We have heard much talk of "war" lately. If it comes to that, How do you think that will affect our "homestead" lifestyles?

If you remember or have heard - victory gardens came out of WWII. Gas and other items rationed. The work force of the United States became huge to support he war effort, with women taking up major roles. Recycleing was done on a massive scale.

If we go to "war" how do you think it will affect you as a homesteader?

-- Tom S. (trdsshepard@yahoo.com), September 18, 2001

Answers

I don't think it will be the type of wars we have seen in the past. On the beaches in the trenches type of war. With the countries all working together I really believe these terrible people will be "squeezed" out in the open for punishment. But what concerns me, is that even if you get the leader of this group, being they are radical and have been brought up in the war mentality that another "nut" leader will just take over. Not very positive thinking I suppose ?? The way of life for us....as usual the price of gas will go sky high...even if the weather changes it seems to make a different in the gas prices. I don't believe it will be like before with rations and all. How did the Vietnam war affect are lives.?? Unless we were personally involved I don't remember newly married that anything really changed in lifestyles back then. My only concern was that my husband wouldn't be drafted during that time...which thankfully he was not. Class reunions I had stopped going to because so many of my high school friends were killed in that war. I remember people saying during that time that it was the poor white boys and blacks that fought that war because if you were in college you didn't get sent. Don't really know how much truth there was in that though. I guess having your own homestead and knowing that you could provide reasonably well for yourself would be a good feeling during this time. With finding these killers it might just be more of a "James Bond" type of war...with spies and all. I have a son-in-law in the Army and during all of this his military work has not changed at all for him. I guess it depends what you all do in the service at this time too. Seems like mostly National Guards are taking on the load. I do think that now we will realize how our military has been neglected during the past administration and that we do still need to keep up in spending of our weapons for defense. I had heard that they need mechanics for the aging bombers to keep them flying....makes you think doesn't it ?? We have become a nation of self thinking people I'm afraid and perhaps this will make us consider each others lives a little more seriously. Each of us affects someone else down the road...like ripples in a bucket of water. You might not know that person but you do have some affect on them. If you don't show up for work...does your paperwork not get done...someones insurance check doesn't get sent on time..their house payment is late and so on. You get the idea. If nothing else comes out of this and we only learn to care for each other a little more America will be the better for it.

-- Helena (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), September 18, 2001.

It will turn our little recession into a very real depression, you think the stock market is in the toilet now? Wait till we have been fighting a ground war for 5 or 8 years, watching money constantly going to be funnelled into overseas operations, never to return. Oh, sure defense contract stuff will be up, but nothing else, the business world as we are used to will be dealt a constricting blow as most of our GNP becomes tied up with the machinery of war.

Those in the country and reasonably self-sufficient will be the least afffected, and those elsewhere will have a hard time of it in various ways.

How will it affect me as a homesteader? Instead of having one bulk fuel tank of gas and diesel, we will have two or three, fuel is one thing that always goes up ( but is the cheapest to buy in June)in ground wars, also will keep extra parts and tires and such for all vehicles and farm machinery. No extra expenses incured at all, the farm will be paid for in 4 1/2 years, then we won't have to "sweat it" so much then. We have no installment loans or outstanding debt anywhere else.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), September 18, 2001.

Self-reliant homesteaders will be the least affected because they don't live in the cities, where the attacks, shortages, price hikes, hysteria, etc. will be, and because homesteaders have reserves of food and the means to make more. Cities are targets.

-- gita (gschmitz@directcon.net), September 18, 2001.

I think that the biggest thing that will affect me is probably watching my nephews go off to war and may never see them alive again. I take them fishing, hunting, and camping with me all the time. I do this cause their parents are not into fishing and hunting. I've treated them like they were my own boys maybe because I don't have any boys of my own (all daughters). They are all teenagers now with the oldest one at 16 years. So if this turns out to be a long going war than they will probably be in it. Missing a few meals, no money to spend or nothing to buy will not affect me as much as watching my nephews leave.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), September 18, 2001.

I hear you, r.h. My son, who wouldnt hurt a flea, he is so gentle- natured, is 15. I HOPE this war is over before he is 18. I am almost glad for his horrendously flat feet. But I know he would be itching for a non-combatant position. And I would support him in it.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), September 18, 2001.

I was talking to other mothers the other day, and we were wondering, if a draft comes, if the girls will be drafted too? As bad as it seems to have the boys going off to war, somehow (to me, who doesn't even think women ought to be in the military in combatant positions) it seems absolutely horrible to think of the young girls going off to war. My middle daughter (23 and a teacher) said she would go if it were necessary, though. (Oldest is married, has 2 babies and is expecting so she wouldn't go anyway, and youngest is severely mentally handicapped.)

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), September 18, 2001.

Way to go Russell . . . we need more people like you helping to keep hunting going for our young people. My dad, although he enjoyed shooting targets, never really enjoyed hunting. He never stopped my brother and I from going for it, taking us out when we were young, and supervising our efforts. My uncle, who was a big time hunter, always encouraged us in our efforts. Thank you, Tio and thank you Russell for your efforts.

One question though . . . are you sure that one or more of your daughters don't like the idea of hunting? My wife, brought up in the country but who never hunted before, is becoming a hunter in her own right. She HATES getting up early, and cold wet weather (YEAH!) even more so, but she goes hunting with me; even killed her first doe the first time she went out. She tells me she wants to keep me company, and wants to be there for the processing of the venison (tells me I don't have enough patience . . . who me?). I know people who bring their daughters out to deer camp. I also hear that most of them are very good shots too.

Make an invite . . . you might be surprised at the reply. Even if they choose to decline, at least they know you were interested in sharing more of your life with them.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), September 18, 2001.

No one wants to see their sons or daughters sent off to war. I have sons and it would be devastating to lose one of them in combat. However, how many parents saw their sons killed in previous wars? If it were not for them, we would not be the great nation that we are. I would much rather lose a child as a hero than have them live as a coward! This life is only for a few years anyway and then we move on to the next life, hopefully with our heavenly Father.

-- ugly (here@home.com), September 18, 2001.

Kathleen, as it stands now, only young men are required to register for selective service. As with any parent, my greatest concern is having a 21 year old son right now.

So far as institution of a draft goes, I don't anticipate it. This situation is far from a conventional war wherein the enemy has fixed assets to destroy, occupy and claim (the primary goals of ground troops). If we go to a more conventional war against a nation with such assets, I still don't anticipate a draft for quite a few years, if ever. The current state of the domestic economy is the reason. As joblessness increases here, entering the military becomes a more viable option for many. As that happens the need for a draft is diminished.

While I like to think I base all of that thinking on logic and reason, I know in my heart of hearts that, being a father of a draft age son, I certainly hope and pray I'm right.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), September 18, 2001.

My 2 cents.

I think the war will be similar to the Gulf War without a lot of the ground troops. On the Talaban, they made a big show of marching troops and tanks. Guess they didn't see the gulf war. Warthog pilots and Apache pilots must be licking their chops. I think a blizt similar to the air war in Iraq would so weaken the Talaban, that the Norther faction would be able to take over the country. Problem solved.

Next Iraq. Just finish the Gulf war. Problem solved.

We would be well on our way to convincing the host cowards, to asking their un-invited guests to move on.

It is one thing to say it, and another to do it. It is very easy to say it, being 55 years old and not having to go do it. That is why I pray that when we go, we are prepared to go all the way.......one last time.

-- Rickstir (rpowell@email.ccis.edu), September 18, 2001.

There have been a lot of women in the military, and there will be a lot more. Should they go into battle? Equal rights also mean equal risks. Should there be exemptions for those with children under a certain age? Perhaps, but people die every day, in all sorts of ways. You are *far* more likely to die in some sort of car crash (probably alcohol-related, which is even worse). To a child, a lost parent is a lost parent. Besides, there is no such thing as "the rear" anymore.

I think people will learn to live on less--but, we now have technology which in many cases cuts travel costs drastically. Fewer trips to the Post Office (I never leave outgoing mail in my mail box) because of paying utility bills with credit cards. Direct deposit/ATMs--fewer trips to the bank. Maybe the grocery delivery services will now make a comeback--I would use one in a minute if it were in my area--buy enough, stick to your list, and the delivery charge is negligible. And everyone knows that mail order, now even faster through the internet, has nearly always been cheaper in time, money, and energy, than going to the store yourself. 50 people in 50 cars or 50 packages in ONE truck--think about it.

Finally, I think it is 'way past time (we should have begun this during the FIRST oil embargo) we became completely self-sufficient as a nation--by growing our own energy, massively recycling, using industrial hemp for paper products in order to save timber for more important uses. I remember reading back in junior high, about someone who took an old VW Bug, put airplane tires on it, removed the windshield, roof, and bumpers, put the engine on its side and got 100 mpg. Unfortunately, something like that is not legal to drive on our roads, but you can ride a motorcycle--go figure!

Part of the reason we don't get such great fuel economy is that almost all new vehicles come with power everything, and this and that safety device. All this stuff adds weight and lowers fuel economy. Also, you see the new hybrid cars, but they aren't made for families--they are made for one or two people (and very small people at that). If there were a fuel-efficient van or truck available, I'd buy it. We could easily ratchet up our fuel economy as a nation.

When we send troops anywhere, it should be for the right reasons, NOT for corporate concerns, not for oil, etc., etc. Most of the past recents wars and skirmishes have been directly or indirectly over oil. That is plain wrong.

We can be self-sufficient as a nation--maybe our political leaders will finally get the message.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), September 18, 2001.

My thought(s)

I have been learning and watching this forum for a few months now. I don't have the farm animals, garden and such..yet! Only a few dogs. Watching and learning the farming tricks and trade from this forum and all you knowlegable folks, Thanks, so much for this forum "family" and all you kind, sharing experienced folks!! I do have 3 sons, youngest turning 18 this Oct. one 20 yr. old and oldest 26 yrs. old. My daughter, 25 has 2 young babies, so hopefully she would be exempt. As I was wondering too if the draft will go back into effect or not, my oldest son just told me (day of disaster) he wants to go and enlist if he can. My heart fell, then filled with pride. What an emotional roller coaster! I also have decided the time is NOW to get my hinny outside and kick off what I am learning from reading this forum and get things started around here on this 2 acres. Original plan was to start this spring, but this horrific matter has changed my plans. I called myself recyling until I found this forum and I have discovered many more ways to do so much more. I feel this "new type war" will have effects. My heart still with the victims and families.

Just my thoughts turned into an action, Debb LA/MS

-- Debb LA/MS (fly45@bellsouth.net), September 18, 2001.

For many years we have been hearing and seeing reports of wars and civil wars of that region of the world. These people are the crudest on earth, I have viewed video of thier torture. They cut of hand and other body parts with out hesitation to get what they want. I watched in horror as they slit the throat of teenage solders and beheaded others with an ax in the field. You do not want your sons and daughters to fall into these peoples hands. Our only real option is to form an international antiterrorism police force to hunt them down and thwart thier efforts. Or nuke them.

-- Del (dgrinolds@gvtel.com), September 18, 2001.

I am sorry after reading some of the posts on this thread I got off of the original thought. I think gardening and other homesteading activities will be even more needed now. I have encouraged my coworkers since before Y2K to garden and be more independant. It's our interdepenace that allows some one to bomb a couple of buildings and criple our economy.

-- Del Grinolds (dgrinolds@gvtel.com), September 18, 2001.

Ugly,I'm confused. Were you quoting from the Taliban point of view ??

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), September 18, 2001.

Hey j.r. I have started taking my oldest daughter hunting. We went squirrel hunting a couple of times last year and she can't wait to go again this year. I might need to tell you that she has just turn 7 this last month. She has been getting out and practicing with her bow whenever I practice with mine. So I think she will be a bowhunter when she gets to where she can pull a bigger bow back. She plans on doing a lot of squirrel hunting and wants to accompany me on a deer hunt this year also. Also I take young fatherless boys from my church squirrel hunting. In fact I have a squirrel hunt planned this next Sunday after morning services with two boys.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), September 18, 2001.

I am not sure we have a war to compare to what is coming. It is going to be of a type we cannot imagine right now. No one is going to hear about anything until an attack is either over or well underway. And there are going to be events we will not hear of at all because of the secret information there happening may reveal.

Our economy can go two ways. It could get worse. And, it could get better. It was WWII that brought our country out of the Great Depression. Many say that if people don't 'buy' the economy will go south but who bought during WWII? The economy may change to a less luxury minded type. So, that issue is still "up in the air".

There are things we are going to have to adjust to: 4 hour waits at airports, etc. And there are things we may have to do without. But, as a homesteader, we may find that more people plant gardens, recycle better, don't throw out so fast, and conserve a little more. All this may show the rest of the country we just aren't to "strange" after all.

-- Chris (CLMngs@aol.com), September 19, 2001.

I agree that the price of gas will go sky-high. I have horses and I wish I had a buggy--the Amish we see around here have a great idea!

I also worry about my 21-year-old son and my 15-year-old son. Does any one know if it is true that if you only have one son, he can't be drafted or is that an old rumor from the 70's? My 21-year-old is in the Arkansas National Guard and has been trained as a weapons mechanic on F16s and such, went to school three months last year in Wichita Falls. So I imagine any day now he will get the call. It is so hard to be a mother of sons in this day and time. My 15-year-old was premature and has ADHD. Does that disqualify him from being drafted? Appreciate answers.

-- Shauna Rowan (shamelesscowgirl2001@yahoo.com), September 21, 2001.

Time to massively reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Debb, fall is the time to start prepping soil for a new garden.

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), September 21, 2001.

What Joy said. Get yourself a job in an industry that can survive tough economic times. Or have a business (small engine repair, food production, etc.) that you will have a demand for. I am hustling for a job within walking distance (still a long ways, but I hike a lot.) The pay is pretty low, but I will get benefits (med, dental, etc.) I would have to walk a busy road to get there, but if there's a gas shortage, there won't be so many cars out. I live out here where just the mention of laying off 20-30 thousand Boeing workers has sent a BIG shudder through our local economy. By spring LOTS of people will be looking for any job they can get. We're set up fairly well, economically, but we still have a small mortgage and critters to feed and we don't want to go backwards any more than we have to.

Be flexible. Just try thinking ahead and hedging your bets. And get your spring garden prepped like Joy said. Better yet, get a fall one in, if you live in a climate that permits that.

But don't get too worried. It's a psychological "war" more than anything else at this point. Keep your chins up (especially those of us with multiple chins...) :-)

-- sheepish (the_original_sheepish@hotmail.com), September 21, 2001.