been watching the FSW for awhile Ready to make the plunge, But do have ?

[dawg]

Hello all, My name Is Richard Kranzler , Ex military, Husband, Father ( son currently stateside after  being wounded on mission with 13th MEU in Ramadi) Also a lifelong patriot. My wife & myself are very interested in becoming involved with the FSW movement as we have been watching it grow from its humble beginings. We do have some concerns that involve past posts & comments that we would like to get cleared up. We will be moving to Wyo. either way but the replies to these questions could determine our locoation for the future as we would like to be involved in a community. Thanks is advance, & here comes the questions.

1.) I have noticed that FSW does not seem to welcome militia members & some posts are very degrading towards militia's. Is this a true representation of the movement. I currently am not affiliated with any movement but have been very active in the past with groups in both Idaho & montana. I think that some people view all militia movements as groups similiar to the freeman movement, As some of you surely know this is not a true representation of most groups.

2.) I see that you are not building Compounds.. Please clarify as having a homesight built with defense in mind ( walls constructed of plywood instead of drywall & other tricks seems intelligent & makes sense. Granted the odds of ever actually needing these is slim but so is the odds of needing my Bug out bag for when the Terrorists decide to attack the antelope herds in my fields.

Thanks for any & all replies.

We will be relocating to Wy. this spring and would really like to know what locations would best fit into our future plans.

Richard Kranzler

[MamaLiberty]

Welcome Richard and family. Others will answer, I'm sure, but you might want to think about it this way for starters:

FSW is a broad umbrella for those who love freedom and want to do something concrete about it, such as moving to Wyoming.

Those concrete things are very much a private and individual matter. Most folks believe that the less said about most of them, the better. Privacy is very important to most of us.

So, it should be no surprise that very controversial things like "militias" and "compounds" are not often discussed on an open forum like this. In fact, we discourage it simply because it is counterproductive and gives ammunition to our enemies.

[dawg]

Thanks, As that is exactly the reply I was looking For. I believe that personal freedom is one of the most important aspects of any community was just thrown for a loop by some of the past posts on this subject.

Now on to bigger & better things ... like where to buy property .... do I want to live along the 14 somewhere or over on the 212... guess i need to keep searching.

Thanks again.

God Bless
Richard Kranzler

[Space Cowboy]

Hi Richard,

Welcome to the forum. Here's what I see the FSW as.

We are not a Militia and probably never will be. The local government is scared spitless that we are a militia. They have had a very bad time with the Freeman movement (Which is still alive and well in the region). They also believe we are here to "take over". This also scares them. I don't speak for Boston, but I can tell you we do NOT have a "leader" and I don't want to be a part of the FSW if it ever does.

When you speak of compounds, my mind conjures up WACO, etc. Build whatever you want wherever you want (see posts on Zoning.....), but there are no plans like that. Many people have bought adjoining pieces of property, but are simply neighbors.

We do however have a great community of people. I would liken it to a suburb subdivision full of Doctors, Nurses, EMT's, etc. All have a common fundamental belief in what they are doing. Do they all agree on things? Absolutely not. But they can have a good time at BBQ's, parties, etc. If they all feel something is wrong in the Health care field, they may band together to try and change it. I think I have stretched that analogy as far as it will go.

So Richard, you are more than welcome here, you will, I am sure, find like minded individuals here. Wyoming is one of the greatest places to live and you will love it.

Space Cowboy

[MamaLiberty]

There are lots of wonderful places in Wyoming to consider! The very best way to find the one that works for you is to visit, of course. Consider your need for such things as employment, climate, shopping or medical care. These are all available here, of course, but at various distances!! <G> A long drive is pretty much the rule rather than the exception.

Do NOT rely on the internet to give you an accurate idea of what is available, however. The market is very unstable right now in some areas because of the "boom" in the energy industry, and some of the best deals never make it to the multiple listings. Visit actual real estate people here on the ground to find the best buys. The cities and the areas around them are the least affordable.

Take a look at my blog if you would like to learn more about the NE corner of Wyoming. I'll be working hard to increase the range of the photos and descriptions as spring comes. http://www.fundamentalsoffreedom.com/fswblogs/mamaliberty/

Look especially at the photo album categories.

Good luck, and let me know if there is any way I can help you.    

[Boston]

Hi Richard, and thanks for your post.

While there is nothing immoral, unethical, or even illegal about
non-aggressive people joining together for purely reactive
self-defense against unlawful violence, it is very unwise for
such people to 1) publicly tout themselves, and 2) as a "militia."

The term has a generally deserved poor connotation, and it also
greatly increases the public profile of its members (who far too
often stupidly commit NFA violations, such as that clown
in Casper last year). 

There are no doubt many militia folks who are the exception, but
one rarely seems to hear about them.

The FSW is not a militia group, nor is its forum a haven for militia members
to further their agenda. 

And, true, I do not overtly "welcome" militia members. 
They have their own venues elsewhere, and don't need ours.
What FSWers do on their own time is their business. 

__________
Build a strong home, of course, but why on earth should any family
call it a "compound"?  Why beg for negative attention?

The Secure Home, by Joel Skousen
http://www.amazon.com/Secure-Home-Joel-Skousen/dp/1568610556/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200151778&sr=1-2

___________
That all said, I hope that Wyoming and the FSW are a
good fit for you and your family.  Regarding relocation
areas, why not tour the state for a couple of weeks?
FSWers are friendly folks. 

Regards
Boston

[dawg]

Thanks to all. The answers have all been well thought out and are very articulate. this alone makes me feel welcome.  I am fairly familiar with Wy. & that is what making the decision difficult as knowledge can sometimes cause confusion as you wade thru the options.

Boston, We see things very much the same way I guess it all comes to the person. I would not call my property a compound But i am aware that my current neighbors do. I currently have no association with any group yet society as a whole would believe that I am because of my habit of being vocal as to my rkba & right wing opinions.

Well i shall introduce myself in person hopefully soon .

Thanks.
Richard

[DontTreadOnMe]

...a "militia."

The term has a generally deserved poor connotation, and it also
greatly increases the public profile of its members (who far too
often stupidly commit NFA violations, such as that clown
in Casper last year). 

Boston said best my general opinion on the "militias" as they are. By and large, they're just a vehicle for concerned people to feel like they're doing something about a difficult to define problem. Watching the papers through the years, I've seen the same pattern several times. Small "militia" pops up, talks about how helpful and law-abiding they are, then the leaders (usually one or two guys "leading" one or two guys) go down for one odd NFA violation or the other.

Further, I want to add that these groups have probably only harmed their cause more than helped it. Think about what the average Joe thinks about them. Probably more of a cause for fright and concern than hope. I'd say they've caused more support for an overbearing government than the other way around.

Now, insofar as the FSW; to give you a broad and general answer, I see it as more of a suggestion to move to Wyoming and be a Wyomingite; then go from there. Militias and compounds?  No, no, no. Throw that mindset out and try neighbors and homes, see a movie or shoot pool together; build a shack, grow a garden. Don't come here to force/make free, just come here to be free.

[manfromnevada]

I was going to post my own comments, but the previous ones are so well stated that I have nothing (almost) to add! 

As Boston said, some things are best left unsaid, especially on a public forum like this where ANYBODY can read it and almost ANYBODY can post. There are indeed some local gov't types about that have viewed this forum in the past. Sensitive topics are best left to be discussed over a cup of coffee one on one.

Mac

[KDus]

Concrete walls didn't save people from gas and explosives in Waco, TX.

[Big Ugly]

Hello, Richard,
What part of the world are you coming from?
It seems that a lot of those here are located up in the NE part of the High, Wide, and Lonesome.
There are a couple of us located in the middle of the state. I currently live at the base of the dip-slope of the Wind River Range. Nice place except for influx of too many of the PRK types. Oh, Well.
What kind of work are you looking for, if any?

I currently work for a Wyoming State Rep, up in Riverton.
When it comes to a "compound" - my house was built in 1905 (its pretty solid) has a huge concrete block garage/workshop, and a totally enclosed patio between the house and garage. Some of my friends refer to the place as "The Compound". Hmmm! 6'4", massive, long hair, earrings, motorcycles, guns, ...... Go Figure!

If you are going to be in the central Wyoming area, let me know and I'll buy you a coffee.

Big Ugly.