Guest Blog: “A Month in the ‘Free State’”

May 5, 2012 by Ian · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Essay, Living Free, National, Outreach, Personal Freedom, Your Evolution

New mover Chris Cantwell reflects on his first month in the Shire:

A few weeks ago, my shotgun would have subjected me to years in a state prison, I paid an 8.625% sales tax on nearly everything I purchased, and a progressive state income tax made every effort to steal from me the fruits of my labor. Finally, a local municipality driven mad by xenophobic anti-immigration activists declared my apartment illegal and threatened to evict me from my home. Thanks for that, no, really, thank you, because coming to New Hampshire is the single greatest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life.

So I fit what I could in my van and fled the criminal gangs calling themselve The State, operating inside the arbitrary geopolitical boundary commonly known as New York. 5 hours north, I find myself in Marlborough, New Hampshire, just outside of Keene.

The move couldn’t have gone smoother. Read more

Injustice System-related content, by Pete Eyre

May 2, 2012 by Pete Eyre · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Civil Disobedience, Copblock, Noncooperation, Personal Freedom, Police, Video, Your Evolution

[This post was originally posted to CopBlock.org]

Derrick J Signs Plea Deal, Ends Victimless Crime Spree

May 2, 2012 by DerrickJ · 11 Comments
Filed under: Court, Jailed Activist, New Hampshire, Personal Freedom, Update, Your Evolution

“There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Today, May 1, 2012 at 9:30am I signed a plea deal. Attached below are scanned copies of the terms. The long and short of it is that I will be going to jail for 60-115 days, starting May 7th at 4:20pm. Even though it will be a tough experience, I feel a sense of relief because I have certainty whereas I had none before.

I was facing 4 trials, with charges collectively totaling about 9 years in jail. Even if I were found not guilty by a jury in each case, I would still serve about 80 days jail time in fines. This is essentially a time-saver. It’s like a bully is forcing me to choose between the unattractive options of being kicked in the shins today or being knocked out sometime in the next year. By signing the plea deal, I’m mitigating my potential exposure to further harm.

Hindsight is 20/20, and while I’ve taken note of my mistakes, I don’t regret my actions because they were always totally peaceful. No one is alleging that I have harmed anybody or damaged any property. The past year in Keene has been an invaluable learning experience, and I’d prefer to take a hit for living free than to allow paralyzing fear to cause inaction.

Court Documents

The Bell Tolls for Plea

April 23, 2012 by DerrickJ · 1 Comment
Filed under: Your Evolution

For those following, I wanted to keep you up to date on the latest word from the prosecutors. You can read the three latest e-mail below. I’m making the best of this bad situation by planning a cross-continent trip covering exciting activism while I am in exile. More on that project to come!

E-mail the Third:

Dear Mr. Horton,

I am pleased to report to you that Attorney McLaughlin is willing to accede to your request and make the period of suspension on his charges one year, rather than the originally envisioned two. Based on our previous e-mails, and your representation regarding a willingness to plead, the new proposed global resolution is as follows:

Read more

“Non-Violent Communication” Looks like a Self-Improvement Cult

April 18, 2012 by Ian · 9 Comments
Filed under: Response, Your Evolution

NVC Guy with Puppets Derrick recently posted his interactions with the state prosecutors and referenced “Non Violent Communication“, a communication tactic that has surfaced among a fairly large group of liberty activists.

I wouldn’t say that there is not value in “NVC”. People are excited by it for a reason – who doesn’t want to be a better communicator? It’s certainly true that empathizing and being able to understand what someone wants is critical to productive communication. It appears NVC has these goals in mind, which is certainly good. However I encourage people to be cautious, as it has the hallmarks of a self-improvement cult.

I think it’s great that people want to improve their communication skills. However, having been involved in network marketing (which also has similar cult hallmarks) at a much younger age, it’s pretty easy for me to spot this stuff. One look at the NVC website makes it pretty clear that it’s just another self-improvement cult. Browse the seminars, costing as much as hundreds of dollars, and don’t forget to order audio and video (cassettes!) available with quantity discounts.

I like the intentions of NVC, but not how it mixes wants with needs. You need food, water, shelter, and air. Most other things are not needs. They are wants and desires. Because of this, NVC screams “jargon”. Caution is advised. You’d think someone ostensibly focused on language (the NVC creator) would have noticed he was using a term incorrectly.

Besides, who would want to be seen as needy?

Easy suggestions for better communication: Read more

Non-Violent Communication with Prosecutors

April 17, 2012 by DerrickJ · 29 Comments
Filed under: Court, Jailed Activist, Update, Your Evolution

In the past week, I have been conversing via e-mail with some the men who are prosecuting me. I have copied the correspondence below for public perusal. I am feeling confused because my need to understand and be understood is not being met. It would make life more wonderful for me and meet my need of understanding to receive constructive feedback regarding ideas on how to proceed. Please send e-mails with suggestions to LiveFreeOrDance (at) gmail (dot) com

E-mail 5: (Prosecutors’ “Final Offer”) April 17, 2012

Dear Mr. Horton,

My e-mail to you dated April 12, 2012 and sent at 9:46 AM (see below) constitutes my and Attorney Webb’s final offer prior to trial. Regarding the charges Attorney McLaughlin is prosecuting, you will need to contact him directly.

Should the matters being prosecuted by me proceed to trial, all charges will be brought forward for trial, and, should the State prevail, the State is, obviously, not bound by the proposed resolution below.
Read more

A Year In Reflection

April 13, 2012 by DerrickJ · 29 Comments
Filed under: Personal Freedom, Update, Your Evolution

I miss my gays.

At the time I write this, I have stayed up all night, exhausted by the mental energy I’ve exerted negotiating via e-mail with the little boys in men’s suits who are seeking to put me in a jail cell.

I didn’t know what I was getting into when I came to Keene to be an activist. I wanted to stand on the right side of history. I wanted to live and breathe total liberty. I wanted to show the world the limitless joys their imaginations don’t permit them to envision. I wanted to be famous. I dared to dream.
Read more

Free(er) Thanks to You!

April 9, 2012 by DerrickJ · 5 Comments
Filed under: Civil Disobedience, Copblock, Court, Jailed Activist, Living Free, New Hampshire, News, Your Evolution

On Friday evening, some friends came to the Cheshire County House of Corrections (AKA the Keene Spiritual Retreat) with $500. They gave it to some of the agents working there with an agreement that in exchange, the agents would release me from their cage. I am now out of jail, but I am to be under house arrest.

THANK YOU to those of you who donated to my bail campaign. When it is returned after trial, it will be reinvested to help the next victim of state aggression. Any amount over the initial $500 needed will go toward paying legal council. That donation page can be found here.

Thank you also to those of you who visited, wrote letters, made phone calls, wrote blogposts, and shared links on facebook. I’ve caught up on everything facebook related, but since a lot of the letters didn’t reach the jail before I left, it will take more time to get back to those (since they have to forward them to me).

Thanks especially to those of you who filmed and edited video of the story. I have no doubt that this video helped to introduce the story and get everyone on the same page and resulted in my speedy return.

I have blogged extensively about my experience at LiveFreeOrDance.com/Released-from-Jail. It’s a dream to be a part of a community that is so supportive. Thank you.

Signs You’re in A Cult – The Cult of “Authority” or “The State”

April 4, 2012 by Ian · 37 Comments
Filed under: Essay, Laugh at the Aggressors, Your Evolution

Most people are aware of cults. Some are more familiar than others, having actually been in one, or having a loved one who was or still is. Religious cults are the most obvious. In addition there are self-help cults and marketing cults.

Some critics have accused the liberty movement as being a cult. However, when you break it down, it doesn’t fit the parameters. Really what is happening, is those accusing liberty-oriented people of being cult members are just projecting. Whether they realize it or not, they are deep within a cult of their own. It’s a cult so pervasive and effective, that people don’t realize they are a part of it.

Until a better name is put forth, I’d call it the Authority Cult. In Larken Rose’s excellent book, “The Most Dangerous Superstition”, he clearly outlines how the belief in “authority” is incredibly destructive to the ends of peace. It’s an excellent and enlightening read.

There are classic signs you are in a cult, and the Authority Cult is replete with them:

Brainwashing Techniques
There is no shortage of brainwashing going on in the Authority Cult. Children are indoctrinated from a young age to believe in “authority” and to respect those who claim to have it. The message is very effective, and the government schools churn out wave after wave of worker drones who are not likely question their beliefs and will hand over a huge portion of their earnings to the Authority Cult leadership.

Chanting is also another serious warning sign, and Authority Cult members are inculcated from an early age with the “Pledge of Allegiance” Read more

New Trifold: The Philosophy of Liberty

March 29, 2012 by Ian · 13 Comments
Filed under: Announcement, International, National, Outreach, Personal Freedom, Shire Society, ToDo, Your Evolution

Perhaps you’ve seen the excellent youtube animation, “The Philosophy of Liberty” and really wished it was available in paper form? Your wish has come true. Now you can easily put the Philosophy of Liberty into people’s hands and at the same time promote the Shire Society. This flyer is suitable for distribution internationally.