Watchmen of America?

[Rail Driver]

So help me out here...

The idea is great, and I'm not knocking it. That said, after looking at their website and emailing the founder M. Freebyrd, I still have some questions that remain unanswered...

I think the best way of going about this is to ask you guys what you think of the organization, if you have any experiences with them, and all of that....

So. Anyone know anything about these guys?

[sledge]

So help me out here...

The idea is great, and I'm not knocking it. That said, after looking at their website and emailing the founder M. Freebyrd, I still have some questions that remain unanswered...

I think the best way of going about this is to ask you guys what you think of the organization, if you have any experiences with them, and all of that....

So. Anyone know anything about these guys?

I've spent a little time on their site talking to them back when I was in the militia.  The guys on the site are alright.  Several are ex marines.  (I know, once a marine, always a marine.)  I'm not to sure about the monthly payment thing or if they ever got that kicked into high gear.  I know Freebyrd was trying but I don't think there were that many takers.  I could be wrong.

I do know that their alert system page is always going off for every little thing.  Sometimes they would be posting an alert about something I wasn't really concerned about.  (That's saying something cause as you guys know I worry about everything.) 

Like I said though, several of the guys over there are pretty decent.  Maybe I'll drop in and say hi.

On a side note Freebyrd does have some bargains from time to time in his store.

[sledge]

Back when i was talking with them this was the site:
http://www.patriotresistance.com/DEFCOM-STATUS-PAGE-USA.html

Looks like they've added another site now as well.

http://www.watchmenofamerica.com/

[Rail Driver]

Well, they are doing a $15/month thing but I don't know how that's going over. Really the entire site looks like an infomercial to me, and the membership terms and conditions are extremely one sided from a legal standpoint. I'm also concerned about where the money is going, and what happens to any "excess funds" beyond operating overhead. Is it a non-profit, or a for profit business? How many paying members are there? Aside from access to the members forum/chat board and the gear/uniform package(Plus Bonuses!), what exactly is offered that can't be found right here? If I decide to do this, I'd like to know I'm not tossing good money after bad.

[sledge]

Well, they are doing a $15/month thing but I don't know how that's going over. Really the entire site looks like an infomercial to me, and the membership terms and conditions are extremely one sided from a legal standpoint. I'm also concerned about where the money is going, and what happens to any "excess funds" beyond operating overhead. Is it a non-profit, or a for profit business? How many paying members are there? Aside from access to the members forum/chat board and the gear/uniform package(Plus Bonuses!), what exactly is offered that can't be found right here? If I decide to do this, I'd like to know I'm not tossing good money after bad.

Good questions.  I can't help you there because I never joined them.  From what I understand the money is to buy equipment for the local group.  How it's divided up or if someone is making a living off of some of it I don't know.  Like I said earlier, Freebyrd did have a pretty comprehensive online store at one time.  Probably still does because when I looked at the new site it had a page under construction for the store.

Freebyrd seemed like a pretty decent guy to talk with but I've never met him personally.  I think his main business is a construction company.  But like I said, I've never looked him over eye to eye.  I'd say you are wise to look before you leap.

[Rail Driver]

Well, here's a link to their terms and conditions. If you take the time to scan through it at some of the particulars, you'll see that it's weighted heavily, especially towards the end where they start talking about dispute resolution and such.

That's mostly why I have misgivings in regards to the group.

[sledge]

Honestly, for $15 a month you could probably advertise in a local paper or free handout to find members to join together in your area.  Of course local LE could send you an application to join as well.  Although, if you accept them that could give your group some creditability as an above board group.
   

[NOLA556]

RailDriver, honestly man, this is just my opinion so I'm requesting that the other members don't flame me too hard for this but..

I wouldn't get involved with groups like that. I'm not saying that this particular one is "bad" or anything. I think I may have stumbled across their site once or twice in the past, but really man, to me it just seems to be volunteering your personal info into a federal database. (no, I'm not saying that those guys are patsies or anything, but you KNOW they're being monitored)

one of the members here on SP said some very wise words to me a while back. "If they REALLY want me, they can find me... but why help them?"

I personally think Sledge has the right idea when he said that you can just take steps to find folks in your area... and that way, depending on how you go about it, you can maintain better OPSEC.

I fully support established militias so long as their ideology is on the right track. I fully support the idea of Patriots networking on the internet. But I've always been very weary of actually participating in groups like that. Sites like SP are about as far as I'd like to go when it comes to internet networking.

If you DO decide to join that group, or another one like it, I'd suggest that you first get the fuck off of facebook. yea yea, I know that the info on facebook is still stored somewhere, but like I said, why help them?

good luck, and whatever you decide to do, BE CAREFUL, WATCH YOUR BACK, AND COVER YOUR TRACKS. use a proxy server.

[sledge]

RailDriver, honestly man, this is just my opinion so I'm requesting that the other members don't flame me too hard for this but..

I wouldn't get involved with groups like that. I'm not saying that this particular one is "bad" or anything. I think I may have stumbled across their site once or twice in the past, but really man, to me it just seems to be volunteering your personal info into a federal database. (no, I'm not saying that those guys are patsies or anything, but you KNOW they're being monitored)

one of the members here on SP said some very wise words to me a while back. "If they REALLY want me, they can find me... but why help them?"

I personally think Sledge has the right idea when he said that you can just take steps to find folks in your area... and that way, depending on how you go about it, you can maintain better OPSEC.

I fully support established militias so long as their ideology is on the right track. I fully support the idea of Patriots networking on the internet. But I've always been very weary of actually participating in groups like that. Sites like SP are about as far as I'd like to go when it comes to internet networking.

If you DO decide to join that group, or another one like it, I'd suggest that you first get the fuck off of facebook. yea yea, I know that the info on facebook is still stored somewhere, but like I said, why help them?

good luck, and whatever you decide to do, BE CAREFUL, WATCH YOUR BACK, AND COVER YOUR TRACKS. use a proxy server.

LOL, I think that's well put.  The LOL was because I was picturing some jerk in a fusion center saying, "Hey Bill, come over here and look at this.  This guy Nola says he's trying to make our job harder.  Like it isn't hard enough already.  The prick!"  LOL

[Rail Driver]

RailDriver, honestly man, this is just my opinion so I'm requesting that the other members don't flame me too hard for this but..

I wouldn't get involved with groups like that. I'm not saying that this particular one is "bad" or anything. I think I may have stumbled across their site once or twice in the past, but really man, to me it just seems to be volunteering your personal info into a federal database. (no, I'm not saying that those guys are patsies or anything, but you KNOW they're being monitored)

one of the members here on SP said some very wise words to me a while back. "If they REALLY want me, they can find me... but why help them?"

I personally think Sledge has the right idea when he said that you can just take steps to find folks in your area... and that way, depending on how you go about it, you can maintain better OPSEC.

I fully support established militias so long as their ideology is on the right track. I fully support the idea of Patriots networking on the internet. But I've always been very weary of actually participating in groups like that. Sites like SP are about as far as I'd like to go when it comes to internet networking.

If you DO decide to join that group, or another one like it, I'd suggest that you first get the fuck off of facebook. yea yea, I know that the info on facebook is still stored somewhere, but like I said, why help them?

good luck, and whatever you decide to do, BE CAREFUL, WATCH YOUR BACK, AND COVER YOUR TRACKS. use a proxy server.

LOL, I think that's well put.  The LOL was because I was picturing some jerk in a fusion center saying, "Hey Bill, come over here and look at this.  This guy Nola says he's trying to make our job harder.  Like it isn't hard enough already.  The prick!"  LOL

I was thinking the same thing, Sledge!

Nola, thanks for the info and advice. It really makes sense.

[special-k]

......I personally think Sledge has the right idea when he said that you can just take steps to find folks in your area... and that way, depending on how you go about it, you can maintain better OPSEC......

The old LnL site had "State Forums."  Is there any reason why that hasn't been done here?

[Outonowhere]

Look in VFW and make one for your state if there isnt one

[special-k]

After looking for and not finding it, I did a search for "VFW".....it seems to be "behind closed doors", some area only for 'selected' former LnL'ers (a group in which I am not included, even though I PM'ed a request when I first joined...but I'm not bitter...lol)........  But anyway,  it seems to me, a public "State Forum" should be started.....you know......for fellowship with local preppers if one wishes....I mean, that's what this is all about, ain't it?  And yes, I went out of my way to type "ain't",  I felt it necessary after just reading a thread where ~some~ folks were disapproving of southern slang.  I do declare.

[sledge]

After looking for and not finding it, I did a search for "VFW".....it seems to be "behind closed doors", some area only for 'selected' former LnL'ers (a group in which I am not included, even though I PM'ed a request when I first joined...but I'm not bitter...lol)........  But anyway,  it seems to me, a public "State Forum" should be started.....you know......for fellowship with local preppers if one wishes....I mean, that's what this is all about, ain't it?  And yes, I went out of my way to type "ain't",  I felt it necessary after just reading a thread where ~some~ folks were disapproving of southern slang.  I do declare.

Well, I'm not gonna bust his balls over wanting to use proper English. I think his concern is protecting the language for future generations from what I understood.  It's not going to change the way I talk, but I'm not gonna bust his balls.  Overall he's a pretty decent guy.  You just have to understand, he's been living with a northern girl for a while.  lol

Maybe everyone should be allowed into the VHF so nobody gets offended.  Don't get hurt feelings Special-k, it's really not that special. 

[sauerofkraut]

I have been a member of Watchmen Of America since June 2011.  I only have good things to say about the group.  The gear  the WOA ships out is great

Watchmen Of America

their is going to be a national patriot/militia camp out april 20, 21, and 22 2012.  location is outside hutchinson, KS