Here's what I see as the problem with readiness...
We must be ready.
And what do you suggest we do to be ready?
Readiness is much more than any one specific thing, as the "preppers" know. There are several levels of "readiness". To be "ready" is a complicated and expensive operation for most modern folks, because we have learned to depend upon retail stores to supply our every need, rather than depending upon ourselves to grow, raise, or make those commodities we need. There are obvious things that we should prepare for in case of any emergency situation - food, medical supplies, tools (both construction
and defensive tools), clothing, transportation, etc. As I see it, there are two things that are truly needed, but less obvious - the survival mindset, and organization. The mindset is such that it requires one to commit to the possibility that it
will be necessary to engage in acts which they
normally would not even consider.
That is what constitutes the individual's mindset if he/she wishes to survive. There is a natural tendency to want to protect our "stuff". "Stuff" in which we have large financial and/or emotional connections. Your mansion won't do you any good if it becomes your coffin.
There's an old saying, which remains valid even today - "There is safety in numbers." In part,
because of our dependency upon retail stores, very few individuals are capable of stockpiling sufficient, practical quantities of
everything they'll need for an extended emergency - natural
or man-made - in just a couple of easily transported go-bags. Striking a balance between quantities, and weight, is very important. This is where both individual and group organization comes into play. The dedicated "survivalist" is prepared do this, as could individuals trained in SERE. A group of ten or more people provides for better security for the individuals within group than does a single individual for him/herself (sooner or later, everybody has to sleep). The larger the group the greater the security, and the more successful they will be at repelling those other groups who may desire to relieve them of supplies, or to do them physical harm. However,
one of the problems with a large group is that of group logistics -transportation of it's members (assuming the group would find it desirable or necessary to be mobile), determining group leadership, who controls what, etc. Popularity alone is not a viable reason for appointment to a leadership position (as we have learned from the last two presidential elections). And, within a group there may be
several specialized leadership roles. The decisions of a trained medical professional would be more trusted in a medical emergency, than would those of an automobile detailer. If an attack is imminent, an ex-military man with combat tactical experience
should be more efficient at leading the response (assuming that the military man
learned from and
internalized that experience) than a dentist. A politician or lawyer would serve
no useful purpose whatsoever - let them form their own group
. The downside to a large group would quite likely be internal bickering, and some level of distrust between individuals or smaller groups of individuals within the primary group.
Inasmuch as the government has declared independent citizen militias to be "potential terrorists" (and, in fact,
some are inclined toward that), and the only "militia" condoned by the government are the National Guard, We the People are - for the
most part - without a support group upon which we can depend in time of crisis. We are forced into an "every man for himself" condition until we either form such a group ourselves, or connect with an established group after the fact. If one has a predetermined group of significant size there's the need for a recall roster, and the designation of an assembly point, task assignments, etc. All these and more are organizational activities. Who already has this kind of organization? The military and National Guard, of course. Who has a lesser, but still more effective than
no level of organization? Law enforcement, old-school organized crime, and street gangs - they all have numbers and weapons.
On the whole, I believe that We the People
do not have such established organization, and
that will be our problem with "readiness" should we be faced with SHTF. Just my thoughts. :shocker: Pax...
