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 ...
Buying stuff when it is readily available to anybody isn't "hoarding". How much you buy with your own money in that situation should be of no concern to anyone else, especially clueless reporters and government. I like to "stockpile" frozen White Castles, mainly so I don't have to run out and get them so often. Is that a threat to anyone?
In some sort of emergency, having a supply of items on hand means I'm not "out there" scavenging with everyone else, or standing in line at some government distribution point. I'm not competing for what are now scarce resources.
Having a little extra on hand also allows me the grace of Christian charity. I have something to give to good people whose only "crime" was stupidity (I have relatives like that). If you're coming by with evil intent, I can spare a bullet, but only one per customer.
I finally figured out what TEOTWAWKI means. Is this something you use so often you’ve developed an acronym?
Hmmm. That’s just crazy.
The Bible doesn’t say anything about hoarding.
I was curious where you thought it did
Oh it does - you just can’t read, apparently.
You are prepared for a specific disaster and I am quite sure you have nothing like these survivalists are talking. I’d be willing to guarantee it. And if you have a serious enough earthquake or storm, you could lose all your supplies anyway, unless you have them in some kind of 6 ft. thick steel bunker.
I have a Transpor vest that I wear to work evey day. Goos point on body armor.
It’s in Leviticus 25. I’m not sure “hording” is the correct term. But in effect, there’s no other way to survive the 7th year without it.
Well, are you going to keep your light under a bushel?
I live in an area where we have about one huge blizzard a year. The winter before this last we had a real doozy - not only could people not get out of their driveways but most businesses did not even open - nobody could get there.
Because of this, I always have food and stuff like you mention. I also have cash available. I’m still old school - don’t even use ATMs.
This is not the same, my friend, not the same. These survivalists are storing food and stuff to last for months or a year or more. I’ve met a few. The one couple I know are a little crazy, if the truth be told, very sweet but crazy.
Ping, Granny!
Okay. I’m in Indiana, if ever the poop hits the fan, I will make it my mission to make sure you are Okay. Backpack and hiking boots are ready.
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. [19] And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ‘
[20] “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
[21] “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
From the book of Luke
I don’t horde, I prepare. I stock up to alleviate the problem, if there is a shortage then I’m fine and others who need it can have it.
Unless we have some kind of huge nuclear blast there will things out there it just may not be what you normally like. If transportation is interupted you’ll have to try to get what you can locally.
I have actually told all my family and close friends that if there is a problem they need to come here and we’ll survive together, but to please bring a trailer or RV because I don’t have enough room in my house for all of them but I’ve got 640 acres and 7 wells.
I’m not hording for God’s day of reckoning, that doesn’t scare me at all but I believe that being prepared to survive what may come whether it is a natural disaster or man-made disaster, is just prudent.
Nope, Lev. 26:
I should have double checked! Thanks!
Re your 56......Excellent post with great information.
I never thought of that! I use them for another purpose and have quite a few.
LOL. OMG I am laughing my head off.
I really think I’ll be okay, Appleseed, but you are kind to offer assistance, considering you’re my neighbor and all, but we do have a few things going for us:
1. Hubby is a hunter - actually hunts with bow and rifle. I don’t like venison but I guess I’d rather eat that than squirrel or possum.
2. We have a well - we don’t use it but it’s there if no water - I hope anyway.
3. We have on hand: cash and guns/ammo in a vault
4. Lots and lots and lots of wood and acres of trees AND fireplaces so we can stay warm (it gets cold in Ohio and Indiana, as you well know).
5. I can actually cook from scratch
6. Got me a portable heater (aka my German Short Haired Pointer)
7. Always have a full pantry - just taught to do this from my dad who was always planning to feed a regiment
8. Have hiking boots and rugged gear
9. I am a hearty gal who is not afraid of toting wood or doing hard chores
10. A husband who is not unlike MacGyver
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