'Just In Time' Survivalism

I remember several years ago how people who had never been to a gun show would ask why we had all the "survival" gear on hand. They would raise an eyebrow when you would tell them that an individual can never be too careful, and you don't know when you might need to hunker down in an emergency and live on your own, and protect your own, with no help from anyone else. This was particularly true in the days leading up to the Millenium (well, actually leading up to 2000 from 1999; the Millenium changed over at midnight 2000 into 2001, but the media and most people got it wrong. Thats an argument for another day).

We still get those questions at the PRO Gun Shows in Ohio. My point is this. Have you noticed that you see ads in the paper about "being prepared" for a natural or man-made disaster? Have you seen the public service announcements on TV from the American Red Cross, or Homeland Security, urging you to have extra food and water on hand, just in case? Have you noticed that at checkout stands in discount stores and big-box hardware retailers there are "survival" kits for sale? Glenn Harlan Reynolds, author of Instapundit blog, and a regular contributor to TCS Daily, has a great piece on what he calls "The Mainstreaming of Survivalism."

Author's Note: I've had stuff squirreled away for years, and routinely rotate old items out for new. Most firearms aficionados do this. We understand self-reliance. And every American watched the breakdown in law and order in New Orleans in the 72 hours following Hurricane Katrina, as people realized they had no extra non-perishable food or water on hand, nor a way to protect themselves. And unfortunately, those who did have a means to protect themselves found their lawful firearms confiscated illegally. There are lawsuits on that matter, but once again, thats a post for another day. Bottom line -- You can NEVER be too prepared!