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Part 36
Jim was addressing the group about the local situation and the news Gibson brought.
"So that's it guys and gals. We are basically between a rock and a hard place. On one hand we can continue like we have been. If one or two in this area know we control those cows, they ALL know. That's how it works in rural areas. Even though we aren't getting any more than what we agreed upon, the thought will enter these folks minds that we are feasting on T bone nightly while they are starving. I don't give it long before some enterprising schemer starts a rumor that WE killed Hansen just to "steal" his cows. People are desperate, that sort of thing will only be a matter of time."
"So we become Unicef then and feed all these people? Is that what you are proposing Jim?" Bill asked.
"No, not quite. But we have to face facts. The fact is that outside of this issue with Gomez which did NOT occur in our front yard, we have been very lucky to have not had any serious problems..." Jim was saying and Steve cut in.
"Gomez wasn't a serious problem?" Steve said laughingly.
"My point was that we dealt with that issue AWAY from here, not on our door steps. We had a fail back plan then. If we had not been able to deal with them, we would have beat feet and still had a safe area to recoup and reorganize in. The folks in question now, that are starving and desperate are proverbially "right around the corner" sort of speak. They aren't 5-10 miles away. Also, they are not hardened criminals that everyone knows are scum. They are folks that have lived in this area for years. They see those fat cows out there in full view and then they look at their starving kids. It's only a matter of time before we have to fight a couple of them over the cows. We can't cover up that. Then some busy body will canvas the area crying about her hubby that we had to shoot was just trying to feed the kids while we were sitting here as Fuedal Lords getting fat while everyone starved. Mark my words, if we do nothing, we WILL have problems in the community. Once these start, it's hard to go back. Also, if we wait till their is a shooting or until it becomes "demands" for a cow or two and then give in, it weakens our position and makes us look impotent. As it stands now, giving a couple of cows would be a gesture of good will and if played right, a good show of force." Jim said.
"You have always said that post event, we couldn't hide forever. I see now why you put so much into cultivating good relations with local LEO's." Steve said.
Jim just nodded.
"But what's to stop these people from looking at us as the local chapter of Unicef after this?" Bill asked.
"That's the big issue in my book. This is the way I see it. Our herd is growing pretty well now- the ones we have here that we got in payment. While I don't suggest we just "give" the remainder of Hansen's herd over to the community, I think we use this opportunity to see who does what, with what they get. Does that make sense? The folks that have some sense will be trying to improve their situations right now. The ones who have made it this far and are still living for the day will show themselves also. It's been a while since things got bad, I have to assume the majority of those types died out already while waiting for someone else to come in and plant a garden for them, spoon feed them, etc. I think our choice is clear that we have to begin to help the local area get back on it's feet. I personally feel it's a little too early on for that, but the situation is being forced on us and if we do nothing I can't see anything good coming from it. If played right, we will be able to spot potential trouble makers ahead of time." Jim said.
"So are we going to start policing the area then?" Lyle asked.
"No. That was the next point I was going to cover. At this particular point in time we are not starting any security type outreach for the community. Now obviously if someone in the community is attacked we will do what we can to help from a distance cause it's in our best interest to fight those types away from the retreat. But at this juncture we are not going to police the community. I don't want to show our whole hand, or even one quarter of it! This is why we are offering the cows instead of some of the grains we have in storage. It doesn't reveal that much about us. Does that make sense?" Jim asked.
Heads shook around the room.
"Soon, we will have a big herd of our own, probably as large as we can possibly care for with the pasture we have. With the people we have lost the Hansen OP's are cutting into our manpower more than ever. Eventually we will have to give it up as the risks will outweigh the rewards in terms of manpower tied up. We may find it's easier to quietly disperse the herd to cut down on the security risk of over watch on a large herd." Jim said.
"Jim, I think we need to look realistically at this and it's time to realize that we can do whatever the hell we want to do with Hansen's herd. I understand what your doing with the public approach to this, but those cattle are a big resource that could make someone very powerful. Before you cut me off, hear me out. If things ever get back to normal a large beef herd like that would be a great undertaking for the group. All of us that left the cities can pretty much count on not having anything to go back to. And after seeing how the cities melted down, I for one don't want to go back. A large cattle venture could help all of us get back on our feet after this." Chad said.
Jim wondered how many had even considered that things might get back to "normal" again. The room quieted down as more than a few rolled the idea over and over in their head.
"That's a good point Chad. We have always looked to the future as a Group but I doubt many of us looked beyond when TSHTF. We would need more pasture, more land in general. However I've been thinking about that problem also. For now, let's concern ourselves with how we are going to handle the dispersal of the first few cows to the community." Jim said.
Jim went and retrieved several map boards and file folders. The map boards consisted of aerial photos of the area the retreat was situated in. Overlaid over the photos were rough sketches showing approximate property lines and numbers designating each property owner. Don Harris's property was closest to the retreat, touching to the South and West borders. It was marked with a circle and the number 2. Chad inquisitively noticed that one of the file folders was marked with a circle and the number 2, so he picked it up.
He flipped through the file folder for a second and said "Wow Jim! You look like a stalker with this stuff!" Chad laughed.
Jim smiled. "Hey bro, you gotta know your neighbors. To most people that means you wave at them when you see them and once a year ask how their sick granny is doing. That means you don't know crap about them! Eventually we would need to know everything about the folks in this area. I tried to compile everything I could without being too snoopy. I'm a good listener and as Steve will tell you, I never forget ANYTHING." Jim laughed.
"Yeah, he ain't kidding. He remembers all the stupid stuff I said as a kid, every stupid thing I did, where it happened, etc. Course I think he made it all up.." Steve said.
Everyone laughed.
Lyle who was also a nephew of Jim's seconded what Steve said.
Each file folder had a copy of the county records (public information) on ownership of each said property along with a copy of any survey done and related public information. Jim had one sometimes more pages of notes on the person or family. From what they drove to how many members of the family lived on the property to notes about their character, reputation in the area, relatives living nearby, any known medical conditions, etc.
Chad noticed a section titled "Resources" in every folder. "Were you planning on looting as a back up plan Jim?"
"You must be looking at the "Resources" section? No, looting wasn't the plan. However, good intelligence is always the way to go. It could be something as simple as a forest fire- knowing who had a bulldozer that might rent it to you might save your bacon.
Most of the Group looked over the information in the file folders and on the map boards.
"I can't make out some of your notes Jim." Lyle said pointing to something in one of the folders.
"Some of this stuff I keep to myself. Suffice to say the stars indicate the possibility of the person/family in becoming a threat to others. I based on this on their reputation in the area, any previous run ins with the police, any illegal activity they were involved in, their general attitude and character and other things including just my general take on them. 2 or more stars are potential hostiles, 4 or more include those with previous history of hostile crimes that I could find out about. Guys and gals, study these files, we are going to see some or most of these people at whatever Gibson sets up for the dispersal of the cows. I hope that people respect him as a Pastor and act right, but honestly I'm not expecting that. Like usual, we will plan for a "worst case" scenario but hope and pray for the best. Trying to get everyone together as a community is a really touchy thing, it's not gonna be easy. Thankfully we are only talking about maybe 50 to 100 people. I can't imagine the numbnuts that were going to try to do this right off the bat in areas with thousands of people. Some of the stories we have heard on the Ham bands of folks trying to be little "subdivision saviors" have turned out really bad for the people who thought they would be regarded as heroes." Jim said.
Jim was addressing the group about the local situation and the news Gibson brought.
"So that's it guys and gals. We are basically between a rock and a hard place. On one hand we can continue like we have been. If one or two in this area know we control those cows, they ALL know. That's how it works in rural areas. Even though we aren't getting any more than what we agreed upon, the thought will enter these folks minds that we are feasting on T bone nightly while they are starving. I don't give it long before some enterprising schemer starts a rumor that WE killed Hansen just to "steal" his cows. People are desperate, that sort of thing will only be a matter of time."
"So we become Unicef then and feed all these people? Is that what you are proposing Jim?" Bill asked.
"No, not quite. But we have to face facts. The fact is that outside of this issue with Gomez which did NOT occur in our front yard, we have been very lucky to have not had any serious problems..." Jim was saying and Steve cut in.
"Gomez wasn't a serious problem?" Steve said laughingly.
"My point was that we dealt with that issue AWAY from here, not on our door steps. We had a fail back plan then. If we had not been able to deal with them, we would have beat feet and still had a safe area to recoup and reorganize in. The folks in question now, that are starving and desperate are proverbially "right around the corner" sort of speak. They aren't 5-10 miles away. Also, they are not hardened criminals that everyone knows are scum. They are folks that have lived in this area for years. They see those fat cows out there in full view and then they look at their starving kids. It's only a matter of time before we have to fight a couple of them over the cows. We can't cover up that. Then some busy body will canvas the area crying about her hubby that we had to shoot was just trying to feed the kids while we were sitting here as Fuedal Lords getting fat while everyone starved. Mark my words, if we do nothing, we WILL have problems in the community. Once these start, it's hard to go back. Also, if we wait till their is a shooting or until it becomes "demands" for a cow or two and then give in, it weakens our position and makes us look impotent. As it stands now, giving a couple of cows would be a gesture of good will and if played right, a good show of force." Jim said.
"You have always said that post event, we couldn't hide forever. I see now why you put so much into cultivating good relations with local LEO's." Steve said.
Jim just nodded.
"But what's to stop these people from looking at us as the local chapter of Unicef after this?" Bill asked.
"That's the big issue in my book. This is the way I see it. Our herd is growing pretty well now- the ones we have here that we got in payment. While I don't suggest we just "give" the remainder of Hansen's herd over to the community, I think we use this opportunity to see who does what, with what they get. Does that make sense? The folks that have some sense will be trying to improve their situations right now. The ones who have made it this far and are still living for the day will show themselves also. It's been a while since things got bad, I have to assume the majority of those types died out already while waiting for someone else to come in and plant a garden for them, spoon feed them, etc. I think our choice is clear that we have to begin to help the local area get back on it's feet. I personally feel it's a little too early on for that, but the situation is being forced on us and if we do nothing I can't see anything good coming from it. If played right, we will be able to spot potential trouble makers ahead of time." Jim said.
"So are we going to start policing the area then?" Lyle asked.
"No. That was the next point I was going to cover. At this particular point in time we are not starting any security type outreach for the community. Now obviously if someone in the community is attacked we will do what we can to help from a distance cause it's in our best interest to fight those types away from the retreat. But at this juncture we are not going to police the community. I don't want to show our whole hand, or even one quarter of it! This is why we are offering the cows instead of some of the grains we have in storage. It doesn't reveal that much about us. Does that make sense?" Jim asked.
Heads shook around the room.
"Soon, we will have a big herd of our own, probably as large as we can possibly care for with the pasture we have. With the people we have lost the Hansen OP's are cutting into our manpower more than ever. Eventually we will have to give it up as the risks will outweigh the rewards in terms of manpower tied up. We may find it's easier to quietly disperse the herd to cut down on the security risk of over watch on a large herd." Jim said.
"Jim, I think we need to look realistically at this and it's time to realize that we can do whatever the hell we want to do with Hansen's herd. I understand what your doing with the public approach to this, but those cattle are a big resource that could make someone very powerful. Before you cut me off, hear me out. If things ever get back to normal a large beef herd like that would be a great undertaking for the group. All of us that left the cities can pretty much count on not having anything to go back to. And after seeing how the cities melted down, I for one don't want to go back. A large cattle venture could help all of us get back on our feet after this." Chad said.
Jim wondered how many had even considered that things might get back to "normal" again. The room quieted down as more than a few rolled the idea over and over in their head.
"That's a good point Chad. We have always looked to the future as a Group but I doubt many of us looked beyond when TSHTF. We would need more pasture, more land in general. However I've been thinking about that problem also. For now, let's concern ourselves with how we are going to handle the dispersal of the first few cows to the community." Jim said.
Jim went and retrieved several map boards and file folders. The map boards consisted of aerial photos of the area the retreat was situated in. Overlaid over the photos were rough sketches showing approximate property lines and numbers designating each property owner. Don Harris's property was closest to the retreat, touching to the South and West borders. It was marked with a circle and the number 2. Chad inquisitively noticed that one of the file folders was marked with a circle and the number 2, so he picked it up.
He flipped through the file folder for a second and said "Wow Jim! You look like a stalker with this stuff!" Chad laughed.
Jim smiled. "Hey bro, you gotta know your neighbors. To most people that means you wave at them when you see them and once a year ask how their sick granny is doing. That means you don't know crap about them! Eventually we would need to know everything about the folks in this area. I tried to compile everything I could without being too snoopy. I'm a good listener and as Steve will tell you, I never forget ANYTHING." Jim laughed.
"Yeah, he ain't kidding. He remembers all the stupid stuff I said as a kid, every stupid thing I did, where it happened, etc. Course I think he made it all up.." Steve said.
Everyone laughed.
Lyle who was also a nephew of Jim's seconded what Steve said.
Each file folder had a copy of the county records (public information) on ownership of each said property along with a copy of any survey done and related public information. Jim had one sometimes more pages of notes on the person or family. From what they drove to how many members of the family lived on the property to notes about their character, reputation in the area, relatives living nearby, any known medical conditions, etc.
Chad noticed a section titled "Resources" in every folder. "Were you planning on looting as a back up plan Jim?"
"You must be looking at the "Resources" section? No, looting wasn't the plan. However, good intelligence is always the way to go. It could be something as simple as a forest fire- knowing who had a bulldozer that might rent it to you might save your bacon.
Most of the Group looked over the information in the file folders and on the map boards.
"I can't make out some of your notes Jim." Lyle said pointing to something in one of the folders.
"Some of this stuff I keep to myself. Suffice to say the stars indicate the possibility of the person/family in becoming a threat to others. I based on this on their reputation in the area, any previous run ins with the police, any illegal activity they were involved in, their general attitude and character and other things including just my general take on them. 2 or more stars are potential hostiles, 4 or more include those with previous history of hostile crimes that I could find out about. Guys and gals, study these files, we are going to see some or most of these people at whatever Gibson sets up for the dispersal of the cows. I hope that people respect him as a Pastor and act right, but honestly I'm not expecting that. Like usual, we will plan for a "worst case" scenario but hope and pray for the best. Trying to get everyone together as a community is a really touchy thing, it's not gonna be easy. Thankfully we are only talking about maybe 50 to 100 people. I can't imagine the numbnuts that were going to try to do this right off the bat in areas with thousands of people. Some of the stories we have heard on the Ham bands of folks trying to be little "subdivision saviors" have turned out really bad for the people who thought they would be regarded as heroes." Jim said.
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