EMERGENCY RISK REDUCTION

I’m continuing a discussion that began with…of all things…my car not starting! While changing out the starter in my Honda, I began thinking of the fragility of the western lifestyle, and dependence on our tools, such as the automobile.  As if we don’t have enough of an issue with ‘planned obsolescence’, overly complicated machines, or impossible-to-understand communications platforms…we also have to contend with other countries, cultures, or countries that ‘hate the west’ — and have said publicly that their goal is our destruction.

I am convinced that the most attractive weapon to use against a western nation is the Electro-magnetic Pulse (EMP). In mentioned in the last blog, this is doable today by several ‘rogue’ nations, such as North Korea. This is why serious negotiations to reach terms that eliminate ballistic missiles and intercontinental launch systems, including verification means, is important. However, past ‘agreements’ have been fraught with holes, so I hold out little hope.

The EMP is the ‘perfect weapon’ because it’s within the low budget of a poor country. It requires no sophisticated launch or guidance system. A third advantage is that it does not directly harm humans. Only indirectly. Unlike other “mass destruction” weapons, the EMP won’t immediately kill. The madman mastermind behind could wait until citizens in the target country turn on each other and self-destruct out of desperation for the necessities — food, water, heat, shelter, light… This includes the US or Canada. I have previously blogged about this.

I won’t go into preparedness measures here, but a quick internet search will give both a short and a long list of suggestions.  Better yet, think pragmatically and ask simply:  What if power at my home or business was cut tomorrow? What backups do I have?  Do I have water, and a renewable supply? Enough dried or canned food?  Heat, cooking, and lighting? You might think of kerosene, which I consider the “go-to” miracle fuel for emergencies.  It’s not fancy, but proven around the world, and over many centuries of use. Your mindset should be: “My family and I have just been catapulted back into the 19^th century.  What now?”

Quite honestly, I am surprised an EMP has not yet been attempted.  Governments speak of ‘hardening’ their infrastructures, but this is far from happening. Once again, we as individuals and family members must prepare without any expectation of government — for this and other extreme emergencies. Let’s take this window to do some practical ways to ‘harden’ the infrastructure upon which we depend. Together, we can make it through.

Thanks for reading.