In my opinion for what it's worth -
It's called exchanging information. I take part in a number of forums in an attempt to find a better way of doing what I do. Some times I get an idea from other participants. That's why I post in the threads that interest me.
As for 'Guns', there are plenty of threads that don't refer to reliance on firearms. Just to point out one and that is the Australian forum on this site - as our laws are so tight that licences are very restricted and a pain in the a_ _ _ to obtain, from memory there is one thread on there that refers to weapons on general.
Still am confused as to what a "Casper - would love it if someone could explain that one.
I also don't have a problem with others opinions on questions that I ask as I want their views. Even if they are from people overseas. Sometimes what they say is relevant or gives me an alternate Idea and other times it totally pointless. The point I am making is that I want as much input to my question/comment as I can get.
If you want to see quiet members - go to some of the Australian forums - heaps of lookers - bugger all with input - that makes it really difficult.
If you are genuinely concerned about gov'ts interested in what you say or do - then don't own a credit card, a bank account by travel overseas, get medical insurance, own property, own a car or buy anything on some of those top credit deals of 4 years interest free we get ion Australia - OH! and don't own a computer or go on the internet and own a mobile phone (cell phone) ,

You would need to go totally off the grid and become a hermit with no contact with the world to not be noticed.
Australia recently passed a law allowing the authorities access to the last 2 years of your electronic information to be legally accessed. I have been involved in a lot of different and some times interesting career pursuits over my life-time and in my opinion - In today's age - just get on with your life - let the gov't have the paranoia monopoly. We have better things to do.

When you figure out the key to get newcomers to start voicing there opinions and post questions, let me know, I have been trying for a while to achieve this.

Sigh.... I thought I left the childish games behind in Grade 1. Apparently not.... oh well... if you are including me with gcmountainman, traveller and the others then I am flattered to be in such company. I'll take it as a compliment. And I quote...."By the way a Casper is a nick name we used to use for Govenment spook." Please enlighten the group as to who you are refering to as "we". Are you part of some deep clandestine cell.... or perhaps a little too involved with Call Of Duty?!!!
Done with this thread.

See, thats all I had to do to get you in on the conversation. It was a p[loy on my part just to get the same people that are always ready to pounce on someone else. The same people that did it to Waterborne showed up for the free for all. I set you up, just like the three of you set up Waterborne. You just sit on the side and want to be recognised don't you. Quite sad actually. I was expecting those exact resp 😛 onses. My wife and I are both laughing. I made her a dinner bet what would come out of the woodwork and how fast they would respond. This is why no one wants to talk gcmountainman. I just had to make you see it for yourself. By the way a Casper is a nick name we used to use for Govenment spook. You've been punked! LOL 😛

By any chance are you siting in a dark room in your underwear...by the way...spell check, Google bar , 4th button over...use it .......And who is Waterborne.....Never heard of him/her........

Just had a look on the members profile sec - 'W's second page.

OK, I did a naughty and for that I apologise. Just trying to make you all see what its like for a new comer to the sight! 😀

Some like gadgetry some like simple. I do not see why it has to be one way or the other. Reply to topics you are interested in and if someone disagrees with you it is not the end of the world. Debate is the only way of reaching understanding. Opinion pieces get boring fast. Spice it up and get out of the shell. Try it and don't take a difference of opinion as a personal slam. Things aren't 100% civil in real life so to expect a utopian society online is a dream.

Where's the love? GUN! hahhaaha

OK, I did a naughty and for that I apologise. Just trying to make you all see what its like for a new comer to the sight! 😀

As a new comer, jumping all over a contributor such as gc-mountainman will most likely not go over well and probably get the boss's up your butt pretty fast , if you dont like what some post then dont read there threads.....other wise.....join in and contribute , but enough with the slamming of the long time and very good contributors......trust me when I say , you will lose the pissing match.....

Hey gc_Mountainman,
the reason people are not writing is because their are too many know it alls in the forum. Its one thing to have an informed opinion but when you are the only one thats always doing the talking and and overiding someone elses ideas or cutting them down, it makes for a boreing conversation. Too much about guns, guns ,guns and not enough about actual preparedness, ie. Food, Stock, Supply. Why do you think a few of us joke around on the site. Its because we know no matter what we write its always going to go back to a few and their guns. Personally, I dont need to talk about guns because I spent half my life using and carrying them and I'm sure thats true for alot of other people on this Portal. So, I'm not slamming anyone in the forum but if you want to see more interaction start setting an example of what prepping is really about!

In God we trust. Everyone else pays cash!

This was your only good and informative post,

.... every other post after this, I lost more and more respect for you !
good luck..

Yeah, your right. I need to focus more on my property (all three of them), my wife and family and my friends who are all of good steed. Spending too much time on this portal thinking that I was going to meet interesting informative people but such is not the case. Life begins and ends with reality and most of you don't live there. Your need is strong but most of you will fail desperately if you haven't already. West Coasters just know how to do it better and brighter. As for spell check.......I dont need it, I make top salary!

2) I prep to do with less rather then more. People certainly don't need me spouting off and rightly so. That being said, I will have food, shelter and water but little patience for people who cannot survive without cool-aid and candy and electronic gadgetry. I can make luxuries out of nothing if needed and the right resources happen to be around. Just might not be in a recognisable form and I don't want to hear about whats wrong with it.

No so different really...I am always trying to do with less and find alternative ways of doing things so I don't need to purchase anything more than what we already have.
Prepping for me isn't about Bug-Out-Locations and Bug-Out-Bags or indeed even having any plans to bug out at all...it is more about being as self sufficient as possible and living the old ways like 'Use it up, make do, or do without'. All this is done so if or when the SHTF I am not having to rely on 'The System' to save me. I like to hear of others efforts in this regard as well...not mad keen on guns myself but I deal with that by not entering into those conversations, problem solved 😀

All i have to say is WOW! Its interesting how quickly some threads do a 180. The reason im posting is to let all of you know that you shouldnt live in fear for your own opinion google search " hide my ip" and maybe that will make you more comfortable. I totally understand the reason behind this thread there is alot of "members" who do Not participate and IMO that makes all of us wonder what there doing here.
JAB im cool with two maybe Denob could put up a vote or something? Im kind of curious why there hasnt been alot more people chiming in on this subject. Everyone here has there own approach to prepping thats what makes this site good, its a way of making your weaker suits better.
Hope this helps.

Until the time comes, all I can do for now, is to gather and post information. I try to practice what I preach, and what I cant practice I will investigate until I KNOW that it is right. Do I know every thing, HELL NO, but what I do know I will pass on. Knowledge that is not passed on is a resource that is lost. Learn, learn, learn, so that in the end, one of us might live to pass on the information to those who might survive to live on.

There are a handful of members on this site that would rather attack other members posts than provide information. The situation seems to have gotten worse over the last 4 months or so. It's driving members away, and it really needs to stop. I realize that even this post will bring on the attackers.

I would also post more in the winter then in the summer. Not much time in the summer with all the farm work. See thats two posts already. Pretty soon you will be begging me to shut up.