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Are you TOO prepared?

I know how most people took this.... I pondered on the statement.. "Training" is a big umbrella. Training could be back country trauma first aid training, could be a Master Gardener class, short wave radio training, training on tearing down a Stihl chainsaw and getting it running again (chain sharpening), auto mechanics, lock smith training, carpentry.... "Training packs light and travels easily"...

“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

Whatever you spend on guns and gear, spend twice that on training.

Someone who is well trained with a 10/22 and some 25 round mags can beat and take all the goodies from someone who has all the good stuff but only goes out and shoots regularly.

Shooting proficiency is not tactical proficiency.
 
I know how most people took this.... I pondered on the statement.. "Training" is a big umbrella. Training could be back country trauma first aid training, could be a Master Gardener class, short wave radio training, training on tearing down a Stihl chainsaw and getting it running again (chain sharpening), auto mechanics, lock smith training, carpentry.... "Training packs light and travels easily"...

“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

Light a man with a fish on fire and you've fed him for the rest of his life.
 
It’s an interesting take on it so far. To me One Second After has what I think would be the most accurate depiction of what would happen.

so far lots of things seemed over looked. Like the lack of fuel, when there are millions of cars with it sitting inside of all of them.
I enjoyed One Second After... I'm looking for a similar book featuring a "Bounty Hunter" in that scenario ... Seems all of similar stories have a group similar to a Sheriff's Posse going after the bad guys. A character like Dog the Bounty Hunter, Walker Texas Ranger or Matthew Quigley.
 
I enjoyed One Second After... I'm looking for a similar book featuring a "Bounty Hunter" in that scenario ... Seems all of similar stories have a group similar to a Sheriff's Posse going after the bad guys. A character like Dog the Bounty Hunter, Walker Texas Ranger or Matthew Quigley.
Did you read The Ranch by William R Forstchen?
 
Read 'em both.

Like von Clausewitz nearly said, the best plans go kablooie with the first shot.

I'd rather be a guy who thinks on his feet and carries sufficient lead, than be reading from column A and column B.

This is not going to be an "If, then..." scenario.

IMHO, one cannot plan for what's coming. One can only arm up and wing it. Making plans when China, Russia, Iran, and NoKo are the front four, and our leadership is in their back pockets is not an exercise in logic, it's an exercise in brutal insanity. Nothing trumps it, except maybe Mutually Assured Destruction.

Me; I don't plan on surviving, I'm living at the end of a long medicine supply chain; so my destruction is assured. Until and when, I can live with that just fine.

But I can also provide my descendants with ample means and training. At that point I did what I could, I didn't waste any of their or my time planning for the wrong disaster, and I have to adopt that stage in a parent's life when they put their trust in what they gave their kids in values and training. When the badasses come a'knockin', I fully expect my kiddos to be mixing it up among them.

Rumor has it that Einstein said "World War IV would be fought with sticks and stones." This remains unconfirmed, but knowing Uncle Albert, I'm putting my money on it.

"...through wind, and rain, and social justice warrior rage...". I don't know that letter carrier.

Wind + rain slashing at my window pain [sic]
It looks like you have lied again
By now I guess it's just the same
And I am left with the wind and rain

Shattered truth jagged memories of you
Haunting dreams that just can't come true
How long has it been since I started hating you
Now the wind + rain is my only truth

SummerWintertime memories of when you were mine
Golded [sic] moments lost in time
Now I hear the grandfather chime
The wind and + is forever mine

Clouded sky it's been that way since you're been gone
I've served my punishment for doing you wrong
So why does the feeling keep hanging on
The wind + rain is my only song

Countless days now my skin is has wrinkled up
Yet I haven't had enough
The years have made me far too tough
Now For the wind + rain is my only all I love

Springstein

Greg
 
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We've lived "in the country" for three plus decades. We're in a place where the weather can get big. In the past there have been events where there has been no power in most of the county for extended periods of time. There have also been times where we couldn't get off the farm for up to a week. A well stocked pantry is the answer to the problem. For us, well stocked means about thirty days of easy to prepare foodstuffs with good shelf life. Water is not an issue. Power is an issue and we have on hand sources and fuel supplies. Enough for about forty-five days of conservative use.

Where we live there is plenty of protein readily available. We do keep longer term supplies of starches available. Call the term six months plus.

We're pretty old so I've seen many times when particular firearms, ammo types and reloading supplies become essentially unavailable. Thus, I keep plenty available to entertain myself. I do not keep near enough for protracted engagements with ultra high expenditures.

If that sounds relatively well prepared we're not. How can that be? Very simply because our position is indefensible to even a moderate level of attack. I have had the good fortune or misfortune to have been exposed to what is required to defend relatively small pieces of real estate. In it's simplest form, it is best served by high ground, closely placed bunkers, extensive perimeter barriers, an elevated berm, machine guns both heavy and light, reliable comms., the ability to light the perimeter, extended clear fields of fire (in the current age call that at least six to eight hundred yards) and of course personnel. Again you'll need lot's of personnel. Almost forgot, Spooky and gunships when required.

@Greg Langelius * has an interesting viewpoint. He sees the battlefield as fluid and I agree. Today's friend may well be tomorrow's enemy. If a first encounter is with a half dozen dips..ts in a sedan that comes down your quarter mile driveway and unload from the vehicle with arms WTF. You react, they're toast and what the hell comes next? You get the drift. Is the deputy that arrives your next enemy or your new friend (or, if your smart, he's an old friend).

Another interesting post in this thread is by @diggler1833. He understands the idea of division of labor, safety with numbers, protecting resources, etc. Yet, I'm sure other readers have thought "Well, if I did this or that I could defeat his security and control his resources."

There have been lot's of similar posts as the OPs with regard to what happens with a deterioration of social structure with various premises. There is a poster here who's still around I think but is not as prolific as he used to be. Having read his posts over the years the guy has some serious chops. His position was that he would find a somewhat local community which seemed to be organized to a degree that they had a chance to be successful. He would then offer his services to said community. Makes sense to me.
 
I’ve not read all of these posts, but a few have raised an eye brow.....though, perhaps I misinterpreted their intent.

Some appeared to suggest that they would be “nomadic”, living off of the land and perhaps taking from others.....rather than making provisions, whether it be relocating, prepping, ect.! This goes against every fiber of my moral compass! Jus say’n! memtb
 
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I’ve not read all of these posts, but a few have raised an eye brow.....though, perhaps I misinterpreted their intent.

Some appeared to suggest that they would be “nomadic”, living off of the land and perhaps taking from others.....rather than making provisions, whether it be relocating, prepping, ect.! This goes against every fiber of my moral compass! Jus say’n! memtb
I agree. I also believe that you and I are neither hungry or desperate today either. 😎
 
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Fluid? I think it's been fluid since Trump's first election.

I have two viewpoints, each of which depends on a different situation.

The rule of law prevails, I obey the law. It's stupid to make oneself conspicuous without a damned good reason.

The rule of law no longer prevails. I am left with my own judgement, and perform accordingly. Anyone attempts to interfere, and they have just made themselves conspicuous. This translates as stupid.

Scores? The time for settling scores is well past. Survive? See my above statement, I have no such plans. 75 years is a fine run, I'll let it go at that. Who knows, I may actually survive to rack up some more score than that, even....

I seek to right no wrongs, or to perfect anyone's world. Right, wrong; a matter of opinion. In my mind, mine is always the right one. Think I'm wrong? Kill me, or try... Politics is in my rear view mirror, we are already transitioning into something a lot more emphatic and barbaric. When that bough breaks, look outward for the perpetrators, and begin your purge with their running dogs here, closer. Not my choice, and not my pursuit. I am not going to lift up my descendants. If what I've taught them isn't enough, they weren't paying attention. Misconceptions always have a cost. I won't pay for another's; any other's. Odds are great that I won't be around here by then, anyway.

You young folk have not been where I've been or done what I've done. There is a slice of boredom involved, a slice of don'tgiveashit involved, and a gnawing temptation to stand on the sidelines, watch the idiots go at it with grand gusto, and see how much might makes which right. While curious, I understand that no matter how long I live, life will continue on, and I will never get to see how it all really ends. None of you will, either, regardless of your ages. Immortality does not entice me. I don't need that answer, and for as much as it's worth, nobody else does either.

I've been hospitalized five times this year, my insco says they spent $120,000 on me, I paid zilch, nada, Death by suffocation is my ultimate outcome, and it no longer scares one the way it did when I didn't recognize it for what it is, my old Friend Thanatos; who we all get to join up with eventually. Don't fear the Reaper.



...My Battle Anthem... Catchy Tune, eh?

I find that oddly refreshing, and a great relief. To stand in the wind and spit in the eye of fate is a rare treat.

Greg

PS, ...and my Deputy? Mike's an old Friend....
 
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