[Ferretlover]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('wisconsin_cur', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ROCKMAN', ' ')And, like they say here, it ain’t bragging if it’s true: there are more guns in Texas then in the entire US or in the entire US military.

[ROCKMAN]

A good point about gun registration. We're not really big on such matters in Texas. I own over 10 weapons and I don't think more than 1 or 2 are registered with anyone. And no one has ever asked me in a poll if I owned a weapon. Thus, as far as the stats go, I may be one of those unarmed and helpless folks in the Lone Star state.

I have no problem believing that at least half the guns in Texas aren't registered. But, again, what I think is more important than the count is the attitude. Many folks, especially from up north, are shocked when they get to Texas and discover a rather casual attitude towards guns and their use. I'm sure that since we passed the concealed carry gun permit law there are a lot of folks just waiting for the chance to draw down on some bad guy. It happens a lot more than most folks realize. The press loves to cover school shootings and accidental gun deaths but you seldom hear about the many cases of guns being successfully used for self defense. It does happen quit a bit.

As far as myself, I’m well armed and do not lack capabilities in such matters. By I’m far from being one on the reactionary folks I’ve been chatting about. These are the ones I voiced concern over should we hit that worse case doomer scenario. In another life time I witnessed first hand how relatively sane and kind folks can quickly turn cold blooded in the right circumstances. And this is the seed for those dark thoughts that hit me sometimes.

[MadScientist]

I live in a state with similar feelings and similar ownership stats.

I've heard the same sentiment voiced about other states too.

Every US citizen should have as part of their emergency preparation kit:

copious amounts of ammo. body armor. gas masks. Just in case we ever get attacked by the terrorists that Pres. Bush keeps warning us about. Chances are the terrorists will be really sneaky and wear Blackwater or UN peacekeeper uniforms to fool us.

[ROCKMAN]

MS,

Yep...maybe terrorists could be a problem someday. Till then I'm more worried about some crack head knifing me for a few bucks. I really don't worry that muich about the zombie hords. Still a better chance of getting hit by a drunk driver on Saturday night then having to shoot my way out of the grocery with the last loaf of bread. But, then again, I do enjoy my carbs.

[vtsnowedin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ROCKMAN', 'W')ell snow...I am in Texas and that can lead to a bit of exaggeration you know.

”. If you’re interested in learning more of our rather odd mentality compared to the rest of the states research how TX became part of the US. I.

[ROCKMAN]

so true vt. I recall reading a story long ago about the lack of killer instinct in many recruits at the beginning of WWII. If the story wasn't hyping a bit of reality, southerners where highly prized for their killing abilities. Not that they had a lot of human hunting skills but the woodsmanship abilities were much easier to cultivate along those lines.

I understand what you mean about the bravado BS. See it all the time at the hunting camps and rifle range. Almost without fail it's the quiet ones that know the real story. I guess it's just the smell of cordite or wood smoke that stirs up the testosterone.

On a personal note, I just got my first semi auto pistol last weekend at an auction. Just like Quigly said in that movie; "I've never had much use for pistols. But I didn't say I didn't know how to handle one."

[gw]

In the event of an energy emergency, The National Response Plan Emergency Support Function #12
establishes that "State and local governments have primary responsibility for prioritizing the restoration of energy facilities."

In California, the California Energy Commision has prepared an "ENERGY EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN" which includes "Emergency Order #6." In the response plan there is a directive to "set-aside" fuel needed for police, fire, medical and for maintenance of other key infrastructure elements.

Emergency Order #6
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'E')mpowers the Energy Commission to “hold control of petroleum stocks needed to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the public.

[MadScientist]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('gw', ' ')For a longer term emergency, it is clear that military, state and local governments can retain control of the energy supply for indefinite periods of time.

[vtsnowedin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ROCKMAN', 'I') understand what you mean about the bravado BS. See it all the time at the hunting camps and rifle range. Almost without fail it's the quiet ones that know the real story. I guess it's just the smell of cordite or wood smoke that stirs up the testosterone.

On a personal note, I just got my first semi auto pistol last weekend at an auction. Just like Quigly said in that movie; "I've never had much use for pistols. But I didn't say I didn't know how to handle one."

[gw]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MadScientist', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('gw', ' ')For a longer term emergency, it is clear that military, state and local governments can retain control of the energy supply for indefinite periods of time.

[ROCKMAN]

Yep vt...even when it just a little shtf it gets easy to seperate the two halves. I use to get free hunts working in the oil patch but as I aged I became more particular who I wanted around me with a loaded weapon. Don't hunt too much anymore but when I do it's single handed...lots more relaxing that way.

I know a little bit about your part of the world. A lot of Texans would be surprised at the commonality of attitudes and ideas between the two regions. Most just classify anyone north of Dallas as just another damn Yankee.

[shortonoil]

ROCK$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'M')AN said:

Most just classify anyone north of Dallas as just another damn Yankee.

[wisconsin_cur]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ferretlover', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('wisconsin_cur', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ROCKMAN', ' ')And, like they say here, it ain’t bragging if it’s true: there are more guns in Texas then in the entire US or in the entire US military.

[Cloud9]

It looks like the military is taking a look at end of the world scenarios. They seem to be developing some kind of disaster protocols that will allow units to dissolve if certain key elements are wiped out and certain key areas become untenable. These protocols appear to be designed to give guidance to fragmented elements enabling them to reform into viable functional units under new command structures in safe zones. They are planning for Katrina and bird flu.

http://www.military.com/news/article/ar ... 6032369115

[vtsnowedin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('shortonoil', '
')I spent the first 43 years of my life in Vermont, and their attitude is that any one south of Bennington is a dam flat lander.

Of course, no one more than 15 miles from Rutland, has ever heard of Bennington!

[shortonoil]

vtsnowedin said:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')hey should have built that fence along the Vermont /Mass. border in the 30s but they built I-91 instead.

[JohnConnor]

Cloud9

The military is definitely looking at the possibility of chaos here in the homeland, ref: this article and some of the new defense systems being considered and projects involve using synthetically derived fuels, Air Force Times Article, they have been stalling on getting a COIN aircraft, counter insurgency aircraft, but eventually will have to get on board, they already are by default building a lower fuel intensive airforce by the rapid gain in UAV's, most requiring only 3900 lbs or less fuel to be fully loaded and fly their longest missions...

The Air Force during and after Peak Oil...




3900 lbs of fuel



1150 lbs of fuel

In turbine powered airplane terms, neither of those is a lot of fuel, but during the Long Emergency that may be too much, if it gets really really bad air transport and heavy armor systems may have no where near enough fuel to allow it, you'll still have to have some quick way to strike and defend your borders and remaining resources, airplanes will still be the only way to defend large geographical areas but only ones that are very fuel efficient...

[Cloud9]

I recall seeing turbo props mated with P-51 air frames back in the sixties. They were sitting at the Sarasota air port.

[JohnConnor]

Yeah - I think they did some turboprop conversions in an attempt to get the USAF interested in COIN airplanes in the 70's and with the war in Iraq, the interest in something with a light foot print and logistical support network has renewed interest - but nothing so far...

If oil just keeps on climbing in price - this along with a UAV fleet - could be the only manned options for the USAF, I am thinking 15 - 20 years in the future if things get really bad, that is we undertake no effort at conservation coupled with a MASSIVE effort to find a real biofuel alternative (algae, cellulostic ethanol, etc..) - I think that SAM systems would also fill in some roles for Homeland Air Defense... basically anything but what we fly today, burning thru easily 12,000 llbs. for 2 hours (or less) of flight...

[jamaal]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JohnConnor', 'Y')eah - I think they did some turboprop conversions in an attempt to get the USAF interested in COIN airplanes in the 70's and with the war in Iraq, the interest in something with a light foot print and logistical support network has renewed interest - but nothing so far...

If oil just keeps on climbing in price - this along with a UAV fleet - could be the only manned options for the USAF, I am thinking 15 - 20 years in the future if things get really bad, that is we undertake no effort at conservation coupled with a MASSIVE effort to find a real biofuel alternative (algae, cellulostic ethanol, etc..) - I think that SAM systems would also fill in some roles for Homeland Air Defense... basically anything but what we fly today, burning thru easily 12,000 llbs. for 2 hours (or less) of flight...