It is coming. Though honestly it has been coming for a long time.

 

How would we fair? My family would fair poorly! Just like the last time we tried to exercise our 10th amendment rights.

My family suffered dearly the last go around.

But we still go the way of North Carolina! What our state decides, we try to make happen to the best of our abilities.

Fidelitas!

 

Guess unless some able-bodied took me in im s.o.l.
No electric no well. Ya have shelf stable foods. Some stored water. When pet food runs out critters get turned loose. Im not eating the dog or cat. Thats too much work anyway.
Hunker down when you have no other choice see how long you last.

 

Set aside the politics, the chest thumping, etc. How well or poorly do you think you'd fare if civil war broke out in the U.S.? What would be your pain points?

I'll start. I think supply chains would break down fairly quickly and I doubt we could easily purchase provisions on an ongoing basis. We are rural and somewhat off the beaten path. I figure we could only count on the gasoline and diesel on hand. I don't think we'd use the gasoline on the generator. It's more valuable for the chainsaws and log splitter for wood to heat and cook with. For light we have a lot (several hundred pounds) of candles. When we first got the farm we didn't have electricity and used candles for light. The tractor is diesel. We have some diesel to plow and disc a field for planting but I wouldn't count on it long term. I just ordered a couple of 200W portable solar panelsto charge our power bricks, emergency radio, CB radios, etc.

I think I'll buy a few sacks of Speltz from a neighbor that grows it for his animals. We grow a small amount of Amaranth we have plenty of vegetable seeds. I wouldn't be able to start seeds early indoors like I normally do but we could start some in windows and cold frames. We have plenty of hoop greenhouse frames and plastic so that would help with getting an early start as well as extending the fall season.

We have an Amish neighbor who has a herd of dairy cows. He sells the milk to a cheese factory. I doubt the milk (tanker) truck would continue picking up twice a day so I'd try to make a deal with him to trade for milk or maybe for one of his cows.

We'd dry and salt the beef in the freezers or can it to preserve it. We have enough dry goods (rice, beans, flour, etc.)to get through the winter. We also have fish in our lakes There are plenty of deer on our property but I think we'd end up dealing with poachers.

I think one of the bigger pain points for us would be medical, prescription and non-prescription medications.

Water is certainly an issue. We have deep wells (~300 feet.) I suppose for a while we could use the generator to power the well to fill up totes. Beyond that we have life straws and family life straws to filter water from the creek.

We have board games, cards and musical instruments (guitar, mandolin, harmonicas) to amuse ourselves if we aren't too tired.

I've been in a war zone and anyone who looks forward to a war doesn't appreciate what they are asking for. It's an ugly business and people suffer. My thoughts above fall into the category of brain storming. A lot more thoughts but I'm not trying to write a book.

So how do you think you would fare where you are?

Who would be the 2 sides in this war? Terrorism maybe, but I don't see an actual civil war. In the future, I could see the US splitting into multiple countries.

 

I think one way of putting it (crudely) is "Red and Blue". Look at Trump's speech today to the Generals and Admirals;

"And I told Pete we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military — National Guard, but military — because we’re going into Chicago very soon. That’s a big city with an incompetent governor. Stupid governor. "

I don't think it will split as cleanly as the previous civil war (if it happens) where it was by state. You have blue states with large red rural areas (for example, Illinois) and you have red states with large blue cities (Ohio and Texas).

Do you think the U.S. would split into multiple countries peacefully?

 

I suspect that secession was not precluded in the Constitution originally, but the 14th Amendment might make it unconstitutional now.

Section. 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Since citizens of all States are deemed citizens of the United States, secession would probably be seen as denying those persons equal protection of the laws of the United States.

Of course, as with the original War Between the States, the remaining United States congress is authorized to declare War as they see fit.

 

I suspect that secession was not precluded in the Constitution originally, but the 14th Amendment might make it unconstitutional now.

Since citizens of all States are deemed citizens of the United States, secession would probably be seen as denying those persons equal protection of the laws of the United States.

Of course, as with the original War Between the States, the remaining United States congress is authorized to declare War as they see fit.

Secession is one thing. But if you haven't heard or followed it, a considerable part of eastern Oregon wants to become part of Idaho. It's not an issue of being proud Americans, it's an issue of being thoroughly frustrated Oregonians. Their argument is the same as in many States: the population centers overwhelm the rural vote every time. But the geography favors this and Idaho seems receptive. There are a whole bunch of complexities to this. But it is quite interesting.

 

I sure don't want to be stuck in a "kill or be killed" scenario. Being this close to a big city there's a big chance of that happening. People around here are crazy stupid now. Take away their cell phones and who knows what would happen.

As for the supply chain, we didn't secure our usual back up supply of toilet paper and tissues. Things happened and inventory is pre-covid low.

But really, if the electric supply is cut we have no phone, no water, and little heat. We'd have to get water from the creek, filter, and sanitize it since that's all surface water. Mom and my daughter would panic if they couldn't get hold of me for days on end. I would have to get my daughter and somehow get across the state to my mom. Mom would be in worse shape than me. She has a fuel oil furnace but it needs electricity to operate. At least I have a little wood burning stove, but haven't laid in a supply of wood other than a big pile of kindling.

 

Can I get my property tax check back before the shooting starts?

 

It would take about 2 hours before some foreign power saw the chaos and brought down hell and fire on what WAS the USA.

 

The government would still be in charge of enough nukes to make that very doubtful.

 

My perspective? We would do our best and survive for a time but at our ages not surviving long would be a blessing.

I look at my family and this country's last unCivil War. Those on the side of the south were absolutely destroyed financially. We are still digging out. Those on the side of the north were absolutely destroyed. We are still digging out. Those that were "fought over" gained freedom but with it Jim Crow and financial devastation in some cases worse than what they had been experiencing.

And then I look at Germany in the 1930s since that is that path we are intentionally determinedly following. Those of us who wound up in the furnaces did not fare so well. But guess what ? Those that supported the third reich, or who looked the other way and tolerated, did not do much better. Rape, pillage, beat, starve--that is what happened to the "good white blond haired blue eyed ordinary German citizens."

Don't kid yourself if you think you are on the side of power and might and about to run roughshod over those you view as the other side. What you dish out you get back in spades.

I would like to see an uprising all right, but a far more mature one than little boys wanting power to inflict war on fellow citizens. I would like to see the real patriotic Americans rise up and throw the radical left and the lunatic right on their cans in gitmo. Both sides.

And bring some sanity back.

Since that will take a while, today I am as prepped as I can get, and then busy taking care of my place and helping a sick neighbor with animals and feeding the hungry and praying like crazy that the insanity in this country is given the boot.

 

When I first moved from the city the location was deemed perfect. Most people fleeing the city would run out of gas before they got to our area. That solves one problem. And I don't have to tell you how the network of neighbors would work - ask @Cornhusker . Where we live now it is closer to population centers but we are again far enough from highways and county roads in difficult conditions that the bad guys will concentrate on the easier stuff. Heck the only way someone would know we are around is reading the tire tracks on the logging trail. And they'd give up after half a mile. What city person reads tire tracks on a trail?

To the OP and supplies if TSHTF, we already live like that. Not out of fear - it's just the way things are with no utilities available. And that is seasonally dependent. A summer civil disruption would be of no consequence. A winter disruption would have us on generator backup. We could go 8+ weeks. Then a bunch of weeks further pulling from vehicles leaving enough to make them useful. We have what we need. Whether civil unrest or a winter storm it is prudent to have what you need before it happens, within reason for your location.

You want to know what worries me? It's the non-resident folk (neighbors) who got to their bug out location without adequate supplies. When they run out of gasoline, water and food supplies and our lights are on - there will be issues. By then maybe some of our kids will be here if they can make it. We can't sustain people who relied on infrastructure that failed. The first priority is to our subsistence and family.

In the end we don't prepare for civil war any more than we would for 4' of snow that lasts. No, I won't get into defense because the cougars and bear are already enough. And, ya know, they get hungry and pick easy targets to our advantage.

 

Civil War would be when a segment of society goes to war with the government.
IF that happened it would be over quickly.

If you mean Balkanization, that is more likely.

Wife and I have years worth of supplies put back, and not just food.
Plus we live in a very conservative rural area so I’m not worried about our neighbors.
We will be just fine.

 

Civil War is the least likely thing to prepare for. Less likely to happen than a natural disaster or an attack from another country by arms, hacking, or chemical.

 

The Civil War was two governments fighting each other. I don't think it will be like that. Any actual fighting will likely be small groups fighting each other. The local governments will secure water, and power plants in order to keep things running.

There are plans in place to deal with things like this. It will be hectic at first, but people will adjust to the new reality. We had months of rioting in major cities. I think it will be more of that on a larger scale. The kind of leadership we have on the federal level, will determine how bad it gets and how long it will last.

Law Enforcement and private security forces will adapt a shoot first and ask questions later policy. Anyone attacking a power plant, or water treatment facility will be shot on sight.

Some very harsh laws will get passed in a short period of time, and things will be very different. Elected officials will use this for their own advantage. They will tell even more lies than they do now, and drag it out longer than need be. Lives will be lost, and money will be made. People will panic and over react, and act like people always do.

Those who are prepared will prosper, and those who aren't prepared will suffer. Prices will go up, but medications will still be out there just harder to get.

Stock up on booze and ammunition, and any meds that you need. If you don't drink, you will be able to trade the booze for anything you need.

My grandfather ran a small grocery store during the Depression. He had a simple policy and he prospered. People have to eat, and some of them will always want to drink. Sell them what they want, and don't give any credit.

 

I think there is a good case for civil war at some point. Like Ohio Mike, my weak point would be primarily fuel. Of course we dont know how any of it will unfold so its impossible to know what we will have access to and what we wont.

My power comes from Canada [?], so we might not have a problem with power...but you dont know whether it will be sabotaged, or rationed...or what?

 

I have a 300 gallon fuel tank on legs with a hose and filter. I stopped using it because I don't go through gasoline fast enough to justify filling it under normal circumstances.

The reason I started the thread is I had asked several friends who are recent (within the last 5 years) flag level retirees their thoughts on the Hegsworth meeting and current events. Both mentioned an increased risk of civil war given the domestic deployment of active duty troops as well as the activation of National Guard units. They also mentioned the divisive political climate. I also have a number of friends (active and retired) just below flag rank. Similar types of thoughts. What's interesting to me is that most aren't couching their thoughts in terms of blaming one side or the other.

This is what got me thinking about what preps I might be lacking. I mentioned CB radios in an earlier comment. I've been fine using cellphones but I'm not sure how reliable they would be if there was a civil war. I haven't had a CB radio since the 1970s. Is that doomer porn thinking? Some might believe so. I think having an alternative communications capability is a reasonable low cost consideration. It's not fear driven. It's called planning and preparing.

Prior to the civil war, and even after it started in 1861, many folks thought it would be over in a month or so. Boy were they wrong.

 

Stock up on coffee and chocolate. If you don't drink coffee, or eat chocolate that's even better. Use it for trade goods. In Liberia I traded shotgun shells for meat, propane, and gasoline.

Stacked firewood is like money in the bank. If you don't shoot, learn how. Looters won't care about your politics, they will take what they want and destroy anything they can't carry off.

 

they will take what they want and destroy anything they can't carry off.

If they can't drive or its too far to walk its an advantage. Looters and thieves are lazy.

Some years back an unoccupied cabin was broken into and much of the stuff stolen was along the path because they got tired of dragging it off.

 

So this is happening troops in Tennessee and Portland. And the Pope is blessing block of ice. Think we are doomed.

 

....... If you don't shoot, learn how. Looters won't care about your politics, they will take what they want and destroy anything they can't carry off. .....

So, kinda like your garden variety meth-head?

 

Let me correct what you wrote:


....... If you don't shoot, learn how. Looters won't care about your politics, they will attempt to take what they want and try to destroy anything they can't carry off. .....

So, kinda like your garden variety meth-head?

 

I consider our group well prepared for any sort of "up-evil" When I was searching for a destination for our homestead I created a list of more than 30 "must haves" before I would buy land. Civil unrest factored in high on the list. Security and fortification played a large role as well.

A modern civil war would not have two sides. It would have far more. Some sides would be based on political party (and there are lots of those) some would be based on religion, There would be chaos/anarchy faction that would take on all sides. They just want to burn it all down thinking that its a free for all without repercussions. Outside interests (like China) would insert itself. Native tribes would want to reclaim lands.

A modern civil war would not really be about uniforms or armies or even land/territories. Each side just wants to eliminate the people on the other side. There is also the faction of "I just want to break the law and kill and steal stuff locally, meaning I dont want to travel outside my home area."

We have been preparing for the "Shuns" Inflation", "Deflation", "Depression", "Recession", Aggression", , "invasion", "Starvation" and a lot of other things that would come about with civil unrest (Such as supply chain collapse).

I think all we have done here has helped. There are very few people here for me to deal with. People have had more than 2000 years to move/live here and to date not may have.

I dont hope it to happen but Im secure in thinking we will do ok.

 

Ya'll act like there rules to this

 

If you know anyone who has lost property through Emminent Domain you'll know that the US govt's version of "just compensation" is by no means "just". They might give $100 for your 2 year old, purchased for $2,000, high quality generator. And no consideration for the damage they did to your property when they commandeered it, or the delivery and installation costs of the replacement.

 

Lost food through eminent domain dating back to Sherman's march to the sea is why some in my family still celebrate New Year's Day with black eyed peas. Hungry armies and hungry hordes can quickly overpower the best prepped and take whatever they want.

Don't kid yourself. Prep, yes, stupid not to prep.

But the best way to survive is for cooler heads to shut down the screaming nuts and work for peace.

 

Lost food through eminent domain dating back to Sherman's march to the sea is why some in my family still celebrate New Year's Day with black eyed peas. Hungry armies and hungry hordes can quickly overpower the best prepped and take whatever they want.

Don't kid yourself. Prep, yes, stupid not to prep.

But the best way to survive is for cooler heads to shut down the screaming nuts and work for peace.

Screaming nuts are for show, they are not the problem. There are groups of radical Islamists, anarchists, Marxists, communists, Chinese, drug cartels, etc., that have set up shop in the US waiting for the right opportunity. The same people and groups that finance the radical left are financing some of these other groups. While independent, it is not that hard to imagine some overarching coordination among the groups.

 

I'm a nut who doesn't scream. I am on the leave me alone, go away side. But I will talk and walk with you. I'll even let you lead the conversation if you'll only shut up for a moment and listen. I may invite you to come back. Or I may ask you never come back again at your own risk because you look like a cougar.

 

Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations discovered an additional 200,000 SIM cards at a location in New Jersey

The seizure announced by the Secret Service last week of active SIM farms at abandoned apartment buildings located at more than five sites was already the largest of its kind. Law enforcement had discovered 300 SIM servers — over 100,000 SIM cards — enabling encrypted, anonymous communication and capable of sending 30 million text messages per minute.

Agents were first tipped off last spring, and officials believe that among other foreign links, the telecommunications network was connected to Chinese actors, according to two law enforcement sources briefed on the probe.

Officials said the servers were so powerful they could have disabled cell phone towers and launched distributed denial of services attacks with the ability to block emergency communications like EMS and police dispatch. An official briefed on the investigation told reporters that the sophisticated network "could text message the entire country within 12 minutes" and added that "this was well organized and well funded."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-sim-cards-nj-after-disrupting-network-threatened-u-n-general-assembly/

 

 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the right wants a “rematch” of the Civil War because ICE is deporting illegal immigrants.

“A couple of years ago, I said very candidly that the right wing in this country wants a rematch of the Civil War.”

 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the right wants a “rematch” of the Civil War because ICE is deporting illegal immigrants.

“A couple of years ago, I said very candidly that the right wing in this country wants a rematch of the Civil War.”

Huh? You mean so we can free the slaves owned by the Democrats again?