The Sentinel echo chamber is at it again! Misinformed “news” pieces upset their mostly statist readers, who, feeling threatened by our liberty-oriented beliefs, post vitriol in a desperate attempt to scare activists away from Keene.
The message is always the same – we’re not wanted, say they. They have their finger on the pulse of the community in Keene and the survey says, Free Staters go home!
Of course our experience outside the Sentinel’s echo chamber is completely different. Liberty activists regularly receive compliments from locals who appreciate that we are here. Horn honks, friendly waves, peace signs, and other nonverbal communications continually remind us to not listen to the Sentinel’s echo chamber.
Are some people upset that we’re here? Of course. It’s to be expected when the status quo is challenged, whether that challenge comes from inside or outside the system. Those who are upset are most likely the people who benefit from the system of theft and coercion known as “government”. Perhaps they work for the state and are worried about what might happen to their jobs when the voluntary society comes. Or, maybe they are just so indoctrinated to statism and the status quo that they feel threatened by the idea of more freedom. Who knows what their personal issues are, but they really should get over them, as activists aren’t going anywhere – in fact, more are coming. I recommend actually talking to activists as a local business owner and parent did yesterday outside the middle school. She let us know what her concerns were, and we had a productive discussion that ended with handshakes all around. It’s amazing what a little communication can do, and no, anonymous sniping from the safety of your keyboard doesn’t cut it for real communication.
So, liberty activists, feel free to drop into the Sentinel’s comment section (click the “most commented” tab) for a recent sampling of the hatred, fear, and anger that I’m talking about. Of course, the Sentinel’s recent unsigned editorial calls liberty activists ineffective, but at the same time they pack their newspaper with articles about liberty activists. Clearly they know that at the very least, we get them readers.
