Community! Community! Community!

[1Admin]

Don't forget a LOT of people's rationalization for this whole "community approach" BS is that others will help them when the time comes.

That's a pretty piss poor plan IMO, depending on the good will of others you DON'T KNOW and that HAVE NO REAL TIES TO YOU.

A group prepared ahead of time, that have been working together for years, that maintain ties amongst themselves is much different than the new ad hoc idea "I'll ban together with people I don't know in my subdivision"

Those people had better be on the same level OR VERY CLOSE to the same level that you are on. They are NOT going to continue to labor, help guard you, while you have more than they do.

The wanna be "heroes of the subdivision" better be ready to hand out six months of food to everyone in their neighborhood when the time comes. Then and only then will the worldly yuppies be anywhere near the same level of you and have a REASON to stay put, defend what they have, etc.

[JUSTIFIED]

Would you have stopped? Naked man eating another man's face... There's really only one outcome to that and that's what happened. However in today's world it's a crapshoot as to whether a member of the unwashed masses will be vilified or given a heroes welcome for involving themselves in a situation like this. It's a shame society has gotten to a place where doing the right thing carries the risk of judgement from others that weren't there.

Well, if I thought the camera couldn't zoom in on my face I'd have stopped, brained the face eating zombie then pedaled on down the road! LOL

[jimmycthemd]

Posted by 1Admin

Don't forget a LOT of people's rationalization for this whole "community approach" BS is that others will help them when the time comes.

That's a pretty piss poor plan IMO, depending on the good will of others you DON'T KNOW and that HAVE NO REAL TIES TO YOU.

I totally agree with this. If some kind of ad-hoc banding does occur, it's a matter of being extremely lucky. Its definitely NOT something to depend upon. If that banding does occur and hopes to hold together, there has to be MUTUAL ASSISTANCE!! Will this happen in my case? Most likely not. Right now, I'm planning on being on my own to protect my loved ones because I haven't yet met anyone who is like minded. If/when that happens, the story may change. Until then, I'm planning on being on my own. Lone wolf isn't the ideal situation but I'd rather be alone than with people I don't trust. When I'm a little farther along in my preps (when I feel that I have something substantial to offer), I'll start looking to form or join a group.

[jimmycthemd]

Would you have stopped? Naked man eating another man's face... There's really only one outcome to that and that's what happened. However in today's world it's a crapshoot as to whether a member of the unwashed masses will be vilified or given a heroes welcome for involving themselves in a situation like this. It's a shame society has gotten to a place where doing the right thing carries the risk of judgement from others that weren't there.

If I thought I had a reasonably good chance at successfully stoping the event, I would intervene. It's the Christian thing to do. The truly Christian thing to do would be to stop whether you think you have a chance or not, but I'm not going to go so far as to say that I'm that accomplished a Christian. I just don't know in that case. If we stop helping our fellow man because of the possible ramifications then what makes us any better than the rest of the sheeple? It's the old quote "For evil to prevail all it takes is for good men to remain silent and do nothing" or something like that.

Yes, it's prudent and common sense to prepare for your family and friends. What truly makes a society great is how they treat a stranger. Can you spell Good Sumaritan?

[xdpatriot]

It is sad that we've gotten where we are. But judged or not, doing the right thing is still doing the right thing. In my opinion, when we start giving up what we know is right because we're scared of the consiquences, we've already lost a part of us that we probly won't ever get back. Yes, I would have stopped. I think it would have been the right thing to do. I know if some joker blind sided me I'd hope someone would keep him from chewing on me.

[Lowdown3]

Course the difference between a real survival group and some ad hoc "let's defend the subdivision" non sense is:

In the survival group most (close to all) will be prepared. All might not be on the same level. Joe might be new to this and only have six months of food, others that have been doing it longer may have a couple years worth. But they will ALL have something to defend. They will have all worked together ahead of time. No this is not the new "prepper" idea of meeting twice and just TALKING about TSHTF over BBQ. This means actually training together, putting up food together, working together, families interacting together, etc.

Get a clean white sheet of typing paper and put one spot from a black magic marker in the center of the page. Stands out don't it? That's how someone prepared ahead of time is going to stand out amongst people that are not. Your only choice in that matter is to bring ALL of them up to your level AND convince them that YOUR survival is important to THEIR survival. That's the only way an ad hoc type arrangement will work.

If (in their eyes) you have everything (food, shelter, meds, weapons) and don't share it all with them, then your evil, corrupt, in general a bad guy. No amount of sermons on how they should have done this and that, shouldn't have bought the huge Mommy Bus SUV and $300K chipboard McMansion, should have prepped, etc. is going to phase them then. You had better have REAL tangible items to put in their hands if you want their help. That means "here is six months food for everyone in the community." You can't be selective, you can't give it just to your favorites, it's EVERYONE or no one. That's how socialism works and that's what you have there.

"Oh but I'll hide my stuff, play the gray man and all"

Yeah right. "Hey Ted, why is Bill Smith's family not losing weight or looking sickly like ours is?" "I don't know Frank, he gets really nervous when I ask him about food also. Let's sneak around and see what we can figure out."

And don't kid yourself people, most of us are TERRIBLE LIARS AND EQUALLY TERRIBLE AT HIDING THINGS.

So, all the wanna be "heroes of the subdivision" had better first and foremost think of the others, you know, the people in their fantasies that they think will thank you, worship them, etc. for "defending them" (usually this fantasy comes from people with little or no training, no real concept of the fight, no backup, etc.). That means if they want followers (and that's really what that fantasy revolves around), they had better be able to FEED THEIR FOLLOWERS.


The difference between that fantasy and the reality of a prepared ahead of time group is that everyone knows each other more in a group setting. Everyone understands that survival = WORK and without work no one is going to make it long term. Everyone is prepared to an extent. And it's much easier to share ammo, some food, whatever with someone you both know, care about and can see a benefit from. If I loan Bill an extra set of body armor when he goes on patrol the benefit to me is that Bill might live through the GSW and him being alive and not dead, adds more security to the group, lessens the work load for everyone else, etc. Does that make sense?

[jimmycthemd]

Course the difference between a real survival group and some ad hoc "let's defend the subdivision" non sense is:

Does that make sense?

cut out most for brevity.

It makes perfect sense. I'm just not there yet. I just started a couple of months ago and it takes time to find like-minded people. I'm still working on the very basics. I'll get there, but just not today LOL. I'm not planning the 'Lone Wolf' for long and am working on a plan to escape the subdivision if it comes to that. Just haven't completed it yet. For something like that, you have to develop a plan, practice the plan, refine the plan and repeat as often as you can. I'm still developing the plan.

[JUSTIFIED]

I totally agree with this. If some kind of ad-hoc banding does occur, it's a matter of being extremely lucky. Its definitely NOT something to depend upon. If that banding does occur and hopes to hold together, there has to be MUTUAL ASSISTANCE!! Will this happen in my case? Most likely not. Right now, I'm planning on being on my own to protect my loved ones because I haven't yet met anyone who is like minded. If/when that happens, the story may change. Until then, I'm planning on being on my own. Lone wolf isn't the ideal situation but I'd rather be alone than with people I don't trust. When I'm a little farther along in my preps (when I feel that I have something substantial to offer), I'll start looking to form or join a group.

Same with us Jimmy. We're not social animals and we're slow to begin trusting other folks. When the SHTF it will be even harder to find trustworthy folks as most will be in desparation mode and willing to do anything to get what they want.

[JUSTIFIED]

[QUOTE=Lowdown3;40876]

Get a clean white sheet of typing paper and put one spot from a black magic marker in the center of the page. Stands out don't it? That's how someone prepared ahead of time is going to stand out amongst people that are not. Your only choice in that matter is to bring ALL of them up to your level AND convince them that YOUR survival is important to THEIR survival. That's the only way an ad hoc type arrangement will work.

If (in their eyes) you have everything (food, shelter, meds, weapons) and don't share it all with them, then your evil, corrupt, in general a bad guy. No amount of sermons on how they should have done this and that, shouldn't have bought the huge Mommy Bus SUV and $300K chipboard McMansion, should have prepped, etc. is going to phase them then. You had better have REAL tangible items to put in their hands if you want their help. That means "here is six months food for everyone in the community." You can't be selective, you can't give it just to your favorites, it's EVERYONE or no one. That's how socialism works and that's what you have there.

"Oh but I'll hide my stuff, play the gray man and all"

Yeah right. "Hey Ted, why is Bill Smith's family not losing weight or looking sickly like ours is?" "I don't know Frank, he gets really nervous when I ask him about food also. Let's sneak around and see what we can figure out."
QUOTE]
Lowdown, that's what's nice about having a place that is isolated(ideally an acreage), provides all your needs and if you didn't have to leave for anything that would be ideal. That's what we are looking for. Unlimited water, food(gardens etc...), off grid power source, several years of food and non-food stock, etc....We have one family member that would be welcome. He offers great help in security and strength as he is half our age.

[WiseOwl]

Great Points guys.

In my situation, if the crap was to go down tomorrow. My family is own its own. Me, the wife, the 4 year old, the 1 year old. I dont have a group. We have some friends that are "semi" like minded but you can only bash peoples heads with ideas to an extent. No one that we know is preparing like we are. Well, at least at the pace we are. And hey, we may go 2 weeks without buying things just because 1 income dictates that.

I am like most of you guys, I dont lend out the trust arm very easily. Even though I am a very easy going and talkable/likable guy, I dont give up OPSEC very easily. I may BS you to death before I reveal.

One idea that I would like to throw out is for us GA and N FL folks is to have a get together. A good campout were we can learn from each other. Learn from the vets. Share ideas and lessons. You never know what type of relationships you could gain from these type of things. I haven't met one person from this board and dont know if I would fit into their plans or if would hinder. And vice versa.

One good thing about these type of things, (and even cookouts with my buddies now) is you get to learn and talk and teach.


As for my community now...............we are own our own. Lots of monthly check getters here and I see that at the store. You gotta have faith and pray that everything stays the same until the situation changes for the better.

To be honest, I have about 15-20 folks that I know that would be valuable. Half of them live in mcmansions and have toys and dont care. Their skills are what I would want. But their lifestyles and outlooks, are not.

My brother is moving north towards the "hills" and would have the ideal BOL for us if we were able. Thats my only backup option.

Being a Lone Wolf or Grey with 2 kids is no bueno. You know this sounds harsh but what did people do wtih their kids during the Holocaust or Civil War or whatever situations like that when they had to hide with kids, kill em or duct tape em or what? I have always wondered that. My kids are rambunctious and will not be quiet for the world

[jimmycthemd]

Great Points guys.

One idea that I would like to throw out is for us GA and N FL folks is to have a get together. A good campout were we can learn from each other. Learn from the vets. Share ideas and lessons. You never know what type of relationships you could gain from these type of things. I haven't met one person from this board and dont know if I would fit into their plans or if would hinder. And vice versa.

One good thing about these type of things, (and even cookouts with my buddies now) is you get to learn and talk and teach.

That sounds like a good idea. It'd be good to be able to talk to some like-minded people for moral support if nothing else. We might even learn some things and put some faces to the posts.

[WiseOwl]

Yall dont have to see me in person to know what I look like :P

This is what I look like

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/ridiculously-photogenic-guy-picture-10k-race-goes-viral-143529070.html

Just ridiculously photogenic!



LOL


Yes, meet and greet in GA would be swell!

[Grantmeliberty]

WiseOwl, you make an important point regarding your children. IIRC, Native American children were trained from birth to be quiet. As important as this is, it could be something to be training your own children in this manner with rewards for keeping silent for longer and longer periods. The serious threat to their safety would be hard to communicate without scaring them, but I believe that by bringing Jesus into the equation it should be possible. In that we have a distinct advantage over the Native Americans tribes. At least for the 4 year old, doing something because Jesus would want them to could work, and it is not a lie. With the 1 year old, a breastfeeding mother can pretty well pacify her child quickly. Mine were still getting comfort when hurt when they were 3 or older, and the peace in the family which results is wonderful.
I also believe that YAH will guide us into relationships which He chooses and which will strengthen the Body of Christ. I was giving away survival dvd's and met someone who connected me with a like-minded group in my area. Our group includes trainers of EMTs who have given us very valuable training. We each have strengths to share with one another and we will certainly be mutually supportive in a SHTF situation.
I have recently been reading a very interesting book DEEP SURVIVAL Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why by Laurence Gonzales. One of the points made is that it is extremely beneficial to have a mindset which connects to others and importantly, maintains a positive attitude. A common thread among survivors is prayer, which of course connects us to the source of everything positive. Giving up will kill very quickly, while tenacity will endure past expectations. The author's father was a B17 pilot shot down over Germany during WWII, and he survived dropping out of the sky from 27,000 feet while still in his plane, while 9 others died. He was totally broken up, but survived to become a professor of medicine and led a full life. Interestingly, on the ground a German farmer came up to him and tried to shoot him with a pistol which misfired. His angels were working overtime.

[JUSTIFIED]

Great Points guys.

In my situation, if the crap was to go down tomorrow. My family is own its own. Me, the wife, the 4 year old, the 1 year old. I dont have a group. We have some friends that are "semi" like minded but you can only bash peoples heads with ideas to an extent. No one that we know is preparing like we are. Well, at least at the pace we are. And hey, we may go 2 weeks without buying things just because 1 income dictates that.

I am like most of you guys, I dont lend out the trust arm very easily. Even though I am a very easy going and talkable/likable guy, I dont give up OPSEC very easily. I may BS you to death before I reveal.

One idea that I would like to throw out is for us GA and N FL folks is to have a get together. A good campout were we can learn from each other. Learn from the vets. Share ideas and lessons. You never know what type of relationships you could gain from these type of things. I haven't met one person from this board and dont know if I would fit into their plans or if would hinder. And vice versa.

One good thing about these type of things, (and even cookouts with my buddies now) is you get to learn and talk and teach.


As for my community now...............we are own our own. Lots of monthly check getters here and I see that at the store. You gotta have faith and pray that everything stays the same until the situation changes for the better.

To be honest, I have about 15-20 folks that I know that would be valuable. Half of them live in mcmansions and have toys and dont care. Their skills are what I would want. But their lifestyles and outlooks, are not.

My brother is moving north towards the "hills" and would have the ideal BOL for us if we were able. Thats my only backup option.

Being a Lone Wolf or Grey with 2 kids is no bueno. You know this sounds harsh but what did people do wtih their kids during the Holocaust or Civil War or whatever situations like that when they had to hide with kids, kill em or duct tape em or what? I have always wondered that. My kids are rambunctious and will not be quiet for the world

Wiseowl, I imagine starvation was the main culprit for children in both the Civil and WWII. In WWII there were some Jewish doctors that secretly performed abortions for the women who became pregnant while in the death camps. Being pregnant they risked being sent to the gas chambers. The sad thing is that many of them were raped by the Germans and these were their children.

[JUSTIFIED]

WiseOwl, you make an important point regarding your children. IIRC, Native American children were trained from birth to be quiet. As important as this is, it could be something to be training your own children in this manner with rewards for keeping silent for longer and longer periods. The serious threat to their safety would be hard to communicate without scaring them, but I believe that by bringing Jesus into the equation it should be possible. In that we have a distinct advantage over the Native Americans tribes. At least for the 4 year old, doing something because Jesus would want them to could work, and it is not a lie. With the 1 year old, a breastfeeding mother can pretty well pacify her child quickly. Mine were still getting comfort when hurt when they were 3 or older, and the peace in the family which results is wonderful.
I also believe that YAH will guide us into relationships which He chooses and which will strengthen the Body of Christ. I was giving away survival dvd's and met someone who connected me with a like-minded group in my area. Our group includes trainers of EMTs who have given us very valuable training. We each have strengths to share with one another and we will certainly be mutually supportive in a SHTF situation.
I have recently been reading a very interesting book DEEP SURVIVAL Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why by Laurence Gonzales. One of the points made is that it is extremely beneficial to have a mindset which connects to others and importantly, maintains a positive attitude. A common thread among survivors is prayer, which of course connects us to the source of everything positive. Giving up will kill very quickly, while tenacity will endure past expectations. The author's father was a B17 pilot shot down over Germany during WWII, and he survived dropping out of the sky from 27,000 feet while still in his plane, while 9 others died. He was totally broken up, but survived to become a professor of medicine and led a full life. Interestingly, on the ground a German farmer came up to him and tried to shoot him with a pistol which misfired. His angels were working overtime.

I like what you said Grant me Liberty. Training children in a responsible way doesn't seem to be the norm these days. I think a lot of that has to do with misguided priorities. I was raised, "God, Family, Work"...in that order.