Please don't interpret the above statement to mean that we need "bi-partisanship".

THIS IS NOT MY INTENTION

What I mean by the "false left right paradigm" is....

A great deal of our Members of Congress (from BOTH parties) really share the same goals or interests. The divisiveness is largely an act to keep the population at odds (instead of uniting and electing officials that actually do our bidding).

Here, this is from Wikipedia....

[color:"red"]"The False Left-Right Paradigm theorizes that opposing political groups use their influence over media to dramatize party warfare distraction, in grand performances of bureaucratic rivalry meant to propagandize and divide the populace. Divisive issues are fed through media outlets to divert attention away from the ruling class's hidden agendas. By drawing attention to differences between two political systems, ideologies, races, and classes, the political groups obscure and divide unity among the masses. The tactic creates confusion and frustration among the population, enabling the global elite to increase and consolidate their wealth and power through maintaining an illusion of a two-party system of checks and balances." [/color]

Not to sound paranoid but we have been squirreling away MRE's,Water,Ammo,
Packaged fat bars,medical
supplies,prescriptions "percocet,penicillin,aspirin,etc."Specific clothing and shelter items.
And many other items already listed. They are all stored in the basement in tidy bundles ready to be scooped up and walk out the door with.

Living in Wisconsin and not within a A-Bomb burst range we should have time to grab our s*it and git!
We just feel it's prudent do be prepared. September 11th 2001 was our wake up call. We rotate out items of medicine and food to keep them fresh as well
as keeping antibiotic soaps,wipes and such viable.
Not hoping,but being prepared for any special get and go order.

Peace.

There is nothing paranoid about being prepared to take care of yourself.

Who else is going to do it?

Peace - good for you!

Honstely, you're picking at nits. All types of communication are interpretable...the internet is no different than any written communication protocol. Consider law, including our costitution (which is a written form of communication)...it remains interpretable and that's why we have a Court system.

I'm just suggesting let Murphy, or any other law, rule the day. Prepare to your content, Protect your own. You won't know if it's enough until SHTF. If others want to look the other way, you can't change that. Perhaps I've just become cynical over the years, but my time is best spent socializing with like minded crowds (ie: the Yard).

I'll digress....this is a great thread for preparation, and I appreciate it for that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I avoid public political and religious debates at all cost.

I have voiced my beliefs on both here once and it was done while tip toeing over egg shells.

Here's my first level gear:

SOTECH SHHPPB w/ B-11 & SS4. I have additional pouches not shown...this is my hunting config. Can't really see my SOTECH BOB, but it's underneath...small shoulder bearing bag, can be attached to the PPB if needed for carry. I like this belt, as it allows the shoulders to carry some of the burden and integrates a hydration pack into it all.

Everyone trains their fingers on the forums and their wallets buying gear. There are very few who train with their gear. Fewer yet who will ever hit the gym.

But, it is easy for me to judge... I like going to the gym, I spend alot of time online...and have a limited budget for gear!

For the longest time my sig line read "Knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior is the only long term survival preparation."

Just my .02 worth.

Another great thread! Thanks,

I agree with Arch and JJ and Ishi and.... We DO sometimes spend to much time trying to MAKE SURE we do not offend anyone here. This is good, not wanting to offend anyone. But I think it IS always our intention to NOT to want to offend anyone and those of us that post here know that. But it is still nice, at least at times, to see us make sure we let each other know, we do not mean to offend ANYONE. We are each individuals. We each have our opinions, sometimes they agree, sometimes they clash. Such is the way of life. When they clash it does not mean we are trying to or should be offended, just that we are each individuals THAT WANT TO WORK TOGETHER here for our mutual benefit.

I for one am VERY thankful for this Thread. And I want to personally thank everyone that has posted here on this most important subject.

Has anyone else read the "Out of the Ashes" series of books. I would like to have a cave like JTR has, but I don't live in Georgia! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Also, not sure if I remember reading this or not earlier in this thread, but I think it is important to mention again even if it was.

Your bag should be customized to your AO. For example, if you live in the California forest region, you may consider putting a fire blanket or other fire emergency equipment/treatments. If you live in Las Vegas, you may want to carry more water and learn how to extract water from the ground or plants with green house/condensation techniques and carry needed materials.

When in a water poor area, remember to check the sodium content of your rations. You want low sodium if you know water will be scarce. U.S. MREs are very high in sodium and are designed that way on purpose. The MREs are designed to be very high in calories (about 1200 a meal) to keep us fueled while under constant manual labor. They are high in sodium so we have plenty of electrolytes while constantly hydrating. If you do not have the luxury of constantly hydrating, MREs are the wrong choice of food (they make you need more water). Go with something like the Mainstay rations Arch suggested or Datrex. Both are designed to be low in sodium since they are emergency rations not MREs. Yes, MREs are better tasting and have a larger variety, but they also are not as calorie dense and therefor take up more room and weigh more per calorie.

There is no way you can carry a reasonably weighted bag and be prepared for every environment on Earth, so research your area and what types of disasters are inherent there and prepare accordingly.

Holy Smoke, found a 200oz water bladder/carrier, for about half what I payed for my 3 day pack. If you are interested shoot me a pm and I will send you the link.