SCOPE - Survivalist Coalition Of Puna & Environs?

[AlohaSteven]

"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson

This signature tagline which Hotcatz has been using gets a horse-laugh from me every time I read it! Ever so true, imho.

It also prompts me to wonder if there actually is a formal "survivalist" alliance of any sort in Puna. There sure are in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and so on ...but, quite unfortunately --in my not at all humble opinion on this topic-- there tends to also be a taint of revoltingly ignorant white supremist Nazi racism associated with the flavor of "survivalism" in those places. This is a shame, and of course need not be the case.

Of survivalism, Wikipedia sayeth:
Survivalism is a commonly used term for the preparedness strategy and subculture of individuals or groups anticipating and making preparations for future possible disruptions in local, regional or worldwide social or political order. Survivalists often prepare for this anticipated disruption by learning skills (e.g., emergency medical training), stockpiling food and water, preparing for self-defense and self-sufficiency, and/or building structures that will help them to survive or "disappear" (e.g., a survival retreat or underground shelter).

The specific preparations made by survivalists depend on the nature of the anticipated disruption(s), some of the most common scenarios being:

1. Natural disaster clusters, and patterns of apocalyptic planetary crises or Earth changes, such as Climate Change bringing on tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards, and severe thunderstorms, etc.
2. A disaster brought about by the activities of mankind: chemical spills, release of radioactive materials, war, or an oppressive government.
3. General collapse of society, resulting from the unavailability of electricity, fuel, food, and water.
4. Monetary disruption or economic collapse, stemming from monetary manipulation, hyperinflation or worldwide depression.
5. Widespread chaos, or some other unexplained apocalyptic event.

LDS families (Mormons) are supposed to maintain a year's supply of durable foodstuffs at all times; this makes all sorts of good practical sense as recent experiences with hurricane Katrina and so on have amply demonstrated. Does this mean any and all LDS folk following the self-sufficiency admonition are also survivalists because they are prepared to feed themselves in a time of disruption and crisis? I wonder what the difference, if any, is between shopping at yard sales, maintaining a stock of durable foodstuffs, and survivalism?

Wiki goes on to add:

Within pop-culture, especially in the United States, the term is also used to refer to isolationist groups, often with anti-government agendas. Pop-culture survivalism is often associated with paramilitary activity, though real world survivalism rarely includes such activities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivalism

Reading the to and fro on Punaweb it sometimes seems like many here might qualify as anti-government. I do not know, though, if shooting a rat out of a coconut tree qualifies as paramilitary activity.

On another part of the glorious rainbow spectrum from that of well-scrubbed and tightly clipped LDS lads peddling around in their black and white suits on bicycles are the shaggy, tie-dyed, patchouli oil annointed, ride-sharing Taylor Camp cadre, avowedly espousing a philosophy akin to being "not a survivalist, but a thrive-alist" (http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/07/01/f...s/lava.php), ...yet, really, I wonder, do both these crews and much else besides not all fit inside the same big Puna tent on this score?

What do you think, is there a survivalist vibe in Puna or not? Should there be: after all, there is already a civil defense network in place and on an individual, family-by-family, and neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis everyone knows exactly what to do and has full set of gear and big stockpile of durable foodstuffs ready to help not only themselves but their neighbors as well in the event of an emergency, especially a long protracted emergency, right?

Calling SCOPE (or S-COPE) to order! First item of business, please discuss what the local nature and character of survivalism in Puna might optimally be given the culture, traditions, and needs of Puna -if indeed survivalism per se should even constructively exist at all in Puna. But before totally ruling it out, just remember: "I like yard sales...All true survivalists like yard sales."




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"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."

Pres. John Adams, Scholar and Statesman


"There's a scientific reason to be concerned and there's a scientific reason to push for action. But there's no scientific reason to despair."

NASA climate analyst Gavin Schmidt

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[DickWilson]

AlaskaStevens; While I, like you don't care for the negative connotations given survivalist, I firmly believe it is everyone's responsibility to be prepared for any serious disruption of food supplies, civil services and utilities. Anyone who witnessed the abysmal performance of the government during Katrina and fails to take steps to insure their families welfare is an idiot, period. A adequate supply of non-perishable foods, emergency kits in EVERY vehicle, as well as a designate assembly point following a disaster is an absolute minimum. I would further recommend a library of appropriate technology farming and first aid books. If this makes one a"survivalist" then I guess I are one. From post on PW I would class esnap, Jwfitz, the Lack and a few others in the same class. I think basic self reliance and prior planning for a disaster should be of interest to anyone regardless of geographic location.

dick wilson

[JWFITZ]

That's very funny. I love the acronym.

There is no question that the survivalist movement of the '70s had its roots in counterculture, drugs, religion, fascism, and general ignorance. There's still a few of those around, but the "survivalist" one meets today is generally very educated, if not perhaps formally, and completely conversant in macro finance, ecological issues, political theory of multiple persuasions, resource scarcity and supply chain issues--on and on. This is why they're "survivalists." Certainly there is very little of that liberal/conservative horsesht bickering as--well, people understand the source. There are not a lot of people in Puna like that, but there certainly are some. Most, unlike myself, have the good sense to not chatter too much on web forums.

[AlohaSteven]

That's very funny. I love the acronym.

Humor is good medicine. I thought of dubbing it "US-COPE" (United Survivalist Coalition Of Puna & Environs) but SCOPE seemed more funny, maybe because "scope" means not only "Room or opportunity for free outlook or aim; space for action; amplitude of opportunity; free course or vent; liberty; range of view, intent, or action; that at which one aims; the thing or end to which the mind directs its view; that which is purposed to be reached or accomplished; hence, ultimate design, aim, or purpose" ...but also doubles as the name of a brand of mouthwash.



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"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."

Pres. John Adams, Scholar and Statesman


"There's a scientific reason to be concerned and there's a scientific reason to push for action. But there's no scientific reason to despair."

NASA climate analyst Gavin Schmidt

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[JWFITZ]

That's right, and we're desperately in need of some humor! On many fronts.

I think the majority of people I meet who are moving to Puna at the moment, especially to "Puna Mauka,"--which is rapidly becoming so culturally different than Pahoa and HPP that it's amazing--really are moving to the area to make some sort of "last stand" against what they see as a very uncertain future. There may be varying levels of certainty and urgency, but in common is certainly a acknowledgment of a reasonable possibility of societal disruption--and the possibility is high enough that real tangible action is warranted. It's a very reasonable and practical group, and SCOPE is a good term and fitting.

It's why I'm here. That much should be obvious by now.

[mella l]

Bump, I have a few ideas here but they aren't fully formed yet. Something like establishing a religion, a pagan religion that celebrates the aina and cherishes it as well. Secular Sainthood (male and female) of Sustainable Societies. Freedom from taxes and the ability to consolidate resources like equipment and maintenance of said equipment. Rather a commune type of society where each manages his own little spot, with care, and the sharing of the communal products and resources. Each has their own area of experteise to lend to the community.

Just dreaming along really to Pink Floyd, this is an interesting youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zvCUmeoHpw .

I hope we don't all have to start over from complete scratch.



mella l

[Seeb]

There are many groups in Puna involved in community disaster preparedness and response
CERT - the community emergency response team program
The local volunteer fire companies
ARES - ham radio emergency net
MRC - the medical reserve corp.
VOAD - volunteer organizations assisting in disaster ( church groups , red cross , etc . )


A co-op to buy supplies ( fire extinguishers , first aid stuff, batteries ) might be useful .

[AlohaSteven]

Wonderful to know of these organizations already in place, Seeb. If there are website links and contact info which could be posted here for these outfits, then that would be great.

Such a beautiful vision of the possible you have, mella1. The acronym "SSOSS" for the outfit you suggest is quite fitting, in an amusing way.

I have been reading James Kunstler's books The Long Emergency - Surviving the End of Oil, Climate Change, and Other Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-first Century and his novel World Made By Hand, along with S.M. Stirling's SciFi four (so far) highly entertaining novels in a series which begins with Dies The Fire. It is a bit oppressive to think of how the very worst in human nature may come to the fore in a time of protracted difficulty. Seems like there should be all sorts of ways to anticipate the worst difficulties which might befall in a challenging future and plan toward easing their impact, at least in a place as blessed as Puna, if people pull together to do so.

...Other than by practicing crossbow shooting, sword-fighting and swinging battle-axes with SCA buddies, I mean, though that may have a constructive place as well.



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"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."

Pres. John Adams, Scholar and Statesman


"There's a scientific reason to be concerned and there's a scientific reason to push for action. But there's no scientific reason to despair."

NASA climate analyst Gavin Schmidt

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[Dave M]

Yeah survival co-ops that's a heck of an idea. But I do think it's already been done. Most of you city folks would call us hicks, hillbillies and rednecks.. but when you need to know how to gut and clean a hog or build a hog trap I bet you call us sir. I do think it's a good idea, but not that original. Here's somethin for y'all to think about. Oh BTW you might want to check that pagen sht at the door if you run into these suvivilist..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4s0nzsU1Wg

Blessings,
dave

"It doesn't mean that much to me.. to mean that much to you." Neil Young

[Dave M]

Ok, I've given this some thought and I really do want this "Survival Co-op" thing to work for yous guys. Soo here's the deal, you're going to have to get the Lack and Jon.. those two, with AKSteven and Dick W. and you might have a chance at survival. Now why do you think those guys are important?

Blessings,
dave

"It doesn't mean that much to me.. to mean that much to you." Neil Young