Terrorism Threat in the Offing?

Once again the news is all over a possible terrorism attack that should occur within the next couple of months. Once again, my thought is "what is the purpose of putting out such a generic threat warning that it is basically meaningless?." Aren't we always supposed to be in a heightened state of awareness, simply because acts of terrorism are #1 possible (as we have seen many time), and #2 random (in location, time, and type of incident)? Yes, random terrorist acts can happen anywhere, impact anyone, and look like anything (from an IED to a poison gas attack to jetliners flying into buildings), but excuse me if I don't get all spun up over this latest warning. Personally I will keep doing what I am doing, and, what I think many readers are doing, and that is being prepared for ANY kind of disaster which includes everything from an earthquake to an IED to a virus outbreak to...you get the picture.

Here are the things you should be doing no matter what the news is telling you and what the random possible attack could be:

1. Be debt free.


2. Have an emergency fund (some of which should be cash in hand).


3. Have a stockpile of food, fuel, and supplies that could tide you over should you not be able to work/earn an income for a while.


4. Be able to grow some of your own food.


5. Know how to hunt, fish, and forage for food.


6. Have a range of skills that you can use both to improve your own situation and sell to others.


7. Have multiple streams of income.


8. Be security and awareness-minded at ALL times.


9. Be able to protect yourself and your family.


10. Be able to "go portable" at a moment's notice.

While everyone is in a near panic attack about shadowy terrorists, remember that the leading causes of death in the US annually are: heart disease (630,000 deaths), cancer, stroke, respiratory disease, accidental injuries, diabetes, Alzheimer's, influenza/pneumonia, nephritis, and septicemia (34,000 deaths). Annual terrorism-related deaths in the US? 2007=0, 2006=1 person by the Animal Liberation Front, 2005=0. In other words, you should be much more worries about your health than about terrorists.