I just read an article about some nutso suvivalist blog

[Union Label]

I thought they were all dead and buried or stuck somewhere back in the mountains fucking sheep. :evilgrin:

With oil and food prices reaching all-time highs and food riots breaking out in the global south, a bit of good old-fashioned end-is-nighism is creeping into our popular culture.

It hit me when I read a report in The New York Sun -- the one I blogged about -- making the startling claim that food rationing has begun in places like New York City and Silicon Valley.

The article itself, weakly sourced and tentative, didn't really worry me. What did was the casual way the reporter leaned on a fellow by the name of James Rawles, who runs a blog called SurvivalBlog, as an authority. A survivalist? You mean the guys who have been pining for "societal collapse" since the 1970s and stocking up on firearms (and Chuck Norris DVDs) ever since?

As we head into undeniably shaky economic and ecological times, I find the survivalist line of thinking crudely individualistic and repugnant -- the sort thing that actually could sink a fragile society.
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/4/22/17266/0477

[HereSince1628]

1. Curious thing ...

In the little neighborhood grocery store in this 'elitist' neighborhood just west of the 'hood they are sold out of flour.

Could be a coincidence or it could be my 'elitist' neighbors are putting up more than duck tape and tuna!

[orleans]

7. i don't know what i would do with flour?

make gravy?

[Dogtown]

2. (and Chuck Norris DVDs)

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[lapfog_1]

3. Sam's Club is limiting the amount of rice you can buy. - n/t

[Union Label]

4. Oh please don't tell me that your going to start stocking up on #10 cans?

:evilgrin: Now alcohol and certain herbs I could see. :toast: :smoke:

[lapfog_1]

12. Nope, I figure if there is a true and sustained food shortage,

as in their isn't enough food to feed the world (and by a lot), then it doesn't matter if I "stock up" or not. If hungry people show up at my door... would I not feed them? And what would happen if I didn't? I don't want to go there.

[Speck Tater]

5. SurvivalBlog is NOT nutso.

And we are in the early stages of some VERY hard times globally.

Food riots are are spreading all over the world. Major rice exporting nations are cutting off exports. Australia's severe drought continues, and wheat prices are going through the roof. U.S. supplies of Rye flour will be gone in a few months. Food stockpiles are at their lowest point in modern history.

Hard times are coming, and anyone who is paying attention would be a fool to NOT give some thought to the food security of their own family and community. Things are getting very grim, and there's no light at the end of the tunnel yet.

Some sources to check out:
http://www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/agriculture/index.asp
http://sharonastyk.com/2008/04/22/we-regret-to-inform-you/
http://sharonastyk.com/2008/04/06/seven-fat-cows-seven-thin-cows-hoarding-and-storing-the-seeds-of-deliverance/
http://nysun.com/news/food-rationing-confronts-breadbasket-world
http://www.energybulletin.net/
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/RunningOnEmpty2/

[Union Label]

6. The guy that writes that crap is right-wing fascist

So no thanks, SurvivalBlog is a nutso training ground.

[aquart]

9. Yes. But Fiziwig is right about what's here and what's coming.

[elehhhhna]

10. too bad those GM seeds yield smaller crops, huh?

[orleans]

8. reminds me--i need to go to the grocery store. i'm out of milk

and low on bread. oh yeah, and completely out of raspberry jam. gotta get more of that.

[XemaSab]

11. Hope you enjoy spending 20 bucks

for three items that a year ago would have cost you 10. :P

[orleans]

13. nah...not 20

although i haven't gotten off my ass to go yet

milk (non organic w/hormones) under 4
bread (going for the cheap--wonder or something) under 3
jam (i forget--i usually buy on sale and stock up) around 4

i bet it's under 12 or 13...we'll see...
i'm going out later for it
(i'll let you know--if i remember)