FSP News - March 2009

FSP News - March 2009

PorcFest is Coming

Excitement is mounting for the 2009 Porcupine Freedom Festival (a.k.a. PorcFest), and we hope to see you there! June 25th through the 28th are the dates and Roger's Campground and Motel in Lancaster, NH, is the place. Early bird registration, only $15 per adult, is now open, and kids under 18 are free. Come experience what it is like to spend time in New Hampshire's famous White Mountains amidst hundreds of like-minded, freedom-loving individuals. Even if you already live in New Hampshire, you don't want to miss this!

PorcFest has traditionally been a family-friendly event, and this year will be no exception. The dates chosen reflect a time when most kids are on vacation from school. Late June is a perfect time to bring your kids and enjoy fun, fellowship and freedom. In addition to the abundance of kid-friendly facilities--pools, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, miniature golf, and more--this year's PorcFest will feature adult-supervised activities including hiking, swimming, sports, and crafts. White Marriott, a recent mover from Texas, will be on site making balloon animals. Parents can volunteer to help out by contacting the organizers at porcfest@freestateproject.org (please put "Volunteering for Kids Activities" in the subject line). Nearby local attractions include Storyland, Santa's Village, Six Gun City, and Christie's Maple Farm. Get the inside scoop on the planning and meet other parents by joining the conversation here.

To book your accommodation, call Roger's at 603-788-4885 or visit them online at www.rogerscampground.com. Call before May 1, 2009, and mention PorcFest for your 10% PorcFest discount.

New Hampshire: Still the Most Free

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University has put together a careful study ranking the 50 states in terms of how much individual freedom each permits to its residents. New Hampshire places 1st in "Fiscal Policy," second in "Economic Freedom," and first in the overall ranking.

The job's not done yet, though. Sadly, New Hampshire received 13th place in "Personal Freedom" and 18th place in "Regulatory Policy." There's still work that needs doing, even in the freest state.

Liberty Forum Wrap-Up

The 2009 FSP Liberty Forum is now over. WOW. The vibe at the Crowne Plaza Hotel was unreal. There is no real way to describe it but overheard was: "I have been to over 100 'libertarian' conventions and this is one of the best." "This convention is not just about learning but it is about having fun. The FreeStaters ROCK." "How could they top last year?" Check out the over 600 pictures and numerous YouTube videos of the event.

We started off with the 'Father of the Libertarian Party (David Nolan) and finished with Stefan Molyneux and his practical anarchy. In between was EVERYTHING else, from Mary Ruwart talking about the healthcare system and FSP Participant Dick Heller talking about the DC vs Heller Supreme Court case. Patri Friedman spoke on SeaSteading and Boston T Party as well. So many great speakers. Here is the full listing: www.freestateproject.org/libertyforum.

Thanks to all the speakers, vendors, sponsors, attendees and volunteers who made this event possible. See you next year!

Brian Wright -- Early Mover and author of New Pilgrim Chronicles (a panegyric of the Free State experience) -- typically posts a diary of the Free State Porcfests and Liberty Forums he attends. This one starts out with some entertainment value (are these guys SWAT or just your run-of-the-mill Darth Vader wannabe dimwit popos?) From bw's "in transit" day (along the New York thruway I-90):

"...where a couple of dead-eyed looking black dudes in blue uniforms are washing up; something doesn't look right. These guys don't look like anything commercial. I know what it is: they're packing heat! The lettering says Emergency Services Unit, and in smaller type, "NY Corrections." What the flock, over!" "Yeah, sure enough, I stay away from them but follow them inconspicuously outdoors where I see two armored vans presumably carrying a couple of hardened 15-year-old marijuana smokers. All together, I count four burly meatheads, who move slowly under the weight of their nightsticks, mace canisters, tasers, walkie talkies, cellphones, body armor, anti-aircraft guns, heat-seeking missiles, and two or three holstered .45 automatics...." Geez, I was worried for a minute they'd detain me as one of those uppity Free Stater guys. :) [more]

Brian was also a presenter to the Alternative Exposition of the 2009 Liberty Forum on the Sacred Nonaggression Principle. He has written a book of the same name. "The idea behind the SNaP concept is to elevate the simple nonaggression principle to the highest moral standard in society. The benefits are extraordinary: world peace, safe streets, material abundance... not to mention spiritual fulfillment."

Easy Ways to Help the FSP

Want to help the FSP but don't have much time or money. Here are 10 simple but effective actions you can do that can go a long way:

  1. Create a free rubber stamp with text like "Want more liberty? www.FreeStateProject.org" and stamp the paper money that crosses your hands.
  2. Join and invite your friends to Free State Project social networking sites on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Bureaucrash Social.
  3. Use GoodSearch to search or buy things. The FSP will receive a percentage of the sale. Be sure to use the links provided.
  4. Buy and show off an FSP bumper sticker, shirt, keychain, or other items from the FSP merchandise store.
  5. Download and distribute flyers, brochures, desktop wallpaper or other material from the volunteer downloads page. Give to friends, family, co-workers, and other associates or post at cafes, supermarkets, and other public bulletin boards.
  6. Mention the FSP in at least one conversation each week and/or include a link or blurb about the FSP in your email signature.
  7. Write about the FSP on your blog or post about it on forums, blogs, and other sites you visit.
  8. Leave a handwritten or pre-printed note about the Free State Project on cars with pro-liberty bumper stickers.
  9. Stick FSP bookmarks (available from the merchandise store) in pro- liberty books at your local library and bookstore.
  10. Email the FSP about publications or events happening in your area that you think the FSP should have a presence.

If you have any question, please email Rich Goldman.

Action of the Month - Be Heard, or be Nerd

Politics is a popularity contest. The currently elected politicians were the ones most popular during the last election. They care quite a bit about their popularity. As freedom activists, (we are all activists for freedom, right?), we can use this to our advantage. When the next intrusive, expensive, abusive, depressive, impulsive, offensive oppressive, repulsive, abrasive, divisive, erosive, invasive, obtrusive, collusive, concussive, or etc. bill starts to slither its way through the legislature, make sure they hear your voice, a voice for freedom. The politicians will certainly hear the insiders, toadies, and rent-seekers that breeze into the government offices, whispering tempting offers into their ears. It is important for them to hear from you. The politicians may not care about a flaky whack-job, bellowing about conspiracies and evil, but they will care about reasonable people making reasonable calls with concerns over pending legislation. I should say they would care if they receive enough calls from enough people with objections over how their representative might vote. There's no way to know how much is enough. So be sure to call, write, or send early and often. Since it's a volume thing, gently reminding your friends, neighbors and associates to do the same is recommended. That is assuming, of course, that they are in the freedom band of the spectrum and care to have Liberty in Our Lifetime.

(Regardless of whether you think being called a nerd is a bad thing or not, make sure you are heard before we are all herd-ed by the N.E.R.D., the National Education Re-education Department, don't you know :)

Merchandise

Balloon, from the French, ballon, from the Italian dialectal ballone, from the German augmentative balla, to the FSP excited Wahoo! We now have FSP balloons. There are two styles of fantastic fun for you to enjoy. The large, fancy Mylar version has the FSP logo on it. It's all shiny-riffic, and a favorite of liberty-lovers everywhere. It's perfect for parades, events, showing up in the background of videos, and enticing government-weary people of all ages to come and work for freedom in the Free(er) State of New Hampshire. The other style is a bright, happy, yellow color. It has the famous "Don't Tread on Me" motto (with the cute, cuddly, but defensively capable porcupine; instead of that cold, clammy, aggressive rattlesnake, though it's OK if you prefer reptiles over mammals). On the back is the Free State Project's Statement of Intent. These smaller, latex balloons are also perfect for, well, see above for details. Local events, national events, family events, or even all alone events while you're surrounded by statists and socialists, huddled under your blanket, patiently counting the moments until you can move to New Hampshire. These balloons will warm your heart, cheer your day, and proclaim to all the world that we will not go gently a goodnight, badnight, or any other night that has expanding government; at least not without a smile on our face.

Do-It-Yourself Outreach

Are you interested in doing outreach for the FSP? A gun show? an LP convention? Anywhere that people are going to be more receptive to hearing our message? The FSP can help you set it up we just need you to be the local contact and man the event. Contact events@freestateproject.org.

Find Jobs

Looking for a job? Want to start a business with other Free State Project participants? Then join the Free State Project Professional Networking LinkedIn group. You can post your resume, your interests, and make useful connections. If you are not yet a member of LinkedIn, you can join here. It's free and quick.

The Free State Project is an effort to recruit 20,000 liberty-loving people to move to New Hampshire. We are looking for neighborly, productive, tolerant folks from all walks of life, of all ages, creeds, and colors who agree to the political philosophy expressed in our Statement of Intent, that government exists at most to protect people's rights, and should neither provide for people nor punish them for activities that interfere with no one else. freestateproject.org

In New Hampshire

Manchester Has Second-Lowest Tax Burden

According to a District of Columbia survey, Manchester is in the #2 slot (after Anchorage, AK) for city with the lowest taxes in the United States.

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question. Here's just a sampling of this month's blog entries:

The RidleyReport

Videographer Dave Ridley from NHFree.com is one of our Porcs on the scene in New Hampshire. See some of what's happening in the Free State on the RidleyReport.

Check the NH Calendars

The NH Underground Calendar lists liberty-oriented New Hampshire events. The NH Liberty Calendar also tracks NH events. Check the calendars before a visit or a move - you are welcome to attend NH events!

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 13,222. Back issues are available. Got FSP news? Please submit content by the 12th of the month. Thank you to all advertisers and contributors.

FSP Participants - here are some quick links:

  • Check out NH housing and other community & logistical information at NH Info

Are you ready to join the FSP, move to New Hampshire and work with us towards Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join here!

Participants: 9,138
Participants in NH: 675
as of March 13, 2009

Advertisement

Calling all liberty-minded students! Come join Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) and spread the message freedom on your campus. YAL is the Ron Paul-endorsed youth organization educating and training young people committed to winning on principle. Please visit our website to learn how you can get involved and start a YAL chapter on your campus today. You can also support the education and training of our young people by donating $50 or more to support the youth movement for liberty.

fsp-corner-right.png