IF Society broke down for any reason, War, Storm, Inserection, how would you prepare?

[GoingDown]

Even under the worst circumstances, I sincerely doubt that the United States is going to collapse. We may have hyper inflation at some point, but it will come back down to normal, just like it did for Germany. We are an established civilization with lots of natural resources. We may have to come off of our high horse, and stop all the E.P.A. and Sierra Club nonsense, and start drilling for oil, natural gas, and coal again right here in the United States, and start using our natural resources again, and maybe stop building houses over farm land so we can use the land to provide us with food again. But we are in a very good position when it comes to riding out a disaster.

I am always prepared for a short disruption. I always buy in bulk-- things like brown rice, pinto beans, and various other foods, as well as necessities such as toilet paper, bottled water, etc. I even have propane tanks so I can still cook outside if necessary. I'm ready for a short disruption-- say 6 months or so. But if a disruption happened in the summer, and I couldn't get air conditioning, I would have to drive up to one of my relatives' homes in the Flagstaff, Arizona area where it is usually about 30 degrees cooler than Phoenix, and wait out the summer. Phoenix is fine without air conditioning from October through April.

And if it was going to be a very long disruption, then I would head for Oregon. I have relatives who live in the Willamette Valley, which is perhaps one of the most self-sustainable areas in the United States. They can farm their own food from just rainfall.

[tobee43]

Even the audio-book is different from the movie. At first I read the book--or tried ti read it, after the first third of it I was totally turned off, it wasn't realistic, in my opinion. So then my guide was the audio-book version I checked out from the library. And I liked that, but as I said earlier, it ended when Gordon reached Pineview.

Then a friend recommended the movie, so 'Hub bought it and we watched it--he rarely if ever, watches anything 'new', so I was surprised. It took me several tries at watching it, and now I LOVE it. A lot of that has to do with the fact that my Mother and Grandmother, were Postmasters in our town, plus my father and an aunt were clerks in the same office. Whenever we traveled, my Mother collected post office memorabilia, so I can picture her watching this movie and 'going with it!' as Ford Lincoln Mercury is explaining how he worked the 'mail sorting system' out.

i never made it through the books either. interesting about your family!!! cracked me up with Ford Lincoln Mercury's name. quite a thought, wasn't it?

well, i'm not going to lie, although the movie was way off the book, i still really enjoyed it as well. i do still think i'm going to get the audio-book tho, just for the "fun" of it.

better yet, you can read it to me. ROFL!!!!! because in that movie you would have been the walking library, and you know, i mean that in the MOST loving way

[AngelinaCat]

There was also a 90 minute episode of 'Playhouse 90' version of 'Alas, Babylon'. With all of the older TV shows being digitized and put on DVDs and/or YouTube, I keep watching for that one...

[AngelinaCatHub]

I, too, read that book at least 30 times. I just ordered another copy from Amazon since I can not find my copy. It truly is a primer for preparing for a 'cataclysm' even 50+ years later. I am just thrilled that someone else has read this book!

I wore out three of the small pocket sized originals. It is a book that captures you and since I live in and around those places listed in the book here in FL it was more fulfilling. I also wore out two of the later reprints in larger format. There is an old B class movie with Frankie Avalon, Ray miland in it called "Panic in the year zero" that is an excellent take off of this book. You may find it or parts of it on you tube. I haven't looked yet but shall. 'Hub

[AngelinaCat]

i have yet to get a audiobook! i was just telling dh about the idea of getting it! i would love to listen to it being read to me although, i still love reading. i know the movie was so different. it seems likely hollywood rarely gets it correct when developing books into movies.

Even the audio-book is different from the movie. At first I read the book--or tried ti read it, after the first third of it I was totally turned off, it wasn't realistic, in my opinion. So then my guide was the audio-book version I checked out from the library. And I liked that, but as I said earlier, it ended when Gordon reached Pineview.

Then a friend recommended the movie, so 'Hub bought it and we watched it--he rarely if ever, watches anything 'new', so I was surprised. It took me several tries at watching it, and now I LOVE it. A lot of that has to do with the fact that my Mother and Grandmother, were Postmasters in our town, plus my father and an aunt were clerks in the same office. Whenever we traveled, my Mother collected post office memorabilia, so I can picture her watching this movie and 'going with it!' as Ford Lincoln Mercury is explaining how he worked the 'mail sorting system' out.

[ValleYum]

VallyYum, in my early days here in FL, it was required reading. I read few books. I literally read "Alas Babylon" no less than 38 times, not an exaggeration.

I, too, read that book at least 30 times. I just ordered another copy from Amazon since I can not find my copy. It truly is a primer for preparing for a 'cataclysm' even 50+ years later. I am just thrilled that someone else has read this book!

[tobee43]

Actually, 'The Postman' by David Brin, is essentially three books in one, with only the first part dealing with the character that becomes 'The Postman'. If you can get an audiobook form of it that is abridged, it will cover the first part of the book and ends with Gordon, the 'Postman' arriving at Pineview. The movie is very much different than the book.

i have yet to get a audiobook! i was just telling dh about the idea of getting it! i would love to listen to it being read to me although, i still love reading. i know the movie was so different. it seems likely hollywood rarely gets it correct when developing books into movies.

[AngelinaCat]

Actually, 'The Postman' by David Brin, is essentially three books in one, with only the first part dealing with the character that becomes 'The Postman'. If you can get an audiobook form of it that is abridged, it will cover the first part of the book and ends with Gordon, the 'Postman' arriving at Pineview. The movie is very much different than the book.

[tobee43]

[QUOTE=LadyInTheRed;538332]Kevin Costner was the star, but Tom Petty had a small part. He played the Mayor of Bridge City. I'm at work and can't view videos, but this one should show him in the movie.

oh yes! wow....GREAT call!!! you remembered him as the mayor, really, i'm so impressed since it was a small part in a BIG movie.

Traffic was very light on the Bay Bridge and Nimitz freeway (the two decker that pancaked) that day because the Giants and As were playing against each other in the World Series. Many people were at the game or somewhere watching the game when they normally would have been driving home. If it weren't for the World Series, more people would have been killed on the Bay Bridge and the Nimitz. I believe only one person was killed on the bridge. I lived in San Francisco at the time and it was very frustrating trying to get news because it was all coming from the reporters at the game and they were focused on reporting about what was happening at the stadium.

yes, since i'm a giants fan, (although the year the A's were in the world series, catfish hunter was the pitcher, if you're old enough to remember, they ALL had mustaches on the entire team! LOL) and from my old house in san bruno, we used to be able to see candlestick park from afar. my brother in law was also working in san fran at the time even tho he and my sister lived and are still living in moraga in the east bay. but i remember the terrible pictures coming out on the news of the cracks and the smashed cars. it's was terrible. the worse i ever remembered in my lifetime, in the bay area. i don't think i was ever so scared about my family.

Not a bad idea. I would need some practice too. The last time I shot a bow and arrow was when I was in the Girl Scouts

.

i was on the san bruno archery team when i was 8 years old!!! LOL!!! i used to LOVE it.

[AngelinaCatHub]

Did anyone else on here read Pat Frank's book Alas Babylon?

From a review:



Things I learned from this book: Salt, canning jars, matches or the ability to make fire, seed to grow food, medical supplies, fishing gear, knives/whetstone, guns and ammo will be worth their weight in gold. So will the ability to have potable water.

My thoughts: Do I have a hand operated can opener? A kerosene lamp with kerosene to burn in it? Do I live in a climate where I will be able to grown produce yet be temperate enough to survive without commercially provided power? So much to think about and try to prepare for.

Awesome water filtration link, Frogger!

VallyYum, in my early days here in FL, it was required reading. I read few books. I literally read "Alas Babylon" no less than 38 times, not an exaggeration. The "Postman" was fantastic and as I married a wonderful gal who's Mother was postmaster in our town for near 40 years, her mother long before was Postmaster as well, my wife's father was head postal clerk, passed away suddenly in the Post Office when she was ten, Mrs. last job was in City Hall the 1915 post office, my daughter and son-in-law both works in a post office, I do believe we liked that movie.

I am impressed with all who have commented on this thread. It is a carry over from a previous thread that was heading this way, but off topic of the original OP.

Many wise ideas. I feel most are strong and will fight for right and some are not and would just give it up. I don't believe my last phrase as being true, as all of us are either in bankruptcy or have been. The amount of stress applied there is significant and those who say would give up, would not be here now. They are either working for a betterment in life, or they would have been gone by now, a failure. There are NO FAILURES on this Forum.

Please consider addressing this thread as to what you would do to prepare to survive due to any cataclysm. It does not matter what kind as they are all the same.

Personally I am in fear of our Country going down. Right now, we are bulls eye to the latest hurricane so the preparation is the same. Even in a natural disaster, there will be looters (see Katrina break down and LCD TV's walking out of Walmarts in salt water air).

My life is mostly in back of me. However, I have no fear of adversarial actions and have no objection to down a person who would down me or mine. I've lived an "interesting" life and have learned not to fear anything. I can say no more about why.

I love this Country and if I can say I fear anything at all, I do fear our future. This is not physical fear. It is melancholy fear. I can do nothing about it but vote. 'Hub

[LadyInTheRed]

LOL!! i think ken costner???? was tom petty in there??? i should have noticed

Kevin Costner was the star, but Tom Petty had a small part. He played the Mayor of Bridge City. I'm at work and can't view videos, but this one should show him in the movie.

when the bay bridge got hit i was watching the giants game on tv on the east coast, and talking to my mom in the bay area when we got cut off and i couldn't reach any family for 4 days! my brother in law would or should have been on that bridge when it hit, but for some reason, only known to the unknown, he left work early that day.

Traffic was very light on the Bay Bridge and Nimitz freeway (the two decker that pancaked) that day because the Giants and As were playing against each other in the World Series. Many people were at the game or somewhere watching the game when they normally would have been driving home. If it weren't for the World Series, more people would have been killed on the Bay Bridge and the Nimitz. I believe only one person was killed on the bridge. I lived in San Francisco at the time and it was very frustrating trying to get news because it was all coming from the reporters at the game and they were focused on reporting about what was happening at the stadium.

i think i'll have to get better with a bow and arrow

Not a bad idea. I would need some practice too. The last time I shot a bow and arrow was when I was in the Girl Scouts.

[tobee43]

I've seen the movie. After reading the synopsis of the book, it sounds like the movie only scratches the surface of what is in the book, which is the case of most movies based on books. I think I'll read the book.

The movie was good. But, I'd like any movie with Tom Petty!

As far as surviving a disaster is concerned, I'm in earthquake country and live a couple of miles away from a major fault that is due for a major quake. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. My husband and I have some emergency food and water stored, but not enough. We've been intending to build up a better emergency kit. I suppose we could start eating racoons and opossum and even rats. We also have space to grow food. Ocean fishing is not far, but not really walking distance. An estuary to the S.F. Bay is walking distance and the Bay itself quite a bit further, but still walkable if needed. But fish from the estuary or bay would probably be my last choice. We have camping gear for cooking and shelter and know how to start a fire after we run out of propane. The one thing we need to add is a gun of some sort. We've been talking about getting a gun for home defense for a while. Things are bad enough in our city as it is. In a disaster, I'm sure we'll need to protect what we and our neighbors have from roving gangs who think they can take whatever they want. I'm thinking a shot gun. If i'm going to have to use the thing, I want to make sure I don't miss! But, a shot gun would tear up small animal and make it not so good for eating. So, maybe we need a couple of guns.

oh yes, the book it much better! but the movie although sooooooooo long, i think does, at the very least, get some of the message through.

LOL!! i think ken costner???? was tom petty in there??? i should have noticed

i hear you about the earthquake situation. it was a bit humorous when i moved east and they had these violent thunder and lightening storms. i use to tell everyone i prefer a little earthquake in their stead, since i was raised with them. a little shaking here and there. although i remember one big one were i was playing jacks under the kitchen table (thankfully) and just watched in slow mo the frig fall right over.

when the bay bridge got hit i was watching the giants game on tv on the east coast, and talking to my mom in the bay area when we got cut off and i couldn't reach any family for 4 days! my brother in law would or should have been on that bridge when it hit, but for some reason, only known to the unknown, he left work early that day.

when i was little the all closet was full of water and canned goods. my mom dried food and canned it as well. (i think it was because of WWII), but she was a survivalist. i think i new how to make a fire by the time i was 5!! not with a flint tho LOL!!! but she was on the "ready". now looking back, the fear of the nazis, and then russia dropping the bomb really effected her.

i always HATED guns, but being married to someone that carried, i had to learn to respect them, and i have my own cute little 22. that doesn't make that big of holes! what's worse is buck shot! my dh uncle gave us a rabbit he hunted. i cooked it slow with honey and butter all day, it looked picture perfect until we took that first bite and spit out a hand full of little plellets..terrible! i think i'll have to get better with a bow and arrow

[LadyInTheRed]

go rent the movie if someone hasn't seen it. i guess even huxley has it wrong? although i could go for a soma or two or three or ten to make it through some of these days!

I've seen the movie. After reading the synopsis of the book, it sounds like the movie only scratches the surface of what is in the book, which is the case of most movies based on books. I think I'll read the book.

The movie was good. But, I'd like any movie with Tom Petty!

As far as surviving a disaster is concerned, I'm in earthquake country and live a couple of miles away from a major fault that is due for a major quake. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. My husband and I have some emergency food and water stored, but not enough. We've been intending to build up a better emergency kit. I suppose we could start eating racoons and opossum and even rats. We also have space to grow food. Ocean fishing is not far, but not really walking distance. An estuary to the S.F. Bay is walking distance and the Bay itself quite a bit further, but still walkable if needed. But fish from the estuary or bay would probably be my last choice. We have camping gear for cooking and shelter and know how to start a fire after we run out of propane. The one thing we need to add is a gun of some sort. We've been talking about getting a gun for home defense for a while. Things are bad enough in our city as it is. In a disaster, I'm sure we'll need to protect what we and our neighbors have from roving gangs who think they can take whatever they want. I'm thinking a shot gun. If i'm going to have to use the thing, I want to make sure I don't miss! But, a shot gun would tear up small animal and make it not so good for eating. So, maybe we need a couple of guns.

[tobee43]

Hmm...Soma...:-)

Right Tobee - I would just add that Congress-folk should have the SAME pension as any other fed employee - if we don't have that consideration, then there really will only be the rich who will be Congress-folk.

Re Raises - same as other fed ee's.AND ALSO - there is a great site called movement.org - to amend the 14th Amendment to read "NATURAL" persons...that is, that would nullfy the Sup Ct's holding that corporations are people...

i actually think the raises should be done on merit...much like many other people in this country. we as the constituents, should send in our review and recommendations...as well as vote on what they should get..or NOT get.

[IamOld]

Hmm...Soma...:-)

Right Tobee - I would just add that Congress-folk should have the SAME pension as any other fed employee - if we don't have that consideration, then there really will only be the rich who will be Congress-folk.

Re Raises - same as other fed ee's.
AND ALSO - there is a great site called movetoamend.org - to amend the 14th Amendment to read "NATURAL" persons...that is, that would nullfy the Sup Ct's holding that corporations are people...