Preparing for the PAW (Post Apocalyptic World)

[Dr.3D]

I have better than a spaceship.

If you're counting on a pre-tribulation rapture, don't hold your breath.

 

[Perry]

If you're counting on a pre-tribulation rapture, don't hold your breath.

When it is does not matter. Only that it is.
Too many people lose their way and waste time arguing about the "whens".
It is neither required nor appointed unto man to know when.
Do I plan on packing a twelve gauge and wearing leather if I must weather the trib,
(whenever that may be)? I doubt it.

 

[sfws09]

http://http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080524/D90S5MLG0.html

 

[Dr.3D]

http://http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080524/D90S5MLG0.html

Here is a corrected link that works.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080524/D90S5MLG0.html

 

[Mini-Me]

Damn, I thought I've seen pathetic before, but the_british_are_coming takes the cake for reckless and incessant mudslinging without contributing anything of substance to the conversation.

That said, I really hope Kade is right and Gunny is entirely overprepared for what's actually going to happen...otherwise, I'm entirely unprepared. Sure, I'm expecting hard times. I'm anticipating eventual economic collapse, food shortages and extremely high prices, and for a time, the store shelves might even be empty...but complete post-societal apocalypse? That's a scary thought (although perhaps more welcoming than the nightmarishly oppressive scenario I'm imagining). It's very likely that the bankrupt federal government will become increasingly socialistic and tyrannical, even to the point of putting all food on a ration system. The control grid has been set out (and it's being tightened with Real ID, etc.), and living "off the grid" is eventually going to be nigh impossible...we may end up facing a lose/lose choice of living under an overt police state and martial law in the middle of a long economic depression or making an almost certainly suicidal stand against it (judging by the complacency of most Americans). I'm just not seeing any lawless scenario under which overbearing government simply collapses and fades into nonexistence. Governments have a way of perpetuating their existence, and if the federal government falls, it will simply be replaced by an even worse NAU government.
I do agree that desperate bands of looters can easily become an issue, but...the way I see it, there are two choices:

• "Bugging in" seems to be the docile and passive life of a person blending in with the "I Love Big Brother" crowd in order to remain a part of society and ride out the storm. Sure, you can purify your water and try to protect your stores of food with guns and ammo, but the first time you try that, you'll probably be taken in by the "proper authorities" for owning illegal firearms...so the best shot you have is probably to make it seem like you're as hungry as everyone else. Then again, you can "bug in" Waco or Ruby Ridge style too, but...
• "Bugging out" seems to be the life of a fugitive on the run, especially considering the guns you need for hunting will probably become very, very illegal soon (once again leaving you with the choice of making a suicidal stand or not once you're "caught").

Neither choice is particularly appealing, but I'm not seeing many alternatives in the event that all peaceful and political liberty-saving measures fail. Am I completely off base here? Keep in mind, I'm probably the worst person in the whole world at survivalism. Although I'm sharp and a critical thinker, I'm the same video-game-playing, sheltered couch potato that survivalists make fun of. I've only fired a gun once in my life, I'm scared to death of chemicals and explosives (including firecrackers, since I'm adamant about keeping all of my fingers), I have no first aid knowledge, no farming/gardening knowledge, and to top it all off (giving away my age and overall inexperience for the first time ever on the forum ), I'm a recent college graduate still living at home with my parents. In some ways, that may be for the best - uncertain economic/financial/political times are probably not the best ones for moving out and starting a lifetime of rent or mortgage payments and debt. It's wise to minimize expenses. On the other hand, that definitely limits the freedom I have to, say, learn how to handle firearms (let alone deal with arcane "black magic" like reloading). Hell, I don't even know where to begin, muchless begin without arousing suspicion of being a nutcase.

So I guess my question is, once again - am I completely off base here? What kind of scenario are you guys (particularly Gunny) actually envisioning that necessitates all of these measures without making them almost futile (particularly with respect to guns)?

 

[pcosmar]

Mini-Me
This thread is an examination of the "worst case "scenario. Surviving in a Post apocalyptic world.
Though I don't expect it to be a PAW, I do see things getting bad. This is a good discussion of how to deal with possible events and responses to them.
Survivalist is a mind set. Not a fearful response but one of preparedness. Much like the old Boy Scout motto, Be Prepared.
It goes to learning skills to become self sufficient and confident.
I like to live my life as comfortably as possible, but I always keep a plan "B".
When I chose my home, I considered Location, Water supplies, Heating (multiple fuels).
I dislike large cities, so I am far from one. I can grow food, hunt the many varieties of game, fish and heat and cook with wood if necessary.
For those in other situations, it is a consideration of what resources and skills they have and adding skills and tools that may be useful. Keeping in mind that things can change at any time and having a mental attitude to accept and adapt to those changes.

 

[MoneyWhereMyMouthIs2]

So I guess my question is, once again - am I completely off base here? What kind of scenario are you guys (particularly Gunny) actually envisioning that necessitates all of these measures without making them almost futile (particularly with respect to guns)?

Natural disaster? Anyone familiar with Hurricane Katrina knows what it looks like when infrastructure breaks down. Even the federal government suggests everyone should have food and water for 3 days. I bet less than 5% actually do.

Serious pandemic? I could envision scenarios where I wouldn't want to leave the house for a few weeks. Again, I keep hearing about the threat.

Bioterrorism? Who knows.

Anyone think congress doesn't have food and water for 3 days? They have full fledged bunkers built to withstand nearly anything, for long periods of time. I'll bet they have serious weaponry protecting their preperations.

I look at it like this. I spend about 2% of my efforts (or less) being prepared for some terrible scenarios. I spend 98% of my efforts on more likely scenarios, like things staying relatively normal. Because I'm somewhat prepared for something terrible, I spend little time thinking about it, and no time fearing it. I've already done what I reasonably can.

I live in an area where hurricanes are a real threat every year. Everyone knows it. Even so, 99% of people don't have a week's worth of food and water. When a hurricane develops, 10% run to the stores and empty them. The rest prefer not to prepare at all. What if something happens suddenly, like a tsunami?

As far as weapons go... if you have a breakdown in infrastructure, you can't expect everyone to be civil. I look at Katrina as a model. In a really bad scenario, you might need to shoot your own food.

 

[Smiley Gladhands]

To everyone on RonPaulForums. please read the respons from GunnyFreedom posted below.

This thread was really interesting and useful until you tried to start arguments over meaningless (and off-topic) minutiae. I hope it can quickly recover from the distraction, and that you go find a less-useful thread to try and kill.

(p.s.-no response is needed...I will not respond to any response)

 

[Mini-Me]

This thread was really interesting and useful until you tried to start arguments over meaningless (and off-topic) minutiae. I hope it can quickly recover from the distraction, and that you go find a less-useful thread to try and kill.

(p.s.-no response is needed...I will not respond to any response)

Agreed, so *bump*.
Thanks to everyone for the insights, btw - I was thinking with a one-track mind, assuming the only threat is tyranny.

 

[Time for Change]

By far one of the most informative and truly interesting threads EVER.
A lot of time went into providing well thought out information, and it was delivered in a concise and thought provoking way.

Thanks to the OP and everyone for taking the time to share your experience and insight.

Keep 'em coming

 

[yongrel]

Yet another awesome thread, courtesy of Gunny. Thanks!

 

[mexicanpizza]

This thread is amazing. This is why i registered www.apocalypsevan.com , but haven't gotten around to putting up a forum.

edit: Looks like SHTFmilitia.com and zombiesquad have saved me the work!

 

[amy31416]

I didn't read through the entire thread, but what place does Spam have in the PAW?

 

[Ozwest]

No one's going to attack America.

Except...

It's own government.

I'd be having a town meeting, and blowing up bridges.

Fuck running for the hills.

 

[Cowlesy]

I look at it like this. I spend about 2% of my efforts (or less) being prepared for some terrible scenarios. I spend 98% of my efforts on more likely scenarios, like things staying relatively normal. Because I'm somewhat prepared for something terrible, I spend little time thinking about it, and no time fearing it. I've already done what I reasonably can.

Totally in agreement with you. I live in NYC, so if SHTF here, well, pretty much everyone is screwed. That being said, I'd say 99.8% of the 8,000,000 people have no preparedness, so I am hoping my margin of actually thinking about this (my friends all laugh at me) will give me an edge. It cracks me up when I pose the question "If you really needed to leave NYC immediately due to a catastrophic disaster, are you prepared to do so given there are 8,000,000 other people thinking the same thing, and we're on an island with only a few routes to the mainland?" and I get the "if you're so freaked out why are you here?" retort.

I'm not freaked out at all, or else, why would I live here? I don't see anything wrong with being prepared. Typically when you pose the 8,000,000 other people running for the exit argument, they start thinking about it a little more in a serious fashion. Being Prepared and being Paranoid are two different schools of thought in my personal opinion.

Fortunately this Eagle Scout likes to hike because no one is driving out of this city if everyone tries to leave at once

 

[amy31416]

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. There's no shame in that.

From an economic standpoint, would it be akin to investing if non-perishable foods are stocked up on now? I mean, essentially, if the worst happens, it's a form of currency even more valuable than gold.

Despite that, I still can't get down with Spam or chicken in a can. I'm sticking to tuna.

 

[Ozwest]

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. There's no shame in that.

From an economic standpoint, would it be akin to investing if non-perishable foods are stocked up on now? I mean, essentially, if the worst happens, it's a form of currency even more valuable than gold.

Despite that, I still can't get down with Spam or chicken in a can. I'm sticking to tuna.

Whiskey and cigarettes.

I'm well stocked.

 

[amy31416]

Whiskey and cigarettes.

I'm well stocked.

Alcohol, tobacco and ________.

The trinity.

 

[Ozwest]

I am a natural indwelling of three persons.

Pretty good for an atheist.

I do my best...

 

[Ozwest]

Sometimes...

You are the Good - Bad - and the Ugly.