Interesting Craigslist Ad

1664 Views 36 Replies 25 Participants Last post by hellbender712, Nov 29, 2008

Beaners

Discussion Starter · Nov 22, 2008

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/grp/922371146.html

This person says they are trying to get a team together for bugging out. I considered sending an email just asking what kind of scenarios they are preparing for, but decided against it. This reminds me of a couple people I have seen kicked off of prep sites in the past because they claimed they were going to find out who was prepped and just kill them and take their stuff.

I'm also more of a bug-in than bug-out person. The mention of taking inventory of supplies as a group really threw me. On the "can you show too much" thread, I mentioned that I would be willing to share information about what I have stored with people on the internet in various parts of the country, but I wouldn't be showing every one of my neighbors what I have and where it is.

So what do you folks think? Does this person have good intentions but not understand that they are presenting themselves as a possible to threat? Or are their intentions slightly more sinister?

Kayleigh

21 - 37 of 37 Posts

palani

· #21 · Nov 23, 2008

wvstuck said:
Myself... I would love to be part of a small group, but not from a Craigslist ad.

Check history for precedents to this type of organization. In England from the days the Scandinavians and French were invading the people formed tythes or tythings. This was a group of ten people. From ten tythings a hundred was formed. Every hundred was permitted to form a court, have a sheriff, etc.

If you do a search on the internet for English maps from the 17th and 18th centuries you will see the areas mapped out by hundreds. The community was local. The point is you knew everyone in your group and you knew them pretty well.

rickd203

· #22 · Nov 23, 2008

******* said:
Rick...the issue isn't that he wants to stay alive. It is that he is advertising some serious taboos within most prep/survival communities. Inventorying supplies. As a group. WHAT?! With people you just met on craigslist?

Even if this guy isn't a predator himself, that ad is going to attract predators to his "group". And the unsuspecting newbies who only know that they should have a plan aren't going to realize that they are putting themselves in danger until it is too late.

Bugging out isn't for me, except in extreme scenarios as I mentioned. But bugging out isn't what is throwing up flags on this for me.

Kayleigh

edited to add: I know that in the past you have said that you basically could not safely stay where you are at, so you are planning to bug out. Is that why you think everyone's concern is that the guy plans to bug out? I'm fine with bugging out when the need is there.

I am not fine with people forming a group that could possibly put people in danger, intentionally or accidentally.

Yes, I am planning to bug out in the next 4-6 weeks so I personally shouldn't have to worry about getting shot along the way. My concern is that if TSHTF there are some people here that are taking the philosophy " kill them all and let God sort the good from the bad". My thought is that the first group heading out from the urban areas are people who knew something was happening but didn't have enough time to get everything ready to get out before TSHTF. If they are just passing by, I would let them go. If they do stop, I would at least ask (from a safe distance) why they are stopping. If they just looking for some vacant land to live on, I might be able to point them in the right direction. Maybe they they have a particular destination and are just stopping for the night. Maybe they just need a little food to keep going and I could spare a little rice and beans to send them on their way.

Living around so many people has forced me to learn how to be a good judge of character. I also have to have some knowledge of street gangs because I do travel through their territories. These people are likely to stay in the cities until the food runs out. If you waste all your ammo shooting every person passing by, you're not going to have enough when these guys show up.

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cast iron

· #23 · Nov 23, 2008

I think networking can be very beneficial and it doesn't have to be three families huddled together in somebodies basement. It can be something as simple as communication, knowing you can at least rely on certain people to understand the situation and possibly exchange resources with should the need arise.

I agree with strangers points regarding some peoples beliefs that they can survive ala Rambo in the jungle, that is just not how it will likely play out. One the interesting things about the great depression is how it forced people (both city and country) to rely on each other as that was the only way to survive. Fiercely independent people had to accept the fact that they needed help from others, and in turn needed to provide help to others. This may be in the form of trading labor for goods, or goods for goods, sometimes just having someone in a like situation to talk to was helpful etc.

I often think we preparedness types put too much emphasis on individual preparedness and not enough on community contacts. Even those of us who live out in the sticks are part of a community, its just that there are a few miles between the community members instead of a suburban lot.

The thing is social networking for purposes of surviving a disaster, social unrest etc takes work on the part of the individual, it's not going to happen naturally. If you want to build a bit of a group safety net within your rural community you will need to take the initiative to make that happen. There are effective methods to doing this and not so effective methods, that CL add would be one of the former. If you were to take the HAM radio route, obtain your license, then promptly get on the air and announce you were the preparedness type with food, ammo etc and then ask, "who's with me?" you will likely get a cool response. On the other hand if begin informal radio communication with some of the locals, write down their call signs, names, locations then go to the next radio day put on by your local club and put a face with a name. Introduce yourself, maybe help set up or tear down for the radio day. From there you will quickly be able to identify those with a similar preparedness mindset, and you will not come off as a wacko to the group.

But this of course takes a bit of work, work that I get the feeling many of us are not willing to do. Easier to just dream about rambo survival in the jungle or at home where it is every person for themselves, then post about it on internet forums.

I think it is important to not discount the very real benefit of having a local preparedness social network that one could utilize if needed. It saved many a rugged individuals bacon during the great depression, and has the potential to do the same in a similar type of situation. I just don't see the downside of being prepared as an individual and having a back up network if needed.

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seedspreader

· #24 · Nov 23, 2008

rickd203 said:
Yes, I am planning to bug out in the next 4-6 weeks so I personally shouldn't have to worry about getting shot along the way. My concern is that if TSHTF there are some people here that are taking the philosophy " kill them all and let God sort the good from the bad". My thought is that the first group heading out from the urban areas are people who knew something was happening but didn't have enough time to get everything ready to get out before TSHTF. If they are just passing by, I would let them go. If they do stop, I would at least ask (from a safe distance) why they are stopping. If they just looking for some vacant land to live on, I might be able to point them in the right direction. Maybe they they have a particular destination and are just stopping for the night. Maybe they just need a little food to keep going and I could spare a little rice and beans to send them on their way.

Living around so many people has forced me to learn how to be a good judge of character. I also have to have some knowledge of street gangs because I do travel through their territories. These people are likely to stay in the cities until the food runs out. If you waste all your ammo shooting every person passing by, you're not going to have enough when these guys show up.

Ok Rick, you've piqued my interest here... why are you bugging out in the next few weeks? Do you know something we don't?

radiofish

· #25 · Nov 24, 2008

Wayne02 said:
That is true, and I suspect in the ideal world your closest neighbors (even if you are somewhat spread out) would be of like mind, trustworthy folks that you would feel safe when utilizing shared resources and such. Life seldom works out that way though and in an increasingly isolated society many folks have no idea who or what their neighbors are like.

One suggestion to build a network of potential contacts is to get your HAM radio license. Typically there is a much lower flake factor with HAM operators (as compared to craigslist participants) because they actually had to put in some effort to get their license and pay out a bit of money for their radio. I have been absolutely shocked at how many amateur radio operators there are in my county and in my state. I had no idea the network was as big as it is or as local as it is. I've also found that a good portion (if not the majority) of radio operators are of like mindset when it comes to preparedness, which is not really surprising given the use of HAMS for communication during disasters and such.

The network of HAM radio operators in your area could be a valuable asset in the event of an emergency, disaster, or social unrest. And it may be a good way to hook up with some like minded people for future planning.

Wayne02 - listen to 75 meter phone at night sometimes, and you will find some pretty flakey folks on ham radio with one world Government conspiracies, UFO theories, and other off center rantings.....

If I was gonna get a band togeather for bugging out, it would be with some members of the local Veteran's Honor Guard that I belong to. We have our own weapons, are combat trained/ combat experienced, have been through survival training, know how to follow orders, and completing the mission is a priority for us.

Otherwise I am sheltering in place, unless it is absolutely necessary to relocate to another undisclosed location!!!

Narshalla

· #26 · Nov 24, 2008

palani said:
Check history for precedents to this type of organization. In England from the days the Scandinavians and French were invading the people formed tythes or tythings. This was a group of ten people. From ten tythings a hundred was formed. Every hundred was permitted to form a court, have a sheriff, etc.

If you do a search on the internet for English maps from the 17th and 18th centuries you will see the areas mapped out by hundreds. The community was local. The point is you knew everyone in your group and you knew them pretty well.

This is true, but it started with knowing people, meeting people, living/working together, not meeting via Craig's list.

Reptyle

· #27 · Nov 24, 2008

seedspreader said:
uh, if it worked out well, what happened to the original survivalist that were there?

They didn't make it...

Calico Katie

· #28 · Nov 24, 2008

After reading the ad, it sounds like that guy is selling something. I wonder if, when you respond, you're told how much it will cost you to get this group going.

rickd203

· #29 · Nov 25, 2008

seedspreader said:
Ok Rick, you've piqued my interest here... why are you bugging out in the next few weeks? Do you know something we don't?

Just a strong feeling but the last time I didn't act on a strong feeling, I missed out on an investment that was worth $80,000.

Razorback21

· #30 · Nov 25, 2008

You know, we keep asking ourselves, "what is the most likely SHTF scenario and does it involve having to bug out?". Right now, the economic situation is front and center in most peoples' minds and unless total anarchy erupts, staying put is the best situation for most preppers, is it not?

rickd203

· #31 · Nov 26, 2008

Razorback21 said:
You know, we keep asking ourselves, "what is the most likely SHTF scenario and does it involve having to bug out?". Right now, the economic situation is front and center in most peoples' minds and unless total anarchy erupts, staying put is the best situation for most preppers, is it not?

If total anarchy does break out, it's too late to bug out. It would be worse to be caught out in the open by looters in that case. The best you could hope for is to hunker down and pray that the looters don't find you. Even if they don't find you, if you're not in a place where you have land for a garden and livestock, you will have to leave eventually.

mama2littleman

· #32 · Nov 26, 2008

Cascade Failure said:
Didn't we decide a little while back that the threat was Zambonis not Zombies??? I sure wouldn't want to bunker with someone who isn't prepped for the coming Zamboni Apocalypse.

Oh my goodness, I just snarfed Merlot out of my nose.

Nikki

Cascade Failure

· #33 · Nov 26, 2008

I'm glad I could brighten your day!

Rondah

· #34 · Nov 26, 2008

::looks around in terror::

hellbender712

· #35 · Nov 29, 2008

I myself have considered making just such a post on Craiglist. After stumbling across this thread, I have begun to think better of it. I do however understand the validity of making such a post. For me, being of a mindset to be prepared for any unpleasant events, find myself woefully lacking in trustworthy human resources.
Being from a rural environment I have always thought the majority of my family and neighbors would fair well in troubled times. After the last few years I have been forced to the truth of the matter. That being the hillbilly/self reliant/ survival minded culture to which I was reared is all but gone. The entire populace is awash in drug abuse and general sloth.

mama2littleman

· #36 · Nov 29, 2008

hellbender712 said:
I myself have considered making just such a post on Craiglist. After stumbling across this thread, I have begun to think better of it. I do however understand the validity of making such a post. For me, being of a mindset to be prepared for any unpleasant events, find myself woefully lacking in trustworthy human resources.
Being from a rural environment I have always thought the majority of my family and neighbors would fair well in troubled times. After the last few years I have been forced to the truth of the matter. That being the hillbilly/self reliant/ survival minded culture to which I was reared is all but gone. The entire populace is awash in drug abuse and general sloth.

Though it may seem dishonest ... a better angle may be to post an ad looking for someone to teach or learn about some self reliance skills. I.E. canning, gardening, reloading, wilderness survival, EMS, etc ... Or to post an ad looking to start a club dedicated to honing those skills. You will predominately get people who have the same basic "baseline" without the ick factor. If you know what I mean.

I would be much more likely to respond to an ad asking for help in canning, or offering such, then I would to the original ad. Also, DH would be more likely to engage in dialogue about hunting/reloading then he would about TEOTWAWKI.

Nikki

hellbender712

· #37 · Nov 29, 2008

Very sound advice. I will concentrate my efforts along these lines. Thank you and God's speed.
KG

21 - 37 of 37 Posts

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