Posted on 01/28/2012 9:02:34 PM PST by Kartographer
When Patty Tegeler looks out the window of her home overlooking the Appalachian Mountains in southwestern Virginia, she sees trouble on the horizon. 'In an instant, anything can happen,' she told Reuters. 'And I firmly believe that you have to be prepared.' Ms Tegeler is among a growing subculture of Americans who refer to themselves informally as 'preppers.'
Ready for anything: Chuck Izzo, a "prepper" sits in his basement where he stores wood pellets to fuel his woodstove, an alternative heat source in his home Some are driven by a fear of imminent societal collapse, others are worried about terrorism, and many have a vague concern that an escalating series of natural disasters is leading to some type of environmental cataclysm. They are following in the footsteps of hippies in the 1960s who set up communes to separate themselves from what they saw as a materialistic society, and the survivalists in the 1990s who were hoping to escape the dictates of what they perceived as an increasingly secular and oppressive government.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Preparedness is a human tradition, an American tradition, and huge during the 1950s,1960s,1970s, and 1980s.
It never goes out of style, I grew up with it, I have a small collection of pamphlets from 1961 through the 1980s.
What changed in the pamphlets, is the tone from the government. It used to be adult to adult, man to man, government to veteran, adult, father of the household facts, data, graphs, percentages, hard nosed scenarios and practical ways to deal with them.
In time it became more condescending, government talking down in simple terms to simple people, in nonthreatening generalities, with simple advice, a little food, some water, flashlights and batteries.
All of the shelters, dried food, water, etc, is fine for short term natural disasters, but little good for societal collapse, or a radical Marxist government.
Such a disaster will last many months or years, as in central/east Europe when the soviets took over.
I left America for good in 2004, not because I was worried about collapse of the society/government, but as a lifestyle choice.
As I see the foundation of America crumbling, however, I am now very thankful that I got out when I did.
America will never return to the days of 10+ years ago.
While I was first in central Europe, I am now in the Philippines, a poor third world country.
Life here is great for me.
I can live very nicely on $700 per month (two adults and one baby boy).
We live on a beach in the best part of our town, paying $100 rent, and have all the modern conveniences from A/C, microwave, fridge to satellite TV. We want for nothing.
We are also rich compared to most people around us.
I use to get a few “dog in a manger” cracks from some FReepers, but no more.
I now get some asking for how they can escape from America.
I have to admit that I was 60 when I left, and I know it would be tough for a younger man with family to leave, but for many it should be considered an option.
What spooks me is that I feel quite safe here along the Yukon, quite rural & self sufficient. I had an old neighbor move to Guatamala a few years back, got robbed and hacked to death with machetes. Should have stayed in Alaska, he had all kinds of guns & security here.
okay.
“imported wives”
“living in the Phillipines”
60 years old with small chidren?
Stay where you are and don’t come back.
Sorry I got you mixed up with Alex W!
Both of you are a bit out there
“Should have stayed in Alaska, he had all kinds of guns & security here.”
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Well, I guess Alaska would be as safe as anywhere in the world, but much, if not most, of America is decaying rapidly.
My birth city of Memphis, since being taken over by the blacks, is now murder capital of America.
Fortunately, it is mostly inter tribal killing.
As for the Philippines, I live out in the provinces on Cebu, listed by Travel and Leisure Magazine as the third best island in all of Asia.
I have seen no violence here, but a big city like Manila
is a place I would never care to visit, and, of course, I would not live in any Muzi territory as on Mindanao.
I don’t mean to seem like I’m judging your choice to leave — you have every right to protect and provide for your family as you see best. I hear you. But I’m not sure the Philippines was the best choice.
China is getting more aggressive, and the Philippine navy wouldn’t last minutes in a fight with them. You can’t count on the US coming to your aid, just as Israel cannot count on us anymore. It depends on who is in office.
Perhaps you might consider having a fall-back plan in case things get tense? You could work on building a few relationships with some ship captains or pilots, who could then be persuaded to give you passage out of the country if the Chinese decide to act on their desires.
I've been married 26 years to girl from my home town, my kids are all in college, ain't going nowheres, luv life in rural Alaska; even the minus 47 it now is tonight. I live along the Yukon, no road to where I live most the year, no cell phones, or taxes, or govt, or law enforcement, or services. Pretty much live off moose, caribou, salmon and what I grow in my garden; my quality of life is great.
Wouldn’t mind doing that.
Of course, to have the $700 per month, I would need to stay put and keep working. It’d be a heckuva commute.
Today’s preppers, as they call us, have NOTHING to do with hippies. Who writes this $hit?
““imported wives””
“Stay where you are and don’t come back”
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Obviously, your reading comprehension is somewhat lacking.
Imported wives? Where did I say that?
Go back and study how and why America was founded.
I suppose if this were the 1700s and you were back in Europe, you would be saying the same thing to the founding fathers.
One last point..
I will damn well stay wherever I want.
You can be sure I would never set foot in YOUR state.
Tennessee, my home, is the only state that I would consider even visiting.
I thought all you “dog in a manger” sourpusses had left FR.
Have a nice day.
What’s an “imported wife”?
“China is getting more aggressive, and the Philippine navy wouldn’t last minutes in a fight with them”
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China would be the least of my worries here.
They have no more motive to expand their dominance to the Philippines, then any other country close to them.
They have all they can do manufacturing and selling their goods here and everywhere else in the world.
Just today I was reading about their Apple factory, making Ipads and other Apple products.
It is a city in itself, employing over 200,000 workers.
Just in the news last night there was mention of the US asking to station some ships here.
“Of course, to have the $700 per month, I would need to stay put and keep working.”
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Yes, it is not for expats that are not retired, or well to do.
Non-citizens can not work or own businesses here, with exception of some multinational corporations, and they would be in Manila.
I rarely see an expat under 60.
At the moment there are three things in life I am sure about, may be not about in that sequence but here they are any way. Death, taxes and the direction this country is headed. Sooner than later something has to give, but what it will be I am not so sure. Unfortunately there are still way too many people who are either too ignorant, too dumb or live in a dream world to recognize and see what is coming down the pike. Just been looking at the polling results from Florida and from what I could see there are still way too many who apparently have not seen the light. Makes one wonder what it will take, perhaps an event of biblical proportions to get this once great country back on track, or some revelation which will take most people by surprise. All I can say is that we live in interesting times.
Add me to your list
My wife’s also from the Philippines. She just got her US citizenship and will be proudly voting in the upcoming elections. She’s turning out to be quite the Patriot, and a pretty good Prepper, and she has no interest in going back to the life she left behind, come what may here.
As for me, I’m your age, and yet I’m still able and willing to fight to the death for what this country means to me. Proud to be a Patriot - I’d be ashamed to be an Ex-Patriot, especially now when our country needs us most. But shame’s not in your repertoire. Enjoy the beach.
Im not going anywhere either but I do see why people do leave. How many people would actually be willing to fight to the death? Id suspect not many. There arent enough of us who would to make a difference. Many people see the writing on the wall. The majority of our populace is dependent on the govt. The majority of the great unwashed are happy as long as they have their American Idol and Burger King. I will not knock the people who have left because when you get right to it, nothing will be done to right this ship.
I’m a liveaboard sailor and a free man. Add me to your list.
“As for me, I’m your age, and yet I’m still able and willing to fight to the death for what this country means to me. Proud to be a Patriot”
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That is all well and good when the country is under attack from a foreign power, but means nothing when your own fellow countrymen, along with illegal aliens, turn against that which made America great.
Just how are you going to fight???
You and I can do nothing more then vote.
If your fellow countrymen choose Marxism, what are you to do?
You might do the same as the founding fathers, or those that escaped central Europe, and say screw this, I will go to a new land.
Do not get me wrong, I love America as it was founded.
My great great great uncle was the Uncle Sam (Troy NY).
It is, however, not in my power to decide who the current citizens choose to be their president.
I have only one vote.
But aren't you concerned about the emergence of an "eat-the-rich" mentality, in the event of a societal break-down?
Or do you live in some sort of gated community or enclosed compound that would be capable of defending itself when the biker zombies go marauding?
How will you defend yourself? What sort of gun laws do the Philippines have? Can you be sure that, after TSHTF, your police wouldn't pay you a visit to confiscate your weapons, squeeze baksheesh out of you, or simply harass the "Gringo" in order to make points with the locals?
Please don't lump me together with "dog-in-the-manger" types. I am honestly interested.
Regards,
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