People in Glass Bunkers Shouldn’t Throw Seeds
So-called “doomsday preppers” — individuals who believe that they should prepare for a variety of doomsday situations — have become a well-known and widely mocked group. National Geographic even made a television show about them called Doomsday Preppers. The show walks the line between serious and silly, but, some prepper websites are claiming persecution by the US Department of Homeland Security.
Citing alleged incidences of officials targeting those who stockpile supplies, food, and gold, these preppers warn that government officials compel other citizens to report the preppers’ disaster preparedness activities. “Be a good little citizen and turn in your neighbor,” says what the preppers call a nanny state. When neighbors or business customers display behaviors commonly linked to survivalists and preppers — like stockpiling weapons — the “See Something, Say Something” initiative comes to mind.
People who advocate for prepper-type behaviors point to the preparedness actions of the government to justify their actions. Indeed, government agencies are able to create the most robust, extravagant, and advanced survival bunkers of all. The Norwegian government maintains a seed bank nicknamed the “doomsday vault.” On a remote island, the Svalbard Seed Vault stores seeds of many varieties of food plants from all over the world…just in case.
Here in the United States, FEMA stores food, medicines, and other emergency supplies in massive quantities for distribution to disaster victims…just in case. The White House created the Kennedy Bunker off the coast of Florida during the 1960s as part of the Cold War…just in case. It was intended to provide a safe house to President Kennedy and his family for a ‘just in case’ situation. What if the Russians did invade and drop nuclear bombs? At the height of Cold War tensions, President Kennedy himself recommended that Americans construct fallout shelters “as rapidly as possible.” (1)
Conspiracy theorists accuse the government of hoarding ammunition, allegedly in order to prevent citizens from purchasing the ammunition they need. Some preppers believe that they must protect themselves not only from natural disasters but also from the government itself.
So, what is the difference between a government building bunkers and an average citizen choosing to make personal preparedness a priority? Why is there such a concern with citizens building underground preparatory facilities? Is it simply a case where perception of something nefarious going on? But, with threat of terrorism, riots, and Russian aggression once again, should the recommendation be for Americans to once again have a fallout shelter?
In reality, what preppers may perceive as “hoarding” or “discriminatory” actions on the part of the US government are likely to be prudent government preparedness measures . A prepared government can continue to function in spite of disasters, and it can continue to provide essential services to its citizens. Humans have been building bunkers for generations and for many reasons. Those reasons can be legitimate safety concerns or the over-the-top fears of eccentric individuals.
Where is the line?
More resources:
Tips for “How to Keep Your Family Alive… and avoid being tagged an extreme doomsday prepper”
The Kennedy Bunker in Florida:
Long-Secret Fallout Shelter Was a Cold War Camelot, Lizette Alvarez, The New York Times
Inside the Bunker Built for President Kennedy, Family in Case of Nuclear War, ABC News
Government conspiracy theories:
Right Wing Watch Rep. Jim Jordan Endorses Conspiracy Theory that Government Is Hoarding Ammunition
Infowars Feds Lable Bulk Buying of Food a Potential Terrorist Activity
The Doomsday Vault:
Mainstream Preppers A Rare Chance to Peek into the “Doomsday Seed Vault”
Ag Professional Update on the world’s 15 largest seed banks
Official government site of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault
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