[livius]

I lived through ...and Jimmy Carter's horrible presidency!

LOL! Yes, the man who appeared on television wearing a sweater to tell us we just had to bear it, all was lost, the thermostat could never be set over 68 again, etc.,etc. Talk about depressing! The left loves to be depressed!

But I think you're right, being prepared doesn't hurt, either. And that's not the same as cowering, it's just being realistic.

However, I should add that I don't really think there's anything worse in the works right now - well, worse than the chance of being picked off while you're sitting on the bus, which is horrible enough. But there probably will be, sooner or later.

[Miss Marple]

Well, in my part of the country it doesn't hurt to stock up anyway, in case of blizzards and/or ice storms. Florida people can look at it as "hurricane supplies." All you are doing is moving grocery money forward into the fall and storing it in the basement or pantry. It's even good to have it on hand in case everyone comes down with the flu.

This is not cowardice. This is living by the old Boy Scout motto "Be prepared."