A new book just went on my To purchase list - Pivot Points

A gentleman who frequented a forum I belong to recently wrote a book.

From the Description on Amazon.com

"Too many Americans lack the know-how and provisions to adequately handle even a small disaster—be it man-made or natural. Meanwhile, the image of the disaster prepper as either paranoid or actively hoping for social disruption has become commonplace. It’s time to face the sad truth: the disaster preparedness movement in America has failed.

In Pivot Points, experienced disaster “prepper” Paul T. Martin argues for a shift in how America views disaster preparation. Instead of their dismissing prepping as a hobby or the result of an overactive imagination, Martin challenges individuals, emergency management professionals, and community leaders to answer three vital questions:

Do we need a culture of preparedness in America?
What should that culture look like?
How do we create that culture?

Martin challenges readers to discover their “pivot points,” those sources of motivation for preparing both themselves and their communities for disaster. For some, motivations might center on family safety. For others, a sense of citizenship or religious beliefs might drive their preparedness.

By exploring different pivot points, we create a more resilient, inclusive culture of preparedness, transforming the reader into an advocate for public safety and creating better preparation in private and public spheres."

It is now on my list of books I will be buying on the first of the month.

If you think you might want to check it out for yourself click the following link:  Pivot Points By: Paul T. Martin

Note: Amazon Prime Members can buy the Kindle version for Free.  (And no I'm not shilling for Amazon either.)

And preppers are vilified

"The latest real estate boom to sweep America comes with all the trappings of luxurious living: custom-built swimming pools, gyms, full-length basketball courts, and even airplane hangars.

The only catch is that this time, the features are all buried underground.

The boom in bomb shelter sales over the past 15 years has taken the spartan 1950s notion of a fallout shelter and given it a makeover, according the owners of three companies that make and sell shelters.

Now, custom installations can create 100,000 square foot underground dwellings that could hold dozens of people for months or years."

 Look at the news right now.  What is going on in Oklahoma?

WEATHER:Tornado warnings, watches for central Okla.

VIDEO: Tornado wipes out homes, schools, businesses in Moore

UPDATE: Two victims confirmed dead in tornado outbreak

A shelter is for more than a societal breakdown.  It's for tornadoes, bad storms, hurricanes, earthquakes and many other disasters. 

But many media figures would have you believe that people who have a shelter are whacko survivalists or cult members.

Granted there are some people like that who are into preparedness, however the large majority is just people who are trying to protect and provide for their families.

In Oklahoma (Tornado Alley) you will see storm shelters in the yards of many homes.  Also in Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and northern Texas.

So these people are just being prudent, not some crazy survivalist.