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With the Coronavirus sweeping the globe, we are beginning to see some fundamental changes to our daily lives. Towns are shut down, and roads are empty. In many places, there have been orders to stay indoors under the penalty of law.
Without so much as a vote, we have seen a portion of the bill of rights disappear overnight. Freedom of assembly, travel, and association are gone. Meaningless if they can be so readily taken away.
We have all witnessed just how fast things can change when society feels itself in danger. The order of things, the world we thought unchangeable, shifted under our feet in a matter of weeks.
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Now we have to ask ourselves some questions:
- Can I trust the government to protect the health of my family?
- Just how much power are we willing to give the government?
- Are we sure the government will give that power back?
And finally,
- Is this stage part of martial law, or will it become martial law?
Today we are going to focus on that final question. In this article, we will be taking a look at the Coronavirus situation, the possibility of martial law in the United States, and how you can begin to prepare yourself.
CoronaVirus and the United States
We can already see that as soon as danger arrives, our rights begin to disappear. With the exponential rise of the Coronavirus, we see states and counties (including my home county here in Sonoma) begin to enforce mandatory curfews and quarantines.
I am not allowed to leave my house unless it is “essential business,” or it is a misdemeanor. Within a week, we have violated some of our fundamental constitutional rights of freedom of movement and association. We have also enacted the Defense Production Act, something made for a war, that gives our government immense control over our economy.
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You can argue whether or not these decisions are the right thing to do during a pandemic. Many people would argue that without these drastic measures, Coronavirus could spread faster and kill more people, and they’re probably right.
Still, one thing is undeniable, our government has gained immense power over us in the last month, and if history is any way to gauge current events, we have never been closer to a totalitarian takeover by groups claiming to have our best interests at heart.
Martial Law in The United States
Newsweek put out a great article this week that lays out how the US government would start this process. According to the report:
“Standby orders were issued more than three weeks ago to ready these plans, not just to protect Washington but also to prepare for the possibility of some form of martial law… The various plans — codenamed Octagon, Freejack, and Zodiac – are the underground laws to ensure government continuity. They are so secret that under these extraordinary plans, “devolution” could circumvent the normal Constitutional provisions for government succession, and military commanders could be placed in control around America.”
This isn’t some conspiracy theory nonsense. This is for real, and you need to start considering the ramifications.
And for the record, it has happened before in a limited sense. The United States has seen variations of Martial law in 1892, 1906, 1914, 1920, 1921, 1934, 1941 to 1944 in Hawaii, and in 1961. Also, during Hurricane Katrina.
An important note: General Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy is the “combatant commander” for the United States. He would be in charge if Washington were put down.
Our Federal Military
Think of it this way: the U.S. Marine Corps is around 186,000. It is estimated that there are roughly 120,000 full-time law enforcement officers working for the various federal agencies. These “agents” are their own military branch operating within US borders.
As a former Marine, I’m not as worried about Lance Corporal Joe Schmo being used effectively against the people of Texas. The chances of sending someone against their home area is too likely in such a diverse force. More likely, the active military will be stationed far away while the feds take over.
They may try things like using the Texas National Guard in California and Vice-versa to try and limit personal issues. This would give the martial law forces many more boots on the ground for simple tasks like road checkpoints, while the agents conduct more dramatic operations.
I worked with many federal agents in the past, and many are good people. Still, you need only look at the track record of many of these organizations to see it is well within their operating procedures to act against the people if they think it is for the greater good, or simply on behalf of the law.
What is Martial Law?
Martial law is the takeover of normal civilian functions by a direct military government, often in response to a temporary emergency such as invasion or major disaster, or in occupied territory. While it isn’t always malicious, it is always totalitarian by nature.
In some cases, the populace may not even be fully aware of what happened. In Thailand, they’ve had dozens of military coups in the last century, and for the most part, the people are led to believe they were all necessary or for their own good—if they noticed at all.
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The soldiers on the streets are for your protection, not to oppress you, they will say.
It may even be true that the government wants to help, in the beginning. But the one thing that the government never does easily is relinquish power. Once the takeover has begun, there is a chance it won’t end. Human history plays this out time and again. Every totalitarian regime in history has ridden the back of tragedy into power.
The term ‘dictator’ actually comes from Rome; it was a ‘temporary’ position granted to a man when the populace faced total destruction from an enemy. It worked a couple of times. Of course, Caesar was made dictator for life, and thus ended the Republic.
Preparing for Martial Law
There are a few things you can say for certain will follow with a serious military takeover that means to fundamentally change the way we live life.
- Curfews and limits on movement.
- Confiscation of Weapons.
- Possible Confiscation of Drugs, Medicines, and Foodstuffs.
- Media Censorship and restrictions.
- Mass Surveillance.
Finding ways to circumvent these may be necessary. Once you can no longer feed or defend yourself, they have all but won. Luckily, Urban Survival Site is full of tips to help you source your own food, shelter, and water.
The other parts are a bit more complicated. If you have weapons listed in databases, they may come for them one day. You might accidentally lose them somewhere (so they can turn up again when the time is right) or figure out some other means of securing your own household protection when the confiscations hit.
- Keep your weapons hidden and unlisted. Lose them.
- The same goes for food, vehicles, water, medicine, etc. You need to keep these items out of sight and unclaimable.
- Don’t talk about your preparations with others, keep a low profile, and avoid looking militaristic. Blend in, become the Gray Man.
- Learn about how Martial Law works. Some of the best texts on this topic come from the collected documents released by the CIA titled Preparing for Martial Law: Through the Eyes of Colonel Ryszard Kuklinski that were written during the 1980-81 planning and implementation of martial law in Poland.
- Avoid unnecessary travel. Checkpoints will be danger points that will put you into contact with authorities, drawing attention to yourself. Even a small accident may get your name in the system, and who knows what list you’ve been put on.
- Publicly support the new regime but don’t draw attention to yourself (more on this in the next section).
Hearts and Minds
Be the perfect citizen in public. The more you plan to break the rules, the more you need to look like someone who would never do such a thing. Publicly support the new regime, but don’t draw attention to yourself.
Publicly supporting the regime may even get you access to areas where you can gather helpful info—but it can also make your neighbors resentful. Similar to the way the Taliban infiltrated our local Afghan forces regularly to undermine our power there.
At the same time, keep in mind that many people will be paid informants. You need to be very careful with who you can trust—many people may truly think they are doing the moral thing by helping the military government.
Remember, these dark times will look more like the Syrian civil war than the Empire versus the Rebels in Star Wars -good guys and bad guys won’t be obvious to all. Good luck out there!
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Martial law is scary! Hide your food,medicine,and guns if you have them! It’s coming and quicker than anyone thinks. Be prepared! Have a place to hide if you have to. Tools for freedom magazine has been warning people for years about martial law and how to prepare for it! The magazine is a wealth of true and reliable information on what is going to happen! Everything from the collapse of the dollar to prisons below Wall mart in every state which will be used to house people that don’t tow the line. Go to tools for freedom.com. you can also order a booklet where all these prisons are located so be pprepared!
Prisons below Walmart in every state? That is just ignorant. They’re built on poured slabs. Basements would require excavation and that would be very obvious.
You just might be surprised at how many Walmarts actually have basements.
When I hear about ” Trickle down economics” ; it reminds me of a quote I once heard in a movie:
DON’T PISS ON MY BACK AND TELL ME IT’S RAINING
That’s a Republican concept!!! Don’t believe them. They will be the ones to actually do this!!! If they warn about something it’s what they plan!
Can anyone describe A realistic situation that Can happen in the U.S. That will justify declaring martial law nation wide?
1) When the stock market crashed back in the 1930’s; it did not happen.
2) when 9-11 happened; it did not happen.
3) The U.S. Dollar is the #1 currency used to purchase stuff world wide(legally or illegally).
4) The Chinese Govt. has bought Millions of U.S. treasury notes. If our Fed. Govt. gets wiped out; their investment gets destroyed.
5) Can some one name a terrorist group that can execute a 9-11 magnitude terrorist attack on the U.S. right now?
6) Do Zombies really Exist?
7) Is there any terrorist group or nation that SERIOUSLY invade the U.S. ?
Heaven help us! It looks like this is gonna happen. May God have mercy on our souls.
You obviously have a very dim view of the intelligence of soldiers sending the Texas Guard to California yep that would work really well in fact any central states Guard would love to kick the crap out of those nation destroying but holes that make up California but it doesn’t require the intellect of Kreskin to figure.
If we’re going there Who’s coming to deal with my father mother wife and kids.
Hell no We’re staying here to defend TEXAS screw California let it sink my oath is to texas thanks and goodbye.
If every single law enforcement officer in America including the FBI (although that would be a bad idea given their social standing these days) were gathered as one force they could not contain 1 medium sized city the restrictions that are currently employed in this country are only possible with the consent of those restricted.
It’s like if they tried confiscating guns first they take down the internet and cellphones then start going to homes they may get 10 to 20 homes before their first fire fight probably they’ll have gunfire in the first 5 homes but by the end of the day you’d have no law enforcement officers standing and open Armed rebellion in that first city and the news would spread like greased bat poop you just lost a whole country.
As soon as the Teas guard took to the street it takes one mother to say yep and they sent my son to Texas now you have a whole state guard unit on their way back to Texas.
I understand that it is easy to assume that everyone in America is slow witted but you’d be surprised just how smart they are yes you have the sheeple who would line up to get into the cattle trucks because they are cowards but America has way too many HELL NO ears so dont push this crap.
There’s already unrest from state to state. Florida wanted New York quarantined against the New York governor’s wishes, because the Florida governor was saying the virus was increasing drastically because people from New York were fleeing to Florida. I’ll be the grey “woman”. This whole virus seems so random by hit and miss on some and not others. I may be totally wrong in thinking this, but sometimes I think there’s more to this virus thing than is being reported. Maybe not, but it just seems that way to me.
Well, it is different, by age and by other factors. COVID-19 is much more dangerous for the older population and for people with weakened immune systems. Other co-morbidities include heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and chronic health disorders. As the fall approaches and opens the influenza season, we need to ensure we get a flu shot so we don’t weaken our family’s health by falling prey to the seasonal flu. Thankfully it seems we have no shortage of flu vaccine as we wait for a COVID-19 vaccine to emerge from human trials.
While Martial Law is certainly a possibility, at this point I don’t see it as a probability. Like it or not, we are in a serious health crisis that has taken many, many lives already. As a veteran and retired police officer, I’m normally skeptical of anything coming from D.C. However, there is a duty of government to protect our citizens as much as humanly possible. Again, like it or not, there are some among us who scoff at their responsibility to NOT endanger the rest of us by claiming their rights as listed above. I would remind you that with rights, comes responsibility. It is not your right, to endanger the rights of others.
For the first time in my life (73 years so far) we have a commander in chief who can be trusted to do the right thing. He and his staff are taking unprecedented steps to control not “we the people,” but a deadly disease sweeping our nation. If that trust is violated, that is why we have the second amendment. In the mean time……
……step back, take a deep breath and thank God that Hillary Clinton is not in command.
AMEN…………..
Were you hiding under a rock when the Capital was overrun on 1/6/2021? Or were you involved in it.
TRUMP LOST THE ELECTION!!!!!!!!
He lost because he did not take the Virus seriously.
The tax cut he signed mainly helped people with about $1,000,000 or more.
No one takes the covid BS seriously, unless you are an idiot. More people are dying from the tainted vaccines.
That tax cut was a big help to us & our income isn’t close to the number you stated. However, electing the socialist who now run & ruin our country is draining our bank account as prices double & triple. Another word for “fake news” is propaganda & that’s what you & so many others like you have bought into. You’ve already lost your freedom – your freedom to think independently.
Hmmm… I’m retired military, currently work for the Federal Govt, and have been a natural “prepper” for decades. mostly to be able to defend and sustain my family in case of natural disasters, which we have experienced a few times and am damn glad I was prepared. Let me start by saying the vast majority of active duty military will refuse to confiscate weapons and supplies from the American populace, they will consider that “unlawful orders”, but they will be concerned about their own families, personally owned weapons, and supplies, and will defend them appropriately – the same applies to us retired old goats. Law Enforcement and National Guard may not adhere as strongly to constitutional standards, as occurred during Hurricane Katrina, but I would say that is more of a case by case issue than as a general assessment. If SHTF, I would continue with my Gray Man persona, blending in, going with the flow, but guarding my supplies and knowledge from ALL strangers. Trust but verify is a good motto, but real trust is never handed out indiscriminately, it must be earned.
As far as saying those who own weapons (and have other knowledge & skills as well) not taking action if needed, well, history proves otherwise, especially for us independent natured Americans. The real question to ask yourself “Is what we are be asked to do an inconvenience for the good of the populace? Or is it a means to gain control over the population and maintain and/or increase governmental power and control over said populace?” I am extremely skeptical of the “news” which has degenerated into tabloid extremism in order to gain ratings for advertisement profits. There seems to be fewer and fewer reliable sources for honest current information, so please be skeptical, but not paranoid.
Please continue to prepare, but quietly and as unnoticeable as you can manage.
Excellent advice from a veteran with 33 years plus of service. A Patriot.
The government better have a plan in place for destroying this country and taking, trying to take people’s freedom , food and liberties. This shall not be, not over the flu, and unconfirmed cases or dead bodies, funerals, grieving families. You just aren’t asking the right questions. Since Trump activated FEMA, technically Amerika has been without a president. It’s gonna get ugly , Everytime what’s left of government pushes just a little more. And why are not Trump and other dweebs near him not practicing social distancing? Do as I say, not as I do?? Sh#t
Please do not turn this into an anti-Trump rant. The left side of the political spectrum is far more likely to try to put us under big government control.
You statement is wildly inaccurate. In my former life in the U.S. Army, I worked on Continuity of Operations planning. Activating some elements of FEMA to deal with various emergencies does NOT supplant or remove the lawfully-elected President Donald Trump from remaining in authority and exercising his authority.
They might get away with curfews and restrictions on movement in order to limit the spread of the virus. But, if they make the mistake of trying to take away our guns and supplies then there is going to be a lot of problems. Maybe not as much in liberal areas as there would be in conservative, patriotic areas. Civilians out number and out gun our military. Active military must be reserved for the defense of our Country against foreign enemies. No better time to attack our country when we have a civil war going on.
I hate to admit it but when, not if, Marshall Law is imposed, those private factions that have all the firepower, outgunning the self appointed law 5-1, will not take action. Yes there may be a few small exchanges here and there however, the idea that “We The People” will overcome any forces foreign or domestic, just won’t materialize! Sad but true…
There was a time that I thought the “People” might fold during the totalitarian bid to take over. And it indeed looks like perhaps Howie Long was correct when he said that ” When tyranny comes to America it will be draped in the American flag.”
But there is not a single round of ammo left on the market currently. Never seen the likes of it. Looks like the “People” are preparing to defend themselves against just such a “shadow takeover.” And I tell you this….If you gave 320 million citizens a teaspoon as a weapon, they could overcome the M16s and most likely even the tanks…Food for thought…
Sorry for the Misquote. My history is a little rusty, but not so much that I can’t see where we might be headed.
It was Louisianna Senator Huey Long that said, ” When tyranny comes to America it will be wrapped in the American Flag.”
Apologies
Senator Huey long must be able to see into the future.
Take his words to heart, as it will happen.
Anyone seen the move “V for Vendetta” I especially remember when the Character “V” is addressing the British public on a very big television screen via a recorded message.
I tend to agree, but at the same time I have to remember that Trump would NEVER be president. There are some that say “they will never take my guns!” and are the first to willingly give up their firearms. I hope that others are taking the gray man attitude and will activate when necessary.
The biggest problem facing us is not the imposition of martial law, but the controlled information that will be allowed to be disseminated. If VA or CA goes to war, will TX, NM, or AZ be allowed to know? If people in the next town over from you are mass arrested or killed, will you even hear about it so that you can be prepared, or run?
To say that few, if any, will take up arms is an unfair statement. Yes, one person would be a fool to run into battle when no one else is going, but 100, 1000, or more would make for a formidable resistance, and THAT news would make it out. It may not be portrayed correctly, but just hearing that “several dissenters were killed or wounded” would at least be some indication that others are rising up to tyranny.
On December 16th 1773 a ragtag group of colonials struck out at a tyrannical king, they were fed up with excessive taxation and overbearing laws. 248 years later we are once again at a crossroad with an overbearing government with way too much perceived power that We The People are willing to just lay down and accept government rule. Yes, there are some that want excessive government rule, but there are “ragtag” group ready to stand up and fight back for family and freedom.
Paul Revere road by horse with lantern announcing “the British are coming, the British are coming”!
And how was he notified? Not with a cellphone or social media…
A lantern… One if by land, Two if by sea!