Your thoughts on preparation

[RallySoob]

As mentioned above, building a large community of likeminded people will be crucial to the survival of the good. The bad will inevitably attack the good and without mercy.

also mentioned above we should fight like **** through activism and legislation to avoid this downfall from happening but fact of the matter is that are future lies in the hands of large corporations that do not care about the well being of the masses and our government is in their pocket. No way in **** will the private sector ever come to our rescue and as we all see with the bailout the private sector actually runs the show and they know it, that is why we are seeing bonuses to execs during this time; they simply do not care. I personally believe it is impossible to ever recover from what already is and I think it is time to start preparing for what IS going to happen in our life time.

Also mentioned above about people being satisfied as long as they have their SUV's and gadgets; you are right. It's when their SUVs dont have gas and their gadgets lose their connection that the chaos will begin and it will begin. No other time in human history have the masses been so dependent on such a fragile and complex system that WILL fail. It's scientifically impossible for us to keep on the path we are on, there are not enough resources. One being the need for hard working people to hold up the latter as it gets heavier and heavier. Martial law is coming at one point and chaos to follow. Talk to your loved ones in the Armed forces about family being more important than a corporate ran gov that could possibly turn on their very own loved ones.

"All in service to this country swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic."

 

[Rix]

I'm getting closer to having my bugout room done.
A few more weeks, maybe 2 months tops, and I'll be ready-ish.

 

[hunterdad66]

As mentioned above, building a large community of likeminded people will be crucial to the survival of the good. The bad will inevitably attack the good and without mercy.

also mentioned above we should fight like **** through activism and legislation to avoid this downfall from happening but fact of the matter is that are future lies in the hands of large corporations that do not care about the well being of the masses and our government is in their pocket. No way in **** will the private sector ever come to our rescue and as we all see with the bailout the private sector actually runs the show and they know it, that is why we are seeing bonuses to execs during this time; they simply do not care. I personally believe it is impossible to ever recover from what already is and I think it is time to start preparing for what IS going to happen in our life time.

Also mentioned above about people being satisfied as long as they have their SUV's and gadgets; you are right. It's when their SUVs dont have gas and their gadgets lose their connection that the chaos will begin and it will begin. No other time in human history have the masses been so dependent on such a fragile and complex system that WILL fail. It's scientifically impossible for us to keep on the path we are on, there are not enough resources. One being the need for hard working people to hold up the latter as it gets heavier and heavier. Martial law is coming at one point and chaos to follow. Talk to your loved ones in the Armed forces about family being more important than a corporate ran gov that could possibly turn on their very own loved ones.

"All in service to this country swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic."

Damn well written!!!

 

[Just Jim]

What we try to do is plan for our future while making the present safe for us and our families. Difficult in times like these when our government has gone so corrupt to spend our young peoples future. Being prepared means you are ready for whatever comes. Getting those you love to think the same way is probably the most difficult part of preparations. You have a big ally in the government turning socialist.

Learn to make yourself as self dependant as possible while making others depend on you.

jj

 

[slythorne]

I found survivalblog months ago.. but only recently found this site. While his site is a good site for the latest news, I don't find him worth my 10 cents a day for this information. His ONLY incomes are from book sales, clients, and the readers. And 10% of all his income goes to the church. I don't have a problem with charging clients for private sessions. I don't have a problem with him getting paid to write the book... but getting paid for having a website that for the most part is nothing but a bunch of links? C'mon. I find half of the doom and gloom on his site crazy talk anyways. All the talk about gold as an investment?? Gold will TANK if the economy rebounds, and you still can't eat it. Ok.. enough ranting.......

The possibility of us in the Northwest suffering from a massive earthquake is just as likely as the economic collapse.. I belong to a couple preparedness forums. I can tell you some of them are a lot more down to earth and more reliable to me. They are just as much about everyday real-life survival as they are about the possible collapse of our economy.

 

[Just Jim]

With all the government spending gold may have it's place in your survival makeup. What happens when the dollar becomes no good? The trillions Obama spends will lead to inflation and your paper money will be about worthless. Or all the other governments will quit accepting the dollar because it is worthless. What backs our dollar?? the good name of America is all. A town in NC is now printing it's own money, think about that.

Survival means to look in all directions for what can ruin your life, not just food, guns and ammo.

jj

 

[slythorne]

If you are wealthy enough that you are fully set in provisions for a full-on total economic meltdown, go ahead and by some, but if you are like me and could be missing something from your provisions... what do you think would be worth more to the common man?? Food? Ammo? Tools? Seeds? Or useless lumps of ore? If I needed to barter, I would want something the common man would need, not a luxury item. Just my opinion...

 

[Sun195]

With all the government spending gold may have it's place in your survival makeup. What happens when the dollar becomes no good?

I have no doubt that gold will retain its value. I'm just unsure how you convert it into something you need - how many chickens or gallons of gas will a gold Kruggerand be worth? If gold goes way-up in value, it will be worth more than most things you want/need and it may be difficult to break-up that value.

 

[Just Jim]

Buy in tenth ounce coins. Gold is gold no matter what the size of it. Gold was the coin of all nations because it was constant. Say you have a cow and you want to sell it some distance from your home. Do you take gold that you can easily bring home or trade for something that you could have bought with gold at home?

The world would have to have a currency that all people can trust. Gold and silver has always been it. However to get to the point where you will use your metals there will be alot of pain in the country first. Food is the currency at that point.

jj

 

[RallySoob]

...Food is the currency at that point.

jj

good call, thats what I was going to say before I read your post. If the mass production of food comes to a halt we will see some serious animalistic chaos

 

[motoman98]

Some were asking about the good water filters: They use a silver impregnated ceramic filter insert and were developed by the British used in far off colonies. Now, called a Berkley water purifying system, (won't fit in your pocket) but 1 gal/hr is do-able.

 

[OreGunSun]

I was'nt worried about Y2K, but I started to prepare early 2007.

I have read Patriots and many other things - I have the Survival Blog in my Google reader so I can read the 5-6 post a day. I have gleanned a lot of great info.

We had our house on the market in 2007 and would have had enough Equity before the sub-prime meltdown - to buy a retreat.

As to gold and silver, "Pieces of 8" when Gold was split in to 8 parts - but to much stored value and most Americans only know gold by Jewelery. AS to Silver Junk silver is a great store on wealth for barter ( we are already starting to see the underground economy start to pickup) Most Americans - will not question is a 1964 (.10, .25, .50 or $1is real silver - not enough value to counterfeit) Plus it doesn't have to be assayed and it is currency in the US so it is not subject to confiscation ATM. Plus it would be a bummer to walk in to the local general store for a .03 cent piece of gum and only have $100 - but you need the gum or eggs or the 5 rounds of ammo that would trade for a 1964 $.25.

I am a realist and a Pragmatist - I am not scared but I am getting prepared. i know that I have told some on the board in person that we have too many perfect storms on to many fronts that can hit us.

130 million unemployed ? That is China with 10% unemployment - an unsustainable level for peace - this many people unemployed and you have mass unrest in China. That $1.9 Trillion USD$ of Treasuries - calling in the chits becomes a necessity. ( China can also wage an economic war with us, without firing one shot. )

But all that steel that they have been buying up - We just launched the largest Aircraft carrier the USS GHW Bush. China IS building 37 Aircraft carriers (even larger) and the Aircraft for them. China has a trained Army of 150 Million plus soliders ( Half the US Population ) Hmm how many troops will fit on that many carriers?

This is just one front.

The Shabib 3 Surface to Air Missiles - That Iran has been launching over the past 18 months - Can be launched from a Shipping Vessel - a single Nuke Denoated 60 miles up - launched from the East coast or west coast and 85% of America is back in the 1800's because of the EMP.

We are too dependent on technology - Iron sights may rule the wolrd ( if your proficient in using them).

 

[OreGunSun]

Ever Smell a BBQ on a Hot Summer day ? You can smell it for blocks.

When you are hungry or have'nt eaten in a few day - Ramen noodles smell like a Big Juicy steak.

In 2007 I fasted for 21 days and for 10 days - I was eating well and don't eat a ton of junk and only take one Prescription.

But when you do not eat - your body detoxify's I drank 2-3 gallons of filtered water - ( When you fast you also have to easy off it slowly)

Yet I was 35 years old at the time. In good health - even in good shape - I still good bad headaches - Detoxing your whole system - I am not talking from street drugs or Alcohol. If you have used Tobacco and tried to quit or no how hard it is - it is sort of like that.

My point is you can prepare right or wrong - If you freeze dried foods - Just add water and you have little smell -

The other thing is that Ramen noodles and all the other stuff if you don't like it or eat it now - you might not then.

I like spicy food - I have stocked up and sealed vaccum sealer - Spices and seasonings - (Rice and Beans - if part of the world adds a lot of spice to the bland foods thier is a reason).

Bullion cubes (as long as they are not packed with MSG and junk. )

I know that when I broke my fast broth and soups tasted like that Juicy steak - a bullion cube in a cup of hot water- priceless.

I am a bit of a caffeine junky but when I fasted - I did'nt drink coffee or caffeine - But I have been stocking up on bulk tea bags. ( just for that caffeine kick when your dragging)

Their are a lot of things to consider. This is just on the food. Yet if TSHTF - thier will be no trash pick-up - so just like in the Military you have to practice Trash discipline. Otherwise your just ahuge billboard saying look at all the food we are eating

my .02 cent for now.

 

[tionico]

Coffee and tea for your survival preps? No problem. Buy whole bean GREEN coffee (unroasted). Packed in sealed barrier bags it keeps for years. You'll have SOME means of cooking, and since you do, learn how to roast it yourself. Its easy (and far tastier than most that can be had "out there"). Once roasted, it only keeps for a week or so, at least, at its peak of flavour. I have NO INTENTION of running out of coffee... in fact, it will quite likely become a key barter item in a collapsed system. As to tea, forget the junk in bags from the grocery store. Buy good quality whole leaf teas, again, sealed in foil barrier bags. A half kilo bag, once opened, will keep fresh for months, and make a few hundred cups of great tea... again, far tastier than any tea bag products from the stores. There are dozens of very delicious traditional teas (from China, India, Ceylon, Taiwan), the styles that have been locally produced in those places for centuries. Very good quality can be had for very little cost.
Now, to brew is easy.. hot water and a container. For the coffee, I recommend my typical "travel" or "camping" rig.... an unbreakable French Press (ZERO plastic residue....) and an old fashioned wooden box mill (hand cranked). Get a good quality one, not the cheapies made in Asia or worse. There is one brand still made new... for about a hundred bucks you can have a 1.5 liter French Press and a top quality last a lifetime German hand crank mill. Roast your green beans in a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven over your cookstove or fire.... the French press is also perfectly suitable for brewing the loose leaf tea....
anyone interested in specifics/details/sources, PM me and I'll provide.... I LOVE both top quality coffee and tea, and refuse to do without. But I won't need to...... one means of preparation I've got knocked....

 

[jordanvraptor]

But all that steel that they have been buying up - We just launched the largest Aircraft carrier the USS GHW Bush. China IS building 37 Aircraft carriers (even larger) and the Aircraft for them. China has a trained Army of 150 Million plus soliders ( Half the US Population ) Hmm how many troops will fit on that many carriers?

I usually don't get involved in flame wars but where are you getting this information? China does not have 150 million soldiers in their army. They have about 3 million in Active and reserve forces. Even if you count "militia" its only about 10 million. Where do you find that they are building 37 aircraft carriers? I'm not trying to start an argument but I'd really like to know where this information is being put out. I searched Janes Defense Weekly and found this. If you know Jane's, you know they are one of the most credible sources on military information in the world.

http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jni/jni090401_1_n.shtml

I've studied military history and technology all my life and frankly some of the information out there about military forces is truly scary that people might even believe such bad information. If you have credible sources, I really would like to know.

 

[OreGunSun]

My mistake on the standing Army of 150 Million - They are logistically prepared to support a standing army of 150 million for 9 Months. (Munitions, meals and medical and fuel needs for 150 million foot soldiers.)
Yes I am familiar with Jane's. I have been to main land China as well.
I have been trying to remember where I read the information on the the aircraft carriers. Yet the 2015 and 2020 timetables are close to the information that I read, but the timetable was like 2012 and 2017. All that I remember is that displacement was over 100,000 short tons. 7,000 personnel and 100 Aircraft (jets and helo's) .

This is not the information that I read, but it does provide a little information.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/cv.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/cv-phase-2.htm

Yet China, without the restrictions of BOLI and other labor restrictions - They built Beijing Airports terminal 3 in three years it is 10,613,216 Square Feet. If Russia has contracted with Iran - it would not surprise me if China did the same. I know that Russian technology is not on par with the US. I know that China has been on a copper and other non precious metal buying spree. China has been around for many Millennium's. Look at the quality of goods that China is producing - even High end Automatic watches - with tolerances on some parts almost measured in microns.

Yet, China doesn't even have to engage in traditional warfare. With Economic or electronic warfare - they could bring us to our knees. China and the Asians look long term in the late 70's and 80's they went after global steel production. Look at the quality of metal from Chinese forges and technology. ( Just like made in Japan was once a Joke, the same with made in China - once a joke and cheap trinkets and clothing goods - now most of the laptops and components are coming out of China.....

 

[OreGunSun]

One of the Headlines today:
China displays resurgent naval strength http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE53K11O20090421?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

"This year's U.S. Defence Department annual report on Chinese military capabilities said China was making advances in denying outsiders access to offshore areas and was improving its nuclear, space and cyber warfare capabilities. The United States has long complained that China's increased military spending lacks transparency, charges Beijing denies.

In the run-up to the parade, senior Chinese naval officials have promoted the country's ambitions on the seas. Admiral Wu has said China would accelerate development of warships, stealth submarines and long-range missiles."

I know that this does say anything about the 37 Aircraft carriers being built when I find it I will post it. Yet we were surprised by China's Nuke sub with ICBM.

Yet this is only one of many reason that we should be make concerted efforts at being prepared.

How many Satellites in Orbit are Nuclear powered? Russia has 44 in Orbit - <broken link removed>

"How much more radioactive material (destined to become toxic debris on Earth) is circling above us 'up there'? Our collective 'nuclear mine field' in space comprises hundreds of kilograms of highly-enriched uranium fuel and various fission byproducts such as Cesium-137 and Strontium-90. This 'nuclear mine field' orbiting above the Earth also includes tens of pounds of radiotoxic Plutonium-238 (and Polonium-210) in various RTG-powered satellites. Since Plutonium-238, which is highly dangerous to health when inhaled or ingested, has a half-life of about 90 years, RTG fuel cores in U.S. orbiting satellites still have about three-quarters of their original quantities of plutonium intact. "

<broken link removed>

 

[OreGunSun]

I know that some have talked about KI pills ( Potassium Iodine) -but it will do nothing to protect you from a dirty bomb.

Unless you have sufficient iodine in your diet or live west of the coastal range your more thank likely Iodine deficient. Area's with high Granite concentrations and fluvial soil movements (Area's with previous glacial movements , Missoula Flood, the Great lakes and other inland area tend to be deficient in Iodine and Lithium )

Iodine, Chlorine, Bromine and Fluorine are all Halogens and highly reactive elements ( all missing one electron in their outer shells) - Fluorine will etc glass and is highly reactive and toxic ( i.e VX gas and other toxins that halt the ATP cycle in cells) While Portland doesn't put fluorine the water, most of us brush and rinse with fluorine toothpaste and mouthwash. (BTW even though their is no Skull and Cross-bones on your toothpaste tube - it contains a FDL (fatal dosage level) to kill a toddler with half a tube of Toothpaste ( Yummy Bubble Gum, and orange flavored Toothpaste) .

Iodine is also effective in the Chealtion of Heavy metals from your body; Lead, Mercury.

The Atomic weight of Fluorine is the lightest and Iodine is the Heaviest and thus it will be displaced by Cl, Br and Fl. So your thyroid is more than likely Iodine deficient - All the blood in your body pass through your Thyroid every 18 minutes.

We need Chlorine and Iodine to live but we can live without Fluorine or Bromine. We can't live without Iodine or Chlorine.

It is in most body fluids as a first line of defense against infection. Iodine is found in your tears, saliva, seminal and vaginal fluids.

It was the Japanese diet rich in Seafood and Kelp, that is the main reason that they survived the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. So if you wait till a bomb goes off - it may be to late to start taking KI pills.

The Japaneses also have the lowest Birth mortality the longest longevity and the lowest cancer rates among the industrialized world. ( But American women have a 1:7 chance of developing breast cancer. - the highest in the world). Some attribute the Iodine in the Japanese diet to the low rate of death.

I know that many think that Iodized salt will cut it. Well the ratio is 30,000:1 Cl to I (Chlorine to Iodine) They both attach to the same receptors in your digestive system and compete for absorption.

Iodine is recycled in your system. Your body is a lot like an Engine it can run ( relaltivley speaking) under a broad range of conditions. From rich to lean, a 8 cylinder can continue to run on as few as 3 cylinders. So anyone that has worked on engines know the wide range that an engine can run, our body is the same way.

It will rob Peter to pay Paul to keep us alive - not always for the good.

I am not a licensed physician - but I am a Med student.

- Yet good luck buying Iodine in any concentration or Quantity - An Ag/Farm store is your best bet. ( I did buy 2 liters of Lugols 5&#37;I-10%KI at Walmart - it was $70) But the Meth trade has made it hard to buy real quantities - of Iodine and lots of other Chemicals - as of Aug 2007) Yet Iodine has a lot of other uses medically - for infection they still use betadine to prep for surgery it is an effective - germ killer (broad spectrum) for purifying water. Yet I still tincture of Iodine on all my cuts and I add a few drops to a glass of water every so often. I have heard that it works wonders on toenails with fungal issues.

BTW this is not like Colloidal silver - their are no MLM or groups selling it or Iodine products.

This is a website with a lot of peer reviewed work of Doctors and Scientist that had/have or are doing research and study on Iodine both Pro/Con in position. But no finical angles or profit motivation. Yet Lugols solution was used to treat both Hypo and Hyper Thyroidism up until the 60's. ( When synthetics thyroid and Radioactive Iodine was available - neither are that great as options - but big Pharm $$ are behind both).

http://iodine4health.com/ of course seek medical advise before applying any of the info on that site of course ( standard legal boiler plate disclaimer) but also use your brain. Personally - unless it is life or death and the only option - for me and my family - I avoid all drugs released in the past 5-7 years (look at all the class action suits of these new Rx's rushed to market). You would be shocked at what Florine can be found in while stable when new - Teflon pans -that we cook with. I could go on. Decide for your self.

Yet Iodine even has Nefarious uses as well but is illegal to manufacture destructive devices in the US.

 

[tionico]

The shoddy quality of Chinese goods is no joke, it is still the dominant reality. So far, the only goods or real quality produced there are, in the main, produced in factories set up and operated by American or European enterprise. Quality control is a factor outside the realm of normal thought for Chinese workers and managers. I could cite a LOT of anecdotal personal and second-person data to support this. Myself, if at all possible I will NOT buy chinese goods, the low quality being one of two main reasons.

Why is this so?
First, they are just beginning to emerge from decades of domination by a socialistic system of government and production. This philosophy removes individual responsibility and reward for good performance from the equation. The mouth is disconnected from what the hand does, and so the hand no longer cares to do well. The mouth continues to eat, so what's to worry about? THE major flaw in Marx's political and economic theories, and the downfall of the entire Soviet Union.
Second, the vast majority of chinese workers fall into one of two categories: most are recent migrants from rural small-holding agrarian situations, very primitive and crude, and thus have no concept of machinery, parts fitting together, strength in a structure or system... they are shown briefly what is expected-- put peg A into hole B-- and left to do as many as expected. No concept of the larger system and their part in it. So what if there is still a lot of junk in the vat of molten iron? The vat's full, its been there for the presecribed amount of time, go ahead and pour. (personal experience of a friend of mine who is supervising the establishment of a cast iron foundry in China... drives him NUTS. And the main reason I no longer purchase much from Harbor Freight Tools... too many of their chinese cast parts broke at critical places... because of inclusions in the castings. I can show you some..... not worth it.)
Most of the remaining workforce is "political prisoners", read: people incarcerated in their "retraining programs" as punishment for their religious beliefs/practices. These people are essentially slave labor, work long hours at brainless jobs, and neither they nor their families get any compensation for their efforts. Some, because of their high moral standards, work hard and well, doing the best they can. If your christmas lights work well, thank them. Others work grudgingly, and as carelessly as they possibly can without suffering dire consequences. Since there is most often little quality control, defective workmanship is untraceable, and sabotage is rampant. Anything to help bring down the tyrannical system. (this last situation is the MAIN reason I avoid chinese goods.. voting with my pocketbook against such immoral labor practices and the system it supports. And China have "most favoured nation" trade status with us, doing things this way?)

Yes, China has the capability of overtaking us without bloodshed.. and are about doing that. they have bought up billions in US debt, much of the capital lent in the subprime mortgage debacle was chinese in origin. Now our government have guaranteed these loans with our tax dollars, thus assuring the chinese investors of no loss and plenty of dollars. NOW, chinese people are actually coming here and buying real estate at depressed, foreclosure prices... due to so many bank takings and a flooded market, and tight lending. SO-- first they made good money loaning on inflated house prices, now they are buying those same houses at firesale prices. They've got other tricks up their sleeves as well, and are deliberately playing our financial folly to their gain. As they tried to do in Australia a few years back, they will eventually manage to do here, because our government is so stupid. Most countries have laws preventing the foreign owning of real estate. We do not, and it will lead to the takeover of much of that market... and others as well. Can't recall which one, but China is a major shareholder in one of our major "US" banks... and likely will own more, as they buy US Treasury debt with the dollars they get with every shipload of trashy goods dumped on our shores. And we continue to sell them all the copper, aluminium, brass, stainless steel, and shredded junk cars they want... and at prices THEY set.

The combination of China's aggressive and stealthy policies and our own government's folly is a bad one.... and one thing is certain: should China manage to carry off their obvious plan (let alone their likely secret ones....) careful preparation will have been essential, and if not done, too late to begin. They will have NO hesitation in disarming our people. How many personally held firearms do you think are held by China's masses? Yup, you could probably fit them all into your three car garage, and still have room to park your Chinese made car and one or two chinese motorcycles. The main difference between the chinese and the islamists is that the chinese are organised and working together in concert whilst the moslems are too preoccupied with local turf wars and power brokering. The divided house cannot stand, but the united house will get what it is after.