Ode to Survivalists
April 24th, 2007I remember back in the 90s, the big panic about those evil, crazy, racist redneck survivalists. Made a big story, as does every other panic scare that our greedy media throws at you to make a buck. I’m here to tell you, that most survivalists are just average people who want to learn new skills, just like you might take a cooking class to improve yourself.
I am a survivalist. Hung out with some Native Americans and took the outdoor survival class with them. In it, we learned how to make a fire with what you had, how to build shelters, emergency clothing, etc. Best $45 I’ve ever spent.
I go in the woods a lot. Got caught in a blizzard once. It was 5 degrees below with 70 mile an hour winds, and I got exactly zero hours of sleep, taking turns holding the tent up all night so we could breathe. It’s times like those where learning survival skills pays off.
I’ve known plenty of other survivalists in my days. Sure, you get the loonies and the racists, but from someone who has known a lot of people, you get loonies and racists in every group, especially in groups that claim to be sane, open minded, and not racist. Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t psychiatrists the highest profession when it comes to suicide? I’m sure psychiatrists will be the first people to tell you that they’re sane and you’re not.
What about the guns and the generators? Well, if you live in the backwoods, you darn better have a generator. And you’ve heard me say it before, but I feel safest when everyone around me has guns, because I believe 99% of people are good, and armed good guys is a good thing.
Do all survivalists think the government is going to turn corrupt and turn on its own citizens? No. Some do. I don’t. I believe the government is too incompetent to do just about anything right except deliver mail and make roads, and we all know how good our roads are.
Then why all the fuss? Because, it sells newspapers. Everybody should be a survivalist. You should know how to change a tire. You should know how to start a fire. You should know how to shoot a gun. You should know what to do if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and you’re with your family and they need your brains to get them out of a bad situation.
Or of course, you can spend your whole life in the suburbs and be scared of everyone and everything around you, and rely on the government to bail you out of every bad situation. I’d rather not. We saw how incompetent FEMA is. Don’t you think it might be a good thing to learn some survival skills just in case?
Hit the mark again, especially the last paragraph. I’ll have to add you to my blog list.
Blows my mind how some people can be so worried about a group of people who, almost by definition, just want to be left alone.
I’m feeling guilty — WAAY too citified. It’s funny how what’s now called survivalism used to just be regular living.
“Do all survivalists think the government is going to turn corrupt and turn on its own citizens? No. Some do. I don’t. I believe the government is too incompetent to do just about anything right except deliver mail and make roads, and we all know how good our roads are.”
Ahahahah! Amen brother!
Yeah tragedy sells. I know how to change a tire. Gimme some matches and I can start a fire. I do have a gun, legally of course, but I’m scared of it…I admit. I bought while my ex and I were living in the D.C. area. I know just enough to probably get myself hurt. lol
Due to weather we’ve lost power 4 or 5 days, most recently in snowy weather. It important to know how to stay alive. I don’t know that I would classify either Mr. Logo or myself as survivalists but we definitely believe in knowing how to keep ourselves safe, fed, and well in the kinds of situations we may encounter.
excellent points all. it is one of the reasons my family is involved in a local living historical farm. it’s run according to early 19th centruy standards. so it’s not billed as survivalist per se, but so many of the skills we learn there are applicable in that way. plus it’s fun and teaches the kids about their heritage.
I did a post on this topic in December, after the Kim family tragedy.
I firmly believe that EVERYBODY should know how to survive, outdoors, in the environment they live in. The minute our kids were old enough to walk in the woods by themselves, I taught them how to sit tight and build a fire if they got lost.
In addition, our vehicle ALWAYS contains survival gear when we go on a trip.
Our home is also prepared to survive an extended period without electricity. We won’t be waiting for FEMA to rescue us. We’ll keep ourselves alive!
Amen, Zombie. But I have to say that there are a few people in the world who I would rather WEREN’T survivalists. Just in case, I mean.
You’re right. Everyone should know at the very least basic survival skills including how to hunt, how to shoot, and how to build a fire. Also, having a survival kit in your home doesn’t hurt, either.
Scott - I wish Americans would learn to leave people alone who want to be left alone. You’d think it would be common courtesy.
Jason - It’s funny how what’s now called survivalism used to just be regular living.
That’s the thing. These are just common skills everyone had generations ago.
Moni - I prefer cigarette lighters. So much easier. Plus, I cheat. I use a candle to start a fire. With a candle, I could show you how to start a fire with wet wood. It will just smoke a lot.
Logo - Well, a lot of it is common sense too. If you keep your head, you should be fine in just about any situation.
Lime - I’ve heard about those. Unfortunately for me, it seems most of them are back East.
Tshsmom - You’re some of the last people I’d be worried about (said in a good way). I’m sure you and yours carpentry skills are much better than mine too.
Yeah, I remember the Kim family tragedy. That’s a perfect example.
Yonder - Don’t worry, I’m sure most of them wouldn’t make it.
United - Yup. It helps too to know First Aid, which I’ve let mine expire 20 years ago. I really need to take a refresher course.
Thanks again for a great post and the reminder of this. You all know that we forget stuff when we go on trips. J and I usually dont travel in the winter time. Or we try not to. I mean spring and summer get cold too sometimes and you still need the blanket but I get the point here on myself.
This is the second day in a row that my verbose comment has been wiped out because I forgot to add two numbers together.
So, I will say in short, that I totally agree. It might seem like a joke to some that you go to all that trouble, but if some disaster hit, those same clowns will be freezing or starving to death while you are able to get by.
Tweety - That’s the thing about living where you do. You realize you need extra stuff, like blankets for instance.
Scott - Yeah, I know it’s a pain in the ***, but it keeps spammers away.
And yes, agreed. They’ll be the ones begging you for help too.