Many in the mainstream media have poked fun at the prepper movement — a growing number of individuals who gather supplies, learn survival skills and form mutual-aid groups in preparation for possible emergencies.

One critic who lampooned preppers (aka “survivalists”) described them as paranoid survivors of the Y2K scare and other non-events who are nothing short of obsessive-compulsive lunatics.

However, we have noticed some pundits have changed their tune following the havoc wreaked by late October superstorm Sandy that particularly smashed New Jersey and New York. 

In the aftermath, much has been made of how warnings of the huge storm mostly were ignored — by government officials and the residents.

While the government — doubtless — could have done more and better, we are especially concerned how few residents of those two states, where the per-capital income is higher than most other states, failed to take even elementary precautions that reflect those admirable American traits of self-reliance and preparedness.

Surely, the rock-ribbed ancestors of today’s New Yorkers and New Jersians are rolling over in their graves following the former’s failure to prepare even an emergency “go bag” for each family member that includes three days’ supplies (food, water, etc.) and other necessary items.

Instead, many of these relatively well-heeled people reflected a disturbing irresponsibility by simply looking to the government — or others — to help them.

Western North Carolinians seem to be more tuned into preparedness and, based on the frequency of disasters that seem to be erupting in the U.S., we urge all Americans to step up their efforts so they can be helpful, rather than helpless, in a crisis.