Posted on 05/02/2009 2:46:51 PM PDT by appleseed
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Jack Spirko owns a media company, is married to a nurse and has a son in college. He has two dogs and lives in a nice house with a pool in a diversified neighborhood in suburban Arlington, Texas.
Spirko, 36, considers himself an average guy with a normal life.
But for the past few years, Spirko has been stockpiling food, water, gas, guns and ammunition. He also has a load of red wine, Starbucks coffee and deodorant stashed away.
"I refer to myself as a modern survivalist, which means I don't do without," Spirko explained. "I have a nice TV; I have nice furniture. We are not living in the sticks, but I take all of these things very seriously."
Spirko, an Army veteran and self-described "stark-raving-mad Libertarian," is part of a growing movement of people who are preparing for a disaster natural, economic or man-made. Referred to as "modern survivalists" or "preppers," they are taking steps to protect and provide for their families should something bad happen.
Theirs is a different breed of survivalist, far from the right-wing militants or religious extremists who hole up in bunkers, live off the land and wait for the apocalypse.
Preppers are regular people with regular jobs who decided after Sept. 11, after Hurricane Katrina or when their 401(k)s tanked that they can't rely on someone else to help them if something goes awry.
"We are normal people just like you," Spirko said. "We just understand that, sometimes, stuff goes wrong."
Donnie, 38, a McKinney resident who is an account executive with an international trade show organization, said Hurricane Katrina opened his eyes. He spent six weeks working as a paramedic in New Orleans.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesdispatch.com ...
Yes ma’am, you are right on “being prepared” instead of trying to stockup until a crisis is over. Was just tonight having a conversation about the difference of stockpiling food and what if no electric power. I prefer to know how to do things the way my grandparents had no other choice than do - grow you own, dry and can and one prep many will not be able to do is draw clean drinking water from your own well “by hand”. My guns will be to feed and protect my family and possessions just like back when.
I'm on long island, we are going nowhere...seven million people (including Brooklyn and Queens) with only three good bridges off.
I live in a brick house with a full sized basement that has a fully furnished apartment.
The wife grew up in the tropics and experienced a few real hurricane howlers. She knows from experience that there are times when you cannot rely on anybody but yourself. We're ready. Not crazy, ready.
Thank you.
The lesson there is “don’t get cocky”, not “don’t prepare prudently”. There are plenty of verses extolling the virtue of storing up for future needs (seven years plenty / seven years famine story comes to mind, as does the ant vs grasshopper).
What kind of things do you have in your Bug out Bag?
640 acres!!! I wish I had 3.
I’ve been using empty plastic milk containers for storing water. I don’t wash them with soap but rinse them out about 6 or 7 times, then label them with the date.
Well, we have insurance on our cars, homes, possessions, why not “supplies”?
I’m doing the same thing every month.
By the way, beprepared.com is having a pretty good sale this month on their #10 cans.
I would hope I would be able to feed more people if I was very prepared.
“Why are you assuming one would have nothing? Why do you assume you will even be alive? You are quite presumptuous, arent you?
On the contrary, I am assuming I will have much to share.
I assume I will be alive here or there. I’m ready for either.
Not presumptuous. Confident in who I believed.
Change of clothes, hard candy, fishing line/hook, knife, firestarter, flashlight, 2 reflector sleeping bag pouches, money, slingshot, 1st aid kit, water, water purifier, rain poncho, no rinse body bath, hand sanitizer, potasium iodide, plastic twist ties, JB Weld, duct tape, sewing kit, toothbrush/toothpaste, lightweight camo net, dog treats, tampons (I'm married), warmpack handwarmers, beef jerky, diapers (I have two kids), 8' rope, binoculars, condoms, prescription glasses, military surgical toolkit, and Dentek Replace/Secure for emergency tooth fillings/repairs.
The clothes are inside plastic bags for water resistance.
I’m always amused by “theologians” with questionable reading comprehention.
The same people who think taking the name of the Lord in vain means don’t say “G_d d_mn,” never seem to have trouble pontificating on things no one else has ever found in the scriptures.
BTW...Jack Spirko most definitely has his ducks in a row, and podcasts daily at thesurvivalpodcast.com.
Please add me to your ping list.
Thanks.
You spent quiet a lot of your evening here trying to put down and make light of those that at least try take responsibility for their own welfare.........why do you do such ?
If you elect to be a victim of the moment that is your choice.
God has given me resources, ability , knowledge and strength to know that I can help me and mine thus I am doing it...... to presume most here would not share or aid others around them shows a lack of faith on your part IMO that you should seriously stop and think about.
Stay safe !
I've been using three since 1968! You must lose a lot of them!
I prefer this one!
“...Dentek Replace/Secure for emergency tooth fillings/repairs”
You are one well-prepared dude :)
Thanks for the info!
If you start a ping list please add me to it. Thanks.
barter items (comfort foods/items, necessary items, special-treat items)
Me or them?
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