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Had a discussion with a preparedness curious liberal yesterday. I wrote this for him and thought I'd share it.
When the SHTF, society’s laws and social constraints break down as ordinarily law abiding and non-violent people succumb to their baser instincts of fear, survival and self-centered motivation. This may involve forcibly taking your supplies and/or shelter, vehicle or even your life and the lives of those you need to protect. This has occurred through time immemorial and more recently was demonstrated during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I know because I was there as a reserve deputy. It wasn’t pretty.
Defending yourself and others against violent attack is not only easily rationalized as an unavoidable and necessary course of action but it is absolutely a duty as well. I have heard all the fatuously pacifistic arguments; “turn the other cheek and trust in the Lord to protect us, material things are not worth injuring and especially taking a life about, protecting my well-being or life is not worth taking the life of another”, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. If that is your basic philosophy then you are a well-intentioned and self-actualized person worthy of canonization. You are also doomed as are those in your care.
Something as seemingly insignificant as a single tarp, hammer or case of tuna fish may mean the difference between survival and death. If you have the capability, it is your duty to preserve such items for your own needs and the needs of your loved ones. If you lack the ability to defend what is yours then you need to acquire that capability through weapons training in self-defense, both armed and unarmed.
You don’t need to be a Rambo or a Bruce Lee. In fact it has been my experience in law enforcement and as a martial arts instructor, that awareness and attitude weighted at least 80% in a successful outcome for the defender. The awareness of an impending hostile event followed quickly by a plan of action put in motion as the dynamics of the situation warranted tended to carry the day. Especially when the defender was willing to use any and all force necessary to overcome their attackers.
The willingness to use up to deadly force without hesitation when warranted is not a normal instinct for the average Joe Schmoe. Those that would deprive you of your possessions and even lives will not be so encumbered by the basic social tenets of decency, non-violence and fair play. Frightened people often revert to the mentality of repeat, violent, strong arm robbers. They will strike suddenly and without warning. They will use any and all force to take what you have. In normal times there are rules of engagement in matters of self-defense with levels of force with which a defender may respond in like kind to, but not exceed. In a SHTF scenario one may and should use somewhat greater force than confronted with because you cannot afford to be seriously injured when medical services may be impossible to find. Defend yourself vigorously as is necessary to end the threat. Sometimes merely the presentation of a determined attitude to engage in combat combined with pre-planned tactics will be sufficient to dissuade your would be attackers. They may decide to find easier more sheep-like prey. And if not, they will suffer the consequences of attacking a determined, prepared defender. Have a plan. Have at least some capability. Be willing to use up to deadly force. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones who need you. Trust in God to judge you later. When the SHTF, you can still be a decent human being. But when threatened, do what you have to do. Be willing to use even deadly force. Be determined to prevail. Then act decisively. It is your right and your duty.
When the SHTF, society’s laws and social constraints break down as ordinarily law abiding and non-violent people succumb to their baser instincts of fear, survival and self-centered motivation. This may involve forcibly taking your supplies and/or shelter, vehicle or even your life and the lives of those you need to protect. This has occurred through time immemorial and more recently was demonstrated during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I know because I was there as a reserve deputy. It wasn’t pretty.
Defending yourself and others against violent attack is not only easily rationalized as an unavoidable and necessary course of action but it is absolutely a duty as well. I have heard all the fatuously pacifistic arguments; “turn the other cheek and trust in the Lord to protect us, material things are not worth injuring and especially taking a life about, protecting my well-being or life is not worth taking the life of another”, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. If that is your basic philosophy then you are a well-intentioned and self-actualized person worthy of canonization. You are also doomed as are those in your care.
Something as seemingly insignificant as a single tarp, hammer or case of tuna fish may mean the difference between survival and death. If you have the capability, it is your duty to preserve such items for your own needs and the needs of your loved ones. If you lack the ability to defend what is yours then you need to acquire that capability through weapons training in self-defense, both armed and unarmed.
You don’t need to be a Rambo or a Bruce Lee. In fact it has been my experience in law enforcement and as a martial arts instructor, that awareness and attitude weighted at least 80% in a successful outcome for the defender. The awareness of an impending hostile event followed quickly by a plan of action put in motion as the dynamics of the situation warranted tended to carry the day. Especially when the defender was willing to use any and all force necessary to overcome their attackers.
The willingness to use up to deadly force without hesitation when warranted is not a normal instinct for the average Joe Schmoe. Those that would deprive you of your possessions and even lives will not be so encumbered by the basic social tenets of decency, non-violence and fair play. Frightened people often revert to the mentality of repeat, violent, strong arm robbers. They will strike suddenly and without warning. They will use any and all force to take what you have. In normal times there are rules of engagement in matters of self-defense with levels of force with which a defender may respond in like kind to, but not exceed. In a SHTF scenario one may and should use somewhat greater force than confronted with because you cannot afford to be seriously injured when medical services may be impossible to find. Defend yourself vigorously as is necessary to end the threat. Sometimes merely the presentation of a determined attitude to engage in combat combined with pre-planned tactics will be sufficient to dissuade your would be attackers. They may decide to find easier more sheep-like prey. And if not, they will suffer the consequences of attacking a determined, prepared defender. Have a plan. Have at least some capability. Be willing to use up to deadly force. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones who need you. Trust in God to judge you later. When the SHTF, you can still be a decent human being. But when threatened, do what you have to do. Be willing to use even deadly force. Be determined to prevail. Then act decisively. It is your right and your duty.
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