Terrorist attacks in America. In all likelihood, there will be more just as there always have been. How we respond to this is what makes the difference.
There is no one single accepted definition of terrorism, however the commonalities include the use of violence, in a surprise attack, to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature. The perpetrators count on soft targets, catching victims unaware, unprotected and unprepared. The shock, the horror, the extreme violence causes us to be in fear for our safety – the very intent of the terrorist act.
While the terrorist commits the act, the instilling of the fear in the population is the part we bring to the table ourselves. After any attack, the broadcast media follows the “if it bleeds it leads” programming plan and covers the gore from every possible angle. Social media spreads uninformed opinions around the world like wildfire. With all of this it’s very easy to be overwhelmed with the violence and be overcome with fear.
So why don’t we approach this in a different manner?
For comparison, every time there is an earthquake around the world those of us in California take it as a warning and an opportunity to better prepare. We check our bug-out bag, our bug-in supplies and our emergency plans. It’s almost second nature. An earthquake somewhere else gives us a chance to make sure we are prepared. Think of a terrorist attack no differently and use this opportunity to learn and to prepare.
Post-attack we will do what needs to be done. We will care for those who are injured. We will mourn those who did not survive. We will seek justice for those who were responsible. But we must, and I mean MUST learn and prepare. Please note the “we” I am referring to is not the government, military or law enforcement, although they too must learn as well. I’m referring to ALL of us – the people who are actually in harms way, the ones who are the targets.
What did you think about after the attacks in Orlando or San Bernardino? You probably asked yourself – what would I have done if I was in that club or office building? If you did, that’s actually a good thing. It may sound morbid to try to learn from the death of innocent people, but ignoring it isn’t going to help keep you alive. You need to be prepared. Being prepared means having the tools and knowledge on what to do.
If you’re counting on someone else to protect you while you’re out in public, you are wrong. First responders are going to get there after the worst has already occurred. If you’re at a restaurant, theater, store or just walking down the street, you need to know how to take care of yourself. How are you going to respond to an active shooter? Do you have the means to fight or escape? Do you know how to take care of yourself if you are injured?
If you haven’t had training in self-defense, now is the time. If you haven’t had training in first-aid, now is the time. If you haven’t included training in situational awareness and not becoming a victim that you can use in your every day life, now is the time.
Remember, YOU and ONLY YOU are responsible for ensuring the safety of you and your family. When something happens, YOU will be the one to take care of EVERYTHING until help arrives.
Let me add one more component to this. What if while you were getting the knowledge and tools to prevent or stop attacks and deal with the aftermath of the attacks that do occur, others were doing the same? What if you were in a restaurant, theater or store with others who were able and willing to defend themselves?
Maybe it’s time the terrorists feared us.
Bob
#oddstuffing, #2ndamendment, #training, #nofear