:: Bersa Talk ::

What a devastating situation in the midwest.  The Mississippi, Missouri and other waterways flooding, taking entire towns with them, destroying livelyhoods, dreams, futures and crops.  Except for the loss of life, most of it can be rebuilt, but it's gonna take years to do it.  What can't be changed immediately is the loss of crops and available cropland.  Over 1,000,000 acres of crops, gone.  Why I am consentrating on the crops lost, instead of the option of figuring out how to survive this or that, is that one particular lost crop will have an immediate impact on not only their local, but will have a worldwide impact on not only the shortage it is causing, but also on the overall price of the product and other food products that this crop is associated with.

Of course, I'm refering to corn.  Corn is associated with approximately 90% of our total food supply.  It is used for cooking, it is a suppliment added to most prepared foods and it is most of the feed that is fed to our cattle, hogs, etc.  The estimated impact on the price of corn is that it will increase approximately 30% over todays prices and because a fair percentage of our corn is already promised to fuel production (so they say), there is talk about rationing corn.  So not only will there be a lot less meat available, there will be a lot less of everything that corn is associated with.  At least for awhile and if what I believe is coming, actually comes (famine), I believe that the gov and corporations are stashing lots of corn, wheat and other staples away for their own needs and perhaps the food lines that are going to form.  On the other hand, they may just be keeping it for the elite to eat and to hell with the low lifes like you and me.

Something is brewing and if you havn't taken the time to put away a good amount of food, water, medicines, medical supplies, water filters, purification chemicals, parts for your vehicles, extra fuel for your fireplace, wood stoves, oil lamps, candles and anything else (TP) that you will need, maybe it's time you started.

The wife and I have a good selection of food available to us, as well as 60 gallons or so of on hand water, besides what we get from our faucets.  We plan on picking up 2x 55 gallon water barrels for fresh drinking water and 2x 30 gallon to catch water from our roof during rainy season.  Today we added 3 cases of canned corn, a case of chili w/beans, 2 cases of baby wipes and a few odds n ends at our local costco warehouse.  We plan on continuing to add food stuffs, including fine corn meal that we can grind into flour, another 50# of beans, 50# of rice, several gallons of lamp oil (clear), additional long term storage food like Mtn. House and other items that we will need to keep the house in repair.  I have several cobs of good Indian corn and will plant it next year.  Also going to try and pick up a 50# bag of whole kernel corn and a corn grinder.  Not made of money here, so it's going to be a slow process putting everything in that I feel we will need.  But, like I mentioned, we are sitting fairly well and if things get tight, I'll be moving our stores into the house from the garage to keep it safe from roaming hordes of the ill prepared.

How about it?  Who here feels that they need additional stores and have been procrastinating?  The time is right.  It's an investment in you and your families future.  Talk about it.  Do it.  Oh, don't forget to load up on ammo.  You will need to protect what you have.  Or, if your mindset is to share, then by all means do, but have a source that no one can tap but you and keep it a secret.  Your family must come before all else.

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I'll keep my guns, freedom and money. You keep the *change*.

miklaw,

You are sooooo right! People just don't realize how much corn affects everything.

There's a video out, called The King of corn. My Blockbuster has a copy. Corn is everywhere, in everything and now there are no crops in the midwest. If you think for a minute that this ethanol experment caused the price of feed, etc. to skyrocket, now there is simply no crops..... period!

I really don't think people look beyond the end of their noses.

We are heading for deep doo doo.

RT

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VERITAS AEQUITAS

Rollin' Thunder:

miklaw,

You are sooooo right! People just don't realize how much corn affects everything.

There's a video out, called The King of corn. My Blockbuster has a copy. Corn is everywhere, in everything and now there are no crops in the midwest. If you think for a minute that this ethanol experment caused the price of feed, etc. to skyrocket, now there is simply no crops..... period!

I really don't think people look beyond the end of their noses.

We are heading for deep doo doo.

RT

The idea of preparing is great but I do not believe it is a matter of people not looking past their noses, not in all cases anyway. Some of us are doing good to make it day to day, week to week on what we have, that being said good for those who can. Pray for us who are not as fortunate, we all do not have the same income.

Jeff

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Maybe. But not today........Indiana Jones

Indiana Jeff:

The idea of preparing is great but I do not believe it is a matter of people not looking past their noses, not in all cases anyway. Some of us are doing good to make it day to day, week to week on what we have, that being said good for those who can. Pray for us who are not as fortunate, we all do not have the same income.

Jeff

Don't fall into the pitfall of doing nothing at all because you can't lay in a years worth of dry goods at one shot. Most people can't. Even if it's one or two cans or a 1lb bag of rice or beans per week, starting very small and having something is better than not starting and having nothing. I know several folks who have enviable pantries that were created with literally $3 to $5 a week and an intelligent plan. It takes a while, but you can only do what you can do. I also have a suspicion that the folks who do it this way are going to be able to use their supplies much more effectively and be better off than the guy who orders $5k worth of Mountain House and stacks it in the basement. Not that that's a bad thing, but by selecting each bit and knowing how you use it for your family already puts you ahead of the game.
I've lived among the Mormons long enough to learn slow and steady will get it done, and store what you already use. Once it's built up just use it and replenish as you go. Not using your stores and storing stuff you don't use are the #1 mistakes.
I bolded some things because I am so adamant about how important this is, no matter how small, now more than ever. I'm sure there will be no shortage of prayers, I don't often delve into religion but another thing I have heard that I truly believe is "God helps those who help themselves".

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You trying to screen for communists? Don't worry, we're all cool. - Dale

I agree with the above post Jeff.  In fact, the wife and I have been putting up food a little at a time for several years now.  When we first started, I was just recently injured, so wasn't contributing financially and she just took a big hit on her pay with the Postal Service.  Her hours and work didn't change, but they refigured how they count the mail and she lost 8000.00 annually.  Then our daughter got pregnant and now there are a set of beaufitul twin granddaughters and their mom living with us.  We still managed to keep stocking a little bit each payday (every other week).  Sometimes it was just a couple of 3 gallon water bottles.  The next payday we added a $10.00 bag of beans and it adds up, if you keep it up.  It really is an investment in your future, because you are putting away food and other supplies at todays prices and they will keep on escalating in price, so over the long run, you will be saving money and have some put away for the bad times that are coming.

If you have skills, put in a little extra time and trade work for money, food, water rights or whatever you can.  It's getting to the point that, that is exactly what is going to take place to get by.

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I'll keep my guns, freedom and money. You keep the *change*.

MikLaw:

I agree with the above post Jeff.  In fact, the wife and I have been putting up food a little at a time for several years now.  When we first started, I was just recently injured, so wasn't contributing financially and she just took a big hit on her pay with the Postal Service.  Her hours and work didn't change, but they refigured how they count the mail and she lost 8000.00 annually.  Then our daughter got pregnant and now there are a set of beaufitul twin granddaughters and their mom living with us.  We still managed to keep stocking a little bit each payday (every other week).  Sometimes it was just a couple of 3 gallon water bottles.  The next payday we added a $10.00 bag of beans and it adds up, if you keep it up.  It really is an investment in your future, because you are putting away food and other supplies at todays prices and they will keep on escalating in price, so over the long run, you will be saving money and have some put away for the bad times that are coming.

If you have skills, put in a little extra time and trade work for money, food, water rights or whatever you can.  It's getting to the point that, that is exactly what is going to take place to get by.

I agree some good points have been made here which has got me to thinking. I do understand what PH and yourself are saying, I do get the store what you use,what I wonder is at my house there is just the 2 of us kids grown moved out now so how could a person store things such as corn meal, dry goods that if not used fast enough how would you keep from getting mealy bugs? I dont know maybe silly question, store things I guess you can eat quick enough?

Jeff

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Maybe. But not today........Indiana Jones

I'll be honest, I am not overly concerned about this continent's food sources disappearing.  This country has been blessed with many imported foods, and also many foods we grow ourselves.   For me, it's not worth stock piling food.  If things do get bad beyond our imaginations...I'll go after deer, catch fish, and grow a garden...which sounds like a lot of fun right now!

hey you horde mongers are worried about nothing do you believe in everything you hear from the govt. why worry if the end is coming its coming nothing anybody can do anyway,besides why would you want to stick around any way.Israel is going to try and take Iran out and that is coming soon so just sit back and watch the show while you can before we all have to stick our heads between our legs and kisss our asses good-bye

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john h

Oh boy, here we go

navet:

Oh boy, here we go

  Yup, seen it happen many times.  I spoke my piece and if no one agrees, that just fine with me, but I will add, that as the head of our household, I am responsible for seeing that my good wife, our daughter, her children and the 4 animals that live with us, all have a roof over their heads, heat to keep them warm, fresh water to drink and good food to eat.  If there are shortages, or even famine, my family will not be AS affected by it as those that havn't put back for a rainy day.  I mean, my dad grew up during the depression years and was taught at a young age that if you have something put back, you eat when others are scratching the dirt.  I was also a boy scout, *BE PREPARED*.  It's the least I can do for my family.

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I'll keep my guns, freedom and money. You keep the *change*.

john74575:

hey you horde mongers are worried about nothing do you believe in everything you hear from the govt. why worry if the end is coming its coming nothing anybody can do anyway,besides why would you want to stick around any way.Israel is going to try and take Iran out and that is coming soon so just sit back and watch the show while you can before we all have to stick our heads between our legs and kisss our asses good-bye

No worries then. Lots of supplies available by trolling.
In this case I hope to be wrong, but I will tell you this is not because of anything the government has said. I have been prepared for hard times that could come for any number of reasons and may affect only my family. What if something were to happen to me or my wife where we couldn't work for an extended time? Lose a job? Should we just go on the dole? I would prefer not to, thanks. Where I live is due for a giant freakin' earthquake.When the Wasatch fault goes it may rival the New Madrid, and will certainly be more severe than any seen in California for the last several centuries. It may not happen in my lifetime, but then again it might. In my area it wouldn't be a stretch at all to have a really big blizzard that snows us in for a week or more, without power possibly.

Yeah, you're right preparedness is just stupid. Thanks for pointing out my folly.

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You trying to screen for communists? Don't worry, we're all cool. - Dale

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I'll keep my guns, freedom and money. You keep the *change*.

Well, since Isreal has been dictating America's foreign policy for many years, I feel safe knowing that if anything really bad happened in our country, they would come to our rescue, don't you?

I don't know if it's them actually, though they have definitely played a huge part in everything.  Umm, no they probably wouldn't, I'm just hoping that they'll accept all the misery we can send them, like they have everything else that we've sent.

Everything will become crystal clear eventually and when it does, I think that a whole lot of people are going to be in shock.  Of course by then, it'll be too late to do anything about it.

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I'll keep my guns, freedom and money. You keep the *change*.

Israel coming to our aid thats a joke right? Lets face it we have no one we can count on over in the Middle East.Saudia Arabia sends terrorists over to this country everyday we turn around.so the rest of those turds over there feel they have to do the same thing just to keep up with them.My opion is this lets quit investing time and lives defending something they should be defending themselves without our help.Nothing but a bunch of rag heads anyway.

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john h