|
Post by Ozarks Tom on Feb 12, 2017 0:15:10 GMT
I've hit a wall. I'm submitting what I have, but I don't know where to go from there. I'd appreciate suggestions, if I think I can can work with them I will. I have no dreams of becoming a writer, but I like slogging along as ideas come to me. Maybe you can help?
Three Months After the Crash
International
It’s gotten to get interesting outside of our little world here. The Chinese, and others, are wanting to cash in their T-bills. The Treasury says fine, here are two $3 trillion dollar bills, which is the same as defaulting given the value of the dollar.
The latest idea floated at the UN is for all countries to default, wiping the slate clean, and starting over with a world currency based on gold and silver. Several countries, the US included are balking at the idea, as over the years they’ve quietly transferred ownership of their supposed precious metal holdings to cover “off the books” dealings. Germany has had a boat docked at New York City for a month waiting for their gold stored there by the Federal Reserve to be loaded. It’s obvious they’re wasting their time.
We’ve heard for years about the big banks like Goldman-Sachs buying precious metals in huge quantities, but now we’re finding out they were just proxy buyers for China and Russia. In the world’s casino, it turns out we’re the only player at the big table without chips.
China’s economy has crumbled too, with civil unrest everywhere due to manufacturing/exports coming to a stop, but they’re playing the long game, thinking they can outlast everyone else and become the world’s economic powerhouse.
The US
Following in the footsteps of every other failed economy, price and wage controls are in place. At first those stores who still had inventory refused to open, why sell goods for less than they can be replaced for? Under government edict they were forced to reopen under their normal business hours, and were quickly cleaned out.
Also like other failed economies a black market has sprung up everywhere. Goods are still available for those with precious metals to trade. The government doesn’t try too hard to shut it down, one main source of the merchandise is government officials feathering their own nests.
FEMA “feeding stations” are everywhere now, handing out would usually be considered starvation rations, and only to those with official ration cards. Each card is good for a specific month, with rations portioned out for a week per person, they punch out the week on the card. At least you have to prove citizenship or legal status to get a card, so our illegal immigration problems of the past have literally gone south. At first there was a land rush business in counterfeit ration cards, but that ended when a law was passed making using one a capital offense.
It’s surprising how much food the government had stored, it would almost seem like they’d been preparing for something like this for quite some time.
All the armed forces stationed abroad have been brought home, and martial law is imposed nationwide, with military units enforcing it in any city over 100,000 population. Smaller towns are still under civil authority, but overseen by small military cadres.
Here on the homestead
Beside personality clashes and individual resistance to take directions, we have a problem with security. We’re 16 in total now, but I can only count on maybe 6 who will shoot to kill. Our bluff with the Sheriff was just. A few claim Christian beliefs, some “just couldn’t kill someone”, while others won’t admit it but they’re just scared. We’ve had several incidents where people looking for food wouldn’t take no for an answer, but not in large enough numbers to chance a firefight. A lot of people know we’re here and have supplies, so it looks like our best hope is looking much better defensively than we really are.
In rereading the above paragraph I’m forced to acknowledge a truth I’d rather not. If a seriously determined group of bandits were to attack, we’re screwed.
|
|
|
Post by Ozarks Tom on Feb 12, 2017 0:16:10 GMT
The next month
Son Warren and I have been traveling around the area talking to other homesteaders and farmers. We wanted to know how the County government has been treating them. From most accounts the Commissioners are using the rural people as their private food pantry. Some still have a good portion of their cattle/sheep/goat herds as they had the foresight to move them well out of sight, leaving just enough for the Deputies to be satisfied taking. Although I couldn’t gather them together for a meeting, the general consensus is it’s about time for the Deputies to start back around looking for whatever they missed the first time. We’re too spread out for any mutual support, but something has to be done before we’re all stripped bare. Our little group is probably the hardest “looking” target nearby, but when the County has cleaned out the rest they’ll be back for us. Out of self-preservation we volunteer to talk to the authorities.
One of the farmers I’d talked was James Lewis, he’s a big guy, got several inches and pounds on me anyway. He’s ex-military, spent 22 years in the army, coming home to take over the family farm when his dad died. From years of commanding troops he has the bearing that demands respect. His place has been visited twice by the County, mainly to take animals, but the last time they harvested his large garden too. Like the rest, he could see the progression of the County’s “takings”, and the end results. He volunteered to talk to the Commissioners, and see how many neighbors he could have at their next meeting.
The Commissioners meet “officially” every Monday at 7 pm at the County Courthouse. James and I were there at 6 pm to sign onto the speakers list. Apparently their meetings are all show, James was the only one on the list. There were about 20 people from our area in the meeting room, 10 or 15 people I didn’t know, and three deputies. Warren and I sat in the back. The deputies had watched everyone walk in, so one announced before the meeting “we’re asking anyone with weapons to go back outside and leave them with the deputy outside. Nobody moved.
When the official part of the session was over the head Commissioner was about to call the meeting to a close James asked if he could speak. “Are you on the speakers list?”, “yes sir”, “then speak”. He went to the podium.
“Sirs, I’m James Lewis from over on Hwy Y. Most of you know me, I went to school with several of you. You’re Deputies and their posse stopped over to my place a few months ago, and appropriated the lion’s share of our food and animals. They’ve been back since then and taken even more of what we need to survive. Talking to several of my neighbors I’ve found they’ve been robbed also. Neither we nor they can withstand another unlawful taking without our families starving. So, I’d like to explain something about human nature, and that is when people have nothing left to lose they’ll do things they normally wouldn’t. Now, I’m not speaking for myself, but just passing on what I’ve been told by several people who’ve been essentially robbed by this Commission. Each and every one of you, your Sheriff and his Deputies live here in the County. I’m told you’re only alive right now because the people you’ve robbed still have hope, if you continue to strip them of that hope I’m assured that will change”. He continued “for the last two weeks we’ve been watching the traffic in and out of Galena. We’ve seen FEMA trucks come in carrying food, and for every two FEMA trucks that come here one County truck leaves shortly thereafter. We can’t prove it, but it appears somebody is feeding the local people from our farms, and selling the FEMA food into the underground economy. I’m not accusing any of you of being crooked, I’m just saying it’s you might want to look into it”.
The head Commissioner, a fat balding man, motioned to a Deputy to come close to James, and said “are you threatening us?” “No sir, just passing on some facts for your consideration, I’d be foolish to threaten anyone, just like you’d be foolish to have me arrested for something I didn’t say. I’m just suggesting it would be in everyone’s best interests if you find another way to feed yourselves and others without resorting to intimidation and force”.
He’d been so focused on speaking, and checking his notes, he barely noticed that almost the entire room had stood up until he looked around. Nearly all had ignored the “NO WEAPONS ALLOWED” sign at the meeting room door, and carried concealed, until they stood. He looked at the Deputy, then the Commissioners and said “we’ll be leaving now, thank you for your time and attention”.
I’m told that after closed door session the Commissioners announced they’d voted to redouble their efforts for relief from FEMA, including sending a delegation of Commissioners to the Springfield FEMA offices. A wise choice on their parts, this time we weren’t bluffing.
|
|
|
Post by Ozarks Tom on Feb 12, 2017 0:19:28 GMT
Later that week
Optimism is spreading through the countryside that exposing you might have something of value isn’t an invitation to official theft. The open air markets in the small towns around here are beginning to bustle with people doing commerce however they can. We’ve accumulated a few animals and tools, along with fencing and posts for new pastures. We’re using old silver coins and small denomination gold coins rather than trading away what we consider essentials.
The nice thing about old silver coins and gold is they’re commodities just like corn or animals. In relation to other commodities they never lose value. I’m told gold is over $50,000 an ounce now, but since it takes $50,000 to buy a cow, an ounce of gold will still buy one just like before the crash when it was worth $1200 an ounce. Several years ago, once we’d gathered enough of what we thought was essential like food and security items, we pinched every penny to buy silver and gold. In today’s economy, with the value of a dollar being negligible, we’d be millionaires. In real value we’ve got enough to get by.
A neighbor came by recently with a sad story. Years back he’d been selling his cattle privately for cash. He’d been hiding the cash in his old barn in coffee cans. He’s pretty certain who did it, but can’t prove it, but they burned down his barn and unknowingly his cash with it. We’d talked back then about our concerns on the economy, and precious metals being the best way to store wealth, but when he rebuilt his barn he started putting his cash along with his important papers in a couple of those “fire resistant” safes. He’d opened one of them the day before, and the paper had turned to mush. He hadn’t read the warning that the insulating material in the safe emitted moisture. What money he’d lost probably wasn’t worth all that much today, but it was nearly all he had. I knew him to be a proud person, so I “loaned” him several ounces of junk silver coins and a few gold tenth ounce ones also.
We’re not getting beggars here anymore, apparently those without their own means of survival are staying close to the FEMA feeding stations. If the government ever wanted total control of the population they’ve achieved their goal.
Some things never change, the grandson from Dallas is still worthless, and the brother-in-law is still an idiot. But, under threat of starvation – if you don’t work you don’t eat, the boy begrudgingly does what he’s told (but no more). His father is ashamed and would like to beat the crud out of him, but that would just exasperate his attitude. I don’t know there’s any fixing him. The brother-in-law on the other hand thinks he should be in charge. He has a “better” idea about nearly everything, to the point of telling others what they should do even after it’s been discussed and decided upon. He’s gotten better of late though, after my wife took him aside and explained what a violent man I could be, and how my patience with him was just about gone. Funny, she thought she was exaggerating.
The rest of our group gets along fairly well, everyone has their chores, sometimes switching out with others, but as long as everything gets done all’s well. Security is a bit of a problem, in that there’s a general attitude growing that having 24/7 lookouts isn’t necessary anymore. They may be right, but I’m not ready to pretend the world is normal again. I stand guard just like everyone else, four hours per shift rotating at our two posts. It’s boring, and I’m sure some people are sleeping through their shifts at night, but people have seen us trading metals at the markets and know we have supplies. We must look like a ripe fruit ready to pick.
Three Months Later
International
It’s been predictably brutal and chaotic. China by necessity stopped supporting N Korea, who by necessity invaded S Korea. With our troops gone it must have seemed like a safe move. The US semi-apologized to China, then nuked N Korea. Reports are the S Koreans and sharing what little they have with the North. Russia by necessity overran the Ukraine, and much like Stalin before them, stole their grain and livestock, leaving the Ukrainians to starve once again.
Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal experienced military coups, then turned full blown socialist. They quickly ran through the confiscated bank assets, and when farmers quit farming took over all means of production. Rioting, crime, and starvation is their new normal.
|
|
|
Post by themotherhen on Feb 12, 2017 1:42:32 GMT
Ozarks Tom, just an idea, but in a situation like that, I would turn people's yards into gardens, if I were in charge. Ration 1 hen for each family member, then a family would have eggs every day. A chicken coop is fairly simple construction, maybe someone starts a local company that builds coops in exchange for help in the garden? It would be nice if the "new normal" included teaching people how to be more self sufficient, and a decrease in FEMA assistance, which will eventually run out. Or does that make to much sense to expect that response from government officials? :-)
|
|
|
Post by fordy on Feb 12, 2017 2:31:02 GMT
..........I'd compose a whole chapter for removing the sheriff , deputies , and county comm's as well as any local cops who were known to work with the sheriff ! Hang'um from a large oak tree and let'um dangle till the crows peck their eye's out . ..........That's the only way to stop crooked officials and it should have been taken care of early ON , instead of letting it continue when everyone knew the truth about what was happening ! , fordy
|
|
|
Post by paisley on Feb 12, 2017 5:21:41 GMT
Spring time I would have an egg shortage for eating and hatch. Then repeat in a month.
Only then would I part with chickens.... What good is one hen when two hens and a rooster will sprend the wealth faster..
Clothing issues... Kids grow, and sewing is not a regular event any more.
Socks and there value. How clothing is being recycled, repaired.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2017 20:50:18 GMT
I think you are off to a fine start! Maybe talk about the shortages and how one can substitute or make do without. Medical issues without easy access to drs, how you are farming, etc. Those are the things I like to read about. How to make do and thrive. Economic collapse is the most realist SHTF scenario of which I can think.
|
|
|
Post by joebill on Feb 19, 2017 20:36:59 GMT
Tom, I want to throw something out there for your inspection. You are unbuilding a society, and you will calculate how quickly or slowy it's acccompanying culture follows along.
In any culture but ours, somebody would have already introuced slavery of some sort into the mix. God only knows that there are enough humans out there who crave that power to enslave and in your situation there would be plenty of city dwellers who were ill equipped to survive on their own. They would need protetion from evey single element of nature as well as their fellow man, and many would work from dawn to dark for a semi-full belly and a good night's sleep in a safe place.
You have already written about the many who have stopped by in search of one kind of support or another, and a group who began with a silo full of grain, an underground tank full of fuel, a large ranch or farm crew who were phisically fit, well armed, ready and willing to "ride for the brand" would likely become fuedal in nature and behavior within a couple of months of the beginning of anarchy. OR, if they were of higher character and lower aggression, the place would soon fall to a crew who were not. Because of their natural agression, such an outfit would soon raise it's own army, and begin raiding to support it. An army can be a substitute for slaves, and can more easily support itself, or a society can go for both at once. Not YOUR society, but some nearby society that yours will have to deal with.
The army is required for security, the raiding is required to train and feed the army. Your settlers have begun to believe that they will be left alone, with nothing to fear, and that would, in the real world, get people killed. By now, you would have had a number of mostly men stopping by, offering their services as "protectors", and you would have had to decide how many were offering protection and how many were there to see how hard it woul be to take the place away from you.
You would be facing the classic problem about fighting men. You want the most savage crew that you are SURE you can control, but you have to be sure or you can't have them in your compound.
You will have relised by now that every single enterprise is always either growing or shrinking. Somewhere within raiding distance, somebody is growing an army, somebody is adding slaves to raise crops by hand. If you can't or won't do either, you need something to set yourself up as a guy they want to be neighbors with or you will be gone like the wind. Perhaps a trading post..........Joe
|
|
|
Post by Ozarks Tom on Feb 20, 2017 3:10:02 GMT
Three Months Later - Continued
Nationally
After bringing all the troops home the Government was afraid to discharge them, so they decided to put those not watching the cities to use. Mainly infantry, trained in small unit tactics and living rough, have been moving through the countryside in search of "militias" that have been plundering their regions. We hear unofficially they've gotten out of hand in some places, but overall they're getting cooperation and intelligence from the general populace. Some of the groups they've gone up against had superior numbers, but little training and even less discipline. A common army tactic was learned in Vietnam, to pre-position snipers on the far side of an objective, and shoot anyone running away from the main force. We're told there are hundred of army units across the country putting down marauding bands.
Locally
Several old sayings come to mind, "too good to be true", "good things never last", and most fitting, "never trust the government". James Lewis came home from the market to find his oldest son shot dead, his wife severely beaten, and his cattle taken. The Sheriff, six deputies and a posse had come looking for James, when his 17 year old son came out the door with a shotgun someone in the posse opened fire. When his wife attacked the group with her bare hands they beat her to a pulp. They'd brought several cattle trailers for the herd, took every morsel of food, and left his other two children to both take care of their mother and starve. We're thinking since he was the one to speak up at the meeting they were going to make an example of him.
James brought his wife and children to our place, and I was surprised at his calm. At first I took it as shock, but soon realized inside the matter of fact exterior raged a warrior. He didn't have to tell me we were probably next on their list of "insurrectionists". He'd obviously been thinking about his proposal ever since he started digging his son's grave. It was really pretty simple, cut the heads off the snakes.
My old Bronco was about as nondescript as they come. We drove past the Presiding Commissioner's farm, past the Sheriff's house on the outskirts of town, the road commissioner's house a couple miles away, then the head deputy's house three mile from James' place. Even driving a normal speed we found drop-offs and pick-ups for all four of us. James claimed first rights to the Sheriff.
There's something comforting about laying in the prone position with a rifle, even if the ground you're laying on is somewhat "aromatic" due to it's position in a cow pen. I'd been there since two hours before sunup, thankfully there were only two cows with me, neither of which were inquisitive. The Commissioner wasn't any dummy, he had a couple deputies hanging around. You couldn't really call them guards, they spent their whole time either sitting in their cruiser drinking coffee or taking a leak. Knowing it would be a short shot, I'd chosen my Mini-14, 5.56 caliber. Nothing to do but wait. I hadn't counted on the lazy bugger not getting up until nearly 8 o'clock, then walking out around nine. Jeez, he was wasting my best gardening hours! When he finally came out heading for the deputies I was nearly startled. Pushing the safety forward I put the crosshairs on his head, then thought better of it. I dropped the crosshairs to his chest, and pulled off three rounds. The nice thing about the 5.56 is there's almost no recoil, all three went center mass. It's questionable whether the look of surprise was more prevalent on the commissioner or the deputies. I shot at least six more times, dropping one deputy but couldn't see the one behind the cruiser. Killing him wasn't a priority, so I got up and moved behind the barn, blocking the view of my run for the trees. After that it was a mile through the woods to the pickup point.
James didn't have it so easy. His was a long shot from over 300 yards away as the Sheriff lived in a modest house in a hilly area scattered with houses. He'd borrowed my 30.06 bolt action Savage. If he didn't hit his mark with one shot, the second shot would only be possible if the Sheriff stood still. He'd re-zeroed the gun the day before at that range, and his confidence was high. He must have more patience and durability than me, since as soon as the lights came on in the house he watched the door through the scope. When the Sheriff stepped out and waved to his deputies, he'd barely closed the door when James put a round through his sternum. When the Sheriff collapsed with his back on the door, James chambered another round and put it a couple inches to the left. He had a longer walk to his pick-up point, having to cross a creek and two roads, and spent the rest of the day in a culvert, probably wishing he'd shot the SOB a third time.
Warren had no problem with the Road Commissioner. He was set up in the tree line next to the only road into town from the West. As soon as the Commissioner's county car rounded the corner about a hundred yards away he opened up with the AR. The car went off the road and over a hill into some trees. With his work done he climbed the hill and waited near the river bridge for retrieval.
Kathleen is the sweetest woman you'd ever want to meet. Generous, loves her children, and dotes on her grandkids. But threaten her children, grandkids, or me, and butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. The head deputy went out to feed his pigs, and she fed him to them. Later she told me she hoped none of the pigs choked on the badge.
She drove the Bronco home, waited till dusk, then commenced the pick-ups.
We're told the authorities, what was left of them, tried to bring the army in to hunt down the culprits, but were advised it was a law enforcement problem, not a military one.
A Month Later
An emergency election was called, with a surprisingly heavy turnout. Apparently a large majority of the county was ready for a change, so all hail our new Presiding Commissioner - James Lewis. The entire previous Commission had either fled the county or resigned by phone, and the new Sheriff is an ex-State Patrolman of high repute.
One of James' first official actions was to establish several co-ops around the county, where people go not just to get help, but to help others. All kinds of animals are being contributed, along with advice on their care. Canning, dehydrating, and long term storage is being taught to people who've only opened cans before. Canning centers are being set up so people without the equipment can bring their produce for preservation. Those with the equipment like ourselves are plowing garden plots in front and back yards, sharing what seeds we can spare. We're starting to see our biggest problem is going to be limiting our hospitality to county residents, but if we can be an example maybe the surrounding counties will follow suit, hopefully their governments have noticed how swiftly things can change.
|
|
|
Post by Ozarks Tom on Feb 20, 2017 3:20:45 GMT
I'll be back with more as I can, I've got a big porch to get started.
|
|
|
Post by themotherhen on Feb 20, 2017 5:13:34 GMT
Ozarks Tom, lovely story! My 9 year old wants to read it out loud for story time tomorrow. I wonder if the violent parts are too much for young hearts? They don't see/read about a lot of violence.
|
|
|
Post by paisley on Feb 20, 2017 15:00:19 GMT
themotherhen ,how can history be it the Greeks or cain and able, a flood where only one family in earth lives, revolutionary war, civil war,ww1,ww2, Islam, witch hunts, be taught without the bringing up death. Life is messy. Death and life kindness and cruelty. These subjects need to be discussed. Murder is wrong a person dies. Should your older son shoot a person attacking you or younger son....would he be a murderer or a hero? See there is killing and murder they are as different as us animal cruelty and animal slauderring for butching. In Tom's story there were both two reasons people died at the hands of others. Selfishness and for safety.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2017 16:52:06 GMT
Ozarks Tom , fantastic! This installment gets the Chuck Norris Seal of Approval!
|
|
|
Post by themotherhen on Feb 21, 2017 0:46:52 GMT
paisley, what you wrote is true. My Mama heartbeat just speeds up with some subjects, you know?
|
|
|
Post by paisley on Feb 21, 2017 0:54:58 GMT
themotherhen,but you are going to raise men .....not snowflakes.
|
|