Free Keene » Charity

Compassion & Liberty

Meg McLain — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:47:48 +0000

People often ask me how I discovered the ideas of liberty. Like many others, I was taught about government in school using state approved curriculum; which never mentions the ideas of liberty, self ownership, and personal responsibility. In addition, I was raised in a extremely liberal area, which gave me a socially acceptable set of morals that included support of government social/welfare programs. This was not because I disliked the idea of private charity and personal compassion; but rather, I believed it to be the only method of mass charity (the ability to fund care for many people at once). It was my experience in trying to use these social programs which led me to discover the ineffective, wasteful, and harmful effects they create. They didn’t help people. They gave those suffering the bare minimum for survival, but wasted so much time, and came with so many requirements, that those the government “helped” would never be able to move forward. They would become dependent on the system for survival, which skews this “help” to be thought of as a “right”… because obviously everyone feels they have a right to life.

Moreover, I discovered the system in which these programs are funded (by tax dollars), was a complex form of theft. How can you do good deeds with stolen money? And how could a charity be successful if it was continually funded no matter how poor it’s results? There is no competition, or at least none that can truly offer an alternative (possibly better) service, because the government has already taken any money people have to spare on charity. It was these factors that resulted in my change in heart on the necessity of government social/welfare programs; and eventually, my views on government all together.

But how can someone claim to be “caring” or “compassionate” if they advocate the end of social programs that people depend on for survival? Here is why: because I DO care. I AM compassionate. There are millions out there who care. Does anyone honestly believe that if the government funded “charities” were no longer available, we would all accept standing by and watching people suffer? I wouldn’t. But in thinking about why people believe this, I realized the amazing loss in simple acts of care and compassion between individuals. Because the government has taken over the “charity” system, most people have lost the ability to be kind or charitable on their own. Just as traffic lights have removed people’s responsibility of defensive driving (aka paying attention to others on the road).

We need kindness and compassion to be given back to the people. While it’s illogical to think we can just end government social programs tomorrow, and take back the task of charity; there is hope. We need to start by reeducating ourselves to care about others. To strive towards positivity and community. When you nurture those elements of human nature, you can begin to see a world without government. It wouldn’t be a scary world of chaos and violence; but rather, a world where people feel a responsibility to their fellow man. Not to provide for him/her from cradle to grave, but to see that all people are successful… because then there will be others to help you in your time of need.

To start encouraging others to take part in this shift towards a more compassionate society, I made this simple poster that can be printed and posted anywhere. There are some simple “random acts of kindess” tabs for people to tear off and perform the task later. While these things may seem small or simple, no act of kindess is ever a waste. And over time, these small acts can shift an entire community to a more positive and charitable point of view… without the need of a government threat.

*also posted @ MegMcLain.com

To download, simply right-click on the image and choose “save as”.

Color Version

Black & White Version

Shire Sharing Expands

DerrickJ — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 19:34:32 +0000

Liberty activists in Philadelphia organized a charity event last week. They assembled grocery bags filled with food for 20 hungry families in Philadelphia. It was an inspiration to witness. Enjoy!

Activists Save People from Parking Tickets (Robin Hooding)

Rapsher — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:09:27 +0000

In this video Derrick and I (Rapsher) discuss and partake in Robin Hooding. One of our motivating factors is, like most people in the community, we’ve been compromised into paying various fees associated with driving. Robin Hooding is one way we believe we can neutralize our karma for paying a criminal agency. So, we’re not personally getting our money back, but we are preventing others in the community from having their money stolen from them by the city with parking tickets. We encourage you to do this in your city, or just come to Keene NH and join in the fun here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Liberty Activists’ “Basket Brigade” Helps Feed Poor Families in Concord

Ian — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 23:19:13 +0000

Thanks to Pete Eyre of Liberty on Tour for this report on the successful “Basket Brigade” charity run by liberty activists:

Click here to view the embedded video.

If Juggalos Are A Gang, Why Are They Starting Charities?

Ian — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:46:40 +0000

With all the controversy in Keene surrounding young people in Central Square, those who have been observing have likely noticed the usual political tactic of lumping individuals into groups. This is a typical and thoughtless approach. It makes it easy to dismiss people and their opinions, because they can be seen as just one of the group. It has (and continues to) happened with liberty-minded people being called “Free Staters” and “Free Keeners” even if they aren’t one, the other, or both. Now it’s happening with some of the teens and young adults hanging out in Central Square. Just call them “Juggalos” and then one can just dismiss them all as troublemakers, when in reality only a few of them might actually be. I mean, the FBI recently called the Juggalos a nationwide gang, so they must all be criminals, right?

This is the mindset of people who haven’t bothered to try to talk to any of the people they don’t understand. I used to be this way myself. I considered all the government people to be evil, but then I realized they are just human beings who for the most part think they are doing good. Many don’t realize that they are supporting a violent monopoly and are blind to the horribly destructive ends of the system in which they work. Having one-on-one conversations with some of them helped me see them as fellow humans instead of heartless bureaucrats.

I get it. It’s easy to categorize people into groups. It’s also lazy. Most of the Juggalos that I have met are good, young folks. Smoking weed is not a crime against other human beings and nor is enjoying the common. Oh, and guess who helped pick up the park as part of Kleen Keene? Some of the Juggalos. Seems the real issue with Central Square is that some teens do things that some adults don’t appreciate, like using profanity. These conflicts have lived on for generations and no law will make them go away. Older folks should remember what it was like when they were younger and then try to connect with the people on the Square rather than just write them all off as a “problem”.

Props to Graham Colson for finding this story about the Juggalos running a charity, Juggalos Making a Difference. Don’t miss the hilarious video!

Free Keene Fest This Weekend!

Heika — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 02:55:12 +0000

Hello FK readers, it’s that time of year again…A time for foliage, cider, pumpkins, and of course, FREE KEENE FEST! This Sunday from 12-4pm on Railroad Square there will be festivities aplenty! Vendors of unique variety, live music, and a food drive to benefit the local shelters/food pantries. If you would like to sell something, please bring a table and join us. Or just come on downtown to listen to some great music and see agorism at it’s best! Hope to see you all there!

This festival has been happening for several years, with minimal interference. I sincerely hope to see it become yet another success. I also strongly urge everyone to bring over a non-perishable food item, such as a canned good or anything that does not go bad quickly. There will be a table with boxes labeled for this specifically. Thank you in advance!

Orlando Police Arrest 15 in Two Weeks for Feeding People

Ian — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:39:16 +0000

Yes, it is a crime to feed people in public in Orlando. Heroic civil disobedients continue to return to a public park where each time they attempt to feed homeless people and other hungry folks, the local bicycle gang rides in and kidnaps the servers. Here are multiple videos of the various abductions over the last two weeks, courtesy Orlando Copwatch. Orlando’s John Kurtz will be at Porcfest next week along with other Orlando activists: (It’s also worth noting that I don’t agree with the chant heard in these videos of, “Food is a right, not a privilege”. Food is neither. It’s a product that should be able to be sold or given away in whatever non-fraudulent way the people who have it want. It would be more accurate to say that the ability to give away or sell food is a right, not a privilege. That said, one need not agree with the liberty viewpoint to do attention-worthy civil disobedience. These activists are courageous to continue going back and getting arrested again and again.)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s raw footage:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Hundred Nights Annual Benefit Dance

Dale Everett — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 02:11:41 +0000

Click to Visit the Facebook Event

Join the Keene community for the First Annual Benefit Dance to benefit the local Hundred Nights Cold Weather Shelter!

Friday, February 26th, 8 pm, at the Elks Lodge. BE THERE!

Good music, refreshments, friends, a 50/50 raffle, and a cash bar!
What more could you want?

Tickets just $10. All proceeds benefit the local shelter.

Questions? Contact Deb at 352-5197

Help Get Meg Home to NH!

Ian — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 16:59:20 +0000

In case you missed it, Meg posted earlier today here on the blog, but likely because she is modest, didn’t make a big deal out of the fact that there is a fundraiser going on to help her get home to the Shire from Florida. See, US Airways screwed her over and reneged on their offer to get her home, and she doesn’t have enough cash to get back. Can you help? We’re already halfway to the goal, and any money that is raised over and above the cost of travel will be donated to WeWontFly.com!

UPDATE: Apparently Meg had the money fronted by WeWontFly‘s George Donnelly – thanks George. Every dollar raised will go to pay him back and beyond that will benefit WeWontFly.com

Saturday 10/2 – Hundred Nights Shelter Yard Sale

Ian — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:51:14 +0000

Heika reports that the Hundred Nights Shelter is having a yard sale Saturday, October 2nd from 8-2 on Emerald Street in the old City Tire lot across from the Center at Keene. They do not receive any government funding and rely solely on donations. The donations have been getting scarce as of late. So the yard sale is a fundraiser to help with these costs. I encourage everyone to please take a few minutes and look through your things for anything that may be donated to sell in the yard sale. The only things not accepted at this time are clothing and large pieces of furniture. Books, dvds, videos, video games, kitchenware, board games, toys, etc would be great! Please send Heika an email at h_courser at yahoo.com or post to the forum thread if you have anything you are willing to part with to help this shelter. I will do my best to accommodate your schedule to pick things up from you throughout the week. Also, on Saturday, I will have a separate table to accept sleeping bags, tents, tarps, winter jackets, and any cash donations. So stop on by, donate items, buy something, or give the change in your pocket! Everything is greatly appreciated!