So I'm looking to get some bitcoins securely, but I'm not sure how to go about it. 

Whatever site I use, how can I be sure that they won't run off with my bitcoins like Mt. Gox?  I just read recently that there may be issues with blockchain.info.  I'd like to know how to get bitcoins without having to trust ANYONE.  This is one of the most appealing aspects of bitcoin, but I haven't been able to figure out how to do it.  Everywhere I look, it seems like I'd just be opening a "bank" account that would hold bitcoins for me.  Maybe I could then transfer them to a different "bank", but how do I get the "cash".  (I think this would mean having the address and private key, but I don't know if this is totally correct.)



(This seems like a simple question that must have been covered before, but I haven't found anything by searching.)


Thanks for your help.