It's serendipitous irony we talked of opening a longterm survival forum, the server failed and then this disaster. Being prepared is not unlike the military always preparing to fight the last war. There is always a suprise in the real world. More fingers are pointing at those responsibe, from Bush down to a toiletpaper looter than are being used to pick up a case of water or open a wallet. I think it was Rhett Butler who told Scarlett there is money to be made both in tearing down and rebuilding a society. The news just reported coffee,sugar and chocolate will see price increases since New Orleans is-was the major pipeline for their importation. I'm investing heavily in these futures, not like pork bellies, but cans in the closet and chocolate in the freezer.I can walk or ride my horse if gas continues it's escalation. But take away my coffee and chocolate and we are talking revolution that will make a Bolshevik pale. We've come a long way from PSK kits. I hope everyone will help maintain the community outlook as we sort out a lot of new information and update our thinking. The number of visitors to the site has been overwhelming. It will be interesting <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

AAAAAMENNN to the coffee and chocolate.....I mean after all, old chap, one must preserve,as well as observe, the proprieties; even in the face of long term adversity. 'Sides, without my coffee my temper git's right squampsish! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Chris said: There is always a suprise in the real world. Ain't that the truth ! The one thing you never plan for !!!

Chris, you are always subtle, and often obscure, but I get this one. Just because I am paranoid does not mean that they aren't after me, an dnow lots of folks are thinking Mother is after them -- and they are right.

I think it is probably only natural that in light of recent events there has been a lot of discussion about weapons, and I agree that is not what we are fundamentally about. I have been a facilitator, myself, and I vow to quit. I can't promise to swear off politics, altogether -- hey, as the scorpion said, It's my nature.

Bad times incite bad thougths; advertisty can be an adventure. Let's just all help one another.

I've been rethinking too. Some things that stand out to me:

* Plan for a month.
* The human reaction may be more of a danger than the actual disaster.
* I'm not getting in The Truck.
* Whiny-Woe-Is-Me people make good news.

The firearms thread is not a problem. It's almost a given in our rather unique american culture. In an ancient post I likened the debate to a frankenstein monster of equal body parts Michael Moore and Charlton Heston. And we all know the monster can turn on you faster than Marty Feldman blinking his eyes at Gene Wilder. All the "how many angels can rest on a pinhead" ballistics trivia is fun but ultimately irrelevant. I don't think either a whitetail or a burglar will know, or care much if that sudden metabolic change was caused by a 6.5 mannlicher or a .416 Rigby. Having received wounds from a lowly .22 shotshell and a richochetting 7.62 from a kalashnikoff they both ruined my day. Again, we can talk firearms. If anybody goes goofy I'll just sneak in and past those fake bullethole decals on your monitors. The ones sold by the lady with all the obnoxious bumperstickers sitting next to her Ghilly suited husband selling another ultimate hotsauce and illegal auto sears <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I must post an apology. Before I got this post, I posted a new thread wherin I suggested that we are not about weapons here.

I agree with you that weapons are an inherent part of the entire package of personal preparedness. And, oh my, do I love my guns, my knives, and contemplaation of the injury they can inflict.

I only suggest that we are better served by talking about how to stay alive than how to kill.

I second the coffee and chocolate bit. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

As someone who gets headaches every day, and who generally wakes up with one, I would also add prescription Fioricet to that. Coffee and Fioricet ring my chimes first thing in the morning! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Failing that, Excedrin and coffee can do the trick, too. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig

Beer! You can't go wrong with beer and you'll build long term rations in your belly. So pack beer, both in side you and out.

Frankie