back in that day, half the audience considered a Cuban/Nicaraguan invasion to be a real thing to worry about.

I've studied the US "prepper" culture intensively for a novel I've written, watched hundreds of videos by preppers for research and read Lundin, Dartnell, and Seymour's books among others. It's not a prejudice, it's my verdict.

I'm not suggesting you're biased. I'm suggesting that there are too many people taking movies too seriously.

Oh yes, I agree. The reason is also that in the US part of the right-wing pro gun / militia / anti-federal government culture on the countryside overlaps with the prepper community. Some of them are also fanatic Christians who literally believe a day of judgment will come soon. There are some survivalists and naturalists among them (like Lundin), but they are in a minority.