Lurkers: Are You Afraid to Sign Up To ATS? Don't Be.

I was there once, where you are. I read and read on ATS for over a year, and quite frankly, some of the things I saw here used to scare me half to death. Is there a shadow government? Are aliens in secret league with governments? Was 9/11 an inside job? Is corruption in our system as bad as many here purport it to be? Will the government come after you if you sign up to ATS or other conspiracy sites?

Well here is a word of encouragement from a long time member here- me. Do it, and don't be afraid or intimidated!

Considering some of the radical posts I have made here, it is has been somewhat of a surprise that I have never had any FBI or CIA agent call me or harass me, or any strange things start happening. After all, I am just another nobody American expressing my views freely. So why shouldn't you? What, you afraid of being called a conspiracy theorist? Afraid someone is going come banging down your door?

Well they won't. At least, not yet. Not so far. It could in the future if things keep going the way they are, and the powers that be try to shut down or severely censor the internet. But that is exactly why we need you. You will be one more voice that is heard. By lurking and not signing up your opinion stays muted to the world. Even though we are all anonymous on here, you lurking is worse than anonymous. At least we get to express our views. You just sit back and take, take and take, with no contribution to give back. And all we are asking for is your opinion.

Take it from someone who has been here, and elsewhere, involved with discussing these subjects and more since 2004, and researching since 2003...Until I finally just said "screw it, I am getting involved"- and signed up at several forums including this one. I don't regret a minute of it, have learned an incredible amount, and I still to this day have never had any problems. Quite on the contrary, my friend. In fact, it has led me to friendships I would have NEVER otherwise had, and has also led me to insider information, that there is no way in hell I would have otherwise had- because now, I am trusted in certain circles.

Just DO IT. Thanks!

After 11 flags and 2 applauses (thanks mods), I figured someone would have responded by now, but that's ok. What would really be helpful, if I may suggest it, is that other long time members join in this thread to help echo the sentiment- so that lurkers, otherwise intimidated, will come out from under their shell and join the great discussions here at ATS!

If I'd have seen it earlier, I would have responded earlier.

Thanks for the vote of encouragement, we need new members that can give us their experiences and opinions in this ever growing online community bent on finding the truth.

As we say, just DO IT.

You can still lurk with a member account, but also have the added benefit of weighing in the issues that are most important to you. There is no monthly quota and there is no obligation.

This is truly a place like no other.

~Keeper

reply to post by tothetenthpower


An additional, HUGE BENEFIT of membership is a 60% reduction in the amount of ads on a page. Not to mention you can see all the cool avatars.

Springer...

Join !!!


we have ice cream !!

reply to post by Springer


Well, why don't we ask the man himself, Springer, (and thanks for the applause btw) if you, having been here as a principal at ATS for quite a many years, has ever had the FBI or CIA harass you over your opinions, or threatening you for running this website? (And I'm not talking about any cases where they may have inquired about information posted here- I am talking about harassing you or any other staff over running this site).

What I am trying to get at is if any long term members have EVER been intimidated or harassed by 3-letter agencies simply due to their participation at ATS or other sites of this nature?

[edit on Mon Mar 15th 2010 by TrueAmerican]

If any lurkers are reading this then seriously just join!

It's so much fun here and you really do learn so much all the while coming across some incredibly smart, curious and fun loving people.

I'm so glad i joined!

Agreed, it is so much more fun when you can become involved in the "conversation" and do some critical thinking.

Don't worry about the trolls we have spray for that.



-Kdial1

since i've lurked and had a nose and waited for the trolls to go i have decided to sign up. i've met a few nice people to...even one guy has asked me why i'm not out chasing men and getting a tan lol

*** TV ANNOUNCER VOICE ***

Act now and not only do you get access to Abovetopsecret, but you can also enjoy the laid back conversations and going ons at Belowtopsecret.

Thats right, two discussion boards in one.

Hurry, the phone lines... err the Join button is there awaiting you to click it.

Originally posted by TrueAmerican
I was there once, where you are. I read and read on ATS for over a year, and quite frankly, some of the things I saw here used to scare me half to death. Is there a shadow government? Are aliens in secret league with governments? Was 9/11 an inside job? Is corruption in our system as bad as many here purport it to be? Will the government come after you if you sign up to ATS or other conspiracy sites?

Well here is a word of encouragement from a long time member here- me. Do it, and don't be afraid or intimidated!

Considering some of the radical posts I have made here, it is has been somewhat of a surprise that I have never had any FBI or CIA agent call me or harass me, or any strange things start happening. After all, I am just another nobody American expressing my views freely. So why shouldn't you? What, you afraid of being called a conspiracy theorist? Afraid someone is going come banging down your door?

Well they won't. At least, not yet. Not so far. It could in the future if things keep going the way they are, and the powers that be try to shut down or severely censor the internet. But that is exactly why we need you. You will be one more voice that is heard. By lurking and not signing up your opinion stays muted to the world. Even though we are all anonymous on here, you lurking is worse than anonymous. At least we get to express our views. You just sit back and take, take and take, with no contribution to give back. And all we are asking for is your opinion.

Take it from someone who has been here, and elsewhere, involved with discussing these subjects and more since 2004, and researching since 2003...Until I finally just said "screw it, I am getting involved"- and signed up at several forums including this one. I don't regret a minute of it, have learned an incredible amount, and I still to this day have never had any problems. Quite on the contrary, my friend. In fact, it has led me to friendships I would have NEVER otherwise had, and has also led me to insider information, that there is no way in hell I would have otherwise had- because now, I am trusted in certain circles.

Just DO IT. Thanks!

Have done just that, after looking at ATS for over a year! Quite a site to navigate but I'm getting there. Thanks!

Originally posted by Velvet1
Have done just that, after looking at ATS for over a year! Quite a site to navigate but I'm getting there. Thanks!

You know, now that I think about it, that's another good angle on this- RECENT members who have decided to join and come out from hiding. GOOD FOR YOU!!! And welcome to ATS!

Originally posted by TrueAmerican

Originally posted by Velvet1
Have done just that, after looking at ATS for over a year! Quite a site to navigate but I'm getting there. Thanks!

You know, now that I think about it, that's another good angle on this- RECENT members who have decided to join and come out from hiding. GOOD FOR YOU!!! And welcome to ATS!

Thank You!

ATS certainly has a lot of advantages, once you whirl your way around. I think like anything else I'll gravitate towards and hopefully find others similar?

reply to post by TrueAmerican


Ya, I bet they are. Big sissy lalas. I can jest see um now, thinking,
" I would really like to join this site, it looks like so much fun.
(good thread OP) Oh but if I do I know I will be constantly worried
I might be hauled off to jail." What a bunch of paranoids! Fraidy catss
scared of their own shadow. There prolly afraid of the dark too.

No way, am I missing a chance, to belittle somebody by hurling insults
and name calling.

reply to post by TrueAmerican


Well, I cannot speak for anyone but myself, but I never lurked one bit.

I jumped in with both feet, boots and all, and began kicking butt and taking no prisoners.

That's just the kind of guy I am I guess because when it comes to topics like Government, conspiracy, politics, I am not shy in the least, so if there is something you're shy about speaking on, after lurking for a lengthy period of time, don't be.

Many people here on ATS, will help you, many will ignore you, many will think you're weird.

So what?!?!?

ATS is not about fitting it, it is about diving in, and making your own spot.

While TrueAmerican and I may not have always seen eye to eye, we do respect each other, and ATS is a part of that, by becoming vocal members, we debate, speak with, and disagree with many people who may not always agree.

The one thing I believe most people can agree on here on ATS though is that it rocks.

Don't know what to talk about?

You will find your voice, guaranteed.

Don't know how to post eloquently?

You will be helped via a melee of people trying to help, guaranteed.

Don't know your stance?

You will by the time you have hit one year on ATS, guaranteed.

Making High-Quality Threads : Ask and I'll Point You In The Right Direction

...and if you act now...

Ginsu Knife Commercial ®


* [size=-5]Supplies are limited, not all lurkers will gain notoriety in order to fulfill the one year mandatory slave requirements in order to receive items as promised.

Other ATS members may harass you for the use of said Ginsu Knives ®, any and all promises are not guaranteed by ATS LLC, and or the Website Administration.

George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Barack Obama have been permanently banned, as per the simple and easy to follow ATS Terms and Conditions, and any and all shipping costs of said Ginsu Knives ® may not be guaranteed, and prices may increase exponentially due to the failing economy.

[edit on 15-3-2010 by SpartanKingLeonidas]

I used to lurk arond while doing homework and I would get bored and go on here. I joined a long time ago, then forgot the password and the email I used for here so I made a new one and quit lurking for good.

I used to lurk arond while doing homework and I would get bored and go on here. I joined a long time ago, then forgot the password and the email I used for here so I made a new one and quit lurking for good.

reply to post by TrueAmerican


I can tell you that in the nearly 7 years I've been involved with ATS (6 of those years as an owner) I've never once been harassed or threatened in any way by any government agency or employee.

We've had several people who couldn't abide our TAC and got banned harass us but, never anyone that matters or has any "official" power what so ever.

Springer...

I visited. I lurked. I joined.

The first few posts and a thread were ignored. 'Bas**rds!' I thought.

I kept posting. Two months in, I noticed the red U2U button and clicked it. Turned out I had two applause waiting from 2 months earlier. They were from Internos. Not a bad start...

He suggested getting an avatar. It's good advice to new members. Some of them are now friends. Write good posts and use an avatar so people recognise you...

reply to post by Springer


Well, there you have it lurkers, spoken by one of the owners of ATS: no harassment whatsoever!

Now, who is gonna be the poor fool to call Springer a liar!?? :shk:

Thanks for your reply man, it really helps.