Dr. William Stockton celebrates yet another birthday surrounded by family and friends in the midst of a grand suburban paradise. The party is warm, and the evening is filled with joy and merriment. These people singing his praises, laughing and imbibing generous amounts of spirits, are neighbors he’s known for over 20 years. He understands them well, or at least, he thinks he does…
The good doctor, as his neighbors often point out with a jabbing chuckle, is a prepper; a brand of survivalist who participates in the day to day routine of mundane American life while using his spare time to safeguard against unforeseen disaster. His friends view this behavior as an amusing curiosity, an eccentric hobby, but none take it nearly as seriously as William does. It’s not that he is paranoid; far from it. In fact, William Stockton is a professional, a man of sense, and a man of family. He merely lives in an era of great potential danger, where nuclear war and societal collapse are anything but fantasy. Stockton takes these issues into account as an individual, and acts according to the severity of his environment. Much more than his neighbors, he represents legitimate rationality.
Unfortunately for the doctor, and for those who live around him, the days of wine and frosted cake are about to abruptly end as a Civil Defense emergency bulletin blares over the wire. The reality that today’s comforts could disappear in the blink of an eye sets into the minds of the frightened listeners. And soon, we begin to witness the TRUE character of those William once held dear.
This scenario might sound like a familiar consideration to many of us, but for now it remains the stuff of nighttime TV. So begins a rather prophetic and ingenious episode of The Twilight Zone entitled “The Shelter”…
The fascinating thing about “The Shelter” is that it is one of the few short stories showcased in The Twilight Zone (a science fiction program) which hasn’t a single element of science fiction within it. “The Shelter” is terrifying exactly because it is NOT a product of wild imagination, but a representation of social fact that cuts to the calcium rich bone of our culture, even 50 years after it aired on television.
The cold hard truth is, much of our country is completely unprepared for a crisis of any considerable proportion. While the 1950’s and 1960’s held the specter of immediate full scale nuclear war, and thus a highly persuasive incentive for preparedness, the new millennium has hardly been anything to sneeze at. Economic collapse is just as destructive to a nation as an atomic bomb, if not more so. The likelihood of social unrest and the long term implosion of our financial system is greater today than it has been in any other era of American history. So much so that even our currency may evaporate along with our standard of living. Those who prep today are acting in as much a logical fashion as those who built shelters during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The knee jerk conclusion here by skeptics of the prepper lifestyle will be that the bunker owning citizens of the “red scare” days wasted their time. That obviously, there was no nuclear holocaust, and all their careful planning was for naught. Or why not bring up the media generated hysteria of Y2K, which played on the public’s utter lack of general knowledge concerning computers and U.S. infrastructure to inspire a widespread prepping panic? Did that farce not prove the absurdity of the survivalist mentality?
The answer is no, not really…
The eventuality of collapse is not the issue. Though America today has zero room to maneuver as far as inflationary printing and debt based spending are concerned, and economic instability is inevitable according to the fundamentals regardless of any practical or impractical political measures that could be introduced, the crisis is not our focus. Our focus is, and always has been, independence and self reliance regardless of the circumstances. Through national prosperity, or national pain, the key to survival is to never make assumptions. To never count on your environment to remain hospitable. To keep catastrophe in mind, even if others around you do not.
One vital aspect of survival that often goes unaccounted for by even the most astute preppers, however, is the issue of community. When the last vestiges of normal society crumble, will you be surrounded by friends, or foes? The difference is not always apparent, as Rod Serling noted in the brilliant episode of the Twilight Zone above. The question then arises; how do we know who to work with, who to trust, and when to keep our mouths shut? When the going gets brutal, who will have the guts to stand firm, who will run, and who will stab us right in the back if they get the chance?
Being a prepper for some years myself, and working with a myriad of character types, I have found that certain personality signals and quirks should be addressed in those who live around you, or those you plan to associate with. Certain kinds of people can be pure poison for any survivalist or any organization striving for practical solutions to collapse. Look at your neighbors and your associates carefully and with some objectivity. Do they fit any of the below profiles a little too well…?
The Lemming
This person lives life to the fullest, which by their definition essentially means working 9 to 5 in a job they despise with co-employees they hate, going home to watch reruns of The Apprentice while drinking away the pain of inadequacy, and bathing in the warm oily coconut butter glow of mainstream news before sinking into their soft feather bed of political ineptitude and dreaming sensible dreams of cult-like consumerist mayhem.
This kind of neighbor will likely freak at even the most non-invasive philosophies. Mention of voting for third party candidates (or Ron Paul) draws googly eyed expressions of disbelief, as if you just broke wind at their dinner table. Conversations of possible economic collapse inspire in them reactions of either complete dismissal along with skeptical cackling, or shrugged shoulders and passive solutions. They buy into anyone who happens to be in a position of petty authority, and would jump into a septic tank filled with rusty nails if someone in an expensive suit or a white coat told them to.
In a post collapse situation, this person will immediately look around for the first truck he can find filled with FEMA goodies. If he finds no government handouts are coming and that he is on his own, he will transform from a lackadaisical and humorously obscure human being into a rabid ax wielding (yet still humorously obscure) murdering food stealing two legged weasel. You do NOT want this person knowing who you are and living within 100 miles of you during a time of instability. They WILL show up at your doorstep…
Commonly spoken phrases include:
“I just want to have fun and not worry about stuff like that…”
“If we stay positive, it will all blow over…”
“That could NEVER happen in this country…”
The Rambo-Lite
A real badass…in his own mind. Unfortunately, not all activists make good neighbors for the well grounded prepper. This “survivalist” is all talk and no action. All bark and no bite. His training methods consist solely of You Tube videos, shopping expeditions to Cabelas, and a trip to the shooting range once every three months. He talks a good game, and may lure you into a cooperative agreement by regaling you with his ability to memorize information from Gun Digest, but when the full fury of a financial firestorm is unleashed, he will let you down in the worst way.
Rambo-Lite is like most men, in that he seeks opportunities to prove himself, and to one day, he hopes, be looked upon as a kind of hero. There is nothing wrong with this. However, being usually overweight or out of shape, our little friend is too lazy to pursue the skills necessary to fulfill such a destiny. On top of this, he often has extremely overblown delusions of grandeur, and feels no need to heighten his knowledge. Why train when you already know everything? He is the kind of prepper that makes real preppers look bad.
Rambo-Lite has all kinds of gear, all kinds of advice, but will whine through the night during a cold winter march, never stay on task, never listen to the sage wisdom of those more experienced, and run at the first sign of substantial danger. Ultimately, he is an obstacle, not a comrade. When looking for neighbors who will provide mutual support in hard times, look elsewhere…
Commonly spoken phrases include:
“I don’t care about any of that! I just want to shoot blue helmets!”
“All I need is my hunting rifle and my bowie knife…”
“I don’t need to store food. I’ll just take other people’s…”
“I used to be a navy-seal-air-force-ranger-marine-scout-sniper-jiu-jitsu-master…”
The Cynic On Steroids
As if things aren’t bad enough, some people have to make them worse by constantly pointing out how unavoidably “doomed” we all are, and that the act of survival is in itself a waste of energy. This neighbor is quite aware of the scale of the dangers we face down the road as a culture, but instead of taking proactive measures to prepare and to help others around him, he does nothing, and revels in the thought of widespread destruction. The warped dynamic of the modern American lifestyle has not been kind to this person. Of course, it has not been kind to most of us. Our Cynic reverts to a childish methodology of nihilism because he believes he has somehow been dealt a worse hand than anyone else, and the only thing that will satisfy him would be a hailstorm of napalm across the face of the planet.
Rarely leaves his home to organize with other activists, but when he does, the urge for most people to sink a fist into his scowling face is almost irresistible.
As excited as this guy is to see the world burn, he is actually very afraid of dying. Strangely, like most eugenicists, or members of PETA, in his darkest fantasies, he imagines a future in which nearly everyone meets a horrible gurgling end except himself. Unscathed by the genocide, he skips along his merry way in lush fields of dandelions and bunnies to meet the celebrity woman of his dreams (or any woman who will feel forced to settle because there are so few men left alive).
It goes without saying, this neighbor is not going to be of much service to anyone. Confronted with very real doom (namely his own), and realizing that his dreamworld musings of a day when he will have the Earth to himself are not going to come true, he will blame the closest and most successful preppers around him for his misfortunes. He won’t ask for food, and he won’t try to take it by force either. Instead, he’ll turn you in to the authorities (if there are any left), or, he’ll attempt to snatch away what he can from those people weaker than him (if there are any left).
Commonly spoken phrases include:
“We’re all going to die anyway…”
“They have tanks and predator drones! You’ll be wiped off the map!”
“No woman is smart enough to understand me…”
The Snoop
Ah yes, my favorite! Every neighborhood in America has one of these dastardly specimens. Every apartment building, every city block, every gated community. The Snoop is like the Lemming in that they almost pride themselves on their unwillingness to listen to reason or consider facts, but the Snoop takes this one step further. Not only will you find them sneering at those of us who express independent or anti-establishment views, but they will also go out of their way to bring trigger happy SWAT teams to our doorsteps. These are the people who actually call Janet Napolitano’s “See Something, Say Something” hotline thinking they are good samaritans.
The Snoop has been the mainstay of every tyrannical government of the last century, from Mussolini’s Italy, to Franco’s Spain, Hitler’s Germany, Stalin’s Russia, Mao’s China, Pol Pot’s Cambodia, etc. Today, the Snoop is being tapped by the DHS and the Obama Administration as a resource once again within the borders of America itself.
Snoops fancy themselves amateur detectives. They will ask odd probing questions that seem out of place in regular conversation. They will form superficial friendships that feel even more fake than many neighborhood relations tend to. Disapproval of your politics will be met not with arguments, but with silence, and increasing distance. Snoops reveal themselves through their addiction to gossip. Eventually, you will discover from other neighbors that they slander you constantly behind your back.
Under normal circumstances, this is something to be laughed at and ignored. But, post collapse, it is something to be very concerned about. Snoops aren’t looking for advantage, like the Cynic. They are looking for vindication, and approval. They desperately want to be a part of a collective, and revile anyone who displays outward individualism. If turning you in, or organizing others against you, will bring them a pat on the head, they will do it.
The Snoop is a coward, and will never confront you directly. But, he or she will try to use the force of the state or the community against you if you offend their twisted world view.
Commonly spoken phrases include:
“We really need to keep our eyes open for terrorists…”
“I hear the terrorists are using white people at bus stations now…”
“Liberty Movement? Isn’t that one of those homegrown terrorist groups?”
The Idle Enthusiast
Some people are absolutely gung-ho about supporting activist projects or organizing for mutual aid, until the situation requires patience and effort. Then, they disappear from the scene, never to be heard from again. Most movements, especially grassroots movements, are rife with this behavior. Everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon after its moving at full speed; they don’t want to have to push it uphill. The same goes for prepping...
Getting the Idle Enthusiast excited about the prospect of community growth and survival training is not difficult. Getting him to show up to provide needed assistance is another matter. Without fail, this character will make numerous offers to carry a mission forward, and will fail to follow through on almost every single occasion. After a while, you find yourself astonished when they accomplish ANYTHING, no matter how small the task.
Their prepping list is always half finished, their training is always half finished, and their promises are always half finished. The strain of asking them to apply even the most remedial effort becomes so painful that you’ll begin entertaining thoughts of violent pillow smothering and strangulation.
The Idle Enthusiast is the kind of neighbor who will volunteer for the most arduous projects. At first, they’ll leave you pleasantly surprised, and then, they’ll leave you hanging.
Commonly spoken phrases include:
“Don’t worry bro, I got this…”
“I’ll have that done in no time…”
“Oh man, I totally got sidetracked…”
The smart prepper understands well that going it alone is not an option, at least not for the long term. Thus, we are required to build relationships with those who live near us. If we cannot find enough like-minded souls in our immediate vicinity, then we must relocate to a place where this process is more viable (at least, if we want to survive). Staying put, wrapped in a web of tract homes or city dwellings filled with dangerously unaware and unprepared people is not an intelligent post collapse strategy. Retreat planning without proper group support and indigenous support is not only a logistical nightmare but a surefire avenue to discomfort of the terminal variety.
Think carefully about the kinds of people you want to have around you in the wake of disaster, and the community you plan to participate in after the smoke has cleared. The decisions you make now may be the kind you are stuck with for quite some time through events that will test your endurance and your very spirit. The more friendships we forge today with those who are prepared not just in supply, but in mind, the safer we will all be tomorrow. The company we keep in the days ahead is not a factor to be taken lightly…
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written by Hognutz , November 03, 2011
I believe I know one of each, more Lemings that any other though...
written by a , November 03, 2011
Sadly, the shotgun will sing the song...
written by Montana Guy , November 03, 2011
Brandon, Thanks for visiting us a Liberty Fellowship. This article is excellent. I watched 'The Shelter' a year ago. It is as pertinent today as when it was created. BTW, I found 'The Shelter' at Netflix on 'The Twilight Zone: Vol. 8'
written by Anonymous84 , November 03, 2011
Excellent synopsis and it has everything to do with the company we keep. Great words and character profiles!
written by Ctjoni , November 03, 2011
Excellent piece Brandon. As I write this, my husband and I are into our 5th day without power due to a blizzard in Ct. I am the family prepper and we're warm, fed, and safe. Unfortuanately, my brother-in-law who has lived his whole life in ct. hauled his food over to put in our chest freezer, ran out the door to get free MRE's he doesn't need and is a general head up his *** person despite all my warnings to him. My husband defends him though because he is family. So what does one do when they are blessed with one of these family members?
written by Eledaia , November 03, 2011
Great episode, I would have said "Now everyone get the hell out of my house!" And then I would move.
As far as personality type, I find myself falling too close to the Snoop and the Idle Enthusiast. My husband and a couple of our prepper friends error toward the Cynic. I actually had one of them tell me that he is only prepping so far because he doesn't want to live if things get really bad.
written by Duff Smith , November 03, 2011
I'm the only one of my siblings without a spouse and kids, and so I've been making property improvements for the rest of them that will help if the time comes -- fences in order, varmints controlled, chicken coops built. Next there will be rainwater collection and hydroponic gardening. Has anybody else here ever seen the greenhouse exibit at Epcot or taken the "Behind the Seeds" tour? It was absolutely amazing. It should be the first stop on anybody's list for any trip to Orlando.
written by Justsayingso09 , November 03, 2011
Many of us still live in cities that are filled with a huge entitlement underclass. We're not sure if we fit any of the above categories. We are aware preppers, but we can't afford to relocate to an area of like minded people right now. What will happen when there is an all out collapse and the money stops flowing to this entitlement underclass? While we may be prepared for any possible senario, it will be next to impossible to fend off that huge entitlement underlass who are totally unprepared. Guess we're in jeopardy for the time being...
written by Nick Nailer , November 03, 2011
This is why I am glad that I have no friends. Like my daddy always said, "I'd rather have a million enemies than one friend" You know what your enemies will do.
written by Oathkeeper_Scott , November 03, 2011
Having reading John Wesley, Rawles's fictional book 'Patriots' (about post-economic-apocalypic America) and combining the concepts of people portrayed in that, with Brandon's characters here... when SHTF and reality sets in, some will be awakened, driven, trustworthy, and useful allies. Others will remain passive sheeple: childlike, harmless, charity seekers but vulnerable to being 'bought' and swayed by the agents of tyranny. Balancing generosity with OPSEC will be key. Still others will be aggressive: looters, brigands, the most dangerous being organized into bands. Hunger will drive people to do things we can't fully imagine and predict in our modern world of plenty. When the shelves go empty...
written by your word is your bond , November 04, 2011
For those who have already met unforeseen disasters and events, you thought you knew friends and even family that would be of great benefit and support.
You found only heartbreaking disappointment. The ones who helped most turned out to be strangers or someone you never would have expected.
When looking for partners in peril, one must develop what is called "the third eye" or heightened intuition. Only then can you truly know who is trustworthy with your life and that of your family. Be seen as harmless as a dove but also be wise as a serpent. Similar people will also recognize you for what you are. You cannot fool them.
written by Jim Hudar , November 06, 2011
One thing I've learned is that prepping is a lifetime gig. Not something you can accomplish with a few hurried trips to Sam's Club or Cabellas. I've been preparing for 12 years now...and I'm still not what I would consider 'Ready'. There's always more to do...and to buy...and to learn. And so little time or cash or energy to do it with. And yet with a mindset toward preparation...taking small baby steps seems to pay off. Keep it simple. Cover the basics first. Food, water, shelter, security, sanitation. Think through how you might react to scenarios that might present themselves. In the case of unprepared neighbors banging on your door? You have a choice...hand them a small bag of rice and beans, or rack a shotgun in their face. Or maybe both...
written by George , November 06, 2011
This article made it onto SHTFPlan.com.
Nice!
Frankly, it was hard for me to deal with because most humans stop thinking under stress whereas I don't.
It makes me think I'd have to shoot my neighbors if they started tearing things down. Very distasteful.
written by Grey , November 06, 2011
Hmmm?
Which are you Brandon? Or is there a sixth type, the judgmental blogger/prepper/activist/know-it-all type that thinks he can size up anyone and everyone with James Bond like accuracy? I especially liked the blanket judgment of overweight people, you know, those third class citizens most people in the "movement" love to hate.
I think it would be more wise to judge people on an individual basis as none of us really know how each other will react in a post-crash world. You may become one of the big five, you never can tell.
written by up in the woods already. , November 06, 2011
being a former infantry paratrooper and a drill sergeant at the infantry school, i already know the winners and losers just by being with them for a few minutes. and by the way, the overwieght folks are definately not the best choice to surround yourself with in a bad situation. most of them only think about filling their gut because 'they're hungry' and they sure as hell couldn't keep up with an actual 'fire and manuever' tactic. good advice for those that are overwieght- lose the fat now or it will be your coffin later. for the rest of you. train train TRAIN.
written by MountainHome , November 06, 2011
Nice article that should be an eye opened for those not preparing for the collapse.
written by facetious , November 06, 2011
a shinanju master
written by kenbo , November 06, 2011
I have a friend, who fortunately does not live nearby. His motto is, "as long as I have neighbors, I'll always have food". He isn't worrying about the situation and is true to his word.
written by DAWK , November 06, 2011
the 'haves' will not hold enough ammo to stop the 'have-nots'. ruthless government will applaud citizens killing each other,regardless of the outcome,one less mouth to feed.
via attrition,time will balance a 'stable' outcome. then re-building will slowly happen,and the survivors will come out of their hole,having slaughtered the unprepared and dumb downed-weak ones.
the strongest always survive,as nature intended.at 71 years, my choice is to go away and die,because death is near,and all those years of good living are reward enough,so nun of this bothers me,old dudes might even survive,but if not,doesn't matter,we are-already on a slippery slope.
written by Brandon Smith , November 06, 2011
@Grey
The five "characters" listed above are not the ONLY types of neighbors in existence. The article is meant to point out those personalities to watch out for when establishing a prepper network or community. There are certainly plenty of good people out there to work with, and we should be actively seeking them out.
As far as reacting in a post collapse world, it is up to the individual to steel his mind to disastrous possibilities. The fact that you believe "no one knows" how they will handle it tells me you do not know how YOU will handle it, which means you haven't put in the time or the effort to mentally prepare yourself for a crisis situation. This is a very dangerous and self destructive path indeed.
Finally, the article covers personality quirks that are prevalent in people who break down during times of extreme physical stress. Overweight people, for instance, are overweight generally because they have refused to pursue a state of physical health (this excludes of course those with gland malfunctions...though that excuse is getting a little old too). That kind of person has already broadcast his true personality to the world, and it is the kind that generally does not live very long in a disaster environment.
This is about SURVIVAL Grey. You had better get used to being a little discriminating. Sorry, that's just how it goes. What I find most interesting is that you seem to be taking the above descriptions rather personally. So I guess the question you should really be asking yourself is....why all the anxiety, and, which one are you...?
written by Patience , November 06, 2011
I remember the bomb scares, school air raid drills, and bomb shelters. I live between NYC and Philly. If bombs are lobbed at each city, I hope they both miss and land directly on me. Although there are government bomb shelters for the elites, our county included, I do not think that will be the main concern for us. It would be the collapse of the infrastructure.
The most current two models that we have for this type of thing is Argentina and Zimbabwe. Lawlessness, either as "the predatory class," or those who promote the violence from a political power. The deterioration or lack of a sound infrastructure doesn't help, either. Either way, it isn't pretty or easy.
While it is true that a group of people watching each others back is a good thing, it certainly isn't human nature, even when everyone is on the same page.
We prep the best we can, both with physical goods and a large skill base. In the end, however, the best preparation is faith and accepting salvation in Jesus.
You may choose to differ on this. That is your right.
written by Joeds , November 06, 2011
You forgot the worst one of all, the sociopath. They trash communities.
written by jeff wiest , November 06, 2011
Im lucky to live in the outskirts of a rural town, I raise goats, chickens, pigs and take good care of the quail, I learned how over a period of years to produce wholsome soil for an oversized garden, and if necessary to feed my livestalk without a trip to the feed store. It's not easy and not fast, i saw what was comming 5 years ago and started then to prepare. Im doing all this on less then an acre. Most of the people i know are raising animals and learning how to survive, but a few are the mini rambo types, 20 guns and hundreds of pounds of ammo, but not much else. My advise is START NOW cause things aint gonna get better.
written by thewind , November 06, 2011
It is hard to find anyone, I thought I would be able to find some backup, but I now see it is only me and my family.....and this is when things are good.......can you imagine when it is bad!
There is only so much you can do to prepare for what is coming, faith is the most important.......always remember to do unto others as you would have them do to you.....having extra food and water for those who simply couldn't see it is good, you will be rewarded for taking care.
On the other hand, being in shape and able to move long distances on foot will be worth more than gold......
Personally a tipi is the final tool.......the end game and final stand.
written by BelieverInTheTruth(Jesus Christ/John 14:6) , November 06, 2011
"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I (Jesus Christ) will also KEEP YOU FROM the hour of trial (tribulation) which shall come (suddenly) upon the whole world, to test those who dwell ON THE EARTH." Revelation 3:10
"A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked." Psalm 91:7,8
"Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men are snared in an evil time; When it falls SUDDENLY upon them." Ecclesiastes 9:12
"Pray always that you might be counted worthy to ESCAPE ALL these things that are coming to pass and to stand before the Son of God." Luke 21:36
"I am the way, the Truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me." John 14:6
written by Zellie , November 06, 2011
This was a VERY good article, something I have thought about a lot....who will help, who will hinder, who will squeal....coming from a large family (9 siblings) not one is on board...a few are at least aware of the situation in this country, but they talk, they don't walk....1 other is very aware, but blocked...thinks my plans are silly, futile, and cause for amusement...yes, it is true IF the bomb lands on your house or in your town, your best laid plans might conclude then, however, you just might need a back up plan...that's part of it, too....what is that? All of them might need a back up plan, what is it? Something to think about...the point is....YOU might survive...and then what? No time for recriminations then; just time for 'action.'
written by lance henriksen , November 07, 2011
Great work Brandon,the "us or them" concept .. will go out the
window when we are surrounded by like minds...A marine in new York,stopped a cop from beating a protester by
yelling at him"there is no honer in beating an american"..
getting ready for the outcome of the behavior
of our misled government....gives me hope ..the tyrants
are going to be very alone,counting their fiat loot.....
written by Starrmaiden , November 10, 2011
I may be old, infirm, and yes, a bit overweight, but I've been trying (with little result) to Wake Up the others, stocking in food, water, water purification tablets, seeds, hand tools (remember those?) warm clothing & blankets, quilts plus some of those silver, paperthin warming 'blankets' that I hope actually DO what they say, and everything else I can think of that might be useful. My knowledge, wisdom (yes, it exists), pure common sense, a very wide range of experiences gleaned over a lifetime and maybe even a little smidge of "knowingness" (psychic? doubtful but who knows..) might just make me worth keeping around! People my age know how to make things and how to make DO and find a 'work around' when you can't just go to the store and buy something, can 'read' the weather and signs in nature, and size up a person by looking in his eyes. Don't forget to save the old folks.... their addition might just be what keeps your Community alive.
written by igorthetiny , November 13, 2011
"Janet Napolitano’s “See Something, Say Something” hotline"
Actually, perhaps everyone should call this every day, multiple times. See an armed cop - it's a suspicious man with a gun in the donut shop. Or, suspiicious cameras filming you and stealing your identity at the atm.
get them running in circles. best way to crash the wagon is to help push it downhill
written by TPaine , November 14, 2011
I'm 65 years old and not in the best physical shape, though I'm not over-weight or sickly. But I have a firm belief in God, and that He is in control. I am also very well-equipped and well-skilled to defend myself and my family. I am not a one-man army, nor am I Rambo, nor anything close to a Marine/Ranger/Green Beret commando.
I am a quiet, well-adjusted WASP who will do whatever is necessary to survive whatever may come along. And if I fail, it will not be because I have tucked by head between my legs and kissed my ass goodbye. I have provisions, I have ammunition, and I get along well with my neighbors. When/if the SHTF, let the chips fall where they may. I know I have another home waiting for me, and I look forward to the reunion.
written by shooterthom , November 14, 2011
In December 1999, on two different evenings I had two acquaintences come to my home and want me to loan (give) them a gun and ammo so they could be prepared for the end of the world as we knew it then. Both knew that at one time I hunted and figured I could arm them. Living in the Kingdom of Mayor Daley (Illinois), the law said you had to have a State Police issued Firearms Owners ID card to posess a gun. It was typically taking 45 to 60 days wait to get one at that time and then you had to go through the prescribed wait time for the purchase and obtaining the gun. Earlier both had been had expressed "anti-gun sentiments" - I went to the same church as one of them and had not infrequently had some verbal comments directed at me about guns.
My reply to both was essentially the same. State law forbid them from posessing a gun or ammo and that I was not going to go to jail for supplying them with one, especially since both were untrained in handling of firearms and could accidentlly shoot someone. Upon hearing this, both accused me that I would be responsible for the terrible things that would happen to their families and them as our world collapsed around us. I again told them "no". Both walked away cursing me and sobbing that they were going to die and it was my fault.
Needless to say, the sun came up January 1, 2000, the water ran, the electricity and phone worked as did the radio and TV. For me, I just felt good that I had not set either of them up for an accident and avoided a police car(s) in front of my house with a SWAT team coming to get me.
Thom
My response
written by Dan III , November 17, 2011
Food for thought.
Shooterthom, you should have looked them right in the eye and said, "No, you're responsible for your family." I know you don't need me to say it, but you did the right thing on every level. Wish you were in South East MA.
Is anybody here from SE MA? I'm pretty lonely, only two guys I can count on, but they're both a one or two days walk away. Most of my neighbors in this upper-middle class 'hood are wonderful, hard-working pleasant folks, but when it comes to it, every morsel of ffod I give them is literally food out of my kids mouth. I understand I may need to buy some good will and loyalty, but when the food runs out, so will all that sunshine and kumbaya feeling.
And I agree w/ Jim Hudar...I'll never be as ready as I want.
As a quick suggestion, get some "Fish-mox" and other antibiotics. Fish-mox is amoxicillin for, you guessed it, fish! You can get teh whole spectrum of antibiotics on-line in the pet department and it's safe for human consumption. People take it all the time when they can't afford the FDA scam,er, approved stuff.
