NH Occupy Becomes Self-Aware

December 4, 2011 by DerrickJ
Filed under: Free Manch, New Hampshire, Occupy NH, Video

Yesterday Fr33manTV went to Hookset, NH with liberty activists Ian Freeman, TalleyTV, and Kelly Voluntaryist to investigate and participate in the first Occupy New Hampshire General Assembly. After 3 hours of polite deliberation, the only thing the GA decided was the time and date of their next meeting.

Personally, I was delighted to see that the GA had an anti-authoritarian streak; several of the attendees emphasized keeping power local and decentralized. The majority of the meeting centered around philosophical questions such as: “What is the purpose of this Assembly?” “What does it mean that we came here?” “Where does our authority rest?” “How should we organize ourselves?” and “Can we enable communication among NH Occupiers?”

These are excellent questions, and while it may mean the state-wide occupation will take a while to self-actualize, the promise of direct action appears to be on the horizon–a number of NH Occupiers spoke of plans to mic-check more politicians as the NH primaries begin in just weeks.

Signature of the Occupy movement, this GA included participants from all walks of life: young, old, preppy, and hippy. They all seemed to agree that they don’t like what they see around them economically and politically. The video above introduces viewers to NH Occupiers who are being the change they want to see in the world.

…?

I’m confused why so many ‘liberty lovers’/FSPers would want to associate themselves with a movement which is working to break down the very neo-capitalist/free market/tax free society they are trying to create….

Can anyone explain?
Bob Constantine

I can't speak for everyone, but I think I can answer why some liberty activists associate with "the 99% protesters". Outreach is the simple answer,

Many liberty activists believe in non coerced and peaceful interactions. Many "liberals" purport to believe this too…

However liberals often do not realize that the means to a peaceful society is not thru MORE aggression initiating…I.E. the application of MORE government force or extortion. In a nutshell many liberals are often very well meaning and may not have thought it thru that the end they seek, 'peace" is not consistent with the means they advocate, aggression.

Once exposed to their inconsistency many intelligent people have the intestinal fortitude to change their behavior and cease being inconsistent….that is a worthy goal for "peaceful liberty activists" to work on eh?
…?

I get the whole 'outreach' approach, but it seems to me that many liberty activists are actually siding with the things OWS supports….things which are completely contradictory to what the FSP claims to support…
david-keene

I think OWS means getting government out of business and vice versa.,which is inline with fsp
…?

FSP is about getting rid of government altogether due to its inherently violent nature, no? OWS certainly does not support that seeing as they support raising taxes…
http://NHFREE.com Tom Sawyer

I too had reservations, but agree with Bob's view above.

I think the "they" part is the problem you are running into. A bunch of individuals, of whom some are certainly libertarian. Some are definitely not. However left to the hard leftist's the fence seaters will be lost.

Waiting for the Storm – one man's outreach efforts. http://www.waitingforthestorm.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myqffx8Mdg4
david-keene

they dont "support raising taxes" ..where you get that is beyond me
david-keene

you cant say "ows supports raising taxes" just as you cant make sweeping generalizations about fsp folk
david-keene

I consider my self part of ows and I dont want to raise tax and I know ows has much that aligns with fsp folk yes, some people who got microphones stuck in front of themselves said stuff……… Are you going to glean from a hand full of people that "ows wants to raise taxes"!?…. That is as much of a disservice as people in nh saying "all fsp folk want to show their breasts and smoke pot with a gun hanging from their hip" You just justified that .
…?

"they dont “support raising taxes” ..where you get that is beyond me"

They believe there should be a tax increase for 'the 1%'…if you are unaware of that then you clearly don't know very much about the movement…
http://the1780farm.com Richard Aldrich

While there is certainly a potpori of issues that #OWS activists present the goal of the freestaters is, if it appears at all, at the bottom,of that list the and, given that years of trying has not garnered them enough support to justify even an ocassional mention in the media I am annoyed and offended that they are piggy backing and co opting OWS's popularity and acceptance in the general population. They are, in my opinion, a presence that confuses the electorate. Occupy Wall Street is primairily about money in politics and the sullifying effects that money in our halls of government has on our freedoms.
…?

"While there is certainly a potpori of issues that #OWS activists present the goal of the freestaters is, if it appears at all, at the bottom,of that list the and, given that years of trying has not garnered them enough support to justify even an ocassional mention in the media I am annoyed and offended that they are piggy backing and co opting OWS’s popularity and acceptance in the general population. They are, in my opinion, a presence that confuses the electorate. "

Couldn't agree more. That's basically what I've been trying to get at by asking these questions…I was just hoping that the Free Staters who 'agree' with OWS would become 'self aware' (ironic that that is in the title of this blog entry…) enough to realize that.

To me, it just shows that there are many FSPers who are just rebels without a cause. They're willing to latch onto anything that makes a big enough fuss, regardless of whether it is actually aimed at accomplishing their previously stated goals and beliefs.
Robert > Occupy C

Great government is meant to be the servant of all the people. It is neither good or evil if it is without corruption (bribery). It is the ESSENTIAL servant of its citizens! Bob C. and Rich A. have my accord. Thank You.
david-keene

Way to do infighting yall, and find a "other". Free staters are the 99%. And I'm glad there are no "gate keepers" for ows. I welcome the "free staters" who are wide and varied. With out them there would be much less support for OWS in keene ,seems like maybe 50 percent less support..

And this word "coopting" ….are you co-opting because you are a dem repub,socialist ,fill in the blank? If you are a 99% you are not "co-opting" and there are NO GATE KEEPERS.
david-keene

UNBELIEVEABLE……..and sad
…?

david-keene,

Free Staters may be part of the economic demographic that makes up the 99%, true, but do the teachings of the FSP really coincide with those of OWS? Do you support raising taxes, even if it is just for the 1%? Do you support breaking down the neo-liberal economic system? If not, then you are not fighting for the same thing those in OWS are.

Choose a cause, know what it stands for, and stick with it.
david-keene

…?,

1: "free staters" know better than anyone whether or not their agenda or whatever aligns with OWS.

2: The 1% gets government favoritism,"free staters" ARE against that.

3: If yall are worried about "free stater" influence on nh OWS, take the ball and make YOUR influence stronger.
david-keene
…?

David,

1. Ok, then explain to me how raising taxes in ANY capacity is in line with what the FSP claims to support?

2. Again, it' fine for FSPers to say they are against government favoritism, but I have NEVER seen them say they are pro more government impositions (ie, things like taxes) which is what OWS is trying to accomplish

3. lol…I'm not 'worried about the Free Stater influence on OWS' By all means, please keep supporting it…I am MUCH more in favor of the OWS goals than those of the FSP. I just find it hilarious how so many FSPers are willing to completely overlook the fact that they are joining a movement which contradicts their supposed beliefs just because it's the trendy thing to do….it's also rather funny that if OWS succeeds with its intentions, FSP will have MORE 'liberty-hating government' to oppose…you're just creating more work for yourself if your goal is to really create the type of 'free society' proclaimed by the FSP
david-keene

I dont know that OWS is about "raising taxes" though you keep saying it.

There are as many differing views of OWS as there are people that are part of it.

Some think OWS is about separation of business and state.

I'm guessing you are a infiltrator of OWS sent by whoever to start infighting and "divide and conquer ".

Seems to me you are trying to pigeon hole OWS and the FSP.

Again you are a infiltrator trying to divide and conquer.

If you aren't "worried about fsp influence" ..than you wouldn't have started talking about it.

Again,trying to start infighting.
david-keene

There is obviously a common ground all 99% are together on.

You are trying to divide and conquer. SHAME ON YOU.
…?

lol, why would I want to 'divide and conquer'? As I said, I much more support OWS than FSP so if you want to do so as well, have fun….I'm just trying to sort out where exactly your morals lie.

However, I guess if you don't know OWS' stance on taxes your morals pretty clearly lie with joining whatever movement is currently making a big enough fuss, regardless of what they're actually fussing about. As I suspected.
david-keene

Yea why would you want to divide and conquer…..maybe you're doing it unaware….again your causing infighting… Where is the ows rule book? ..the one your quoting regarding taxes. No where thats where. lol… stop causing infighting please mr anonymous. "morals lie" …right…lol…. Just please stop trying to "divide and conquer" aware or not… trouble maker
david-keene

the question isnt "why WOULD you want to divide and conquer" its "why ARE you"?
david-keene

AND STOP
…?

Again…not trying to divide and conquer….trying to figure out why you support two contradicting movements….

I'm assuming that, since you have yet to come up with an answer for that question, you don't know yourself.
david-keene

I provided you with a few answers you just didn't accept them.

I gave you multiple. answers.

Done with this.

Scroll up and read what you didn't.

Why should I continue with someone who doesn't pay attention?

Anser:i shouldn't .

Peace out.

ps, other folk reading this scroll up ;and you will see that I did answer his query.

Though the query has many obvious answers and many would not need to ask the question.
david-keene

His query mostly just shows his bias for what he calls "free staters".
…?

Again, if you think you answered my questions, it just shows how completely confused you are about your own opinions. Nowhere did you reconcile the fact that OWS supports raising taxes and FSP is completely against that in any capacity.

Thanks for assuming I'm male, by the way (I'm not).
david-keene

you are 100% right………male is my default….peace bye
david-keene

its mostly guys in here it seems.bye
…?

Bye…hope you spend some time trying to figure out what you actually care about.
david-keene

I could see if we were speaking in person..then you may not have caught it…but all you have to do is re read if you miss something… so no I won't repeatedly repeat myself ….for you amusement scroll up and reread