I have to admit it was rather interesting to go through and read each and every comment on this post. Some fascinating viewpoints from either side, either hopium or doomium. From what I can gather, the general consensus is to be prepared regardless of what happens. Here's the interesting part: I step back in time to when I was many years younger and I remember what I thought about and how I thought about it back then, and how that has changed now. What a strange journey it has been, getting from there to here. Some things being said here I would have laughed at back then, but not now. Instead of going after everyone like I was the inspiration for Nazareth's Hair of the Dog ["now you're messing with....a son of a bitch"] I sit on the back deck, drink in hand, staring off into the distance like I'm the inspiration for the Eagles' After the Thrill Has Gone ["Time passes and you must move on, half the distance takes you twice as long..."]

Regardless of what happens, thanks to all. I guess you could say I have become wiser, and I attribute that to this board. I really don't give a shit about a lot of stuff anymore, but I have realized what I've got is good. Wife, dogs, ammo, food, generator, all the necessities, but it won't matter if 1) I can't share it with someone and 2) I can't identify my country as the US anymore. At that point what it is going to come down to is that I die fighting or I check out. One way or another, it's been one fucking hell of a ride.