Organizing into groups

[robsdak]

But I see no reason to kill them for just being incompetent or untrained.

the garden always needs fertilizer... LOL see, not useless.

[Domeguy]

Well, I still think I should have wo...sorry, wrong post. All you say is true, but what if the person is about as useful as a Walmart greeter. There are some mornings I wish I felt good enough to be a Walmart greeter. And there are days I feel strong enough to fight a MMA death steel cage match against Richard Simmons and maybe win a round or two.

[eagle326]

Thanks!!! D.G.!!!!!
You sure as hell know how to make a guy's eyes hurt.

[jamesneuen]

lol, well weigh your good days against your bad and try to see what you can handle. In your case where it is you dealing with pain but you can function on your own then it would be your call.

[Sniper-T]

Dealing with daily pain is a regular aspect of life. Particularly when I am on a foray!. having a 'rest-day' may not be possible, and pushing through it, isn't always desirable, But at least for me, pain can be managed naturally, via the plethora of local willow trees. Diabetes, altz, spinal fusion... not so much. My friends and family are amazed at my tolerance for pain, but Even with that I have been rendered unconscious by a mere shoulder dislocation when I didn't expect it. Not much help to the group in that state... Whether you are 'disabled' or hindered... you have skills that are useful, and can keep your group alive. I would dare say that any single person on this site, would be an asset to their MAG group, up until their dying breathe... however it may come. IMO

[Grumpy Old Man]

As one of the 2 residnt old farts on this thread, I suggest that we are not the "useless eaters" that the socialists think we are. How many are familiar with the physical sciences? How many could make cement from available materials ( Lime and pozzolans). How many know wild plants for food? We who cannot "run 'n gun" any longer can sit and guard. And we can teach. And if "ol Ephraim and his cuzins come after me, I'll go down with a .44 in one hand and a bowie in the other. Or I'll just shoot you in the knee so I can get away!

[realist]

Old guys never fight fair anyways.............

[eagle326]

Old guys never fight fair anyways.............

That's why people like Grumpus Maximus and myself have made it this far.

[Socalman]

I think my situation may be quite different from many of the people on this forum. It sounds to me like many of the members of this forum are in either a rural or semi-rural living situation. I, on the other hand, am in a suburb of Los Angeles, at least not in that rat hole. Our home is in the foothill area, but these mountains do not sustain enough game for hunting or shelter for many. We would most likely be defending our area of the town. I have spoken with enough of my neighbors to know who has done some sort of prep work. All it takes is a little earthquake and you can ask a few "non-threatening" questions as part of a general conversation. I have a pretty good idea of who is armed and who the anti-gun folks are.

I can see several of us forming our own survival group. Within 2 minutes walking time we have a mechanic, a plumber/carpenter/handyman (his license is a general contractor but he specializes in plumbing), a retired nurse who also is an amazing gardener and cans like crazy. I know she is prepped! Many of us in this area have fairly large gardens and share various crops with others during harvest time. Odd how some people grow certain items, others grow different veggies.

Most of us would not get out of the Los Angeles basin when the SHTF. I can see us organizing to protect our area and one another. I have not attempted to figure the average age of our section of the street, but I would guess most of us are well beyond 55.

DomeGuy, I have enjoyed your posts since I first joined this forum. Six years ago I was in bad shape due to back problems. Could not walk, horrible pain, loaded up on meds. I was bed-ridden for 3 months, wacked out on morphine and dilauded yet I had people from work contact me for my opinions about issues. You still have some great abilities and could certainly be of value to your local group.

[Stormfeather]

This has been touched on just a little bit, but what do you do in the situation on a group joining up with you. One is a badly needed member, maybe medically trained or mechanic, but the others in the group are completely useless. How badly do you need the one? Is it worth possibly emploding the group from within, just to get the one you need? Or if my wife and I stumble across your fortress. She is a nurse, about 20 yrs exp. and has about seen it all, and comes with quite a well stocked medical bag. But then there is the old, useless fat man with her. I have some useful skills, but everyday it is getting harder to get up in the morning. I have Parkinson's and Altzimers starting. My body is worn out and pretty useless, with my back and neck problems. Very soon I will just be a drain on your recourses. Do you just bite the bullet for the needed medical, or do you wait a week or two, and take me out hunting, and come back telling the tale of how I died fighting off 4 grizzly bears. Unfortunately, there is no body left to bury so they will just have to take your word for it.

Well, Im a firm believer in everyone brings something to the table, be it skillset, physical skills, knowledge, or regretfully, cannon fodder. As it stands DG, you bring a awesome bit of knowledge to the table, which in turn can be used and taught to those more physically able to accomplish the tasks. If there comes a time where you cannot function, and you choose your own way out, thats your call. I would rather go out "fighting 4 bears"... than be a burden to my group. Im sure theres others who may see it this way, and others who may not. If it comes down to it, I would make sure that my passing, in some way, benefits the groups survival.