Suburban survivalists stock up for Armageddon (Food, guns, ammo., etc.)

msnbc.com (GAG) ^ | July 23, 2009 | Mike Hammer

[appleseed]

Some see the current economic downturn as tough — but temporary — times to be endured. But others see it as a harbinger of even grimmer days ahead. So they’re preparing for the worst by stockpiling food: piles and piles and piles of it.

Call them “suburban survivalists,” or call them, well, a little goofy. But they’re dead serious about being ready for a big crash … by making sure they have a nice little nosh in case of a catastrophe. Across the country, there are people preparing for the possibility that we will not have access to food by ensuring that their cupboards, at least, will be far from bare.

Postapocalyptic Pathmark Take Bill Cole, a dad and doctor who runs a successful chiropractic office. He seems like the guy next door … which is where you may have to go to politely borrow a cup (or a barrel) of sugar should a fatal financial meltdown occur.

Cole has turned his home in the suburbs of Pittsburgh into a virtual postapocalyptic Pathmark. “I’ve got enough to last two years for me and my immediate family,” he says. His stockpile is filled with foods that can stand the test of time — from peanuts to pancake mix, canned peaches to peas.

[Carry_Okie]

We could drop over coast side and bag an elk once or twice a year to keep us in red meat.

Fedgov's wolves are fixing that situation for you quite nicely.

[PeteB570]

Any pig product is welcome in a survival situation.

Works well in it’s secondary role also.

[Carry_Okie]

What is WRONG with these intellectuals?!

Not a thing in their minds. They want you to beg for a hand-out from their thug-minions, or die.

It's when TSHTF that they suddenly realize they're duck-bait. Wasn't it Uri Whathizfacenik who said the leftist professors would be the first the mob/cop maelstrom would whack?

[hiredhand]

It's when TSHTF that they suddenly realize they're duck-bait. Wasn't it Uri Whathizfacenik who said the leftist professors would be the first the mob/cop maelstrom would whack?

Yes! Also...if you take a poll, you'll find that TOO many people have a bug out plan of simply knowing somebody else. In our opinions, this simply isn't good enough. However, it's a fact with far too many people. But these elite of the intelligencia simply don't KNOW anybody in our circles. They've heard that we exist, but they don't know anybody.

I know some people at work and I was probably a little more honest with them one day than I should have been. I gave them some fairly raw information and a few specifics on what we've done as well as some others that we know. I do NOT think these people believed me.

I don't think the intellegencia will live long enough to get whacked. They're only important as long as their little self-made empires stand. When the factors around them make their own self importance a moot point, then they'll have to actually confront reality for ONCE and the stress and depression will kill them.

Some of them from where I used to work had a plan to come to our place, and I asked what made them think they were going to make it that far (40 miles)? What if nothing was running (EMP damage scenario), or what if the military or local law enforcement had roads blocked? Or what if it was simply a very BAD ice storm as it was last time?! They just looked at me like sheep. Then I said, "WHAT if you DO make it to our place and discover we're not there because we've gone farther away?" One of them snapped out of it and asked where in the world somebody like us would go?! There was a guy within earshot who was raised near me growing up and I motioned to him and told her to ask him... I said he would know where we were going. He just sort of smiled and shook his head and said, "Yeah...even if he doesn't go where he's from, I know the sort of place where he's likely to go!" The sheep were straining toward me to find out. I simply told them that me and mine would be going deep into very rural country....and that it would be most UNPLEASANT for them! They appeared concerned, but in the several years that I worked around them, none of them ever changed their life styles....even though they observed the same things we do.

Since that time, the plan has changed. We've connected with a very rural community about 20 miles to the north of here....which is fairly rural itself. But even so, those sheep I had that conversation with that day would still have a hard time of it.

[Carry_Okie]

I wish we could say we were ready. We're in better shape than many, but still not there for a 3-1/2 year trib. The biggest problem we have is social. There simply aren't enough level-headed people around here to form a group sufficient to make it.

[American in Israel]

I told hubby awhile back......if you have enough guns and ammo you can get anything you want. ;)

Nice thing about that plan is with a 50 50 shot at it, you will not need much food before you need a casket.

Because the other guy most likely has food AND a gun.

[American in Israel]

If I’ve got ammo and you’ve got food... Well...

You die, or I die. I bought a gun first by the way, then I bought food.

But a lot of surburban types think the way you do, and that is why rural will work and surburban will not. After the first couple of weeks, surburban is going to be about the same level of population as rural without the support structure of the land to back it. Unless of course you eat long pig without refridgeration.

[American in Israel]

If really bad times come I’m sure we could talk the libs on the block into falling in with us. Of course, no Black Rifles for them. They would have to be content with bolt action surplus rifles.

Suggestion, if you cannot trust them and rely on them now, what makes you think you will be able to then? Libs have no morals, they will eat your children if they are hungry enough.

[American in Israel]

stabilized gas...

Coleman fuel is just that, infinate shelf life, works great in a chain saw with oil of course. Second point is chainsaw gas works great in small 4 stroke motors and extends life

[Carry_Okie]

Many thanks. I'll look into whether it is available in drums. Given that I have no intent of using it in a vehicle, there may not be taxes on it either.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Bullets will be a HUGE bargaining commodity. Stock up while you can.

Trying to meet the supply here in Texas by getting rid of mine. Send a private message if you're in the Austin or Houston area. Need to be able to truthfully say, "I sold them all." Don't want any part of the coming socio-political chaos.

[PapaBear3625]

I mean we hear all these ads saying buy gold now, and yet how does one use a gold coin worth $900 or so to pay for groceries?

The more I think about it, the more I think that gold and silver will not be good if things collapse so much that dollars don't buy what's needed.

In a collapse, the universal trade goods will be ammo, alcohol, and tobacco. And all three last a long time if stored properly. Good scotch also makes a good present for Christmas/birthdays/etc for recipients who like it.

[hiredhand]

I wish we could say we were ready. We're in better shape than many, but still not there for a 3-1/2 year trib. The biggest problem we have is social. There simply aren't enough level-headed people around here to form a group sufficient to make it.

We have a loose affiliation, but still far too many who have stated that their emergency plan is simply to come to where we are. I've told most of these that they better bring 6 mos worth of food and necessities, including firearms and ammunition! A few of them have balked, but I've had a fairly stern conversation with these.

I've told them that we all observe the conditions around us and everybody sees it as a wise and prudent thing to practice some level of preparedness. But those who only have the plan of coming to be with us can do better than that. I've told them that since we're having the conversation NOW that they can get a move on accumulating things that will make it easier IF if they have to come our way. For them to expect us to supply their daily needs, as well as physical security is selfish and unrealistic. I've told them to try being in my position and consider the conversation flipped. After this, I think a few of them even scratched us from their list of being somebody they'd go to if TSHTF.

I told one person flat out... "We've stored necessities at the sacrifice of other things...we've NOT lived in debt!... we've lived within our means! But YOU haven't done these things and yet you EXPECT me to take care of you when TSHTF?! Don't get your hopes up!"

It's the epitome of the "you owe me!" attitude. I'm not sure why they think people like me owe them anything, but it's a frustrating and harsh process getting them to realize that NOBODY owes them anything!

I told one guy that if he showed up without supplies or weapons/ammo that we'd make him our slave. :-) Then I said, "You've gut a purty mouth boy!" I think he took us off his list! :-)

[PapaBear3625]

Whiskey, Rum, Sugar, Flour, These are some good tradin’ supplies....(IMO)

Also add spaghetti in place of part of your flour supply. It lasts a long time (particularly sealed in a steel ammo can), and can produce a meal in minutes if you can get boiling water.

[PeteB570]

FEAR is a great motivator.

If bad times come talkin’ is done.

When thugs and scum start rampaging through neighborhoods I'm sure the libs are not going to jump ship to the other side.

[I got the rope]

Where do you get it that cheap?

[appleseed]

Got a picture of my wife’s puppy dog posted at the bottom of my FR homepage. Be careful on viewing it - has a dead critter.

[Squantos]

Awesome shot !

Btw you need to keep that “enough” pic as the self reliant conservative banner !!

I stole that picture from ya ....perfect banner IMO !!

[elcid1970]

This is probably _the_ most informative and important thread I have ever read on FReepers. All the posts will be saved, somehow.

Got a question, though - wheat has to be ground and then baked, pasta has to be boiled, there must be a cooking fire.

How about rice as a long-term storeable grain? Easy to store, simple to prepare, combines with vegetables fresh or canned, nutritious; rice seems like a viable alternative to wheat as long-term survival food.

Thoughts?

[appleseed]

Just a little info. on the Enough pic. Also got a pic. of it hanging with a crossbow bolt. Chose the USM8A1 for effect.