Plight of the non-prepper

wyatt earp · May 19, 2012, 12:27

http://www.silverbearcafe.com/privat.../horrific.html

Whch side of the fence are you on?

Bawana jim · May 19, 2012, 14:23

I am done with the preps and living life now to the fullest.

Outlaw Patriot · May 20, 2012, 16:13

I am so sick of seeing things like this, like some meltdown is inevitable and imminent.

Its a gamble folks, its not a yes or no, its a matter of investing whatever amount of resources as you deem feesable and prudent. For me, as a young single male whos hobbies are guns, backpacking, mountaineering, etc, I already have a pretty good start, and I choose to not invest any more time/money into being prepared, I have a future in the real world to think about as well.

If you're spending the majority of your income on preparing for something that will probably never happen you are a lunatic.

The future that is far more likely is one where things are at least sort of ok, and preparing for that makes sense as well.

Shoots High · May 20, 2012, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outlaw Patriot

I am so sick of seeing things like this, like some meltdown is inevitable and imminent.

Its a gamble folks, its not a yes or no, its a matter of investing whatever amount of resources as you deem feesable and prudent. For me, as a young single male whos hobbies are guns, backpacking, mountaineering, etc, I already have a pretty good start, and I choose to not invest any more time/money into being prepared, I have a future in the real world to think about as well.

If you're spending the majority of your income on preparing for something that will probably never happen you are a lunatic.

The future that is far more likely is one where things are at least sort of ok, and preparing for that makes sense as well.

Your comments arouse my curiosity. Why are you visiting a forum dedicated to survival and preparedness?

RG Coburn · May 20, 2012, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outlaw Patriot

I already have a pretty good start, and I choose to not invest any more time/money into being prepared, I have a future in the real world to think about as well.

Yeah,this is kinda a "one statement cancelling out the other" thing.
What is the real world? Earthquakes? Tornadoes? Forest fires? Hurricanes?Nuclear plants melting down?
Tell me which of those you haven't seen on the news the last couple years.
What I am more tired of is people who have witnessed all that,and STILL don't prepare in any way.

torquemada055 · May 20, 2012, 22:42

Best thing is do what you can afford as you can afford it. Because no matter what you do, we all are going to die in the end...

Olaf · May 20, 2012, 22:53

Given enough time something will happen big or small something will happen
example, A year or two ago out in western NE there was a bad ice storm, people were without power for a week or so a lot of em thought nothin will ever happen, while not a total mad max SHTF situation, most admit if they would have been more prepaired they would have had an easier time, really it gets like 20 below here why would you not at least have an alt heat source?

prep for the worst and hope it never comes.

HelpiFALanCantGetUp · May 20, 2012, 23:04

i dont let preps consume my life but theyre there an i dont get all crazy about it but do have enough for a few months an thats about it cause any longer locked in my house an **** IT id rather die then live like a dog

HelpiFALanCantGetUp · May 20, 2012, 23:08

prepping for me isn't about shtf or 2012 or whatever. its a way of life to be prepared an that includes all aspects of my life not just survival. I just like to have whatever I may need on hand an if at some point I need food and ammo than I have it or maybe I need some nuts an bolts or a piece of angle iron for a project I have it an so on an so on.

keiser · May 21, 2012, 13:49

Nothing wrong with being prepped but do consider that for some events, it would be a blessing to die in the initial hit. Those that survive are not always the winners and you cannot possibly know what will happen. You also will need to let you guard down at some point (sleep for instance) and all may be for nothing.

Outlaw Patriot · May 21, 2012, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by powderhead

Your comments arouse my curiosity. Why are you visiting a forum dedicated to survival and preparedness?

Because I think being somewhat prepared is smart.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelpiFALanCantGetUp

prepping for me isn't about shtf or 2012 or whatever. its a way of life to be prepared an that includes all aspects of my life not just survival. I just like to have whatever I may need on hand an if at some point I need food and ammo than I have it or maybe I need some nuts an bolts or a piece of angle iron for a project I have it an so on an so on.

Yea, I get this, agree with it. I try and have a little extra in the way of food just because sometimes money can be tight for a couple months. Thats common sense.

What irks me is the 'its coming for sure its going to happen you better have your bunker and nuclear reactors ready to go or you're an idiot..." talk

Its smart to be prepared but in all likelihood the worst disaster I'll ever face is getting laid off unexpectedly and relying on my food stores for a couple months.

hawk962 · May 21, 2012, 15:01

"Its smart to be prepared but in all likelihood the worst disaster I'll ever face is getting laid off unexpectedly and relying on my food stores for a couple months."

This! And trust me, when it happens you aren't as prepared as you think.

**W.E.G.** · May 21, 2012, 15:16

Prepare for tomorrow first.

Prepare for next year at a lower priority.

**kfranz** · May 21, 2012, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by W.E.G.

Prepare for tomorrow first.

Prepare for next year at a lower priority.

And, prepare for what is likely to happen first, and prepare for what is less likely to happen at a lower priority.

Hurricane preps are low on my list. Tornado preps are higher than Hurricane but lower than making sure the snowblower works. The roof is a higher priority than the yard, but lower than the tires on my vehicles. Both are lower than making sure my alarm clock is set so I get to work on time.

Exercise ought to be a higher priority than the couch, but exercise is hard and usually smells bad.

**MAINER** · May 21, 2012, 20:00

I am prepared!

Ground Zero zone.

Nothing to worry about!

AlaskanMBR · May 21, 2012, 21:57

Quote:

If you're not living your life in abject horror at the coming of the end of the earth and spending your last dime on dehydrated food you're doing it wrong.

Don't fear the reaper, dummy. Do your best, don't get psychotic about it. When it's your time to go 20 tons of food and 200k rounds of ammo won't stop it.

Deltaten · May 22, 2012, 09:27

I'm aligned with HelpI on this one

I live, and have lived, a self-sufficient lifestyle for my entire life. Sometimes better and sometimes worse; but , like the motto sez.. 'be prepared'; for anything at any time.

Priorities are always based upon necessity.

**gunplumber** · May 22, 2012, 10:00

I prep because I am self-employed and clumsy.

If I injure myself, or become sick, there is no workers comp, no unemployment insurance. If I don't work, I don't eat. It gives me great comfort to have a year of food on standby, a year of toiletries. It means I will be less a burden on my family if I experience a personal crisis.

If nothing happens, then I have "invested" at the inflation rate since it is stuff I use anyway. Some think gold is a hedge against inflation, but you have to sell gold. I can use my toilette paper - don't have to sell it. But it's cost relative to the value of the dollar is consistent with any other commodity.

Having a lot of commodities on hand allows me to be more generous when one of my neighbors is in need, even if they were too stupid or lazy to prep for themselves. In a TEOTWAWKI, I'll turn them away to die in the street, or maybe take them on as sex-slaves (the hot ones anyway), but in non-crisis, I can be generous.

So TEOTWAWKI aside, I see no downside to it, other than difficulty in changing location.

JasonB · May 22, 2012, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outlaw Patriot

I am so sick of seeing things like this, like some meltdown is inevitable and imminent.

Its a gamble folks, its not a yes or no, its a matter of investing whatever amount of resources as you deem feesable and prudent. For me, as a young single male whos hobbies are guns, backpacking, mountaineering, etc, I already have a pretty good start, and I choose to not invest any more time/money into being prepared, I have a future in the real world to think about as well.

If you're spending the majority of your income on preparing for something that will probably never happen you are a lunatic.

The future that is far more likely is one where things are at least sort of ok, and preparing for that makes sense as well.

I find the ones who couldn't walk a mile with the clothes on their backs amusing when they want to load up on freeze dried stuff (they can't carry anyway) instead of buying 3 or more times the amount of food at the grocery for the same amount of money.

**Jaxxas** · May 22, 2012, 10:42

http://www.longlongtimeago.com/llta_...asshopper.html

The Ant & the Grasshopper

"Once there lived an ant and a grasshopper in a grassy meadow.

All day long the ant would work hard, collecting grains of wheat from the farmer's field far away. She would hurry to the field every morning, as soon as it was light enough to see by, and toil back with a heavy grain of wheat balanced on her head. She would put the grain of wheat carefully away in her larder, and then hurry back to the field for another one. All day long she would work, without stop or rest, scurrying back and forth from the field, collecting the grains of wheat and storing them carefully in her larder.

The grasshopper would look at her and laugh. 'Why do you work so hard, dear ant?' he would say. 'Come, rest awhile, listen to my song. Summer is here, the days are long and bright. Why waste the sunshine in labour and toil?'

The ant would ignore him, and head bent, would just hurry to the field a little faster. This would make the grasshopper laugh even louder. 'What a silly little ant you are!' he would call after her. 'Come, come and dance with me! Forget about work! Enjoy the summer! Live a little!' And the grasshopper would hop away across the meadow, singing and dancing merrily.

Summer faded into autumn, and autumn turned into winter. The sun was hardly seen, and the days were short and grey, the nights long and dark. It became freezing cold, and snow began to fall.

The grasshopper didn't feel like singing any more. He was cold and hungry. He had nowhere to shelter from the snow, and nothing to eat. The meadow and the farmer's field were covered in snow, and there was no food to be had. 'Oh what shall I do? Where shall I go?' wailed the grasshopper. Suddenly he remembered the ant. 'Ah - I shall go to the ant and ask her for food and shelter!' declared the grasshopper, perking up. So off he went to the ant's house and knocked at her door. 'Hello ant!' he cried cheerfully. 'Here I am, to sing for you, as I warm myself by your fire, while you get me some food from that larder of yours!'

The ant looked at the grasshopper and said, 'All summer long I worked hard while you made fun of me, and sang and danced. You should have thought of winter then! Find somewhere else to sing, grasshopper! There is no warmth or food for you here!' And the ant shut the door in the grasshopper's face.

It is wise to worry about tomorrow today."

**gunplumber** · May 22, 2012, 10:55

Modern version:

The ant worked hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thought the ant was a fool and laughed and danced and played the summer away.

Come winter, the shivering grasshopper called a press conference and demanded to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others were cold and starving.

CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC showed up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.

America was stunned by the sharp contrast.

How could this be in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper was allowed to suffer so?

Kermit the Frog appeared on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cried when they sang, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'

Acorn staged a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations filmed the group singing, ‘We shall overcome’.

Jeremiah Wright then had the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.

Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid exclaimed in an interview with Larry King the ant had got rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both called for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.

Finally, the EEOC drafted the Economic Equity and Anti - Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.

The ant was fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home was confiscated by the government Green Czar.

The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ants food while the government house he was in, which just happened to be the ant's old house, crumbled around him because he did not maintain it.

The ant had disappeared in the snow.

The grasshopper was found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, was taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorized the once peaceful neighborhood.

BobS · May 22, 2012, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunplumber

I prep because I am self-employed and clumsy.

If I injure myself, or become sick, there is no workers comp, no unemployment insurance. If I don't work, I don't eat. It gives me great comfort to have a year of food on standby, a year of toiletries.
........
So TEOTWAWKI aside, I see no downside to it, other than difficulty in changing location.

Thank you Mark.

ADDENDUM:

My wife and youngest have lived in our home while I go off galavanting around the world from customer site to site and back home. It is comforting to me to know they have a paid off home to stay dry and warm, reliable vehicle to go see gramma and take care of her, and grits n' gravy when I have to be away-doesn't make being away easier, but makes less stress....

**karambay** · June 21, 2012, 01:17

KFRANZ, you keep up that attitude and your couch will smell bad...

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfranz

Exercise ought to be a higher priority than the couch, but exercise is hard and usually smells bad.

**karambay** · June 21, 2012, 01:20

Mark, I agree with your general idea of preparing by having useful items on hand. It does me nothing but save me money to buy two now when they're on sale, and save one as long as I don't let it rot. Too bad I can't eat FAL parts... they are useful, right? Right?

Sadly I think your modern version of the Ant and Grasshopper is too true. There is a balance somewhere between helping our community with the 'generosity' you mentioned and the other extreme, but the entitlement shit is just shit.

**dakdak** · June 21, 2012, 12:42

My mom and dad grew up during the Depression. Dad was in WW2. With family backgrounds rooted in the country and small towns they always kept extra canned goods, and some things we canned ourselves with produce we bought from and/or helped pick at my aunt and uncle's little farm. We were always buying and freezing half a cow or some other large meat purchase.

We also kept extra clothes and such on hand.

It seemed so normal for us, for me, growing up, to be sure to have a little extra, in case of a "rainy day". But that was true for a lot of Americans in the 50's and even the 60's.

Now, preppers are looked upon as unusual, and worthy of a reality TV show so the mainstream media can try to make fun of us. That's OK. That is not a problem. Whether it's a job loss, inflation, a natural disaster, or some s*b gets lucky with an EMP, we will always have something set aside.

**gunplumber** · June 21, 2012, 13:18

toilette paper on sale - buy a few cases - you are a conscientious shopper.

Campell's Cream of Mushroom soup on sale - buy a few cases - you are a conscientious shopper.

7.62x51 NATO on sale - buy a few cases - you are a right-wing extremist wacko! Or a Tin-Foil-Hatter.

**Story** · June 24, 2012, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunplumber

Modern version:

The ant worked hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

**Abominog** · June 25, 2012, 19:21

I think it's silly to stockpile food.

The way I see it, the food will be coming to me.

gates · June 25, 2012, 20:05

Abom- then you need to stockpile condiments:-)

**fal fiend** · July 05, 2012, 13:25

7.62x51 NATO on sale - buy a few cases - you are a right-wing extremist wacko! Or a Tin-Foil-Hatter. + 1
__________________

jugrunner · July 20, 2012, 18:21

I've been hunting and fishing my whole life ... if you think 2000 cans of "Beanie wiennes" and 3 cases of toilet paper are going to save your lazy azz go for it ...

generators, sheet rock, wood siding and 2X4's .. spare me the BS ...

if that's what you're relying on, you deserve what you get ... or loose ...

I've "prepped" my whole life to "survive" ... and I will ...

FAL freek · July 22, 2012, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by jugrunner

I've been hunting and fishing my whole life ... if you think 2000 cans of "Beanie wiennes" and 3 cases of toilet paper are going to save your lazy azz go for it ...

generators, sheet rock, wood siding and 2X4's .. spare me the BS ...

if that's what you're relying on, you deserve what you get ... or loose ...

I've "prepped" my whole life to "survive" ... and I will ...

All fine and good but in a mere 3 month period of deer season 20% of the deer are harvested in my state. Imagine what will happen when every yahoo with a lever action or AK will be after the same meat. Think it would be a safe bet to say skunk and possum will tops be on the menu in just a couple months.

jugrunner · July 23, 2012, 15:01

"They" say ... yahoo's taste like chicken ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAL freek

All fine and good but in a mere 3 month period of deer season 20% of the deer are harvested in my state. Imagine what will happen when every yahoo with a lever action or AK will be after the same meat. Think it would be a safe bet to say skunk and possum will tops be on the menu in just a couple months.

J MOSBY · July 23, 2012, 16:37

I'm sorry I always put things in such a blount fashion, but without commercial farming there is going to be massive starvation and civil war, unimiginable suffering and disease, many unspeakable attrocities will be cimmited as well as cannibalism. Also there will be acts of love, kindness, sharing, herosim and hard work for all that survive until farming can be reorganized.

Very few if any will survive as a loner.

hawk962 · July 23, 2012, 19:23

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the subject.

Dirt1042 · July 24, 2012, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunplumber

toilette paper on sale - buy a few cases - you are a conscientious shopper.

Campell's Cream of Mushroom soup on sale - buy a few cases - you are a conscientious shopper.
.

Is that why when I walk into COSTCO a $100 bill (at the very least) just floats out of my pocket automatically?

Dirt1042 · July 24, 2012, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by J MOSBY

I'm sorry I always put things in such a blount fashion, but without commercial farming there is going to be massive starvation and civil war, unimiginable suffering and disease, many unspeakable attrocities will be cimmited as well as cannibalism. Also there will be acts of love, kindness, sharing, herosim and hard work for all that survive until farming can be reorganized.

Very few if any will survive as a loner.

That has been the history of mankind. It's why communities are started. Being kind and helping one another in a time of need is not a horrible thing. That being said, being a freeloader is a burden on the very same community.

J MOSBY · July 24, 2012, 13:50

It's how civilization was started in the first place. Freeloaders cannot and will not be tolerated in a survivorlist society. Uh, unless they are the " Chief ". Old people and invalids will be cared for as much as possible but if you have to run for you life or not enough food everybody to stay alive on, guess what.

VonFireball · July 24, 2012, 16:16

Quote:

I think it's silly to stockpile food.

I dunno, having some backups has really helped out. When my wife got injured and money was tight I knew we would still be eating well enough to get by.

I've found that it is kind of a hobby in a way, also interesting and informative because you learn a lot when you start being more prepared; what works and what doesn't.

I think having a ten year stock of food or ammo is excellent but I also see the problems associated with it. It wouldn't take much to seize a large quantity of food. I think having some location based supplies is good along with some "go bag" setups in case a flight to safety is necessary. If you can get out of your house in 15 minutes with a majority of your necessities even better. Reaction time and planning are equal to or more important than preps themselves because it gives you a method of actually putting your preps to use.......

**Abominog** · July 24, 2012, 21:56

Seriously, I don't know about you desert guys, but in most of USA there is vegetable matter available en masse year round. Just have to know what it is. Protein too, except in dead of winter. If I stockpiled anything it would be dental floss and antibiotics. But food? It's all around, and nobody knows it's there.

VonFireball · July 24, 2012, 22:18

Quote:

Seriously, I don't know about you desert guys, but in most of USA there is vegetable matter available en masse year round. Just have to know what it is. Protein too, except in dead of winter. If I stockpiled anything it would be dental floss and antibiotics. But food? It's all around, and nobody knows it's there.

Sounds easy enough until you realize that you would have to harvest it, process it, and cook it in order to get fed. That's a lot of work.

FAL freek · July 25, 2012, 07:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by jugrunner

"They" say ... yahoo's taste like chicken ...

Chicken? Thought it was pork. Apparently ya have a couple cases of BBQ sauce in your cache also.

J MOSBY · July 25, 2012, 09:43

On food gathering, set aside two weeks of your wonderful lifestyle and temporarily divorce yourself from your pantry and the grocery store. Use all the clothes, knifes, guns, ammo, cooking utinsils, your house, your stove, your computer and any hardware that you have. Use you car and boat.

But don't open that pantry door for anything and don't buy or accept any food from people. Start wenever you want to. Eat all the rabbits, fish and whatever you can get. It can be done, it has been done a lot.

If you make it two weeks you will really be wanting to taste a double cheesburger, or a piece of fried chicken or just a can of beans or corn, a glass of tea or a cup of coffee. By the way, Pokeweed is poision.(Poke salad-Pope salad).

At least think about it carefully. Make a plan. Any plan is better than no plan. It's much better to have it and not need it than......
THE END

JColdIron · July 25, 2012, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAL freek

Chicken? Thought it was pork. Apparently ya have a couple cases of BBQ sauce in your cache also.

I was going to say Texas Pete! Makes anything edible.

Hurricanes are a real threat here in NC. We have been without power and treed in for a week. At a minimum I need to plan to be able to do that without a hiccup. I doubled that as a good basis for a minumum and went from there. Some things are deeper prepared than others. Sales at the stores come around and I add to it.

One thing I need to to is start rotating better. The first wave of cans I bought are about at the point to eat and replace. Batteries don't get better with age either!

Do I think I will need ten years of supplies? God, I hope not. Not going into debt to get there, either.

J MOSBY · July 25, 2012, 12:00

Hello sir, you did'nt read my post about eating the ten year old corn I got from Winn Dixie, 3 cans for $1 did you? I pay little attention to the date on the can, many do not have a date, only a code. The condition of the can and what the contents look, smell, and taste like is what is important.

VonFireball · July 26, 2012, 13:16

Quote:

Hello sir, you did'nt read my post about eating the ten year old corn I got from Winn Dixie, 3 cans for $1 did you? I pay little attention to the date on the can, many do not have a date, only a code. The condition of the can and what the contents look, smell, and taste like is what is important.

That's all good and well but I think the nutritional content of stuff way past the expiration is far less.

Jez Cruzen · July 28, 2012, 12:58

They called it a "derecho", and because of it my family and I spent six days without commercially supplied electrical power in temps. a number of days over 100 degrees.

It wasn't TEOTWAWKI, but it was a SHTF event.... more for some than others.

Aside from the heat and high humidity, we did just fine. We were prepared for it. Many (most) others were not. Some even abandoned their homes and went to shelters, leaving their homes open to those who would take advantage and steal.

We were able to hunker down and stay out of all the chaos going on at the gas stations, grocery stores, and anywhere else agitated crowds of unprepared people gathered. Even during this regional unpleasantness, it was all to apparent how thin the veneer of civilization really is. People are nucking futs!

FAL freek · July 28, 2012, 14:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jez Cruzen

We were able to hunker down and stay out of all the chaos going on at the gas stations, grocery stores, and anywhere else agitated crowds of unprepared people gathered. Even during this regional unpleasantness, it was all to apparent how thin the veneer of civilization really is. People are nucking futs!

Quoted for truth. You can't erase a few million years of evolution with a couple thousand of "civilization".

unionguy · August 06, 2012, 18:17

This is very wise. Very few of us have the resources to be prepared for every possible situation. Prepare for the most likely first, and then go from there.

For example, if EVERY American was prepared to live on their own for even 2 weeks...our nation would be infinitely better off. I try to get friends to start there. Usually, once people do that, they do more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfranz

And, prepare for what is likely to happen first, and prepare for what is less likely to happen at a lower priority.

Hurricane preps are low on my list. Tornado preps are higher than Hurricane but lower than making sure the snowblower works. The roof is a higher priority than the yard, but lower than the tires on my vehicles. Both are lower than making sure my alarm clock is set so I get to work on time.

Exercise ought to be a higher priority than the couch, but exercise is hard and usually smells bad.

**Story** · August 22, 2012, 10:34

Preaching to the choir here, but worth passing on

http://www.guns.com/a-guns-role-in-y...kit-10259.html

May 19, 2012, 12:27	#1
wyatt earp Registered FALaholic #: 8158 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 543	Plight of the non-prepper http://www.silverbearcafe.com/privat.../horrific.html Whch side of the fence are you on? __________________ “Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action comes, stop thinking and go in.” ― Napoleon Bonaparte

May 20, 2012, 22:42	#6
torquemada055 Registered FALaholic #: 15170 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: 5thBt. 31st FF Posts: 3,632	Best thing is do what you can afford as you can afford it. Because no matter what you do, we all are going to die in the end... __________________ NEVER forget April 19, 1775, and hell NO the bridge aint for sale!! I know, let's abolish the Fed, get out of the u.n. and kick them out of the country, close our borders and deport all illegals, bring every military member back home and close all foreign military bases. Cut ALL tax rates personal and business to 11%, abolish all unconstitutional federal agencies. It'll hurt but it would help us as a country.

May 21, 2012, 13:49	#10
keiser Registered FALaholic #: 5428 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: USA Posts: 762	Nothing wrong with being prepped but do consider that for some events, it would be a blessing to die in the initial hit. Those that survive are not always the winners and you cannot possibly know what will happen. You also will need to let you guard down at some point (sleep for instance) and all may be for nothing. __________________ "When things look bad and it looks like you're not going to make it, then you've got to get mean. I mean plumb mad dog mean." - Josey Wales

May 21, 2012, 15:16	#13
W.E.G. Administrator Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 1211 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 31,056	Prepare for tomorrow first. Prepare for next year at a lower priority. __________________ . . . Ask me about the Mason-Dixon FAL Collectors Association.

May 21, 2012, 20:00	#15
MAINER Old Fart Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 18465 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 6,289	I am prepared! Ground Zero zone. Nothing to worry about! __________________ Joe Biden for President.

May 19, 2012, 14:23	#2
Bawana jim Registered FALaholic #: 17482 Join Date: May 2005 Location: west coast Posts: 5,341	I am done with the preps and living life now to the fullest.

May 20, 2012, 16:13	#3
Outlaw Patriot Registered FALaholic #: 33905 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,980	I am so sick of seeing things like this, like some meltdown is inevitable and imminent. Its a gamble folks, its not a yes or no, its a matter of investing whatever amount of resources as you deem feesable and prudent. For me, as a young single male whos hobbies are guns, backpacking, mountaineering, etc, I already have a pretty good start, and I choose to not invest any more time/money into being prepared, I have a future in the real world to think about as well. If you're spending the majority of your income on preparing for something that will probably never happen you are a lunatic. The future that is far more likely is one where things are at least sort of ok, and preparing for that makes sense as well.

May 20, 2012, 22:53	#7
Olaf Registered FALaholic #: 63894 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nebraska Posts: 646	Given enough time something will happen big or small something will happen example, A year or two ago out in western NE there was a bad ice storm, people were without power for a week or so a lot of em thought nothin will ever happen, while not a total mad max SHTF situation, most admit if they would have been more prepaired they would have had an easier time, really it gets like 20 below here why would you not at least have an alt heat source? prep for the worst and hope it never comes.

May 20, 2012, 23:04	#8
HelpiFALanCantGetUp Registered FALaholic #: 66011 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Philly Posts: 30	i dont let preps consume my life but theyre there an i dont get all crazy about it but do have enough for a few months an thats about it cause any longer locked in my house an **** IT id rather die then live like a dog

May 20, 2012, 23:08	#9
HelpiFALanCantGetUp Registered FALaholic #: 66011 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Philly Posts: 30	prepping for me isn't about shtf or 2012 or whatever. its a way of life to be prepared an that includes all aspects of my life not just survival. I just like to have whatever I may need on hand an if at some point I need food and ammo than I have it or maybe I need some nuts an bolts or a piece of angle iron for a project I have it an so on an so on.

May 21, 2012, 15:01	#12
hawk962 Registered FALaholic #: 9621 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 928	"Its smart to be prepared but in all likelihood the worst disaster I'll ever face is getting laid off unexpectedly and relying on my food stores for a couple months." This! And trust me, when it happens you aren't as prepared as you think.

May 22, 2012, 09:27	#17
Deltaten Registered FALaholic #: 124 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lancaster, PA USA Posts: 8,500	I'm aligned with HelpI on this one I live, and have lived, a self-sufficient lifestyle for my entire life. Sometimes better and sometimes worse; but , like the motto sez.. 'be prepared'; for anything at any time. Priorities are always based upon necessity. __________________ All or Nothing! Senator McCarthy was right! and as always......FYB!

May 22, 2012, 10:00	#18
gunplumber Arrogant Bastard Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 96 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 15,776	I prep because I am self-employed and clumsy. If I injure myself, or become sick, there is no workers comp, no unemployment insurance. If I don't work, I don't eat. It gives me great comfort to have a year of food on standby, a year of toiletries. It means I will be less a burden on my family if I experience a personal crisis. If nothing happens, then I have "invested" at the inflation rate since it is stuff I use anyway. Some think gold is a hedge against inflation, but you have to sell gold. I can use my toilette paper - don't have to sell it. But it's cost relative to the value of the dollar is consistent with any other commodity. Having a lot of commodities on hand allows me to be more generous when one of my neighbors is in need, even if they were too stupid or lazy to prep for themselves. In a TEOTWAWKI, I'll turn them away to die in the street, or maybe take them on as sex-slaves (the hot ones anyway), but in non-crisis, I can be generous. So TEOTWAWKI aside, I see no downside to it, other than difficulty in changing location. __________________ T. Mark Graham Master Gunsmith Arizona Response Systems, LLC

May 22, 2012, 10:42	#20
Jaxxas Don't Tread On Me! Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 34933 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,176	http://www.longlongtimeago.com/llta_...asshopper.html The Ant & the Grasshopper "Once there lived an ant and a grasshopper in a grassy meadow. All day long the ant would work hard, collecting grains of wheat from the farmer's field far away. She would hurry to the field every morning, as soon as it was light enough to see by, and toil back with a heavy grain of wheat balanced on her head. She would put the grain of wheat carefully away in her larder, and then hurry back to the field for another one. All day long she would work, without stop or rest, scurrying back and forth from the field, collecting the grains of wheat and storing them carefully in her larder. The grasshopper would look at her and laugh. 'Why do you work so hard, dear ant?' he would say. 'Come, rest awhile, listen to my song. Summer is here, the days are long and bright. Why waste the sunshine in labour and toil?' The ant would ignore him, and head bent, would just hurry to the field a little faster. This would make the grasshopper laugh even louder. 'What a silly little ant you are!' he would call after her. 'Come, come and dance with me! Forget about work! Enjoy the summer! Live a little!' And the grasshopper would hop away across the meadow, singing and dancing merrily. Summer faded into autumn, and autumn turned into winter. The sun was hardly seen, and the days were short and grey, the nights long and dark. It became freezing cold, and snow began to fall. The grasshopper didn't feel like singing any more. He was cold and hungry. He had nowhere to shelter from the snow, and nothing to eat. The meadow and the farmer's field were covered in snow, and there was no food to be had. 'Oh what shall I do? Where shall I go?' wailed the grasshopper. Suddenly he remembered the ant. 'Ah - I shall go to the ant and ask her for food and shelter!' declared the grasshopper, perking up. So off he went to the ant's house and knocked at her door. 'Hello ant!' he cried cheerfully. 'Here I am, to sing for you, as I warm myself by your fire, while you get me some food from that larder of yours!' The ant looked at the grasshopper and said, 'All summer long I worked hard while you made fun of me, and sang and danced. You should have thought of winter then! Find somewhere else to sing, grasshopper! There is no warmth or food for you here!' And the ant shut the door in the grasshopper's face. It is wise to worry about tomorrow today." __________________ JaXXas It's funny though, everywhere else I'm considered the lunatic fringe, on FAL Files I'm a moderate.

May 22, 2012, 10:55	#21
gunplumber Arrogant Bastard Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 96 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 15,776	Modern version: The ant worked hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thought the ant was a fool and laughed and danced and played the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshopper called a press conference and demanded to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others were cold and starving. CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC showed up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America was stunned by the sharp contrast. How could this be in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper was allowed to suffer so? Kermit the Frog appeared on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cried when they sang, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.' Acorn staged a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations filmed the group singing, ‘We shall overcome’. Jeremiah Wright then had the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid exclaimed in an interview with Larry King the ant had got rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both called for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share. Finally, the EEOC drafted the Economic Equity and Anti - Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer. The ant was fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home was confiscated by the government Green Czar. The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ants food while the government house he was in, which just happened to be the ant's old house, crumbled around him because he did not maintain it. The ant had disappeared in the snow. The grasshopper was found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, was taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorized the once peaceful neighborhood. __________________ T. Mark Graham Master Gunsmith Arizona Response Systems, LLC

June 21, 2012, 01:20	#24
karambay Senior Member Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 8066 Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 640	Mark, I agree with your general idea of preparing by having useful items on hand. It does me nothing but save me money to buy two now when they're on sale, and save one as long as I don't let it rot. Too bad I can't eat FAL parts... they are useful, right? Right? Sadly I think your modern version of the Ant and Grasshopper is too true. There is a balance somewhere between helping our community with the 'generosity' you mentioned and the other extreme, but the entitlement shit is just shit.

June 21, 2012, 12:42	#25
dakdak Senior Member Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 13083 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: U.S. East Coast Posts: 623	Earlier Versions... My mom and dad grew up during the Depression. Dad was in WW2. With family backgrounds rooted in the country and small towns they always kept extra canned goods, and some things we canned ourselves with produce we bought from and/or helped pick at my aunt and uncle's little farm. We were always buying and freezing half a cow or some other large meat purchase. We also kept extra clothes and such on hand. It seemed so normal for us, for me, growing up, to be sure to have a little extra, in case of a "rainy day". But that was true for a lot of Americans in the 50's and even the 60's. Now, preppers are looked upon as unusual, and worthy of a reality TV show so the mainstream media can try to make fun of us. That's OK. That is not a problem. Whether it's a job loss, inflation, a natural disaster, or some s*b gets lucky with an EMP, we will always have something set aside.

June 21, 2012, 13:18	#26
gunplumber Arrogant Bastard Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 96 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 15,776	toilette paper on sale - buy a few cases - you are a conscientious shopper. Campell's Cream of Mushroom soup on sale - buy a few cases - you are a conscientious shopper. 7.62x51 NATO on sale - buy a few cases - you are a right-wing extremist wacko! Or a Tin-Foil-Hatter. __________________ T. Mark Graham Master Gunsmith Arizona Response Systems, LLC

June 25, 2012, 19:21	#28
Abominog Old Fart Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 372 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Finger Lakes, NY Posts: 6,553	I think it's silly to stockpile food. The way I see it, the food will be coming to me. __________________ They will live a long time, these men of the South Pacific. They, like their victories, will be remembered as long as our generation lives. Longer and longer shadows will obscure them, until their Guadalcanal sounds distant on the ear like Shiloh and Valley Forge. --- Michener, Tales of the South Pacific Tempus Edax Rerum

June 25, 2012, 20:05	#29
gates Registered FALaholic #: 129 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: phx az Posts: 10,344	Abom- then you need to stockpile condiments:-)

July 05, 2012, 13:25	#30
fal fiend Curio & Relic Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 7091 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Indiana USA Posts: 2,266	7.62x51 NATO on sale - buy a few cases - you are a right-wing extremist wacko! Or a Tin-Foil-Hatter. + 1 __________________ __________________ In memory of a true friend, Derby Fals 1956-2007/ I'm a Contributor, u should be 1 too, support the Fal board.

July 20, 2012, 18:21	#31
jugrunner Registered FALaholic #: 19911 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 4,375	I've been hunting and fishing my whole life ... if you think 2000 cans of "Beanie wiennes" and 3 cases of toilet paper are going to save your lazy azz go for it ... generators, sheet rock, wood siding and 2X4's .. spare me the BS ... if that's what you're relying on, you deserve what you get ... or loose ... I've "prepped" my whole life to "survive" ... and I will ... __________________ ... ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ ... _____________________________________________ "Remember man as you pass by, as you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you shall be. Prepare for death and follow me." _____________________________________________ one of the proud "unwashed" ...

July 23, 2012, 16:37	#34
J MOSBY Registered FALaholic #: 2738 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 1,162	I'm sorry I always put things in such a blount fashion, but without commercial farming there is going to be massive starvation and civil war, unimiginable suffering and disease, many unspeakable attrocities will be cimmited as well as cannibalism. Also there will be acts of love, kindness, sharing, herosim and hard work for all that survive until farming can be reorganized. Very few if any will survive as a loner. __________________ If we loose freedom here Theres no place to escape to This is the last stand on earth Ronald Reagan

July 23, 2012, 19:23	#35
hawk962 Registered FALaholic #: 9621 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 928	That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the subject.

July 24, 2012, 13:50	#38
J MOSBY Registered FALaholic #: 2738 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 1,162	It's how civilization was started in the first place. Freeloaders cannot and will not be tolerated in a survivorlist society. Uh, unless they are the " Chief ". Old people and invalids will be cared for as much as possible but if you have to run for you life or not enough food everybody to stay alive on, guess what. __________________ If we loose freedom here Theres no place to escape to This is the last stand on earth Ronald Reagan

July 24, 2012, 21:56	#40
Abominog Old Fart Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 372 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Finger Lakes, NY Posts: 6,553	Seriously, I don't know about you desert guys, but in most of USA there is vegetable matter available en masse year round. Just have to know what it is. Protein too, except in dead of winter. If I stockpiled anything it would be dental floss and antibiotics. But food? It's all around, and nobody knows it's there. __________________ They will live a long time, these men of the South Pacific. They, like their victories, will be remembered as long as our generation lives. Longer and longer shadows will obscure them, until their Guadalcanal sounds distant on the ear like Shiloh and Valley Forge. --- Michener, Tales of the South Pacific Tempus Edax Rerum

July 25, 2012, 09:43	#43
J MOSBY Registered FALaholic #: 2738 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 1,162	On food gathering, set aside two weeks of your wonderful lifestyle and temporarily divorce yourself from your pantry and the grocery store. Use all the clothes, knifes, guns, ammo, cooking utinsils, your house, your stove, your computer and any hardware that you have. Use you car and boat. But don't open that pantry door for anything and don't buy or accept any food from people. Start wenever you want to. Eat all the rabbits, fish and whatever you can get. It can be done, it has been done a lot. If you make it two weeks you will really be wanting to taste a double cheesburger, or a piece of fried chicken or just a can of beans or corn, a glass of tea or a cup of coffee. By the way, Pokeweed is poision.(Poke salad-Pope salad). At least think about it carefully. Make a plan. Any plan is better than no plan. It's much better to have it and not need it than...... THE END __________________ If we loose freedom here Theres no place to escape to This is the last stand on earth Ronald Reagan

July 25, 2012, 12:00	#45
J MOSBY Registered FALaholic #: 2738 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 1,162	Hello sir, you did'nt read my post about eating the ten year old corn I got from Winn Dixie, 3 cans for $1 did you? I pay little attention to the date on the can, many do not have a date, only a code. The condition of the can and what the contents look, smell, and taste like is what is important. __________________ If we loose freedom here Theres no place to escape to This is the last stand on earth Ronald Reagan

July 28, 2012, 12:58	#47
Jez Cruzen Registered FALaholic #: 5331 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 753	They called it a "derecho", and because of it my family and I spent six days without commercially supplied electrical power in temps. a number of days over 100 degrees. It wasn't TEOTWAWKI, but it was a SHTF event.... more for some than others. Aside from the heat and high humidity, we did just fine. We were prepared for it. Many (most) others were not. Some even abandoned their homes and went to shelters, leaving their homes open to those who would take advantage and steal. We were able to hunker down and stay out of all the chaos going on at the gas stations, grocery stores, and anywhere else agitated crowds of unprepared people gathered. Even during this regional unpleasantness, it was all to apparent how thin the veneer of civilization really is. People are nucking futs!

August 22, 2012, 10:34	#50
Story Old Fart Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 7638 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Right here Posts: 5,211	Preaching to the choir here, but worth passing on http://www.guns.com/a-guns-role-in-y...kit-10259.html __________________ The wartime diary of Kriegsmarine Oberleutnant z.S. Max von Zatorski. https://www.facebook.com/SeeklarDiaries

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