An examination of Katrina will show you clearly how bad things can get when you don't do anything at all.....
Which part?
What I later saw on the news about Katrina (we were out of communications for 8 weeks-- no TV), it seems that the vast majority of the firearms issues of Katrina fell into one of two categories:
1. Problems WITH the government TAKING firearms.
2. A very small percentage of thugs who decided to actually shoot at the emergency workers.
In problem 1, the lesson has been learned-- both by the populate and the LEO community. I hope it sticks.
In problem 2, I fail to see how a neighborhood militia/watch/whatever would have prevented it. It reminds me of the story of the frog and the scorpion.
The scorpion promises that he will not sting the frog if he will get him across a river. Halfway across the scorpion stings the frog. The frog asks why did he do it since now both of them will die. The scorpion responds "I know, but I am a scorpion. Its what I do."
The caliber of person who was shooting at emergency workers is going to do what they are going to do. NOTHING is going to prevent that. You just deal with it as it comes up.
The VAST majority of the "firearms-oriented" benefit was for families who needed to protect their property from being stolen from looters. Again, a militia is useless here. Why? Because 100% of the "militia" has to protect their OWN homes and properties.
If you were to spread a force out to protect that many homes, you end up with the EXACT same thing as families taking care of themselves without the need for a militia. It is a simple mathimatical dispersion.
But....
As I've said on numerous threads, during Katrina, we didn't sit around being rows of sandbags with our rifles waiting for a frontal assault.
My father-in-law and I spent our days doing the following:
- Cutting trees.
- Dragging off trees.
- Cooking food that would thaw in the freezers
- Procurring fuel
- Delivering food and water to elderly
- Delivering fuel to outside family (my parents)
- Boarding windows
- Fixing weatherheads
My wife and Mother-in-Law spent the day:
- Cleaning the home
- Caring for young children
- Keeping young children from being so bored.
- Planning meals
- Washing clothes
Obviously, you can see that there wasn't a lot of time to play soldier. Now, there WAS need for firearms when we had looting attempts 3 times. But that was at night when everyone was at home.
We never left the home unguarded, but at the same time, we all had work to do.
In short, in OUR case, everyone in the community had too much to take care of in thier OWN homes to go out and do militia work.
My observations showed that any "organized" efforts developed from natural synergies and connections.
For instance, most would not expect someone to be concerned about a neighborhood 20 miles away. But My mother and father were there. My house was there-- even though I could not get to it. Because of this, I spent every other day in a community 20 miles away making rounds and checking on elderly family friends. Soon, they could expect to see me every 48 hours, and they would have lists of things that they needed for me to procure in my dealings.
I'd let them know in advance when I was planning a trip to Baton Rouge for supplies, and they would let the word out. Sometimes, I'd show up at a house, and representatives of 4 or 5 families would be there with requests and payment if they were able to.
But this all came about from the natural family, church, and community connections.
That, in my opinion, is the extent of any ability to organize during a Katrina-like situation.
I'll end with this observation that I hope some will remember....
Do NOT thing that "No News is Good News" with elderly neighbors. The elderly rarely want to be seen as a "burden" and will not let you know if they are doing without. Just showing up and saying "Hi" will not prompt many to let you know they are suffering. Ask questions. Use your eyes. Offer your help.
If you show that you are genuinely concerned, you will find the real story. We had a couple elderly people in our community who tended to not stock much food-- since they were only eating for the two of them. They ran out rather quickly, but no one knew until my father considered this and went to check it out.
The same happened with me and one of my Father-in-Law's neighbors. She was a widow who stocked very little. But she was so proud that she would never say that she was in need. My Father-in-Law refused to take "No" for an answer and we eventually "adopted" her for the duration of the crisis.
Those are the people who will need the help of the young and able and likely have earned the right to expect it-- even if they don't see it that way.
At any rate, I hope this adds something to the thread.
-- John
(end sarcasm)
