Preppers are a lot like spiders.
Generally speaking, web producing spiders create webs to trap their prey. They rely on vibrations they detect on the lines of web to know when it is time to react. Otherwise, they keep a low profile and lie in wait- vigilant…preparing to react. The logical perceptions of men and women who observe, reflect and act on the vibrations we pick up from the various avenues of communication and information gathering all around us, makes us much more sensitive to events than the general public.
Recently, there were two incidents which I feel preppers should stop and take stock of. Situational awareness is broader than just your immediate surroundings, it is the world we live in and the trends swirling around us every day.
The first was the incident in Michigan. A man used his vehicle to mow down some innocent cyclists. The act itself stands alone as being horrific. There is no question of his guilt. But it is the vibrations from the news media that made me take a second look. The media quickly used images and posting from his face book page-to paint psychological portrait of the man even before he had his first day in court.
Most if not all of us maintain a presence on various websites, chat rooms, Facebook pages and the like. Free speech and the right to speak our minds is a RIGHT which we all have and are not afraid to use. However, we should always be aware- that our postings could be used against us. A quote here a quote there- taken out of context, is all it takes to destroy any stand, or position we might want to take.
The second incident would be the mass shooting in Orlando Florida. I doubt if I need to convey any of the details. This too was a horrific event. But, all of us that make the effort to be prepared, for any abnormal situation, to defend our family and our homes- must take stock of the vibrations from this incident. This event is another warning that politicians are riding the GUNS ARE BAD bandwagon to not only get elected but as a solution to resolve the issues of gun violence that the media blows up larger than life itself.
Gun control will not solve the problem of violence. There are enough laws already on the books that adding more won’t solve the problem. People who have military looking weapons are not bad people just because they own this type of weapon. But, more and more the media are painting that picture and controlling the message. We should at least be cognizant of this threat as we communicate with one another.
But addressing one facet of a problem is like looking though a kaleidoscope and only seeing one image. It seems to me that our government needs to look at how society in all its many facets influences the very life style that we are trying to prevent. How we address mental Illness? How do we combat the digital recruitment of terrorist groups?
Our county went crazy when they were told that the NSA was collecting Metadata from cell phones. The ACLU was up in arms when they learned that police departments were keeping Muslims under surveillance.
Images from body cameras worn by police officers are in some cases used to convict a police officer in the media before he or she has any chance to receive a fair investigation or a day in court. By the time they do have that day- a verdict that does not match public opinion- is rejected and the officer is subjected to an unjust fate.
We as a country need to decide what our governments should be allowed to do in order to keep our country safe. We also need to be able to place safeguards to prevent them for abusing this power. All these different facets and many more need to be addressed and decisions made before we can ever turn the tide of this violent environment that we live in.
But before this happens, people like us will receive the evil eye. People like us must stay aware of the vibrations and be prepared. This will be a SHTF event that our bug out bags will not help us with. That our weapons will not necessary save us from. Our weapons are our minds and our abilities to understand what is going on and being able to adapt and overcome the unknown obstacles.
Are you Spider senses tingling?
