Surviving Economic Collapse: Tips, Tactics, And Gear
128 Comments »Giordano Bruno
Neithercorp Press – 01/26/2010
A large part of our society operates on a disturbing assumption, a belief that has been driven into the very fabric of our culture for generations; the assumption that preparation for disaster is unnecessary because all will remain the same as it always has been.
This collective assumption exists in very few countries. South America, Africa, most of Asia, and even parts of Europe experience and even anticipate upheaval and catastrophe from time to time, not only in respect to mother nature (as recently occurred in Haiti), but also in terms of economics and social unrest. Many Americans have attempted not only to insulate themselves from such events, but to also insulate themselves from the very idea that such events could ever happen to them. The concept of hyperinflation, loss of utilities, loss of police protections, loss of infrastructure, loss of grocery outlets, is so outside their pre-programmed world view that to dare discuss these subjects is seen as “absurd” and “alien.”
While many Haitians would see the act of survival preparation as entirely practical (for numerous reasons), many Americans would become incredulous, jeering, as if they are above and beyond such concerns. This must change, and it must change quickly.
Over the past few years, there has been a strong broad based and growing movement that opposes such presumptive thinking, and has opted towards independence and self reliance. They are often called “survivalists,” usually lumped in with “conspiracy theorists,” in a derogatory fashion as if the term is disparaging. But what many of us have come to realize is that what the mainstream considers “rational” is usually anything but, and what they call “common sense” sometimes borders on the insane, for only a madman would label the logical act of preparation as “crazy,” especially in the face of so much economic uncertainty.
In this article we will discuss how to prepare for a wide-spectrum financial breakdown, as well as why it is absolutely necessary, not just to ensure ones own survival and ones own future, but the future of an ideal, and a way of life.
Survival Strategies
The fact is, there are as many strategies for survival as there are survivalists, although some survival “gurus” insist that their way is the ONLY way (I know, because I have dealt with them in the past). Keep in mind that there are very few set rules for survival that apply to everyone. Your personal survival strategy will depend on your unique circumstances and environment, and a true survival expert will recognize this immediately. Beware of anyone who claims they have the only solution, or who overtly boasts of their many survival skills and background qualifications. From my experience, real survivalists tend to be rather reserved and humble people with no interest in showboating their knowledge.
In this article, we will endeavor to give broad guidelines which can then be tailored to your specific circumstances. Our recommendations will not necessarily work for everyone.
When devising a survival strategy, we must take into account our surroundings and our supply options, but first, we must make an important decision; will we stay where we are, or will we have a “retreat” in a different location. This decision will greatly effect how you prepare for disaster. Let’s explore theses two options carefully…
Staying On The Home-Front:
In order to stay at home, we should consider our circumstances.
Do you own your home, or do you rent? If you rent, then you may have little control over your property and what happens on it, which means you may want to consider the retreat option instead.
Is your home in the midst of a large population center? If it is, then there may be considerable danger in the event of an economic collapse. Urban survival is definitely possible, but follows different guidelines and involves dangers not covered in most survival manuals. If you are not confident in your ability to stay safe in a populous area, you may want to use a retreat away from the city.
Is your home highly visible to others, or is it set in dangerous terrain? If your terrain makes you vulnerable, or your home sits on the very top of a hill for everyone to see, then you may want to consider a separate retreat.
If your home does not suffer from any of these setbacks, then you will have many advantages in staying put. First, because it is where you have probably lived for quite some time, you will know your surroundings inside and out. It is much easier to protect yourself from unwanted intruders if you have intimate knowledge of the terrain, and familiarity breeds confidence, which is incredibly important for survival. It is also much easier to stockpile goods, rig an alternative power source, and fortify your building as well as your land over time.
Another advantage to staying at home is that if you have been doing your job correctly and informing your friends and trusted neighbors of the collapse, then you will have allies and with them safety in numbers. Not to mention, the ability to combine resources with those who have also been preparing.
Planning For Retreat:
A retreat is a place away from your home environment that provides greater security and less visibility, or greater resources such as edible plant life, animal life, and water. A retreat could be almost anywhere; a forest cabin, an old tunnel structure, a carefully hidden RV, or simply a mountain range you hike every summer. Sometimes the best places are right under our noses. Abandoned farmland for instance would make an excellent retreat because it has already been tilled, planted at one time (which often produces random plant food sources long after the land is abandoned), and is normally surrounded with game. The most important consideration is that you choose the location far in advance of collapse and plan accordingly.
The disadvantages of a retreat include; a possible lack of terrain familiarity, the inability to fortify the area over time because of its remoteness, the inability to store ample goods on site for fear of theft (you would be required to bring most of your survival goods with you at the time of collapse), and the fact that you will have to get to the location without incident.
All of these problems can be overcome with good planning and a little foresight.
Survival Food And Gear
Again, the supplies we choose to stock will greatly depend on which path we have decided on; Home Front, or Retreat.
Staying at home gives you the advantage of larger stock, heavier equipment, and more permanent utility solutions. Here are some recommendations for food and gear that lend themselves to the Home Front option.
Home Front Foods
When staying at home, one does not have to worry so much about the weight and volume of goods stored, so bulk food items are an excellent option. When making food purchases, always take into account nutritional value and calorie levels. Although we have been taught that high calorie and fat intake are “bad,” in a survival situation, storable foods with high calories are actually good! Fats most especially will be at a premium, and are required by your body to function properly. Also keep in mind that most wild game tends to be lean, and low in fat, so do not count on hunting alone to provide what you need.
A good rule of thumb for calorie intake is the same rule used by athletes when losing or maintaining weight; check your weight then multiply it by ten. If you weigh 200 pounds, this means you will need at least 2000 calories just for your body to remain healthy in an inactive state. If constantly active (which is likely) you will need more than 2000 calories to remain in good health. Never scoff at calorie counting, it may save your life. For home storage I would recommend at minimum a one year supply of food. Stocking more, especially for trade, would be preferable.
Here are just a few great food items that can help to fill your calorie and nutritional requirements.
Canned Goods, Jarred Goods: Canned goods are a given for the Home Front strategy, but rotation is necessary, and storing for more than two years is not a good idea.
Hard Red Wheat: Hard red wheat if dried properly can be stored for up to 30 years. It can be boiled and eaten, or if you have a grain mill, ground up and used to make bread products. Great source of calories and nutrition.
Rice: Easily stored, and a little goes a long way.
Beans: Takes a long time to cook, but when combined with rice, they provide a full protein in the advent that meat is not available.
Nuts, Trail Mix: Almonds, Walnuts, Peanuts etc., provide a high amount of fats and are also very good for you.Honey: Honey is an incredible food source. Sugars are extremely important in one’s diet and honey has ample amounts, as well as being far easier to store than normal table sugar, because unlike table sugar, honey kills bacteria.
Non-Instant Powdered Milk: Good source of fat, calcium, and amino acids. I am told non-instant tastes better than instant.
Salt: Your body must have salt, period.
Spices, Soup Bases: Spices are comfort food, but in a survival situation, we all might need a little comfort. Also, spices help make some wild game more palatable.
Water: Having your own land opens the possibility of a well, using your roof and gutters as a water collection tool, and with a little investment even a personal pond or lake. Filtration is the key. Stocking up on pumps that filter out bacteria would be essential. Boiling water also works, but remember, it doesn’t remove silt and heavy metals, and it can waste fuel.
The above foods when stored properly will provide you with the basic nutrition your body needs. They can then be supplemented with a garden, wild edible plants, and game.
Home Front Gear
Staying at home opens up many options as far as gear is concerned. Here are some ideas that Home Front people can use to their advantage:
Electricity: Men often romanticize about roughing it in the wilds or returning to a state of primal caveman-ness, but really, life without electricity is very difficult, especially if you have a family, and it removes many advantages from your survival playbook. Go to Africa and see if the people there without simple electric lighting romanticize their situation. Many items that give you an edge in survival require electricity, the most important being refrigeration. Gas generators can help, but are limited by the amount of gasoline you can acquire. Large quantities of gas are also difficult to store. For those staying home, I highly recommend setting up a solar power system. They are not as expensive as you might imagine, once set up the energy is free and never runs out, and you will be completely independent from the grid, making you free from the effects of power outages.
If you live in the plains or in high wind areas, windmill power is also available at reasonable prices for the homeowner.
Water Generators: With solar power comes limitless energy. Add an atmospheric water generator like those produced by Ecolo Blue, and you now have unlimited clean water:
This may be initially more expensive, but over the long run you will be so far ahead of the game you will wonder why you ever agonized over spending your fiat paper money.
Surveillance Cameras: While we generally think of these as being globalist tools of control, they can be put to an honorable purpose on the Home Front. Having solar and wind power gives you the option of security perimeters, alarms, even cameras which can alert you to intrusion. This may seem a bit “over the top” to some, but only because they are thinking in terms of the way the world is now. Think in terms of how the world will probably be after a severe economic downturn. Study other countries in history who suffered similar fates, including the Weimar Republic, Argentina, Zimbabwe, etc. People often had to take their safety into their own hands in the face of a completely chaotic social landscape. Every opportunity for advantage (within the bounds of conscience) should be taken.
Lumber, Construction Tools: The kinds of things you would never be able to carry with you to a retreat are readily available to those staying at home as long as you plan ahead of time. Good fresh lumber may be difficult to find unless one wants to take the risk of scavenging away from his property. Having a supply set aside could help in buttressing walls, building barricades, repairing fencing, animal pens, animal traps, making items for trade etc. The need for sturdy tools is self explanatory.
Now that we’ve discussed the particular benefits of staying at home, we will go over the retreat scenario and its particular quirks…
Retreat Foods
The retreat situation requires a very strong sense of efficiency and the ability to discern the necessary from the less necessary. Weight and versatility of goods will be extremely important, especially if your retreat is a piece of land without any preexisting structures. You will have to think carefully on what you can carry and what you can load into your vehicle. The allure of the retreat strategy is the option of mobility. You will not be tied down to one place, and thus you will not be betting the entire game on a single hand. You can even have several backup retreat locations staked out in the event that you must pick up and leave one. However, in order to do this, you must maintain agility and speed.
Food is heavy, and six month’s to a year’s worth of food is very heavy. So, how do you cope? There are several methods…
Freeze Dried Foods: Freeze dried foods are an excellent alternative in a number of ways. They are very light, and only require boiling water to prepare. They usually have ample salts, fats, sugars, and proteins, and the packages contain calorie data, which means you won’t have to spend as much time keeping track of nutrition essentials. I highly recommend a large stock of these meals if you plan to be on the move.
Protein Bars: Protein bars contain a high amount of calories (usually 200-300) in a very small package. They also sometimes have decent vitamin and enzyme content. A great option for the retreatist.
Beef Jerky: Stores well. Survival situations are strenuous and drain the body of energy. The protein and iron content of meat are helpful in maintaining body strength. Jerky also has high salt content, and gives you that satisfying feeling of “fullness.”
Chocolate: We all know that chocolate bars have a lot of fat and sugar, but for our purposes this is actually a very good thing. One Snickers Bar for instance has around 270 calories, 13 grams of fat, and 28 grams of sugar. I wouldn’t recommend living on them, but they do provide a small meal’s worth of energy in a tiny bar.
Vitamins: You may not have easy access to fruits and some vegetables. A good multivitamin can keep you from wasting away or getting scurvy (this is not a joke. You don’t have to be a pirate to get scurvy from lack of vitamins).
Because the retreatist cannot take a large supply of food with him, he will be far more dependent on what he can use off the land. A small book on wild edible plants would be invaluable. Surveying the area you plan to retreat to would be a good idea, so that you may identify what plants and game will be available to you when you finally have to set up camp. You don’t have to become a horticulturalist, but being able to identify at least a few safe greens could make the difference between staying healthy and placing the mechanics of your body in serious danger.
I would like to make another suggestion as far as food is concerned and it may sound rather odd at first. But, if you see the signs of collapse unfolding and you know the event is near, why not go to the store and pick up some extra fatty foods? Eating more than usual just before a collapse could help you to build up some extra fat stores before the event, which can act as a cushion (literally and figuratively) when your diet suddenly goes into survival mode. I’m not saying we should all get fat quick, but after a collapse you may not have another chance to gorge yourself for a while. Something to keep in mind…
Retreat Gear
The retreatist has to be a master of adaptation. Some gear he might like to have would just not be possible to transport, so he has to make due, or come up with workable and clever alternatives. Here are some examples of gear that may be very helpful to the unique situation of the retreatist.
Electricity: Even the retreatist has items that require batteries and electricity, items he would rather not be without. Two way radios, emergency short wave radios, flashlights, rangefinders, maybe even nightvision. But what happens when the batteries run out? Bringing a lot of extra batteries would add a lot of weight, and they can run out quickly. Some people planning for retreat may forgo all electronics, but I’ve found a better solution; highly portable and durable solar panels much like those used in the military from a company called Brunton:
The solar panels fold up into a small binder-like package, they are very hard to damage, and are extremely light. The system comes with multi-adaptors that allow you to charge any device, and when combined with a portable battery pack (also offered by Brunton), you can store energy all day if needed and never run out of power. This device along with a portable battery charger and good rechargeable batteries would allow you to use your electronics indefinitely without constantly having to scavenge or trade for new batteries. You can order directly from Brunton, but buying from Amazon and E-bay instead could save you hundreds of dollars.
Water: Carrying a large supply of water is just not practical for the retreatist. The general rule is you need 1 liter of water for every 1000 calories your body expends. If you are very active, you will probably expend at least 3000 calories per day, which means drinking 3 liters of water daily. Loading up enough water into your vehicle for even a month may be unrealistic, and impossible if you are hiking to your location. The most reliable solution to get water that doesn’t taste completely vile is to purchase a portable water filtration system like those made by Katadyn.
Katadyn filters can make even the most stagnant pond water safe for drinking. Of course, packing a roll of strong garbage bags (yard work bags are best) will also be necessary to build makeshift rainwater collection units, or a poncho can be used to the same purpose.
Portable Stove: Learning the ins and outs of campfire cooking is a must for the retreatist, but a campfire may not always be a good option, especially if you want to avoid being seen from five miles away (cooking under overhanging tree branches can help disperse smoke, but even this may not be enough sometimes). Having a decent portable stove can solve this issue. There are two that I personally suggest; the first is the Coleman Multifuel Stove.
This stove runs on Coleman fuel, unleaded gasoline, and kerosene. This gives you a wide range of fuel sources which helps when certain fuels are hard to find. The drawback of course is that you have to carry around a stock of fuel, which will eventually run out. Another stove has been recommended to me which solves this problem; the Bush Buddy Stove.
The Bush Buddy burns anything, including twigs and grass, and is designed to contain and re-circulate the heat created. I have not yet used it myself, but I have heard only good things, and I believe it is the best possible option for the retreatist. You would never have to worry about a fuel supply, ever.
Another strategy for the retreatist would be caching of supplies in areas you know you will retreat to. Caching a small amount at a time in different locations can help alleviate the problem of transporting a lot of stock. However, you better be sure you know how to bury the items correctly so they aren’t ruined over time, and you have to be certain that you can find the caches after they are buried.
Now that we have covered gear specific to the two main survival strategies, here is a list of items that everyone should have regardless of which path they have chosen:
· MultiTool
· Pocket Knife
· Combat Knife
· MRE’s
· First Aid Kit (include Celox blood stopper and sterile sutures)
· Compass
· Hiking Backpack
· Sleeping Bag
· Canteens
· Sewing Kit
· Maps
· Duct Tape
· Lighter
· Space blanket
· Plastic Freezer Bags
· Waterproof Matches
· Emergency Candles
· Hiking Tarp
· Water Filter
· Camp Axe
· Shovel
· Hiking Boots
· Gloves
· Water-purification tablets
· Paracord / Rope / Twine
· Tinder
· Fishing line
· Extra Socks
· Rain suit or poncho,
· AM / Weather Radio
· Snare Wire
· Batteries
· Magnesium Fire Starter
· Wire Saw
· Plastic Trash Bags
· Binoculars
· Shortwave Radio
· Eating and Cooking Utensils
· Scissors
· Cable Ties
· Tire Repair Kit
· Gas Mask
· Lantern
· Silver / Gold Coins
· Can Opener
Self Defense
Yes, that’s right, we are going to talk about guns. We are going to recommend you buy a gun. We are going to recommend you stock ammunition. We are even going to recommend that you use that gun and ammunition to defend yourself in the event that your life or your freedoms are threatened.
I’m not sure exactly when, but at some point in American history a large portion of our society started equating the philosophy of self defense with malicious violence. It is not immoral to defend one’s self. It is wholly in line with the voice of conscience not to mention entirely rational. It is something we all should have learned in kindergarten; sometimes the bully doesn’t listen to reason, and sometimes there’s no one around to help you. Sometimes, you just have to punch the bully in the teeth.
Nowadays, they send the cops after your five-year-old if he punches the bully in the teeth. People are lambasted for self defense from an early age, and admonished for not informing an “authority figure” instead. But the fact of the matter is, authority figures are rarely if ever around to protect you in bad situations. Most of the time, you and you alone are responsible for your own safety. This is the way life is. We can either accept it, or face the consequences for our stubborn denial.
I have been a martial artist for 22 years, and I understand well the distaste for guns. In my opinion, all violent conflicts should be settled fairly, barehanded, and man-to-man, but this is not our reality. In the real world, unarmed and innocent people are killed by guns daily, by criminals, as well as overzealous soldiers and governments. Logic dictates that the innocent must prepare to shoot back, because they’re innocence alone will not be enough to protect them. A few years ago, I decided it was time to grow up and get over my aversion to firearms.
When purchasing a firearm for survival, there are a couple guidelines people should follow:
Military Grade: Semi Auto Combat rifles are called combat rifles for a reason. They are durable, long lasting, and dependable. They are made to be fired over and over again. Despite what your good hunting buddy may say, cheap hunting rifles and bolt actions are NOT made for combat. They often overheat and malfunction from continuous firing and break easily. Bolt actions are good for long distance shooting, but are too slow when fighting in closer quarters (no matter how Rambo we might think we are). Those with well made semi-auto rifles and pistols designed specifically for combat are more likely to survive than those without.
Caliber: Choosing a weapon in a military caliber (.223, 7.62 by 39, or .308 for rifles, 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP for pistols) would be a very good idea, mainly because these calibers will be far easier to find and trade in a post collapse scenario.
Surroundings: Will you be in the city or the country? A long range heavy rifle may do poorly in close quarters city or suburban areas, while a close-quarters carbine would be less effective in the plains or mountains.
Comfort: Some weapons fit certain body types better than others. Finding a weapon that “feels right” instead of awkward, is important. It should feel like an extension of yourself. Accuracy improves greatly with comfort.
Cost: When choosing a firearm that may save your life one day, I find concerns of cost to be less important, but it is understandable that some of us cannot afford “top of the line” so we must find a respectable and affordable alternative.
Here are some rifle recommendations from Neithercorp, divided by more affordable, to more expensive:
…
Cheap But Effective
Russian / Chinese SKS
The SKS is an accurate and very reliable precursor to the AK-47. They are almost impossible to break, rarely jam, and run even when dirty. They are limited however by capacity. Only ten round stripper clips. They are also a pain to modify for AK magazines or scopes without a qualified gunsmith (believe me, we’ve tried, and all it does in most cases is ruin the gun). The cost has gone up quickly on the SKS, but they are still far more affordable than most combat rifles: $300 to $400.
AK-47
Ugly and mean looking. Often associated with terrorists. Whatever, these things last forever. High capacity mags allow for 30 rounds (sometimes more). Good for close quarters. Drawbacks: not very accurate. Trying to shoot at 100 yards or more is pushing it and they are much better at the 50 yard range. Cost: $500 to $600.
Saiga
Saiga is a great company. As far as I can tell, they make the best combat rifle in their price range hands down. The Saiga is basically an AK-47 clone but less costly, not to mention you can get it in various calibers, including .223, 7.62, and .308. They even make a semi-auto shotgun, which I have not yet had the pleasure of testing. Drawbacks would be like the AK; not meant for long ranges. Cost: $250 to $450.
Rugar Mini 14
Well made and reliable. Also fires .223, which is the standard U.S. military caliber, meaning ammo will be widely available. Far less expensive than most rifles in the .223 caliber. Drawbacks: must change to a tactical stock in order to add scope or red dot sight. Loses accuracy past 100 yards. Cost: $600.
CETME
The CETME is similar to the famous HK G3 rifle, but much less expensive. It is very reliable, takes HK parts and some mags, and is probably one of the most affordable .308 long range rifles available. Drawbacks: Newer models sometimes have cheaply made stocks that require replacement with better furniture, as well as reports of some trigger problems. Cost: $600.
Savage 10FCP
Probably the most affordable heavy barreled sniper rifle platform out there. Accolades for accuracy and performance. Drawback: none, except that it is a bolt action, and not meant for extended or close combat. Cost: $800 to $1200.
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Top Of The Line Wallet Busters
Some of the more expensive but extraordinary rifles include:
Springfield M1A / SOCOM
This rifle is famed and revered by gun enthusiasts for a reason. It is simply bad (in a good way). This gun was my choice for survival and I have never had a complaint about its function. It’s built like a rock, I’ve never had a jam, its accurate out to 500 yards or more (basically a semi-auto sniper rifle), and it has a magazine capacity of up to 30 rounds. Drawbacks: Very difficult to scope. The top ejection design beats the crap out of the cheaper scope mounts and they jar loose quickly. A tactical stock replacement is usually necessary, but honestly, I prefer the iron sights anyway. Cost: $1500 to $2500.
FNAR
FN is a good company that makes high quality firearms. The FNAR is an exceptional rifle designed specifically for semi-auto long range combat and comes with a built in scope mount. Drawbacks: There are no iron sights on this gun. You are basically required to put a scope on it, and good scopes can cost almost as much as the gun itself. Cost: $1300 to $1500.
HK 91
World famous German engineering. Very reliable, very accurate. Drawbacks: none, except the price. Cost: $2200 to $2500.
AR-15 / M16
I’m not a big fan of the AR-15 / M16 platform, but I understand its allure. AR’s are very light, easy recoil, and their tabletop flat stocks allow for good accuracy in close quarters. Their tactical railing systems allow for any number of scopes and add-ons. Drawbacks: The .223 round has certain range limitations, making it better for urban style combat. The railing systems are often taken too far. Some people put so much stuff on their AR’s as to make their weight advantage useless. I sometimes wonder when they’ll make an iPod mount for the AR. Also, feed problems galore. I have not heard of an AR that didn’t jam on a regular basis. You have to keep them immaculately clean in order for them to function. In fact, reports are coming in from Iraq and Afghanistan that troops are specifically requesting old M1A’s / M14’s from storage because the sand is destroying their M16’s. Cost: $1500 to $2500.
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Pistols And Hunting
Pistols are backup weapons only, and should not be relied upon as the main means of self defense. Semi-auto pistols are much more likely to save your life than revolvers, mainly because of their high capacity, not to mention the greater availability of ammo. Glock’s and Glock clones (such as the Springfield XD) are great combat pistols and very reliable. Expect to pay at least $500 to $600 for a decent sidearm.
Hunting rifles are a bit of a contention among survivalists. What if you go out hunting with a bolt action rifle and are ambushed by men with combat weapons? You will be at a distinct disadvantage. What if you use a combat rifle and the military ball ammo doesn’t work correctly? My solution would be to use a combat rifle with ammo specifically meant for hunting, such as .308 steel-core expansion ammo. In a pinch, regular military surplus ammo can still be used.
The Survival Mentality
More important than any gun, any gear, any preparation, is the mental state of the survivalist himself. One must have confidence in himself and his ability to endure, otherwise he will not succeed. I am consistently confronted by nihilists, some who even claim to be part of the Liberty Movement, who state unequivocally that survival preparation is futile, that we are all “doomed,” that the Elites who are ransacking our country cannot be stopped. Frankly, I’m not certain of that, and neither are they. I do know it is better to stand and fight for what you believe and die in the attempt, than to give up before the fight even starts and die from lack of trying. I wonder how many people told those that fought in the American Revolution that their effort was futile, that the British could not be stopped.
I also am sometimes dismayed by those that prepare for survival only for survival’s sake. To stay alive is important of course, and a primary human drive, but our survival success may hinge not only on our instinct to live, but to also remain free. Without a philosophical or spiritual ideal, without a greater purpose, surviving this economic collapse will be an empty affair with little meaning. To come through the chaos relatively unscathed is admirable, but pointless if the end result is the formation of a tyrannical world government and the loss of our liberties. Each individual who not only survives but fights for what he believes tips the scale away from elitism and oppression. Every person who works towards something greater than himself, a future where such pain and catastrophe no longer hang over humanity, each of these men and women send a shockwave through history that touches elements of society in ways we cannot yet even imagine.
What is the point of giving up now? What do we have to gain? What do we have to lose by fighting back that we are not already about to lose?
Survival is about more than living, it is about more than believing, it is about KNOWING. Knowing what the world should be, and knowing what the world should not be. Knowing in an intuitive way, beyond simple examination and observation. Knowing from a deeper perspective.
In the end, our survival and the survival of our ideals depends not only on our two hands, our cleverness, or even our fear of death, but the content of each man’s heart, and how much of that content he is willing to trust.
NOTE: See also What Does It Mean To Be A Survivalist?
WHOA! Nice gun section! (Sorry, I just couldn’t help it! I saw the gun section and I jumped ahead!)
Jeez! I read this article and got all goose-pimply. This is fantastic! The most condensed article I’ve ever seen. Gio, we’ve talked before and I knew you studied this stuff, but dang, I salute you!
From one prepper/modern survivalist to another:
YKYS!!! (You Know Your Shit!)
Sorry. I think profanity is colorful at times.
-NR
Good article. Well made as usual. I’m lucky enough that I can stay at home, and already have ammo/weapons. Just need to get the essentials of surviving together now. (Food, water prep, meds)
Here is some useful information for survivalists about seeds.
Vegetable seed viability
beans – 3 years
beets – 2 years
carrots – 3 years
corn – 2 years
cucumbers – 5 years
lettuce – 3 years
peas – 3 years
peppers – 2 years
pumpkins – 4 years
radishes – 5 years
spinach – 5 years
tomato – 4 years
watermelon – 4 years
It also depends on how they were stored. It’s best to store them in a dry, cool location away from light – however mine always seem to end up out on the 3 season porch every winter where it gets below zero for a bit every year – way colder than “cool”. But last year I had some tomato seeds from 5 yrs ago germinate quite well, so I guess it all depends.
You can check the viability of your seeds by placing several out on a few layers of moist paper towels, roll up so that the seeds don’t touch, and enclose the bundle in plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out. Place in a warm bright location (65 to 70 degrees or so) but away from direct sun. Check the seeds every couple days, until you reach 2 weeks. If you put 10 seeds in there for instance, and 3 germinate at the end of 2 weeks, you’ll probably have a 30% germ. rate. Of course then you just wasted 10 seeds, so I usually just go with the less scientific -sow more with older seeds strategy. No matter what, I always end up with more seedlings than I can use anyway.
My family is slowly getting our food supply ready. We will be prepared for any runn on the banks, run on the food stores, or riots in the streets. My family , which I love comes first, and it is up to me to get the proper stuff ready for what is coming.
Are you ready to support your family?
And if you want to get rich from it by gold and silver because that’s what we will used after the crash.
Great synopsis, I just wanted to throw this in: I’ve also gathered a great assortment of fun stuff, cards, chess and board games, poker chips, large amounts of art supplies, fun crafts, beading supplies and a guitar. If we are slapped back to the stone-age, sounds like we’re ready-but lets have some fun too! Ofcourse, between cleaning my 9 and tending the garden there may not be time to paint or play guitar but we’ve been honored with “living in interesting times” lets remember the beauty in play! Another thought, I’m getting settled in my new paradise, but have family a ways away, so I’ve plotted out road/rail/backway directions for them to get to me, just in case. Thanks for the seed info, I do need to start a better dating/labeling system. Thank you again for the reminder list and as always your great writing and profound insights.
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My God!!! You Americans are so paranoid, no wonder you love guns. You are afraid of your own shadow. I am so glad I don’t live in the US. Lock yourself in at night, set the alarm and oil your guns. What a pathetic way to live. We live in peace here in Canada and never lock our doors and sleep in harmony. No guns, no looking over your shoulder for assailants, etc… Good Luck, you’re going to need it.
Yes you do not have a communist govermennt I guess when america folds up you guys will have to feild a real military to protect yourselves
OK, Mes Ami, what are the squeekie clean kanooks in winsor going to do when detriot goes to shit.
I know they going to wish they had some of those american guns.
I MAKE THE STRONGEST HOME SECURITY BAR IN THE COUNTRY, [ I THINK IN THE WORLD, BUT MY WIFE SAYS, THAT SOUNDS TO BOLD ] CAN BE SEEN AT http://www.buddybardoorjammer.com NOBODY IS GETTING PAST THE BUDDYBAR
THANK YOU,
You canadians are such slaves. No wonder you try to justify the disarming of your society. The nwo has already beaten you.
Paranoid, that’s 2 noids isn’t it? Someday reality will set in and even Canadians will understand it. But it will be too late for most Canadians and Americans who are so detached from reality that they will be dead before they find out the truth about the sinful nature of man.
Anyone serious about purchasing firearms needs to read Boston’s Gun Bible. If you’re not serious, skip it.
I’ll give you a summary of the summary:
“Get a glock(s), an M1A, and a decent .308 hunting rifle. Replacement parts for each. Put 1000 rounds through each and have at least another 1000 for each. Attend gun self-defense schools. A gun is the teeth of liberty. If you don’t own a gun to protect your rights you are a slave, not a citizen.”
Further explanations in the massive tomb. Follow the above and you will do well – if you want to understand the reasoning get the book.
To Canadian Guy.
Having lived both in Canada and the US, IF the proverbial crap hits the fan in the US, you will see how quickly your pollyanna, head up your butt-hole self righteous philosophy becomes obsolete. For reasons you don’t remotely recognize, your life will change on a dime, and unfortunately, probably not for the better.
Thank you for posting this info…I have 3 shotguns & 2 pistols with plenty of ammo…now I need a rifle w/ammo. My other essential gear is about 80% complete with a nice order from Bass Pro Shops last night. We have about 2-3 months of storable food…if anyone needs some, try HeaterMeals.com…they have several choices, 1 year/3year/5year packs…just open the enclosed water pouch and pour it over the activator and put the meal back in the box…wait 7-8 minutes and you have a hot, tasty and fulfilling meal. I am not affiliated with them at all…but I am very happy with their product…Thanks again for the awesome information!
don’t forget the toilet paper..
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Good article! Only like to add that barter was only minutely covered. You mentioned spices. During the middle ages, which we may equate with a SHTF scenario, spicers were worth, quite literally, their weight in gold. Things that cannot be grown here (ie:central US) should be considered. Black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, alspice, saffron, vanilla, etc.
Also TOILET PAPER! In Bosnia was worth more than gold.
Prepared makes me -not paranoid- and to “oh Canada” when I got my new North Carolina Drivers License last summer, there is a hologram on the back of North America. Not the USA, not North Carolina, Canada and Mexico are there too, on my NC drivers license. Is it there in case I’m on the highways of Mexico City or Quebec I’m cleared to drive there? hmmm, Loosen the snuggie, you may have more problems than you think!
FYI, the weapon you have pictured as a AR15 is an AR10. Looks like POF’s .308 caliber, not a .223. Might want to correct its description.
Happy trails…….buckshot
to Canadian guy: get a f’n brain. I’m also Canadian and our so-called gov’t is easily as corrupt, albeit smaller, as any other; all gov’ts are the same entity, like an octupus.
That said, thanks for the excellent article; invaluable info. I wish weapons were as easy to obtain in Canada. I’m partial to what I know, which is Lee-Enfield or the old FN C1.
Why don’t you make up your mind. Are you going to hunt big game or people? You can’t carry around a bunch of rifles at the same time.
Bruno: good start.
Canadian guy: that’s why Americans are called “citizens” and cowards like you are called “subjects”.
Americans have the balls to USE our guns.
To Anonymous:
The article was pretty clear. Just get a larger caliber combat/battle rifle (.308 or 7.62×39) and it will server both purposes very well. Need to hunt some larger game? Saw off the tip of you milsurp ammo and now you have a hunting round. You can get a decent tactical scope with adjustable zoom for 80-200 dollars that will work quite well for hunting just about anything.
Also, Gio was pretty clear that your particular circumstances will dictate exactly what you require in a survival situation. Use your common sense.
Some additional suggestions:
- Bible (KJV or NKJV): this will prepare you for the real survival stated in Rev 14 (three angels message)
- Toilet paper
- BOOZE: not to drink, unless necessary for medical/dental sedative. Trade is the goal here.
- Book, “Lucifer’s Hammer”, old novel but outstanding in giving an idea of what life will be like when tribulations/collapse begins.
- Mormon manual on survival as well.
- Book, “How Way Things Work”
Bruno is right on, state of mind is paramount.
And for those Christians and what not out there who “think” the Bible (save for non-Hebrew and non-KJV versions) says “Thou shalt not kill”, the real 6th commandment is “Thou shalt not murder” and the difference betwixt the two is mighty in deed.
First Aid skills. Ability to recognize illness issues that you can take care of at home versus those you will need professional help with.
- Know who the doctors are in your area of retreat/fortress.
- Also, learn skills from native Americans that are local to your area, such as ability to make shoes or soap out of plant fibers (aka Yucca plants), needles for sowing.
- Barometer: good for getting an idea on local near term weather conditions.
Once the poop hits the fan you will need to track for signs, and for seasons and for days and years. You will need this for timing of crop planting harvesting and so on.
Jesus Christ – Make you peace now and start the good fight. All of this crap to hit will be quite tiny in time comparison to your time spent in eternity. Also, you will be able to give hope and comfort to those around you.
If you think the NWO and the like cannot succeed in their plans all you have to do is be aware of one event, 911. In less than 24 hours nearly all who dwell on earth were in one of two camps. Either you admonished the event or you glorified it. So the notion of Rev and the real contest being waged between good and evil and people choosing 50/50 for or against the beast is not so impossible as one may think.
Oh, charcoal, you can get it in holistic stores. Excellent for sore throat and stomach ailments.
Garlic is outstanding as well
Ginger as well
Hey Canadian Guy;
I’m also Kanadian and you have yer head so far up yer, er… in the sand. If your not locking your door’s then you are ethier naive or a fool. Kanada is so far ahead in the the socialist/communist agenda then our US cuzzin’s I fear for N. Amerika as a whole. The US is the last bastion of freedom. Worldwide freedom depends on what kind of stand they make. For our sake let’s hope they stand strong.
AR-15 or FNC1A1 or both with a sidearm and a shotgun or two with lot’s of ammo for all….
Information is vital to survival and good communications provide information and gather intelligence. Whether it is listening or communicating to coordinate with other friendlies good Ham radio equipment and the knowledge to use it effectively could add tremendously to your chances of continued existence.
In the event of total economic collapse or environmental disaster and possible anarchy, private possession or carrying of firearms would no doubt be banned. Anyone other than the police and military carrying one would be viewed as a criminal or enemy of the state and could be shot on sight or detained in a FEMA camp (a most unpleasant experience no doubt).
So rifles and assault weapons may not be a good idea, whereas a concealed weapon might regarding ‘no other option’ self defense. Better though to avoid getting into situations where you might have confrontation, become a target and have to defend yourself in the first place.
A man with a fishing rod and a basket is going to attract far less attention, pass through police/military checkpoints and patrols more easily, esp with a fisherman’s gift of the gab.
So a man will survive by his wits and resourcefulness when anarchy breaks out, not by his armoury of heavy weapons, that will become a burden to him in a survival situation. The police, military, or armed gangs of scavengers will always be able to outgun him anyway, so there is no point in their acquisition. Though a ‘comforter’ in the form a snub nosed 38 or 357 revolver might give him peace of mind and not detract from his need to avoid confrontation.
There is an over emphasis on weaponry in survival situations, where the essential requirements are clean water, shelter, food, heat from a fire/stove and for civilised man, toilet rolls.
Something else thats important to remember. When something happens, and everything collapses, We as a people have to stick together and try our best to help one another. The powers that be would love nothing more than for us to kill each other. It will make their job easier when it comes to dispose of the rest of us. REMEMBER: Strength in numbers. If you see someone who needs some help, dont neglect them, help them if you can. Know who to trust and not to trust. We would all be in this together.
Alien:
Alien (UK)?
I’m assuming that means you’re from the UK, and if it does, then there is no need for you to worry about owning firearms because you’re not allowed to have them anyway. As far as I can tell, your particular country has given so many concessions and freedoms away to the government that I suspect there is little chance for your survival beyond conforming to Globalism. Its quite sad really.
However, here in the U.S., gun confiscation laws means you already have the gun, and they have to TAKE IT from you. With 100 million gun owners in America, this would be quite a feat. Frankly, I welcome them to try, it would only galvanize the population into fighting back even more.
Check out James McCanney’s site.
jmccsci.com
He has some interesting books. One shows how to create a calendar of sorts out of rocks in order to know when to plant (if things get that bad).
He has a show every Thursday on Reality Radio, 8:00 p.m. central time, and all of his shows are archived and free to listen to on his site.
Buckshot:
It’s difficult to tell without a sense of scale in the picture, but whether the image is of an AR-10 or AR-15, the designs are similar, and so are the advantages and disadvantages. I think people will get the general idea from the photo we used. Thanks for pointing this out though.
Rocking comments, every one! Thats the great thing about a good article, Gio, it gets great comments. I am very pleased!
“for all the men who melted their guns into plows—are now working the men who did not…”Thomas Jefferson
Hmmm…nice site! First time visitor & would like to add my 2 cents worth……
I concur w/ the site-owners philosophy that survivalism is a multi-skill set, broad spectrum endeavor. IMO, adherence to a true Christian belief system & individual mind-set being the key elements, after which everything else will fall into place!
…example.) The Creator endowed each one of us w/ a survival instinct, embedded within our DNA as evidenced by what Anthropologists term: “the Fight or Flight reflex”…and those of us who are more attuned to that reality, build upon that foundation! Hence, survival is also about the future of our progeny! We (males) recognize the fact that we have a DIVINELY MANDATED RESPONSIBILITY to personally ensure the survival of our mates & our children.
I am heartened & inspired by those of you posting here who evidently possess the “Iron Will” to make it thru the coming darkness. Good luck to you.
…To the cowardly “Canadian Guy”:
….You are hereby commanded to surrender you weapons, ammunition & your “balls” to somebody w/ the guts to use them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Giordano,
Yes, in the UK only the police, military and criminals have handguns and the possession of rifles and shotguns is strictly regulated. ‘They’ know who have firearms on license and no doubt when anarchy and lawlessness prevails, those with them will get the knock on the door to surrender their weapons.
So in the UK we are at the stage where you in the US will be in the future when your government outlaws those that possess unlicensed firearms.
Head start really, the Englishman has to be ready now to fall back on his cunning and resourcefulness and learn how to avoid confrontation with feigned compliance with the ruling authorities. Also be sociable with those on the outside(the rogues and characters you would normally avoid)so that should anarchy break out they would accept you into their ‘eternal dwellings’.
(Luke 16:9)
Do not underestimate the power of your government in the US, as many of you do with your challenges of “bring it on”. Citizens are no match for the blackwater shadow army and foreign troops they have in reserve now training on your soil. They will prevail and disarm you should anarchy break out, remember New Orleans and Waco?
Alien:
That is the exact kind of nihilism I a talk about in the article. “We will be no match for them” is an assumption based on what? Waco? New Orleans? Those situations are a far cry from an attempt at nation wide gun confiscation and control. Many of us here will not hand over our weapons regardless of the risks, which is the difference between America and many countries. Here, the people are the “authority”, at least that is the way our country was originally designed. Many of us will not placate to any other “authority”, and there is no chance that open gun confiscation will succeed here the way it did in the UK. Sorry, but its just not going to work out for the elites. Why do you think they’re going through all the trouble of creating hyperinflationary conditions? Even in the worst possible environment they’re not sure they could get away with disarmament.
Use the dwindling money you have wisely. Ever heard of maslows hierarchy? It is necessary to prioritize and determine things you think you need from what you actually need. There is always someone worse off than you, thats jus how it works, so if you have that spare dollar, consider it an obligation to help out those who arent so blessed. and so when that moment comes when it’s your time of need, the intent of deeds of your past shall pay for the kindess that others may mercifully give.
I am standing and applauding the excellent presentation you have prepared here! Bravo!
I founded a Yahoo Group a few years ago for the survival minded to gather and swap information…last night after finding this site I posted a link on the group and MANY people have posted praising this site too….
Check us out at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HunkerDown06/
One more thing: You can get a paperback version of the MERCK MANUAL for less than $10. This is used by physicians and is also easy to understand-especially for simple procedures and illnesses you may encounter. Gives excellent step by step instruction.
“They will prevail and disarm you should anarchy break out, remember New Orleans and Waco?”
Comparisons are laughable. The will of the people was not challenged in Waco. The will of some people were. But, if that were to spread, the FBI, ATF etc would need way more people than were willing to violate their oaths to The Constitution.
In New Oleans, neither the people nor the criminal cops probably had even heard of “The Constitution”.
…add to that now the people are much more awake. Those two instances were eyeopeners to people who had been asleep for years. What do you think if they had tried to broaden the likes of Waco or New Orleans? HA! It would be called smackdown and you can guess who the winners would be: The American People. We don’t serve them and we don’t bow to them, they serve us. We have a Constitution. They clearly breach it and we’ll start kicking ass and taking names. Nowhere in the world can that happen but in the United States.
So, if it does happen, you people who have signed away all your right, watch what a few hundred million small arms can do in private hands. Maybe you’ll get your moxy back if it happens.
Free men don’t depend on a government to protect them. Governments are inherently corrupt. Once you lose your freedom, its gone until that government collapses or you leave.
Alien(UK),
There are always conspiracy theories. Just like the FEMA camps that we were all supposed to be interned at 5 years ago.
Tin Foil Hat Conspiracy theories muddy the waters. I’ve learned to ignore. Though they can give you some clues as to the real story, most of it is designed to suck you in, as this has you. Frankly, its bullshit. Our military does stuff all the time. Who knows what it is but I’m not losing any sleep over it. So they repainted their trucks.
CONSPIRACY!!!
Different tire tread!
CONSPIRACY!!!
The left the hoods up overnight!
CONSPIRACY!!!
It goes on and on. It gets tiring. Too much Alex Jones or Glenn Beck will make anyone paranoid. When I see that they knocked down doors and took guns, then I’ll get worried.
I find that it is very important and puts my mind at ease to know that whatever the cirumstances may be I will be prepared. Not only because I am prepared with survival gear but because I am mentally prepared. To be honest as much as I love this life I lead. I welcome a chance to live life truly free, and I know that when the time comes I will be ready. That is peace of mind. Also, something that I see that your list is missing. EXCERCISE. It is very important to condition your body to be able to move by foot with a load of gear if need be and keep yourself mentally stable through complete exhaustion. Running, climbing, crawling, and evading all may one day save your life. That is just another level of preparedness that i feel is very important that a lot of people tend to overlook. Thats my 2 cents. I hope it helps. And Giordano I want to say thank you for your excellent words of wisdom. Every time I read your articles I look forward to your next one that much more. Thank you for what you do.
Alien(UK),
I see talk like this all the time. Because of the movies and because of television your vision is warped. The media machine has been employed well, I see, by the elites. Well organized? hehehe. You’ve never worked for government, have you? Lots of saber rattling, but, by the time this happens, the government will be so strained with resources that it will be dazed and confused.
How long have we been in Iraq? How long have we been in Afghanistan? Can you imagine us fighting the whole of the Afghan people that were well armed, well educated *AND* had been eating well for the last 60 years? Hehehe. Its kind of laughable when you think about it. A poorly fed, dinky-assed country with crap for arms is essentially keeping us at bay much like they kept the Russians at bay for years. Feed them and arm them with quality weapons and the term “whoopass” (a redneck, back county term) comes to mind. In all redneck tradition, “You piss of the rednecks in my county, we’ll band together and we’ll open a barrel of whoopass on you!”
So you’ll say, “What about all the drone technology, etc…”
What about it? Sure, its helped with specific targets. It helps when there is a leadership. What if we are a leaderless resistance force? Ask the troops in Afghanistan. They’ve got a leadership structure there and we still can stomp them. …and we’re well fed, healthy and well armed.
No, I think we’ll be just fine. Like any war, some of us will die if something like that happens. *IF* it happens. I don’t think it will. Oh, they’ll rattle their sabers and they’ll take a few guns but when it all boils down to it, they have to morally compromise themselves to fire on us. They take the oath. Their oath is to the Constitution not to their commander. It will create chaos. It will bury them in controversy.
Will small bands of foreign and domestic criminals be successful? You bet! But, as a widespread nature, no. They will be mired in fire and resistance. This is a big country.
You sir, are like the doubters during the revolutionary war. Only now, the American People not only have the will, we’re well fed, well educated and much more mature. Not to mention out number several military forces.
I can’t even imagine the force it would take to even challenge us, much less put us down.
I laugh at your movie and pop culture based assumptions. We’re getting our will back and soon, we’ll want our country back. …and we will have it.
Alien:
I see a problem with your “cooperation” tactic, being that it is exactly what the Germans did during the Nazi rise to power. Many Germans opposed Fascism, but kept their mouths shut, thinking things would somehow get better. Of course, they didn’t. In fact, I can’t think of a single tyrannical government that grew better over time instead of worse. The reason being, when you give tyrants an inch, they will undoubtedly take a mile.
We are dealing with psychopaths. You can’t reason with them, and if you value your freedom, you can’t cooperate with them. The Globalists would love for us to use your strategy because they could roll out their “New World Order” completely unimpeded. There comes a time when you are either a slave, or, you say enough is enough and fight back. You can’t do both, which is what you are suggesting we do.
Also, your operating under the assumption that many of us would rather choose life over freedom. That is not the case, certainly not with me anyway. A life lived as a slave is not worth living. I cannot speak for the rest of America, but as for me, when the time comes I will fight.
Alien(UK),
Your cowardice is really quite depressing. You seem to be a little on the ignorant side when it comes to American culture and politics.
One thing you should definitely know is that the U.S. government does not know “who has the guns.” People who purchase firearms at gun shows benefit from what is known as a private seller transaction. This means an individual can purchase a firearm in cash, with no paper trail whatsoever–innocent until proven guilty still applies in this case. Many survivalists in America choose this method for obvious reasons. This is just one of those pesky freedom things that tyrants and criminal governments really stress over.
Another thing that you should be aware of; There is a massive political shift towards less gun control in this country. As our government becomes more corrupt and we head into uncertain times, the majority of Americans are aligning themselves against gun control laws and further restrictions on our freedom. If you think that we are just going to wake up one day and soldiers are going door to door confiscating guns in America, then you are sadly mistaken. What happened in Waco and the aftermath of Katrina were wakeup calls that worked because the government caught citizens off-guard. Nation wide gun confiscation simply isn’t a political or logistical reality in America. Even in the event of a massive staged crisis or terrorist attack, the government has lost so much credibility at this point that people aren’t going to go along with the tyranny.
NetRanger pretty much covered everything else in his post–especially the part about troops needing to morally compromise themselves to fire on us. This is the biggest factor of all. In America, many military and police are true patriots and you will see a mass exodus of police and military from the establishment ranks if they are asked to fire on U.S. citizens.
I’m sorry you feel that there is no hope for yourself across the pond, but here in America we still cherish our freedom.
Alien(UK),
Methinks you are in disparate need of some “CRUMPET”, in order to clear your head of all that English fog…yep, yer pipes are plugged up for sure!!!
Now onto more pressing matters! Net Ranger is absolutely correct in his assessment (ditto for Gio)…you on the other hand, apparently cannot think outside the box! Do you honestly envision that American Patriots will blindly seek to engage the standing US Army and the myriad govt alphabet soup agencies, in a stand up fight? Come on pal, you’ve got to be brighter than that!!!! We understand that Washington DC CANNOT WIN a sniper’s war…
Let me lay it out nice & simple for you;
….once folks see that the feds are moving on them, you’re going to witness an almost instantaneous uprising that will begger the imagination! Not only will said agents become instant targets, you’ll see the economic (resource wise) strangulation of the “Blue-blood North East” begin! Thats “Elite country”, pal!!!
…every coal carrying semi-truck heading out of WV,KY & PA will be stopped/destroyed, ditto for the Mid-western grain haulers heading east…and the RR tracks feeding New York/DC etc, well they’re impossible to defend. In short, the elites will find it very expensive to maintain their “accustomed” lifestyle.
…also watch for every pipe-line coming from the gulf states to the North East, to go up in smoke at multiple points and at frequent intervals
Catch my drift yet?
Lastly, allow me to explain something to you sonny! Its not the Govt big-wigs/generals or the rich-bitch Elites who decide a war is over or not worth fighting…..its the “ACCOUNTANTS”!!!!!!!!!
….Hence, all we American Patriots have to do, is make their little endeavor at Global Governance simply too damn expensive!!!!!!!!
…MOLON LABE’…(look it up, bloke).
Alien:
“I think the well fed and well educated for sixty years people of America have been fed ‘bread and circuses’ for so long now that they know what side their bread’s buttered. You will get little support from them with your revolution, the majority will step back from the breech and let you few revolutionaries fill it with your dead.”
Actually Alien, it only took around 5% of the American population to defeat the British during the first Revolutionary War. You state that we should not underestimate the elites yet you seem to be overtly underestimating the common man’s desire to be free.
Also, I wouldn’t disagree that Americans have been fed “bread and circuses”, however, things can change quite quickly once people realize they aren’t going to be fed anymore (literally). You can’t make estimations of American response based on how the world is now, you can only guess at how the world WILL BE after a collapse, and how this may effect our cultural psyche.
You consistently claim we will fail, but this is just an opinion not based in historical fact, or personal experience. Forgive me, but I generally take a British person’s views on revolution with a grain of salt.
Alien:
Well, I guess we’ll see what happens when the bridge is crossed. As I tell everyone, strive for the best outcome, but prepare for the worst outcome……
I suppose the discussion of guns conjured the visions of para-military types going door-to-door. I’m as concerned about
thousands of “Ted’s and Jennifer’s roaming the streets of suburbia, when their prescriptions for Paxel and loonesta run out, grocery stores are empty,the gas stations close, cable is gone and Starbucks locks its doors. Gerald Celente says:” When people loose everything, they loose it”.
If there’s a dollar collapse, engineered pandemic, or a new false flag, it may take a few months for everyday life to turn chaotic , so many in our country are zombies and will not be able to live outside their matrix-like structure and may be as dangerous as a few Blackwater fellows.
Our poor have been conditioned to be child-like, unable to feed or care for themselves, three generations of; handouts, entitlements, food stamps and section-8, they will be dangerous too.
We cant know yet what the exact threats are, but I’m factoring in the potential for mass craziness…
@Alien(UK),
The adult males will be the ones holding the guns. It is a reverse situation from the Titanic: no enforced chivalry.
The good men will be protecting loved ones and their community from the bad men. Simple as that.
I have to add, that a prepared, mentally conditioned member of society who is also a “survivalist” will take care of those around him, as well as himself/herself. The firearm is only one facet, and using your resources to advantage means learning your environment, shelter, water, food, and persons you know to be reliable. New Orleans and Waco were not the rule, but the exception, and great learning tools. It was unfortunate for those caught in the situation, however, like has been alluded to, we are much more awake and able to see what is happening around us. Our government has to be apprehensive of the sheer number of firearms in private hands, especially since those now acquiring them are also taking the time to become familiar with them. I have to look not to the Afgans, but rather to the Swiss, and compare many of us to them today. Be prepared, like the Boy Scout Motto, is becoming a way of life for many of us today. The 5% during the Revolutionary War, if multiplied by today’s population, with the same goals in mind, would be quite a force to be reckoned with. …just saying…
BoomLover:
Very well put.
Hi Boys and Girls! Had to get in on this conversation.
First off, Giordano, love your eloquent style of writing. Truly a way of communication lost to most writers and readers under the age of 50.
I have many questions that I need to share with like minded and opposing viewed people, but let me start with the subject I know about more than the average person. Not an expert, just well above average.
I am a sheepdog. I have made the conscience decision to exercise my 2nd amendment right at all times. If some disturbed individual decides to take his anger with the world out on unsuspecting and innocent citizens in a restaurant, shopping center, parking lot or other public location and I am there, I will put them down with deadly force. I will not allow myself to cower in a corner or try to hide from such a perpetrator in hopes that he won’t get to me. I will protect myself and the sheep with my life, if necessary. But I promise you this; I will kill the person who kills me.
Having made this decision of my own free will, it is necessary for me to learn and practice what has been learned. If you have decided to join the millions of responsible weapons owners you need to educate yourself on what weapon to arm yourself with. In relationship to handguns, it boils down to barrel length and caliber. The longer the barrel, the more accurate. The bigger the bullet, the more stopping power.
Barrel length: A combat handgun has a barrel length of 5 inches (or more) and dependable accuracy at 40 yards. A sub-compact has a barrel length of 4 inches and dependable accuracy at 25 yards. A conceal carry weapon has a barrel length of 3 inches and dependable accuracy at 12 yards, approximately the length of a pickup truck. Anything smaller will only be accurate to 12 to 15 feet, about the width of a room. Most defensive handgun encounters happen within 5 to 10 feet.
Caliber: Shoot the largest caliber you are comfortable firing and which the ammunition is readily available. Without ammo, you may just as well carry a rock. Availability is particularly important, because you must practice, practice, and practice. It has taken me 8 months of practice, twice a month or more, at 200 to 300 rounds per session to obtain the level in which I am confident enough to call myself a sheepdog.
32 cal is sufficient and as small as I would suggest. The handguns firing it are very small and do not make a lot of noise. This has an appeal to most women. Its recent popularity has made the ammo scare to find and expensive. 9mm is the smallest I would recommend. It’s a military round and during military conflict can be hard to find, but is the most reasonably priced. 40 cal is my personal preference. Better ballistics than a 9mm, slightly more expensive, but has not been as hard to find as 32 or 9mm. it also is the preferred caliber of most police departments. 45 cal is old school! Most men are not able to accurately handle this size. I admire those who can. Availability is sparse, as it is no longer considered a military round. FMJ (full metal jacket) is the type of ammo used for practice. JHP (jacketed hollow point) is what is carried for defense.
Side note: most handgun deaths occur from the smallest caliber, a 22 round. Likely reasons are the numerous quantity, wide availability and inexpensive small weapons that use this round.
There are primarily two situations in which a handgun would be used. First, during a period when there is still the “Rule of Law”. The second, during a period “Without the Rule of Law”.
During a Rule of Law scenario you would find yourself most likely in a defensive position. A conceal carry weapon would lead as the weapon of choice. Lightweight and effective. You are going to shoot and scoot. They are easily concealed in a holster that fits inside the pants or in a coat pocket. Remember most sheep are easily frightened by the appearance of the sheepdog, they don’t understand that he is what keeps the wolf at bay. That is why we conceal.
During a period Without the Rule of Law you are more likely to be in an offensive position and will be “open carrying” the weapon, that is, in holster on your hip or in hand. With a combat or sub-compact weapon, you will be able to engage your target at a greater distance. A definite advantage when you are looking to come out alive. After all, if you are engaged using a handgun during this period, it is because your rifle or shotgun has run out of ammo.
With regards to rifles; a weapon of this type in the hands of a single individual is best suited for hunting or used as a sniper weapon. Bolt or lever actions in 30/30, 30-06, 308 or 7mm are quite effective. Deer, elk, and caribou have been hunted for years with these ammo’s and actions. Shots at 100 yards are minimums with these calibers.
If you are considering the choice of a semi-auto rifle, then you are really considering the Without the Rule of Law scenario. The proper use of this kind of weapon is when you are most likely going to have to band together with neighbors or others to defend a defined objective. While the AK’s and SKS are hardy, reliable weapons, do not expect ammo to be readily available within the United States as it would be in other parts of the world. If in the event you have to rely on re-arming from the local police station or National Guard armory, you won’t find your caliber there. You are going to find 223, maybe 308 or 30-06. Again, if you do not have ammo, you may just as well carry a rock.
Your first endeavor into a long gun really should be a shotgun. Relatively inexpensive, $250 – $400. A Mossberg or a Remington in 12 gauges. After that, then consider a semi-auto rifle. The purchase of a short barrel (18.5 inches) is legal in most states and will provide you with a multi task weapon. With #8 shot shells you can hunt dove and squirrel. With #6 shot shells you can hunt rabbit and pheasant. With #4 shot shell you can defend yourself at an effective range of 50 to 75 yards and hunt duck and goose. With rifled slugs you can take down deer. Stay away from the 00 buck. You will find the kick back is so fierce that shooting more than 5 rounds will bruise your shoulder.
That’s my 2 cents worth. My personal carry handgun is a Taurus PT140 Pro, 40 cal (because it was inexpensive, but has proven to be as reliable as a baby Glock), combat handgun is a Beretta PX4, 40 cal (combined with a CX40 carbine). My sons personal carry is a Glock 40 cal. My daughter shots a Taurus PT111Pro in 9mm. My wife is still in denial that she may have to defend her or her children’s life. Long guns include
(2) Mossberg 12 gauge (long and short barrel for each), AR15 and 7mm bolt action with scope.
Thanks for your very thoughtful response! I got the rugar 9mm, I found it’s smaller and sleeker and easier to handle than a glock. But I want to add the little laser light. If you can get your wife into the gun shop, there is a little pink 22 out (I forget who makes it), that’s cute as a button and a great starter for us girls, it’s also small and very easy to load. Ofcourse, it would barely piss off an attacker, but a step up from a rock! Many men dont realize how much hand/wrist strength it takes to load many of these weapons, I would like to add a long-type gun, but anything that kicks would knock me down and again some are hard to load.
Enjoyed the article and the following discussion very much. I would be happy to help anyone with Solar Energy questions. I have lived off grid for 12 years and install solar for a living. Best Wishes.
info@preferredenergy.com
okay UK, sounds a little like you’d like to pop across the pond and join our little band of enthusiasts, hop over and be reunited with your ball -istics…
Hey there destiny, for loading look into an UpLula universal pistol magazine loader. The best $30 I’ve ever spent on weapon accessories and my daughter agrees. Video of actual usage can even be viewed on YouTube. As for the laser light, nothing beats truly knowing how to fire the weapon in the manner for which the manufacture engineered it. In the daylight it will do you little good and then there is the issue of battery life and replacement. There is no quick fix or replacement for practice, practice and practice.
Long gun selection in your case, could be a little more difficult. Are you looking for hunting, personal protection or combat situation?
Thanks Mike, I’ll look into the loader, as for a long gun, I really dont know what I’ll need it for, more than likely defending my property, probably not hunting. But reading many of these posts, you guys seem to have a history and solid knowledge about all aspects of guns. I am trying to keep it simple, use and care and my best bets for deterrent and protection. And, getting tossed back on my arse after firing, would only deter long enough for an assailant to stop laughing.
Destiny:
I hate to say it, but anything in the AR series probably has the least kick of any gun. Rifle’s in .223 will probably be easier on your shoulder, including the Ruger Mini-14, but AR’s have that flat stock, which keeps the sights from deviating after your first shot.
Also, during the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, the Russians fielded teams of female snipers, and women seem to do very well at long range shooting. Something about your eyes having increased depth perception…? I’m not sure, I’ll have to look into that. Anyway, you might want to look into the long range heavy barreled option as well.
giordano wrote: “during the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, the Russians fielded teams of female snipers, and women seem to do very well at long range shooting. Something about your eyes having increased depth perception…? I’m not sure, I’ll have to look into that.”
Surely sniping is a female prerogative? :)
Ha Gio, my friends will truly think I’ve slipped off the crazy-cliff! But I believe I’d look much scarier with some menacing device slung across my back-G.I Janish, that may be my best offense. Me and my eagle eyes will head over to the gun shop and poke around, snipes for the tips.
Great article as ever, and very informative.
Alien U.K makes some very good points about successful survival. The ‘Invisibility’ approach would be a much wiser choice in urban areas, as it would be foolish for even the best armed individual to try and fight everyone.
Don’t attract attention to yourself and make yourself a target for better armed and larger groups; even apex predators in the animal world avoid unnecessary conflict.
That said I feel that it is inevitable that people would group together along a variety of lines, whether they be locale, race or religion, and that larger scale raids and skirmishes between well armed groups as they vie for supremacy are much more likely than mindless urban anarchy.
On another note guys, some of the comments aimed at Alien U.K have been childish and jingoistic to say the least.
I wouldn’t like to run into some of you guys after a collapse, you’d probably try to eat my kids.
On that note, such events would be a true test of character, and as I believe that how you conduct yourself on earth has a direct impact on eternity, on a greater level the real question is: Are you going to stand, or are you going to fall?
P.S. I’m not from Real America, or even Pretend America, so bring it on!
Destiny; I agree with Giordano on the AR15. No kickback to speak of, good accuracy and good distance shooting. The only negative you are going to incur with the AR15 is the constant cleaning and maintenance the weapon requires.
For personal defense I would also look into the Beretta CX4. It’s a Battlestar Galactica looking weapon, just slightly smaller than the AR15. The advantages are that it shoots the same ammo that your handgun uses. Available in 9mm, 40 cal and 45 cal. Having to only purchase one caliber for two distinctly different weapons makes life easier. It has less kick than your handgun, easy to maintain and clean. With a much longer barrel than the handgun it is a tack driver at 50 yards, center mass hits constant at 75 yards and 100 yards. The negative is that beyond 75 yards the handgun round loses a lot of velocity and beyond 100 yards penetration becomes an issue. Other than not being an automatic weapon, it could be considered the 21st century version of the Thompson sub machine gun.
Ok Giordano, here’s one of many random thoughts that have been running through my mind. It is possibly a topic for a future article. A subject that would need to be handled very delicately, but considering your pseudonym, your thoughts on martyrs. Such as the gent in Kansas who was just convicted of murdering the abortion doctor. He didn’t do it to gain 70 virgins in afterlife; he didn’t do it for money or fame. He did it because it was the only way he could see to stop an action he knew in his heart was wrong.
Mike the Horder:
Are you asking my thoughts on martyrdom, or abortion?
Both are very complicated and touchy issues….
As far as martyrdom goes, I feel that normally most men who sacrifice for a greater cause do so not because they will be remembered, but that their actions will effect the great chain of history in the positive. It is society that decides later whether the man was a “martyr” or not.
How many people in the past have sacrificed without recognition, improving the world in ways we cannot fathom, men whose names we will never know, because they are not written down in our textbooks?
As far as the man you describe above, I doubt that his conscience was clear when he murdered an unarmed person, and I do not know that he changed anything by killing the doctor. There will just be another one to replace him, and plenty of women still scared out of their wits to even think of bringing a child into this dangerous world we now face.
If I had been him, I would have forgone the eye-for-an-eye strategy in this case. I would have put every effort, every ounce of my being, every day of my life into bringing balance to the world, making it what we all feel in our hearts it is meant to be, so that there would be no reason for anyone to fear bringing a child into it, and therefore erasing any desire for abortion. By killing the doctor, I spend the rest of my life in prison making little to no difference in the process, and waste precious years which could have been spent actually accomplishing something worthwhile and lasting.
This may sound like brash idealism to some, but without an ideal, without a meaningful and honorable vision, life brings only death, killing, and chaos; a realm where Elitists play.
We don’t necessarily need martyrs, or assassines. We just need honest men, and a clear path. The rest is for the voice of conscience to decide.
Recoil (kick, kickback) is all about getting used to it and is pretty much relative to bullet weght. When you start shooting 70gr bullets in 223, you actually start getting a little kick. Heavier bullets, more recoil. Lighter gun, more recoil.
Every gun has recoil and if improperly handled, can hurt you. A few years ago my wife and I were out shooting (OK, I was shooting and she brought me a glass of lemonade). I was punching holes in paper at 100yds with my 223 bolt action (a Remington 788). I asked my wife if she’d like to try it and she said yes. She hasn’t shot much. She sat down, shouldered the gun and clicked off the safety. She fired and about fell over. She didn’t realize that you didn’t want to rest your brow against the scope (an old Weaver K6). She almost passed out it hurt so bad. The rifle isn’t lite and I was shooting 45gr bullets at moderate velocity (2900fps). Even a 22 rimfire can hurt if you do that! She’s wiser now, although, she won’t sit down with either of my 30-06s. She has run hawks off with my 20ga single. She handles the 9mm pretty well.
My point here is recoil is relative and you can take it if you work up to it. As I look down to my left (I’m a southpaw shooter) my bicep has a small but very sore bruise on it from my new 30-06. I lowered the buttstock onto my arm because of the improper rest I set up. I shot about 20 full throttle rounds (58grs of IMR4831 / 180gr bullets) that way. Now, I’m regretting it. But, if I do that again within a week, I won’t feel a thing. You get used to high recoil.
This is why you must practice. You do get soft. I found myself not able to relax for the first few shots as I was sighting in the 30-06. Me? A 40+ year veteran shooter? Yeah. Practice or you lose some of your skill. You’ll get it back pretty quick but you have to fire of a few rounds a week to keep sharp.
Overall, just remember: the gun is but one tool of survival. Depending on your situation, you’ll use it in different ways. Don’t fall into either view of the movie/media impression: totally powerless or totally empowered. Hopelessness and over confidence both can get you killed.
Keep your ammo dry and your food hidden!
Well put Giordano, thanks.
As for getting another place to stay you would need someplace that is away from most everything someone would want (on the surface)…ie Roads, obvious water supply, large amounts of a game and such. If you stay even in a home that is well fortified and stocked with guns, ammo and food numbers become a problem. Sooner or later you WILL be overwhelmed and you will loos everything and possibly your and your loved ones lives. Hiding and keeping yourself a non obvious target and out of the eye of people. Even if the house is empty someone will search it from top to bottom to make sure everything is gone. If your there you will be found eventually. It isn’t all about guns but having them and knowing how to use them will be essential.
Gio…Any relation to the Italian Renaissance thinker and writer/heritic burned at the stake in 1600?Good pen name if you are correlating the two.
I share your opinion about the excellence of the M1-A / M-14 platform as a survival and battle rifle par excellence.
FYI, there are after-market scope mounting solutions galore from companies like A.R.M.S. and Troy Industries.
I like to mount a handgun scope with long eye relief in front of the ejection port. This allows spent casings to fly free, it prevents the scope from getting too hot, and it allows me to aim with both eyes open.
And that .308 will drop anything from a 2-legged looter/rapist to a mule deer at distances far beyond 500 yards.
I appreciate your plug for a philosophy that goes beyond just staying alive. Well said and well-written article. I am now a fan.
The article and this thread is a good read. One thing that has not been mention in the discussion bugging out or staying put is how well you know your neighbors. In many urban areas, neighbors do not know each other and are not likely to work well together in a crisis. Suburban areas are somewhat better, and in rural areas, most people know each other pretty well and have the group cohesiveness to work well as a team when the chips are down.
Before the SHTF is the time to consider which of your friends and neighbors can be trusted with your life and who cannot. Distance yourself from those who cannot be trusted now.
hoist the BS flag:
Yes! He is a sort of hero of mine, he and Carl Jung. One of my favorite works of Giordano Bruno is called “Expulsion Of The Triumphant Beast”, which I really think is about exposing the “Illuminists”, or whatever else they want to call themselves. He was a great man that was killed because he went against the establishment. All he had to do was give in and shut up, and he could have lived, but he chose to stand by his conscience. There is nothing I respect more than that.
Awesome!I thought so,great pen name and a great thinker of the time!I have read some of his “esoteric” works but have yet to read “Expulsion of the Triumphant Beast”…will do!
As a new father of twins at 6 month old twin boys I am very worried. At the young age of 23 I feel much older. With the information and research I have gathered over the past year and a half on the “watchers” “illuminati” ,whatever you may call them, in addition to many other government and worldly issues I have pure faith in God that he gave me this journey on my path of knowledge. I am a leader and I will survive and try my hardest to protect my family, friends and community with anything I can give. This article has helped tremendously. People need to keep their close-mind open and their open mouth closed. We need to establish positive relationships with everyone around us no matter who it may be. Everyone that posted a comment on here is respectable in their own way. keep up with the perseverance of obtaining knowledge this will help oneself and in turn everyone around us.
God bless you all
I have one question, in a catastrophic situation with babies does anyone know how to prepare? or have a place for ideas
New Father:
I have actually been thinking very hard on that subject for the past month or so. I had noticed some young parents with their children one day and it struck me that their specific survival options are not covered in most articles.
To be honest, I do not yet have an easy answer for you.
Stocking baby formula that contains no melamine would be a priority. Also, getting used to the idea of reusable cloth diapers may be good as well. The retreat option is almost impossible for someone with very young children, so if you don’t own your own home, or if your home is very vulnerable, you should look into any family members or close friends who might own their own home in a safer area and talk with them. Even if they don’t want to believe that a collapse will occur, if they are family then they will probably still store your survival foods in their garage or basement for you. When the time comes you will have a Homefront to go to, even if its not quite your own.
Kids also need entertainment. They are still kids after all. Books and board games and similar items may actually be a very important comfort to include with your survival items. Also very important; medical and teething supplies for the baby. The less the baby is crying the better, for your safety as well as for the morale of the family.
Gio, and company…I have a few questions.How do you go about talking to skeptics and people fearful of the very idea of the world around them collapsing?How do you approach them{especially loved ones close to you} about the possibilities and preparations needed without coming off as “nuts”? Any ideas would be helpful.
hoist the BS flag:
Why, show them articles from Neithercorp of course!
lol! But seriously, I would start with films. America: Freedom To Fascism is a great one to show them first when exposing the Federal Reserve. In fact, always cover the Fed first, it is the most obvious factor in the deliberate collapse. Just say “Hey, I saw this film and thought it was interesting. Check it out and let me know what you think….”
And the articles we do here at Neithercorp are pretty comprehensive and backed by source info, so if they need further proof of what is happening, we are a useful resource, too.
This may be a little off to some but thats ok, its only natural. Its your dreams! Every night as our eyes close and sleep drifts in, the eye of the mind awakens. The creativity i know you all have ignites as our hearts desires unleash themselves in the realms and dimensions of the consciousness. Truely open your mind by freeing yourself of the laws of reality as you sleep. Better than any book, movie, or article. but thats the ironic part, your imagination is based off the things you’ve been exposed to throughout your lives. Its a concept that takes time to master, and it requires positive energy, so you pessimists need a change of attitude. And the mastery of this ability will come in handy especially during a collapse, tune it all out and escape. There are also other physical functions of sleep obviously. This includes decreased fatigue, stabilizes mood, increases blood flow to the brain, promotes cellular growth and repair, increases the capacity to learn and heightens memory storage among other things. The photosensitive organ known as the pineal gland secretes a hormone known as melanin, something directly involved in the circadian rhythm. Melanin is released as the sun sets, our light receptor cones in the eye are no longer stimulated by sun rays. this occurance is registered in the pineal gland as night and so goes the secretion of melanin, which makes us sleepy and allows us to enter the gateway where any thing is possible. as time passes this is becoming easier for the free spirits of our world. Ok thats it for now, god bless
Michael:
You should read our article called “Sheeple: Why They Are The Way They Are”
http://neithercorp.us/npress/?p=182
Positivism is New Age nonsense designed to make people apathetic. I’m utterly against the concept for numerous reasons.
Michael,
I’m not sure you were promoting positivism. We’re not much into that around here. Positive attitudes are good but positivism as a pseudo-religion is, well, very dangerous.
I get the other things you are saying about sleep and dreams. I don’t know if others understood you as well as I did. Since I practice it all the time, its seems odd when I find most people don’t. I don’t see it as anymore than a natural function of the brain. Many go to seed on it and nearly practice it as a religion.
Years ago studying UFOs I found many people “abusing” various functions of the brain and assigning it way too much spiritual significance.
Mr. Bruno,
Love your articles. I posted them with links back to your site, on my little site. Let me know if you do not approve. I make no money on my little site. Its more of a reference for now. And I always reference back to site and author. thanks.
c.h.:
Actually, we run our site on “copyleft” principles, which mean we encourage everyone to use and share our articles whenever and with whomever they like. We only ask that people link to us as the source, which you are already doing, so its all good.
Thank you Giordano!!
Alien(UK),
Actually quite the contrary,not spaced out, meaning i dont do drugs or smoke cigarettes and rarely drink (if so 2 beers max). The body is a temple for the spirit, therefore it is illogical to me to willing poison my body. Plus im on my way to becoming a certified nurse here in texas so its against protocol and i want to have the sharpest mindset possible when it comes to the patient care.
Gordiano,
First off im a firm believer in actions speaking louder than words. I also take the adaptive approach towards personal physical and mental issues. Meaning i see every situation as a means of acquiring knowledge and experience to further my physical, spirtual, and mental growth. All of my manifested actions exhibit pure progress, including my typing at this very moment. if this can be comprehended in the most lighted harded sense possible, i dont play games and i dont waste time, and i love all, although i do have favorites :). When u say positivism, i dont quite understand how that completely covers the aspects of my complex belief system, therefore i disagree with that assumption. May i also point out that u seem judgemental, jumping to conclusions allows ppl to oversee areas where learning can b possible. and oh yea yes im quite aware of your mentioned article. Neways, But jus to clarify, my new age thinking has no defined basis, i simply follow my logic and reason while never assuming.
Netranger,
i was simply adding my two cents, and you can take it how u want, its your free will to do so
Michael:
You made these comments:
“Its a concept that takes time to master, and it requires positive energy, so you pessimists need a change of attitude.”
Who exactly are you referring to as a pessimist? Clarify, don’t make generalized statements, its just considerate.
“your imagination is based off the things you’ve been exposed to throughout your lives.”
This is an expression of blank slate theory and a component of Positivism. The (false) assumption that imagination and even personality is a product of environment, when in fact, it is much more a product of inborn archetypes. Again, I suggest you read the article I recommended above.
“And the mastery of this ability will come in handy especially during a collapse, tune it all out and escape.”
Yet another component of positivism. Using forced and faulty optimism to “tune out” the negative elements of ones environment instead of dealing with them in a realistic and proactive manner. I’m not making assumptions, I’m going by your own words, guy.
Alien(UK)
Experience is key my friend,at your age i dont have to tell you that. you have your eyes and i have mine. I used to smoke weed, do shrooms, tried DMT, and drink jus to get hammered and c where the night took me and where my mental state ended up. and im 20 now by the way lol. bout 3months ago i almost died from alcohol poisoning, a life changing experience. Since then ive given up physical wants of the body like boose and cigarettes. last month i took my car through 3 redlights and on the fourth one totalled my 09′ spectra i erased my fear and learned valuable lessons through the process. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE AND OR MYSELF, im soooo blessed that sometimes i feel invincible, im grateful for my life and the loved ones around me and a balance fear with the value of life for now. thats enough about me, ne ways u say, “You believe that only what you take in through your mouth affects your mindset?” to be in the best mindset requires feeling well physically. Have you ever heard of sodium floride, its a substance found in our tap water, the same substance found in concentration camps in nazi germany to supress the rebellious spirits of the encamped ppl. Thats whats in aprox. 60% of our water supply over here. Honestly almost everything around us over here is designed to harm us. Fast food tools like mcdonalds provides for the silent holocaust that kills 300,000 ppl yearly due to obesity risk facts. Cigarettes, i dont want to begin to fathom how many ppl have died from carcinogenic factors due to cigarettes, throw the sacred act of sex out the window cuz if you get pregnant you can go down to the clinic to handle the problem, high fructose corn syrup studies show that it affects memory loss and cognition, something thats in almost every carbonated beverage and has crept its way into foods. The avoidance of these things helps the progress of the body actually its a triad balance of mind, spirit, and body to fully enhance mental potentials. further explanation from here is meaningless. And thank you for you input on collapse tips, i got an AK myself and the support i have around me is based off loyalty, trust, and fearlessness, and most important of all, logic, i mean most important of all the love of god in my heart. and what i have to say to that comment of yours, “Likewise would your ‘the body is a temple for the spirit’ belief prejudice the care and consideration you give to others that think otherwise and have perhaps abused their bodies with eating, drinking and smoking ‘unclean’ things (judgmental)? I love all with equality it is of their free will to choose what they do and believe, and no i wouldnt care any less for a person regardless of creed. well i g2g, PEACE
Alien:
I’ll have to disagree with you on that point. Romans 13 is often misinterpreted and used by the state to manipulate the masses into apathy. It was Hitler’s favorite bible quote after all.
I think you have made it abundantly clear that you are basically a pacifist, which is fine. But again, you seem to suggest that the state is invincible and we are all going to die unless we capitulate to their will, which is utter nonsense. The State is made of human beings, and all human beings are fallible. The state is no more invincible than you or I.
The bottom line is, in the NWO, you either fight, or you are a slave, there is no “in between”. As a slave, you will probably still be killed. If you fight, then at least you have a chance.
“And how we burned in the camps later, thinking: What would things have been like if every Security operative, when he went out at night to make an arrest, had been uncertain whether he would return alive and had to say good-bye to his family? Or if, during periods of mass arrests, as for example in Leningrad, when they arrested a quarter of the entire city, people had not simply sat there in their lairs, paling with terror at every bang of the downstairs door and at every step on the staircase, but had understood they had nothing left to lose and had boldly set up in the downstairs hall an ambush of half a dozen people with axes, hammers, pokers, or whatever else was at hand?… The Organs [of government] would very quickly have suffered a shortage of officers and transport and, notwithstanding all of Stalin’s thirst, the cursed machine would have ground to a halt!”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago
Alien:
Your making some very broad assumptions and missing some very important points.
Firstly, I suggest you look up the REX 84 and “Operation Garden Plot” documents which have been attained from the government through the FOIA. I also suggest you check out the “Civilian Inmate Labor Program” documents produced by the Army:
http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r210_35.pdf
I’m interested in the fact that you consider our concerns over FEMA and forced camps to be “paranoia” when the government OPENLY suggests these ideas in its own white papers. Are you aware of these facts and simply ignoring them, or do you need to take some time to do extra research? If I were you, I would be careful before placing labels like “paranoid” on survivalists. It might make you look foolish when our concerns are verified.
Another assumption in your faulty argument is that the Military and Law Enforcement will somehow be “innocent bystanders” simply doing their duty. Not all law enforcement and military are bad, in fact, many, including Oath Keepers, have pledged to side with the public and stop the NWO. They have a choice to make, the Oath Keepers have made the right one, but others in Law Enforcement and the Military will choose to go against their mandate to defend the Constitutional rights of the people. Any law enforcement official who makes this choice does so of his own free will and is therefore an accomplice in the crime being perpetuated by the elites. They are no longer innocent, or “just doing their job”. Being a human being comes before doing their job. I have no sympathy for those that ignore this fact.
Also, once guns are confiscated, the people will be defenseless, and therefor, the game is over. Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia, Communist China, were all funded and supported by the Globalists, and in each case gun confiscation was followed by mass murder and continuous subjugation of personal liberties. Why in the world do you think it would be any different in the UK, or here in America? Going by history alone, your solution of placid cooperation is likely to end in disaster. Remember what Solzhenitsyn said; if only people had fought back…..
Again you make the claim that “resistance is futile” and again I will point out that you are in the UK, and in your country gun ownership is highly prohibited. Your statement that you “would defend yourself” is a bit empty because you don’t have the means anyway. In your case, it would be futile, because you have allowed yourself to be disarmed. Americans have not been disarmed, and we will not be disarmed, and that is why in our case, resistance is practical, not futile.
One more point of interest; you suggest that defense is somehow “appropriate” when the enemy is “proportional”? Whenever in the history of the world have tyrants used “proportional” force against a populace? If a man larger and stronger than you comes to kill you with his bare hands, do you just give up because his strength is “disproportionate” to yours? I’ve been a martial artist for over two decades and I can tell you from experience that there is no such thing as a completely fair fight. The enemy is usually bigger, stronger, more frightening than you. You fight anyway. You find a method which works. Technology is meaningless, size is meaningless. The only thing that matters is WILL, the will to fight. The Vietnamese taught us that very well.
The line has to be drawn at some point. You seem to think the line will be drawn after we are disarmed and helpless. I think it wise to draw the line long before this occurs….
Alien:
I have suspected you were a disinfo troll from your very first post, being that you follow most of the standard procedures for disrupting conversation and drawing out debate by repeating the same pre-designed arguments in multiple ways. After your last couple posts my instincts were confirmed.
You made a couple big mistakes. First, you promoted passivity while at the same time claiming to be a gun enthusiast. You promoted self defense while at the same time suggesting self defense was futile. You cited Romans 13 as a reason to cooperate with government (big giveaway), and now you have called survivalists paranoid about government relocation and concentration camps while at the same time stating you have seen “underground bunkers” which the government could have locked you up in. You attempt to create confusion by taking ambiguous and conflicting stances on several issues so that the person debating you cannot see exactly where you stand, and thus is unable to categorize and pin down your argument. I’ve seen it all before. I suppose you’re hoping to draw people on this board into a never-ending debate. The problem is, we have a zero tolerance policy for trolls on this site, so your posts will now be erased.
Of course, you will make the argument that you are “just a regular guy” who happens to disagree, but people who honestly disagree don’t use Alinsky tactics. Good luck to you, Alien. I actually kind of pity you….
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Only thing I could add would be a .22RF and lots of ammo. Pest control and small game. Using a .223 on a rat or a rabbit is a real waste. – Gold and silver are fine – AFTER you have food, firearms and supplies. All the gold you can store won’t buy food from me if I can’t use it to buy more food. And Ignore the UK and Canadians – most raised to be Subjects and not free citizens. probably don’t buy fire insurance on their houses either.. expect the government to replace it… free…
Iceman,
I am from the UK and agree with your comment about .22RF, a very versatile cartridge. But you presume wrong that most UK citizens do not have fire insurance on their houses or that they are brought up to be Subjects.
Citizens here, as in the US, are free to choose for themselves what is to enslave them, whether it be money, drugs, alcohol, religion, political ideology, doing good or doing bad and anything else. We all make our own choices according to our circumstances wherever we live in the free world, we are no longer raised to be slaves of another.
But I will agree that in the past few decades a nanny state mentality has been perpetuated, here and in the US with the famous “Obama will pay our mortgages and give us free gas.” But again free people can choose to believe what they want, but at their peril as well and do posters on here really believe that these ones will revolt in rebellion to bite the hand that feeds them shit? The average US citizen has been fed shit for decades, so I can’t them rebelling now, as nothing has changed.
Anonymous:
The elites have to set their feet down somewhere and show their true colors, but for now, they are dancing around a confrontation, trying to weaken our resolve and make us believe that fighting back at all is pointless.
I see it all the time. There are two kinds of fighters; the guys that talk you to death, attempting to psyche you out before the first punch is even thrown, and then there’s the guys that walk right up and hit you. The elites are the “talk you to death” types. They aren’t interested in fighting fair and square, man to man. They want you to make you believe there is no way to win, so that you give up, and they don’t have to fight you.
I think most Americans are waiting for them to shut up and throw a real punch, not through a proxy, not with a false flag attack, but a real out in the open challenge. A declaration of Martial Law for instance would be such an open challenge. They will eventually be forced to do this, since their information war is failing miserably, especially in the past few years. We’re just biding our time.
What if the elites pull off a ‘False Flag’, like a cyber attack that is being scenario exercised today?
http://politics.theatlantic.com/2010/02/_recreating_a_s_ituation.php
All the internet down, telephone communications, power grids, banks and ATMs and goodness knows what else. There would be chaos and no or little information for most, a perfect storm. Is this what they are practicing as their decisive move and would you and others be able to respond decisively without communications?
The way I see it, in such a scenario, all you could do is hunker down in hide and survive mode not drawing attention to oneself until you knew what or who you were up against. Any alternative ideas?
Anonymous:
I don’t think its that simple, really. The Liberty Movement is a leaderless movement, yet so far very effective. People are acting individually and without prompting from some centralized authority. In a way, it is the exact opposite of the NWO.
Resistance or rebellion to globalism or feudalism will foment regardless of the loss of the internet or anything else for that matter, because there is no need for it. Many people are following their conscience, and that will dictate their actions, not the web, not I, not any one person.
There certainly would be chaos, and that is what we prepare people for here; to be mentally ready for such events. Beyond that, all else is conjecture and hypothetical.
I think it most likely that people will establish their survival situations at the initial stages of the collapse and organize soon after. Keep in mind that there are millions of survivalists in this country who already have a head start on this. Also, we can’t underestimate the ingenuity of the common man. The Elites want us to believe there are only a sparse few solutions to any scenario; it makes them seem powerful and our circumstances seem insurmountable. The reality is that despite any obstacles there is ALWAYS a way, as long as you have the strength of will to make it so.
Would Ham Radios not solve your communication problems, for instance…?
gio:["I think it most likely that people will establish their survival situations at the initial stages of the collapse and organize soon after. Keep in mind that there are millions of survivalists in this country who already have a head start on this. Also, we can’t underestimate the ingenuity of the common man."]
Agree, though if I were the elite I would switch off Cell Phone networks and be jamming CB and Ham radio frequencies to keep you all in the dark whilst Martial Law was established. Then when it had, open the radio frequencies, monitor your messages/movements and broadcast public service messages from the ‘Ministry of Misinformation’ “appealing for calm and the surrender of firearms in exchange for food stamps, ID cards and community accommodation safe from terrorist looters, as the ‘Ministry of Food’ has now taken control of all supplies.”
I think we must not underestimate those that want to subjugate us either and learn to think as they would. I guess they would love armed confrontation and an insurrection. How you would depose a fascist elite and restore Constitutional freedoms and stability with or without armed confrontation, would be certainly a challenge.
Anonymous:
It is very difficult to jam Ham signals more than in a localized area. Impossible over the entire country. Also, how did the French Resistance send messages during the Nazi occupation? Radio using coded messages. Again, there is always a way, you just have to have the will to find it.
It is important not to underestimate the enemy, but it also important not to OVERESTIMATE the enemy as well. If you are familiar with Alinsky tactics, this is one of his primary tenets. The elites want us to believe they are invincible so that we don’t even bother to fight back. Actually, they are far from it. I have to laugh sometimes because some people make them out to be this high tech godlike terminator force. If they were, they would have taken over already, and wouldn’t even bother attempting false flags or disinformation.
The reason they use underhanded tactics is because they are a weaker force, much like a guerrilla force. That’s what guerrillas do; they use subversive tactics to weaken a larger opponent so they don’t have to enter into direct confrontation. I think the last thing they want is open warfare with the citizenry, because they would lose horribly. No army can stop an uprising of millions of citizens. Even the Chinese government is deathly afraid of such a scenario and their army is massive and their people are disarmed. I think the elites hope that the economic collapse will turn us against each other, and that any resistance that organizes will be small enough for them to easily label as “homegrown terrorism”. I don’t think that’s how it will play out at all, and I think deep down they know it won’t be that easy. The Liberty Movement has become massive over the past few years. If they did attempt to dissolve the Constitution, regardless of the circumstances, they would face incredible opposition from the people.
Thanks for the great read.
Was it not taxation with out representation that sparked revolution against England? Are we not there again? Our society as well as most of our leaders are corupt or have misguided ideas on how things should be done due to special interests. Many in our society want something for nothing, feel entitled to it, and that they deserve it. Our country was established with a Great foundation unfortunatly along the way we built our home up to Include a huge wrecking ball. Our countries debt problems are very serious and is the wrecking ball that is swing toward us. It is going to cause a lot of damage. We are going to get hit it is just a matter of when and how bad the damage will be. I only hope as a Country we will wake up before it hits. Kicking out of office Republicans & Democrats that have chipped away at our contitution or stood by doing litttle or nothing. I hope we as a people get honest men and women in office who will put the people and our country first. We know, understand, and have a better feel for the people on reality tv shows than we do of those who are running the Country! How sad is that! A very large part of our problem. We need to get back to our basics … Before we are litteraly there.
In reality I should say before we are striving for basics!
AR-15 jamming all the time? That’s complete misinformation. I’ve been in the military for 15 years. Anyone that says the AR-15 jams all the time has never shot one themselves. The old M-16s a1 Vietnam era rifles, sure. That was the 1.0 version. Today’s M-4 /AR/ M-16 is a remarkable combat rifle. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are NOT in droves requesting replacements. Check your facts.
TRW:
Yes AR-15′s are known FAR AND WIDE for jamming problems. I find that people who blindly defend the AR format are usually military types whose first combat rifle was an M16 and they have a strange love attachment / bias when it comes to that particular weapon. I suppose its to be expected when you are given no other options but that rifle for years on end, you basically become narrow minded as to its failings due to a lack of exposure to other weapons.
Also, I did not say that military personnel were asking for “replacements in droves”, I suggest you re-read the article. However, combat soldiers in the Middle East are running into many problems with the AR format:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/12/world/main5377711.shtml
“When the battle in the small village of Wanat ended, nine U.S. soldiers lay dead and 27 more were wounded. A detailed study of the attack by a military historian found that weapons failed repeatedly at a “critical moment” during the firefight on July 13, 2008, putting the outnumbered American troops at risk of being overrun by nearly 200 insurgents.”
Also, soldiers have been requesting M14 / M1A’s from storage because of problems with the M16:
http://www.tactical-life.com/online/guns-and-weapons/pof-usa-p308-mrr-762mm/
“For those who may not have kept up to date on military and law enforcement matters, the AR small arms family, which includes both the M16 rifle and M4 carbine haven’t exactly been covering themselves with glory in the War on Terror, presently being waged in Afghanistan, Iraq and other charm spots around the globe. Issues of both reliability and lethality have commonly been reported from those warriors at the “sharp end of the spear.” To rectify at least some of the reliability and lethality issues, the military has quietly been withdrawing M14 rifles from storage and issuing them by the thousands. Unlike the ARs, the M14s have a proven track record of reliability, lethality, plus the capability of penetrating the cinder block structures that have proven impervious to 5.56mm rounds.”
You claim your personal experience on the AR has been good. I’m happy for you. However, I am not going to recommend a weapons platform to my readers that I do not believe in, and that the vast majority of reports from combat conditions contend is less than effective. Frankly, I want people to have the best chance possible for survival, and the AR just doesn’t cut it in my book. Why? Because I actually do check my facts, unlike some others.
If only I had a nickel for every time I wished people would take their own advice…..
The 5/56/203 round is coming under fire because, as you mentioned, it does a poor job penetrating cover, as well as lacking stopping power. While you can carry about twice as many 5.56 rounds as 7.62/308 rounds, you will likely need twice as many rounds to incapacitate the enemy. Additionally, in the open fields as found in Afghanistan, the limited range of the 5.56 comes into play. The 5.56 depends on its hypervelocity to be lethal, and at ranges beyond 300 m, it is moving too slowly to be uniformly lethal, a 308 is easily lethal to 600+ m even when using a shorter 18 in barrel.
No single rifle can do it all. Shotguns for alleys, 5.56 for street and 308s for fields.
Personally, I got FN’s PS90 for streets — it’s overall length is short enough to get in and out of a car easily, it has a 50 round magazine and its reliability bring me peace of mind, but I have made sure to stockpile its unique caliber, its only drawback. I also have an AR 10 for the fields, hunting and for engine blocks. A 5.56 has a tough time penetrating a car door, let alone anything remotely hardened.
But then, any rifle is better than no rifle, and a hit with a 5.56 is better than a miss with a 308.
What’s the biggest threat to the US? The answer is a simple ‘Yes.”. Anyway you slice it, whether you think a collapse will be caused from economic collapse, cyber warfare (there’s already been one cyber war which the FSE [Former Soviet Union] thrashed Estonia) or EMPs, it is better to be prepared and not need it. In which case, you can give your weapons to your grandchildren if we are truly lucky not to need them in the next 0 – 15 years.
Plan in stages. Start with a 10 day supply of necessities in case the power is out due to weather. Then 100 days (about 3 months) in case the roads are out (weather, earthquake etc).Then 1000 days if the infrastructure is out (economic collapse, EMP, you name it).
Noah was a prepper, so was Jacob, Abraham used force of arms to rescue Lot from kidnappers…. I take it that God wants good people to thrive, and that includes planning for bad times.
I’m new to your site, but printed your piece to let my husband read. He (and grown son who lives with us) “allow” me my eccentricity of stocking food and supplies, but hardly support my prepping. Thank you for putting into words what needs explaining!!!! I’ve had some second thoughts lately, wondering if I was just wasting my time, but your piece and the following comments have gotten me back on track. I especially like David’s comments. I’ve used Joseph, David and Jacob as examples too, and I’m glad I’m not the only one thinking like that!! I’ll certainly keep watching for more posts. Thanks!
grannyb
I pretty much agree to most of the things I read in the article and comment section. Though I would make a few suggestions in firearms. The ones listed are fine though I do believe you need a combination of them all. A good blot action heavy barrel(caliber 30.06–300mag) hunting rile for long range, good for taking out vehicles at long range etc. A combat rifle for close in work, 12 gauge (pump-semi auto) security shotgun with 3inch mag 00 Buckshot for even closer in work. As for pistols, anything between 9mm and 45 auto for semis and .38-357 for wheel guns. And if your retreat is in a isolated rural area, .22/22 mag caliber is great for small game, rabbits etc.
As for the money part, you mentions gold and silver to use. Thing is in most economic falls, its not gold or silver that was used much, it was goods and services that were wroth their weight in good. You know the barter system, I have this good or service for a good or service you have. Salt, spices, can goods, most dried food stuffs, coffee, tobacco products (be surprise what a couple packs of smokes can get ya) even alcohol to name a few goods, and for services can be just about anything that is available can be used. So some gold and silver is fine though goods and services are priceless in those situations. So, you can give these a thought and decide what you wish to put in storage.
Opps, I hit the submit button before I proof read my comment, please excuse my spelling/grammar mistakes.
Since we have always loved to hunt, we have the weapons covered – except I want a .22 handgun. You are right about the goods and services. I’m stocking up on additional sewing supplies, salt and other spices, seeds, and especially survival instructions which I’m printing and assempling in a notebook. I’ve printed off hide tanning instructions, ideas for moccasins and shoes, etc. Hope I have enough time to complete my stores of food for barter, too.
grannyb:
If you are looking for a good .22 pistol, the Ruger Mark II is well known for its reliability. You can find them for around $200.
Stock up on a lot of .22 ammo as well, especially for long rifles. That stuff will be like gold in a post collapse scenario. Very good for barter.
I actually wish I knew a lot more about making my own home essentials, like soap, clothing, etc. Those people that do will have an incredible edge in a barter economy.
Thanks for the info – saw some nice Rugers at the last gun show but didn’t go ahead and buy. Wish I had!!! And yeah, checked our ammo bag last night and not nearly enough 22 shells!! Yikes!
I have tubs of fabric and lots of sewing supplies, including patterns for all ages, men and women. I used to make candles, but haven’t stocked up on wicks and wax in a while. That’s a top to-do. I’ve never made soap, and need to watch a video and print some instructions. Saw a link for making charcoal the other day but haven’t had time to check it out. So much to do, so little time!!! (At least I feel more urgency of late)
Guess I ought to add that I am a packrat – some of my sewing supplies were my mother’s and m-i-l’s. I can single-handedly re-dress everyone in ’50s and ’60s styles just by digging into my storage tubs!! lol Seriously, I have never been able to throw away what seemed like perfectly good stuff – as long as we don’t have to bug out, I have lots of ‘stuff’ to fall back on or use for barter!!!
Really appreciate your articles as well as all the comments. I’m beginning to get stocked up and prepared in all kinds of ways and learning a ton here. Keep up the good work.
We’re not wanting to get any more weapons, so we’re stocking up on the jet spray type of wasp/hornet insecticide that sprays 20 feet or so. It will certainly catch any close-range attacker by surprise and deactivate him if you can get it in his eyes until you can whop him/them over the head with your baseball bat. Wasp spray is not too likely to get confiscated in a weapons round-up either – an extra benefit.
that ak47 is is coooooooooooool
Great article! I have a plan in place but no money yet to fund it :( I’m in Idaho, so I have my eye on a 125×75 ft plot in the mountains just a 5 minute drive from my apartment. I plan to buy that, put a couple of 10×16 premade storage units on it, finish the insides so they can function as emergency housing with composting toilet, solar panels, grey water system with rain water barrels and such. I have a list of freezedried foods and heirloom seeds to buy. The best thing I got from your article was the atmospheric water filter, awesome! I’m strangely excited about being able to live off the grid soon. Guns will be the last item to add to my list. I have an ex-marine sniper friend who will take me to the gun range when I’m read to take that step. And I can totally understand the female sniper thing. I love sniping in games like Halo and L4D because I fear close combat. However, when I get a gun, it will be a Glock first.
I forgot to mention some thoughts about what others have said. To the New Father, Food for kids is not that hard, especially if the mother is breast feeding. If necessary, this can be prolonged until they are read for normal food, skipping the need for formula and baby food. Many people have blamed they affinity for salty and sweet foods on jar baby food because of all the processing. Take real food and mash it down, probably better in the long run.
Grannyb, I’m a packrat too and I have about $10,000 in fabric I have collected over the last 15 years. Also, I collected holiday decorations, kids activity books, kids clothing and such long before I ever had kids. By purchasing these “frivilous” items during off seasons before I needed them, I save up to 90% off on stuff that I might have purchased in the heat of the holiday season. Now no matter when this new great depression hits, I will have little niceties to make bad times not seem so bad.
Sign, to many ideas running around in my head, one more post I swear.
On the subject of preparing for babies and children, and this is coming from my own concerns: Beyond gathering entertaining things, add some educational materials too. Simple math, history, science books, anything you think it is important to know. Our current education system is so messed up, I’m going to homeschool regardless, but if a total government collapse is in the cards, plan on having to educate your own children anyway.
Also, Gio was right about cloth diapers, you can purchase yards of diaper cloth at most fabrics stores, but since most people don’t use it, you will probably have to ask for it at the cutting counter. Disposable diapers are easy to stock up on like TP, but are very expensive. Having the cloth diapers in a pinch will be good in the long run.
Hello
I am wondering why you imagine that you have the right to steal my photographic work and infringe my copyright, by using my picture at the top of this page, without my permission or even attempting to give me credit?
This usage does not constitute “fair use,” is in breach of UK and US law and I insist that you cease and desist immediately.
Mr. Waidson:
If you can send us an e-mail (which is the normal way to handle this), proving that you are who you say you are, then we would be happy to take down the photo, or give you credit. We did not pull this image from the site you have linked, it was taken from another, so I suggest in the future that you ‘watermark’ your images if you are really concerned about other people using them. Its common sense.
Firstly, I should not have to “handle” this in the “normal way” or any other way, copyright theft is theft, plain and simple and if you do not seek permission that is your offence whether I am who I say I am or not.
It does not matter where you found my image, copyright automatically resides with the creator of any image unless specifically indicated or released in some way.
“I found it on the internet” is not a defence in law and certainly is not moral justification for stealing any ones work.
If I were you I would review your policy of picture management carefully, “fair use” is a very flimsy excuse and is rarely supported by the courts in such cases
Secondly, my copyright information is contained within the Exif information for all to see and it is not legally incumbent upon me to protect my work though digital watermarking.
Thirdly, now that I have found your e-mail address, you will indeed be hearing from me.
Mr. Waidson:
Any first year photography student knows to watermark their photos when placing them on the web, especially if they are concerned about copyright. How is anyone supposed to know who took said pictures otherwise? Does this really need to be explained to you?
Hey,wadson…looks a lot like a picture of mine..LOL’s…Troll
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nice post. thanks.
Great post!
BTW, there is an iPod Touch mounted on an M110 :-b Google it.