Survival in the Event of Civil Disorder

This is not an easy post to write. But, if you have been following the news lately, civil disorder has broken out from Iceland to Ireland over their countries declining economic situation. In fact, I was reading one of my favorite web-sites, and it was mentioned that a whole new catagory for blogs was being added which deals directly with this subject....This article was also posted on Infowars.com and reads:

U.S. Army To Buy $6 Million Of Riot Equipment
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Steve Watson
Infowars.net
Tuesday, Feb 24th, 2009

The U.S. Army is to invest $6 million in riot equipment, a fact that has furthered fears that troops will be used inside the U.S. in order to quell any civil unrest resulting from the ongoing economic crisis.

The U.S. Army Contracting Agency, based at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, has a post on the Federal Business Opportunities website, requesting the equipment and has received several notices of interest from potential vendors.

The request titled “84–RIOT EQUIPMENT” outlines the need for hard polyethylene Shin and Chest Guards, shock absorbing Forearm Protectors, Interior leg brace supports as well as knee and ankle protectors.

The ACA asks that the equipment be able to “safely withstand a substantial blow… from non-ballistic weapons or flying debris”.

The U.S. Army War College in November released a white paper called Known Unknowns: Unconventional ‘Strategic Shocks’ in Defense Strategy Development. The report warned that the military must be prepared for a “violent, strategic dislocation inside the United States,” which could be provoked by “unforeseen economic collapse,” “purposeful domestic resistance,” “pervasive public health emergencies” or “loss of functioning political and legal order.” The “widespread civil violence,” the document said, “would force the defense establishment to reorient priorities in extremis to defend basic domestic order and human security.”

A journalist from Seattle goes on to expose the obvious:

Goodman who writes in an editorial for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, states “Talk of trouble on U.S. streets is omnipresent now, with the juxtaposition of Wall Street and Main Street. The financial crisis we face remains obscure to most people; titans of business and government officials assure us that the financial system is “on the brink,” that a massive bailout is necessary, immediately, to prevent a disaster. Conservative and progressive members of Congress, at the insistence of constituents, blocked the initial plan. If the economy does collapse, if people can’t go down to the bank to withdraw their savings, or get cash from an ATM, there may be serious “civil unrest,” and the “sea-smurfs” may be called upon sooner than we imagine to assist with “crowd control.”

Another article found on Infowars.com goes on to clarify:
The use of U.S. troops in law enforcment duties is a complete violation of the Posse Comitatus Act and the Insurrection Act, which substantially limit the powers of the federal government to use the military for law enforcement unless under precise and extreme circumstances.

Section 1385 of the Posse Comitatus Act states, “Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.”

Under the John Warner Defense Authorization Act, signed by President Bush on October 17, 2006, the law was changed to state, “The President may employ the armed forces to restore public order in any State of the United States the President determines hinders the execution of laws or deprives people of a right, privilege, immunity, or protection named in the Constitution and secured by law or opposes or obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States or impedes the course of justice under those laws.”

However, these changes were repealed in their entirety by HR 4986: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, reverting back to the original state of the Insurrection Act of 1807. Despite this repeal, President Bush attached a signing statement saying that he did not feel bound by the repeal.

So, if there is a potential for civil disorder in this country, what types of steps should you take for your own safety and survival? What are the possible difficulties might you face? Let's take a look.

Riot or civil disorder may lead to:

- Disruption of commute: Do you have provisions in your car?
- Being stranded in car or office while family is at home and/or school: Do you have a plan of where you and family can meet. Does your family have groceries, food, etc. at home; and can they stay there for a period of time?
- Riots potentially spreading to your neighborhood? Do you have an emergency communication back-up?
- Danger or threat to personal safety due to gangs, etc. joining in on the general chaos
- Looting and rampaging--Can you and your family "hole" up for awhile because you have water and food stored?
- Fire with potentially no response by authorities? Can you safely get out of the house in case of fire?
- Police overwhelmed and cannot protect law abiding citizens (hence the excuse for military involvement

This is a scenario, that whether we like it or not, we had at least think about it and prepare, especially if you live in the city.
Please follow the links below to help you secure some supplies you may need in such an emergency. Don't wait for it to happen...be ready for it!
1800prepare, LLC.

American Family Safety

Nitro-Pak