjane (The strength of the pack is the wolf - Rudyard Kipling)
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To: Califreak

I will put it this way. They are edible and taste OK.
I wouldn’t make them a regular part of your food, but as an emergency ration or occasional meal they are OK.


127 posted on 05/11/2009 3:15:26 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: null and void
"You really need a zombie plan"

Does Ready.gov have anything?

128 posted on 05/11/2009 4:59:54 PM PDT by Batrachian
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To: Batrachian
They are the zombies!

(Anyone who thinks the dead can't come to life should see government workers at 5 o'clock)...

129 posted on 05/11/2009 5:03:11 PM PDT by null and void (We are now in day 112 of our national holiday from reality.)
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To: appleseed

“My suggestion is not to build bunkers, but to build relationships and find effective ways to minimise economic and sociological risk on a national and international scale. Mr Biggs should, in my opinion, spend his money in promoting effective sociological policy, rather than stockpiling beans and assault rifles.
J Mann, London”

Above was one of the remarks to the British article. What a moron. Can’t we all just get along???


130 posted on 05/11/2009 5:11:17 PM PDT by Wisconsinlady
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To: null and void

Yeh - I used that answer last time a librul goober asked me why I needed a gun. “Zombies.” He looks at me and sez, “But you know zombies aren’t real.” I sez, “Yeah, that’s what they said about vampires, too.” He sez, “But vampires aren’t real.” “See?” I sez...


131 posted on 05/11/2009 5:13:37 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: joesjane

Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions”

I believe our feelings are being given to us for a reason.


132 posted on 05/11/2009 5:17:47 PM PDT by Wisconsinlady
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To: mylife

LOL!

My son came home & said it was yummy.

I’m sure the novelty will wear off in a few days.


133 posted on 05/11/2009 9:36:45 PM PDT by Califreak ("Could Zero be the Walkin' Dude?")
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To: Califreak

Yeah, in about 2 days when he cant poop.


134 posted on 05/11/2009 9:37:39 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: Patriotic1

The Ant and the Grasshopper

IN a field one summer’s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. 1
“Why not come and chat with me,” said the Grasshopper, “instead of toiling and moiling in that way?” 2
“I am helping to lay up food for the winter,” said the Ant, “and recommend you to do the same.” 3
“Why bother about winter?” said the Grasshopper; “we have got plenty of food at present.” But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food, and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew:
“IT IS BEST TO PREPARE FOR THE DAYS OF NECESSITY.”

-Aesop


135 posted on 05/12/2009 3:16:09 AM PDT by WVKayaker ( God said, 'Cancel Program GENESIS.' The universe ceased to exist.- Arth. C. Clarke's shortest story)
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To: WVKayaker
I have been real happy with this coffee source, and have ordered from them a few times. http://www.coffeebeandirect.com
136 posted on 05/12/2009 4:48:50 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: KarlInOhio
Someone did a study (Psychology Today, iirc) back in the '70s and found that a group of women living in close quarters will synchronize their lunar cycles. None of the advantages, Dr. Strangelove, and a PMS fest in the making.

Just saying, you might want to think about that...

137 posted on 05/12/2009 4:52:10 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: Beelzebubba
Something tells me that Everclear would be more valuable than coffee.

It might be, but consider the crowd... and drunks on your doorstep...

That won't last long after the liquor stores are looted, a month or so at most, but having a rep for not having booze or meds will save a lot of cleanup in the long run.

138 posted on 05/12/2009 4:59:42 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: WVKayaker
Reconsider your fable in this era of government of the grasshoppers, by the grasshoppers and for the grasshoppers.
139 posted on 05/12/2009 6:10:14 AM PDT by KarlInOhio (No free man bows to a foreign king.)
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