America isn't prepared for what's coming.

[Philosoraptor]

And that's a shame, we should be imagining every scenario, pre-emptively planning, just like our maniacal government is. But unfortunately, we stand around grazing, unaware of what's coming.

Do I know what's coming? No, but I do suspect that something truly awful is in the works. Why do I feel this way? Was I born to be constantly paranoid? Am I looking for the worst instead of the best? No, I'm putting two and two together.

We weren't prepared for the republican coup de tat in 1980, and we weren't prepared for the one in 2000. We were totally unprepared for nine eleven and the neo con aftermath. And even now we are utterly blindsided by what lies directly ahead.

I think maybe about all we can do at this late stage of the game is simply brace ourselves, because there really is no way to prepare for America's mighty downfall.

Look what we've accepted. Look what we've been subjected to. Look where this is all going.

[dsa]

1. gotta love that optimism

did you write jimmy carter's days of malaise speech too?

[unblock]

4. let me paraphrase the o.p.: the price of freedom is eternal vigilence

NOW do you have any problem with the sentiment?

[dsa]

5. there's a big difference between "eternal vigilance"

and "there really is no way to prepare for America's mighty downfall."

[nadinbrzezinski]

74. Do you beleive the US is outside history?

if you do, then you are in for a rude awakening.

on the bright side, you will be joining Roman, Spanish, Dutch and British Citizens, to name a few, who believed their empire also lay out of history

[madokie]

43. yessum nothing good is easy

These traitors we face today were identified many moons ago and not dealt with properly then so now we have today

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dsa]

9. no kerry once

it was the first election i was eligible. but no matter who i voted for, i don't like reading pessimistic, no make that fatalistic predictions about how the country is doomed no matter what. neither do the vast majority of the voters.

i bet you're fun at parties too.

[ixion]

14. it is blind optimism just like that that got us into this mess

so happy you're all on-board for maintaining the status quo in that regard. :eyes:

[dsa]

16. blind optimism?

when did i say anything about supporting the status quo? did you even read the original post? i'd call that unbridled pessimism. take a look around you--do you still have a job? a home? a family? friends? has life really gotten so bad that you're ready to accept that destruction of everything you know and love is not only inevitable but imminent? i'm sure not. i've got everything to live for and look forward to making the world a better place.

[EstimatedProphet]

68. Yes, of course you do

Keep on whistling past the graveyard...

[lynnertic]

35. no it's not, it's complacency and greed that got us into this mess

thank you very much.

Philosoraptor is right to be afraid because we haven't learned our lessons quickly enough.

The state of New Orleans as it faces another hurricane season is case in point.

[Tyler Durden]

17. "I bet you're fun at parties too." Are you freaking kidding me?

What do you do in the middle of a raging fire...suggest to the other folks at the party "...Gee, isn't it (cough, cough) getting WARM in here?"

Tell you what: use your obvious and vast acumen (backed up by your credentials to support it, of course) to explain to the rest of us how all of this is going to get better through optimism and "Coombyah" singing?

We have more auto workers unemployed since the 30% recession of 1978.
The cesspool of the government is overflowing, and NOBODY is pulling the air raid siren as is way past due.
The cities have gone from stagnation and decay to standing on the brink of anarchy, and if this is news I suggest a drive through Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Youngstown, Washington DC, Newark....
Al Gore's index of CO2 percentage has already surpassed the horrifying levels predicted for this time in "An Inconvenient Truth."

What planet are you on? We are practically writing the musical score for the upcoming meltdown of the political and economic systems and you want to speak optimistically?

ABOUT WHAT????? PLEASE, enlighten me. I'm tired of being depressed and could use some good news.

[dsa]

24. i guess there's nothing left but to give up and die

see here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x929894#929952

[Tyler Durden]

29. When was the last time you were out of work? Lost a house? Went uninsured?

My "Track Record"

Out of work first quarter 2007
Uninsured first quarter 2007.
House went at $60,000 loss fourth quarter 2005
House lost investment at $40,000 loss first quarter 2006

EVERYTHING I've worked for since I was homeless in 1974 has been lost. In 10 years I'm on Social Security and whatever I can glean out of this house. Do you think I WANT to see the coming disaster?

If we keep wanting to say "Every thing's coming up roses," then the light at the end of the tunnel will truly be an oncoming train.

[lynnertic]

36. lighten up. you're hollering at a kid who doesn't know these things.

if you read without simply reacting you'd see past your angry, angry nose.
I'm sorry that you're in financial hard times, but young people need to be optimistic, they're the only hope we have.

fercryingoutloud.

[Tyler Durden]

38. Then don't make assumptions for the rest of us...

By the way, under the current system, 'TWAS EVER THUS.

Every since that bastard Alexander Hamilton sold the Revolutionary War debt to the rich motherfuckers at one cent on the dollar.

I KNOW you have to be optimistic after a fashion to keep from slashing your wrists, but let it take the form of a little more REALISM why don't you? At the very least, it keeps you from pissing off disgruntled old assholes like ME.

[dsa]

100. well my dad was unemployed from 1996 to 1999

and i never heard him complain about it, or whine about the coming disaster that will destroy the country. it was a difficult time but the family pulled together and we're better for the experience.

[earth mom]

32. Nice attitude you got there-"it's not MY problem.".

FYI-Your attitude is EXACTLY what's wrong with this country. :puke:



"I've got a good job, no worries"-"What are you talking about underpaid or unemployed? Some people are worth more than others."

"My house is paid for because I bought it dirt cheap"-"What housing crisis? People were stupid to buy at such prices."

"I've got great health care"-"Some people just need to suck it up and stop expecting so much."

"I support the troops"-Let's get those terrarists because they are everywhere in the middle east, hell most of em are terrarists so let's bomb the place to smithereens. And Hell NO-I'm NOT joining up to help the cause and neither is anyone in my family!"



Yeah-we've heard it ALL before around here and then some. :puke:

[Horse with no Name]

46. Yeah but we usually don't hear it HERE

Know whut I mean Vern?

[H2O Man]

51. Yep.

Right.

[earth mom]

55. Those opinions have been posted here...

but they aren't here for long. :evilgrin:

[rhett o rick]

54. No one has remotely suggested that but you. We want to be prepared

for when Bushcorp tries for the complete takeover. If you don't believe he will try, bless you, go back to watching Desperate Housewives and drink your koolaid. Or if you have some good reasons for us not to worry, please, please share them.

[nadinbrzezinski]

76. In the meantime the executive has signed

a Presidential order taht will allow him to take over all givernmet in case of a disaster

:-)

Not that this was on the news during the evening, or for that matter on any of the major news services.

Some had to go dig it....

Yep the tools for completion of the coup of 2000 are in place

Let him go back to Housewives, is that a program? WOW... tells you how much I watch TV

Hell, I hate cooking and been reduced to the food network

Oh and here is a link to that disturbing piece of news

http://progressive.org/mag_wx051807

[indepat]

96. We can all take comfort in the irrefutable fact that the decider will be a benevolent dictator,

at least to the faithful, should a triggering disaster occur.

[chknltl]

92. dsa: I am not sure why you are getting dumped on...

you and those who are dumping on you are right! There is absolutely nothing wrong with optimism and hope, there is absolutely with doubts and pessimism either. BOTH are viable and applicable here.
I for one do not want to pee on anybody's parade. Would telling a bunch of children that they are most likely going to face a horror for a future such a good thing? Nope! Nor is telling a bunch of adults such things a good thing either. On the other hand warning those same children about current perils is a very good thing to do...the same goes for adults!

Again BOTH views are viable. This dumping on fellow Dues is a whole different ball of wax though. Yes the Op has a doom and gloom post here...one based in reality to a great extent. You dumped on him a bit and are getting scorched for your efforts here! Does that make you or those who scorch you any less wrong in your views, NO!

I am guessing you are new here...my advice to you would be to consider a bit more of a diplomatic response to those you feel represent things opposite to how you see things.

To my fellow Dues who are dumping on this young lady: Shame on you...you know better. We want the DU to grow, chasing folks out of here in flames because you disagree with their words is counter-productive...not only to the DU but to the Democratic Party as well! You know I am right here! You know that this young lady has very valid points! Go ahead and flame me if needsbe... I'll still be here and I'll still be fighting the good fight alongside with you anyway...

[Madspirit]

78. This person

This optimist among us is only 20 years old. You might want to make note of that. What do YOU tell your 20 year old children? "We're all going to hell in a handbasket. Give up now. We're all doomed, doomed I tell you. It's all hopeless." Wow.

We NEED optimists.
Lee

[indepat]

94. The good news is that the national debt, at/about $1T when Saint Gipper came aboard, has not

topped $9T.

[Octafish]

44. Jimmy Carter was a good president.

We still haven't recovered from the "morning in America" Pruneface who followed him. Remember, it was him and Poppy who dealt with the Ayatollah to prevent the release of the American hostages. That treason swayed the electorate and stole the election. Sounds familiar.

[rhett o rick]

50. Instead of being sarcastically critical of this poster, please tells us why

we shouldn't think everything HAS already gone to hell and I don't see anything even slightly slowing it down. Yes Patrick Fitzgerald spent a couple of years investigating and maybe we will get Scooter in jail, but I doubt it. As long as Bush and Cheney are in power I won't sleep well.

Trying to be prepared isn't necessarily paranoid. Congress has failed us so far.

I bet you'd have told Paul Revere that he was just being pessimistic when he said the British were coming.

Why do you think this poster is wrong to be scared? Pray tell us.

[dsa]

101. because instead of proposing a constructive idea to solve a problem

he's saying it's already too late to do anything. no matter what, just give up and stop trying. this is the perfect example of what my dad calls "whiny liberals" and what drives people like him away from voting for democrats.

[frankenforpres]

2. Hillary wont be that bad dude

she's got a cute smile, nice family, what the hell.

[gobblechops]

3. The mother of

all corrections is coming and its gonna hit us like a mack truck,the bright side is maybe out of the ashes people will accept that a true liberal democracy was and is the way to go.

[Heidi]

6. Welcome to DU, gobblechops!

:hi:

[Tyler Durden]

19. Now THAT is the only positive and optimistic view possible at the moment.

That MAYBE, just maybe, the phoenix will rise from the ashes with equality and a better form of governance sheltered in her wings.

Oh yeah, Welcome from another one of the doomsayers. Stop by the "Socialist Progressives" forum if you get a chance and are of a mind.

[nadinbrzezinski]

77. Welcome to our family

[opihimoimoi]

8. The Bushy guys are REACTORS...visionless, they cannot see the FUTUE and be PROACTIVE

The Masses see the present and reject; hence Nov 7 2006

The Pubs plow on...

The Dems spend much in restoration....

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

10. Want to see what is comming?

Look at the "shock therapy" that took place in the former Soviet Union after the fall of communism, where nations were shaken to their foundations and further.

When this is all said and done what will remain won't be very nice. I suspect both the entire welfare state including social security will be destroyed, as will the entire military industrial complex. The US will probably get a bailout from the Chinese with miles and miles of strings attached with the remains of the US military scattered around the world in complete disarray.

To make things worse, I suspect this complete meltdown will only further embolden the forces of christian facism.

[KG]

11. the only thing america actively and continuously plans for is war.

think on that, and be dismayed.

[Philosoraptor]

12. Priority number one.

From 2000 on, the Project for the New American Century, and they ain't kiddin'.

The plan is for this to go on for the next hundred years and beyond, literally. Sounds like the reich will stand for a thousand years, where have I heard that before? Oh yeah, from bush's godfather Adolph.

[KG]

28. actually, it's been going on since 1945.

[laststeamtrain]

13. The way ahead...

"I believe that there is only one solution to the crisis we face. The American people must make the decision to dismantle both the empire that has been created in their name and the huge (still growing) military establishment that undergirds it. It is a task at least comparable to that undertaken by the British government when, after World War II, it liquidated the British Empire. By doing so, Britain avoided the fate of the Roman Republic -- becoming a domestic tyranny and losing its democracy, as would have been required if it had continued to try to dominate much of the world by force."--Chalmers Johnson

http://www.tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=194902

A very worthwhile 'big picture' article.

[H2O Man]

15. There's a slow train

coming up around the bend. -- Bob Dylan

Edit to add:

[trumad]

18. That Allen Zimmerman guy again?

[H2O Man]

20. Yep.

Waiting for the coffee to sink in ....

[Tyler Durden]

21. Believe that's "ROBERT" Zimmerman

[H2O Man]

Robert Allen Zimmerman.

For 18 months, we have had a running contest to see who can identify and use more "middle" names.

[Tyler Durden]

30. AHA.

Hadn't heard. Interesting.

[LeftCoast]

22. Yep. And they're going to steal the 2006 election too!

:eyes:

[Tyler Durden]

25. You know if you'd told me in 1999 that they could steal 2000 and 2004 and get away with it....

...I would have said you were insane. Gee, silly me I guess.

What makes you think they can't? Enough happened in 2000, 2004 AND 2006 to send any self-respecting banana republic into a full-scale military coup.

We have got to be the most politically blind, naive and "pie in the sky" nation on the planet.

[tavalon]

41. They tried

Rove et al got their numbers wrong. Oops.

[LeftCoast]

58. Possibly, but we were told it was already done

Now the same folks are crying wolf again. It gets old.

[cassiepriam]

23. I agree with you.

We still don't know the full extent of all the damage the repugs have done.
And we have yet to uncover the way in which they put down the foundation to rule the world
for as long as they can.

Taking over America was like taking candy from a baby.

[maine_raptor]

26. Foresight is granted through a murky lens.

It would be great to know when the next storm is coming; to know the exact moment when to shutter the windows and put away the patio furniture. Oh, we my know a short while before the storm hits, but not two or three months out.

I know there will be a snowstorm next winter, I just don't know the date yet.

Same with the "grand game" of politics. I know the American Empire will fall, like the other before it; I just don't know when.

All one can do is to brace oneself, try to prepare. A long time ago I decided to fore go the pleasures of the city and live the rural life. Not because of any distaste for the city, but because I knew that having my own piece of land upon which I could grow my own food would enable me to survive a bit longer than my city cousins.

When I made that decision did I have a date certain when the great city would crumble? No. But I knew someday it would and if it happened during my lifetime then I wanted to be, in some small way, prepared.

[tavalon]

42. You aren't the only one

We're preparing out here in the wilderness too. I hope it doesn't come soon but I don't really see how it won't.

[bvar22]

85. We're with you.

We left the big city (Minneapolis) last Fall for a piece of land we own outright. We are a ways off the blacktop...many miles from any industrial pollution, population centers, Agri-Business, or GE Crops....surrounded on 3 sides by National Forest.
Our water comes from a spring fed well, and we are a short walk away from one of the cleanest remaining rivers in America.

Our raised bed veggie and herb gardens are doing well. We will double the size next Spring.
Deer & Rabbit proofing a must.



We started two bee colonies, and will add 4 more next spring. No cell phone towers, GM crops, or commercial bee enterprises for many miles.


We are adding a dozen chickens in June, and have plans for 4 goats. Some solar panels and a windmill are also in the works.


We don't consider ourselves "Survivalists", and hope a crunch doesn't come. Some of the motivation was the political environment and the declining safety of food, but the move was more of an attraction to this lifestyle (we are old hippies). We had talked about doing this for a long time, and last Summer we decided "Its time to go". After many hours on the Internet, we found our place and never looked back. It has been a lot of work so far, but its been well worth it.
There a a few things we miss (Liberal Democrats, broadband, theater, multicultural restaurants and neighborhoods, etc.), but we love living out here. We are already eating out of our gardens. I haven't tasted strawberries this good in a loooong time. Anxiously awaiting the tomatoes and canteloupes. :)

Peace, Fertility, and Good Fortune!
Bob & Kirsty
:hi:

[tavalon]

89. I was too young to be a hippie in that era

But I live on a commune, though we call them intentional communities these days. The dream didn't die, it just went underground.

[Swamp Rat]

27. Sheep

Harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away;
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air.
You better watch out,
There may be dogs about
I've looked over Jordan, and I have seen
Things are not what they seem.

What do you get for pretending the danger's not real.
Meek and obedient you follow the leader
Down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel.
What a surprise!
A look of terminal shock in your eyes.
Now things are really what they seem.
No, this is no bad dream.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me down to lie
Through pastures green He leadeth me the silent waters by.
With bright knives He releaseth my soul.
He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places.
He converteth me to lamb cutlets,
For lo, He hath great power, and great hunger.
When cometh the day we lowly ones,
Through quiet reflection, and great dedication
Master the art of karate,
Lo, we shall rise up,
And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water.

Bleating and babbling I fell on his neck with a scream.
Wave upon wave of demented avengers
March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream.

Have you heard the news?
The dogs are dead!
You better stay home
And do as you're told.
Get out of the road if you want to grow old.

- Pink Floyd

[Tyler Durden]

31. On The Beach At Night

On the beach, at night,
Stands a child, with her father,
Watching the east, the autumn sky.

Up through the darkness,
While ravening clouds, the burial clouds, in black masses spreading,
Lower, sullen and fast, athwart and down the sky,
Amid a transparent clear belt of ether yet left in the east,
Ascends, large and calm, the lord-star Jupiter;
And nigh at hand, only a very little above,
Swim the delicate brothers, the Pleiades.


From the beach, the child, holding the hand of her father,
Those burial-clouds that lower, victorious, soon to devour all,
Watching, silently weeps.

Weep not, child,
Weep not, my darling,
With these kisses let me remove your tears;
The ravening clouds shall not long be victorious,
They shall not long possess the sky--shall devour the stars only in apparition:
Jupiter shall emerge--be patient--watch again another night--the Pleiades shall emerge,
They are immortal--all those stars, both silvery and golden, shall shine out again,
The great stars and the little ones shall shine out again--they endure;
The vast immortal suns, and the long-enduring pensive moons, shall again shine.


Then, dearest child, mournest thou only for Jupiter?
Considerest thou alone the burial of the stars?

Something there is,
(With my lips soothing thee, adding, I whisper,
I give thee the first suggestion, the problem and indirection,)
Something there is more immortal even than the stars,
(Many the burials, many the days and nights, passing away,)
Something that shall endure longer even than lustrous Jupiter,
Longer than sun, or any revolving satellite,
Or the radiant brothers, the Pleiades.

Walt Whitman

[Vinca]

33. Yesterday I was very depressed and thoroughly disgusted

with the world in general. Today I awoke with a smidgeon of optimism and despite the frost warning and my $50 worth of plants in the garden, I refuse to let you kill it. As Grandma always said, a smile is a frown turned upside down. :)

[hlthe2b]

34. Ahh, "susie sunshine" spews the bitter pill early this Monday AM

Thank you, Philosoraptor. As if Monday's weren't hard enough....:eyes:


If there is anyone on this forum who doesn't know how much "Deep Kimchee" we are in, I'd be shocked. But, geez, can't you wait until at least mid-morning to start the "gloom and doom?"

Or, perhaps this is your "MOTIVATION" speech? :sarcasm:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

37. This Is Like Sooooooooo Silly. We Aren't Prepared For Something You Aren't Even Aware Of?

Well shit, that would make sense to just about anybody wouldn't it? I mean, one must generally have at least some idea of what to prepare for in order to like, ya know, prepare for it. That's just kinda the way the whole preparing for stuff thing goes ya know?

[Philosoraptor]

39. Your super sarcasm always shuts me down.

I just never have a snappy come back to your razor like wit.

[Swamp Rat]

88. LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[HCE SuiGeneris]

81. Does this look familiar?

"It's called hypocrisy. It's the whole tone of judging someone as if they are beneath them that I find ridiculous. Suggestions are one thing, noselifting judgments are another."

Your callout of philosoraptor as silly (stupid, being the implied adjective with the addition of the Soooooooooo) is typical. You are the most hypocritical person on this board. You ignore the point of the OP to criticize a fellow DU'er. You disgust me.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

82. Awwwww, Don't Be So Sensitive.

Your point makes no sense. I'm criticizing the premise, not the person. Course, you can't say the same.

Furthermore, the premise of the OP is tremendously silly to me. The OP states no actual thing that we should be prepared for, yet asserts we aren't prepared for it. Well DUH! Kinda need to have even a hint of premise in order to prepare for it no? This is just another alarmist topic with no substance, details or legitimate argument. I found it to be even sillier than others which are similar due to its complete lack of details. I mean, it essentially asks the question "Are you prepared for that which is to come of which you have no idea exists?". I mean, how on earth is anyone to answer that question in the affirmative or dispute the premise? It's ridiculous. That's my opinion and I explained why. Don't like it? Don't care.

[porque no]

99. Not silly, please not silly.

It's deja vu all over again.

[porque no]

98. Obtuse

again.

[Tyler Durden]

40. When they "Storm the Bastille..."

If you end up behind my barricade, you can have one of my guns, comrade.

[earth mom]

45. Seems like some around here are singing La La La with their fingers in their ears.

Like you Philosoraptor, I prefer knowing The Truth because knowledge is POWER. The REAL Terrorist Evildoers don't like that the net is informing all of us and the entire country about their evil deeds-PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE.

I don't want to be blindsided by another 9/11 or the nightmare that's followed EVER again.

None of us should make the mistake of letting our guard down EVER again.

[slackmaster]

47. It's all going to come to a screeching halt on December 21, 2012

Until than, I'm in it for revenge!

[glitch]

56. Lol! Thanks for that. nt

[InvisibleTouch]

71. You may have been joking, but...

...I think there's some truth to that.

[slackmaster]

79. I think it's a "Consider it all a joke at your own risk" situations

Better to be prepared for TEOTWAWKI and not have it happen, than not be prepared and have it happen.

[marions ghost]

48. we might be unprepared as usual

but I doubt we will be 'utterly blindsided' again.

Most Americans are no longer cheerfully oblivious. The catastrophic mismanagement of the govt and resources is too real now. It can't be denied except by the truly insane. That is a huge change from the immediate past.

While I agree that many people remain paralyzed, I don't think it's out of ignorance but more out of fear. Do you know anyone over 25 who is really happy and free of worry? There is a pall, a dark cloud, over us all. We twist in our little microcosms, staving off depression, hoping the ill winds will pass over us. No one among us is UNaware of our downward spiral. But how do you prepare for societal upheavals?

Build connections. Build connections that have nothing to do with money and competition. Build & network with those who have good survival instincts. This involves much more than merely setting out vegetables and stocking up on stuff. Be ready mentally & spiritually.

Decide to BE a survivor in this, regardless of circumstances. Connect with other realists/survivors. Then reach out to those with less vision.

There is opportunity to change things in a big way during a collapse, when and if it comes. It is not a time for despair.

[Philosoraptor]

49. The main thing is to keep your head when it happens.

You never know how you'll react to a mugger till it happens.

[rhett o rick]

52. I totally agree with the building networks. I would feel better if we had

a national organization that was talking about what options are if things get very bad. For example we need the local police on our side. We should have a network that has a backup plan for if the internet gets "controlled" by the corporations.

[marions ghost]

69. start small

network with those who think like you/us.

Imagine the problems and know who you might rely on. Define your own best contributions specifically.
In a world of mirages go out and make concrete.

[glitch]

61. Very good answer. nt

[Bluerthanblue]

53. does change-

even necessary, (especially necessary) change ever really come about without real turmoil?

America has been headed down this road for a very long time don't you think? Looking back through history it would be naive not to anticipate this.

What kind of a sincere 'democracy'-'republic' do we really have when you have to be rich in order to stand any real of chance of becoming president??? When who you 'know' and what you own is more important than who you (really) are and what your vision for America is?


I believe we've been subconsciously anticipating disaster for a long time-
Take our desperate search for satisfaction we substitute food, drugs, religion,shopping, excercise, plastic surgery, gambling, obsessive _________....? ... we shop, hoard, build mc mansions- race from one place to another, want everything 'yesterday'- and yet still, we are rarely ever truly content, relaxed- or even healthy.

Paid lobbiests, corporate 'person hood', mass media dictating what qualifies as 'headline news'- all have served to chip away at our individual power- our ability to have any real influence or say in our government.

I don't look forward to what ahead- but I do believe that we have been building a house of cards, and it is only a matter of time before we all fall down-

and although it is kind of like having to face chemo and radiation with no promises, but no other real options, I can't not wish it would happen already- the anticipation of what is ahead is harder to cope with than what-ever it might be-

but that's just me-
:shrug:

peace,
blu

[IDemo]

57. I'll have a feeling of impending doom unless and until a Dem is sworn in 1/20/2009

I don't believe they have taken the steps they have to dismantle the Constitution and empower the unitary executive simply to meekly hand all that power over to the Democrats on anything so arbitrary as an election. The latest outrage, from just last week, is an entirely unconstitutional power grab by the president, allowing him to control not just the executive branch, but the entire federal government, under a wide range of vaguely defined "emergencies".

It may not take another 9/11, MIHOP or otherwise. My feeling is now that just such an emergency may arrive in the form of an economic collapse, brought about by increasingly high oil prices and a tanking dollar.

[donsu]

59. I keep saying to stay prepared for a cat. 6 event be it weather or otherwise

that should give us at least 2 wks. to survive or not whatever the event is.

[Philosoraptor]

62. A 2 week survival kit is not a bad idea.

Especially for folks who need meds and special care. Water, food, etc., at least one is prepared for an earthquake or hurricane or terror attack. Might seem silly, but the whole infrastructure could collapse for a while.

[sheerjoy]

60. There remains no hope

as long as we allow * to keep his arse in the oval office chair.

[Le Taz Hot]

63. I absolutely agree.

We've been trying to prepare as I feel it coming -- as in The Great Depression time. Here are some of the things we've done:

Planted a garden even though we don't have a large back yard. Next year it will be even larger as we started taking a hard look at all the wasted space and have determined we could plant peas here, berries over there, etc.

Have been riding the city bus almost exclusively for the last 2 years.

I'm planning on going back to school to be a nurse. At 51, no one will hire me with my resume and salary history so I figure nursing is the one profession in which there will always be a need and I won't be facing the age discrimination I currently face.

I make almost all of our food from scratch -- bread, pasta, tortillas, mole', the list goes on.

I've been buying almost exclusively from our local farmers markets. The one by my house has mostly organic vendors.

I've been cooking outdoors to save on my outrageous PG&E bills and to keep from heating up the house in our gawdawful summers by using solar and propane.

There's more but I have to go now. Perhaps others can make other suggestions.

[roamer65]

64. A good dose of humility has never hurt anyone.

Now its our turn. Rome rose and fell, so did Britain and so to shall we...

It is the "natural order".

[dave_p]

65. America can prepare

America isn't going to be able to rule the roost forever the way it did in the 90s. One competitor collapsed, but while the US was busy in the 80s trying to bring that about, others were starting to develop their economic potential, a potential then barely noticed amid the main east-west event.

America's relative global power will diminish. That isn't a bad thing if other countries get to enjoy the prosperity that underpins hopes of a peaceful future. America's share of the world economy's diminished from something like 35% in the 1950s to nearer 24% today. That isn't bad for 5% of the world's people: it means others have a better living and less incentive to risk all through needless conflict.

America can compare for a future of more equal players. Or it can stick its head in the sand and dream about shutting itself off from international growth and dictating terms to a world that'll be ever less willing to accept orders from Washington. It's America's call. The rest of the planet isn't going to stop because one country can't live up to its best potential for a better common future.

[Gregorian]

66. The problem is systemic.

When 300 million people use the amount of resources that we do, that is an indication.

Here is how I view what has happened. Bush represents the corporations. The corporations represent the people. And the people are ultimately responsible for what is happening.

So coup or not, we're looking in the wrong direction. That finger we have pointed at Bush needs to be turned around.

What I'm saying is highly threatening. may be forced to make.


PS- In what might seem like a totally unrelated story, I was riding my bike yesterday, and a guy in a truck swerved completely over the line and into the wrong lane in order to act like he was going to run me over. That is the mentality that represents America, to me. That is the arrogance that got us where we are today. It's a minority of people in our society. But it only takes one bad apple...

[Gregorian]

67. The problem is systemic.

When 300 million people use the amount of resources that we do, that is an indication.

Here is how I view what has happened. Bush represents the corporations. The corporations represent the people. And the people are ultimately responsible for what is happening.

So coup or not, we're looking in the wrong direction. That finger we have pointed at Bush needs to be turned around.

What I'm saying is highly threatening. may be forced to make.


PS- In what might seem like a totally unrelated story, I was riding my bike yesterday, and a guy in a truck swerved completely over the line and into the wrong lane in order to act like he was going to run me over. That is the mentality that represents America, to me. That is the arrogance that got us where we are today. It's a minority of people in our society. But it only takes one bad apple...

[HCE SuiGeneris]

70. Hey 'raptor,

"it" is most definitely resonating within me. We are coming to the greatest defining moment of whether this country survives as a "democracy". And we are not ready...

[greyghost]

72. I'll see that bet and...

raise you that all hell is going to be unleashed in the VERY NEAR FUTURE.

The MSM is ignoring the obvious indicators and serving their corporate masters per usual. All they talk about is the stock market and fail to address what is happening in the REAL country.

The gasoline prices are just part of the bubble that is about to burst.
I'm referring to the huge amount of foreclosed mortgages, the REAL employment rate, the health care and immigration debacles.

Yes Virginia, this country is in DEEP SHIT and there is no easy way out.

[Larry Ogg]

73. What the future holds is not entirely unpredictable;

one needs only to look back at the path we have traveled, and realize we are still on the same path and headed in the same direction… Look at who is leading us and be afraid because the occupation we are now under has been a long time in the making and still not recognized as such by many and given unwarranted validity by those elected and a narcissistic population who faithfully embrace and reelect them, champions of a better promises, elite politicians who have shown their complacency with high crimes and malfeasance beyond treason.
I think you have good reason to be worried Philosoraptor, I have been putting two and two together for many years as people graze and live life in ignorant bliss. The righting is on the wall… Dark secrets of the past and present are visible to only those who choose too look at them, secrets can foretell the future, knowing enough of them can also change the future… If enough people knew them it could save the future…

[hunter]

75. Just 'cause you haven't hit the ground yet doesn't mean you are flying.

Free fall is fun, and it's almost like you are flying, but at some point you have to open your parachute.

The way things look now, the United States is going to hit the ground hard.

When you look at the core of things, we are a stupid corrupt centrally planned economy and empire much as the Soviet Union was.

[librechik]

80. Be prepared for a Dem president and 3-4 Supreme Court Openings to fill!

sure I'm worried about the next 18 months--half of them could drop dead, and then Caesar gets his pawns!

But then I realized-- there are several of those geezers who will WAIT to DIE until 09. We could actually get a liberal court in a few yearsm no matter what W did!

[annabanana]

91. This is the best post on this whole friggen thread!. . . n/t

[robertpaulsen]

83. Here's a scary scenario which fits what you call our maniacal government.

Bush To Be Dictator In A Catastrophic Emergency

The Bush administration has released a directive called the National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive. The directive released on May 9th, 2007 has gone almost unnoticed by the mainstream and alternative media. This is understandable considering the huge Ron Paul and immigration news but this story is equally as huge. In this directive, Bush declares that in the event of a “Catastrophic Emergency” the President will be entrusted with leading the activities to ensure constitutional government. The language in this directive would in effect make the President a dictator in the case of such an emergency.

The directive defines a “Catastrophic Emergency” as the following.

"Catastrophic Emergency" means any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions;

So what does this mean? This is entirely subjective and doesn’t provide any real concrete definition of what such an emergency would entail. Assuming that it means a disaster on the scale of the 9/11 attacks or Katrina, there is no question that the United States at some point in time will experience an emergency on par with either of those events. When one of those events takes place, the President will be a dictator in charge of ensuring a working constitutional government.

more...

http://www.roguegovernment.com/news.php?id=2169

[bigmonkey]

84. Arguing that there's nothing we can do helps them, not us.

In every case. You have every right to say this, but what you are doing is not waking people up, it's encouraging them to cower. The bad guys argue that what they are doing is natural and inevitable, and that's what you're saying too. They want to assert what they think is the natural order of things, called forth by their superiority to the common folk - you are saying that the very same order will be enacted because of the ineradicable, fearful, passive nature of the common folk. It's two sides of the same argument.

My suggestion is admit your fear, but wish for better.

[BlooInBloo]

86. Hell, America isn't ready for what's *already* come....

[blues90]

87. I haven't accepted what has happened , but I don;t know what will

At this point I expect the worst because this is so far what we have seen . I don;t know how to prepare for what may be coming but it certainly does not look to good .

It is amazing how little time it took to destroy this country and to get to this point , this is what being hopeful got me . I was shocked that bush even got into office in the first place and at 9/11 and then 2004 . I didn't expect jobs and the economy to be destroyed to the point where many people are in deep shit now .

It seems like once the smoke clears those who can will be able to start over and so very many have already lost all or are close to it and will have no hope . This to me is the most troubling part .

[maveric]

90. Bu$h will remain prez after 1/09. I cant see these meglomaniacal thugs giving up power.

For the past 3 years I have had the feeling that there will be another tragic event/attack and this administration will, with The Patriot Act, declare martial law and hold onto power for as long as they can. They have too much of what they have always wanted and there is much more $$$$$ to make.
Sorry to be the Doomsayer but this is what happens when fascists rule.

[greyghost]

93. A more likely scenario...

is that BushCo. goes down in history as the latter day Herbert Hoover and whomever succeeds him is left holding the bag.

They have already achieved their goals, if they attempt more of a power grab there will be blood in the streets. After all, they specialize in relatively bloodless coups.

[wildbilln864]

95. K&R!

great points as usual Philo! :hi:

[earth mom]

97. A related thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x938744

[CANDO]

102. Multiple DIRTY BOMBS............

that is what's being planned. Dog help us!