A little odd... some advice?

[wisco]

I think I've been around here long enough that a lot of you know my displeasure with our current government.

From time to time I express that displeasure on facebook.

Over the weekend I was contacted by a guy I think went to high school with but vaguely knew.

His messages were somewhat juvenile in grammar but he told me that he had someone he wanted me to meet. He said he had "pointed me out" to this person in the past (I'm assuming by my facebook profile). He said that "they" were looking for like-minded people and asked if I was ready for the "new age revolution".

I explored his profile and found a lot of anti-government quotes, pictures of high powered weaponry, and home-made pepper spray.

On the surface he just looks like your average disgruntled citizen... but combined with his messages to me I'm wondering if there isn't something more sinister going on... or if he's part of some Waco-type group. If I were to judge his intelligence by his grammar i would bet he could be easily manipulated.

What would be your advice here? Should I meet his "friend" and find out more?

[mcsap]

I suspect that all of your gut feelings are right on the money.

If it were me , I wouldn't meet the guy. But then I am a cop and I don't need any publicity that I associate with over the top , anti-government wackos. But if you are curious , I would say go for it. Find neutral ground ( like a Starbucks or Panera bread ) and meet there.

Consider having someone call your cell after you have been there 15 minutes and than 30 minutes. That way you can excuse yourself to take care of an " emergency" if he is what I suspect he is and you need to make an exit.

Never give the person your home addres / phone number. Not even your cell if you can help it.

[capnc423]

Maybe he's plotting something, watch out for this guy. I totally agree with mcsap.

[wisco]

I suspect that all of your gut feelings are right on the money.

If it were me , I wouldn't meet the guy.

I agree with you, I really don't want to meet the guy. I would just feel bad if my gut was correct and this group pulled something... and I could have warned someone (police/fbi/whatehaveyou) beforehand.

I may be dissatisfied with my government, but that doesn't mean I want to run around blowing up buildings and whatnot.

[Chaplain Keppy]

Well, I guess this raises a further question: if one's gut instincts are raising red flags in a situation like this, should one notify someone of one's suspicions?

If so, who?

[retdetsgt]

I learned a long time ago to listen to my gut and not my head. My head will lie to me, my gut never has. That's exactly why I'm alive today.

Besides, what do you have to gain by meeting him?

[mcsap]

Well, I guess this raises a further question: if one's gut instincts are raising red flags in a situation like this, should one notify someone of one's suspicions?

If so, who?

And tell them what ?? So far nothing has been said or transpired that is beyond the normal lunatic fringe.

Their are lots of "walking wounded " out in the world today. It's legal to be nutty.

RDS had a great point though...what do you have to gain by meeting him ? If he is over the top , he is already on someones radar , you woudn't be the first to report him.

[Chaplain Keppy]

That's why I'm asking, Creeper-- I don't know if whoever keeps an eye on such things would be interested in a gut-instinct head's-up or if that is just wasting someone's time.

On some things, like child abuse, one is told 'better safe than sorry'-- if you have a concern, report it, people will figure out if your concern is justified or not.

I'm wondering if this is the same sort of situation. I wish someone had been on to Timothy McVeigh before he had a chance to carry out his plan.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Meet him in public, but wear full camo and hide your face behind a newspaper. I'm sure he'll believe you're inconspicuous.

And homemade pepper spray? WTF?! "Here Billy! Hold mah beer an' watch this!!!"

[retdetsgt]

And homemade pepper spray? WTF?! "Here Billy! Hold mah beer an' watch this!!!"

It comes in a 55 gallon drum with a pump made from a weedeater. "Come 'ere and be still for minute!"

[Creeker]

I wouldn't worry too much.

If History repeats itself, in 30 or 40 years, these nutjobs will be both running the Government and advising Administrations.

Seriously, I wouldn't give them the time of day. Under the Patriot Act, they are already being monitored by the worlds most sophisticated computers.

However, if the Government finally succeeds in seizing 401K's to fund Union Pension plans, look for a lot of riots in the streets and more.

[retdetsgt]

However, if the Government finally succeeds in seizing 401K's to fund Union Pension plans, look for a lot of riots in the streets and more.

More than likely it will result in a totally new Congress. Same with the recommendations Obama's blue ribbon panel just came up with to eliminate the mortgage and child tax deductions. He's just digging himself a deeper hole. In two years, people should be completely fed up with him and put in people to reverse some of the damage.

Frankly, I would like to see them do away with the Earned Income Credit. That's not just a tax credit, that's out and out welfare.

[wisco]

RDS had a great point though...what do you have to gain by meeting him ? If he is over the top , he is already on someones radar , you woudn't be the first to report him.

Ok, I'll trust your judgment on this and not pursue it any further.

Thanks all.