Yesterday, this letter to the editor was published in the Keene Sentinel:
An open letter to Sam A. Miller.
I recently read the article in The Sentinel about how Cheshire County “tricked” you into leaving the place you so loved to hate called jail. You had a lovely run there. Three hots and a cot and all the cable TV you could handle. And at no cost to you; John Q. Taxpayer picked up the tab for your new orange threads and your lovely view of the beautiful area of Westmoreland.
No doubt you’re unemployed and are collecting one or more forms of benefits from the very government you denounce, so you really have no idea what it’s like to pay your taxes and see your tax dollars wasted on someone like you.
You refuse to sign a paper releasing you from jail, but then complain that you are being held unjustly and without cause. I am a fellow freedom lover myself, being a Republican, but you, sir, have embarrassed even your fellow Free Staters.
You pollute the downtown with your protests and makeshift signs made from construction paper and magic marker. I know you are longing to be guilty of something so I am going to pass down this judgment in hopes that the matter will be settled and you will stop bothering the good people of this town, county and state. You are guilty of stupidity, and the very thing you are guilty of is also your punishment … a life sentence.
WILLIAM CHAFFEE JR.
32 Court St Apt. 2
Keene
My Response to William Chaffee Junior’s Open letter,
William,
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns in the open letter published on July 20th. In it you reference my being, ““tricked” you into leaving the place you so loved to hate called jail.” No tricks about it, I was gently escorted out the door, by 2 men who worked for the jail. Hate is such a strong word that I rarely use and don’t remember the last time I experienced it.
One of my spiritual guides, a lady named Peace Pilgrim (PeacePilgrim.org), explains my current beliefs perfectly in saying, “If you’re harboring the slightest bitterness toward anyone, or any unkind thoughts of any sort whatever, you must get rid of them quickly. They aren’t hurting anyone but you It is said that hate injures the hater, not the hated. It isn’t enough just to do right things and say right things, you must also think right things before your life can come into harmony.”
I focus on finding ways I can experience compassion and love for those who don’t understand or approve of my views. I believe in resolving conflict through peaceful means that rely upon communicating, sharing ideas, persuading, and ostracizing. I’ve come to understand that living by these principles will bring about a safer society in greater harmony that values all human beings as equals, while treating people with compassion, and resolving disputes in the most equitable fashion for all parties involved.
I’ve come to understand that the current system’s design simply can not achieve this even if great people who really care are running it. To make matters worse, the current system works to actively prevent anything from developing that may pose a threat to it’s monopoly over a given service – roads, property and personal protection services, fire protection service, airport security screening, building/health codes, vehicle identification and the list goes on. The government shows no signs of slowing it’s growth, and the bailouts are simply a way to export the remaining value of the dollar to the politicians buddies in industry before the house of cards comes down, leaving the american public holding the empty bag.
Getting back to your letter, “Three hots and a cot and all the cable TV you could handle. And at no cost to you; John Q. Taxpayer picked up the tab for your new orange threads and your lovely view of the beautiful area of Westmoreland.” I stopped watching TV over 7 years ago, although I watched about 30 hours of TV during my 2 month imprisonment – which included a 7 hour Stargate SG-1 marathon on the Si-Fi channel. It’s my favorite show and I couldn’t resist!
I find the current system abhorrent. Victims are victimized twice: Once when a person is caused loss harm or injury; and again when government forces the victim and everyone else to pay for the punishment. I believe a system based on restitution would be far more effective at seeing justice done and ensuring victims are made whole again.
William went on to claim, “No doubt you’re unemployed and are collecting one or more forms of benefits from the very government you denounce, so you really have no idea what it’s like to pay your taxes and see your tax dollars wasted on someone like you.” Sorry William, I currently earn my own living without talking on the legal term “employee”. I have never taken government assistance, despite paying direct taxes ranging from 30-50 thousand dollars a year. I’m currently renting a place in Keene, and property tax fees are included in the rent. So I’m absolutely paying taxes for a system I no longer wish to support, because I understand a more compassionate way of interacting with one another is waiting for us beyond the limitations of government.
Going on, “You refuse to sign a paper releasing you from jail, but then complain that you are being held unjustly and without cause. I am a fellow freedom lover myself, being a Republican, but you, sir, have embarrassed even your fellow Free Staters.” That paper “releasing me from jail” was called a bond agreement. It was not substantially different than the previous 3 bond agreements they offered me. Do you believe people should be forced into accepting contractual terms they don’t understand, or find acceptable? I was held indefinitely without trial for challenging the state’s authority, and taxpayers were flogged for the cost. Does that sound like a good system to you? As for embarrassing the Free Staters, your speaking on behalf of a group of people you don’t understand or associate with, right?
William, I read a few questions you answered from your 2008 NH House run. I understand you believe the political system should be used to “fix” things. I was there once, and It took me over a year to let go of my belief in the state’s ability to effectively solve the problems we face as a society and a race.
“There is no way to peace, peace is the way.” ~ A.J. Muste
I don’t believe peace can be achieved by fighting amongst one another as government directs us to by design. I don’t believe peace can be achieved by taking control of the violent monopoly known as government and forcing it to work the way I think is best. I can only have as much freedom as I allow others.
Going to my neighbor and demanding money for something- even if it’s a really great idea -can never be justified if it’s backed up by the threat of force or aggression. The fact that a group of people have gotten together, called themselves government and trained everyone to believe it’s okay for them to use force against others, does not justify their actions either.
The letter went on, “You pollute the downtown with your protests and makeshift signs made from construction paper and magic marker.” The Ministry of Propaganda will be very disappointed by your comments. Most of his signs are hand painted on poster board, double sided, with catchy slogans and pictures. Several have made the front page of the Sentinel.
Maybe your thinking of the war and/or college protesters, I’ve seen a lot of them with cardboard signs-difficult for motorists to read. Perhaps liberty activists will do an outreach event by bringing supplies to other protests allowing people to make their own nice looking reusable signs that quickly get their point across to passing motorists. Thank you for the suggestion William, I think one of the liberty activists will make that happen.
As for your closing judgment, “You are guilty of stupidity, and the very thing you are guilty of is also your punishment … a life sentence.” I don’t know what to say, besides: I ain’t no dummy, I dun spent 5 years in high skool ya know. They learned me reall reall good. 🙂 In all seriousness, I dropped by to say hello, and offer to buy you a cup of coffee. I’ll see if I can catch you another time and the offer stands.
Sam Dodson
Keene, NH
