Enemies of Liberty are ruthless. To own your Liberty, you'd better come harder than your enemies..

Sunday, August 12, 2012

What does tomorrow hold?


I have no idea what tomorrow may hold. We can guess, anticipate, play the odds, but until tomorrow gets here, we don't know. But we can guess, anticipate and play the odds and prepare as we are able for the most likely possibilities.

The Citadel project can only be so large. The first prudent (significant) structure would be the rhetorical Keep, the final home for III Arms. Going further, to enclose even a mile of property with a useful Curtain Wall will be an expensive, daunting task. How many tons of earth will have to be moved to sculpt the land?

Assuming a mile of space inside the walls, no more than 3,000 households would be prudent, and McMansions would not be possible. There must be enough room to bring people in who choose to live outside the walls during times of danger, but how many, and for how long, and at what comfort level? At some point the gates simply need to be closed, and good people will be left on the outside, looking in. There simply is not enough room or resources to take everyone who will wish to be in safety.

To build a modern walled town poses real challenges not faced by those before us. Cars, for one. Modern community planning and modern American expectations bump heads with a modern walled town that can be a genuine refuge in dangerous times. One gate is the easiest to defend, and one gate is guaranteed to annoy people once in a while as a traffic bottleneck. A fair trade? That will be for each individual to decide. Personally, the concept of a walled town eliminates the need to go beyond the walls very often. If everything I need is within a mile-wide space, why would I venture out except for the occasional trip or vacation?

While a mile of open space is small, it is equally large. One square mile is 640 acres. There is no reason a first class indoor shooting range can't be inside the walls. Grocery, hair, fashion, exercise, parks, woods, ATV dealership, all of our needs, and many of our wants. But if you want to own a 20 acre parcel, that won't work inside the walls. Will III Arms get lucky and have the ability to own more property than just 640 acres? Perhaps. Large tracts of land in Idaho can be purchased for (relatively) modest prices. But consider the cost of every linear foot of wall, and you can see that the ability to enclose a larger space becomes exponentially more difficult.

Regardless of how things evolve, I am pleased we seem to have found a path that many of us find prudent. For many of us the concept holds the first real glimmers of hope we've been able to muster in quite a while. Wherever you see your place on this path we have chosen, which includes III Arms and Idaho and eventually the Citadel, I have appreciated the support you have offered. Many have offered skills. Others who were able offered cash. Others have offered moral support. It all matters.

I will offer this one bit of advice to anyone who is looking at the potential of moving to Idaho, connected in any manner with this project: Do not wait too long to decide your path. Obviously, no one is packing yet, but the response we have received simply from within the small online community of III Patriots who visit this site is sufficient for me to be certain that if we have the ability to include even as many as 3,000 households inside the walls, they will be claimed quickly. Yes, there has been that level of support. And we have never once yet mentioned the concept beyond this blog. What do you think will happen when we begin marketing nationally?

I can already tell you that III Arms will be a success from a business perspective. We have serious people who are already putting real work into III Arms, from marketing to production, and not one person is pulling a salary. (We have not even deposited the first check, yet). We are all paying our bills with our day jobs. You simply can't hire that kind of loyalty and motivation, as every businessman knows. More than 40 Patriots devoted their cash to help launch the company. People are involved because we believe. We are all doing our part to ensure III Arms launches and catches fire among the patriotic Americans still in our country.

Remember that the primary purpose of III Arms is to give Patriots an industry that will sustain the launch of our small town. From there, Free Enterprise will have to do the rest and determine our growth rate and population. But the gears are in motion, and this project will continue to evolve rapidly.

So, consider your place, Patriots. Here's a site about Northern Idaho.

Kerodin
III

26 comments:

  1. Vehicles will take up a lot of space as far as parking goes inside the walls. We could go with one gate and parking outside the walls. If people needed transportation inside they could use golf carts. There obviously still need to be roads for deliveries and such, but everyone doesn't have to drive around inside. If people aren't carrying a lot of stuff they could always walk.

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  2. There is no way we can incorporate all the land we may want, and even all the Patriots that may come. But, I do not believe we can not figure out a way to bring it together.
    Think of the Citadel as the center and envision smaller citadels radiating from it, encompassing farm, woods, etc within the radius.....I think that it would work not only from a production/land pov, but defensively also...but we mustn't put our horse before the cart, lol. Not to mention,this is going to be a project of passion,dedication, and perseverance. The faint of heart need not apply.
    Miss Violet

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  3. Exactly correct, Miss V.

    Anyone interested can look up "Concentric Castle" or "Concentric Fortress" designs to grasp the concept I think works best for what we will face, particularly to take advantage of the terrain we will have within the walls.

    The III Arms building should occupy the highest, most defensible ground, and incorporate its own defensive walls. The next sector lower would include other facets of the diamond, be they residential, retail, or even perhaps storage. Then this sector would have its own wall, below the ramparts of the factory, so it can be defended easily from above as well. Each radiating sector would have its own defenses, allowing the town to grow prudently and in pace with its population and revenue.

    Carcassonne in France is a good example of the concept.

    One day there will be more outside the walls than within.

    III NCO: Correct, there are several options. I suspect most folks will want to be able to drive their car into their driveway or perhaps a parking facility if they live in a multi-unit building. But there will likely be many places only accessible by foot, or scooter/motorcycle/4 wheeler/golf cart. The "Town Center" in particular will require vehicle access, for business and tourist dollars.

    This project is not only within our grasp, but it should be quite fun, too.

    K

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    1. "This project is not only within our grasp, but it should be quite fun, too."

      As a detail orientated person, I quite agree. ;)

      Miss V

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    2. As far as roads for the tourists, I say have a parking lot outside the gate with a little plaza that has bathrooms, a place to get a cold drink, and maybe a souvenir shop with items not made in China, but by the III, and that could serve as a waiting spot for tour buses that would take them into the Citadel. From there, they could rent bicycles, carts, atvs, whatever if they wanted to sightsee on their own. It would also be easier to control security that way too.
      Miss V

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  4. Don't forget the land isn’t necessarily 1 dimensional, there's down and up to, spent 4 years at Babylon [g6] never could get over the amount of cubic feet of space, if you like, in Saddam's palace there on one hill and the hill was created largely from what was under the hill, if you get my drift.Also it appeared that there was only one way in there... that's how it appeared alright :)

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    1. Mark: Exactly correct. We'll be going as far down as up in some places. We'll be hanging condos from the inside of the curtain wall in places to take advantage of natural nooks & crannies. There is much terrain advantage we can capitalize on thanks to the Rockies.

      Sadly, much of the building project will be public knowledge on blueprints and permits, as we won't be able to skirt building inspectors/regs. But in my experience not every Change Order gets properly recorded. ;)

      K

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    2. You build to approved plans and specs initially, leaving room for off the books modifications after the inspectors are satisfied and have gone home. It's done frequently in the residential sector. The only issue they run into today is code enforcement sticklers and when they sell their home.

      Shouldn't be an issue for us.

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  5. Vatican City is the smallest sovereign state in the world, covering 110 acres...way less than 20% of a section (one square mile). Its small size hasn't been an obstacle to its success AFAICT.

    The population density on Manhattan Island is over 69,000 per square mile, yet it's one of the wealthiest counties in America.

    Don't forget video games at your way station, Miss V.

    [stats from Wikipedia]

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    1. "Don't forget video games at your way station, Miss V."

      Ah, yes. We wouldn't want the little dears to actually particpate in real life, even if they are on vacations, right?

      Miss Violet

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  6. I must really be old, since I remember growing up in a small town in Texas where as many people walked or biked as drove cars. Now I know kids that live 4 blocks from the high school and have to drive. I'm with Miss V, there will be opportunities for other Citadels down the road, which might be an advantage in protecting trade routes.

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    1. Yeppers. It's called shank's pony where I come from. ;)

      Miss Violet

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  7. BTW: Carcassone is only about 25 acres within the walls.

    K

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    1. For some reason I was picturing a little more ground and not so much stone....

      Miss Violet

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    2. "Our" version will include much more than 25 acres, spread between "MUCH" greenery. I think we'll try very hard not to knock down a single tree. Personally, I see enough green inside our walls for orchards and some crops, though I know finding farmable land in that part of Idaho may be the biggest challenge.

      So, your vision is correct. Carcassone is useful only as a reference to the "concentric" design of multiple walls.

      K

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    3. "I see enough green inside our walls for orchards and some crops, though I know finding farmable land in that part of Idaho may be the biggest challenge."

      You would be surprised how in less than a half hour's drive from St Maries you are in farm land.

      Besides, that's what greenhouses and hoophouses are for. :) Also there are many things that will grow in this climate. You won't be growing any oranges but apples do quite well, as do many of the other tree fruit. The climate is made for berries.

      Gardens do quite well in a walled environment, creating micro climates that will support plants that wouldn't be able to survive out in the open. I would bet we have many who grow their own food, or a portion of it already within our ranks.

      Miss Violet

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    4. My husband and I can fabricate and complete a 20x40 foot hoop house in a day. We have two in our backyard that have survived hail, blizzards, and 70 mph winds.

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  8. Has anyone else read S.M. Stirling's books on TEOTWAWKI? Basically, technology ends and people have to band together as tribes/clans, for protection and mutual support. That's what we're talking for us, isn't it? One of said clans (the Gaelic one) created a central redoubt that held the clan hall (III Arms factory) surrounded by several tens of homes and homesteading skill-shops (blacksmith, fletcher, cookhalls, etc). The remainder of the clan lived out and away from the central hall, in small groups of 5-10 families, and each of them had their own walled compound. Not enough to stop a determined, well armed, and overwhelming opponent, but enough to protect the group from maurading bands of n'er-do-wells...protect them until the neighboring groups and/or home clan could rally and come to their aid. And, in times of invasion from a superior force these small groups could not withstand, everyone grabbed their livestock, pantries and weapons and retreated to the central clan redoubt. That's a much more inexpensive and doable option than putting up a wall around several hundred acres. Just my two-cents.
    --Fuzzy--

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  9. Oh, and I've been looking at Idaho properties: www.landsofamerica.com www.unitedcountry.com www.landandfarm.com

    For less than $300K we can get a half section (320 acres). 3000 people (men, women, chillen), that's all of $100 a head. Go for more land, and that price sure won't make a full section (or more) outside our reach.

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    1. Matthäus: See what I mean when I say "We've got this..."? ;)

      We'll find a way to make this work for those who genuinely want to be there.

      Good job helping break it down into bite-sized pieces.

      K

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  10. Maybe one should look into what kind of "entity" can hire their own inspectors? And careful consideration of building outside could go a long way towards security. Watching very carefully. Just invested elsewhere and wishing I hadn't.

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    1. You can't hire your own inspectors. Each county in Idaho has a building inspector, with the more populated counties having more than one. To those of you who live in regulated areas, you will be surprised at, shall we say, the relaxed nature of affairs here. On the other hand, Panhandle Health, who monitors wells, septic, etc has been thoughly infiltrated with green communist transplants from Kalifornia and will take some handling.

      What Bonnie Gadsden mentioned above is quite correct and spot on. My husband has been in construction most of his life and there are workarounds.

      The thing we need to think about is NOT hiring outside the III to do the work. We need III Pats doing the work and keeping their pie holes shut about III business.

      Miss Violet

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    2. Is Panhandle Health a hire-on or elected entity? How easily could it be counter-infiltrated?

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    3. Hire on, I believe.

      Miss V

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  11. You can if the III is a city building inspector for the town you're building in. ;-) This is the 'get in, be an active part of the town inner workings' that the initial wave needs to be. We could barge in, start diggin holes, and flip them the bird...or we could quietly put someone on the building permit council, local inspectors office....heck, maybe they're already there.

    Sure, you'd lose your job if they found out,...but don't you think you'd have a job at that point ;-)

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  12. Good material, Matthäus.

    K, I'd also suggest looking at the tried and proven Vietnamese Hamlet defense system. It fits into everyday life and there are no walls. All looks serene and pastoral until an invader needs an asskicking. There's room for everyone able to pull a trigger to join the party, while noncombatants are safe and snug. When China rolled into Vietnam in 1979 local militia chewed up ten divisions of Chicom regulars *with* armor. Any alphabets wouldn't do a tenth as well...

    Daniel

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