Even the mainstream press has gotten into the act:

Here's the Newsweek article: 'It's Psychologically Healthy to Prepare'

I haven't read this much about emergencies and disasters and preparedness since 9/11. At least people are talking about these things again. Fortunately, they're realizing terrorism is not the only thing for which we must be prepared.

-- Craig

It's good to see this kind of stuff on the media, I hate that it took something like Katrina to make people open their eyes.

A lot of folks are taking disasters seriously now, but I'm afraid that as soon as the Katrina situation dissapears from the front pages, they'll go back to their usual lack of preparation. Until the next disaster, that is.

Another thing I don't like about most of the guys that writte this articles is that they never mention knives or even multitools.

Still better than nothing, though.

I agree -- once everything calms down it will be back to normal. Oh how quickly we forget...

That's because of a thing called legal liability.

That .......... and POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

To my mind, that's simply another way of saying, "Please don't sue us."

-- Craig

No, not really. It's just another way of saying people don't like to think about the worst. Litigation is just an excuse.

Tell me about it. My sister is getting ready to send her daughter (my spoiled neice) off to preschool, kindergarten, whatever you want to call it. I advised her to ask the school about their lockdown procedures. I got a blank look in return.

I explained what lockdown was. Then she told me she certainly would NOT be asking any such questions because she was not going to be labelled a freak. When she said "freak," she looked me right in the eyes. Meaning, of course, she was not going to become the kind of paranoid freak she thinks I already am. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig

It's nice that we paranoid freaks have a place to commiserate. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm working on a day care abuse case right now. [One 4 y/o sexually abusing another 4 y/o] PLEASE advise your sistre to move the kid. If they are that obtuse about basics, no way they will catch signs of the kind of thing I'm dealing with in this case.

<img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

What are those "lockdown procedures" ?? (.. mimicking your sister's blank stare.... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

Most of us who visit this site are probably paranoid freaks. Unfortunatly, were right from time to time.... and if that time has come.... were not freaks <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

If there's an emergency in the area, the school principal will lock the doors to the school and allow no in or out. In that case, the school have to stockpiled food, water, medicine, generater, etc. If no is allowed in or out, then parents don't have to worry about picking up their kids, and thus clogging up the roads, freeing up roadspace for any emergency vehicles.

-- Craig

And my daughters school is 1/3 mile walk - you can BET, if TSHTF, I _WILL_ be picking her up (probably on foot), lockdown or not. You REALLY think they will keep me from my child? THEY might THINK so, but they won't (Breaching team - front and center)

That said - they actually DO have a procedure to pick up you child during lockdown (Breaching team - dismissed) - you go to the guard (yes, the school has a guard) show your ID, go to the office, they check against your childs "People allowed to sign this child out list", send you to your child, and then you are allowed to leave

Its also very calming to myself and my family knowing we don't have to rush around and gather stuff or run to the store for water or...We can relax and watch tv.

TRO

I have a name for my paranoid freakdom: PEACE OF MIND !!
You are not paranoid when you know that there are people & things that are out there to get you ! As further evidence of my weirdness, I knew that Slidell, La was about to be destroyed & left in 2001, ate crap from my family for 4 years and then I had my vindication.
It's okay to be a little weird, strange, & unusual.