Well looks as if I have done the impossible plus.
Look you there could come a time no doubt in which hard choise will have to be made, but you any plan in which you you attempt to support a unknow number of ‘grasshoppers’ is bound to fail. As for me I had set asside one tenth of my stores as tithe to help those that did not plan. To me by setting aside that which God ask in tribute and then distribute it to those in need I have meet God‘s covenants and yet have not place my family in need or want.
I will add a warning to this solution and that is for you to be careful as to how you distribute this aid. In these days in which so many seem to deem that it is their ‘right‘ to have their needs provided to them by others, the knowledge that you have prepared and have stores of food and goods could quickly cause others to ‘demand‘ that you share.
“Let me tell you something about humans, nephew: They’re a wonderful, friendly people - as long as their bellies are full and their holosuites are working.”
“But take away their creature comforts, deprive them of food, sleep, sonic showers, put their lives in jeopardy over an extended period of time and those friendly, intelligent, wonderful people...will become as nasty and as violent as the most blood-thirsty Klingon.”
Quark from:Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Episode: The Siege of AR-558 (#7.8)” (1998)
Still doesn’t negate my other points: This store can be stolen, or you could be killed for it. It’s another thing to defend.
I’m sure it will do you some good - But I don’t think it should be in the top 10 of items of preparation. What if you HAVE to leave your home, or where it’s stored ? Fire, gangs invade, Martial law is declared, etc. You’re evacuated.
As those of us on FR, Evacuating us isn’t easy (Not after even the Florida hurricanes a decade ago, where seizures were performed before people could return to their homes). But do you really think that you’re good enough at self defense, home defense, and strategy to cover all of these bases ? Would you stake the lives of your family on this ?
I do stake my life on my capabilities, and I think I’m smart enough to protect a food and materials store. But I’m untested - As just about all of us here are - So it’s an unknown quantity. After it happens, and I succeed or fail, I will know.
This is great if I’m switching careers, getting into a new hobby, or even skydiving - But this is all such an unknown to all of us, that I find it hard conversing with my family, god, or even FR that I am 100% confident I can deal with something that I, truthfully, haven’t even begun to comprehend.
Years of childhood survival training (I wasn’t ever a Scout, but my upbringing has surpassed typical scouting by leaps and bounds) and constant training by my parents has given me an advantage : But I’ve also learned that there will always be someone who is faster, smarter, and more armed than myself. And if I don’t avoid that person, they WILL conquer me and make efforts made in vain.
To avoid this conflict, I have chosen to avoid the prize. Of course, that “prize” is vital resources, such as food and water. After having identified that (and it’s significance) I have chosen to instead focus on alternative methods to get that prize - Where I stand a higher chance of success and survival.
And I’ll eat a cat. I’ll eat a rat. I’ll eat snakes, grass and tree bark. I’ll maintain my civility because I’ll avoid absolute desperation. I’ll gain resources by preying upon those who prey upon others. The most successful bird in the sky has a habit of never looking up - Because it doesn’t have to.
This is the definition of “Pride” in my book. It’s how I answered questions growing up about my Parent’s (And mine) “sins” of being proud of me. It’s not _that_ kind of Pride. It’s the Pride that knowing you’ve got it all figured out.
I haven’t got ANYTHING figured out. I’m safer to believe that.