Random thoughts.

So many conflicting thoughts...

Too many people are like sheep, and once startled out of their complacency, will panic.

Not many, but more than enough, people are like hyenas; lurking about, waiting for the chance to prey on those weaker than themselves.

Most people are good at heart and will do their best to help each other, if given the chance, or if circumstances force them to open their eyes to their situation.

While I agree with you in principle on a good leader, in many cases, the history of the world sometimes gives pause.

Remember the fervor with which too many followed a charismatic leader with a plan in the 1940s in Germany.

Remember the debacle of formaldehyde contaminated trailers post Katrina.

Remember the folks who blindly followed Jim Jones to Guyana.

Remember how each and every politician promises to make things better?

I guess my point is that while a good leader will help get folks through, don't look to the one who seems too eager to lead, but the one who is forced to lead may the the right guy or gal for the job.

But yes, by banding together to help one another, we will likely be OK!

Great points Geoff

Having a functional community and a plan are definitely going to help in the event of some kind of event, or even if there isn't an event. But I would like to take what Geoff was referring to a little further. Groups can be, will be, and already are monitored, up to and including infiltration and provocation. If you have a group of several like minded guys who form a hunting club, militia training group, or local political action group, chances are good that they will wind up on the radar of, at a bare minimum, local LE. Usually that isn't a big deal, but it creates the chance for leverage or exploitation by crooks later on. In a worst case scenario perhaps a complete setup of the group for some mysterious terrible actions.

Cases in point, look what happened with the Bundy group and the Randy Weaver clan. While neither group did anything criminal to speak of, (no victim, no crime...) they both wound up dismantled and destroyed, lucky some of them managed to escape with their lives. This is under normal times, can you imagine the turmoil that will befall groups like these during an event or, heaven forbid, a civil war?

I think the best thing you can do is maintain a reasonable level of OPSEC by keep in touch with close family members and friends that you have known for years. Once you start branching out, you might be surprised how quick your group is listed as a domestic terrorist by the SPLC or some such. Having good relationships now can evolve into a little more serious tribe later on with a reduced chance of winding up as a CNN special report.

That's not to say we shouldn't hang out with like minded people, proselytize for preparedness, help each other out, or occasionally attend functions like RX18 ;-). Those are very important as well, but a very different sort of activity.

Good points as well plissken.

When I was referring to good local leaders I meant the mayor, the sheriff, County supervisor, Chief of Police, the people already in place. Law and order would be much better than everyone playing Rambo .At the same time we need to be able to take care of ourself to a certain point. Basically pulling your own weight.

I have come to the conclusion that compassion and love for our fellow man is the answer two most of our problems. It seems to me that a lot of effort has been put into dividing people, so the logical answer to me would be to start putting alot of effort to bring people together. Wishful thinking I know.

The so-called "leaders" in my current place of residence recently announced that due to various unforeseen events, over $8 MILLION is now available to the city budget. This, after the voters rejected a permanent .25% increase to the city income tax last November. The local fish wrapper-which is printed out of state, by the way, revealed this over a three day period. I didn't bother to read the stories, but I'm wondering if the whistle was blown, or if the next elections played a part. Both, most likely. The current city council had the good sense not to vote themselves pay raises just before this story came out!

Two mayors ago, the Mayor gave his staff significant pay raises, justified by the need to retain "quality people". Less than three months later, the city was under "exigent circumstances" and the city took their negotiated share of the portion they pay to the pension fund for police back, putting the burden on the officers.

After losing that battle in arbitration, the city refused to reinstate the pension pick up for the command officers for over a year, even though they did so for the patrol officers. Eventually, the courts ordered the city to fork over a large amount of coin, but it took the next mayor negotiating a mutually beneficial settlement to finally resolve the issue. That mayor was in charge during a water crisis, and everything worked pretty smoothly. He was on council and a former cop who cried foul as soon as the "exigent circumstances" announcement was made. Unfortunately, he died of an aneurysm while checking on how the streets were being cleared during a blizzard.

Another mayor called for SWAT to stand down as rioters were being pushed back during a Neo Nazi march (or was it the Klan? Anyway , gang bangers took advantage and wound up looting and burning a business. The next time folks of that ilk came to town, the new mayor and the new Chief called in the State Highway Partol, several Sheriiff's departments, and all days off were cancelled. The racists were told where they were allowed to have their rally and barricades separated them from the protesters. Zero tolerance for anyone advocating violence. That Chief resigned shortly after threatening to throw the Mayor out of a window on the 22nd floor of the Government Center. The Mayor was a loon, but he was the Mayor, after all. ;-)

About thirty years ago, the city found over 19 MILLION bucks in un-cashed checks and cash laying around. That "Rainy Day" fund is long gone, of course.

While I hope no one has a heroin addict in their family, thanks to the local Sheriff and Chief of Police, every suspected heroin OD is now dispatched to police "Code Three", so that Narcan can be administered by officers. Some folks have been known to OD twice in one 8 hour shift!

Leadership? BAH, says I! As Dr. Phil would say, "Don't pee on my head and tell me it's raining"!

So, due to my experience with the leadership in my community, I plan on putting lots of pressure on my parents to join me out West, where at least I won't KNOW that the place is being run by misfits, incompetents, and crazies-for a while! :-)

Oh yeah, look up Project Megiddo. Then Attorney General Janet Reno's-who thought sending the ATF and FBI to arrest an alleged child abuser was a good idea?-response on why then FBI Director's Freeh's assessment of the threat posed by Militias and other "potential terrorists" never materialized is a thing of beuaty

^beauty. Damned computer!

Anyway, looks like the Aloha Snackbars have replaced the so called Radical Right Christians and militias as the greatest threat to America. As my dear old grey haired daddy says, "There's always something".

Several years back now the FBI came to town to Investigate the mayor and city building inspector for taking kickbacks. Soon it was clear that everyone in a position of power was using it for personal gain. Many went to jail. Sadly it's way way to coming.

In my town, it's hard to tell if the politicians are too dumb or too honest to engage in graft; or if they're just smart enough not to be caught!