Boston Globe Covers Free State Project with Focus on Keene Activists in Front Page Article!

May 29, 2009 by Ian
Filed under: National, News

Many will nitpick things in here, like the headline calling us “antigovernment”, (I’d prefer pro-freedom) but you really can’t get better mainstream media coverage than this. The story lavishes attention on our movement and even links to FreeKeene.com. Thank you to the Boston Globe’s Sarah Schweitzer and photographer Cheryl Senter for this great article:

From a jail cell in this rural corner of New Hampshire, Sam A. Miller waged a philosophical battle, one milk carton at a time. The soft-spoken electrical engineer declined food for nearly a month, save for swigs of milk. To eat, he said, would be caving to the tyrannical government powers that placed him here for illegally filming in a courthouse and refusing to reveal his legal name to jail officials. (He says it’s private; jail officials obtained it from a fingerprint trace.)

His resistance has made him a folk hero among antigovernment types who have been making their way to New Hampshire from points across the country since their leaders put out a clarion call six years ago.

The Free Staters, as they are known, hope to lure thousands of like-minded souls to the state, with the goal of paring government to a bare minimum by eliminating things like taxes, speed limits, and zoning laws.

Thus far, just 427 Free Staters have relocated. Yet, here in Keene and in pockets across New Hampshire, Free Staters are making their case in increasingly provocative ways.

“Like Ghandi, like Martin Luther King, we need to educate and enlighten the public,” said Miller, who joined the Free State movement after breaking up with his fiancée.

The actions have ranged from the odd, such as when Free Staters filed another person’s fingernails without a manicurist’s license on a public sidewalk or held an unlicensed puppet show, to the irksome, as when they tried to dig a garden in a downtown Keene park, to the instigative, such as the day they stood on a street corner with a marijuana bud held aloft. Sometimes, they simply veer toward obstinate, wearing hats in a courtroom after being asked to take them off or refusing to remove a couch from a lawn.

When arrests have followed, Free Staters have sought to film the criminal proceedings from beginning to end, including scenes from courthouse lobbies, where filming is not allowed in some cases, such as in Keene District Court. The lobby filming has yielded more arrests (often, with Free Staters going limp as officers approach) and more footage that Free Staters post on websites such as FreeKeene.com, which has proved an effective recruiting tool.

The so-called liberty actions have been met with some bemusement by residents of this gently tolerant city, population 22,800, home to Keene State College, near the border of Vermont. But some say the tactics have taken on a menacing hue, such as when Free Staters have gathered on the streets of downtown Keene with holstered guns on their waists, visible on their waists.

“When they first came to town, there was a welcoming spirit. A lot of people were like, ‘OK,’ ” said Richard Van Wickler, a Keene resident and superintendent of the Cheshire County Department of Corrections. “But unfortunately what happens is that when [Free Staters] take the radical approach, that invites people to get angry.”\

More fundamentally unnerving, some say, is the Free Staters’ efforts to secure government positions, with the goal of whittling down or eliminating them. The Free State Project’s president, Varrin Swearingen, said in a telephone interview there are four state representatives with ties to the project and a “double-digit number” on local boards and commissions. He declined to release their names, saying to do so would violate their privacy, though he said some have “outed” themselves.

The officials already are wielding influence, he said. For example, a Free Stater elected to a planning board in a town near Keene, which he would not identify, swayed the board to vote against a zoning ordinance restricting new big box stores, a measure the Free State member said unfairly restricted property rights.

The Free State Project is the brainchild of Jason Sorens, a State University of New York-Buffalo political science professor who published an article in 2001 in the online magazine Libertarian Enterprise outlining the idea. “Government should be there to protect people’s rights but otherwise allow for the maximum amount of freedom,” Sorens said in a telephone interview. “It goes back to John Locke and Thomas Jefferson.”

The article made a splash in libertarian circles, and in 2003, some 2,500 followers of Sorens voted to make New Hampshire their laboratory, believing that the state’s flinty individualism would jibe with its view of small government, limited to “protecting life, liberty, and property.” Then former governor Craig Benson endorsed the group’s plan, and would-be revolutionaries began trickling into the state.

Unlike militia groups in the West, Free Staters are not loners who seek to live solitary existences undisturbed by government intrusion. “You tend to find people [in the Free State Project] who are happy to live in cities and towns and who want to persuade people that freedom is better than tyranny,” Swearingen said in an interview.

There was no concerted plan to make Keene a focal point. But when high-profile activists, such as Ian “Freeman” Bernard, host of “Free Talk Live,” a nationally syndicated radio program, and Lauren Canario, a veteran civil disobedience activist, found their way here, others followed. Today, Keene counts several dozen outspoken Free Staters and more who operate less flamboyantly. The Keene Free Staters tend toward the far end of the Free State Project spectrum, believing that government should not just be limited, but eradicated.

On a recent day, six Free Staters gathered at a Panera’s in Keene to talk about the Project. The members hailed from across the country – Oklahoma, Florida, California, Nevada. Many are single men; the majority are computer programmers. They tend to speak in precise diction and with overarching politeness. But at the mention of government, they betray a brimming anger and declare zealous dedication to the Free State Project.

“Short of death – no limits,” said Canario, the lone woman at the gathering, who spent over a month in jail when she refused to provide identification or speak to a police officer who pulled her over for speeding.

The Free Staters said they have no plans to temper their acts of civil disobedience, and if anything, will ramp up their attacks on the court system for not permitting them to film in the lobby. (Court officials say the ban is necessary to prevent the filming of children or domestic violence victims who may be present in the lobby.)

But Free Staters, keenly aware of their image, have undertaken a public relations campaign. Hoping to end the use of parking meters, Free Staters have fanned out across Keene on recent afternoons to place nickels in expired meters, leaving notes on windshields signed “Robin of Keene.”

For inspiration, they say they need look no further than to Miller’s jailing and hunger strike, which he ended Sunday. The 30-something son of a Dallas police officer faces one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, said Miller and Ivy Walker, his acting legal counsel.

During an interview in the airless visitors room of Cheshire County Jail, Miller said he has scratched “FreeKeene” into a wall with his thumb and befriended other inmates, who gave him their milk. Still, he said, jail has only reinforced his abiding conviction that government, as constituted, is an enslaver.

“I see Free Staters as the modern-day abolitionists,” he said.

Markus

As I said on the forum, I think this is a tremendous article and it's also great that Free Keene was linked!

Look at what the group of peaceful activists have achieved from "little" Keene.

No doubt Keene area FSPers and Free Keeners are helping put the pursuit of more liberty on the fast track!

Thanks to everyone!
Greg

"Thus far, just 427 Free Staters have relocated."

I wonder where they got this number. FreeStateProject.org claims 710 have moved.
http://freetalklive.com/ Ian

Look closer. The FSP claims 710 are already in NH. This includes the hundreds who were already living in NH when the FSP chose it.
HATE

"a Free Stater elected to a planning board in a town near Keene, which he would not identify, swayed the board to vote against a zoning ordinance restricting new big box stores"

Whoever you are voter, FUCK YOU! As a resident of the Keene area, born in the Keene area…FUCK YOU! FUCK OFF! GO HOME! GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE! DESTROY YOUR OWN TOWN YOU FUCK! I HOPE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS FAILS!
http://freetalklive.com/ Ian

Yelling certainly isn't going to help. Are you saying small businesses can't compete with big corporate stores?

Seems to me most businesses here in Keene are small and doing fine, with big box stores existing as well.

Did you cheer when Circuit City went out of business? If so, did you think about the locals they employed?
http://ringingliberty.com Paul

I suggest your organize a boycott of said store, Hate, rather than attempting to use men with guns to prevent other people from making voluntary transactions with their own property and money, which is none of your business.

If people are really opposed to the stores, and do not benefit from them, your boycott will succeed.
HATE

Are you saying small businesses can’t compete with big corporate stores?

yes

Seems to me most businesses here in Keene are small and doing fine, with big box stores existing as well

How long have you lived in the Keene area?

Did you cheer when Circuit City went out of business? If so, did you think about the locals they employed?

The locals whos business owner had to let them go so they were forced to work at a slimy big box store?
HATE

In many cases people are now forced to go to wal mart or other large chains regardless of their morality
HATE

and yes these "voluntary transactions" are none of my business…but the future of my town certaintly is
http://freetalklive.com/ Ian

No one is ever forced to shop at a store, but economics may tell them it's a good idea. When they are living paycheck to paycheck (likely because they pay taxes), saving a few bucks by shopping at walmart may mean the difference between paying a bill or not.

As an example, almost 50% of what I charge my tenants in rent goes to pay Keene property tax. Bet their quality of life would be better if I could let them keep their money, but I'll be thrown out of my home for non-payment of property taxes if I try doing something compassionate like that.

The very same government you want to save you from big box stores is the one driving you to them, economically.

I recommend love and forgiveness over HATE, but if you must HATE, please direct it at the aggressors in this situation, they call themselves "the state".
Dan

I have mixed feelings. The simple fact that there was a mainstream article is good, because it gives exposure to the Free State Project and many of the related goings on in New Hampshire. However, the content of the article itself painted a picture that really isn't consistent with the Free State Project I know and love. It focused far too much on "anarchy" and implied that free state project members are simply weirdos and malcontents who can't function in society, something we know certainly isn't the case. Overall it's probably a positive thing, but a lot of people will take this article the wrong way (although most of the Boston readers probably can't be saved anyway

Ian and Mark – I listen to the show every day, hope to make it to Porcfest and one day live in NH. Keep up the good work!
http://freetalklive.com/ Ian

Oh and HATE, to answer your question, coming up on three years. NH natives also blog on this site, so maybe Toby, Nick, Tim, or Josh can comment.

Thanks for looking at things more calmly.
http://www.dooms-day-device.com Puke

I wonder what Mr. or Mrs. Hate thinks of the life residents of Keene and NH that support the ideas of liberty?

Is their opinion more, less, or equal to Hate's opinion of people trying to make NH a better place?

Anyway, appropriate name as that person seems to be filled with it and is likely a miserable sack of sad.
http://ringingliberty.com Paul

I'm a Keene native, and I believe people should be free to shop where they choose.

There are many businesses which I do not approve of — I don't patronize them, or in extreme circumstances, I organize a boycott. Actually, I myself prefer local business, and do my best to patronize them, even when they're slightly more expensive.

I would never use force or violence to prevent people from shopping somewhere, though, or prevent someone from building, simply because I disapprove of it.
Slave

Hate,

If you're so unhappy about the way things are going in the area in which you live, or the rules that you're being forced to live by, why don't you simply move somewhere else? Isn't that what statists usually tell us is the solution to the problems we bring up?

I'm not angry with you or chastising you, BTW. It's good to be angry with people who force you to do things you wouldn't do otherwise; people who steal from you; people who diminish your rights. People like the government, for example.
Mark

I grew up in Keene, lived there about 20 years and I left because it's a little nazi police state full of ignorant assholes just like mr hate! (no place I'd want to live) I hope you guys succeed in making a difference there, my hat is off to your efforts…

in freedom
orion

http://www.reddit.com/r/government/comments/8o8ld…

Make sure you reddit it.
zaphar

Hate: "GO HOME! GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE! DESTROY YOUR OWN TOWN YOU FUCK!"

How do you own a town? Well actually I know. It's simple, you come from one of the well established families from the town who's members own small businesses and have ties to/positions in the town government. This way the "family" can pass local ordinances to protect their own and friends small businesses from outside competition while overcharging local residents.

I'm no fan of corporations, including the corporation you love so much, The City of Keene Inc, but you're no different.

I like patronizing local businesses that provide competitive prices and quality products. You'll see me buying food from Armadillos and not taco bell, because the owner is nice, the food is better, and I want to support him with my business because of that. The same for the downtown coffee shops that serve fair trade coffee, I know they actually care about other people so I buy from them.
RidleyReport

LOL the longer "Hate" is in contact with us the less hateful s/he becomes. Seriously how much is there to hate? Maybe some of our singing is a little off key.
HATE

I do respect all of your opinions…but please if you can, try and see WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price

http://www.walmartmovie.com/

If you live in Keene you can rent it for free at the Keene Public Library
Anon

Ha Ha, Some of the comedians in their comment section are priceless:

<blockquote cite="What seems like an innocuous act in one instance- people filing nails on a sidewalk- can also be a danger to others in another- an unliscensed manicurist that uses unsanitized tools and gives their client infections from them.

Just because you don't understand why it's against the law doesn't make the law senseless!">
Anon

HTML FAIL, EDIT BUTTON FAIL

"What seems like an innocuous act in one instance- people filing nails on a sidewalk- can also be a danger to others in another- an unliscensed manicurist that uses unsanitized tools and gives their client infections from them.

Just because you don't understand why it's against the law doesn't make the law senseless!"
Lpviper

Yes it does

lol

too much
Lpviper

My position is, I know how to think. And if I can't think of why something is against the law, it's because I don't see how it harms others.

For those of you who argue that unlicensed manicurists are hurting people; show me a news story to back that up
Lpviper

I tried to look at that Wal-Mart thing.

What a steaming pile
http://ringingliberty.com Paul

Here's a radical idea: How about going to manicurists of good reputation, which are known for quality work, rather than creating a massive government bureaucracy, from whom everyone has to get permission to go into business.
Dirty Tools for Stup

Just because there's a law doesn't mean that there is a need for it. I understand why there is law, because you're too afraid to ask someone if their utensils are clean before you get your mani/pedi. You'd like other people to suffer before you put forth even 1 minute of research into who it is that is using sharp objects near your fingers and toes. Please refrain in the future from supporting the theft of my money to pay for your sick and childish version of "consumer reports"

Thank you for your cooperation.
Lance

There are plenty of license holders whose business practices are substandard or unsafe. Government licensing ensures neither the quality nor the safety of consumer goods and services.

Anyhow, great article. Many thanks to Sarah Schweitzer and the Boston Globe for the professional write-up.
Mark

just because some idiot legislature thinks it up and makes it a bill, it gets voted in and the governor signs it and the nazi go-dogs enforce it doesn't mean it's the "law". law is what the constitution declares it is and what the supreme court says about it (no injured party = frivolous lawsuit and deprivation of rights under color of law), anything else is color of law only, just corporate bs and citizens have the obligation to say no. unfortunately few do, so defacto colorable law stands as law unless challenged by the individual who asserts his rights under the constitution (the belligerent claimant in person), of course the courts are corporatized too and there is no more presumption of innocence or due process (the state enforces defacto law, brings the charges, prosecutes and judges you, a fair trial in that venue is factually impossible), so asserting your constitutional ights can lead to lenghty court battles (they get your time or your money one way or the other)…

“The Constitution of these United States is the supreme law of the land. Any law that is repugnant to the Constitution is null and void of law.”

Marbury v. Madison, 5 US 137:

“The claim and exercise of a Constitutional right cannot be converted into a crime.”

Miller v. U.S., 230 F.2d. 486, 489:

"Your rights must be interpreted in favor of the citizen."

Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 U.S. 232, 1974:

“No state shall convert a liberty into a privilege, license it, and attach a fee to it.”

Murdock v. Penn., 319 US 105:

“If the state converts a liberty into a privilege, the citizen can engage in the right with impunity.”

Shuttlesworth v. Birmingham, 373 US 262:

“Where rights secured by the Constitution are involved, there can be no rule making or legislation, which would abrogate them.”

Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436:

“An unconstitutional act is not law; it confers no rights; it imposes no duties; affords no protection; it creates no office; it is in legal contemplation, as inoperative as though it had never been passed.”

Norton v. Shelby County, 118 U.S. 425:

"Because of what appears to be a lawful command on the surface, many Citizens, because of their respect for what appears to be law, are cunningly coerced into waiving their rights due to ignorance."

–US. v. Minker, 350 US 179 at 187

“The court is to protect against any encroachment of Constitutionally secured liberties.”

Boyd v. U.S., 116 U.S. 616:

“Officers of the court have no immunity, when violating a Constitutional right, from liability. For they are deemed to know the law.”

Owen v. Independence, 100 S.C.T. 1398, 445 US 622:

“Federal law & Supreme Court cases apply to state court cases.”

Howlett v. Rose, 496 U.S. 356 (1990)

that is the law, and the only reason gubmint gets away with what it does is because most of the population are a bunch of mindless spongeheads who do as their told, too ignorant and too busy to be bothered to learn their rights and stand up for themselves (they are happy with having their rights stolen and sold back to them as government privileges) so it falls on the irate tieless minority to make things rights again… f*cking sad, many died to give them rights they don't care about, and they use things like memorial day and veterans day to honor them but then dishonor everything they did the other 363 days by pissing away all they fought for… pathetic, Americans truly get the govenment they deserve, problem is the few of us that know better have to be subjected to it as well…
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo/ Dan Clore

So far as Wal-Mart goes, this corporation is not a good example of the free market at work. One study tallied up over $1 billion in corporate welfare that Wal-Mart has received:

http://www.goodjobsfirst.org/corporate_subsidy/wa…
Jamie

Walmart as a liberty issue? Are you insane?

Walmart knowingly sells goods made by slaves in China. Anyone that advocates for Walmart's existence is an enemy of human liberty.

Hell, anyone that advocates for large-scale corporate entities in any form is an enemy of human liberty.
Lpviper

Walmart got their position on the backs of small businesses who had to pay taxes like Walmart does. If the tax and regulatory burdens were not there, you would see people shopping more according to personal preference and less according to who has astounding buying power. In other words, gubment meddling made WalMart what it is today
http://www.fija.org Jake Witmer

…And always remember that it only takes one libertarian sitting on a jury to render any victimless crime or "mala prohibita" law null and void. A malum prohibitum is a law that creates a crime simply by legislating against an otherwise non-criminal action. The only things that should be considered crimes are "mala in se" –crimes "in and of themselves." This category of crime has an aggressor and a victim.

The jury has the right to "veto" the law by voting "not guilty." This practice was built into our system to prevent people from being punished by laws that have no right to exist, or laws that are being enforced unfairly.

If I file someone's nails on the street, without a license, and they don't complain about the service, and they cannot show harm from the service, then who has been hurt? If the state punishes me for doing so, then they've created a victim where no victim existed. When you give the state the power to victimize innocent people, watch out. The state rarely stops where you think it should, and your enemies often gain control of the apparatus of the state. In Soviet Russia, over 50,000,000 innocent people were murdered by the police state. In communist China over 60,000,000 innocent people were murdered by their police state. In Hitler's Germany, over 20,000,000 innocent people were murdered by the police state. (In each of these countries, one needed to be a government employee in order to own or carry a gun.)

Alternately, if I file someone's nails on the street, and infect them with nail fungus, I can be sued for harm caused, or falsely selling my services as "safe." If a jury agrees, then they may award me damages. –All without a license or regulation that enslaves business owners or forces them to beg permission from the government to work. Also, in a free society, there are voluntary standards organizations that one can belong to, and things like groupon and the BBB consistently improving the customer feedback of the services rendered by the coalition. If there is actual harm done to someone, they can also retaliate by besmirching the name of my business with a boycott or a bad online review.

For more information about jury rights, Please See:

http://www.fija.org

and

http://www.jurorsforjustice.com

—Feel free to use this post as you like, print, send, copy, etc…
FreeTroll.(theKINGof

that's a damn good post, Jake, but was it worth a 2 year wait???…~tKoK.