i know my house is something i am willing to make a stand in and for, i really don't think i want to see what comes after...
Posted on 06/12/2011 10:36:20 AM PDT by dagogo redux
I am posting this vanity to take the pulse of fellow Freepers regarding the possibility of martial law being imposed, and your thoughts on the best way to react when it is.
I’ve been something of a “prepper” for a few years now, watching history unfold and putting store by the truth of the old Boy Scout Motto. I’ve watched our imperfect US Constitution be easily subverted, but I have held fast to my faith in the much more fundamental Declaration of Independence.
Preparedness, the “eternal vigilance” our Forefathers’ spoke of, has seemed a patriotic duty in these dark times. I have felt, given my circumstances in life, that I am about as internally and externally prepared as I can be for whatever comes.
Recently, however, two readings have stirred up some potentially useful doubts, and I wanted to see what various folks among you thought about such things.
One Second After, by William R. Forstchen was not the wake-up call to me that it apparently had been to many others, and it did seem to present a “best case scenario,” if you will, on the role of local communities versus the Feds in restoring order and a semblance of civilization after some dramatic event. I had already thought through, and put into place with my neighbors, the community aspect of things, but it really drove the point home to me (and to my neighbors, who recommended it). However, short of such an “ideal” EMP attack, I doubt things will unfold like that.
More disturbing, I think, are the more likely scenarios in which an all-too-functional State, Federal, and International behemoth will merely step in to restore order through martial law after some natural or concocted emergency. At the same time, those in power would likely use the opportunity to solidify tyrannical power over a once-free people.
This concern was driven home by a recent reading of a little publication titled Understanding and Surviving Martial Law: How to Survive and Even Prosper During the Coming Police State, by Sam Adams. In this (somewhat promotional) pamphlet, he lays out in chilling detail the gathering power - in legislated and fiat laws, in the accompanying attitudes of the power elite, and in the material and organizational planning already underway and often already accomplished - power intended to implement total control over the population when the time is right.
In Chapter VIII, “Adapting to Martial Law,” however, I was shocked to read his solution. Some excerpts follow:
“There will be those who will want to fight, but unless they can get some cohesiveness to their organization, they’re just shooting cap guns at people with tanks. You would do well to mind your own business, be as peaceable as possible, and stay alive. There will eventually be resistance down the road, but at the inception of martial law, that is NOT the time to fight."
And: “Those instituting martial law will be looking for people to make examples of in order to quell any type of uprising or protest from the rest of the sheep. Harsh reprisals at the inception of martial law will keep the masses cowed and controlled.”
He points out the obvious need to cache weapons and food ahead of time, either off site, or concealed well enough on site to evade completely the ubiquitous house to house searches that will take place to confiscate such prepper items. He advocates cultivating carefully chosen networks of like-minded people, not drawing attention to oneself through attitude, speech or behavior, and patiently waiting until things “level off” and a resistance can be formed (I suppose, al la “Total Resistance,” the Swiss guide to such things).
I have often weighed these two paths, and that is the input I’d appreciate hearing from others here. Zombies and chaos I’m ready for. A well organized army of LEOs and US & foreign/UN military imposing martial law is a different matter, and one about which I am torn. My station in life could take me either way quite easily: fight heroically in my last days, or lay low and hopefully live long enough to undermine their regime.
Your thoughts are welcome.
however, I am putting all my money on "EMP attack from Iran". It just seems like the most likely external threat.
As far as the greatest INTERNAL threat, I'm not even gonna say his (foreign sounding) name.
i know my house is something i am willing to make a stand in and for, i really don't think i want to see what comes after...
No, didn't see it. Thanks.
“They would have to go on a major recruiting spree.”
They already have. From the TSA, Volunteer America, private agencies like Blackwater (Xe), FEMA, adding SWAT teams to the park service and NOAA, etc. The feds have been building a private army for a few decades now. There are roughly 4 million federal, State, and local people that can be called into service as necessary.
>>And: “Those instituting martial law will be looking for people to make examples of in order to quell any type of uprising or protest from the rest of the sheep. Harsh reprisals at the inception of martial law will keep the masses cowed and controlled.” <<
Now is as good as time as any to bring the subject of SWAT team tactics up with your mayors and town councilors. Grab a friend, make an appointment and go do it.
IMO, it should be common knowledge where our city, state and federal officials live. Yes, the county bureaucrats, the local, state and federal police officers, every single one of them. Let’s remove the cloak of anonymity from these public officials! They work for us, remember?
It is not difficult to make someone live in fear for their lives as many of you already know. Making our elected local, county, state or federal officials acutely aware of that feeling is not a popular idea but I assure you after once having that taste in your mouth, it is not one quickly forgotten. Why should we be the ones who fear them if we are not criminals? Don’t go after them in their protected offices when their homes and families are as vulnerable as ours are.
If our LEO’s or military troops under the orders of our elected officials ever administer violence to US citizens then I believe it should be returned in equal force to their superiors families.
I promise you that a single bullet through the kitchen window of the Mayors house will make for an excited dinner conversation with his wife that evening. The Mayor will then understand exactly what he did when he ordered violence against his townspeople.
The Chief of Police’s wife wouldn’t hesitate to explain in detail to her husband what a wonderful job he’s doing if her home were to receive a copper jacketed message through the front door.
>>What does “federalize local communities” mean?<<
Agenda 21, New World Order, control programs that make the population and local gov’ts submissive to the Feds. Encourage and financially support states rights!
Anyone who won’t meekly follow orders is a domestic terrorist!
We think alike in some regards.
Along more peaceful lines - pre-SHTF - I have on FR and other sites emphasized locating the homes of those in power, and not just the politicians and bureaucrats, but the leftist media and the power structure behind the ACLU and other treasonous groups and organizations.
We need to be showing up at THEIR houses - not their offices - to demonstrate and protest whenever they pull their anti-citizenry stunts, just like the SEIU has done, only peacefully and legally. Just enough to express ourselves, and let them know we are monitoring their actions, and to let them know we KNOW where they live. Even non-threatening letters sent to their homes would work somewhat. Make it personal - they do with us.
No need to act out or make threats: it’s enough at this time to merely let them know that we know who they are, what they are doing, and where they live.
Like you say, their spouses and kids will put a pressure on them we could never accomplish otherwise.
The next time you are having a friendly chat with a cop over a cup of coffee bring up the subject of firearm confiscation. Ask his opinion on the idea and then mention that there’s serious costs to such action.
“What if you left to go to work for a fun day of firearm confiscation and when you came home all you saw was ashes. That would take the fun out of firearm confiscation, wouldn’t it? Especially if one or all of your family was still in the house when it happened. Officer, remember that saying, “Protect and Serve? That includes my family and my home too.”
Before you pay the bill be sure to convince the man that these are measures that most certainly would not be taken UNLESS he steps out of line and changes from a protector/defender of our rights to a destroyer of them.
An even more effective way to get this message across is to have an 80 year old lady deliver it.
Cutting the power sources and communication lines/cell towers is probably the two most effective ways I can think of to mess with the power structure. Rail lines and highways would be 3rd and 4th. Rupturing the fuel lines that supply the airport would be 5th.
The book, Total Resistance, the Swiss guide to such things, covers the points in your last paragraph quite well. Many already know where and how such things could be accomplished locally.
WTSHTF, you’ll want to be in a gang. Gangs offer protection and stiffen your spine to fight back more effectively. Gangs will form naturally, but existing gangs or associations with a plan will have an advantage.
I know this article is months old, but after listening to Beck this morning, the possibility of martial law may be more relevant than ever. IF, that is, Beck is even close to being correct about what he’s saying today. Just listening to him depresses the heck outta me. Years back, I remember hearing the same thing about Clinton. He wouldn’t just step down after his 2nd term and declare martial law. I bit on the thought a little but we all know the outcome of that.
If martial law were to occur here in the US, I wonder how bad would it really be? Those that decided not to give in who would the fight be against?
VR
You ever simply have someone leave a whole bullet as a message?
At this stage of the game it is much better to have a meeting with the officials so you can let them know exactly what will prompt (to them and theirs) hazardous responses. If you order violence against the mass citizenry through such actions as confiscation of self defense tools or mandatory registration of such tools.
Keep in mind there is only 535 officials in DC. Your state probably has less than that, in total. When these officials get to the point where they fear the common people, all threats against us will subside.
How many officers is there in a battalion of soldiers? 30 or 40, maybe. That’s where the threat is. It is not the troops themselves.
“The USA has insufficient military and adjunct state & local police to impose martial law.”
True, but never underestimate the stupidity of liberals. They know they can recruit millions at a moments notice. Liberals now openly talk about violent revolution. They would love to have the chance. Toss in a bunch of good-hearted Amercians that would find violently reacting to the situation to be downright unAmerican and they would do as the liberals say. We would be but a few million alone against the rest.
Well put. I have had that conversation with the cops who “interface” with our neighborhood watch. They get real, real quiet.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.