In response to the 2 recent editorials Foster’s Daily Democrat has published, “Co-opting our way of life” (reprinted at the bottom of this, for context) and “FSP Has Some Growing Up to Do” (link to previous FK post), I wrote the following piece which Fosters’ published today:
What Free Staters are and aren’t
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The two anonymous editorials that Foster’s has printed in the last week regarding the Free State Project reflect a lack of understanding that I’ve found only in the most closed minded individuals, left or right, here in New Hampshire.
In early 2001, Yale doctoral student Jason Sorens brainstormed about what might happen theoretically if libertarians got together in one place. In the ensuing 10 years, the reality far surpassed anything young Sorens could have imagined, and he’s said so many times. Quoting his original essay as gospel or blueprint misses the boat entirely, nobody but the most strident opposition are even reading it. Certainly the 13,500+ current signers to move aren’t, nor the 1,000+ who have moved over the last 8 years. Professor Sorens wrote a “10 years on” sequel essay refuting much of what he wrote back then. Theory: 20,000 activists. Reality: Far less are needed, and more effective than he imagined.
In early October of last year, Chalk the Police Day was celebrated internationally. Readers of this blog may remember the story of a particularly pushy bureaucrat who called the police on chalkers — only to have police join the fun!
I’ve seen Andy a few times since this encounter. He was present at the opening of the pedestrian North Bridge and also at a recent city council committee meeting that I had attended. He’s never taken the opportunity to apologize for his behavior. Even if you accidentally bump someone or their property, the courteous thing to do is to square up on the mistake. So when I heard Andy would be on WKBK’s Talkback this morning, I tuned in.
I listened as a friend call in about the video and asked if Andy had anything to say about it. He chose to say nothing beyond that he had “learned from it” and was moving on. I decided to call in and hold his feet to the fire. The audio will be available once the show’s podcast is posted. After I prompt Andy to reflect on the video and consider apologizing, my call is hung up on. Hearing the radio after the call, the hosts imply that some people ‘harass’ city officials. Derrick J called in soon after that, and asked why the hosts were characterizing others as harassing, when it was the Parks and Recreation director who had engaged in unprivileged physical contact.
Why do you think it’s appropriate to act in an official capacity while intentionally concealing your identity badge?
At that, Cynthia responded, “I don’t want to talk about this”, and he was hung up on. I called in shortly after that, and should have been recording, because my approximately 10-20 second call was not just hung up on, but dumped, meaning it was erased from broadcast. Listening to the radio, you would hear the seconds before my call, and the seconds immediately after.(more…)
The former Cheshire county attorney and even more former NH Attorney General was arrested last evening for driving while intoxicated. State police received a report of an erratic driver on Rt. 9 headed toward Keene before his vehicle was intercepted and he was arrested. Heed resigned from the highest lawyer’s office in the state following a sexual harassment allegation in 2004, and has been with the Cheshire county government’s legal team since 2006. He suddenly resigned in November 0f 2012, weeks following his reelection to the post in order to join a private firm. Heed has worked on and off as a lawyer for the state since the 1970s.
“I sincerely regret any error I may have made and I will address it in a straightforward way,” the bar-certified man stated today.
Who is the parking meter-lover (and lady friend) haranguing Robin Hooders in this video? He attempts to intimidate Christopher Cantwell by invading his personal space, threatens to engage in disorderly conduct by blocking someone’s path, then actually engages in disorderly conduct by purposefully obstructing traffic (going about 5 MPH) in order to save the meter maid from being followed by liberty activists.
If you thought you’d seen it all when it comes to Robin Hooding, wait until you get a load of this guy and his lady friend. (One local says she used to be a parking enforcer herself, which would explain his behavior.)
State Rep Cynthia Chase has refused to speak to WMUR, allegedly out of fear for her family’s safety. A ridiculous claim when liberty activists are those who support peace while it is politicians like Cynthia Chase who support aggressing against peaceful people.
Today’s Union Leader coverage includes these choice words from Kathy Sullivan, the current national New Hampshire Democratic Committeewoman:
Democratic National Committeewoman Kathy Sullivan said that while she could not speak for Chase, the lawmaker is entitled to her opinion, “just as the Free Staters are entitled to their opinions.”
Sullivan said Free Staters have a variety of opinions on various topics, but must “contend with” opinions sometimes expressed by leaders in favor of secession, even though not all Free Staters support secession.
Sullivan said that if Free Staters run for office they should “disclose that they are part of that organized effort,” but she said she disagrees with the idea of trying to keep anyone from moving into the state.
“Would I prefer that more people of my political persuasion, who support strong public education, for instance, move into the state? Yes, but that’s not what our democracy is,” Sullivan said. “Walls don’t work.”
She said she was not surprised Limbaugh picked up on the matter, but added, “Maybe everyone on either side needs to calm down and talk to each other.”
Hmm, sounds like Kathy isn’t calling for Rep. Chase’s head… but you know she would be, if a Republican had said “Hey, let’s limit the freedoms that progressives value (or blacks, gays, unions, women, or really insert any group here), so they won’t be welcome here in NH.”
Oh right: Kathy Sullivan, then NH Democrat Chairwoman, in 2003, nearly 10 years ago.
That sound you are hearing: the hypocrite alarm going off…
Kathy Sullivan is a Manchester attorney and a member of the Democratic National Committee. She was chairman of the NH Democratic Party from 1999-2007… and she says wants us all to sit down and calmly talk now. Well, let’s see:
“First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win.” – Mahatma Gandhi
State Rep Cynthia Chase has refused to speak to WMUR, allegedly out of fear for her family’s safety. A ridiculous claim when liberty activists are those who support peace while it is politicians like Cynthia Chase who support aggressing against peaceful people.
