The Second American Revolution Has Begun! Then What?, page 4

reply to post by TM62

Another possibility is to post "QUARANTINED" signs with a big old skull and crossbones on it on the approach routes, and security elements that mean business for those that the signs don't discourage. That's for those who are squeamish about dropping a whole bridge into a river bed. Bridges are easy to take down, harder to put back up. On the other hand, a missing bridge combined with tough terrain is a good discouragement to folks who are used to a life of ease. I know in the part of this city I live in there are a few folks that don't mind thrashing around in the brush, but wading across a freezing river so that they can climb a cliff to get to me might not look so appetizing to them. There's easier prey out there.

Stocking up is good for the first year or so, assuming you can stock up enough food for that time period. Beyond that, you'll need a self-replicating food source, like a garden and some critters. Fortunately, both are in fairly healthy supply in rural areas.

Ideally, you'll know what wild foods you can eat, and where to find them, in case all else fails.

Guns and ammo are needed to repel invaders, and secure game, but by themselves they aren't enough. It's hard to concentrate on a sight picture when you're down to 70 lbs and everything you look at looks like a McDonalds sign. Beyond guns, ammo, and supplies, you'll need an ability to produce more, and the knowledge of how to do it. Therefore, while stocking up, don't neglect seed and such, and don't forget to stock up what's between your ears. Fortunately, most rural types already have the know how, but some of it is being lost even from those areas. For example, when I was a teenager, I learned how to do lightweight blacksmith work, how to farm with a horse instead of a tractor, How to use an axe and a crosscut saw instead of a chainsaw, how to haul logs out of the woods with a horse, etc. My dear old dad insisted I learn those things, kept telling me that "someday you might need it", and not very many others were learning such things, as everyone was content to depend on the continued blessings of technology.

The main problem with technology is that it depends on an infrastructure that may become unavailable from time to time, for varying lengths of time. While it's there, it's great and I wholeheartedly advocate the use of it. When it isn't there, one needs to be able to get along anyhow.

How many know how to design, dig, build, and most importantly, SITE an outhouse? Don't need it, 'cause you've already got indoor plumbing? What happens when the water goes away? Got a well, so you know the water won't go away? What happens when the power goes out, and that electric pump doesn't work any more?

Know how to sharpen an axe? How about a handsaw? Know how to "set" the teeth on a handsaw? Drive a nail? Notch a log to build a cabin? What if you don't have nails to build with (hint: hand auger and wood pegs). Know how to make your own wedges out of wood instead of iron? What kind of wood would you use?

Lots more to it than endless battles and Valhalla at the end.

[edit on 2009/6/22 by nenothtu]