It's five minutes to midnight

[unique]

On the doomsday clock that is.  Bad news is that it's much closer than in 1991 when it was seventeen minutes to midnight, good news is that it's been five to midnight since January 2007, and it's been a lot closer. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_Clock)
So why does it seem that "everyone" thinks the end is near?  People have been claiming the end is near, probably for as long as there has been language.  I wouldn't be surprised if one of man's first words was "doom".
I grew up practicing "duck and cover" in school and having food and water stored in the basement "fallout shelter", so I tend to be precariously balanced between being very prepared and being very skeptical.
I know, I know, if Obama becomes president the world will end, well, I lived through Carter and Ford and Clinton, and I suspect that if I have to, I'll live through Obama.  I won't like it, but I'll do it, and the world will probably go on.  Remember, the liberals thought the world would end with Bush.
Anyway, I've been thinking about several things related to the overall topic of TEOTWAWKI and so this is the first of a couple of posts on it.  What are your thoughts? A little too much caffeine, or should I practice kissing my butt goodbye?
Art

[twyacht]

Hey unique, In todays day and age with flooding, Katrina like storms, electrical grids overloaded, instead of the end of the world scenario, I use the 1 week rule. Here in hurricane country, we've had some bad one's, (knock on wood, none lately), the rule is to not rely on ANYONE after a catastrophe for 1 week. Food, water, generator, Tom Ridge said duct tape, OK, ice if you have time to get it, propane, etc,... and as Emerson wrote "Self-Reliance", "Trust thyself". My 1911, Rem 870, and other peace keepers, insure no looting on my street. Hurricane Fran put water to the bottom of the STOP sign, that was a bad 4 days.

I too am skeptical about a great many things, mainly that the gov. will tend to me in my hour of need.   NOT,...

Ancient civilizations thought an eclipse meant the end was near, Barack is not the end, its going to frankly suck and cost us more, but we will survive, just like the Carter admin. 

Don't kiss your butt goodbye, Emerson also wrote; " Every great man is "unique","  I take the good ol' Boy Scout motto, Be prepared. That's all we can do, keep the caffeine going.

Looking back, did anyone think the duck and cover would protect them from a nuclear blast?

Take Care and be well

Tom W

[unique]

Looking back, did anyone think the duck and cover would protect them from a nuclear blast?

Take Care and be well

Tom W

Tom,
Believe it or not, yes we did take it VERY seriously, along with the food and water in the basement.  Hard to believe we were that naive.
Then again, when I listen to people who believe that they can defend there home against determined attackers in a TEOTWAWKI  situation, I wonder.  I mean even a .22 can penetrate an exterior wall and kill, how many sides of a house can you defend, how long can you stay awake, is your house fireproof?
Vandals and looters are one thing, determined attackers in a lawless environment are quite another.
I agree with you, you need to be self reliant for at least a week, people have got to stop thinking that the government is going to protect them from everything.  Even with the best government, that's not going to happen. 
It's this end of the world thing  that I find interesting/confusing/troubling.
Art

[SwoopSJ]

I know, I know, if Obama becomes president the world will end, well, I lived through Carter and Ford and Clinton, and I suspect that if I have to, I'll live through Obama.  I won't like it, but I'll do it, and the world will probably go on.  Remember, the liberals thought the world would end with Bush.

All I can say is, at least I'll get the chance to bitch for four years like the liberals have for the last eight.  I hate to go all political, but good grief...George Bush, according to the libs, is responsible for everything from loss of jobs and Katrina (the hurricane itself), to p.m.s.  Hate to rub salt in the wounds, but we can thank Clinton for the loss of jobs in America.  Its called NAFTA people!  Another great idea, just like the assault weapons ban, brought to you by your friends, the democratic party...  Whew!  I feel better now and should be able to refrain from any further politically motivated outbursts for a good 5-10 minutes... or until my next cup of coffee.

[tombogan03884]

Big end of the world scenarios seem pretty unlikely. It's the little buggers you've got to watch out for. Huricanes, power outages, stuff caused by nature which does not pay any attention to politics, or world tensions.
As for B Ho, Inflation, increased unemployment , and when we need our military they will be to broke to deliver.

[Sponsor]

[gunman1911]

It won't be the end of the world but the toughest with the mostest will survive and I sure as hell do not want to be near any big cites. I have guns, ammo ,food seeds , shelter, water puifires,barder items clothes for all seasons and the strongest........Knowledge. to gather all those who want to survive and start over.

[2HOW]

It won't be the end of the world but the toughest with the mostest will survive and I sure as hell do not want to be near any big cites. I have guns, ammo ,food seeds , shelter, water puifires,barder items clothes for all seasons and the strongest........Knowledge. to gather all those who want to survive and start over.

   +1

[tumblebug]

See you there.

[twyacht]

See you there.

Just need a rendezvous point!

[brosometal]

Just need a rendezvous point!

On another thread there was talk of visiting FL for a party...   It depends on what your definition of party is.