Free Keene bloggers including myself, Daryl, JJ, and Kate as well as other liberty activists from the area will be heading up the Shire Society tent at the Cheshire Fair, going on all weekend!
We’ve already had dozens of people sign the Shire Society Declaration and help themselves to all kinds of outreach material.
If you’ll be at the fair this weekend, stop by and say hello!
Photo: Taken on Thursday, 8/2 – Dave Silverman and Beau Davis talk to fair-goers about freedom.
Today I am painting a neighbor’s house for some cash. Tomorrow I’ll be weeding another neighbor’s garden. This is how I’ve been raising money while I prepare for the “Tour” part of my Exile to kick off (Aug 18th). It’s therapeutic putting my body to work at these tasks, though I would much rather be filming and editing videos with a liberty message. I’m making the best of this time though, and I’m finding that making connections with neighbors and providing services for them is rewarding in a different–almost spiritual–way.
Even if I work this way every day for the next 2 weeks, I still won’t be totally prepared for Exile. I’ll need some money for Greyhound tickets, meals, and crash-spaces, as well as the ever-important livestreaming services I’ll be using to document the journey. Some supporters of mine have chosen to donate to help me cover these costs. You can too! I’m already 43% of the way to completing my goal of raising $1,000 to begin the tour. Read more about how you can support me here. To those who have already donated, thanks for your support!
Woo!! I finally have a working internet connection!
Well, I feel like I’ve been living in the dark ages. Thank you, faithful subscribers of my blog, for holding in there. Tonight is THE NIGHT of the premier of “Derrick J’s Victimless Crime Spree” documentary and I’m feeling OVERWHELMED by all that there is to do, now that I finally have a reliable internet connection (which happened TODAY for the first time since I left the Shire 2 weeks ago).
Here’s what’s going on:
I want to be updating everyone with pictures, video, etc. BUT!!!
I used to do all that stuff in the Shire–-Keene, specifically, which is the liberty media capital of the world. My mom and dad don’t get what I’m doing at all and they’re like, “It’s great to see you! Now go do these chores.” And I’m like, “GUYS! I have a million and one things to do! People are counting on me to update them on all this exciting stuff that’s going on and–” nope….so I’ve been getting sunburn, bug bites, and developing blisters on my hands and feet as I attempt to reassemble my life after jail. (more…)
Thanks to Dave Ridley for more compelling evidence that civil disobedience and noncooperation works to change hearts and minds. Here’s one woman’s testimonial to how life-changing our work and videos from here in Keene has been for her:
Thanks Regina. I’m glad we could make a difference in your life. Now get up here, please! We need your help.
This video is part 2 of Dave’s interview with Regina. Here’s part 1.
A few months ago, Chris Cantwell moved to the Keene area. Chris is a talented comedian, a great activist, and an excellent writer. Over the time he’s been here, I’ve shared some of his articles on this blog. There’s a reason though that I only shared his articles rather than inviting him to blog here – Chris doesn’t believe in peaceful evolution. Chris, as he explains in his piece on why he’s leaving Keene, believes in defensive violence against the state. This belief system immediately put him at odds with those of us in Keene who believe that peace is the way. (more…)
Yesterday on my way home from work, I saw a sticker on the back of a green minivan that stated: Proud Parent of a Soldier. As I drove behind this vehicle for several miles, I wondered if this parent actually understood just what message he or she was sending. My mind kept seeing dead Afghani, Iraqi, Pakistani, etc…men, women and children lying dead in the streets and in hospitals. My mind also went to the pictures of American soldiers gleefully urinating on dead Afghanis, the horrid Wikileaks video of the helicopter crew excitedly gunning down men, the torture and sexual abuse of Abu Ghraib, the burning of Korans. I know that I am not the only one who interprets nationalistic messages this way.
However, let me be clear. I once was a member of the US military and I once interpreted these nationalistic messages with visions of the American flag, the bald eagle, Stars & Stripes, the pledge of allegiance, and the list goes on and on! I would hear the national anthem and tears would come to my eyes. What glorious difference enlightenment brings!
After realizing I was just a dupe and a guinea pig to the sick, power hungry politicians, my viewpoint changed dramatically. I see how nationalistic tendencies destroy people and families, hell, the entire social system; and not just “American” people and families. The sole purpose of the military should be to protect the people, not to engage in endless wars for profit and population control, i.e. defense, not offense. I hope that more and more people start to see the way I do now, not like I used to.
As I write this, we are only one week away from the ultimate in nationalistic holidays (at least for the US), “Independence Day” aka the 4th of July. This is a day to indulge in the orgiastic displays of flags and stars and stripes, of fireworks, hot dogs, apple pie. Parents will put American flag shirts on themselves and their kids. Parties with grilled hamburgers and hot dogs will be had poolside in much of the US. And on this “independence day” I will be thinking of Bradley Manning, the innocent dead civilians of the hundreds of wars fought throughout time, and true freedom from government oppression.
Do mankind a favor and disassociate yourself from the indoctrination of nationalism and join me for Anarchy Day! See Kal Molinet’s site: www.liberateRVA.com he was my inspiration for this! Wear black and display signs of peace for one and all to see! I know there will be pushback, but keep your thoughts positive and love one and all, especially those that “hate” you! Peace and Love to All!
Free Keene bloggers including myself, Daryl, JJ, and Kate as well as other liberty activists from the area will be heading up the Shire Society tent at the Cheshire Fair, going on all weekend!
