A quip from John Farnam. Seems a couple guys robbed a bank. Police give chase, the 2 robbers split up in a residential neighborhood. One cons his way into a house and even manages to get the homeowner to drive him out, but they are stopped by the police. The other walks into an unlocked house, finds the car keys, steals the car and off he escapes.
Lessons for me:
Keep doors (home and car) locked! Keep your electronic security system turned on when you’re not there. Be armed, even at home. Don’t engage strangers at your doorstep in conversation, and don’t unlock the door! Tell them that you can’t help them, and that you’re calling police.
Be aware that dangerous, criminal suspects are everywhere, including your doorstep!”
People wonder why I carry my gun, even at home.
Because… shit happens. And when shit does happen, it happens in seconds.
It this being paranoid? No. Paranoid would be thinking everyone was out to get me, the boogeyman was around every corner. I don’t think that. The world is full of good people who mostly go about their day and leave me alone. But there are exceptions to the rule… like those two bank robbers.
Rather, it’s about being prepared. Boy Scouts aren’t paranoid, they are prepared. It’s about making preparations beforehand, so we’re ready when needed.
Stuff From Hsoi 
I think I’m going to start going with the phrase
Not paranoid, just prepared
After all I used to be a Scout/Scouter.
I posted a story about the mass murderer who killed his family then broke into a car, tried to break into a house — naked.
Armed Citizen not only stopped the crime but spared the world by giving him some work out shorts….that is being prepared.
Heh.
The thing is, people consider it paranoid but well… OK, I think I’m going to write something on this.
I think you made a very important distinction – paranoid would be thinking that everyone was out to get you. Prepared is knowing that some people are.
Significant difference, that.
And it really goes beyond “bad guys out there”. It’s stuff like having enough food and water should you need it (be it Hurricane Katrina or snowstorms that close the city down and make you without power for a week or two). Or putting on your seat belt every time you get in the car. About having a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors in your house.
It’s about being ready for whatever life might throw at you.
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