Even in the case of a "dirty bomb", most of the experts agree that duct tape and plastic sheeting would have very little value.

However, you *do* want to reduce the air exchange between the inside of your house and the outdoors, which would involve closing all the windows (obviously), shutting off your furnace, shutting off your water heater (unless it's electric), and not running any kind of vents (bathroom vents, range vents, the dryer, stuff like that). I found it odd that they told people to buy duct tape and plastic sheeting, and they didn't tell people about the other more crucial things they should be doing. The plastic would probably help if you had a house that wasn't very energy efficient, but in that case you should already have plastic on your windows anyway (at least in the winter).

The biggest problem in the event of a "dirty bomb" will be public hysteria - because the weapon itself would be fairly unlikely to cause any widespread damage. The only way to cause any significant damage at all would be in an urban area, and those are the same areas were riots and looting would be a huge problem. I think one important survival tool would be a weapon with plenty of ammo, but I suppose it wouldn't be P.C. for the government to make that suggestion.

As far as the preparedness thing goes, the things I would need to survive that sort of event are the same things I have in my house every day (water, food, home protection, flashlights, battery-powered radio, and so on) - so I'm not overly worried about it. Plus, I'm not in a target area anyway...or even downwind of one, really. Even if they set a dirty bomb off in Green Bay - which is pretty darn unlikely - there is a very small chance the fallout could make it across Lake Michigan. That is, unless it's a true nuclear device in which case we have bigger problems...

LK

 

Heh, I'm from canada so Im slightly safer then alot of you if this "potential bio/chem/nucl" warfare begins. However,

If I were to be in the states I would like to be near people like this:

Yeah, it will be pretty much impossible to get out of any major metro area if anything bad were to happen. I'm afraid the Super Duty would need some Bigfoot size tires to get outa downtown. I've always hated living in the city, especially since I grew up in the middle of Nebraska. Call me paranoid but I like the feeling of not being so close to millions of people if anything bad were to happen. This place would be total chaos, I'm just glad I have a nice collection of hunting gear to assist my leave!

I think I'd go look for Big Daddy Velvet, what would be a better way to go than with chicks, beer, guns and trucks!?



heh, even with the severity of this you guys are still optimistic, I love it,

Grab some quads/dirt bikes and go...hah I love it. tell ya what, if you make it you can stay with me I'm just north of the border into Canada


CK

 

I saw the warning for the "dirty" bomb this AM. One news guy suggested to pick a room with no windows and vents. Seal the door and remain for two hours. Sounds like we are cooking chicken. It is all so ridiculous. Talk about feel good.

If the enemies of the United States plan these attacks, and they have made it through our security, then there is nothing we will be able to do to prevent it. Living around target areas will be dangerous but the Constitution guarantees the right of protection. That is one thing that government is supposed to do.
The government officials should develop workable plans to deal with these type of atttacks. I guess they are too busy taxing us to protect us.

They put the onus back upon the citizen for his own protection and then tell them in Washington DC you can't even own and possess a gun in your own house. So they won't protect you, and they won't allow you to protect yourself, it is my idea that government has become useless to the common citizen in Washington DC.

I think if you perceive the threat to be real in your area, either move or forget about it. You will responsible for your own fate. I think the government has proved that they don't care about the average citizen's welfare so it up to each individual to protect themselves and their family.

 

I could'nt help but jump on this. What does being poor or indigent have to do with this? What makes you think that the office guy does nothing all day? Do you think that manual labor is the only work worth wages? Wealthy men help out every day by shouldering most of the tax burden in this almost socialist country, as well as providing jobs for the "poor".

I once did'nt have two nickels to rub together and I am now almost worth 7 figures. I worked hard to get here and never, ever, expected the government to give me anything back but that pittance of a Social Security check when I retired, if I ever retire.
If more people get off the expectation of the government tit to make everything right, then this country would grow more quickly, and there would be less poverty.

 

one bomb going off on american soil, especially a nuclear one, and you can goodbye to the middle east!

im just trusting in all the men and women who are out there every day and night to protect us and keep us safe. may god help them do their jobs.

 

I did not say this but I remember it all the time.



"if the desire to do something is not accompanied by the act of doing it, Then the desire was not to do it in the first place."

I saw signs of cracking in the Iraqi regime.
It takes a certain amount of BS to keep the grass green.
Fear of reprisal might keep them in line.
And then again there is no greater foe than a religious zealot who hides behind a mask of martyrdom.
He has no common sense, No respect for life.
George Bush has no easy decisions, No matter what happens he will be put down by political oponents, and those persons who would give there freedom willingly to prevent the deaths of Iraqi people.
A heavy hand is sometimes the only thing that works.
I support The president, and the troops.

 

I would like to see how many people can actually get that plastic up after they are told a dirty bomb has hit. By then it is going to be to late...unless people are going to live with that stuff up for ever.......

Problem is we don't know when or where 100% for sure an attack will happen. That's the goal of terrorist attacks. Keep people off gard and then keep them afraid.

 

I wasn't saying that all office people do nothing. I'm just saying that some are. Honestly... which do you think deserves more pay... Busting your tail in the hot sun 10+ hours a day working to lay down new highways/interstates, or answering phones all day at an office?
Im not saying that people don't earn their pay. Im just saying we should get off the subject of "I made a job for him" or "I make more I need more tax break" I think tax's should be the same no matter what you make. That way it evens out.
I don't expect a Social Securty check either, as it most likely won't be there when I'm old enough to retire anyways.
And just in case your wondering what I do for a living. I work in a facility that takes care of Mentally Challenged people. I deal with 20 guys a day making sure they get everything a "normal" person gets during the day, I take them to class's to learn, take them to work so they can earn some money, etc. I don't get paid all that much, but I think its worth it.
Anyways, just said that so you know I'm not a "Business man" or a "Blue Neck" im more of a middle man... and take no side. I just think we should all get along and drop the subject of money, and who deserves what kind of tax break. Thats what makes the US like it is... nobody wants to agree with anyone else.
Thats all for now... thats my 2 cents and my ramblings, take it for what its worth...

 

You think I might change my mind if I was poor huh? I don't think so. My net worth is still negative so I'm nowhere near rich. But I'm young, ambitious, and don't want the government trying to drag me down while I'm trying to make my own way in the world.
My wife used to do what you do for a living so I feel pretty informed on the programs. It was amazing to me how many of the people my wife worked with were dumped on the county by their parents who didn't want to pay for them. The parents were financially doing fine, driving nice cars, and came to visit the adult kids, so they didn't hate them or anything, but they left it up to the county or state to care and pay for them. They accepted no responsibility for them whatsoever.
Tell me why we have to pay for these programs for people who are fully capable of paying for their child's care themselves? I don't expect them to pay my bill at the gas pump just because I want them too.

 

Good point... I agree with you on that. But the guys I work with are not that way. They have no family. There is 1 exception and that lady comes to visit him every weekend, and she busts her tail during the week to make money. Only reason he lives there is because she has to work and cant stay home 24/7 to take care of him.
About the if you were poor thing... I understand your net worth is negative... join the club, as Im in the same boat with you.
Im not trying to start an arguement with anyone here, as I respect everyone on the FTE board.
So, how about we drop this subject, and just get back to what matters the most.... FORD TRUCKS!!!!!!!
lol well maybe its not the most important thing in the world, but its what this board is about.
Sorry if I made anyone mad, I just wanted to speak my 2 cents like everyone else.

 

Andy: Under the current tax system, if I pay more taxes than my neighbor down the road, is'nt it only logical that I stand to get a larger tax break than my neighbor? I did'nt make the system but that's how it works. Everyone gets the same percentage. I think that 90% of the taxes are paid by only 10% of the people. I would love to see a flat tax or no income tax at all. A National Sales tax would fairly distribute the tax burden among the entire population. If you are advocating tax reform, I am with ya buddy!

Answering the phones all day in the office can be way more stressful than digging ditches for the highway. And digging the ditches is way more physical. This is why they both are work.
I think you are falling for the class warfare that the Democrats in this country promote. This is an economy that is based upon capitalist principles. There will always be different income levels. I don't see widespread suffering here in America. You want to see poor, then go to Cuba, China, and N Korea. There the socialist/communist countries drain their economies of capital to redistribute the wealth to the less fortunate. It does'nt work to make a healthy economy. Our capitalist system of private investment does.

I was'nt wondering what you do for a living. It makes no difference to me. What make a difference to me is that we all participate in a system that is designed to best move America through the 21st century. This is the capitalist system.

 

No I agree with that. What I was saying is what you said... that why can't they all be equal taxes.. Either none of same across the board

 

I wonder if this whole "Iraq" and "terrorist" thing is just a big marketing ploy devised by the duct tape and plastic manufacturers????

I wonder how many people know what it would be like to "survive" a chemical or biological attack???

 

Maybe we are on to something here. Are we sure Osama or Sadam don't own stock in 3M. They produce duct tape and plastic don't they.

 

My dad is in the VA hospital (basically a nursing home) in Manchester, NH. I went to visit him on Saturday, and they had it locked down because of the alert. Everyone had to enter through the emergency entrance, and sign in and out with the police.

Granted, the NH National Guard has meetings there on weekends, but does it seem like a potential target??