Well, I couldn't get in touch with my parents yesterday. Kept getting an operator recording

[Hoopla Phil]

saying something to the affect "Sorry we are unable to connect your call do to local difficulties". Same message on traditional land line and cell phones. Tried to call the neighbors and an old girl friend and got the same message. So today I call and get through; the problem? An optical cable got cut whiles some repairmen/workmen were digging.

ALL PHONE COMMUNICATION WAS SHUT DOWN FOR SEVEN HOURS IN THREE TOWNS IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY! No cell phones, no land lines, and no internet. Business shut down because all their non-cash (debit/credit card) devices were not working. But the real kicker, NO 911 SERVICE - NONE.

I'm sure most of you can understand why I'm posting this in the guns forum. . .


On edit: Found this news story online:
http://www.dailytimes.com/story.lasso?ewcd=cfc2e9f431692a69

[gateley]

1. I don't get it -- tell me what I'm missing --

I just always go to Latest, so see all the threads that come up from all the forums.

And hopefully you've been in touch with your parents and everything is fine.

[GreenStormCloud]

2. When 911 is out you can't call the cops if you need to defend yourself.

You are in the guns forum. We talk, among other things, about situations in which you may need to defend yourself. The point here is that if something had happened to a person in that area - three towns plus the countryside - they were on their own.

[gateley]

5. Okay - got it. Thanks.

[The_Commonist]

3. Oy!

Personally, I would view the phones around here being out as being a blessing.
But that's just me...

[oneshooter]

4. I am sure that, it being the Texas Hill Country

A few rifles and shotguns were available to secure the people and their papers and possessions. There may have even been a handgun or two, carried discreetly, to be used in gravest extremes.

Oneshooter
Armed and Livin in Texas

[Birthmark]

6. I call that situation...

..."Tuesday." :)

Seriously, I'm without a phone nearly as often as I have phone service; though they find it in their hearts to charge me for the *full* month. No cell service of any kind here. Dial-up internet...so when the phone is out, internet NOT MINE!

I'm about an hour away from the nearest help, if the road is passable at all --which it wasn't several times this winter. So the police are of little use to me.

Why, yes, I do own firearms. They're necessary tools for some of us. Even in America. :)