[Duncan] Hunter, a California Republican [Congressman] and former Marine Major, told Fox News Channel’s Greta Van Susteren on Tuesday that Border Patrol agents have captured Islamic State in Iraq and Syria militants trying to get into Texas from Mexico.” – NY Daily News
Political publicity stunt? National security info leak? Who knows if this is true, no evidence was provided by the Congressman in this FOX TV interview.
But we don’t need build plans to hedge the risk of the possibility of terrorism on U.S. soil do we? We know that terrorism happens, and we are at war with a terror group in the Middle East. It seems only logical that they may be coming to America to destabilize their enemy.
What to do?
The best hedge against destabilization is to build self-reliance. While in truly hard times it’s the community that must become resilient, the number one thing you have direct control over is your own life.
- Downsize your own areas of responsibility; this can be your whole house or how you live in it. Possessions can be a prison, logistically speaking, so learn to live with as little as possible. Learn to think like an ultralight backpacker, that carriers just the minimal for survival.
- Build a buffer for daily consumables. If supply chains are disrupted these items are the first things to go missing. These can be things like electricity, gasoline, medicines, food, and water. You don’t need to build a cache of this stuff, just reduce your need for it – that’s building a hedge – because when any of these items go missing they can have their own destabilizing affect. A buffer, even a plan on living without them, keeps you on firm ground longer.
- Reduce your reliance on external systems and services like utilities, police, medical, and fire. This could simply mean building a small solar recharging station, improving the locks on your home, learning a bit of first aid, and reducing your homes exposure to fire.
- Monitor for destabilization. Most folks will only recognize a destabilizing event after it has happened. While nobody can predict the future, everyone can see trends and build hedges against risk.
Preparing for uncertainty is not something best done out of fear. Nothing but running from an immediate threat, like a bear, is best done out of fear. Building resilience is like buying insurance but better; unlike insurance you never give your money away. Everything you do to reduce your exposure to risk and build your own self-reliance stays in your pocket – available to use (and replace) when times are good or rely-on when times are bad.
Corporations build business continuity plans for dealing with uncertainties. The best time to build these plans is when everything is running smoothly. These plans are not designed to address every threat, but focus on backup plans for key business units and functions in order to continue doing business during any destabilizing event.
So all I’m suggesting is that you consider building a Life Continuity Plan with the focus on your own personal safety and well-being. Look at the key areas of your life that need to stay operational no matter the external disruption, and build hedges for them.