Saturday, July 13, 2013

Back To Basics: Self-Preservation

I had originally written an article regarding how my precious metals biz partners and I had a meeting where we discussed some potential problems if George Zimmerman was found not guilty.  Riots, burning, blah, blah, blah.

This piece went into a very eloquent rant on how Sharpton and Jackson had whipped up these racial tensions.  How CNN piled on by still calling Zimmerman a 'white Hispanic' just to keep race in the game.  How our own government - the Department of Justice, no less - had spent tax dollars to hold anti-Zimmerman rallies.

Seriously.

It was all very good and passionate.  And utterly useless.

Pointing out that race-baiters are racist is like saying rotting fish are stinky.  Duh.

So, I'm going back - again - to the reason I started this blog:  To discuss practical steps that can be taken to extend your life and your personal well-being.  Everything from defensive strategies and tactics, to food preservation and production, to wealth preservation and growth.

In short, things you can do to make your life better - understanding that government and socialist people/organizations at every level will try and counter-act your actions.  Your self-sufficiency is seen as a threat to their power structure.

Now, that last bit is not paranoia or conspiracy theory claptrap.  When TSHTF, what is the first thing the government does?  It clamps down and takes away your ability to defend yourself. Your ability to defend yourself is seen as an unacceptable risk to the police/national guard/military that are in place.  See New Orleans and Boston for specific examples.

When you preserve and store food, own guns, store ammo and equipment, you are painted as a potential terrorist.  See DHS publications on, "How to spot a terrorist".

When you save your wealth in cash or precious metals - un-trackable and un-taxable by the government - you are again assumed to be doing illegal, terrorist acts, and your assets are easily and legally seized.  If you publicly manifest any modicum of wealth, you are vilified in the malleable press as a "One Percenter" who wants nothing more than to suck the marrow from the bones of emaciated children.  Still living children, of course, that can only be saved from your evil clutches by the government and their socialist friends.  For a price.
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Let's get down to brass tacks.

Since it's at the top of mind, let's talk assumptions, goals, strategies and tactics for the upcoming Zimmerman verdict.  This format can - and should - be followed for any potential civil unrest event which has the potential to affect your life.

An aside:  I once read a great definition of the difference between strategies and tactics.  It went something like, "Strategies are accomplished above the shoulders; tactics are accomplished below the shoulders."  Strategies are your plans, tactics are what you do to fulfill your plans.

Assumptions:  Zimmerman is found innocent.  Black "social justice" groups and individuals will attempt to make good on their promise, "This time we’re doing it right… This time we’re not burning down our communities. This time we’re going out to Whitey’s suburbs and burning down HIS community. We’re going to make Whitey feel the pain.,"  and  "If they don't kill Zimmerman Ima kill me a cracka".  While most of these threats have been centered in Florida, similar sentiments are being voiced in virtually all regions with significant black populations.

Goal:  To remain physically unharmed and financially/monetarily unaffected.

Global Strategy:  The safest location is to not be where violence is present.  Whenever possible, Evacuation is preferrable to Shelter In Place if there is any likelihood that violence/civil unrest will be in your vicinity.

Strategy 1:  Increase situational awareness.

Tactic 1:  Once the case has gone to the jury (as is now the case with the Zimmerman trial), keep a radio or television on at all times, and listen for the announcement as to when the verdict will be read.  This is the minimum lead time you will have to activate either your Evacuation Plan or Shelter In Place (SIP) Plan.

An item for consideration:  Time can be one of your greatest allies in keeping yourself safe.  Last minute, "Throw a plan together" actions will almost always end up lacking in some way.  You'll forget something, or do too much of another, thereby wasting resources.

My family has Evacuation and Shelter In Place plans that can be activated at the drop of a hat.  But, since I knew the Zimmerman trial was winding down, I made some very specific changes to our plans about a week ago.

Strategy 2:  Determine proper time to activate Evac or SIP plan

Tactic 2:  Activate plan.

For those of you without plans, here are links to a 3-part Evacuation Plan post, and a SIP plan:

http://bisonrma.blogspot.com/2010/04/preps-evacuation-plan.html
http://bisonrma.blogspot.com/2010/04/preps-evacuation-plan-part-2.html
http://bisonrma.blogspot.com/2010/04/preps-evacuation-plan-part-3.html

and

http://bisonrma.blogspot.com/2010/02/shelter-in-place.html

Another thing for consideration:  "Superbowl Syndrom".  This is when the winning team riots and destroys the joint in celebration.  In this case, a guilty verdict may result in the same actions being taken as if it's a not guilty verdict.

Accept The Challenge

Seriously, if you don't have evacuation and SIP plans, you aren't prepared at all.  You may have stored tons of food, ammo, guns, gold, seeds, water and barter items, but if you don't have a way of having access to these things after a sudden emergency where you must evacuate, you are just wasting your money.

If your intent is to never evacuate, what is your plan if your property is overrun by 50 or 100 rioters or roving bands of theives?  Are "all eggs in one basket"?  If not, how are the stored/cached items protected?  How will you access them?

Think these things through NOW, not when you're (literally) under the gun.

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Copyright 2013 Bison Risk Management Associates. All rights reserved. Please note that in addition to owning Bison Risk Management, Chief Instructor is also a partner in a precious metals business. You are encouraged to repost this information so long as it is credited to Bison Risk Management Associates. www.BisonRMA.com

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