Today I received a Google Alert regarding “Doomsday Preppers.” As I receive a litany of Google Alerts everyday, I’m accustomed to just taking a cursory glance and deleting any that are not immediately compelling. Unfortunately, the lead-in content of this article did compel me. I say unfortunately, because the author of this particular New York Times article made the poor choice of accusing Preppers, specifically those who appeared on National Geographic’s “Doomsday Preppers,” of zealously looking for “license to open-fire” on their fellowmen”, being “anti-life”, and “full of contempt for humankind”–oh, and that’s just a few of his malicious murmurings. (see NYTimes article here)
I don’t know about you, but such an accusation is significantly worse than Rush Limbaugh’s recent indiscretion, for which he had to apologize. On behalf of all Preppers, I demand the same. To this end, I wrote the following “Letter to the Editor” of the New York Times and frankly, it might be a good idea for you to contact them as well and share with them your feelings regarding this over-the-top, vicious accusation:
I am writing regarding your recent article entitled “Doomsday Has It’s Day in the Sun” Pure and simple, this article only serves to manifest what a total idiot you are. Not only did you paint yourself as anti-personal responsibility, but also anti-God and anti-Gun.
In your article you have the gall to boldly accuse those featured on National Geographic’s “Doomsday Preppers” as being “offensively anti-life and full of contempt for human kind”, having no religion other than the worship of one’s own guns, and that as such, any persons living a “be prepared lifestyle” are solely doing so in order that they can have “license to open fire” on their fellowmen! How in the world do you go from persons living out the Boy Scout Motto of Be Prepared, to being mass murderers??
Having seen every episode of the show thus far and participated in the second episode, I can’t help but wonder if you and I were watching the same show. Did you miss the whole segment in which a woman and her husband reach out to their community to teach physical self-defense through a rape prevention course?
Are you under the impression that cases of rape only take place in an apocalyptic scenario?
Do you seriously have a problem with people who actually practice the proper use of their firearms so that they can use them safely or is it that you really just have a problem that they practice more often than most law enforcement do?
Are you new to journalism or were you just living in a cubicle the last several years and missed some of the more renowned instances in which the selfless act of everyday citizens who practiced accurately shooting their firearms were able to stop the Trolley Square Massacre in Salt Lake City and the shooting at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs?
Is the search engine feature on your computer malfunctioning to the point that it was impossible for you to do even the slightest bit of research on your article before you put it out there as a representation of fact or are you really just a petty teenage boy who’s simply posing as an adult journalist?
I ask these questions because, you’ve accused some very good and honorable people of having no regard for human life; people such as Dennis Evers, a former police chief who risked his life to save others for decades, Jason Charles a NYC firefighter who was one of the first responders on 9/11, Martin Coville, also a retired police officer (whose wife is battling a steep uphill fight with cancer), or Kellene Bishop, the woman who teaches other women how to fight back in the event of a sexual assault—even though she suffers from excruciating pain of fibromyalgia AND who’s worked full-time for the last three years without pay just to educate others on embracing a more self-reliant lifestyle?!
To go so far as to state that these persons have no respect for the life of their fellowmen is asinine at best, and frankly paints you as nothing more than a “Jerry Springer wanna be” in an attempt to besmirch these honorable Americans and stir up a mocking hatred against them.
They want a free pass to start shooting? Well, Glenzinger, guess what? These Americans, for whom you hold such contempt, already have the freedom to defend themselves from short-sighted individuals like yourself who think it’s OK to take no responsibility for themselves other than to make a mental note of where these “Doomsday Preppers” live so that they can find them, and steal from them, if things ever go south. Ironically, the only individual you give any nod to is the numbskull who shows over 4.3 million people what she’s got stashed away in her New England home and then announces to the same audience that she doesn’t believe in guns or defending herself–that her only plan is to meet with gun owners who survive a crisis and “compare notes.” Hmmm. Notes or bullets…let me think here. Which might fair better? It’s interesting to note that you chose this woman’s segment to give your reserved approval to when hers is the ONLY segment which talked graphically about violence against others such as “slitting a person’s throat in their sleep.”
While I’ll admit that there have been a few characters on this show that I will not be inviting to my home for dinner any time soon, when I compare even the most colorful of those prepper personalities that were featured on the show, I’d much easier trust them with my life than an imbecile who has the opportunity to see what’s going on in the world from a front-row seat everyday, and yet STILL sees fit to label these good persons as “disdainful of life and human potential” because they are willing to take necessary precautions to keep their families safe from the very things you witness going on throughout the world. These people are investing in their futures in a much more sure manner than the gamblers on Wall Street are! And yet they are doing it without any help from Uncle Sam, bailouts, secret backroom deals, and even anonymity! These people are actually willing to stand up and put themselves out to the rest of the world to show them what a responsible person looks like! They forsake the jet skis or an exotic vacation trip in exchange for an extra 250 gallons of water and medical supplies that can be used during the next Hurricane Katrina scenario. These people are prioritizing now so that they don’t have to steal from their neighbors later in the form of looting, violence, welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, and unemployment checks.
According to author, Stephen Flynn in “The Edge of Disaster”, nearly 90% of Americans live in areas which put them at “moderate to high risk” of volcanoes, earthquakes, tornadoes, serious flooding, wild fires or high-wind damage. Over 116 million Americans live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant and our fuel prices have never been more volatile nor as high as they are today, and yet you take umbrage with a man who has the temerity to stabilize his buying power and ensure his safety by having a mere 50 gallons of fuel stored in fuel-safe containers so that he can “get out of dodge” fast if need be?
You claim that the preppers are the ridiculous ones to believe that there’s a distinct possibility of a financial collapse and yet you have no problem with Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, or Donald Trump for possessing an “absurd excess” of money? Are their multi-million dollar security systems and security personnel in their homes and offices considered “absurd excess” as well? Is it also just downright crazy for our government to be purchasing billions of dollars of freeze-dried food and other essentials to set aside for what they believe is coming some day? So we’re to understand that you think it’s OK for the wealthy and “powerful” to own millions of dollars of shares in the electric and fuel industry and yet preppers are “frighteningly extensive” to have batteries and fuel stored aside “just in case”, and crazy to actually practice the safe use of our affordable systems of security?! I suppose that my taking pleasure in the fact that I purchase my groceries based on the same principles used by a Wall Street Broker to manage his stock portfolio is somehow “dubious?” So, oh wise one, would you care to enlighten us as to how the massive amounts of money of the wealthy, along with their own extensive security measures, will benefit you or themselves should our economy crash, or a powerful solar flare destroys the power grid of the electric company stocks they own, or an earthquake along the New Madrid fault line destroys all transportation of the other goods in which they’ve invested as indicated by some flimsy pieces of paper they may own that will not even give them a warm fire through a single night?
Oh, and for the record, the majority of these Doomsday Preppers that I know do put their faith in God, not guns, and much more so than some hollow lip service that says “I believe” on one hand but then does nothing actionable to actually prove such faith. These men and women you mock have put themselves out there and subjected themselves to the ridicule that they knew would surely come from people like yourself and they did it because of that faith in God—faith that He could someone use this whole experience for His good to reach out to others and encourage them to be willing to stand up and be accountable for their own success, safety, and well-being. These people you snarl at with your catty humor are driven primarily because of their willingness to be real parents to their children instead of the runaway parent that we see abandoning their children to others in favor of addictions or selfishness. These Preppers are actually heeding the Biblical counsel of being prepared for the tough times that are surely to come which they believe will ultimately lead up to an end. Are they preparing for the end? Actually, no. That’s pointless. But a show entitled “Everyday Preppers” probably wouldn’t attract many viewers either, now would it?
I could care less that some backyard writer earns his living taking 3rd grade pot shots at me for having extra food, water, medical supplies, firewood, guns, ammo, and a bag I can grab on my way out the door in case of a fire or some other emergency, but I take exception to such a disingenuous act of proclaiming that these preppers have some blood-thirsty desire to kill their fellowmen! Do you criticize people for having a safe room in their home or for locking their doors at night? Is it considered “excessive” in your mind for a college co-ed to carry pepper spray when she’s out alone on campus at night? I suppose that if it was you’re world we would all get rid of the emergency brakes on our cars as well as hazard lights too? Perhaps we should all stop paying for health, auto, or homeowners insurance as well, after all, isn’t it a little ridiculous to spend money on things that only MIGHT be helpful in the future?
If Rush Limbaugh must apologize for his recent name calling, an expression of his opinion, then certainly you should be held to the same standard for portraying these good men and women as pre-meditated Machiavellian murderers. I mean seriously, how in the world did you convince yourself that these Preppers merited such an attack? Was it just the old cliché of trying to sell more papers?
Using your own ironic ending of your article I close with saying–Hmmm…Apparently when you wrote this article you decided that your true designs of “inspiring all of your readers to drink the Kool-aid and believe that the government, state, or city leaders will ‘save us’ if there’s ever a crisis and pray that we all just forget about our own personal responsibility” was deemed to not have quite the same effective ring to it.
Kellene Bishop
The Preparedness Pro
Orem, Utah
Now I need to find the article of the idiot who set you off and give him a piece of my mind also.
Great letter, Kellene. Hope they have the guts to publish it.
It’s linked in the article I wrote.
I read your ‘Letter to the Editor’, and I was agreeing to it all, up until some comments I found to be quite offensive, starting with “These people are prioritizing now so that they don’t have to steal from their neighbors later in the form of looting, violence, welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, and unemployment.”, followed by “…they did it because of that faith in God.” and “These Preppers are actually heeding the Biblical counsel of being prepared…”, and lastly “If Rush Limbaugh must apologize for his recent name calling, an expression of his opinion, then certainly you should be held to the same standard for portraying these good men and women as pre-meditated Machiavellian murderers. I mean seriously, how in the world did you convince yourself that these preppers merited such an attack?”
Had you left the first comment at looting and violence, that might be acceptable; but why did you had to add …welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, and unemployment…? What is it you have against such people? Being on disability and Medicaid myself, through no fault of my own, I found that to be slightly offensive to those of us who have found themselves being enrolled in many of those programs. Just by what you wrote, I won’t bother asking you ‘What would Jesus do?’, since you and many other ‘Christians’ today, seem to believe he would say “Kick’em to the curb for being thieves”.
That brings up another subject, and your other quotes. Apparently you, and the majority of other prepper sites, believe, that somehow, in your collective prepper world, one cannot be a good prepper unless, first and foremost, you have faith in God. That you put ‘God’ first above all else. That too is immensely offensive. One should not be required to have faith in God, or belief in any god, to have morals, or sound judgement on everyday tasks. I do not have faith in your God, I’m atheist / agnostic in my beliefs, but that doesn’t stop me from being prepared, or thinking what more can I do to be prepared.
I have followed your blog for some time, mostly for the great advice, and tips, and not once, until now, have I judged you for your beliefs; but in your Letter to the Editor, you go out and judge others like you have some inalienable right do to so. In your last comment regarding standards, to which Rush Limbaugh was held, don’t be surprised if you get held to the same; because a similar question can be asked of you: “How in the world did you convince yourself that non-god-fearing preppers merited such an attack?”
Actually I simply said that MOST of the people believed in God and I did so because the so-called journalist said that we believe in guns as our religion. In no way did I intimate that preppers all believe in God. I am Christian and this is my personal blog and I also make it very clear that the Preparedness Pro blog is written based on non-denominational Christian beliefs. So can we please stop the incredulous attitude with my approach to prepping from a Christian viewpoint?
Additionally, I am sorry that you ARE having tough times in any way, shape or form, but it doesn’t change the fact that anyone who uses the money which is forcibly stolen from others for their support is stealing from their fellowmen; it just seems to be OK because the government stole it first, I suppose. It’s not a sexy point of view, it’s not pretty, and because we have become so socialistic in our views, it will never be popular, but it is the truth and I will not shrink from it.
Ms. Bishop,
The government funds the roads that you drive your car on and the libraries that you borrow books from. Your government also funds the community center where you teach women self-defense. Yet when somebody can’t work because they’re disabled and need financial asssitance, they are “stealing” from you somehow. Nah, don’t think so.
I do not intend to offend anyone by sharing this personal conviction. I certainly did not come upon this realization easily and I realize that people have struggles and need helping hands now and then. Perhaps you missed the previous comments in which I expound on this. I realize it’s a tough principle to accept, but knowing what I know now, there’s no way in the world that I could take a disability check other than from disability insurance that I paid for. It’s a very personal decision and I can’t make it for anyone else, rather I can only share my beliefs on the matter. I realize that it’s not a popular position as Americans hold on to their welfare benefits and entitlement programs fiercely with one hand while pledging allegiance for liberty and justice with the other.
Your comment is making some far-fetched assumptions though. I actually PAY for the places where I teach my classes or I work to line up corporate sponsors. I pay for the roads I drive on through the gas taxes and for the library through property taxes. The government doesn’t do any of that for me. It’s a contract, an exchange of services for money. Additionally, I also am happy to pay for the health care of veterans–after all, that’s what they should expect in return for risking their lives, and it infuriates me how poorly the government administers these benefits to veterans. However, I am forced to pay for the care of someone else or risk some pretty horrendous penalties such as jail, surrendering my home or other belongings, etc. I was FORCED to pay and give a free-pass to all of the banks and corrupted Wall Street brokerages. I was FORCED to pay for abortions, to pay for someone’s old clunker, Michelle Obama’s jet set vacations, Obama’s legal fees so that he can continue to deceive us, interest in General Motors, interest on money to bail out foreign banks, a bridge going nowhere, and to protect insignificant bugs that the government felt needed protection–etc, etc. These are ALL examples of outright STEALING.
If we were to witness anyone else behaving in this manner, we’d call them some kind of gang, or the mob because no matter how you slice it, it’s stealing, extortion, etc. People are simply using the government as their point man to perform the robbery. I firmly believe that people need help from time to time and I prove my willingness to provide it in the classes I teach, the miles I travel to do so, the countless hours I spend writing (hopefully helpful) articles and the $15K a year I spend out of my own pocket to be able to do keep several blogs and a busy calendar going. Taking money from one citizen by force to pay for the care of another isn’t charity, it’s theft. And as such I have made the personal decision to see it as such and thus not partake of it. On the other hand, I pay a 10% tithing on my gross income each year and another 5-10% in what’s called “fast offerings” which go specifically to help out the poor and needy temporarily. also volunteer my time to help with several other organizations who reach out to fill in the gaps of the needs of others. This is voluntary, not by force, as such it’s the very core of charity because it’s done voluntarily.
I regret that you are offended by this position.
I regret that I’m offended as well. I don’t want to be. But programs such as the SNAP program and Medicaid are a part of the social contract just as much as roads and fire departments. You’ve managed to arrange your life so you don’t particularly need these services, and that’s great. Unfortunately, many people aren’t capable of this due to life circumstances.
However, I will concede this much: yes, the government IS stealing your money. They are srealing from you and giving it to banks in the form of no-strings-attached bailouts
What is the SNAP program? I have never heard of it.
And they are stealing from you to the tune of trillions to pay for those useless wars in the Middle East. So you are right to say the government is stealing. It’s just that you’re wrong about where the theft is taking place.
So, it’s stealing when it goes to the banks, but it’s not unscrupulous when it’s going to individuals who feign indigence, or who refuse to work to support themselves, or who “work the system?” I figure if someone is brilliant enough to strategically work the system, then they are capable enough to work for themselves or others.
Disability payments are not stolen from taxpayers. They are a percentage of YOUR SS payments that you payed in during the years you were able to work. Unemployment is also not stolen from taxpayers. It is insurance paid by your employer for a future time in which you may not have a job. Are these systems abused? Sure they are. But not everyone drawing these types of checks are abusing it. Many are decent folk who would LOVE to be a part of the work force again. Perhaps you should not call yourself Christian until you have become more humble and caring toward your fellow men. I don’t remember being taught in church that Christ ever referred to those in need as thieves.
Actually, Christ did indeed call such persons thieves–the money collectors, specifically. Unfortunately our system has evolved as such that the gov’t now uses the peer pressure of our fellow Americans to help in their thieving and who have become so dependent upon the fruits of that theft that they are even willing to sling mud at anyone who dares to call it for what it is–without even bothering to take the time to educate themselves as to what’s really going on.
Thank you, Zakk, for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Such name calling should not be tolerated in print just as it is not tolerated on tv or radio but the left seems to be able to name call & lie without being called out on it so glad that called them out – having grown up on a farm prepping was a lifestyle because the food was stored up during the harvests for eating during the year but city folks & suburbanites as a general whole seem to have totally gotten too lazy to not only cook their own food from scratch but to bother to pick up a phone to check facts or do an interview to ask questions since obviously the so called reporter (no reporting done just simple uninformed simple-minded opinion offered) doesn’t understand the whys or hows & showed willful ignorance & intolerance of people who think & live differently
Some people are just pure idiots!! Find themselves talking about the people on the show so much but are taking secret mental notes so when s*** hits the fan! Hypocrite’s! Pay them no mind kellene, just trying to get famous off your lifestyle, LAME!
Excellent letter, Kellene – I wonder if the fool will even read it…..
The media no longer has a true mission of reporting the truth. Their purpose is to “shape public opinion”. Even though this reporter is an idiot, his first idiotic more was choosing to work for the owner of that particular liberal media.
His rebuttal would likely be that he was just “doing his job” and completing his assignment exactly the way he was told to.
You have a very good point, Donnella.
While you sure told them ,I think it the article was written to agitate and aggravate because it sells newspapers. No other reason. The paper is about dead and they need the sales.
The guy that wrote it probably doesn’t even believe it.. I also think your rant back was a bit long and wordy. Made you feel good but most likely won’t get published for that reason.
Oh, that’s kind of funny. Do you really think that I believe they’ll do anything with this? Nope. But then again, I have been writing about preparedness for three years too–a hopeless cause to some, but seeing what’s happened in so many peoples lives as result has made it all worth it. 🙂 “You know how they say that the only way evil wins is for good men to do nothing”? Well, this is me doing something.
And you “do something” so well, dear Kellene. 🙂
Kellene, keep up the good fight. You are having great success at educating others of the need to prep for the rainy day. If we could all do the same, then prepping would become more mainstream, which would cause even non-preppers to become more educated and assess the risk factors they face, and may even cause them to re-assess who they vote for in political elections.
If enough people prep and become more educated about the risks they face, the risk factor that I am preparing for (financial collapse) can be averted and I can give away my surpluses to the less fortunate. Thus, there is great educational value in shows like Doomsday Preppers. Wake up America!
Ugh.
I’m done with this blog.
Kathy H. simply feels that it’s more productive to build a strong community than to fill the basement with weapons. I agree. Think it through for a few minutes, and you might start to see the point. What will you do when you’ve shot off all the ammunition?
Never did she advocate slitting anyone’s throat (that particular moment of the segment was- you guessed it – an ignorant kid filmed for sheer entertainment).
Your response to the NYT article is 1000 times more vitriolic than the article itself, does far more “name-calling” than the “backyard writer” of the original article could ever hope to, and your response only elucidates your own closed-mindedness.
Kathy’s “mistake” was NOT in her view on self-defense, it was her sharing that view AFTER she’d already shown that she’s got plenty to take in desperate times. I enjoyed her segment. Her OPSEC mistake was my only concern and it was, indeed, a dingbat mistake. In fact, I’m sure Kathy had nothing to do with the “slit their throats in their sleep” comment. That was not my point. My point was how ironic it was that the only segment which featured the utterance of a violent threat against mankind was on the one segment that the author gave a nod to. The words in my response confirm that position.
But you do have me curious. I wonder, at what point is it OK to stand up and be counted? At what point does it stop being OK for the lame-stream media to prosper only if they are successful in vilifying good people? But hey, Ugh. This is clearly not the blog for the faint of heart.
Killene –
Once again thank you for saying how you really feel about being a prepper. I have to say that I agree with 99.9% of what you said. Unfortunately, like Zakk Toepfer I am also partially dependent on the government through the Social Security and Medicare payments that I need in order to survive. Without these I would not be able to get the medical care that I need in order to fight my cancer. As an independent trucker Martin has no access to medical insurance of any kind for me. My cancer prices me out of the marketplace when it comes to individual insurance.
Also have you seen the response to that article that is posted on American Preppers Network. He also thinks we are a bunch of nuts and that he had to do his program on Animal Planet to show the right way to prep and that not all preppers are like those of us who were featured on the Nat Geo series.
Sarah, to be clear, I do not fault anyone for taking help that is offered to them. I believe my episode did an OK job of showing that my husband and I care very much about helping others. But it is our choice and it’s why we donate nearly 15% of our income to help those who need it. What I’m opposed to is those who steal the money from the citizens under the threat of jail or losing all of their possessions. That is money from ill-gotten gains, it is allowing someone else to steal it “on my behalf.” It doesn’t necessarily make the people who receive it any less deserving of the help, but once I realized this for myself, I could no longer participate. Our nation was built upon self-reliance of oneself first, then their family, and then their religion. Well, our government has done a great job in destroying the family and mocking the religions, so what’s left for people who are literally battling for their life? I cannot say just yet what decision I would make if I were at that same crossroad and I can’t judge others for that.
Yes, I did see the response of APN, which is why I have removed them from my blog references and feel that I can no longer recommend their resources to preppers in need. Instead, I am moving forward with the national chapters all throughout the U.S. that will be based on virtues of fortitude, truth, and real independence. I simply can’t stomach their suggestion that they shared with me to “not aggitate the media”. Who is the “media” that I am supposed to bow down to in abeyance and surrender? They were quite condescending of my participation in the series. So be it. To each his own.
I do pray for you all the miracles you need to do what you need to do here on the earth.
Martin and I have been discussing our continuing to follow APN after reading his post. At this point, I think we will continue to follow it just to be aware of what he is putting out there. We adhere more to your way of thinking that the more we help to prepare our neighbors, the more all of us will be able to survive. Begin self-sufficient doesn’t mean going off in the woods and protecting you and yours from the rest of the world.
Woo hoo! You go Girl!!!! :)What a Moron he is!
The more I read his article the angrier I get! I think you are great Kellene!! Keep up the great work, because of you I have ventured into canning meat because my son loves meat more than any other food. Thank you so much!
Bravo Kellene! Reporters like that have no value and their opinions can be put out to pasture to grow the wheat I will store for later!! 🙂
I have to agree a bit with Zakk. My husband and I are both disabled veterans. His injuries were so extensive he is unable to work and requires full time care (me). Because of this our only income is va disability and social security disability. I wish it were otherwise but it is what it is. I do not feel we are stealing from our fellow americans. My husband gave everything but his life to defend this country and he deserves to be cared for as do many who have served. Please Kellene, rethink your view.
Well, you might be happy to know that I consider veteran benefits very different which is why I didn’t list that benefit in my “rant.” I believe that our military is essentially entering into a contract to do the ONE primary thing that our government is supposed to do for us, and that’s to protect us. If I am to benefit from that protection then I am to pay for that protection. Sounds like a fair deal to me. In fact, it infuriates me when I hear of the horror stories that veterans are put through when trying to take care of the physical and mental consequences of their service. That’s what the money is THERE for, so if it’s not being used on the Veterans, who’s pockets are getting fat as a result? Grrr…
I have been very impressed with you since I had seen your episode of Doomsday Prepares. I, also have enjoyed your blog, and most of all I loved your respond to the NYT. Except the part about welfare, food stamps, Medicaid and unemployment and that who uses them are compared to thieves? What is this about? We all had paid in this and have the right to take back from it in our time of need, or do you think we should just leave it to the government to be richer? Your logic is that the government had stolen from the citizens in form of SS, and your logic is to leave it in the government possession just because you don’t agree for “the citizens” right to use what the government took from them when they need it??
I’m sure that MOST of the families and individuals who are on any of these programs if they have a choice they will choose to have a JOB instead. Do you know how humiliating it is to stand in the grocery line buying food on food stamps, or set in the unemployment office looking through the scrap jobs they have on their list, or giving the Medicaid insurance card at the doctor’s office while they give you the look as you are trash????I’m sure we don’t choose to humiliate ourselves this way. Each and every single family has their reasons. Our reason that we were blessed with a baby with severe genetic disorder four months ago. Four months ago we were doing great and have many plans for the future and for our prepping plans “on our own”. But then on the day my husband had to go back to work our daughter stopped breathing and he had to give her CPR for five whole minutes before the ambulance took her to the hospital. This caused my husband his job and our health insurance, just because he didn’t show up for work to save his daughter’s life!! We didn’t choose to be on food stamps, unemployment or Medicaid, so are we thieves???
Abir, You are absolutely right that we do pay into this, but it is not voluntarily done so. And once I really got to thinking about it and really looking at the matter, I decided that it wasn’t ok for ME to authorize my government to do something that I myself am not able to do. I am not allowed to force someone else to take care of me or of my mother etc. And as such I made the decision that I could no longer take advantage of the welfare programs. Yes, I really do know how humiliating it is to go through the check out line and pay with food stamps, or to get your school lunch everyday with a bright “special” card that tells everyone around you that you’re somehow less of a person because your mom can’t afford to pay the 10 cents for the school lunch. And yes, I do know how exhausting it is mentally and emotionally to keep up with the stress of physical illness without the help necessary. I assure you that I didn’t get to this point of belief overnight and I certainly didn’t get to where I am dragging everyone else with me. It is my own personal decision that I will not use any monies that are forcibly taken from my neighbors. There’s a big difference between thieves and what you’re describing. Thieves STEAL while others are fortunate enough to RECEIVE. There’s a big difference between the two and the difference is the state of the persons mind and heart who takes possession of the asset.
Now that I’ve studied and researched and proven to myself that I can stand on my own two feet without a single penny from the government, I simply cannot make a decision to TAKE such monies without feeling like I’m stealing from my neighbors. Again, it is a personal decision and one that many other preppers believe which is also part of why they believe in taking full responsibility now, for what lies in the future, for their well-being and care. It is as much a personal decision, I believe it is as equally a personal decision as is the one couples make to decide when or if to have children, what church will they attend, how they will discipline their children, and so on. I hope that explains my feelings on the matter suitably.
Unfortunately, this rather complicated path of decision making is distracting some people from the crux of my message and I do regret that. But like I said before, I can’t soften this truth. I do understand that it’s a tough one to incorporate into one’s life. Surgical removal of what’s considered to be a vital limb always comes with excruciating difficulty. And I am not the one to say WHEN a person must do it. But I’m certain that there will come a time in the not-so-distant future that many will have that decision made for them as the result of a financial collapse, and they will be caught painfully unaware and unprepared. In the meantime, I try to prepare to help as many as possible when that time comes with whatever need they may have.
OK let’s back off Kellene and her view of public assistance already. That isn’t really the part of her rebuttal that is the most important after all. This guy at the paper is talking of something which he knows nothing about, namely preppers. If we really want him to understand us for what we are, we need to join together and get him out among us. If we get hung up on one part of Kellene’s message and start hassling her about that, how can we expect to get him to see us as we really are?
Kellene…right on.
To those who like her rant “until”…
Obviously Kellene made a broad statement that covers everyone she intended to, plus a few she didn’t. Touche.
BUT….having spent a large portion of my career as a city letter carrier, I can tell you FROM EXPERIENCE and PERSONAL OBSERVATION, just how many people ARE gaming the system…multi-generational welfare families…huge house, new cars, gold bling…and getting 6-10, or many more, government checks every stinking month…for years. Not EVERYONE…just a PORTION of average Americans.
If you’re on medicaid, SSI, vets benefits, etc, and you’re barely making it, and you NEED those funds…well, they ARE yours…you paid into them, most of you, for a few decades. Don’t take her rant PERSONALLY.
Ever heard the phrase, “vocal minority”? In this case, it applies to those few wretched souls stealing what equivocates to billions of dollars a year in cost from all Americans, regardless of who you are or where you live.
You give them some…they demand more. You give them some more…they demand even more…they become ENTITLED to what IS NOT THEIRS. And, liberal establishment policy and corrupt political officials (and sadly their number gets bigger every day), pass laws, legislation, and bills…to quiet those vocal, useless mouth-breathers…who create nothing and who do nothing for their country, their community, or their “fellowmen”…except suck the lifeblood away from those who truly need it and rightly deserve it.
I haven’t read the article that Kellene’s rant was pointed towards, but I can only say that I have seen this kind of lopsided, biased, ignorant and in most ways, absolutely asinine printed drivel more and more every day….EVERY DAY.
Like Kellene, I too use Google Alerts, and the incredible negative feedback from shows like “Preppers” just goes to prove how many left-wing, government dependent, “REAL” welfare mentality (the government will take care of me) people there are in this nation.
Self reliance BUILT this nation. Self sufficiency SPREAD this nation. Preparedness as a lifestyle began centuries ago. Either you planned ahead…or you DIED.
Fiction has given us Mad Max and the like. Fact has given us Katrina, skyrocketing taxes, inflation, and lost jobs. We really do know who is responsible, yet most of us look the other way, not doing anything about it.
What will be…will be. Pity.
Kellene has spent a long time helping others. Hundreds and perhaps thousands of other “prepper” types have spent decades taking care of themselves, so THEY could and DID also take care of OTHERS. And I’m not talking about the military….just average, normal, nondescript Americans….the 99.999999999% you’re NOT seeing on the NatGeo channel.
As with anything you get on the net, or the news these days, take it for what it’s worth. Think of GENERALITIES when someone like Kellene posts a PUBLIC yet TARGETED response to an uncalled for attack. She is a human being, just like you and me…but at least she is doing something about taking care of the needs of her family and community, where as most who might feel slighted here, are too busy just trying to make it through the day.
That’s ok. It’s a tough life right now. Do what you have to. But, keep your mind on the goal here…survival…for as long as possible…against any threat…to your self…your pocketbook…and your soul.
Kellene has integrity, moxie, and skills. She teaches..she shows how. She shares. What’s wrong with that?
There are many more people, like Kellene, who are online, sharing how to prepare and persevere…against ALL odds…and doing it because they WANT to.
Guns…prepping is NOT about guns. Offense…or defense, or as a skill to be used WHEN NEEDED. A tool…nothing else. There are times they are needed, and times they are not. The ONE time I have had a gun pointed at me, was on the streets as letter carrier, by thugs in a low-rider driving by. Not much I could have done at that moment but pray…and I did.
But, I got the message. The right to stay alive means having to protect one’s self from evil at times…whether writ small or large…and if one MUST have a weapon to protect themselves…well, that’s why we have the 2nd amendment, and a justice system to seek the truth, and punish those who abuse the right.
Focus on the big picture here. If this share by Kellene threatened or hurt your feelings in some way…take some REAL time to try to UNDERSTAND WHY. You are NOT the reason for Kellene, her story, her discussion, or her lifestyle. You’ve put yourself into this scenario by thinking YOU were being picked on. Review that…and comprehend.
It was NOT her intent. Seek the value she has shared, even in this response of hers. The references to real threats, real ignorance, and real facts.
Do a little research. You’ll know who I am. If I was in Kellene’s shoes, I would do EXACTLY what she did…for EXACTLY the same reason.
Again, Ms. Bishop…thank you. Keep doing what you’re doing.
So well put to those who thought they were being singled out. I commend your insight on Kellene Bishop’s point of view. Thank you
This Neil Genzlinger will be one of the ones banging on the door of the “ark” when the SHTF and he’ll be crying to be let in. I don’t understand why, with all that is going on in our country and the world, that some of these brain-dead reporters are hell bent on making people who want to prepare for hard times look like idiots or crazy? I guess they don’t know how to think for themselves or actually do investigative reporting.
BTW, I tried to respond to Genzlinger on the NY Times website and my email “could not be processed at this time.” I’m sure he’s been getting a big response to his article.
Wow. You are some GREAT writer and thinker. We have only “known” you for a short while but we look forward to reading your thoughts on many prepping subjects. We refer to you as our “Martha Stewart” of prepping because of your passion for food and living well. Thank you for all you do and share with the world. AND remember, ignorant people laughed at Noah, too!!!
Way to go, Ms Bishop! My family and I are brand new preppers….thank goodness I saw your interview on Fox & Friends and heard you mention Preparedness Pro.com. I had been watching Doomsday Preppers, but I love the idea of having a website for reference. Anyway, your reply to the NYT “Journalist” was spot-on! Sadly, he and those like him, will be the pitiful souls who will probably resort to “opening fire” on their fellow man if a disaster should strike. It is the unprepared who will lose all sense of civility because they are starving. So, again, I say WAY TO GO! Also, I am surprised at the number of preppers I have encountered in my own area, since beginning this way of life. It gives me hope for humanity. Keep up the good work!
All I can say is thank you for kicking his sorry butt.
Most of the people making comments following the article were from LA, NYC, Philadelphia. Guess who’s going to be looking for water and food and won’t find it. Left wingers have no character and seem to get their jollies from condemning those who are free thinkers and self sufficient. There’s lots of sand out there for them to put their heads in. I think the earth will purge itself of those people, bullets not needed. It astounds me how many sheep are out there. My 92 year old Mother has always ‘stocked up’. Prep on! Thanks to you Kellene and all the others for all your valuable information.
It never ceases to amaze me, how ignorant some people can be. Kellene, Great Article…you said it much better than I could. Being prepared is not something you do as a lark. Much thought has gone into this and I for one am grateful DP is on. Many people have called me names because they think I’m crazy. I remember when I was growing up, my grandmother canned much of her own food and stored as much as she could of whatever she had access to because her husband died and left her with three children to raise (no social savior programs in the 20s). My aunt and uncle lived on a farm and needed to preserve while they could and store for leaner times. Many younger people don’t remember some years ago when there was a gas shortage and people were only allowed to buy $2.00 worth of gas at a time…and I also remember when there was a shortage on paper goods–my other grandmother had bathroom tissue, kleenex and paper towels stacked to the ceiling for years….this is not a new thing. If you don’t want to prepare, fine, but don’t criticize those of us who do. We have a right to own guns and having them is simply an exercise of that right. God forbid that we ever need to use them for protection against our neighbors. And as for the people who are on diasability, welfare, or unemployment…you know who you are and you know if you are entitled to that assistance. Many recipients need that help for real life issues and we don’t mean to disparage you, but you know as well as I do…SOME ARE milking the system, it’s always been that way. In my humble opinion, this world is not the same one I grew up in. The actual dangers are increasing daily, it you don’t see it, you’re blind. Mr Neil Genzlinger…Don’t Knock On My Door!
Passionately and beautifully written. You go, Kellene!
Common sense must be used here. SR is absolutely right when he said we all know the abusers. We know the ones that have worked all their life, obeyed all the rules and still find themselves in need of assistence. These are the ones you see bagging groceries at the supermarket, cleaning tables at the mall, flag waving advertisement in silly costumes on the streets They are still working trying NOT to take anymore than they have to. They have pride in what they do and employers are happy to have them because they WORK. PRIDE and Honor for their country is what sets them apart from the ones that know how to work the system!!!! Keep up the good work Kellene, we know how you feel and how much you do for all of us. THANK YOU.
AMEN!
I for one am thankful that I watched Doomsday Preppers and I respect Kellene and the role-model she has become to women. “prepping” has put a name to what I have done since the 1980’s when I lived in California and prepared for earthquakes. Now I am disabled and on Social Security and Medicare, but not on foodstamps or medicaid. We are prepping one can at a time because we have no funds to prep on a grand scale but I do can veggies and fruits and I am going to try meats, after watching Kellene. My husband and I have gone hungry when we had too many medical bills to pay as Medicare does not pay for everything. I have Fybromyalgia, Congestive Heart Failure, and Lupus and diabetes and other things. All I can say is way to go, Kellene!! I will be ready for the government to take away Medicare because I believe our goverment is going to collapse. .Kellene you are influencing a lot of folks to take better care of themselves and to be ready for whatever happens! Keep up the good work!! And Thank you!!
Carey, I’ve sent you an e-mail. Let’s see what we can do to help some of the medical vulnerabilities that you’re going through, eh?
I will watch for your email!
Thank you,
Carey
well said 🙂 You write wonderfully. power to the preppers.
Did NYT call you a (edited for vulgarity) and prostitute?
I will call you an attention-whore. You brought this upon yourself.
I realize that to a morally corrupt individual it may be difficult to see much difference between an accusation of being sexually promiscuous and an accusation of being a blood thirsty, trigger happy killer; so I’ll just let this anonymous, cowardly post slide on the basis that you may be morally challenged at this time.
[…] NatGeo prepper responds to the NYT article: https://kellenebishop.wordpress.com/2…ew-york-times/ Regards, […]
I knew what sort of metrosexual moron he is by his “where will you find a plumber” comment.
Most folks I know are smart enough to cut and glue (or snake out) a pipe all by themselves!
Idiots…
Kellene, you make some excellent points. After reading this article and then where the conversation headed, I am a liitle dismayed. Remember, people, this blog is from a Christian view. And saying that we must keep in mind that “We wrestle not against flesh and blood” meaning people aren’t the enemy – Satan is. Their eyes are blinded, perhaps willingly, and they tend to throw their ignorance around. It is appropriate to respond as Kellene did on this groundless newspaper article. But pointing fingers to people on your “team” and taking offense when non was meant, just wastes time and energy.
Keep up all your good works!
As there are idiots, morons, and the like, we must take them with a “grain of salt” and pray that they do not need the help of those who they pooped on by writing such falsehoods.
I totally agree with you and hope that you get a response from the writer i would really like to see what he has to say.
Kellene;
Thank you for your time and hard work!
As a christian, I too belive in caring for my family and my community. I thus believe in helping the truly needy. I dislike providing for those who need a “kick in the pants” rather than a helping hand. We have trained people to provide neither for their families nor themselves. Sadly, this group of people is willing to demand more and is often willing and eager to take whatever they want from others.
With the fiscal mismanagment in our nation, coupled with the general moral decay, I am taking steps to care further for my family in the longer term. I will not “bunker down” (at least not in my current thinking) because I will be needed in ministry to others-people will need spiritual help. This is my ministry.
I, and much of my family are very proficient and prepared for home defense(we live in a small rural area so our needs are different) and we a storing supples.
The best defense is your enemies ignorance of your defense. Do eveything you can to confuse, derail or debilitate your attacker at the greatest distance from you. Up close and personal is always ugly, tramatic, and the most dangerous. Last resort.
As you know, Hollywood is not known for accuracy or honesty. Neither is much of the printed media. It is all about money, yes and any political agenda they have.The current mentality is that Big Daddy will provide, all we have to do is huddle with our hands in each others pockets and we will be warm and cared for. To prepare for trouble, upheaval is to say that political solutions are unable to “care for the people” and thus deeply flawed. This WILL incur the ire of many, especially the progressive liberals(much of the media). As you know, you will be attacked. When kindergarden students have no logical arguments or rebuttals, they resort to name calling. We must be careful for our words carry meaning.
When I watched the show with the young man who said he would “invite” marauders to a feast, I immediately felf sorry for him-he had no concept of what these bands of people would be like. Before the meal would be ready, he and his family would be dead or driven from their home. The marauders would be in “survival” mode, desperate, unwilling to share, without morals. They would not be kind and gentle neighbors who respond to logic and helping hands.
Do everything you can to continue building a like minded community-there is security in numbers.
Remember, without God, life is a waste of time.
[…] I’ll pass on serving up a testy “WTF?” rebuttal of Neil’s ridiculous overreaction since someone beat me to it (and did a better job than I could’ve). […]
Good for you!
Great response, Kellene!!
I work in DC as a govt contractor. There are many of us that see and hear things. The govt knows what is comming and is preparing. Yet, they arnt telling us to prepare for more than 3 days of food and water.
GOD Bless!
VA Prepper
Wow. I am not currently a prepper, but the information this writer came away from this show with was vastly different than what I came away with. I was a little overwhelmed at first, but then interested. I applaud Kellene & the others for participating in this show that clearly demonstrated people taking control of their fates by preparing for emergencies of all kind. No one thought a situation like Katrina could happen, until it did. Same with Japan and Haiti. Having a family of my own, I drew inspiration from Kellene and the others and was called to action to make sure that if anything bad happened in our area, I could provide for and protect my family. Kellene’s response was eloquent and polite; proving further that it’s not the prepper’s who are crazy, judgmental lunatics.
AWESOME LETTER!
I couldnt have said it better. Seriously.
Thank you gor all you do to help others be better prepared.
how come that most of the preppers i just saw on TV assume that when the world as they know it comes to an end. suddenly everyone who is not a prepper is evil and will steal and rape and kill?
agreed , i assume that most americans will do just that.
But as a community there is more chance of survival
also i wonder about the irony of prepping your whole life and then die while the world keeps going….
although I dont agree with some of the comments kelleen made, (comments.. She did not attack in any way) mainly about the welfare programs i know alot of good respectable people who need these programs, i DO agree, that an entire article based on attacking a group of people, just for doing the VERY thing our parents and grandparents grew up learning to do, that is wrong. These folks also learned to conserve use responsibly and reuse what you can. does the article writer think we should blow threw our non renewable resorses without any reprecussions? sounds that way to me….. but of course this article is designed to peak the interest of wealthy people who feel money cures all ills and that their money will protect them. or maybe this article was printed to spark a fire in some people to cause a backlash and prove what the article states… that Preppers are strange outcasted individuals who fear impending doom and cant handle any form of critisism. Maybe im wrong about all of it! But what i do know is that this is Kelleens Personal Blog page and if you do not like her views and opinons about her religion or politics.. then simply stop reading when you feel offended and not return to her blog instead of harrassing her rudely. after all like I said this is HER PERSONAL blog. Not and article published by a nationally known and read literary company.