Opinions requested...."lone wolf,", mini-MAG, or small community MAG?

[Kevin L]

I don't tend to believe in Hell either.

I just try to do "good" (defining "good" is a whole other story) and have a moral compass purely for it's own sake...not out of fear of punishment.

 

[Maverick]

Just to play the devil's advocate: everyone here talks about being God-fearing, church, religion, and so on.

I consider myself to be intelligent and creative. I may have to undergo personal risk and act in a covert manner, but I will make a sincere attempt to retain my principles and act according to my conscience and my faith.

I may not be able to be as generous as I would like post SHTF, but I will certianly try.

I accept--as an article of faith--that generosity is a good thing. I don't equate "loving my neighbor as myself" to be a sign of weakness.

The recurring themes in the Holocaust (or Shoah) were a willing, voluntary blindness to what was happening around you, an unwillingness to take risks for your fellow man, an unwillingness to speak up, and an unwillingness to share.

These strategies didn't work in the long run.

So, I plan to be as generous as I can be, and define my survival by who I am as a person...not just by how long I can outlive the barbarians.

I've said this many times on here, my preps are for my family that's here, I didn't spend the money to feed the masses nor do I have that kind of money, nobody to blame but the one's begging for help. I didn't stock my store for strangers, my responsibility ends with my wife, kids and grandkids, where one goes many will follow, that needs to be in the forefront of the thinking when it's your duty to defend and feed the family, otherwise we are short changed, like I said before Kevin, you have to take the emotions out of the equation or you're in for one rough ride.

 

[tmttactical]

I think all the folks here are really good people and will do the best they can in a SHTF major event or in WROL. I think good and bad will change with events and circumstances. An example: Kevin or another member would feed a starving child but would either rob or kill me in order to feed that same starving child? I don't have all the answers because I don't know all the situations. I do like to pose difficult questions to get alternate solutions. Taking in starving children maybe the best tactical move. Build your own army from the ground up. Maybe being a humanitarian will be the best possible choice, again only time will tell. The one ting I do know, is the more I learn, the more options I will have. I want to thank all the members that responded to my posts, they are to be commended for helping me and others to see both side of the pancake.

 

[Kevin L]

I understand the point, but I sometimes have problems communicating (perhaps because of my Asperger's).

I keep saying "as generous as I possibly can be".

I believe (and this is a belief, not what I know as a fact) that intelligent generosity is, in the long run, a winning strategy.

A lack of generosity was almost a universally losing strategy for everyone during the Holocaust and, I suspect, everywhere else.

Intelligent generosity seems--at least to me--to be similar to a long-term investment that pays dividends down the road.

Intelligent generosity doesn't entail me giving up my personal security, or starving myself and my family to death.

Like any investment, generosity has risks. It becomes (again, like any other investment) an exercise in risk vs. benefit.

Sometimes I'll be right, other times I'll take a loss.

Besides, I am a giving person and I enjoy being generous. I need to budget for my own happiness too, right?

 

[tmttactical]

@Kevin L you have a good head on your shoulders and you were making your points very clear. I understand and understood your reasoning and agreed. I play the Devil's Advocate, even while I may agree with somebodies position. I want to see both sides of the pancake, not just the pretty side. You will do what is right for you and your family, I have no doubt of that. I may not do the same but again I really won't know until the situations occurs. I like it when people challenge my thinking and conceptions. It either reinforces my point OR I learn something new that challenges my perception. In either case it is a win-win for me.

 

[Kevin L]

Thank you.

 

[VenomJockey]

Just to play the devil's advocate: everyone here talks about being God-fearing, church, religion, and so on.

I consider myself to be intelligent and creative. I may have to undergo personal risk and act in a covert manner, but I will make a sincere attempt to retain my principles and act according to my conscience and my faith.

I may not be able to be as generous as I would like post SHTF, but I will certianly try.

I accept--as an article of faith--that generosity is a good thing. I don't equate "loving my neighbor as myself" to be a sign of weakness.

The recurring themes in the Holocaust (or Shoah) were a willing, voluntary blindness to what was happening around you, an unwillingness to take risks for your fellow man, an unwillingness to speak up, and an unwillingness to share.

These strategies didn't work in the long run.

So, I plan to be as generous as I can be, and define my survival by who I am as a person...not just by how long I can outlive the barbarians.

I can understand your thinking....and "morally," you are right....but from a practical point of view, your generous nature will get you killed.

 

[Mountain trapper]

It's extremely unlikely that any outsider would stumble upon my place in a major SHTF. We're just too far out for most people to ever get here. I think the locals here would band together and help each other out. There are 6 people within 7 miles of me. All are ranchers with thousands of acres of land and hundreds of head of cattle, and lots of horses. The nearest neighbor is 4-1/2 miles away. If any of these people ever needed anything I would gladly help them as much as possible. And I know they'd return the favor. We already trade and help each other now.
We just don't have the demographics ("diversity") in this area to worry about roving gangs and such. They wouldn't get very far as they'd really stand out.

 

[tmttactical]

It's extremely unlikely that any outsider would stumble upon my place in a major SHTF. We're just too far out for most people to ever get here. I think the locals here would band together and help each other out. There are 6 people within 7 miles of me. All are ranchers with thousands of acres of land and hundreds of head of cattle, and lots of horses. The nearest neighbor is 4-1/2 miles away. If any of these people ever needed anything I would gladly help them as much as possible. And I know they'd return the favor. We already trade and help each other now.
We just don't have the demographics ("diversity") in this area to worry about roving gangs and such. They wouldn't get very far as they'd really stand out.

While I like your situation, do you have a method of communicating with your neighbors that does not required cell phones or land lines? You won't be able to help your neighbors if you don't know they are in trouble.

 

[Mountain trapper]

While I like your situation, do you have a method of communicating with your neighbors that does not required cell phones or land lines? You won't be able to help your neighbors if you don't know they are in trouble.

At this time we don't. I do need to start getting serious about finding a short range (5-20 miles) and long range solution. I've tried a couple hand held radios for short range communications, but they don't even have the range to cover a small portion of our property. I'm going to try a couple hand held CB radios to see what kind of range can expect.

 

[brandx]

Unfortunately this is true...the children will be used as unwitting pawns.

Just thinking of the scene in Dr. Zhivago where the woman carrying a baby in her arms begs to be let on the train and they pull her in.. Ends up the child was dead and was not hers, she unemotionally explained. Desperate situations, desperate actions.

 

[brandx]

@grayghost668 Yes I am a cold hearted SOB, no doubt about it. Now as to your post, by the time you are behind locked gates (my post) do you really think any unaccompanied child would have survived long enough to get to your gate? A child would not hesitate to inform their new captors about your location and the possibilities of supplies. The purest form of barter, information for life. Adults and certainly children will not hesitate. That does not make the child any less a victim but it also does not warrant me risking my compound or community. Now what nobody has suggested YET, why not take the child in and then hunt down those that are using the child. You should not risk bringing the child in, unless you plan to go eliminate the people that are using the child. I would see the child as a pawn and have to eliminate the other players or send the pawn down the road. JM2C

The bad guys keep the child in order to send the mother for food. Any scenario can and could be used.

 

[Psalm7]

Family and Friends . Some prepp some simi prep others do not . SHTF somewhere every day . Like minded people will pull togeather . Groups will have differences and there will be conflicts. Think about how small things can bring people to violence today then how much more when people are desperate and every resource could mean life or death .

 

[Kevin L]

When it comes to generosity post SHTF, I see a lot of people here who speak up about Christian and Biblical principles, especially when it comes to abortion, gay marriage, and so on.

I understand this, but a fundamental Biblical principle is generosity.

To leave generosity out of Christianity and still claim to be Christian is like claiming that you want to be a car mechanic, but you don't want to get dirty.

I may have to be deceptive and devious when it comes to being generous post SHTF, but I will share as much as I possibly can.

I won't be a religious martyr who will starve myself and my family to death because I want to share, but I will do my sincere best to give to people who don't have.

In fact, I would argue that giving someone food during a time of scarcity is a hundred times more Christian than perfect church attendence.

 

[Psalm7]

Thing about the Bible You have to study / read on . Like work diligently and not be a burden on others , the bussy bodies that spread gossip and do not work , have nothing to do with them . Care for the Widows and Orphans . Also never grow tired of doing good , if someone needs help then help them , that does not mean be their victim or make them dependant on you . Thoes that dont work dont eat .

 

[lonewolf]

Lonewolf +1 here, total isolation, we don't really trust other people and that will go 100 fold after SHTF.
with a decent mortality rate this area will be decimated, its a low population area in the good times never mind after some catastrophe.

 

[VenomJockey]

Lonewolf +1 here, total isolation, we don't really trust other people and that will go 100 fold after SHTF.
with a decent mortality rate this area will be decimated, its a low population area in the good times never mind after some catastrophe.

I tend to agree with the lone wolf approach....the only major problem is a life threatening injury. Lone Wolf + total isolation = survival.

 

[lonewolf]

I tend to agree with the lone wolf approach....the only major problem is a life threatening injury. Lone Wolf + total isolation = survival.

why should anyone have a life threatening injury? these are usually caused by carelessness, in a SHTF world the last thing we want to be is careless.

 

[VenomJockey]

why should anyone have a life threatening injury? these are usually caused by carelessness, in a SHTF world the last thing we want to be is careless.

Accidents happen....Murphy's Law, and Mr. Murphy has a way of showing up when you least expect it.....rattlesnake bite could do it.

 

[lonewolf]

I have only ever had 2 serious accidents in a long life, neither of which could have been classed as life threatening.
no reason why that would change post SHTF, especially as I intend to live a very simple life- no power tools.

 

[DrHenley]

You forgot to knock on wood bigpaul

 

[lonewolf]

huh? knock on wood? you mean for good luck?

 

[DrHenley]

My bad bigpaul, that's an American phrase. In England you "touch wood"

I have only ever had 2 serious accidents in a long life...
no reason why that would change post SHTF,

That statement could be seen as "tempting fate"

Knocking on wood – in Britain and Australia the phrase is touch wood – is an apotropaic tradition of literally touching, tapping, or knocking on wood, or merely stating that one is doing or intending to do so, in order to avoid "tempting fate" after making a favourable observation, a boast, or declaration concerning one's own death or other unfavorable situation beyond one's control.​

 

[lonewolf]

not tempting fate more a statement of fact.

 

[DrHenley]

not tempting fate more a statement of fact.

In other words, a "favourable observation"

Read the definition again:

Knocking on wood – in Britain and Australia the phrase is touch wood – is an apotropaic tradition of literally touching, tapping, or knocking on wood, or merely stating that one is doing or intending to do so, in order to avoid "tempting fate" after making a favourable observation, a boast, or declaration concerning one's own death or other unfavorable situation beyond one's control.​

 

[lonewolf]

okay then, a favourable observation.

 

[Psalm7]

Crossing paths with the wrong person or critter could give you a life threatening injury .

 

[tmttactical]

@bigpaul Mr. Murphy will strike and what might have been a easy fix for two people, could become a death sentence for just one person. A scratch in the middle of the back and not properly attended to, due to location, infection sets in and done deal. Now the strict definition of Lone Wolf is one person, so what is the purpose of surviving completely alone. Heck there are spots in American that you can go and be completely isolated now, no need to wait for STHF. Family survival, community survival, or group survival provide a reason to survive. I maybe old but I still enjoy a cuddle with the wife. Heck you could become a monk and live the solitary life style now. I will go with the family mini-Mag, that at least has purpose. JM2C

 

[lonewolf]

my group at the moment is lone wolf +1 but I could survive alone, I have before and will again, being alone does not bother me like it does most people, I am the original loner and prefer animals to people.
I have never had a large family and most of my family is now deceased, I have a cousin here and another in Australia and that's it apart from an older half sister.
the trouble with groups is trust, I don't trust strangers, strangers = danger in a post SHTF situation, the other point with groups is numbers, the more numbers you have the more food you need, the more food you want the more numbers you need to do the labour, its almost self perpetuating. small groups or lone wolfs can stay hidden more easily, make less noise, less tracks coming and going, in a low population area like this, and a high mortality rate, I can stay hidden for ever- or at least the rest of my life.