Since when did the term survivalist become synonymous with anti-american?
My heart hurts for the family in Alabama whose child was abducted and is now being held hostage by the gunmen that killed his bus driver. You can see the story here. It is sad how sick and mentally unstable people are and I don't understand how they can cause suffering and pain for those who've done nothing to them, particularly when children are involved.
With that being said I am very frustrated, even angry that our media and news outlet are continuing to feed into the hysteria while our constitutional rights are under attack. According to the article even the chief investigator from the sheriff's department describe the man as anti-american and then went on to say "His friends and his neighbors stated that he did not trust the government, that he was a Vietnam vet, and that he had PTSD," Byrd told the civil rights group. "He was standoffish, didn't socialize or have any contact with anybody. He was a survivalist type." These kinds of blanket statements and stereotyping not only vilify survivalist types but we also vilify war vets. How is this ok?
Survivalist are people like you and I who want to be prepared. You know, boy scout motto, "ALWAYS BE PREPARED" types who want to be able to take care of their families in the event of a natural disaster. For example, in the case of tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis or even acts of war from other countries or terrorist groups. I believe that society has become to dependent on our world as it is. Most people think that stores will always be there to provide food and necessities for them. Our grandmothers time of growing and canning our own vegetables is gone. Most of us don't even know how to make a loaf of bread or sew on a button, much less provide for their families in an emergency. That was apparent after Hurricane Katrina when the people of New Orleans couldn't even clean up after themselves while they waited for the "government" to come rescue them.
If being prepared, and feeding my need to learn new things such as sewing, preserving, canning, and candle and soap making is considered survivalist then I guess I am a survivalist. However I am not anti-american. I believe in this great country. Does that mean I agree with everything the government does or every law they create? No, but I don't agree with everything my kids or husband does either. Does that make me anti-marriage or anti-husband or anti-family? I don't think so.
So, if you are in media or you write articles or blogs please, please be mindful of the words you choose. Don't fall victim yourself to the stereo-typing that is so prevalent in our society.
