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

by | Apr 18, 2012 | 22 comments

NVC Guy with PuppetsDerrick 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: (more…)

Five People Didn’t Stand for the Robed Man at Talley’s Trial Today!

by | Apr 16, 2012 | 18 comments

TalleyI didn’t really appreciate Brad’s recent blog headline ordering the public to stand at Talley’s trial this morning. First, the court never made such an order – apparently, Brad was making the order on his own.

Despite Brad’s order, at least five people stayed seated this morning in Cheshire “superior” court. No one should stand for men in robes who harm others. Big thanks to the heroes who stayed seated in a court where robed men have kidnapped people for not standing as well as having uniformed men threaten those who remain seated.

They Won’t Follow their Own Rules

by | Apr 13, 2012 | 8 comments

Did you know that rule 1.1 of the district courts is that they can waive the rules at any time? It’s true – and they do. Anytime you call them on breaking their own rules, they just breeze right on by like the rules mean nothing to them. However, when *you* break one of those rules, they operate on a whole other set of standards.

There are countless examples of this, but here’s another one.

I’m currently facing a trespass charge for trying to do business at the “superior” court when I’d been “banned” by a flagrantly illegal order from local sheriff Dick Foote.

So, we’re mere days away from the trial date of April 17th, and the Cheshire attorney’s office has only just sent their witness list to me. Their rule, 2.10 B says:

Not less than 14 days prior to trial, the State shall provide the defendant with a list of names of witnesses, including experts and reports, and a list of any lab reports, with copies thereof, it anticipates introducing at trial.

It was less than a week prior to trial before I got the witness list (more…)