Americans are Preparing at Unprecedented Levels

[ktlight]

Four families in Yoder are building a sand bunker and stockpiling ammunition and weapons.

A Black Forest resident has erected a geodesic dome on her 5-acre spread to grow vegetables, keeps horses for emergency transportation, in case she can’t get gasoline for her car, and plans to acquire chickens and goats as food sources.

A husband and wife who have a cabin on 100 acres of secluded land in Park County have weaned their property from the electric grid, acquired a three-year food supply and taken other measures to become self-sufficient.

While there’s little threat of the earthquake and tsumani that rocked Japan last month in landlocked Colorado, other epic crises on the home front are possible: A flood or fire. A terrorist attack. A nuclear weapons launch. World War III. Or an apocalyptic-type scenario.

An increasing number of people say they are getting ready.

“More people are getting into the survivalist mode. I’ve been in business 30 years, and I’ve never sold so many assault rifles as now. The last year was the best we’ve ever had,” said Mel Bernstein, a Class III weapons dealer and owner of Dragon Man’s shooting range east of Colorado Springs.

Israeli gas masks, helmets and sand bags also have been selling well, he said.
“People are putting stuff away in case something big happens,” he said. “I think it’s superstition, but it’s been good for business.”

Interest in the survivalist movement has been heightened, many say, by global turmoil.

The ongoing strife in the Middle East, the lingering possibility that the Obama administration will enact stricter gun laws and the sustained economic downturn, coupled with political unrest in Libya and Japan’s nuclear catastrophe, have made people uneasy.

In addition, doomsday prophesies by Nostradamus and the Mayans pinpointing 2012 are distressing for some. There’s also a group of Christians who say they’ve determined that the end of the world will begin on May 21.

“People are afraid, and they want to be able to protect their families,” Bernstein said.

source
http://www.shtfplan.com/emergency-preparedness/americans-are-preparing-for-the-worst-at-unprecedented-levels_04272011

[Gaia]

This is classic paranoia spawned by the 24/7 news cycle and endless feed of information on the Internet. To stand out (And profit) in the vast sea of information that is on our phones, our tv, our radio and computer, you have to shout louder to attract attention. And in that vein, media outlets have increasingly become more shrill, more dire, more doomsday in every way to keep viewers glued to their screens. Visit any of the popular right-wing sites right now ... Rense, Newsmax, Worldnet Daily ... And they're all plastered with "Doomsday" ads for stockpiling food, weapons, medicine, water ...They all have something to sell and they all feed on that paranoia. They say ignorance is bliss and paranoia will destroy you. Living somewhere in the middle is the place to be. My real fear with these sorts of people is the self-fulfilling prophecy. The breakdown of civil society might not be the result of terrorism or some natural disaster, but their own fears run amok.

[crosby]

This is classic paranoia spawned by the 24/7 news cycle and endless feed of information on the Internet. To stand out (And profit) in the vast sea of information that is on our phones, our tv, our radio and computer, you have to shout louder to attract attention. And in that vein, media outlets have increasingly become more shrill, more dire, more doomsday in every way to keep viewers glued to their screens. Visit any of the popular right-wing sites right now ... Rense, Newsmax, Worldnet Daily ... And they're all plastered with "Doomsday" ads for stockpiling food, weapons, medicine, water ...They all have something to sell and they all feed on that paranoia. They say ignorance is bliss and paranoia will destroy you. Living somewhere in the middle is the place to be. My real fear with these sorts of people is the self-fulfilling prophecy. The breakdown of civil society might not be the result of terrorism or some natural disaster, but their own fears run amok.

exactly..... we are capable of conjuring up our own devils. so we must be practical and careful at the same time.
regards, corson

[Carmen]

When I learned about earth changes, financial melt downs etc over twenty years ago, I went into a fearful tailspin. But, I have found over the years that making some very doable changes, empowered me and made me feel secure.

Developing spiritually to the the point that death was a no thing. Planting a garden and drying the harvest. Buying some extra food each week and putting it away. It's just sensible stuff. Past generations aways put up and preserved their harvest.Probably the most difficult thing for many people is to get out of the cities. Cities will be downright dangerous when things go down.

[Chicodoodoo]

This is classic paranoia spawned by the 24/7 news cycle and endless feed of information on the Internet.

Paranoia is just preparation that hasn't paid off yet. Once it pays off, no one calls it paranoia. They call it wisdom.

[Lost Soul]

One could say that anyone who posts or lurks here at Project Avalon is paranoid.

I believe we are on the precipice of a financial meltdown thanks to the irresponsible creation of money by the central banks, the financial schemes of Wall Street and the knowing compliance of our elected officials. So do many other Americans who are putting money into precious metals.

The greater concern is earth changes. It's hardly paranoid when one is attuned to nature. Even if one weren't, the warning signs are there with increased earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, el nino (climate change), mass dying off of animals.

Nope. People who are aware aren't paranoid. They alert and informed and awake.

[Gaia]

This is classic paranoia spawned by the 24/7 news cycle and endless feed of information on the Internet.

Paranoia is just preparation that hasn't paid off yet. Once it pays off, no one calls it paranoia. They call it wisdom.

The changes will be dramatic in some cases and slow moving in others. Life will go on as death marches across the landscape. The world is going to be transformed, not destroyed. The biggest concern is what mother nature is getting up to, not socio-political and economic change. This last is an "Unknown" It’s been threatening to show up for awhile but has confined itself to selected locations. The motive for this was for resource and geo-political control but, soon enough, other concerns are going to pre-empt earlier plans a new world is coming and wiser minds should focus on this, not upon the destruction of the old. As the old world goes, those attached to it will follow. As the new world emerges, those connected to it will follow.

Kindest regards my Spanish little boy:)

Gaia

[Moonwish]

I have banished fear and planted a garden. I have stored food for many months, as I agree with some of the other posters, our government has been incredibly irrespoisble, greedy, and self-servingg with no thought for us.
That seems to be self-evident for any thinking individual. So, what next?

I joined this forum (at long last) because I think we can make a difference in outcome. I would have just laid low and played proletariat peon to protect my family if I thought that would have served.

It won't. We have to step up and pay attention and take responsibility for what's happening in this world. "They" may be doing it to us, but "we" are letting them. Who are "we" and how can we find
our voice and stance against what is clearly wrong for us, all beings, and this earth?

Screw the reptiles (having been one, I can say that and still be PC :-)) We have to quit waiting for "someone else" to take charge and act.

First steps:
Plant a garden. Easy, rewarding, and fun.

Be active locally
Let people know you opinion about the war, the Unions, pesiticides, Monsanto (been there once in St. Louis--truly evil) etc.
Buy local food

[snedford]

One doesn't have to be in fear or paranoid to prepare. I was taught one should have money in a savings account for a rainy day. Or to have insurance in the event of an accident. Having food storage is no different. If you have a year or two's supply put away in five-gallon buckets, and something unforeseen happens, you're covered. Peace of mind. Could be anything from losing your job, earth changes, nuclear radiation, or economic collapse. As we're seeing food prices escalate with the gas prices, buying extra canned goods each week is a great inflation hedge. It's insurance you can eat. If nothing happens, awesome. You still get to keep and eat your insurance. It just makes sense.

Just keep rotating your canned goods and buy what your family normally eats anyway. Rice and beans are great things to store in buckets with mylar bags and oxygen absorbers. Lasts for years. Split peas and lentils are still good cheap eats. Spam lasts almost indefinitely (if your family eats it). A cup of rice, beans, and chopped spam with a bouillon cube or two with a bit of salt will make a vat of soup.

Also, I wouldn't broadcast the fact that you have food storage to the world or you WILL have a line at your front door if something happens. I'm all for the idea of sharing, but you could put your family at risk by shortening the duration of your stash.

[Nasu]

This is classic paranoia spawned by the 24/7 news cycle and endless feed of information on the Internet.

Paranoia is just preparation that hasn't paid off yet. Once it pays off, no one calls it paranoia. They call it wisdom.

Well said poo boy, wise words indeed, even for an agent provocateur as yourself. I have some land ( a little over 1500 acres ) near the Zuni and Hopi in the four corners of AZ, water, 5k ft elevation, four seasons, good all round defense. If the sh*t does or does not hit the fan, you are welcome, one and all, just bring a smile and a can-do attitude. If you saved any kit then all well and good, my own belief is the best bit of kit we can save for prosperity is our knowledge and memory..N