This is from the Co-intelligence mailing list.

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"I'm sort of curious about whether anyone here has actually been through a war - not as a soldier, but as someone who experienced war in their own community. I lived through the siege of my city (Sarajevo) and experienced most of the crummy things that can happen in a war - death of parents and friends, hunger and malnutrition, endless freezing cold, fear, sniper attacks. It's odd to see many people concerned about things that aren't going to matter that much if something awful happens. So I offer my advice, free of charge:

1) Stockpiling helps, but you never no how long trouble will last, so locate near renewable food resources.

2) Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.

3) After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is greater than gold's.

4) If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity - it's the easiest to do without (unless you're in a very nice climate with no need for heat.)

5) Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy - it makes a lot of the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs enough heat to "warm", not to cook. It's cheap too, especially if you buy it in bulk.

6) Bring some books - escapist ones like romances or mysteries become more valuable as the war continues. Sure, it's great to have a lot of survival guides, but you'll figure most of that out on your own anyway - trust me, you'll have a lot of time on your hands.

7) The feeling that you're human can fade pretty fast. I can't tell you how many people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else.

8) Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches.

9) More matches.

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 03, 1999

Answers

Andy,

Being from the Balkins do you have any Idea what the hell we (US) is doing bombing peasants over there??

-- R. Wright (blaklodg@aol.com), May 03, 1999.

Yes I do,

check back in the archives that were not chopped.

Regards,

Andy

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 04, 1999.