Black helicopters go mainstream

USA Today warns of potential for calamity with frail, penetrable, power grid

Conspiracy theories are nothing new. “Wars and Rumors of Wars” date back to warnings in biblical prophecy, and preparedness is simply wise. Peace loving nations maintain military forces for that very reason.

Back in the 1950’s regular folks built bomb shelters in their backyards, stocked them with canned goods, made solemn vows regarding who they wouldn’t be able to let in regardless of kinship, and fervently prayed the Russians would rethink bombing the American heartland. School children were taught how to prepare for an atomic bomb by this “Duck and Cover” film that was shown in classrooms across America. It was advertised as the “official civil defense film, produced in cooperation with the Federal Civil Defense Administration, in consultation with the Safety Commission of the National Education Association.”

Fast forward. In recent times, those originally demeaned as “survivalists,” are now mainstream “preppers” finding kindred spirits at conventions and in popular warehouse clubs that are now stocking emergency freeze-dried and dehydrated food with 25-year shelf life, generators, 55-gallon emergency water barrels, with filtration systems and more. It’s now known as “self reliance.”

And why not? Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross run “preparedness“ ads directing listeners to their websites. They tell us first responders will not be available and it’s up to us to make a family emergency plan. Americans are warned in 13 languages to learn more about specific hazard types, including natural disasters, technological and accidental hazards, and— yes, even  terrorist hazards.”

Such thinking is no longer confined to those previously labeled as conservatives crazies. This past week the left-of-center USA Today ran a front page “Special Report” with a full jump page detailing the vulnerabilities of America’s power grid, how attacks could cripple the country and threaten lives. The bleak picture begins with the immediate problems if such a cyber attack were to occur, through just four days of a power outage hack. Picture no electricity, water, phone service, hospitals, transit at a standstill and stores stripped bare of food. The article advises routinely keeping gas tanks at least half-filled, having hand-cranked emergency radios and at minimum, one gallon of water for each person in the family as well as at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods.

Back in 2009 we reported on preparation of mass graves at Arizona’s National Memorial Cemetery, something we now know is being replicated across the United States. This video shows the Phoenix cemetery. This is Georgia, They are but two disturbing examples.

In the meantime, get one of those hand-cranked radios, that also run on batteries or solar power. Lay in a supply of batteries, manual can openers, matches, gallon-size sealable plastic bags, peanut butter, canned tuna, soup and plenty of water. Prepare a good first aid kit and make sure you have a supply of necessary medications. Think of toilet paper as a marketable commodity and lay in a good stockpile. You have room.  Store rolls under your beds. They won’t spoil or become devalued like cash. 

Just a thought.