2012 is here! Are you ready?

[RobertNashville]

I don't think the Mayan end of days prediction is a scenario at all. I think it's just a period of destruction and drastic change. Their calendar has several of these in the rotation (like seasons). The end of 2012 is just a really bad season on their wheel calendar. But it is a wheel so it starts over. There is a 12:01 right after 11:59 and 12:00.

That all seems VERY reasonable. The only problem that I have with the Mayan calendar is that it referenced very specific dates. That makes it seem prone to failure. We have all seen that predictions that include specific dates always fail.

The Bible end of days does not give a specific date and explicitly warns that no one will be able to solve that riddle either.

That's my answer without getting into faith or religion.

Very good answer!

[Oh Shoot]

I don't think the Mayan end of days prediction is a scenario at all. ..

Yeah, my simple take is that junk science sells things and real science is generally quite a bit duller.

There seem to be more credible "experts" in the pertinent fields who simply poo poo the entire thing. I liken it to the junk science of Erich von Däniken and Zecharia Sitchin; while I do feel that each had partial truths within their premises, both were more shtick than science overall.

We can laugh now, and it certainly rose to the level of junk science with its EOTWAWKI scenarios, but Y2K did have potential for big time disruption of things; it was a "real unknown" as opposed to a "made up unknown". Thing is, it was fixable before it happened, and fixed it was.

I'll just repeat that picture that Brandon found -- love it, and it is more truth than joke methinks.

- OS

Edited January 4, 2012 by OhShoot

[Caster]

I think there's one scripture that even the [intelligent] atheist can agree upon, that applies here. I know we all worry to lesser or greater degrees about calamity, but WHY?

Prepare the best you can and let it go. Stop bickering and stressing over something NONE OF YOU HAVE ANY POWER TO CONTROL.

The scripture BTW can be found in Matthew; [KJV]Which of you, by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? - [NIV] Can one of you, by worrying add a single hour to your life?

If there's nothing you can do about it, then logically all you can do is prepare the best you can, and face it head on or put your head between your legs and kiss your butt goodbye.

...as for me, I can think of nothing more satisfying than grinding it out to the bitter end. It's not a 'cling-on' mentality of one whose morbid fear of death haunts them, it's the defiance in me to never give in.

Edited January 4, 2012 by Caster

[Guest drv2fst]

TEOTWAWKI predictions like 2012 and 2000 and such are probably only interesting because the REAL TEOTWAWKI event is likely political (as discussed above) and that is just frustrating to talk about because not everyone agrees with ME.

[Guest JeremyD901]

I can see why people would be like screw it the if the world was ending for sure and brushing it off. HOWEVER......being prepared for any emergency that may occur shouldn't be brushed off, especially if you have children. I honestly don't believe the world is going to end ever. I do believe in earthquakes and I'm sure Japan does too now. Considering the fault line I live on built realfoot lake I know its capable of mass destruction. I want my wife and 3 boys to survive not just the earthquake but the after affects like no food, water meds, transportation, and lets not forget looting people willing to kill you because you have food and water. I guess I'm just paranoid in most people's eyes.

[Guest bkelm18]

There seem to be more credible "experts" in the pertinent fields who simply poo poo the entire thing. I liken it to the junk science of Erich von Däniken and Zecharia Sitchin; while I do feel that each had partial truths within their premises, both were more shtick than science overall.

Erich von Däniken is a hoot. I always enjoy those shows. Then there's this loon:

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Aliens stopped visiting in pre-history shortly after our ancestors' discovery that spit-roasted alien tastes better than ribeye.

[Seabeejason]

I do not believe the world will end in 2012. The Mayan calendar is just over 5000 years long. Are they saying that the world began 5000 years ago? I don't think so. We will have a galactic eclipse/alignment on December 21, 2012. That has no merit either because it has happened multiple times in Earths history. Plus, we are less than .1 degrees from an alignment at this very minute. I am concerned about the solar maximum currently in the works for this year though. A huge solar storm could disrupt electronics world wide. But once again, that's not a huge concern. As for Nostradomus, his quatrains are open to interpretation, just like the Bible. So, that isn't a huge concern either.

My concern, and one that should be yours too, is that we are definitely headed for economic collapse. I have studied economics and business extensively. It is going to happen. It is just a matter of when the last domino falls. Take a look at the world right now. Countries are going bankrupt and wars are brewing. China is building massive resources, including military. Russia is chomping at the bit to get the U.S. into a tight spot. A war with Iran is on the horizon. China and others are pushing for the dollar to no longer be the world reserve currency. When that happens the dollar will be no more. I think the tipping point will be a war with Iran. The entire Middle East will jump in and Russia and China will not be far behind. North Korea will then go after the south. Israel will get hit from all sides and the United States will be right in the thick of it all. The rest will be.....well, history.

End of the world? I do not see that happening. End of the world as we know it? Definitely. It will not be an end, but likely just a new beginning. It has happened throughout history. History repeats itself. I just hope people do not get nuke happy. That would be very bad.

I am preparing for an economic disaster. I already have over 1000 rounds of 5.56/.223. Over 200 rounds of 9mm. I just got a tactical vest and molle pack. I just got a good Ka-Bar knife and fire starter. I am now looking into first aid supplies, medicine, water treatment, water, food/MRE's, gasoline, small stove, wood matches, etc. I am also planning on getting more ammo and a couple extra guns. I am also looking into some really good cold weather gear for the family. We plan on heading out to Missouri if something happens. Our family there has ammo, food and other supplies already. It is much less populated there too, so game is more plentiful. Plus, I am going to store some stuff there during the next trip home. If the economy goes down the tubes you will not be able to get gasoline at all. So that is why I am storing some gasoline. The cost for all this is pretty high, but I think it is a worthy investment for the family. If nothing happens, then so be it. If it does, we will be somewhat prepared.

Edited January 6, 2012 by Seabeejason

[Guest KPAUL]

What is the shelf life of a MRE?

[Guest Lester Weevils]

What is the shelf life of a MRE?

It probably varies by manufacturer. In addition, the shelf life seems to vary according to storage temperature with at least some. Dunno if temperature would affect shelf life for all.

The MRE's I've bought claim to be in the ballpark of 5 years, longer or shorter depending on temperature. Some of the 12 pack brown cardboard cartons have a little chart with shelf life versus temp.

Have read complaints that sometimes and some dealers, you can order MRE's and the things are old enough to be near-expired when you receive them. Maybe that is most likely with "true surplus" rather than MRE's manufactured by the same factories but manufactured specifically for the civilian market?

Luckily MRE's I've bought were manufactured only a month or two before UPS delivers em. But I was looking for a "sure thing" assurance of freshness rather than the very lowest price.

Wonder how long MRE's would keep in a cool basement before they would get so unfit to eat that they would make you sick? As long as a dried up old bisquit in tinfoil wouldn't make you sick, at least it would have calories? Maybe long after all the vitamins and taste are gone, as long as it ain't poison-- You might get vitamin deficiency and it might taste awful, but at least you won't starve right away?

[Guest ochretoe]

I just found and read this post. It has some really good insights. Like most I'm more worried about natural disasters and economic breakdowns. The first is a shortish term thing, 3 to 6 months. The latter is life changeing. I and a few other families have a bug out plan. We have a good rendezvous site with resources and defendability. Food will always be the biggest concern with security being second. I have guns and ammo and knowhow to survive. I'm worried about lazy,mean people. After reading this thread I am going to add some things to stock up on. garden seeds, solar panels and tools for each. I think I will also rig my camper to be truely self contained.

[Dolomite_supafly]

There are a lot of problems with a plan to bug out. If you look at any major exodus throughout history those travelling have had major problems.

Bugging in has some advantages. First is you already have everything you are going to have without the need to transport it to a new location. You can call for help from those around you while in a remote location you cannot call for help. Another big advanrage is you know the area. You also know who friend and who foe is or at least have a good idea. Travelling exposes you to more dangers. If any type of relief or supplies is handed out it is going to be in the population centers first.

But if you have any hope of bugging out you must be willing to do a few things.

First and foremost is be packed and ready to go in a moments notice. Vehicles have to ALWAYS have the gas needed to make it to that location. When the SHTF gas will be gone unless you are at the pumps pumping your gas as it takes place. We seen it when the hurricanes hit and we ran out of cheap gas within hours. From the time an announcement gas may be in short supply it was less than 4 hours later to when I was paying $5.50 a gallon for premium, which was the only gas available.

You need to also realize that there are going to be a lot more people than just you heading to a bug out location. This is going to clog the roadways like we saw during Rita/Katrina. The only way you might get a head start is if you are in a position to get some notice, like LE, emergency serives or the government would get to prepare. Otherwise it is going to be a race to get out and if you are not in the lead you will find yourself stuck in the rear.

As far as your bug out location you need to own the property you plan to go to. This can give you a little bit of a delay in the squatters that will show up. And once there the squatters are not going to readily leave even if you tell them you won the property. If your bug out location is "public lands" you are not going to be the first there, it will be like winning the lottery. You are going to find yourself left out like thousands of others who had the same plan.

Most people don't realize that best case scenario crops will be edible in 4 months. If it happened today we are looking at 5-6 months before crops can begin to be harvested. If it were to happen in say July or August you would be looking at close to a year before crops could be harvested.

And as much as I hate to say it in order to survive people must loose their conscience. They must be willing to turn those less fortunate away unless they bring a substantial advantage to the group.

I can honestly say that I will protect my location to the end. There are less than 5 people that will be invited in and all others will be turned away with overwhelming amount of force.

Dolomite

[Caster]

There are a lot of problems with a plan to bug out. If you look at any major exodus throughout history those travelling have had major problems.

YES!

Bugging in has some advantages. First is you already have everything you are going to have without the need to transport it to a new location. You can call for help from those around you while in a remote location you cannot call for help. Another big advanrage is you know the area. You also know who friend and who foe is or at least have a good idea. Travelling exposes you to more dangers. If any type of relief or supplies is handed out it is going to be in the population centers first.

Unless you are in full bore urban areas, this is going to be about the only way to go. Although one should be mindful at all times and be prepared to get diggin'. Mobility and bugging aout ain't always the same thing. Think about this too, if things get bad, lots of people are gonna leave in a hurry. Great, their left overs become your resources.

But if you have any hope of bugging out you must be willing to do a few things.

First and foremost is be packed and ready to go in a moments notice. Vehicles have to ALWAYS have the gas needed to make it to that location. When the SHTF gas will be gone unless you are at the pumps pumping your gas as it takes place. We seen it when the hurricanes hit and we ran out of cheap gas within hours. From the time an announcement gas may be in short supply it was less than 4 hours later to when I was paying $5.50 a gallon for premium, which was the only gas available.

You need to also realize that there are going to be a lot more people than just you heading to a bug out location. This is going to clog the roadways like we saw during Rita/Katrina. The only way you might get a head start is if you are in a position to get some notice, like LE, emergency serives or the government would get to prepare. Otherwise it is going to be a race to get out and if you are not in the lead you will find yourself stuck in the rear.

As far as your bug out location you need to own the property you plan to go to. This can give you a little bit of a delay in the squatters that will show up. And once there the squatters are not going to readily leave even if you tell them you won the property. If your bug out location is "public lands" you are not going to be the first there, it will be like winning the lottery. You are going to find yourself left out like thousands of others who had the same plan.

Most people don't realize that best case scenario crops will be edible in 4 months. If it happened today we are looking at 5-6 months before crops can begin to be harvested. If it were to happen in say July or August you would be looking at close to a year before crops could be harvested.

And as much as I hate to say it in order to survive people must loose their conscience. They must be willing to turn those less fortunate away unless they bring a substantial advantage to the group.

I've been saying this for years, and for those with a big heart it's going to be rough.

I can honestly say that I will protect my location to the end. There are less than 5 people that will be invited in and all others will be turned away with overwhelming amount of force.

Oh come on man! If it gets bad to your west and I gotta head east?????

Dolomite

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