Prepper Anxiety Poll, July 1, '04 (2nd in the series)

Safecastle · Jul 1, 2004

As agreed, here's the second in the series, designed to track the ups and downs of our group's anxiety levels. The first poll can be found here:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=104207

Reminder: please post in this thread what it is that has you concerned, if indeed you are ... for future reference.

First poll results: 1.83

The average anxiety level of the group in the first poll was 1.83,
with value assigned as follows:

0 absolutely no worries
1 a bit concerned
2 watchful, ready, and checking the preps, just in case
3 glued to the screen, expecting the worst any day now
4 totally freaked and in my bunker

I arrived at the 1.83 average on poll #1 by multiplying the number of responses for each option by the assigned value above. Then, after adding the five totals together (the first always will be 0), I divided that sum by the total number of responses to the poll.

I intend to create a document or thread after this poll that will capture the poll results as the poll series goes on for easy reference and comparison.

Freeholdfarm · Jul 1, 2004

In no particular order: the economy, our border with Mexico, North Korea, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Hmm, add earthquakes, drought, and funny weather.

Kathleen

Safecastle · Jul 1, 2004

Kathleen and all -- I'd encourage a bit more specific detail that will help differentiate anxieties for this period from that of two weeks ago or two weeks from now, etc.

Double_A · Jul 1, 2004

We seem to routinely have alerts during OUR holidays. I personally would be more concerned about them doing something on THEIR holidays. Sort of give them something extra to celebrate back home.

The other times I would worry about terrorist strikes are during periods of regional natural disasters in this country. For example terrorists hitting an area after a tornados and/or hurricane. Sort of kick us when we're down and disaster resources are stretched.

Of course if you have made preps for your region's natural disaster issues (quakes, Tornados, floods, hurricanes etc) you already have the basic building blocks needed ride through terrorist monkey business.

Double_A

c & c · Jul 1, 2004

It just seems like we're overdue for another "event". You know they DO happen.

Deep Blue Dragon · Jul 1, 2004

I think my personal level has ramped up somewhat, mostly because my teenage daughter is in Florida until after the Fourth of July holiday. I reluctantly let her go on the trip despite the concerns about the June 28th period. At that time I was calling myself mid-range in terms of worry ("watchful/prepped"); now I'm halfway toward the next level ("glued to the screen"), mostly because she is away.

Since the last poll went up I've checked over my preps and found expired cans, bugs invading some of my rice, etc. I have rotated all the cans, cleaned and repacked the dry items, and got in an additional 200 lbs. of bulk grains. I also went thru the meds and threw out expired items and replaced them with fresh ones. Got new batteries, fresh water, and firewood (took down a dead tree in the back yard). We're ready for almost anything here, but am concerned about my daughter being so far from home.

Edited to add: I'm most concerned about a terrorist attack around the Fourth of July holiday, especially one between Florida and Texas!

Freeholdfarm · Jul 1, 2004

Okay, I'll try to be more specific. The recent comment by a military spokesman that the carrier groups would be used to blockade N. Korea and Iran. The concerns about Egypt maybe preparing for war with Israel. The increase in attacks on Israel by the Palestinians with their missiles and tunnels. The rhetoric coming from China, North Korea, Iran, etc., that sounds like they are trying to provoke an attack. Or at least think they can face off with the big dogs with impunity. Cuba sounds like they are preparing for something. Africa and South America are still on the back burner, but at any time things could flare up. Mexico is generally acting like they own the USA and have more rights here than we do -- have to wonder when Americans are going to wake up and do something about that situation. (If we can get a million or so people to blockade the border physically, shoulder to shoulder, I'll sign up.)

Add what seems to be an unusual number of large meteors, more earthquakes than normal in some places that don't often have earthquakes, serious drought in the Southwest combined with unusual weather elsewhere, odd doings on the sun and other planets . . . we definitely live in interesting times. I am so thankful for my Bible, and my relationship with God. Knowing that He has predicted all this, that it is all part of His plan, and that He cares for me, keeps me from getting too excited. I just keep working on preps as I'm able, and keep my eyes on the Lord.

Kathleen

A.T.Hagan · Jul 1, 2004

For myself, I'm down to simply "a bit concerned" now.

At least so far as the usual topics of this board are concerned.

.....Alan.

Meemur · Jul 1, 2004

I'm going to weigh in as "a bit concerned."

1. It's near the July 4th holiday.

2. There are folks overseas I haven't heard from lately, and I get concerned when they are quiet.

3. There are two persistant rumors I've been following since January that haven't died yet. One concerns Anthrax.

4. Many computer security folks are *very* busy.

5. For the conspiracy minded, I agree that some sort of domestic incident can be blamed for shortfalls in the markets next week, instead of the Fed interest hike.

6. Even without terrorist threats, our local roads turn into Death Highways with increased road rage and just plain stupidity from many holiday drivers. I avoid travel on and around major holidays, unless there is some sort of emergency, and have for about the last ten years.

I'm not running off and hiding in my bunker, but I am remaining alert.

I don't like crowded events, anyway, but I'm making a special point to avoid things like our downtown fireworks display.

I can watch that from a distance or attend a much smaller display.

chimpuat · Jul 1, 2004

i picked 'watchful', simply because of the upcoming independence day holiday. wasn't there a video quite awhile back that had footage lifted from the movie 'independence day' showing the white house blowing up, etc? maybe i dreamed it...

anyway, i think freehold summed up my fears with this:

Okay, I'll try to be more specific. The recent comment by a military spokesman that the carrier groups would be used to blockade N. Korea and Iran. The concerns about Egypt maybe preparing for war with Israel. The increase in attacks on Israel by the Palestinians with their missiles and tunnels. The rhetoric coming from China, North Korea, Iran, etc., that sounds like they are trying to provoke an attack. Or at least think they can face off with the big dogs with impunity. Cuba sounds like they are preparing for something. Africa and South America are still on the back burner, but at any time things could flare up. Mexico is generally acting like they own the USA and have more rights here than we do -- have to wonder when Americans are going to wake up and do something about that situation. (If we can get a million or so people to blockade the border physically, shoulder to shoulder, I'll sign up.)

Add what seems to be an unusual number of large meteors, more earthquakes than normal in some places that don't often have earthquakes, serious drought in the Southwest combined with unusual weather elsewhere, odd doings on the sun and other planets . . . we definitely live in interesting times. I am so thankful for my Bible, and my relationship with God. Knowing that He has predicted all this, that it is all part of His plan, and that He cares for me, keeps me from getting too excited. I just keep working on preps as I'm able, and keep my eyes on the Lord.

i'd just like to say AMEN to that.

Christian for Israel · Jul 1, 2004

what freehold said. add to that increasing signs that the wrath of God is drawing very close (the homosexual agenda being one of those signs). also, the recent SCOTUS decisions are cause for concern. besides, i'm 2 days away from my trip into the unknown...

Rex Jackson · Jul 1, 2004

Bit Concerned (just because my kids are usually scattered).

Other than that, I live like I always did. I work hard, and enjoy my family, friends, and hobbies.

On the prep side, I am well prepped and ready for Gods orders. :scn:

Shock Wave Rider · Jul 1, 2004

Well I picked - no worries.

I have been up and down this rollar coaster so many times, I am now immune to the adrenaline charge and nothing causes me to worry, cause what I can do something about, I have done already, and what I can't do anything about, there is no point in fretting over it.

delta lady · Jul 1, 2004

Well I picked - no worries.

I have been up and down this rollar coaster so many times, I am now immune to the adrenaline charge and nothing causes me to worry, cause what I can do something about, I have done already, and what I can't do anything about, there is no point in fretting over it.
..........................................................................................

Ditto

patb · Jul 1, 2004

I picked "a bit concerned" this time up one notch. One set of grandkids just moved to FL so he can do his graduate work, taking my two-year old GGD with them of course. That makes two sets of grandkids outside and too far away if anything should happen.

Another one is the earth moving so much more (maybe not more) but more feelable if that's the right work lately here. Didn't feel the big one down in Southeastern, but when you're right on top of a 5.4, you really notice it!

Another concern is the availability of needed things if something happens. We are at the end of a very long supply end. I have started reviewing my preps with an eye toward beefing them up some.

Also, we haven't had any fire action in our area except for very small ones that were promptly snuffed out. Really don't need that as we live in the woods. Have cleared out dead timber some, but more needs to be done. Really feel for those folks up near Fairbanks who are now being evacuated. We have had smoky skies since late last week, but it is actually trying to rain now. Hope they get some in the north.

All in all, I seem to be more concerned about local conditions than global ones. However, if NK decides to lob a few missles around, we will probably be recipients. Elmendorf AFB is only 75 air miles north.

Guess I am right to have ramped up my concern meter!

Patricia

patb · Jul 1, 2004

I picked "a bit concerned" this time, up one notch. One set of grandkids just moved to FL so he can do his graduate work, taking my two-year old GGD with them of course. That makes two sets of grandkids outside and too far away if anything should happen.

Another one is the earth moving so much more (maybe not more) but more feelable if that's the right word lately here. Didn't feel the big one down in Southeastern, but when you're right on top of a 5.4, you really notice it!

Another concern is the availability of needed things if something happens. We are at the end of a very long supply line. I have started reviewing my preps with an eye toward beefing them up some.

Also, we haven't had any fire action in our area except for very small ones that were promptly snuffed out. Really don't need that as we live in the woods. Have cleared out dead timber some, but more needs to be done. Really feel for those folks up near Fairbanks who are now being evacuated. We have had smoky skies since late last week, but it is actually trying to rain now. Hope they get some in the north.

All in all, I seem to be more concerned about local conditions than global ones. However, if NK decides to lob a few missles around, we will probably be recipients. Elmendorf AFB is only 75 air miles north.

Guess I am right to have ramped up my concern meter!

Sorry I need to learn to edit before I hit the Button.

Patricia

Mary · Jul 1, 2004

I picked A Bit Concerned. I'm always a bit concerned

I don't think anything is going to happen because I slept well last night. Which only means *I* feel okay-ish.

Let's see what happens tomorrow, I think it's the exact point of the full moon. So the next 2 weeks should see a spike.

Mary (no garden, no lamb) :scn:

Tundra Gypsy · Jul 1, 2004

I'm concerned, checking my preps; hate going through this every holiday; its very wearing on my nerves. I become very alert,watch the skies, check the earthquake sites, read Timebomb five times a day so that I don't miss anything and run to the store and buy a few more things. Whew, I'll be too exhausted if anything happens; and if we lose electricity, then I'll have withdrawal symptoms because I can't get on the board! :lol:

lynnie · Jul 1, 2004

Once I have done everything time, energy, and finances allow, I always feel relaxed. It is when extra stuff to do hangs over me I am more stressed.

I keep thinking of little things all the time.....get more seeds for sprouting, get more trash bags, etc etc etc. Thought I was prepped for life on bandaids but my 8 year old goes through them like a tornado on every tiny scratch. Lots of little loose ends like that. Realizing old shaving cream is crappy, and so is ancient sunblock (too runny). So some prep refining all the time. More bug spray.

Two cousins here now and decided it was not the week for the liberty bell/center city Philly trip. ( beach was great

).

It feels imcredibly imminent to me, every day I am expecting some major judgement, whether terror or other I do not know. Every morning I dial in here wondering if it happened yet. How God has delayed so long is amazing...what mercy. I think the fact that he is holding it off so long is an indication that the suffering will be horrendous.

Trivium Pursuit · Jul 1, 2004

Actually in between a bit concerned and watchful. I am making sure I hit tb2k at least once daily, including bs. Mostly, I'm just happy to be working right now.

theoutlands · Jul 1, 2004

I voted leve 2 - watchful and checking preps.

Partly, that is because my prep-level in some ways is far fom where I want it to be. Other concerns in no particular order:

- increase in meteors
- exceptionally wet weather here with no real sign of letting up
- daughter turning 18 Sunday the 4th
- future son-in-law going to Air Force basic in Sept.

Sharon · Jul 1, 2004

I picked a "bit concerned". After 911 I don't think I will ever be, nor allow myself to ever be "no worries". Those days are done.

nharrold · Jul 1, 2004

Tell you what, Dennis, I'm a helluva lot more concerned about what Bush, Ashcroft, and their mentally-challenged sycophants are doing to this country, than I am about what some raghead(s) might get up to. We can somewhat deal with the ragheads; but there's very little we can do to put the brakes on DC.

suzy · Jul 1, 2004

A bit concerned.

Were overloaded with news of threats, what if's, and warnings.
After a while you get to the point that all you can do, has already been done. Youre desensitized to the constant chatter of impending doom and gloom, and are going to go have fun no matter what!

suzy

Maiden · Jul 2, 2004

I also voted in at only "a bit concerned."

north runner · Jul 2, 2004

Glued. I think there's heavy duty war gaming going on behind the curtain.

Deena in GA · Jul 2, 2004

I voted watchful, but really am somewhere between that and glued. Not exactly glued, but I sure check in here lately more than usual. Wake up every morning wondering if anything has happened overnight. At the same time, I wouldn't say I'm stressing over it either. Just making sure I'm watching and staying on top of both the news and the preps.

Maher · Jul 2, 2004

I'd be more anxious if I weren't ready for almost anything.

Yours Truly · Jul 2, 2004

I'm a bit concerned. Not to make light of the "potential", but these constant threats become tiresome. Something could happen tonight, tomorrow, next week, or in 10 years. We just don't know. We need to be vigilant, and keep updated on what's going on, but we can't allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by it.

booger · Jul 3, 2004

I'm still at the "watchful" stage but much lower than the last poll. I'm almost down to "a bit concerned". NK and Iran are at the top of my worry list right now.

(No worries just isn't in my character.

)

thunderlight · Jul 3, 2004

"Watchful, ready, and checking the preps, just in case" IS my lowest prep state.

At the moment --- while I am NOT glued to the screen, I am, however, paying much more attention than usual and expecting the worst any day now.

So call it a 2.75

ThunderLight

Safecastle · Jul 3, 2004

Results to this point

Great participation rate on these polls! After two days posted (and three yet to go), we have 227 votes. The first poll had a total of 230 (edit: actually, we had 270) votes after five days.

It seems an opportune time to check in with how our results are looking. Anxiety is down at this point with an average score of 1.64 being reflected in our results. Compared with a score of 1.83 two weeks ago, we are into the fourth of July weekend feeling better than we had been recently ... Kind of interesting, considering that going into this weekend, we have numerous government terror-threat warnings that were absent during that first polling period.

Matty · Jul 3, 2004

I used to walk around in a perpetual state of "very concerned" mostly because we lived in apartment right in San Antonio and also because I couldn't seem to get my hubby interested in any of this so I was getting kinda discouraged.
Since I began coming to TB2K we've moved to the outskirts of the city(not a perfect location but a damn sight better than where were). I still havn't really been able to get my hubby into prepping but to be fair even though my DH is not into keeping up with current events and being prepared he does let me do what I want( within reason).And I did find out a few months back that my older brother is a "mild" prepper with lots of potential

Not only that but he lives alot further out from San Antonio than I do and on his own land so I have my bugout location if neccessary.
Plus if things work out my brother is fixin to buy some more land so we're seriously considering moving out to where he lives within the next year...all in all life is good

Now with all that said I chose "a bit concerened" because it's the 4th of July and would like all holidays(but especially our Independence Day) be a good time to hit us.Honestly though I'm really more concerned with events later this Summer like the conventions & the Olympics not to mention the election in November.

-Matty

sparkky · Jul 3, 2004

I generally don't get too up or too down. But have to admit all the carrier groups at sea have me a bit concerned.
AWARE+ALERT=ALIVE

Caplock50 · Jul 3, 2004

You left out the one choice I believe most of us fit into. It is a combination of choices #1 and #3..."no worries, but checking and upgrading preps anyway".

Safecastle · Jul 5, 2004

Yippee! We're back in the saddle after, what?--two days of the forum being down for upgrade? Anyways, it looks good.

Had we been able to measure anxiety of members during that two days of downtime, we probably would have found a whole bunch of folks banging their heads against the wall in their bunkers!

Safecastle · Jul 5, 2004

Poll closes tomorrow morning.

Trivium Pursuit · Jul 5, 2004

Well, I would have voted higher, had I read the "July 4 and Elections" thread in BS
first. That motivated me to go out and spect $220 on various medical/first aid/ water-related supplies.

Prepper Anxiety Poll, July 1, '04 (2nd in the series)

At this point in time, your "doomer" stress level is pegged at ...

absolutely no worries

a bit concerned

watchful, ready, and checking the preps, just in case

glued to the screen, expecting the worst any day now

totally freaked and in my bunker

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