From all I've heard on TV, it will not be a quick fly by, it will be as one man said...this time it will be by air, sea and ground. Sounds like once this begins it will last some time, many will be involved. From the people on TV making statements such as, Americans may have to make sacrifices and talking about Pearl Harbor and World War II, gives me just a glimps into what it will be like in the near future. It seems we are being told information, a little more as the day goes on, imo.... to prepare us for a massive war build up.

When I saw the prayer vigil last night and they said the Pledge allegiance to the flag, I felt then we are going to war to defend our country. Could we talk here about what we all feel is about to happen and how it will effect us?

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

Answers

I guess everyone is busy, I will check back tomorrow.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

Maggie, Glad to see you again.

Going to war scares the h**l out of me. I grew up with Vietnam and lost friends both physically and mentally because of it. My nephew is on his way to the Persian Gulf right now and my brother was an officer in the Marines and because of his experise, I'm afraid that he will be called back up. I have 2 sons that could be drafted as well.

I can't comprehend what life will be like if we have a war the scale of WWII or greater.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

My oldest son Travis is in Seal training at the moment, so I know before this is over, he'll be in combat, probably the very middle of the worst of it; and it scares the hell out of me. But what kind of world would it be if no one faced up to this sort of evil?

This isn't a Vietnam police action we're talking about, but a fight for our very way of life. No one wants to see their children go in harms way, but it appears "harm's way" is already here, in our backyard...

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

From all indications, you're absolutely right, Maggie. TPTB are been preparing us for the long haul. I believe even Iran sees that the US must survive if anyone in this world is to prosper at all--maybe even Syria realizes it too. Even Kadaffi may surprise us all. Taking out a jet here and there is one thing, taking out tens of thousands of people is by far another.

We need to talk about survival preps--and such information will, of course, become a part of this forum from now on. If anyone has any ideas, let's have 'em. I'll look up the stuff we got for radiation, see where it came from--it wasn't that expensive. I also need to replace the water filters I gave to an Indian friend to take back to India after the earthquake. Much of the stash we need will be the same as for Y2K. Can anyone think of anything we might not have put aside? I'm thinking gas masks for the first time. Anyone know a supplier?

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

radiation suits?

How to seal your home against unwanted radiation?

If we are looking at a massive war effort, plan on year round food gardens. for those in northern climes, figure out how to do it inside.

Expect higher prices and less of everything. Those imported foodstuffs? HA! count yourself lucky if you see pictures of them.

I'll have to lose some more sleep before I can think about this more.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

Thanks, BF. The old Preps forum might be a good place to start, here

If anyone sees anything useful, please post it here and choose the new "Preps" category.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

Hi Beckie, good to see you again too. Beckie I had a friend who went to vietnam, when he came home he drank himself to death. He died when he was in his early 30's.

Beckie and Carl, I know what you mean about being scared, for what looks like, bad days ahead.

I am going to have to call my brother, love him to pieces but, we just don't talk very often...he lives in Hawaii. He has been in the Navy for over 20 years and I think he just got out, need to check to be sure. I wonder after people have been in the service when they were younger and now in their 30's , married with kids, is there a chance they will be called up? What about people who are in their 30's and have never been in the service, thinking of some nephews.

A man named ....feld (so I have the worst memory for names) was quoted on Ted Kopple early this morning, he said we are prepaing for war. Now he flat out says it.

Old Git, yes...a very good idea on talking about preps, what might be rationed (if it get's bad enough) and how to make the best of things. Of all things, I bought a gas mask with an extra filter for Y2K and afterwards thought I was a crazy loon. Now will feel good having it. I don't remember where I got it off the bat.

Barefoot, wondering if the non-hybred seed will still be good for planting next year? Yes, a garden is what they did in WWII. Having instructions and supplies to seal one's house is an excellent idea!

I'm so glad we will be able to share our feelings and ideas on this forum, on what looks to be very hard and trying times ahead for us all.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

Forgot to mention, again on Ted Koppel, he had a piece on Bin Laden...it was said he has given warning of about to be events ahead of time, not bragging and taking credit after the thing is done, like some of the other groups. It was said he gave a warning about something big to happen... 3 weeks ago for the U.S. (maybe not by name) and Israel, Ted Kopple said (PP)we got it and wondered about Israel now! So, just sorta keep that in the back of your mind for any possible up coming event for Israel.

Can you tell I can't sleep again tonight? The time is 3:14 AM.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

rumfeld. he made the mad dash from his office in the Pentagon to help pull people from the crash site, then went back to work.

He, I think, is the one that got them all started on NOT talking about certain things, citing restricted access reasons, because too much is being told to the news. They could end up giving away the store if those loose lipped larry's don't shut up!

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

Yes, that's it. I tried to remember his name by thinking rum and then feld. Oh well, I got half of it right and as long as you knew who I ment...it worked out. It won't be long before they put a clamp on a lot of the info going out by the press. It does no good for the press to let every one and their brother know where the Vice Pres and Pres is all the time, especially when they could be in danger from the people who where responsible for the 1,000s of people who died Tuesday.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

"I'll have to lose some more sleep before I can think about this more." Yeah, that about sums it up!

Last night we had the first rain (well, some drizzle) in, oh, about 4 months it seems. Some very low key thunder started mid evening. I had forgotten it was supposed to rain later, no lightning. There has been such a major military presence at the local AF base and National Guard unit that my first several assumptions were, gee, I guess those guys have an artillery practice range. Then, slap on the head, I realized what was happening, and about 20 minutes later the drizzle started.

The AF base, which is also a civilian field, is still closed. There was a plane wandering around upstairs sometime in the middle of the night. Sorta makes you wonder, and not especially conducive to falling back to sleep. I wanted to get caught up on sleep a bit cuz I'll be out late tonight, but the weather looks perfect for the fall hawk migration this weekend, so I want to spend as much of Saturday and Sunday as possible on our local mountain top. Also, a great view of whatever might be happening. If the visibility is favorable, then the spot I have in mind gives a view of the ENTIRE length of Massachusetts, and well into southern NH. Hope I don't have anything interesting to report.

Right now, I'm counting my blessings that I don't know anyone directly affected, and standing by to see what I can do. I think my main obligation is to be as productive as I can, especially at work. So, I am FINALLY taking the notion of a bug-out-bag seriously. Just enough to get me down my high rise and back to my car (several miles if the subway isn't running). I need to be prepared for the long- term, so it needs to be stuff I won't mind dragging along even if things have been quiet for a while.

So, my supplies currently include: small backpack instead of my usual shoulder canvas tote, my most comfortable sneakers, and a small flashlight (the aforementioned to get me down 38 flights in the dark if necessary. that happened once during a blizzard). Then also, fleece and waterproof jackets (in a tote), multi-use cotton hat and lightweight leather gloves (will upgrade these as the weather gets colder), mylar emergency blanket, scarf (will substitute a surgical mask when I can find something simple), my handydandy dosimeter (whatever, it's light weight), bottled water and bagel, MAPS to get me back to the car in the most expeditious fashion (this is what I hadn't done before, now I'm not as put out about the idea of walking back to my car), extra money (ATMs were closed in places in Tuesday), reading material in case I'm stuck on the subway, small pocket radio (I haven't graduated to a cell phone yet), kleenex, lipbalm and a colm.

This is bare minimum for me and has given me a great sense of relief. It assumes my car is ok and that I have kept it topped off and that maybe I have more goodies in the car. Someone suggested safety goggles. I might throw those in my backpack as well. This weekend on the mountain, where I can drove most of the way up, I'll also have my more sensitive radiation meter and also my 2 meter ham radio.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

I have been living in hell since last Tuesday morning. My husband is gone, and I have no close family by (other than my son). I had not heard from my husband, and wasn't sure where in the world he was.

Last night, I got a brief phone call from him. While I wish he were home, I am glad that he is working. At the moment, he is safe. He isn't currently where I thought he was. He told me that I know more of the "news" than he does, as they have not been able to watch TV. I filled him in on what was being said in public. I told him that I (and I assume most Americans) support him if he has to do his job. He informed me that most there wanted to do it. Wanting to and being able to are two different things.

The details of the conversation I will not relay, but at least I know that currently he is safe. They feel that the attacks aren't over as well. He told me to be safe. I told him that I was, and that I wasn't going to let the bastards scare me. While at times I feel a little scared, I must remain strong for my son.

Carl, hopefully this will be over before your son finishes his training. I know, pipe dream, but hey I'm a dreamer. I do not wish you the feelings that I currently have, even though I know you must have most of them.

Wanna make a service man feel supported? Make a batch of cookies and take to a base. Write a letter of support addressed "To Any Service Member".

An emotional Sheeps

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

Sheeps, they probably won't accept them for fear of poisoning or disguised bomb. Maybe if you're in a restaurant or bar and you see someone in uniform, pay their tab before you leave.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

What's a colm?

If that is something personal that you don't feel comfortable talking about then ignore the question.

I just have the feeling that it has something to do with an accent...

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

Easy, it's code for comb (drat, I knew it looked wrong)...

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

Brooks, I hope by you being on the mountain for the weekend will give you a chance to catch your breath and relax. You have given me ideas on some things to add to my back pack, IE: small flash light and kleenex. May I suggest adding plastic gloves and painters mask for you and maybe another, they won't take much extra room nor weigh much at all.

((Sheeps)), so glad you were able to talk with your husband and know he is okay. It must be so hard on both of you right now. Thanks for letting us know to keep our guard up.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001