M14 Forum

Philz M1A

Ok follow me on this. Before some of you hardcore followers get all defensive and hate on me know that I read survivorblog daily and I enjoy some of the stuff that JWR puts out. I've read some of his books too, I'd say that some of them have decent information in them worth considering although you have to struggle through bucket loads of political and religious agenda to find them. Overall he has done a great service to help many "awaken" to the issues which we face and I certainly applaud his efforts and respect just how prepared he truly is.

However.

For someone that constantly preaches OPSEC, and works hard to protect his own whereabouts and identity, it strikes me as odd that he would be so "out there" and open with his thoughts, especially the ones which are critical of our government.

Think about it.

He is arguably the most popular prepper/survivalist out there. He has a blog which has millions of followers, and obviously makes a good living doing what he does. He has built a business around his passion, which is awesome. BUT....he HAS to know that he is high on the list of those being monitored. Sure he can keep his identity and location secret from all of us but undoubtedly those in the govt could pinpoint his location and monitor him with a few clicks of a mouse. If the SHTF he has to know that he could be seen as a troublemaker and this might warrant a visit from the jack boots. Just look at the people from the show Doomsday Preppers, weren't two of them visited, and one had all of his guns confiscated?

All I'm saying is that you would think someone who preaches OPSEC and self sufficiency would also choose to stay off big brother's radar as much as possible. I know it has to be tough, because his blog and other means of sharing his knowledge (books, interviews, youtube) are his livelihood. Still, how much risk is he willing to take?

I'd be interested to hear your opinions on the matter. He is obviously free to do as he pleases and again I enjoy reading his works, but just think there could be some definite negative consequences if the SHTF.

Thoughts?

charlesPOSTLEwade

Too Late You , We , us are Already on the Radar to what Degree ? Unknown but just the Same on it

Grateful Lead

JWR is a teacher. Following Survivalblog, etc 'students' are empowered can choose to act/learn, spread the 'prep' word, and follow 'Rawlesian Beliefs'.

IMHO Rawles leadership is just that, and some loss of OPSEC is his opportunity cost to ensure going forward a growing like minded population.

At the end of the day being prepped/prepper is a lifestyle. JWR has got it elegantly squared away!

Philz M1A

Good point Grateful.

GeneCo

I've heard of JWR, but not read him, but am a "prepper", per se, in that we live on a farm and are self sufficient and grow our own food. We stock some, but very little, we believe in a perpetual, self sustaining idealogy.

IMO, there is NO way to hide from the govt nor anyone else. Anyone who's ever been in the military, had a DL, paid taxes, had a home or utilities, held a job, etc is in some system. Hopefully, if anything does happen, the govt will too busy saving itself to worry about me.

The best we can do is survive a SHTF and then defend our space. My job is to hide in plain sight and be the gray man and convince folks to leave us alone. We have a network in our rural community and barter with each other now, if the SHTF, nothing much would change around here.

ONe thing I can say, whatever you're doing now, that's what you'll be doing PSHTF. Don't kid yourself to thinking you'll wait until the SHTF to do something. IF you want some reality, shut your electricity and water off for a week and see how you get along.

Right off the bat you should be perserving food( dehydrating, smoking and canning and having it on the hoof) and have ways to boil and hold water and cook outside.

commostud

He already knows that the government already knows where he is. But do you know where HE his. I have watched a video he posted on Youtube but he does not show his face or anything other that what he is talking about and a tree. I watched it and I know more about where he lives than what he talks about.

He knows that he is High on a list somewhere. I have already been labeled a low level something because of what I did for a living for 14 years so I am also on a list somewhere. So what, who isn't on a list.

aldenl

Amen Commostud. There's alot us in that boat. My small group has planned it as a oneway ticket mission. We have a large spider hole with most of our supplies already there. We will attempt to use prior training as force multipliers to oure best advantage.

Bolt2bounce

I just hate the word Prepper. I want be a pepper TOO..sorry that was Dr Pepper..can't believe DR Pepper hasn't copyrighted that.. I'd much prefer the old school Survivalist...term...I find JWR interesting to read, but I doubt the govnment will pay him much attention in a problem.. he is a small fish in the big picture... and if the govNment wants you, they will get you, they have unlimited resources..you do not.. unless you live like Ted K did..you are traceable..trackable.. and it's getting harder to hide as technology advances... by the day..it was a fun ride back in the day when we had some true freedom and private lives...but time change..the Germans would be proud.. B2B

CharlieEcho

One thing to consider. I've read some of JWR, even have his sight bookmarked. I really do not know his politics though I know it's concervative to take care of yourself.

Consider, Why would the "government" be too concerned with people prepared to take care of themselves in an emergency? That would be so many more people not crying to the powers for a handout to survive. As long as you are not trying to overthrow the current nut cases in Washington, why would they care? Never mind, I think I just answered my own question.

jim-analog

Greetings,


I check in at his blog every now and then. Some decent articles are submitted by his readers and I usually learn something. I don't care much for Rawles myself, but he does seem to have a "following" for whatever that's worth.

Life is a series of trade offs. Guess he feels that the better side of it is to have a higher profile so he can earn a living as he sees fit. I'm sure anyone seriously interested in finding exactly where he lives could do so in a few minutes. I'd also figure that he's rather low on the .gov list of "undesirables" as we likely are.

Unless you're a militia member, KKK guy, purchase exotic chemical precursors regularly or have interesting ties to the middle east, I really think .gov isn't all that concerned. Being here and posting on this forum makes us all pretty easy to keep track of. I think the guys who try really hard not to be noticed likely draw more attention to them selves (for example, using high security public key encryption soft ware for email,; no doubt that raises a flag at whatever the current version of the Carnivore program is). I could be completely wrong of course.

Regards, Jim

Vos Parate

Jim has built himself a rather large soapbox. Messing with him will be like blowing in a lion's face.

Philz M1A

Good thoughts Jim, thanks for sharing. I agree with everything you've said

GeneCo

Well, actually "survivalist" has gotten a more sinister connotation than prepper lately. Ted K was considered a "survivalist" As was Randy Weaver, et al. Paramilitary militias are considered "survivalists". The media defines anyone with alot of weapons and ammo and gas masks, etc "survivalists" and anti govt, akin to T. McVeigh.


My (Dad's) family comes from the hills of Eastern Ky- Hillbillies, who lived off the land for many generations. Living the life the Foxfire books are about. I grew up hauling water, growing our own, slaughtering livestock, rendering lard and making soap and candles, etc. They'd call it living, just getting by.

My mother's familiy is from Florida( where I was born), they also lived off the land and the water. I had uncles who hunted gators and fished alot. They also would call it living, getting by.


Now the buzz word is "Green", we're going green. I'm cool with that, too.

Sweets

There was a news item in the Brit press recently, I think someone either linked to it here or on JWR's site, which explained to the perplexed Brits that North American Survivalists of the 1970s and 80s were preparing to fight either the government or Red invaders [and check recent history for how that worked out], but that in the present, modern day Preppers are preparing for the absence or failure of government following various known total disaster scenarios. From what I can tell, Mr Rawles falls into the second category. Myself, I wouldn't consider him a threat to anyone and I'm pretty paranoid.

Philz M1A

Apparently they care a little bit:
http://survivalblog.com/2012/03/impo...mperative.html

Of course I'm sure his is one of many websites getting the same treatment, but nonetheless it does prove that big brother cares enough to watch.