The+R.A.P.T.U.R.E.+Initiative

= The R.A.P.T.U.R.E. (Re-Apportioning Population Through an Unbiased and Responsible Effort) Initiative =



**This is Our Problem:**

The end is near.... Within six months, a comet will collide with the Earth that will, likely, cause widespread chaos and mass extinction. The impact will rapidly heat the Earth to unlivable temperatures and will force enough dust and debris into the atmosphere to kill nearly all plant life within months. The end is near...or is it? A series of interlocking caves have been dug out in the limestone hills of Missouri which should hold approximately one million people. This new settlement is to be known as R.A.P.T.U.R.E., and it is the last beacon of hope for all who inhabit the nation.

This is Our Solution:
Survival of the human race and culture depends on the inclusion of the following occupations:


 * Doctors
 * Nurses
 * Psychologists
 * Scientists (agricultural, biological, physical, etc.)
 * Historians
 * Judges
 * Government officials
 * Military
 * Artists (musicians, painters, writers)
 * Engineers
 * Firefighters
 * Veterinarians
 * Zookeepers
 * Professors
 * Preachers
 * Mechanics
 * Construction workers
 * Cooks

This is How We Will Choose
The number of doctors, nurses, etc. will be proportional to the number that exist today. For example, since doctors represent .29% of the American population according to the 2004 census, .29% of those included in the reapportionment effort. Each person will be chosen randomly from a pool of their colleagues and will be allowed to bring with them one spouse and any number of legal children under 18, provided that the average number of children per selected individual does not exceed two.

The remainder of available slots will be filled by random individuals chosen by an electronic lottery. The lottery will be conducted following selection of those in priority occupations.

Everyone that is chosen must fit the following criteria:
 * Under 65 years old
 * No infectious, contagious or genetic diseases
 * In control of mental/physical faculties (i.e. no mental retardation or overwhelming physical handicap)
 * In fair to excellent health (obesity will not be tolerated)
 * No criminals
 * All those included must be accounted for in the census and must be citizens of the United States

This is Why This Is the Best Solution Possible
This solution takes into account the needs of the society to be known as R.A.P.T.U.R.E. The prioritized occupations were chosen in order to assure that the human race, as we know it, extends into the foreseeable future. The chosen occupations do this in two ways.

First, the occupations assure that as many humans as possible may survive with a high quality of life. Doctors and nurses are needed to treat illness and keep suffering at a minimum. Engineers are essential for technological growth and development of our society. Historians are needed as a record of human history so that we are not doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. Each person chosen for his or her occupation will occupy a particular niche that we find essential for the survival of the human race.

Second, these occupations aid us in maintaining the rich culture that sets humans apart from animals. Without artists, musicians, and writers, thousands of years of human creativity may be lost forever. Furthermore, a life without art and music is incomplete for many. Thus inclusion of creative individuals such as these will contribute to the morale, and therefore the well-being, of R.A.P.T.U.R.E. Likewise we must maintain the intellectual history of the human race. For this reason we are including a number of professors whose knowledge of various subjects will, hopefully, enlighten the future society and keep our intellectual curiosity alive.

This is Why This is a Fair Solution
Due to the scope of the issue at hand, it is essential that the accepted plan is both practical and fair. As already explained, the R.A.P.T.U.R.E. is practical in that it provides for the survival of the human race and the maintenance of America's notoriously high standard of living. Yet, this plan is also laudable for its equitability. Two aspects of the plan provide for this fairness.

First, the plan accepts the same percentage of each occupation as is actually represented in the population. It is clear that certain occupations are needed to sustain the human race after the extinction level event. It would be unfair, however, to include more members of each occupation that are actually necessary to sustain life. Proportionality keeps things essentially the way they are right now. Few can argue convincingly that America is heading toward extinction in the near future, so it is only logical that we keep the status quo.

Second, the plan allows for all excess spots to be filled by the winners of a random lottery. Provided that you are in fair health, have no burdensome physical or mental handicap, and have not served time in prison, you are eligible to be chosen to inhabit R.A.P.T.U.R.E. Anything beyond this bare selection criteria would be unfairly restrictive. As long as they are not likely to hinder the survival/development of the future society, all deserve to have the chance at life.

President's Speech to the Nation
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Dear Fellow citizens of the United States of America,

Today will be remembered as one of the most important moments in world history; yet unfortunately, not in a fond or favorable manner. I speak to you now humbly, quite frank and without prejudice, merely as the bearer of bad news.

Astronomers have been working tirelessly to verify the information I am about to impart to you, but there is little doubt on the veracity of the situation. Within six months time, the Earth will be struck head-on by a six mile-wide comet. The meteoroid is large enough to severely damage the Northwestern hemisphere, as well as cause severe climatic changes all throughout the world. In essence, the impact of the comet will be so immense that it will end all life on Earth as we currently know it. The sun will be blocked by dust in the air for several years, resulting in the death of nearly all plant life, and in turn animal life as well. Planet Earth will experience an extinction level event, but we are prepared.

Although we have no means to prevent the comet from making contact with our planet, as your President I have commissioned the construction of a safe haven for lucky few Americans. In the Limestone Caverns of Missouri, we have built a series of shelters that will be able to withstand the effects of the impact. We have enough supplies to support 1 million people for two years, after which we will exit the caves and rebuild American, even stronger than before.

But sadly, this means that only a tiny fraction of us will survive in the caves: 1 million out 300 million Americans. So I am forced to make a decision regarding who is chosen to stay, and I have decided to enact the R.A.P.T.U.R.E. Initiative. A small minority of the million will be citizens with professions important to rebuilding civilization–such as doctors, engineers and agricultural scientists. They will be systematically chosen to reflect the current proportions of those professions in America today; so the percentages of nurses working today will be the percentage of nurses working after the impact. However, the majority of the cave’s inhabitants will be average, everyday citizens chosen at random through the 2010 Census–provided they meet certain criteria which will be further explained at a later date.

At a time like this, one surely asks “who has the right to decide who lives and who dies?” and “how is this decision fair?” Questions that certainly deserve to be asked, yet the answers will never be able to satisfy everyone. I have chosen this method of reaction primarily to preserve America as it is now: the R.A.P.T.U.R.E. Initiative will not reshape America in any mold it is not already in. In the interests of all citizens, our country will not reemerge as a civilization of elite philosopher kings, nor an unorganized collection of helpless individuals. I have decided to save both our best and brightest and our moderate everymen: this choice is final, and as Commander in Chief I will use the full force of the American military to enforce it.

I am greatly saddened with what I have just informed you, so all I can ask of the citizens of the U.S.A. is to simply live your lives. Make peace with your enemies,

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love your loved ones and do your best to accept the situation that you share with billions of others.

Goodnight America, enjoy your life.

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Epilogue: Project Terminus

 * Emergency Vice President Message