I’m getting asked a certain question a lot lately. Why pick on minarchists? We’re on the same side! Why aren’t you picking on socialists more? I’m glad I was asked because it made me put some thought into best how to express this with words. What is it about the philosophy of minarchism that really gets up in my craw?
And then it occurred to me. Anarchists and minarchists in one key respect are polar opposites. I’ve said before that there is an ocean between an anarchist and a minarchist, but only a creek between a minarchist and a socialist and I can finally nail it down succinctly. An anarchist believes that a monopoly government is the source of our enslavement. A minarchist believes a monopoly government is crucial to protecting our liberties. Exact opposites! So why do people keep saying we’re on the same side? Presumably it’s because we have similar preferences. We both love liberty.
Here’s your chance to sell me on the notion so make it good. Bare in mind, however, that I’m a critical thinker and I’m looking for logical arguments without the usual presumptions like “It’s always been done this way.” If we invented really efficient and clean-running hovercrafts, it would be silly to cling to the idea of wheels just because that’s how it’s been done for thousands of years. I’m also tired of arguments from need which are irrelevant. It doesn’t matter how much we need unicorns if they don’t exist or voodoo spells if they don’t work. There’s no point in having a discussion about the benefits of unicorns and their healing and purifying magical powers until someone convinces me they exist or they can create them. (Read On…)
Here Dave Ridley broadcasts live after the trial where Edward Burke refused Dave’s offer of community service and sentenced him to six days of imprisonment for daring to record video in the public lobby of the Keene district court. (They call it “contempt of court”) Keep watching FreeKeene.com for the trial footage, coming soon.
Liberty activists called WKBK’s “Talkback” on Saturday morning and discussed the gun in the room and the police (prompted by some good questions from the condescending Dartmouth guy). You’ll also hear me appear for about a half an hour as a guest. I discussed the Free State Project, liberty activism, theft, the hitpieces by Pam Martens, why New Hampshire was chosen, why I chose Keene, fighting, following rules, and market justice. Thanks to Cynthia for having me in again – it’s always fun. Interestingly this time, none of the callers during my segment were vitriolic towards me or other liberty activists. An indicator perhaps of shifting attitudes from Keeniacs?
Please join us for our weekly listening, chat, and calling sessions on Saturday mornings from 9a-12p in the Free Keene Chat room. If you’re online, you can listen to Talkback streamed live via the Liberty Radio Network and if you’re in the Keene area you can tune in to WKBK 1290 AM or 104.1 FM. The Talkback discussion thread is here on the Free Keene Forum.
Debates regarding the circumstances under which the secession of a town, city, county, state or region from a larger “entity” are potentially interesting, although I would imagine that any enemy of the FSP would welcome the project’s members waxing verbose about the North’s engagement with the South in our Civil War being essentially evil. Arguing on behalf of a region’s supposedly inalienable right to treat human beings as chattel (while making the childish analogy between said chattel and American citizens in our time) on the basis of the sanctity of property rights is probably not a winner, folks. Unless you are actually 1) trying to undermine the movement, or 2) fundamentally non-serious and more inclined towards attention-getting stunts and rhetoric. Sorry.
Well-meaning Americans like Ann have been seriously misinformed. It wasn’t necessary to fight wars to abolish slavery in other parts of the world. (more…)
Liberty activists called WKBK’s “Talkback” on Saturday morning and discussed the gun in the room and the police (prompted by some good questions from the condescending Dartmouth guy). You’ll also hear me appear for about a half an hour as a guest. I discussed the Free State Project, liberty activism, theft, the hitpieces by Pam Martens, why New Hampshire was chosen, why I chose Keene, fighting, following rules, and market justice. Thanks to Cynthia for having me in again – it’s always fun. Interestingly this time, none of the callers during my segment were vitriolic towards me or other liberty activists. An indicator perhaps of shifting attitudes from Keeniacs?
