FSP News

The FSP News is e-mailed on the 15th of the month to those who have chosen to be on the FSP Announcement or Newsletter lists. Please make sure that you are signed up for this monthly newsletter to keep you up to date with all the latest FSP activity.

(Note: If you use a spam filter, please set it to allow emails from info@freestateproject.org and the Free State Project.)

You can still read past issues of The Quill (our previous newsletter).

FSP News - January 2012

Basket Brigade: Free Staters Live Their Principles and Deliver Help to Needy Families

More than fifteen Free Staters spent Sunday, November 20, distributing Thanksgiving baskets to 52 needy families in Concord. The event organizer, Amanda Boudin, explains: "I moved to New Hampshire from Texas in 2010. My dad and I used to do a Basket Brigade together in Dallas. The first year, he had only one basket to hand out, but it eventually grew to 400. My dad passed away from cancer earlier this year. When I realized there was no Basket Bridage in New Hampshire, I decided to start one here to honor him."

The original Basket Brigade was launched by motivational speaker Anthony Robbins more than 30 years ago. "Everyone has the need to contribute," his website says. "It is one of the six human needs. If you give from your heart, it will come back to you tenfold."

The Free Staters worked with the local charities to identify needy families in Concord, many of whom are refugees. "I like that," says Boudin. "In some ways, Free Staters are political refugees, so it's a natural fit. This is a perfect example of living our ideals, since we believe private local charity is the best solution to a community needs."

Check out the video (and the other video)

FSP In The News

GQ Interviewed Carla Gericke, the President of the FSP

There were many recent articles about the FSP and how it relates to the New Hampshire Republican Primary. The list of articles includes articles by Yahoo, Examiner, The Diplomat, and even Aljazeera.

Updated version of the 2011 New Hampshire Liberty Related Bills Report

The NH House finally voted on the last of the bills that Governor Lynch vetoed in 2011. Two of the bills were overridden by the legislature and the 2011 New Hampshire Liberty Related Bills Report was updated. Over 60 pro-liberty bills and 2 pro-liberty resolution passed in NH in 2011. 3 pro-liberty bills were vetoed by Governor Lynch.

Read the blog post on FreeStateBlogs.net

Action of the Month

Ron Paul just came in 2nd in the NH Republican Primary and the New Hampshire Democratic Primary (due to write-in votes.) Four years ago, Ron Paul received around 8% of the votes in the NH Republican Primary. This time he received nearly three times that amount and even received more votes than President Obama. Ron Paul historically does better in caucus states and the campaign focused much more on Iowa. In fact, over 300 official youth volunteers joined the IA campaign; whereas, only 100 official youth volunteers joined the NH campaign. Despite all of that, Ron Paul did better in NH than IA. Why? Much of the difference was due to the more libertarian culture in NH and the actions of Free State Project participants living in NH. Love or hate Ron Paul, it is clear that FSPers have the ability to even affect national races in NH.

Do you know any people that like Ron Paul in your area? Please tell them about how well Ron Paul did in NH. Please tell them that Ron Paul is surging right now in South Carolina because of his success in NH. Ron Paul may not become president. If that happens, people should know about how well Ron Paul did in NH. It is yet another reason for some people to consider joining the FSP and moving to NH.

Feel free to make suggestions or comments on the FSP Forum.

Facebook Page of the Month

https://www.facebook.com/RonPaulsFreakingGiant - You may have seen the many news stories about Ron Paul's freaking giant. Chris Lawless, a Ron Paul volunteer and the man that runs the New Hampshire Liberty Forum, was standing on the stage on an elevated platform when Ron Paul gave his speech for coming in second in the New Hampshire Republican Primary. Several reporters decided this was a story and wrote article about it. You may remember Chris Lawless as he spoke about the FSP on John Stossel's show last March. If you want to keep up with the latest happenings and thoughts of this giant; then, you must like his facebook page.

Websites of the Month and Facebook Pages of the Month for all of 2011

Do you know the history of the Website of the Month and the Facebook Page of the Month? Do you know how sites are selected? Are you interested in seeing the list for all of 2011? Today is your lucky day because here are both lists in their entirety. Don't forget to like all of the pages :)

Merchandise

Is anything more attractive than the Free State Project? Perhaps the question should be: Is anything more attracting than the Free State Project? Pulling in Liberty Lovers from all over to help realize Liberty in Our Lifetime is a virtuous endeavor indeed. The allure of personal freedom is quite fetching, an invitation of homecoming to a land of serenity you only dreamed about. A pure, honest siren-song of hope and the future, not luring sailors to their doom, but kindling a fire in the heart of free folk everywhere. Like a magnet drawing on the strong, iron psyche of those who refuse to lick the hand that aims to bind them. And, funny that, speaking of magnets we have some great new ones on the FSP Store page! OK, they’re our regular sticker designs – but now they’re on magnets. Just think of it, they stick to metal! (well, metal with a high ferrous content anyway) Who would have thought the government would let such a useful item into the hands of the populace! Think of all the applications! So many things are made of metal that can display the glory and honor of the Free State Project. How about a Live Free or Die on your mailbox. Wouldn’t a Liberty in Our Lifetime look great at the construction site? The student union sure could use a Live Free or Spaz. What cyclotron wouldn’t be spruced up with a Classic FSP bumper sticker. And your car will thank you for finally getting one of our awesome stickers on it; and without getting it all mucilaginous, I might add. These come off cleanly and can be replaced, rotated, and shared as desired. Let’s all help the message stick by letting everyone see the Free State Project.

Thanks to Liberty Activist Printing

Liberty Activist Printing was born out a desire to supply liberty activists and limited-government-minded political candidates access to premium quality printing at deeply discounted prices. Check out our online print shop for all your printing needs, from business cards to banners— for liberty activists, by liberty activists.

Thanks to Family Chiropractic of Merrimack

At Family Chiropractic of Merrimack, we provide true health care to our patients. Not the Government (FDA, CDC, NIH) backed, big phar controlled, drugs for all system; that is simultaneously bankrupting our country, creating insane profits for politicians and big pharma while turning the USA into the sickest country on the planet. Smart Americans want an alternative, we offer that alternative.

Thanks to the Center for Objective Health Policy

The Center for Objective Health Policy advocates rational, rights-respecting solutions to improving healthcare. We provide analysis and commentary from a free-market perspective, and we raise money to provide free books to interested medical students through our outreach program called The Lucidicus Project. We need your support today!

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

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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 Liberty Calendar tracks lots of NH events. The NH Underground Calendar lists some liberty-oriented New Hampshire events. For Keene specific events, check out the Free Keene Calendar. Check the calendars before a visit or a move - you are welcome to attend NH events!

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,700. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 11,298
Participants in NH: 988
as of 01/15/2012

The Free State Project (FSP) is an effort to recruit 20,000 pro-liberty activists to move to New Hampshire, where they will exert the fullest practical effort toward the creation of a society in which the maximum role of government is the protection of life, liberty and property. The work of creating and sustaining such a society in New Hampshire is the job of residents, including project participants, not the Free State Project itself.

The FSP does not endorse any specific changes to government or strategies to achieve them. The FSP does not take positions on issues, candidates, legislation, places to move within New Hampshire, tactics or methods of action. The one stipulation the FSP does make is that people who promote violence, racial hatred, or bigotry are not welcome.

Reporting by the FSP on participant activity or NH events on the website, in the newsletter, or in any other place does not represent support or endorsement and may not portray the diversity of opinions and activities that exists among participants.

FSP News 2011

FSP News - December 2011

Liberty Forum

The Liberty Forum is just two short months away!

We are pleased to announce that Peter Schiff will be the Friday night keynote speaker. In addition to his after dinner talk... he has agreed to do a 1.5 hour seminar on Friday on investing. You are not going to want to miss it.

We also have added many more sessions, a session on 'mini farming' and a session on 'the fateful fork'... both with tie ins to Saturday night's keynote Joel Salatin.

Panels on things going on in NH, a jobs in NH panel, an unconference and MORE.... there will be more than enough sessions that you will NOT want to miss.
www.freestateproject.org/libertyforum has the details on speakers, sessions, schedules and more. Sign up now!

We have also opened up an 'a la carte' menu for those that can't make the whole event. That is something you won't see at most conferences but the FSP believes in CHOICE.

We also have vendor options, sponsor options and really inexpensive ad options. Support the FSP and hit a great target audience with your message.
Any questions feel free to email libertyforum@freestateproject.org

Big Thanks to Peter Schiff and Euro Pacific Precious Metals

Peter and his gold & silver dealer have signed on as gold sponsors of Liberty Forum 2012. Peter is Friday night's keynote speaker, and will also conduct an investment seminar for all VIP attendees on Friday afternoon. Euro Pac Metals will have reps on hand to discuss their campaign to expose scam gold dealers and answer questions about buying physical gold & silver the right way. For more information on Euro Pac Metals, click here to request a callback or sign up for a free subscription to Peter Schiff's Gold Report.

Big Thanks to Free Keene

Free Keene is a multi-user blog focusing on chronicling the transition to a voluntary society. FreeKeene.com is New Hampshire's liberty activism destination, since 2006.

Thanks to Silver Circle

Silver Circle, the animated thriller-romance, is paving the way for smart-culture in the liberty movement and beyond. In 2012 the film will be released in up to 17 theaters across the country. Support the Rebels as they take on the Federal Reserve! www.SilverCircleMovie.com

Queen's Quill: Keeping New Hampshire Awesome

You know when Tom Woods is touting the Free State Project as a solution, as he does in Rollback, we have arrived. Which means, if you’re not in New Hampshire, you haven’t... arrived, that is. But many others have and are, with this month bringing another bumper crop of new movers. Free State Now has also been hard at work getting more signers. More movers, more signers, more chances for Liberty in Our Lifetime. We appreciate your support.

Read the rest »

Endorsements

If there is a notable person you think would be a prospective endorser of the Free State Project that is not listed here, please send us that person's information and we'll take it from there.

FSP and NH in the Media

The President of the FSP, along with the director of a documentary about the FSP (Libertopia), were interviewed on NH Public Radio's The Exchange. You can listen to the discussion here.

Reason TV Interviewed FSP President Carla Gericke.

New Hampshire is the least corrupt state , Manchester, NH is the 2nd Happiest City in the US and NH residents are most likely to live near a ski area.

The Free State Goes to Harvard

On a cool Saturday morning in November, three Free Staters found themselves in a car traveling south towards Cambridge. The three FSPers were traveling to the number one institution of higher leaning in the world to talk about the New Hampshire Advantage, the Free State Project and to listen to a wide range of speakers, including a libertarian Harvard professor.

Traffic was very light so the car arrived early to a mostly empty building. Keith, James and Greg were able to set-up the FSP table before the event started.

Read the rest of this blog post on FreeStateProject.org

How to Become a State Representative

Do you like liberty? Do you want to get involved with the system and make a difference? Would you like to be a State Representative? If you answered yes to all three questions, continue reading because I know how to make it happen.

I’ve been involved with dozens of campaigns. Many of those campaigns were successful campaigns for State Representative in New Hampshire. Before I go into the how to get elected part, I’ll explain why you have the best chances of getting elected in NH.

Read the rest of this blog post on FreeStateBlogs.net

Action of the Month

Write a review mentioning the Free State Project. Do you like to watch movies or read books about liberty? The FSP was featured on page 180 of Thomas E. Woods' new book, Rollback: Repealing Big Government Before the Coming Fiscal Collapse. The movie, Atlas Shrugged Part 1 was released in November. Atlas Shrugged Part 1 is about liberty lovers gathering in one place, such as New Hampshire. Please go to Amazon.com or your favorite online store and review either the book or the movie. Don't forget to mention the FSP or NH in your review.

Feel free to make suggestions or comments on the FSP Forum.

Website of the Month

http://www.freemanch.com - Free Manch is a community hub for liberty activists in the greater Manchester area of New Hampshire. Free Manch gives a voice to activists looking for the smartest, most effective, most peaceful means of achieving freedom for ourselves and our communities.

Facebook Page of the Month

https://www.facebook.com/RP2012NH - The New Hampshire for Ron Paul 2012 facebook page is as the name implies, the unofficial facebook page for the 2012 Ron Paul campaign in NH. While the FSP does not make political endorsements, some FSP participants that have moved to NH are involved with the Ron Paul campaign. If you are looking for NH related Ron Paul events or news, this is the best place on facebook to look.

Merchandise

It’s that most wonderful time of the year again - time for another 'adjusted' holiday favorite. Sung to the tune of, well, you can figure it out…

O Porcupine, O Porcupine,
Your pointed quills delight us,
They’re good against the fascist rule,
They’ll never be a statist tool,
O Porcupine, O Porcupine,
Your pointed quills delight us.

O Porcupine, O Porcupine,
Your wisdom is such pleasure,
Gather the free in warm embrace,
Oppressive laws we will efface,
O Porcupine, O Porcupine,
Your wisdom is such pleasure.

O Porcupine, O Porcupine,
So dapple is your color,
Accepting all of liberty,
Those in a suit or cut-off tee,
O Porcupine, O Porcupine,
So dapple is your color.

O Porcupine, O Porcupine,
Your chaste entreat like music,
For in our lifetime we’ll be free,
The end of thralldom we shall see
O Porcupine, O Porcupine,
Your chaste entreat like music.

There are new items on the FSP Store page. I’d tell you all about them, but why ruin the surprise. OK, fine, so they’re not really new, but we should have polo shirts back in stock shortly and more of the Don’t Tread on Me Gadsden Porc shirts. Although, the large magnets are new. The awesome Reflecto-Porc that was so popular at the last PorcFest and we now have our bumper stickers available as magnets to. So order your FSP merchandise now to assure delivery by ~~Christmas~~, ~~Festivus~~, ~~Hanukkah~~, ~~Boxing Day~~, ~~Kwanzaa~~, ~~Modranect~~, ~~Pancha Ganapati~~, ~~Yalda~~, ~~Feast of the Winter Veil~~, ~~Holiday Number 11~~ or, well, whenever you want to get it.

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,694. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 11,260
Participants in NH: 973
as of 12/15/2011

FSP News - November 2011

The Union Leader Right to Record Trifecta

Republicans, Democrats, police, prosecutors and judges in New Hampshire, please pay attention to this ruling and how strongly the Union Leader came out in favor of freedom on the issue of recording public officials. Please check the comments on the 1st editorial to see how the people of NH feel on this issue. Just be clear, when this blog was posted, not a single comment suggested that the Weare police were correct and the judge was wrong on this issue. However, over a dozen people commented in favor of the ruling.

Read the rest of this blog post on FreeStateBlogs.net

Liberty Forum

Liberty Forum registration is well underway! Early bird pricing continues thru 12/1 so don't delay.
Also the Hotel has told us that the reservations are coming in faster than in previous years so get your room now before they run out.. (remember in 2009 we outsold the hotel)

Find all the details at www.freestateproject.org/libertyforum.

We have great speakers and great panels lined up.

Once special event we would like to point out is a new segment, inspired by Agora I/O. On Friday evening before the keynote an 'unconference' meeting will occur, where YOU pick the speakers and topic for lots of sessions to occur at the Liberty Forum on Saturday. So if you have something you would like to present... bring it... we would love to hear new ideas!

We also have another track called FAQ.. all the questions new movers have about moving to NH.

With job hunters and house hunters in attendence at the Liberty Forum you aren't going to want to miss it!

More speakers were added so check out the lineup and register today.

Action of the Month

November 8th was election day in much of the country. Did elections occur where you live? What were the results? In New Hampshire, things improved. The headline that night was, "NH Voters In 11 City Elections Vote For Lower Taxes." You can read all of James Pindell's article here. Please tell your friends about the 101 Reason to Move to New Hampshire and the positive election results in NH.
Feel free to make suggestions or comments on the FSP Forum.

Website of the Month

lrn.fm - The Liberty Radio Network is a source for some of the best liberty-oriented audio content on the internet, 24/7. Many of the shows come from New Hampshire where lrn.fm is based. Give it a listen. If you like what you hear, thank Ian Freeman of Free Talk Live.

Facebook Page of the Month

FSP Job Alert – FSP Job Alert is an awesome source for New Hampshire job postings. Are you thinking about moving to NH? Would you like a good paying job? If so, join FSP Job Alert today.

A Big "Thank You" To All Our Liberty Forum Sponsors

Silver Level Sponsor: DelValley Silver promotes an asset-based barter network using real money, namely silver tokens, as a basis of their trade. Merchants can advertise their willingness to accept silver in payment and Consumers obtain a discounted rate when purchasing silver through the DelValley network.

We have more sponsors, who will be featured as they complete their sponsorship statements. Check back next month! If you would like to be a sponsor of the 2012 Liberty Forum, please contact us at lfsponsors@freestateproject.org.

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,700. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 11,221
Participants in NH: 963
as of 11/15/2011

FSP News - October 2011

Liberty Forum Registrations Open

You have waited a long time for this..........Liberty Forum registration is NOW open!
We are pleased to announce Joel Salatin of Polyface farm as the Saturday night keynote speaker.
We have keep the prices the same as two years ago because we don't like inflation!
Sign up NOW.
www.freestateproject.org/libertyforum

Use code NEWS2012 for 10% discount.

You don't want to delay.
Get your hotel for the special liberty forum rate.

https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=5059499

Lots of new speakers that have never spoken to the FSP and Liberty Forum will be there..... you won't want to miss it.
Come see old friends, come make new ones.

Registration is NOW open.
www.freestateproject.org/libertyforum

Early bird pricing ends soon....

Free State Project now accepts Bitcoin! (and you get some for free!)

READ THE SEPARATE PRESS RELEASE HERE

Some Free Staters have been hearing about Bitcoin – the new digital currency that has been gaining momentum, especially within the liberty movement.

As of last week, the FSP is now set up to accept Bitcoin for donations as well as event registration fees (online store will soon follow). Additionally, everyone on the Free State Project mailing list (ie – anyone who received this newsletter) will be receiving a free Bitcoin donation tomorrow. Read on for more details…

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency – it is not run by any company, organization, or government. It works using peer-to-peer technology, meaning transfers of the currency go directly between two parties instead of a central server. Its supply is strictly limited based on a predetermined algorithm, and there will never be more than 21-million Bitcoins in existence. Unlike fiat currencies, a Bitcoin’s value comes purely from supply and demand within an open marketplace. There is no central bank to inflate or deflate the money supply.

Bitcoins can be bought and sold at many online exchanges for national currencies, and can be used to purchase a growing number of goods and services all over the world.

Unlike gold or silver, Bitcoins can be sent between any two accounts anywhere in the world instantly, and you never need to use a name or any personal details to have an account. Bitcoins are private and generally anonymous. Bitcoins are held on your computer (or at an online “ewallet”) – and nobody can prevent a Bitcoin transaction from happening.

You may have heard earlier this year when Wikileaks’ funding sources were getting shut down by Visa, Mastercard, and Paypal. Bitcoin cannot be shut down in such a way, meaning Wikileaks now always has a source of private, anonymous funding.

Bitcoin and FSP

Some liberty advocates are extremely excited about the prospects of this currency, and that is why the Free State Project has decided to incorporate it as a payment method for donation and event registration.

To help you get started with Bitcoin, the ghost of Frederick Bastiat has donated the funds for us to give each of you a tiny amount. You will receive another email tomorrow with instructions. If you wish to claim your gift, you will get a free ewallet account with BTCinch.com (ewallets allow you to store your Bitcoins if you don’t wish to keep them on your computer).

The more you learn about Bitcoin, the more this new currency may interest you as a tool for voluntary, free-market exchange. Feel free to join the “Free State Bitcoin Consortium” group on Facebook (run by Erik Voorhees). Or to investigate Bitcoin further, a good starting place is WeUseCoins.com

Watch out for the follow-up email tomorrow!

Outreach Opportinities

The Free State Project is about 8000 signups away from hitting the 20,000 goal.
You can help!
The Rock the Revolution Tour:http://www.rocktherevolutiontour.com/#!locations
is playing all over the country in the next 3 months. Imagine if we had 3-4 people at EVERY venue handing out FSP flyers. We may even have a chance to have an FSP representative to speak at each event. If you live near one of these venues and are available on the night in question.... please email volunteer@freestateproject.org with the city that you can make it to.

This has the opportunity to be a HUGE outreach event for the FSP.

Don't live in one of those cities?

How about these cities?
http://www.nullifynow.com/jacksonville/
http://www.nullifynow.com/philadelphia/

Email us at volunteer@freestateproject.org and tell us which town you can help out in.

You wanted another opportunity?
Great.
Peter Schiff is speaking in Southern California
http://www.europac.net/events/peter_schiff_speaking_irvine_california
http://www.europac.net/events/peter_schiff_speaking_los_angeles_california

Why not hand out FSP flyers before/after the event. And stop in an hear a great speaker.
Tell your friends about it... they might learn something.
And note that Peter is giving away copies of his book to all attendees.

Do you know of other events that the FSP should be at?
Let us know.
volunteer@freestateproject.org

The Free State Project Community Comes Together in Boston

Several dozen Free State Project participants attended the 22nd Annual MassCann/NORML Freedom Rally in Boston on September 17th. The MassCann Freedom Rally is one of the largest marijuana rallies in the nation. Many of the folks wore FSP related shirts and many helped recruit new FSP participants. The FSP table was in a great location and not far from the Libertarian Party table.

Read the rest of this blog post on FreeStateBlogs.net

New Hampshire is Richest State

From the article: "New Hampshire's status as the wealthiest overall state is the result of extremely low unemployment rate of 5.2% [4th lowest in the US] and the fact that it has the lowest poverty rate in the country."

The median household income is more than $65,000 in NH. CNN and the U.S. Census Bureau claim that the amount makes NH "the state with the highest median income in the nation."

Merchandise

Gather 'round the campfire beelz and ghouls and I shall regal you with a terrifying tarradiddle of FSP Merchandise. I was there alone, and rather at peace, preparing FSP Merchandise for shipment to liberty-lovers throughout the land. But then a gloomy pall seemed to spread itself across the room. The strains of Night on Bald Mountain began to thrum in the air. The bright blue colors of the PorcFest Koozie seemed to drain in front of my eyes. The normally crystal-clear puzzle key chains now seemed miasmic and blurred. A rustle behind me turned my head to face the specter of the gray FSP logo t-shirts coiling and twisting into the terrifying form of The Mummy. As it shuffled towards me, arms outstretched, I was forced back into a row of shelves. The clink and tinkle of the normally felicitous FSP Shiny key chains hanging on their lustrous brass hooks had changed. The gleaming edges now seemed sharp and dangerous; their tintinnabulation was one that now spoke of vivisection. I shrieked like a little girl and spun around, desperate for an escape. The door was blocked by a witch on her broom, whooshing into the room. She grabbed a Liberty in Our Lifetime tote bag, gave me a wink, and said, "For the severed heads, my sweet." She then leaned back her head, spurred her bristly steed, and cackled loudly and sped out the window. Stupefied by her fury and vehemence, and frankly her breath as well, I searched frantically for a place to hide. The racks of PorcFest shirts and boxes of FSP Gadsden Porc flags would make poor refuge. There, behind the PorcFest Poster, a closet. I hesitated only slightly as I grasped the cold, gnarled doorknob. I swung the closet door open, hoping to fling myself into the safety and isolation of the space beyond. But no, the Norns were not going to let me get away that easily. My face smacked into something hard and wide. As my gaze slowly rose up the front of my impasse, I saw what it was: The Monster of Frankenstein! The sickly green skin and flat-top coiffure turned my legs into gelatinous, worthless things; I fell to the floor. The monster leaned over me with menace burning in his once-dead eyes, then delicately picked up two round FSP logo magnets and stuck one on each of his electrodes that protruded from his thick, sinewy neck. He turned and lumbered from the room. My skin was cold and clammy, how much more of this could I take? I had reached the depths of my will, not even the wacky joyfulness of the Spazzy Porc sticker could raise my humor. A long, slow creak from the other side of the room invaded my psyche. Deep down I knew this would be the end. The lid of a crate ground opened, never mind that the label read soft, fuzzy, cuddly, stuffed porcupine puppets; what came out was none of those things. It was the worst nightmare of them all. It was... The Fiendish Vampupine! The slicked-back hair and quill-like teeth would surely send me to my doom. My resistance proved futile against this pestiferous apparition. As the fangs sank in and my life drained away, my only regret was that I hadn't bought more FSP merchandise. Boo! So beelz and ghouls don't let this happen to you. See the store page at http://www.freestateproject.org/store and Happy Porcoween!

Action of the Month

Every month at least a few new FSP participants mention talk radio as where they heard about the FSP. Free Talk Live is the most frequently sited radio show but others are occasionally mentioned including Alex Jones and Neal Boortz. Agree with a radio show host or not, some people listen to talk radio. Perhaps you can stand listening to a show you disagree with long enough to get the message of the FSP out to a bunch of listeners.

Here is a handy list of 250 talk shows with information about them but feel free to contact any talk show. Call a talk show and try to work the FSP into the conversation.

If you don’t think this method works, think again. In October alone, new FSP participants mentioned that they heard about the FSP from four different radio hosts.

Feel free to make suggestions or comments on the FSP Forum.

Website of the Month

http://www.ridleyreport.com - Dave Ridley is a liberty loving videographer that lives and reports in New Hampshire. Dave was called the best subversive journalist of 2008 by NH Magazine. If you are interesting if learning more about New Hampshire or just watching silly commercials, Dave’s reporting style never fails to entertain.

Facebook Page of the Month

Liberty Activist Printing – Liberty Activist Printing is a New Hampshire based e-commerce print shop featuring premium quality printing at discounted prices. Consider supporting the NH based business with your printing needs. See sample work and learn about specials on the facebook page.

In New Hampshire

From the Queen's Quill

This time of year, when New Hampshire is ablaze with reds, oranges, and golds, I’m reminded of Robert Frost’s poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay”--except real physical gold in your grubby own paws, that is!

In the Spotlight: Please help send me to Libertopia in San Diego later this month. I will be doing a talk about the FSP, manning the booth, and will be working hard, hard, hard to get more people to move to the Free State. Every bit counts. Thanks for your support!

Liberty Forum (February 23-26, 2012): We are delighted to announce Joel Salatin will be one of our keynote speakers. Salatin, author of seven books, including YOU CAN FARM: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Start and Succeed in a Farming Business is know for his dirt-under-the-fingernails writing punctuated with mischievous humor. He passionately defends small farms, local food systems, and the right to opt out of the conventional food paradigm. Stay up to date by joining the Liberty Forum Facebook group.

LibertyFest II: Whatta night! We joined hundreds of liberty lovers in my old stomping ground of New York City. We unveiled the new FSP marketing materials and banners. We hobnobbed. I gave a brief speech about the coming Zombie Apocalypse--hey, those New Yorkers need to be forewarned! Said one attendee in an email afterwards:

"Thanks for your awesome speech on Saturday. Even though Dan Halloran obnoxiously dismissed the FSP, I thought you presented the case superbly. It seems logical to grow and nurture infant liberty in the fertile soil of New Hampshire rather than start from scratch in the barren land of Mordor. I think people (even liberty folks) want to dismiss the FSP simply because the sacrifice of moving is too great. Of course they may have families and good jobs that keep them in place. However, I think the opposite - the sacrifice of living without freedom is too great to stay put. Thanks again for your courage, persistence and passion. Be there soon."

MassCann: More than twenty Free Staters hopped on the Porcupine Party Bus and crossed the border into Taxachusetts to spread some Free State love at the 22nd MassCann Freedom Rally. Thanks to Denis Goddard for organizing the booth, Sovereign Curtis for organizing the bus, and, of course, all who helped spread the good word. We snagged more than a dozen new signers!

Movers and Shakers Inaugural Appreciation Party: Not only did we get to thank the volunteers who keep the FSP ticking, we also met and hung out with many, many new movers. It was amazing to see so many new faces! Thanks to the Bardo Farm for letting us use their beautiful apple orchard. The Movers and Shakers party will become an annual event, one that celebrates the folks who choose to up-and-move, and those who continue to support our all-volunteer organization with their time and efforts. Not on the guest list? You know what you need to do!

Support Structures: Did you know there’s an FSP job alert page on Facebook where you can find listings of jobs in the Free State and surrounding regions? Join today. Also, find the FSP on Facebook.

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,691. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 11,177
Participants in NH: 958
as of 10/15/2011

FSP News - September 2011

Liberty Forum is Back!

The 2012 Liberty Forum will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nashua, NH Feb 23rd - Feb 26th. More speakers, more movers, more doers... this event will be the biggest Liberty Forum yet. We have changed things around due to YOUR requests and the goal is to not have any repeat speakers so you can hear some fresh opinions and fresh ideas. You will NOT want to miss it. Registration will be opening very shortly... Book early!!!
Watch www.freestateproject.org/libertyforum in the coming days for details on the hotel and speaker info!

The Free State Project at Ten: Part One

10 years ago Jason Sorens wrote the original article that started the FSP. Jason covers the last 10 years with this follow up article.

FSP @ Freedompalooza

Free-staters Jack Shimek and Nick Ford displayed at a table at the first annual Freedompalooza festival and promoted the FSP to many of the 150-200 participants.

New Hampshire on Medical Policy

Two bills have recently become law in New Hampshire:

SB148 - "a resident of New Hampshire shall not be required to obtain, or be assessed a fee or fine for failure to obtain, health insurance coverage."
HB601 - NH has returned $666,000 in Federal funds for national healthcare implementation, with instructions to use the funds "for the purpose of reducing the federal budget deficit."

In addition, New Hampshire has established a commission that must approve any related new administrative rule changes, before any NH bureaucracy adopts such rules.

NH ranked best in U.S. to raise children

New Hampshire ranked first in the nation again last year as a place to raise a child, according to a survey by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Full story here.

Action of the Month

All around the country, college students are back in class. Use this opportunity, whether you are a college student or just live in a city with a college to spread the good news around by posting FSP flyers on bulletin boards around campus. Colleges students are one of the most mobile demographic in the US. Additionally, younger people tend to support pro-liberty candidates for political office in higher numbers than most other demographics. There are lots of good reasons to spend a few minutes by sharing the idea of liberty in our lifetime on a campus near you.

Here is how to do it:
1. Print flyers, sample flyers
2. Go to a campus
3. Optional, look up the rules for posting flyers on bulletin boards, walls, leaving them on tables and so on
4. Put up the flyers, you may need to use tape, staples or tacks to do this

Positives:
Proven to work
Gets the word out there
Can be done by just one person
Doesn't require social interaction
Can be done with almost no planning (just happen to be walking/driving by a campus)
Can be done in bad weather
Virtually no risk of punishment
Targets one of the more mobile demographics

Negatives:
Few confirmed recruits via method
Requires the use of a printer
Depending on college, may need to use tape, staples or tacks, which is an added expensive
Depending on campus policy, certain flyers posted in certain places may be against the rules so they may be quickly thrown away
The flyers must be replaced periodically

Feel free to make suggestions or comments on the FSP Forum.

Website of the Month

http://www.mail-to-jail.com - Mail-to-jail.com is a great website to help liberty lovers, NH activists and sometimes others stay connected to the outside world while they are in jail, often for standing by their principles. While it is O.K. to disagree with a liberty activist about why they are in jail, most of the people on Mail-to-Jail are good people that could use someone to help keep their spirit up. Currently, Ian Freeman, founder of Free Talk Live and one of the top recruiters for the FSP is in jail. Feel free to send him a letter via Mail-to-Jail, or even better, make a donation to the website.

Facebook Page of the Month

https://www.facebook.com/LibertyForum - The New Hampshire Liberty Forum is back for 2012! Chris Lawless and a great team of volunteers are already in the planning stages. Find out all of the latest news by checking out the facebook page. Here is the Facebook event if you want to RSVP on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=269850146378022.

In New Hampshire

From the Queen’s Quill: FSP News from da Prez

It has been a busy summer here in the Free State: festivals, conferences, and many, many new movers. Welcome home!

I thought it might be helpful for you to get updates straight from the horse’s mouth, so, herewith, my first blog post as president. First, though, let me address the whole “Queen Quill” thang. Yeah, you say, what’s up with this monarchy crap, Madam President? OK, I admit, it is an insider joke, but by way of background, when I organized my first Porcupine Freedom Festival in 2009, an FSP volunteer, Amy O’Brien made me a beautiful African quill crown. From that flowed the moniker “Queen Quill,” and it stuck. So, no, for those of you who are wondering, I’m not hellbent on creating a voluntary monarchy in the Free State, but if you want to get in on the joke, buy your “Long Live the Queen Quill” tee today! Funds go to support FSP outreach.

Speaking of the Porcupine Freedom Festival, man oh man! PorcFest 2011 was held in June, with record attendance. We estimate more than a thousand attendees spent a week at Roger's Campground in Lancaster.

One of the great things about PorcFest is you get to hang out in a casual environment with folks like Roderick Long, Stefan Molyneux, Jacob Huebert, Bob Murphy*, The Rose Family, Ernie Hancock, Adam Kokesh, Ian Freeman, Mark Edge, the Liberty on Tour guys, and Jordan Page. We hosted gun etiquette classes and shooting events. The Liberty Ladies cook-off was once again a great success. Congrats to first prize winner Gail Domenico for her yummy Tortilla Soup. The official film debut of the documentary Libertopia took place--well worth a watch! The crew from the Bardo Farm did their annual Pig Roast. Agora Valley was packed with free marketeers selling their wares. Thanks to Fr33 Aid, a non-profit mutual aid organization for their first-class medical assistance. Buzz's Big Gay Dance party was bigger, gayer and dancy-ier! UNCE, our first ever rave, was held on Saturday night after the third annual Soap Box Idol. Congratulations to SBI winner Emily Sandblade whose “Top 10 Reasons the Mafia is Better than the Government” was met with a standing ovation. The Porcupine Freedom Festival stands as testament to our ideals of personal responsibility and freedom. Thanks to everyone who came. Hope to see you again next year... and, bring a friend!

My heartfelt thanks goes out to the 2011 PorcFest organizers, Sovereign Curtis and his team. Their tremendous effort and hard work made PorcFest 2011 the most successfully attended Free State Project event to date. Curtis did a phenomenal marketing job, introducing new recruiting programs like the PorcFest convoys and the Bounty Hunters. He also launched PorcFest's first ever Kids Carnival, and the Celebrity Roast, where brave souls roasted Stefan Molyneux. Take a gander at the photo below to appreciate the growth PorcFest has experienced (use the vehicles at the top of the hill as your measuring stick). Who plans to bring another bus next year? Just make sure it is packed with new attendees!

Building on this growth, Jason and Sharon Osborne will be spearheading PorcFest next year. This husband and wife team will bring a balance of “fun" and "family” to PorcFest 2012, which will be held at Roger's Campground from June 18-24, 2012. Mark your calendars today!

Guess what? Liberty Forum is baaaaaaaaack! The illustrious Chris Lawless and his team will once again be organizing this amazing liberty conference. Save the date: February 23-26, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua, NH. Chris is already hard at work on getting a stellar line-up of speakers. Expect more announcements soon.

NH State Representative Mark Warden and I attended Freedom Fest in Las Vegas in July. Our booth was right next to Peter Schiff's! The FSP presentation “Liberty is Moving: Why the Free State Project’s Goal of Concentrating Activists in New Hampshire Is Working” was well-attended and well-received. I was surprised to discover there are still folks in the liberty community who have not heard of the FSP--there is always more work for us to do! We saw old friends and met many liberty luminaries, including Peter Thiel, Jim Bovard, Butler Shaffer, Doug French, Doug Casey, and others. We hope to cultivate meaningful long term relationships with them.

Over the next two months, the Free State Project will be heading to LibertyFest NYC in September and to Libertopia in San Diego in October. We will have speaking engagements and booths at both. We even redesigned our marketing materials for a fresh new look. Thanks to Linda Lagana, Mark Warden, and Adam Sloan for their help. Download it here.

I’m pleased to announce that the FSP has a new Treasurer. Seamas O’Scalaidhe, a longtime FSP supporter, takes over from retiring board member, Cathleen Converse. Thanks goes out to Cathleen for her years of work on behalf of the FSP. And a warm welcome to Seamas!

We are also hard at work on other projects: starting a local “Friends of the Free State Project” campaign, building a “booth-in-a-box,” overhauling our website (no more crashing when we're featured in the big leagues!) and even a pending bit-coin project. Thanks to the dedicated IT team for making this happen.

As you know, there's no such thing as a free lunch and good outreach has a price tag. We need your help! Your support means we can do more, which means more movers, and your chance at Liberty In Our Lifetime. Where does the money go? It covers things like printing, servers, postage, accommodation and travel expenses. Hate the TSA and got frequent flier miles you would like to donate? Contact me--thanks again to Ofer Nave for sending us to Vegas!

Your support is vital to our continued success. PLEASE DONATE to help us achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime. Want to stay involved? Consider VOLUNTEERING. Thank you!

Have an opinion? Got feedback? Email me: president @ freestateproject.org.

Catch y’all on freedom’s flip-side,

Carla Gericke
President, Free State Project

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

Dan on liberty has published a review of his experience in New Hampshire. Dan moved in 2009 and shares his thoughts on the project.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,693. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 11,124
Participants in NH: 947
as of 09/15/2011

FSP News - August 2011

The FSP needs a Google Apps Admin!

The Free State Project needs your help! The IT team is in need of a volunteer Google Apps admin, with the following responsibilities:

Administer FSP mailing groups like Doers, Organizers, etc. Responsible for adding and removing group members.
Manage FSP mail accounts. Back accounts up when they are retired. Create new accounts as needed.
Provide general Gmail and GApps support, e.g. password resets, assistance in using the tools, etc.

In addition, there are a number of small projects waiting in the queue:

Guide the transition of FSP mailing groups to Google (already in progress).
Clean up and repurpose unused email accounts.
Drive adoption of GMail and Google Apps as the standard platform for FSP business

All you need is a can-do attitude, and an interest in technology. No prior experience required - you'll work with teammates experienced in Google Apps. This is a great opportunity to get experience (you can put on your resume) with the new "Business Operating System" that's taking over the world.

Report lists new pro-liberty NH laws

Are you a policy wonk or aspiring statistician? If so, you will love the 2011 New Hampshire Liberty Related Bills Report. The Report lists the 2011 pro-liberty related bills that are now law in NH. While the FSP does not get involved in politics, some people that moved to NH as part of the FSP are involved in politics. Some of those people were the authors and primary sponsors of some of the pro-liberty bills listed in the Report.

The FSP monthly sign-up statistics are available

Check out the monthly sign-up statistics broken down by the various ways people learn about the FSP. The top reason given so far this year by new FSP participants is John Stossel. The March 24th edition of Stossel's self titled TV show on Fox Business covered the FSP. Thank you John Stossel for being the number one recruit for the FSP so far this year.

4 of the top 50 libertarian websites are based in NH

4 of the 50 most visited libertarian websites are based in NH, according to a DBKP Report. They are: Free Talk Live, The Free State Project, Cop Block, and Free Keene.

Action of the Month

Ask three people you know to become a Friend of the Free State Project. A Friend is someone that likes the idea of the FSP. If someone signs up as a Friend, it just means that they like the FSP. There is no commitment for a Friend to move to NH or do anything else.

Some of you may be scared by the idea of asking someone you know to announce that they support your cause, but the reward is more than worth it. You likely know people right now that support liberty. Maybe they have wanted to be a Friend of the FSP for a long time but they were waiting for you to mention it to them. Maybe they didn't know they had the option of just becoming a Friend and not a full-fledged Participant. Give the people you know that option.

Go ahead. Take a chance. Spread the word. Get someone else excited about the FSP and signed up to receive the FSP News, this newsletter, by becoming a Friend of the FSP. Feel free to make suggestions or comments on the FSP Forum.

Website of the Month

JobsinNH.com - JobsinNH.com is a great website to help you find a, you guessed it, job in NH. The website is about helping people find jobs in NH. One of the biggest issues with moving to NH is finding a job in NH. Right now is a great time to move to NH. You might want to check it out :)

Facebook Page of the Month

Live Free or Die Rally - The Live Free or Die Rally bills itself as "the NH annual Live Free or Die Rallys are non partisan,non aligned, non profit, non sponsored annual gatherings welcoming equally the public, all pro constitution and liberty minded ideologies or organizations under one tent on common ground with supporting the first amendment, rights to gather, exhibit with redress through freedom of speech." The Facebook page provides information on relevant events, photos and more for the several day long Rally or festival, if you will. The main volunteer behind the Rally posts of the Facebook page so if you have a question, feel free to ask him. BTW, the Rally is quickly approaching with a start date of August 25th and an end date of August 28th.

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,706. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 11,062
Participants in NH: 934
as of 08/15/2011

FSP News - July 2011

Send the FSP to FreedomFest 2011!

The FSP is sending two representatives to FreedomFest

http://freedomfest.com

the annual gathering of thousands of liberty-oriented individuals in Las Vegas, Nevada.

July 2011 marks the 10-year anniversary of the original FSP announcement

http://www.ncc-1776.org/tle2001/libe131-20010723-03.html

and FSP movers State Representative Mark Warden and FSP President Carla Gericke are slated to give a talk on the FSP's history and successes. They will also be promoting the FSP to big-name funders of pro-liberty organizations. This is an important event for the FSP to attend, and we need your contributions to help offset the costs. Please donate to our ChipIn!

http://freestateproject.org//freedomfest

Gary Johnson endorsed the Free State Project

Gary Johnson, former two term Governor of New Mexico and current candidate for President, attended PorcFest and was asked about the FSP. He said it's "a wonderful idea" and hopes it will be a model for the rest of the country. Full video here.

Jason Sorens in the New Hampshire Union Leader

William Ruger and Jason Sorens, the founder of the FSP, wrote an opinion piece for the New Hampshire Union Leader about their new Mercatus Center report. The article is about their report, New Hampshire and possible reforms in NH.

Libertopia Debut

Credits rolling. People cheering. Cameras flashing, rain splashing, and tears streaming.

These images flash in my mind whenever I think about the premiere of our long-awaited documentary, Libertopia. Debuting the film at Porcfest 2011 was a first, not only for our small production team, but also for the Free State Project, and the heightened emotion of its manifestation was palpable in the pavilion that rainy Friday night. It’s hard to express what it feels like to introduce a project to the public after three years of toil… Maybe like being pregnant for 36 months?

Libertopia is an 86 minute foray in to the lives of three FSP participants: 18-year-old Andrew Carroll leaves his friends and family behind to seek office in New Hampshire. Matt Simon plants roots in his new, NH community and struggles upstream to legalize medical marijuana. Will Buchanan hikes for nine months along highways, past skyscrapers and through small towns across America on his Walk for Liberty. Peppered throughout the film, we learn about the Free State Project and the libertarian philosophy that drives it. Now we just need some champions.

Yes, the love child of my co-producer and myself is finally out of our heads and on physical DVDs, ready to travel spreading its message of liberty, activism, and its people. We’re officially launching our Libertopia Screening Series. Our plan: to fill homes, libraries, theaters, and venues across the country with screenings of the documentary. By showing our film, you can:

1. Educate your family and friends about libertarianism (the basic tenets and why you care)

2. Support the principles of the Free State Project (liberty, personal responsibility, and activism)

3. Create your own Libertopia (Connect with other liberty minded people in your community)

For more information, contact our Producer of Marketing and Distribution, Siku@Libertopiafilm.com, and we’ll do our best to make it easy for you. Also, join our facebook page (Facebook.com/Libertopia) and mailing list (Libertopiafilm.com) for updates on when and where these events will be happening.

We hope Libertopia will engage you. Each subject in the film is on a journey, and one can see that often life's greatest rewards are born from taking on a big challenge. I know that making this film has been ours.

Thank you always for your support!

Sincerely,

Christina Heller & CraIg Goodale

Action of the Month

Last month the Action of the month was to attend Porcfest and tell everyone how much fun and convincing the event was to you. This month, the Action is to continue to spread the good word and to help you here are a few items you may want to share. The TV show Adam VS the Man was recorded live from Porcfest. The NPR podcast Money Plant did an episode on Porcfest. Robert Murphy of the Ludwig von Mises Institute spent five days at Porcfest and wrote a wicked awesome article about his experience. So pick your form of media (video, audio or print) and share away. Action of the Month items are also posted on the FSP Forum. Feel free to make suggestions or comments on the FSP Forum.

Website of the Month

Free State Blogs - Free State Blogs provides boots-on-the-ground information about what's going on in New Hampshire. A large variety of bloggers post to the site including a pro-liberty NH based TV show, a pro-union Republican NH State Rep, a NH conservative media marvel, the best known NH Tea Party group, a philosopher and more. A recent post on the site details the changes in transportation regulations inside and outside of NH this year. Needless to say, this was a good year for the people of NH.

Facebook Page of the Month

New Hampshire Liberty Alliance - The New Hampshire Liberty Alliance is non-partisan, non-profit all volunteer organization working to increase individual freedom in New Hampshire. The page will help you keep up with liberty elections, events and issues in NH. Now you don't have to live in NH to know whats going on politically in NH.

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,708. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 11,009
Participants in NH: 922
as of 07/15/2011

FSP News - June 2011

June has arrived! Are you ready for Porcfest?

We have been talking to you for months about our funtastic Porcupine Freedom Festival. You have learned all about our speakers and our childrens' activities, dubbed the Family Zone, as well as how to get here with our Convoys. We've given you so many reasons to come, bring a friend, and mingle at this event on our blog that we just don't know how you could resist!

If you haven't taken the time to register but plan on coming, please consider doing so as it helps cover our up front expenses. This is where you can also give a few extra dollars for a donation to our operation as well. (We also have a widget on our Porcfest.com site or you can PayPal info@freestateproject.org and put in the info "PF$" to make sure it gets allocated for this project.) Last minute sponsor opportunities are always available! Contact Curtis@Porcfest.com for more details ASAP.

For those of you already registered we wanted to throw in some last minute information:

Please bring FM radios. We will be broadcasting locally where you can hear music, vendor spotlights and stay up to date with the latest Porcfest event. Stay in the know with the radio!

If you want to be even more in touch with what is happening, get on our bandwidth. Using 2-way marine radios, we will be communicating with staff, vendors, first aid and more. Cell phones aren't very effective in the area so if you want to make sure to stay in touch with your friends or favorite food place at Porcfest, then pick one up before you arrive (we're using this one).

Anyone who registered early should go back and make sure to pick up tickets to Buzz's Bigger Gay Dance Party or go back and simply make a donation to help keep things running smoothly right from the start. We appreciate everyone who has registered and we cannot WAIT to get there next week. Get your game face ready because we are GO for fun!

Mercatus Center Report: NH Freest State in the USA

In its newest report about ranking American states on their public policies that affect individual freedoms in the economic, social, and personal spheres, New Hampshire again placed #1. The full report can be reviewed here. There's also a video about the report, which includes Jason Sorens, founder of the Free State Project.

Merchandise

PorcFest is almost here and before you know it, you’ll be strolling through the bucolic pleasantness of Agora Alley. No doubt you’ll come across a most fantastic sight – the Free State Project merchandise site. So many items will be there to enchant you; it will be hard to choose. Do you take home a cuddly stuffed porcupine? Perhaps your FSP t-shirt is getting a bit ragged; feel free to size up a new one. How about that Custom FSP Buck you’ve been eyeing up for a while (and you know you have), there aren’t too many left; you’d better get one before they’re gone. How about a daily reminder that “Liberty in Our Lifetime” is on the horizon, a shiny keychain is just the thing. Brand new, never-before-seen-at-PorcFest reverse car window decals will be waiting eagerly for your precious caress. Sparkly, glowing, FSP copper rounds will mesmerize you. Whether you want one in a clear protective case, or a tube of twenty to trade elsewhere in the alley (with those who voluntarily accept them, of course), they will be waiting for you. There’ll also be pins and bookmarks and stickers and flags and, oh, so many more things for you to delight in. So be sure to perambulate by RV site 15 and take a look at all the wonderful stuff available, the porc in you will be glad you did.

FSP and Nullify Now! LA

The Los Angeles FSP group held a tabling event at the final stop of the Nullify Now! tour featuring headlining speaker Thomas E. Woods Jr. Through historical writings, case studies, and speeches by the Founding Fathers, more than 10 speakers presented logical, moral, and constitutionally sound cases for nullification. We want to thank Michael Boldin and Bryce Shonka of the Tenth Amendment Center for coordinating the tour and for graciously inviting us to setup a table. FSP LA had quite a handsome spread of outreach materials, complete with a plush porcupine that was on the receiving end of some heavy petting. FSP literature found their way into the hands of dozens of intrigued conference goers, a good portion of which expressed their interest in attending our future meetings. Would you like to reach more activists outside of NH? Start or re-energize a local group near you!

Send the FSP to FreedomFest 2011!

FreedomFest is an annual gathering of thousands of liberty-oriented individuals in Las Vegas, Nevada. Help our intrepid FSP representatives trek to the other side of the country to spread awareness of the Free State Project (and maybe find a few signers too!).

Currently, the FSP is slated to give a talk on the history and purpose of the Free State Project--but we have to get Carla and Chris there first!

Action of the Month

Thank you for taking to time to read the Action of the Month column in the past and doing the actions that spark your interest. For June, the Action of the month is special in that it both helps spread the idea of the FSP and is a whole lot to do! Attend the 2011 Porcupine Freedom Festival in Lancaster, NH and then tell your friends, family, co-workers and associates about how much fun you had. Action of the Month items are also posted on the FSP Forum. Feel free to make suggestions or comments on the FSP Forum.

Website of the Month

NH Capitol Access - NH Capitol Access covers NH politics and political activism with a skeptical, feisty and flinty edge. The focus is generally on upcoming legislation, citizen involvement, the nature of government, and the NH Constitution. If you want to know about political happenings in NH, this is the TV show for you.

Facebook Page of the Month

Liberty Conspiracy - Liberty Conspiracy is a seriously educated and yet humorous take on politics, music and a whole lot more by Gardner Goldsmith. Liberty Conspiracy believes in the power of Invisible Hand, in exposing the fallacy of the Broken Window, in promoting economic and political liberty, and in freeing the mind to allow for true creative potential.

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,710. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,955
Participants in NH: 909
as of 06/15/2011

FSP News - May 2011

Media Mentions

Seacoast Online has an article examining the impact Free Staters are having on New Hampshire Government. "While their official numbers are small," says the newspaper, "their impact has been undeniable." The article points out that New Hampshire House Speaker Bill O'Brien encourages more Free Staters to move to New Hampshire.

The FSP was alsmo written about in New Hampshire Magazine, Slate.com, National Journal and the French newspaper Liberation.

New Hampshire Ranked Number One

New Hampshire was ranked #1 in StateMaster.com's ranking of the 50 states. See more information here.

PorcFest

Have you registered for the 8th Annual Porcupine Freedom Festival (otherwise known as PORCFEST) yet?! Well why the heck not? $30 per person, kids under 18 free. We've been busy working on last minute details and waiting on the rest of you to buy your tickets! Currently we are looking for donations for the Silent Auction, sponsors, and various other things. If you are interested in helping out please contact Curtis@Porcfest.com. Get involved! Use coupon code FSPNEWS to save 20% off of registration and your Free State Project goodies. And get to crackin... it is right around the corner! Already registered? Find a convoy, join our ticket-holder group or like us on Facebook. Get the opportunity to meet the crowd before the fest. See you there!

Action of the Month

Share one of the recent media articles with your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors or even on Facebook. If you would not like to share an article, perhaps share this interview Chris Lawless did on the March 29th edition of the Peter Shiff radio show. Action of the Month items are also posted on the FSP Forum. Feel free to make suggestions or comments on the FSP Forum.

Website of the Month

Liberty on Tour - Liberty on Tour, founded in 2010 by Pete Eyre and Ademo Freeman, couples on-the-road activism with new media to advance the voluntary society. Through in-person interactions, online networking and constantly-varying content, LOT advocates for self-government, personal responsibility and consensual interactions.

Facebook Page of the Month

Free Talk Live - Free Talk Live is a nightly talk radio show where you are in control of the topic. The show continues to expand and has almost 100 radio affiliates. The facebook page is a great introductory resource to Free Talk Live.

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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: 14,718. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,874
Participants in NH: 904
as of 05/15/11

FSP News - April 2011

Porc Fest

Have you registered for the 8th Annual Porcupine Freedom Festival yet? Act now, spaces at Roger's Campground are filling up!

Donations & Sponsor Opportunities

Porcfest runs on Donations. If you are interested in advertising opportunities please contact Sponsor@Porcfest.com to learn more.

Street Team Opportunities

Is Ron Paul coming to your area? Do you have liberty oriented events happening soon? Plan on seeing Atlas Shrugged? HAND OUT PORCFEST FLYERS!

Special Announcements

New speakers announced, including:

Roderick Long - Professor of Philosophy at Auburn University!
Daniel J. D’Amico - Assistant Professor of Economics at Loyola University!
Michael Boldin - 10th Amendment Center!
Jamie Crane - Wheels Off Liberty!

Stay up to date at http://porcfest.com or signup for the Happy Porcupine newsletter.

New Hampshire Democrat bloggers declare Free Staters the winner

It feels pretty good to be a free stater in New Hampshire right now. Dozens of pro-liberty bills have made it through either the NH House or the NH Senate. I commented on a few of the bills here. Five recent blog posts by Democrats explain how free staters won NH. On top of that, there was even an Op-Ed in the only state-wide paper in NH about how the horrible free staters worked with the awful tea party folks to make NH a radical and extreme state.

Are these Democrats correct? Well, what does the truth matter? Feel free to take their opinions, backed up with almost no facts and full of logical fallacies as gospel.

Colin Van Ostern, A Democratic blogger for New Hampshire Business Review wrote a wonderful blog post titled Wake up, New Hampshire business leaders. In the blog, column or whatever it is called, no offense to Colin, Colin explained that "given the choice between more students graduating from high school or happy Free Staters who simply oppose any government regulations at all, the Legislature is choosing the Free Staters." There you go folks, Colin says that the Legislature chose to do what Free Staters want.

Click here to continue reading this blog post.

Atlas Shrugged

The producers of Atlas Shrugged want to hear from you! How cool would it be if you were wearing an FSP shirt or standing in front of the FSP flag? Just another way to help spread the name off the FSP. The deadline is TODAY.... do it!

The movie opens today April 15th! Check to see if the movie is playing near you.

Then go here: http://freestateproject.org/getinvolved/downloads grab some of the awesome flyers that say WHERE is John Galt? (bottom of the page) and then hand them out to people as they enter/exit the movie....
Think of the 1000s of people who can hear the FSP message if YOU spend a few hours handing out flyers this coming weekend.

Can one person make a difference in New Hampshire?

The answer to that question is unequivocally yes.

While it is true that New Hampshire has 400 State Representatives and the first in the nation Presidential Primary, most NH voters are rarely engaged in politics. Sure, compared to most states, folks in NH are more politically active, especially with things like town hall meeting. However, that isn't always the case.

I witnessed first hand at the State House on Thursday that many issues go largely ignored by the public. I started Thursday by attending the NH Senate Transportation Committee hearing on HB 540, the bill to change NH's yearly automobile inspection requirement to a biannual requirement. NH is one of only three states that requires both automobile safety and emissions inspections every year statewide. If HB 540 becomes law, it will save the average NH person two hours and $30 every other year for every car they own. And yet, only one member of the public spoke to the Committee as a regular citizen without a special interest in mind. All of the other speakers were government workers or automobile shop owners. Heck, if just five members of the public had spoken out in favor of the bill, it would have made a big difference in the eyes of the Committee. You can watch a video of the hearing or take action on this issue if you would like.

Click here to continue reading this blog post.

Three great events make up for no 2011 Liberty Forum

Wow, talk about turning lemons into lemonade. There was no New Hampshire Liberty Forum this year. However, that did not matter much as the Liberty, Justice, Peace Gathering, Nullify Now! New Hampshire and Agora I/O, three wicked awesome events that were partially inspired by the Liberty Forum, did happen!

The Liberty, Justice, Peace Gathering happened on February 26th in Grafton, NH. Around 35 people attended with some people making the journey all the way from California.

While Nullify Now! New Hampshire on March 19th wasn't technically inspired by the lack of a Liberty Forum in NH this year, it's list of speakers was similar to the type of speakers that typically speak at Liberty Forum. Even though the event had high quality speakers like Thomas E. Woods, Jim Babka, Mark Edge and Catherine Bleish, among others, admission started at just $25. Vendors included the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance, Free Talk Live, Mass LPA and more. Attendance is estimated at between 250 and 350 people. The highlight of the event was arguably this speech (http://youtu.be/miPjSw-G8J8) by Thomas E. Woods.

Agora I/O was an online agorist unconference that happened March 25th to March 27th. There were loads of great speakers all weekend long and the entire event was free. The speakers were recorded and the videos are still on the website. The whole idea of the unconference was pretty amazing and a big thank you goes out to George Donnelly for all of his hard work. Sponsors included Porcfest.com and Free Keene. Speaking of Keene, there were viewing parties throughout the county, including in Keene, NH.

Action of the Month

The March 24th edition of Stossel on Fox Business, titled Live Free or Die, featured Chris Lawless of the FSP and Christina Heller, the director of Libertopia, an upcoming documentary about the FSP. John Stossel is a household name and his show is mainstream. This is the perfect opportunity to share the idea of the FSP with your friends and family. Please share this youtube video http://youtu.be/evraJp70CUs. Feel free to post it to facebook, blog about it, tweet it, put it on web forums, email your friends or do whatever you think is best to share the video with as many people as possible.

Action of the Month items are also posted on the FSP Forum. Feel free to make suggestions or comments on the FSP Forum.

Website of the Month

Porcfest.com - Porcfest.com is a labor of love. Featuring event, speaker, travel, registration info and more, PorcFest.com is the goto place for all your PorcFest news. Stop by and check it out, today!

Facebook Page of the Month

The Civil Disobedience Evolution Fund - The Civil Disobedience Evolution Fund supports the good people who disobey bad laws. Our mission is to restore freedom and support liberty by sharing the sacrifices of Shire Activists with supporters round the globe. Please support these brave men and women by donating what time, talent or treasure you can.

Merchandise

Teeshirtapalooza, or how about T-Spacular, or maybe Shirtopolis? No matter how you mangle the English language to say it, it’s... fantabulous! With PorcFest fast approaching, I’m sure you all want a shirt that says, Go Porcs! Or at least Liberty in Our Lifetime. We still have shirts from previous PorcFests, maybe not in all sizes, but that’s because they’re so darn popular. We’ve got blue ones, and black ones, and white ones, oh my. Even if you didn’t attend one of the earlier grantanublar events, show your support. Whether you’re strolling along in the heart of a statist urbopolis or perambulating through verdant hills of a bucolic paradise, let the fascists beware and the liberty-minded hearten that there are freedom loving individuals out among them. You never can tell, we may need the furry woodland creatures on our side in the days ahead. So be bold, be fashionable, be true to the ways of classical liberalism and sport an awe-inspiring Free State project tee shirt – you’ll be glad you did. The taxman may not, but we don’t want him to be glad anyway.

http://www.freestateproject.org/store

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,724. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,833
Participants in NH: 901
as of 04/15/11

FSP News - March 2011

Atlas Shrugged Opening

Atlas Shrugged is opening on the weekend of April 15th 16th and 17th in Los Angeles (Orange County), San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, Washington DC, New York City, South Florida, Boston, Denver, Dallas and Chicago. If you live in any of these locations or plan on attending the openings, please consider handing out FSP flyers. Send and email to clawless@freestateproject.org for more details and tell us the city you leave in or near.

Tax Day Outreach

Can you hand out flyers on April 18th at a post office near you? This is our annual tax day outreach. Email clawless@freestateproject.org for more details.

The Porcupine Freedom Festival - LESS THAN 100 DAYS TO GO!

ATTENTION: Early Bird Registration ends THIS month. That's right, March 31st is the last day you can get you discounted tickets at $25. Ticket prices will go up to $30 on April 1st. Don't forget to use coupon code FSPNEWS to save 20% off of your early bird registration and save 20% off of your Free State Project merchandise as well!

We Need YOUR Help! We are currently searching for sponsors and donors in a variety of areas. PorcFest runs on volunteers and donations. Whether you want to help out with kid's events, get your business some focused promotion, or make a generous donation, your contributions will make PorcFest the world's greatest freedom festival for the 8th year in a row! Email Support@PorcFest.com today!

For details on how to GET to Porcfest from every corner of the country visit here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Convoys-to-PorcFest/193293977356631?sk=info The best convoy to Porcfest 2011 gets in FREE in 2012!!

How to find out everything you need to know about Porcfest 2011: This man can tell you anything: Curtis@Porcfest.com
Want to vend? Vend@Porcfest.com
Sign Up for the Happy Porcupine Newsletter
Our Facebook Page

Action of the Month

Reintroducing the Action of the Month. This FSP News monthly section used to exist and it is now making a wonderful return. Every month a specific action will be suggested. The action is technically not endorsed or supported by the FSP, but it is endorsed by Keith and Stuff :) For the first month, the Action of the Month is to like the FSP on Facebook, that is, if you have Facebook. There are actually three pages. Please click on all three links and click like. Feel free to share the links with your friends.

FSP Group https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2204983906
FSP Non-Profit Organization https://www.facebook.com/FreeStateProject.org
FSP Interest https://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-State-Project/103150293057947

Action of the Month items will be posted on the FSP Forum. Feel free to make suggestions or comments on the FSP Forum http://forum.freestateproject.org/index.php?topic=23145.0

Website of the Month

Free Minds Media - Free Minds Media is the website for both the Free Minds TV show and the Free Minds Radio show. Both shows are recorded in studios in Keene, NH. Free Minds TV airs on public TV stations all over NH and beyond. Free Minds Radio is carried by both the Genesis Communications Network and the Liberty Radio Network.

The Facebook Page of the Month

Porcfest - The PorcFest fan page maintains a positive and timely presence on the world's largest social network. Promoting the Free State Project's Porcupine Freedom Festival 365 days a year, the fan page is an invaluable tool, keeping interested parties up to date on everything from registration to the latest fan videos. Check it out today, and take a look at all the photos from PorcFest 2010!

Merchandise

Tendrils of fog wafted through the trees, stretching out like the hand of death trying to pull me back towards to the “lower 49”. My chest heaved heavily beneath my FSP Logo t-shirt a bargain for only $12.00 at the Free State Project store, breathing in the clear, fresh air of freedom drifting across from New Hampshire just a little further on. The swollen, yellow moon hung low on the horizon, tufts of pine and spruce intercepting the pale glow reminding me of the Don't Tread on Me, Gadsden Porcupine disc, also available at the Free State Project store. The woeful baying of hounds in the distance twisted my head away from the sanity and happiness of the granite state in front of me. I looked back, only briefly, towards the demented and malevolent statist swamp I was leaving. As I saw the beams of flashlights stabbing their way through the murky night, lighting up gnarled trees and craggy rocks, I was glad to be wearing the blue FSP Lanyard a deal at only $4 at the Free State Project store, rather than the bright yellow one, lest these 'dogs of war' spy their prey. The searching beams also lit up a trail of FSP Bookmarks, easily purchased at the Free State Project store, left behind by courageous pioneers and leading me forward into warm, wide fields of fragrant lilac. Leaving a few PF05 Koozies, next to free at the Free State Project store, behind as a trap for their nosy snouts, I grasped the comforting FSP Buck Custom, only a few remaining at the Free State Project store, tighter in my hand and stayed true on the course towards the Free State Project and Liberty in Our Lifetime.

In New Hampshire

Outdoors in Concord

Concord Porcupine members go walking and hiking together more than once a month. Imagine yourself walking down a wooded path swapping child rearing stories with your fellow Free Stater pilgrims, while the kids skip stones on the river. Or picture yourself climbing a small mountain in NH and discussing with your friends how your agorist activities are going to free the world as you reach the summit. This and other grand adventures await you in the Shire. Just look up the Concord Porcupines on facebook and yahoo groups to hook up with the outdoorsmen.

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,670. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,712
Participants in NH: 892
as of 03/15/11

FSP News - February 2011

PorcFest 2011

Registration

Sign up for Porcfest 2011. Use coupon code FSPNEWS to save 20% off of registration, flags, group photo and t-shirts!

Check out the special edition Newsletter on Registration for more details.

Connections

Lot's of cool things happening all over the web about Porcfest 2011 - the Porcupine Freedom Festival. Are you keeping up?

Check out this month's issue of the Happy Porcupine, Porcfest is for Lovers!

You can follow us on Twitter or fan us on Facebook where we encourage everyone to retweet, share and post frequently about Porcfest so we can keep spreading the news!

Donate

You can donate on our Registration page by selecting a quantity for each dollar you want to donate. Feel free to email sponsor@porcfest.com for a list of sponsorship opportunities at this year's event. There is so much to be a part of, please help us MAKE IT HOT, even if it is just a $1! Sovereign Curtis is eagerly awaiting your inquiries for sponsorships and donations.

Hats off to Pete Eyre, Ademo Freeman, and New Hampshire Activists

By Stephanie Murphy

On January 24th, well known freedom activist Pete Eyre of Liberty on Tour and Copblock.org was arrested for wearing a hat. Yes, really.

Pete was in court on an unusually cold morning in Keene, NH to support his friends — two other activists were facing some spurious “trespassing” charges which stemmed from walking around the Cheshire County Jail with signs to support yet another unjustly jailed activist. Pete was sitting quietly in the courtroom before the judge had even entered. A bailiff approached Pete and told him to remove the hat he was wearing. Pete began to ask questions, but he didn’t have time to say much before three men tackled and handcuffed him. Pete did not resist, but was subjected to some very heavy handed treatment nonetheless — all for sitting quietly and peacefully in court while wearing a hat.

Pete was jailed for four days when he initially did not identify himself after the arrest. Here’s a video of what happened.

This news release has more details, but it sums up the situation pretty well: “When a gesture of respect becomes mandatory, it becomes an act of submission.”

Unfortunately, Pete’s business partner Ademo Freeman (Adam Mueller) was jailed for 60 days for speaking out in court during Pete’s arraignment. Ademo is currently still in jail in Keene, NH. You can write to him via Mail To Jail, or visit Copblock.org/freeAdemo to get involved in helping him out.

The response to these two men’s arrests from the liberty community has been incredibly supportive. Multiple activists obtained video of both Pete’s arrest and Ademo’s arrests. The videos were posted online immediately. FreePete.org was launched almost instantly after Pete’s arrest, FSP friendly attorneys quickly stepped up to help on the legal front, and activists waged a PR campaign in support of the two men (including an AP press release and a ). So many people called the Cheshire County Jail and courthouse on the day of Pete’s arrest that their phone lines were shut down!

If you’re excited by the response of New Hampshire liberty activists to these unjust arrests, you may want to consider moving up your plans to get to New Hampshire! If you’re inspired to stand up to tyrannical judges, come to New Hampshire, STAT! If you can’t move right away, how about a visit to the 2011 Porcupine Freedom Festival? But here’s a fair warning: you’ll be so impressed by the community here that you won’t want to leave!

On the Doffing of Hats

By Mike Ruff

I know that folks have come to believe that the removal of hats in a courtroom is merely a gesture of respect. And chances are, that's all most folks mean when they do it. This is, however, not the origin of the practice, nor is it the reason it is practiced and enforced in courts today.

The origin is as an act of submission. The act of removing one's hat is an attempt to make oneself seem smaller than the person to whom one is rendering the gesture. There are a number of other gestures based on the same intent, for example, bowing. The military salute is derived from the act of touching the cap, which was itself derived from the act of tipping the cap, which was derived from removal of the hat to demonstrate submission.

These gestures of submission were often seen in societies in which there were strong and well-defined class divisions. Although the more dramatic of these gestures has largely disappeared from these societies, an astute observer can still see the signs of these divisions today – in the tone of voice, forms of address, and more subtle body language.

Despite America having been (supposedly) established as a "classless" society, and despite the US Constitution forbidding titles of nobility (Article 1, section 9), the government has, especially in court, granted the form without the name. Judges require that, in addition to the powers granted them by the government, the general populace must grant them the gestures of submission formerly rendered to Feudal Lords; i.e. standing when they enter the room, removal of hats, addressing them as "Your Honor," etc. They wear robes which owe their origin to the robes worn by Feudal Lords, and sit in a raised position and have barriers to prevent the "regular folks" from approaching beyond the accepted distance. And, should a member of the general populace refuse to grant them these gestures of submission, the judge will order his enforcers to clap the individual in irons and imprison them for "Contempt of Court" (the latter day term for "lese majeste").

Does anyone really believe that this farce is necessary to maintain order and decorum in a courtroom? Does anyone really believe that this sort of thing furthers the causes of Truth and Justice? Does anyone truly believe that this sort of thing is proper in a society that is supposed to be based on Equality Before the Law?

Personally, I have always found people who demand these gestures of submission, and depend on them to prop up their authority, to be sad little people who do little to deserve respect, let alone submission. Salutes in the military are generally reserved for officers who are "REMFs" (Rear-Echelon Mother...). Real officers, those who've led men in combat, know that a salute is really a "sniper check" – that is, it lets a distant sniper know who the officer is, which makes it more likely he'll be killed. REAL officers earn the respect of their men, and gain not submission, but recognition of authority and skill.

I've been a mediator for over 8 years. I have engaged in the resolution of more disputes than I can remember. And never have I had to resort to any such cheap tricks or tactics to shore up my authority or keep order. In fact, such tricks would prove counter-productive to the process, and would serve only to undermine my position. And I would put my record up against that of any judge, to compare the level of satisfaction, truth, and justice achieved by our actions.

Now, I've been in court a number of times over the years. I have rendered the same respect I do anyone. And I know that to many, the removal of a hat in court seems like a petty issue to start a fight over. Many folks will say: "Hey, it's just a hat! Just take the damned thing off and get through the proceedings as easily as possible!"

But it's not just a hat. It's a principle. Or rather, it is the visible sign of a principle: On the one hand, the individual says "I am an individual, free and equal before the law." On the other, the judge says (by his actions): "You are below me, and will submit to me. Submission is more important than the Law, Truth, or Justice. There is no Equality – you are subservient to me, and you will demonstrate to all that you know your place, or you will be forced into captivity until such time as you submit or until I demonstrate my ‘mercy’ and allow you your freedom."

I know it seems like a silly hill to choose upon which to die, but this has become a religious belief to me. I am the moral equal of any man, and I will not submit arbitrarily to anyone. And no government has the authority to change that. They may well have the ability to enforce their will on me – through the use of superior numbers and armed force; but never will they have the moral authority to do so.

Mike Ruff and Stephanie Murphy are both FSP First 1000 early movers. Ruff is an agorist and professional mediator and moved to New Hampshire in 2006. Murphy is an author, liberty activist, and medical student who moved to New Hampshire in 2006.

Lights of Liberty

Attention liberty advocates! Just one week remains to nominate people (including yourself) for The Advocates' annual Lights of Liberty Award! You qualify if in 2010 you did ANY COMBINATION of three of these activities:

Had a letter mentioning the word "libertarian" printed in a newspaper or magazine
Participated for two hours or more in one day at an Operation Politically Homeless (OPH) booth
Delivered a speech using the word "libertarian" to a non-libertarian audience

The deadline for entry for 2010 awards is Tuesday, February 22, 2011, so please enter today. Be sure to mention that you are a Participant or Friend of the Free State Project. If you don't qualify for 2010, get started for 2011! More information here.

Drupalistas needed

Hey libertarian Drupal/PHP developers! The FSP is the last best hope for liberty in our lifetime, but is the FSP web site not living up to its full potential? Do you have an itch to scratch? The FSP needs drupalistas. Help make the FSP web site the buzzing hub of a virtual movement. If you are familiar with the CMS Drupal, join the FSP IT team. Contact Edi at: volunteer@freestateproject.org

New FSP News feature

This month’s FSP News introduces two new sections. The Website of the Month is a website or blog about liberty activism in NH, NH in general or a website that at least has an unpaid FSP ad on it. The Facebook Page of the Month is a Facebook page or group that is about liberty activism in NH or NH in general. If you would like to suggest a Website of the Month or a Facebook Page of the Month, please post your suggestion to the relate thread on the FSP Forum. As with everything in the FSP News, the sites selected for either monthly section are not necessarily endorsed or even supported by either the FSP or FSP participants.

Website of the Month: Free Keene

Free Keene is a compressive blog that includes a forum, calendar of events, 101 Reasons to Move to Keene, audio files and much more. If you have ever thought about visiting Keene, this is the blog for you.

Facebook Page of the Month: Free State Project

What better way to start off this feature than with the FSP facebook page? The page is active with all type of information you are missing out on if you haven’t liked it on FB yet. So go ahead and log onto FB right now, if you aren’t already logged in, and like the FSP.

Merchandise

Why are we so drawn to "the new"? Take me, for example, a new product shows up in the FSP Store and I go bonkers. Look! FSP Logo Cling Decals, they're awesome! Check out the way they stick, totally cool! Besides the fact that they are totally awesome and cool, should I care more about them because they're new? Am I some human magpie, only attracted to the newest coruscating baubles? Why do I get excited about something that's "New and Improved", especially when it can't be one if it's another? What of our old friends, like that wristwatch that belonged to our grandfather or our favorite pair of tattered sneakers or other item of clothing? There is a grain of truth in the 'guy joke' that says we like to hang on to them as long as there are at least two underwear molecules holding them together. So let's try not to be so distracted by the au courant. Sure, the flashy, shimmering copper rounds and new stock of FSP Logo Cling Decals are great, but what about the trusted standards? How many of us have worn out, bent and twisted Pocket Constitutions? Maybe we should honor that venerable document and replace the tear-stained copy that's been wrung in our hands for years. For those that think even the Constitution isn't the way to go, how about a "Live Free or Spaz sticker? Even the magnets hold a host of ideas. The outdated "What Color..." can still spark a lively conversation when noticed on the company refrigerator. And the "Don't Tread on Me" is a classic known the world over. So take a look at the old and the new at the Free State Project Store, whether you buy to help support the cause financially or buy to advertise and spread the news of Freedom in Our Lifetime to the oppressed, regulated, and looted whether next door or around the globe, I'm sure you'll find something worthwhile.

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,691. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,651
Participants in NH: 889
as of 02/14/11

FSP News - January 2011

Porcfest 2011 - A Week Long Affair!

Come on up to PorcFest, the World's greatest liberty festival!

This year's event has been extended to encompass the whole week starting things out on Sunday (6/20). (Even longer if you come up for a vacay for the FSP tours!)

By extending the time you can now come for the main event on the weekend or show up early and make even more friends than ever!

Show up a week early and take advantage of the new Free State Tours! From Sunday to Saturday (6/12-6/18) we'll take you to the various freedom communities and introduce you to the wild liberty activist in his/her natural environment! Scope out possible locations to move to! Participate in Live Free or Die activist opportunities!
Meet the early movers at the many weekly social events!
Interested? Email Tours@FreeStateProject.org

Want to find something to do with the kids?
Stay tuned for details on crafting, Olympics, family hikes and lots more!
There is even plans for a kid's agorist exchange.

Keep in Touch - Last Month's Happy Porcupine // Newsletter Signup

Feel free to contact Porcfest@FreeStateProject.org for questions about the event.

If you are interested in vending you can also contact VendPorcfest@FreeStateProject.org.

NHLF Cancelled

It is with sadness, both personally and on behalf of the Free State Project, that I announce the cancellation of the February 2011 New Hampshire Liberty Forum. I was looking forward to this 5th annual Liberty Forum and I know some of you were, too.

The overall news regarding the Free State Project is overwhelmingly positive. Officially, almost 900 of our over 10,000 participants now live in New Hampshire, though the real number is likely over 1,000 by now. Those people have demonstrated two things which prove the Free State Project can work and, indeed, is working:

1.They have proven that there are hundreds, even thousands, of people who value freedom highly enough to uproot themselves and move to New Hampshire to work together with others to preserve it. Hundreds of actual movers turned what was once just a neat idea on the internet into a real, and quite legitimate, movement.

2.They have proven that, once moving, they can actually be effective at increasing the level of freedom for all of the citizens of New Hampshire. Because of the actions of Free State Project participants, New Hampshire homeschoolers have a lower regulatory burden than before, New Hampshire's adults remain free to make responsible decisions about seatbelt use, New Hampshire taxpayers pay lower taxes than they would have otherwise, and New Hampshire citizens have increased freedom to carry or sell common types of knives.

While these accomplishments are important and demonstrate the viability of the Free State Project, we have not yet arrived at a society in which the maximum role of government is the protection of peoples' rights to life, liberty, and property. All Free State Project participants agree to work towards that common goal and we're clearly making progress. We look forward to taking many more steps towards Liberty in our Lifetime.

We hope you'll join us in our efforts. Success doesn't come free or without hard work. We continue to need two important contributions in order to effectively attract more new participants to the Free State Project: money, and volunteers.

Our financial needs are a fraction of other organizations. In our entire history, we've spent less than many well-known organizations spend in a year, or even a quarter. The return on that investment is enormous: nearly 1,000 effective activists working towards freedom in a single state. No other organization has ever provided that kind of return at any price, never mind the shoestring we operate on. Nevertheless, we do have expenses and we will do our best to put your financial support to good use. Please consider helping by making a donation at http://freestateproject.org/donate

Finally, and maybe most importantly, none of this would be possible without an army of volunteers. The Free State Project itself runs primarily on unpaid volunteers, from event staffing, to mailbox checking all the way to the President and Board of Directors. If we had to pay retail rates for the labor of love that has gone into the Free State Project, it would cost untold millions of dollars. The more people who volunteer to help promote the Free State Project, the more effective we become at attracting pro-liberty activists to New Hampshire. We need help with IT, advertising, public relations, local groups, events, and much more. If you'd like to spend a few hours a month of your time helping the Free State Project, please email volunteer@freestateproject.org.

Thank you again for your support through the years.

Varrin Swearingen
President, Free State Project

In New Hampshire

Shire Silver's PorcFest 2011 Pre-order Deal

For those PorcFest vendors who agree to display their prices in Shire Silver (non-exclusively) we offer a 2% discount for cards to be delivered on the Wednesday of PorcFest, with no delivery charge. Assuming that the value of the dollar continues to erode, this will ensure that the vendor retains real value. This is only valid for orders place at least two months before PorcFest.

If early delivery is desired, arrangements can be made to ship the cards at cost. For most orders this will be in the $5-$10 range.

Please email sales@shiresilver.com to place your order.

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,692. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,613
Participants in NH: 882
as of 01/15/11

FSP News 2010

FSP News - December 2010

Liberty Forum

2011 LIBERTY FORUM

FEBRUARY 24-27, 2011

CROWNE PLAZA in NASHUA, NH

http://nhlibertyforum.com

New Hampshire's best liberty event is back!
A great weekend of fantastic speakers, great training, special panels, our first concert, and you'll get to meet the whole crop of newly elected liberty representatives! Get your tickets now!

If you can make it early, Thursday is full of bonus activities, like firearms safety training, a tour of the NH state house, and a legal self-help class. And we'll be hosting our evening welcome reception at the hotel.

Friday starts with the opening ceremonies and we'll be closing the night with a special concert by the one and only Jordan Page! Hear great speakers in between and consider our special scholarship fundraiser dinner.

Our Saturday night keynote speaker will be bestselling author Naomi Wolf. Her book The End of America: A Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot won the 2008 Silver Freedom Fighter Award. Her followup, Give Me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries made waves as well. She has been touring the world speaking about the defense of liberty in America and internationally. She says the FSP is a fascinating project and is looking forward to her appearance.

Other featured speakers include:

Governor Gary Johnson
Joe Kennedy, the real liberty US Senate candidate from Massachusetts
Rep. Jenn Coffey, sponsor of NH's "knife freedom bill"
Juan Carlos Hidalgo from CATO
Twila Brase, president of Citizens' Council on Health Freedom
J. Neil Schulman, Prometheus award-winning author

...and many more! New speakers are being confirmed every week.

Liberty is alive in New Hampshire, come to the Liberty Forum and be a part of it.

http://nhlibertyforum.com

Check the registration page for other goodies like the Liberty Forum polo shirt, FSP Silver rounds (we only have a few left and you can only get them at Liberty Forum), and more.

Early bird pricing of only $199 is good through December 31st.

Happy Porcupine Newsletter

Hey Porcupines!

The FSP has allowed us to offer you the chance to get on board with a new feature for PorcFest... the Happy Porcupine newsletter! Stay up to date with all our goings on before the fun and get pumped up for the festival all year long. There will be featured Porcupines, vendors, groups, etc that you can learn about before you arrive. The goal is to help make connections before the event and make this community even more amazing!

To sign up, send an email to porcfestnews@gmail.com with the subject: SIGNUP.

To view the November Newsletter: http://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=12ed61e871bc3aa666120d97c&id=a3c16bffd7&e=ffc6754bb5

If you want to unsubscribe at anytime that option will be made available on every newsletter.

Thanks always for your support!

The Porcfest Organizers Team

Boston Tea Party

A group of porcupines made the trek from the Free State of NH to Boston on 12/12 to participate in the Boston Tea Party sponsored by Mass LPA. We saw some great speakers like Gary Johnson, Gary Franchi and Adam Kokesh including our own Jenn Coffey. We handed out 100s of flyers to tell people about the Free State Project. The FSP also had a booth and an ad in the event booklet.

Thanks to our Friends at MassLPA who put on a great event.

Are there events near you? The FSP is always looking for places to place ads or have booths or just to have people hand out flyers at events. This is a great way to spread the word about the Free State Project. If you know of an event and have volunteer... get in touch with us: events@freestateproject.org.

Amazon for fund-raising

If you shop Amazon.com through this link, you will help the FSP earn money that would be a big help for our outreach efforts. It doesn't cost you anything, and it's a big help.

Merchandise

New Item! Thanks to EK we now have window clings. The round FSP logo on a static cling sticker. It's reverse-printed for application on the inside of your window (or I guess outside if you want to see it on the inside). Great for automobiles, front doors, windows, or anywhere you want to spread the freedom of the Free State Project. As there are no glue or adhesives on these, they are easily moved and won't leave a mess.
New FSP Logo Cling Decal

And, as it is that time of year, another enfreedomed holiday verse:

Molon KalikiLabe 1,2,3, 4

Molon KalikiLabe is the thing to say
On a bright pro-freedom hol-i-day
That's the dauntless greeting that we send to you
From the land where heroes stay
Here we know that freedom will be in our sight
Tyrants shake in fear as Porcs will bring the fight
Molon KalikiLabe is New Hampshire's way
To say "Come and bring it" to you.

1 Roughly translates to "come and bring your freedom-mindedness to New Hampshire".
2 Not to be confused with the Spartan's defiant reply to an invading army's demand they give up their weapons.
3 Nor the excellent novel by Boston T. Party.
4 We do, however, have nice Molon Labe Ribbon Pins available here.

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,693. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,552
Participants in NH: 875
as of 12/15/10

FSP News - November 2010

NH Election Victories

At least 13 FSP participants were elected to the NH State House of Representatives on November 2nd. This is a tremendous milestone for the Project and its members. Some 20 FSP early movers won Primary Election races and most came out winners in the General Election in a year that favored candidates who stand for lower government spending.

The above winners will be joined by over 100 more newly elected or re-elected pro-liberty State Reps who were endorsed by the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance, a non-partisan, all-volunteer organization dedicated to “Preserving and enhancing New Hampshire’s tradition of liberty.” Nearly one third of the 400-member House is openly on the liberty side of public policy and should edge the state closer to achieving “Liberty in Our Lifetime.”

National Opt Out Day

National Opt Out Day is a campaign to restore an element of privacy to air travel.

From their site:

The goal of National Opt Out Day is (1) to educate the traveling public about airport porno-scanners and the new “enhanced” TSA groping; (2) force positive change on the TSA; and (3) show the airlines our consumer power so that they will lobby the government on our behalf to get the porno-scanners removed. The government has failed us. We’re taking our message of individual privacy and respect for health to the airlines and the public.

Moving info

Do you want to know more about New Hampshire, why it is such a good place or what’s really going on there? If you answered yes to any of those questions then there are two blogs about NH that you may want to check out.

NHMove.Info is a very impressive blog. Not only does it have some solid original content but it is a fantastic aggregator of NH based information.

WhyNewHampshire.org lists reasons why NH is wicked cool. Is a reason missing? Feel free to submit it by following the simple procedures on the blog website.

Merchandise

People often ask me, "How can I make my Thanksgiving a Free State Project Thanksgiving?" Well, the answer's pretty straight-forward. Start with a nice big turkey. Imagine it there, all brown and glistening in the center of the table. Now take out your custom Buck FSP knife, (which we're almost out of, by the way, in case you don't have one yet) gently remove it from the velvet embrace of it's beautiful wooden box, complete with a laser-engraved FSP logo on it and plunge it deep into that warm, succulent flesh. If you accidentally day-dream for a minute and pretend you're carving up the tax-code while you're cutting - don't worry, little pieces of mangled turkey taste just as good big, wide slices. Before eating the turkey, though, a toast wo uld be appropriate. Raise your glasses high, kept cold, of course, with your PorcFest Koozie, (a real bargain at one dollar) and toast your favorite fighter for freedom, your favorite season in New Hampshire (all available on the Four Seasons of Freedom magnet) and the unquenchable thirst for freedom held by all the liberty-minded in this great country, and around the world. You should probably take off your jacket before digging in, so you don't get gravy and mashed potatoes all over your FSP pin, but don't worry about your FSP t-shirt, they'll wash many times and stay just as true to the cause of Liberty in Our Lifetime. After gorging yourself on the fruits of the free-market, perhaps a little remembrance of the early settlers and how they were saved by acknowledgment of private propert y rights as Henry Hazlitt reminded us. To finish off the event, put an FSP Bookmark in your "Economics in One Lesson" and go outside with one of our Gadsden discs and work off all those extra calories, so you can continue to be a nimble fighter for the cause of freedom.

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,685. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,497
Participants in NH: 869
as of 11/15/10

FSP News - October 2010

Liberty Forum

We are gearing up for Liberty Forum. The event will be held February 24-27, 2011, once again at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua. The core team is putting together the registration system as we speak. Expect an announcement on featured speakers and ticket availability and hotel reservations this month. If you would like to volunteer for the Forum, please send a note to libertyforum@freestateproject.org indicating how you want to help. If you have any speaker suggestions, join the online discussion at http://forum.freestateproject.org/index.php?topic=21660 or send the details on the speaker(s) to libertyforum@freestateproject.org
You can follow on twitter @NHLF2011

Libertopia

Check out the extended trailer for Libertopia, a documentary about three member of the Free State Project.

Merchandise

Round about the capitol go;
In the poison'd ideas throw.

Fillet of a tax payer,
In the cauldron sans a prayer;
Ball of newt, and toe of boot,
Wool o'er eyes, and dung for loot,

Double, double spoil and rubble;
freedom spurn and capital trouble.

Sorry guys, didn't mean to scare you. (and sorry also to W. Shakespeare and his witches...)
This time of year it's bad enough to be scared by ghosts and goblins, witches and wizards; but when you throw in stump speeches and stimulus packages, bailouts and bloviations, it's enough to send one running for the faucet to wash the damn spot of our political complicity. (For those of us still being complicit, that is) But do not fear, all is not lost. The Free State Project is alive and well. Well suited to Liberty in Our Lifetime. And speaking of suited, while you ruminate and digest over this year's slate of electable prospects (and there are some) you might as well look good doing it. An FSP t-shirt will show the world they have nothing to fear from you but their freedom. While you're at it, a Free State Project copper round is well suited to take the place of those microscopically copper-coated zinc plugs the government calls a penny, and they're worth a lot more. And when it's time to "suit up", nothing completes the ensemble better than an FSP lapel pin. We all know chants and talismans won't stop the creepy-crawly government from creeping and crawling up behind us with a machete, but the Free State Project is our best hope for keeping our overnight, giggling, scantily-clad sorority party as safe as possible.

In New Hampshire

Free Staters win in NH Primary

A dozen Free State Project participants, Republican and Democrat, won their primary in NH for elected office. How did pro-liberty activists do where you live?

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,676. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,444
Participants in NH: 865
as of 10/15/10

FSP News - September 2010

Silver Circle

Thanks to the generous donations of many porcs, Lineplot Productions was able to raise the necessary funding to continue their Silver Circleproject.

Liberty on Tour

Pete Eyre and Adam Mueller are heading across the country from NH in what they are calling "Liberty on Tour" to network and spread both information and energy for the FSP and several pro-liberty organizations. If you are near one of their destination cities, plan to meet up with them and/or let them know what stories, people, and places they should cover on their visit.

Recruitment Tour Launched This Month

Muhammad moved to New Hampshire around a year ago to contribute to the free state project. Wishing to combine his love of liberty, love of travel, and desire to get in shape, he launched his liberty tour.

Muhammad's most recent endeavor will to be to travel around, using only his bike, visiting locations as far away as Miami, and Seattle. On his way he will meet with liberty lovers and tell them about the free state project. Muhammad maintains the website http://www.m3liberty.com/ where he promotes his trip. You can also subscribe to his youtube channel at http://www.BikeAllTheWay.com/.

This is not the first time that Muhammad has traveled around the country. Earlier this year Muhammad did a similar tour this time using trains and buses, and there are people who plan to make the move as a result.

Second-Best Job Growth in the Country

According to the US Labor Department, New Hampshire experienced job growth of 1.43% between June 2009 and June 2010, which resulted in 8,900 new jobs. Nationally, the number of jobs fell by .1%. Read more here.

Documentary Film About the Free State Project

Libertopia is a documentary film about 3 members of the Free State Project. The extended trailer looks incredible!

Three ordinary citizens move to New Hampshire, where they join thousands of others in the fight against growing government power.

Our many thanks to Christina Heller, producer & director of the film.

Copper Rounds

It has been a good friend for over ten thousand years. It has helped us hunt for food and fell trees that kept us from being frozen. It has a beauty comparable to that of the goddess Venus and many have gazed into its shining glory to reveal their own. It helps us prepare the most wonderful epicurean delights. It helps protect us from our enemies, both large and small. It keeps the rain out, the barnacles off, the algae away, and the lightning bolts tame. It helps the artist make the world a more beautiful place. The steam engine, light bulb, and the computer this is being written with, and likely read on, are all helped greatly by mankind’s cuprum companion. And now we come to the very best application, the pinnacle of purpose. Forget the entire economy of Sweden, forget the massive bulk and beauty of the Statue of Liberty, we now have available to us mere mortals The Free State Project Copper Round! Indeed, a glorious achievement of form and function. These one AV ounce rounds are available in larger quantities at a lower price to be traded and spent on all things freedom. These Cyprium chips are also available in smaller quantities for gazing at all their wonder. (Just be careful you don’t forget to eat and drink while staring for hours and days at the mesmerizing mintage)

A special thanks to Jon for getting these dreams made into a reality.

In New Hampshire

FSP Mensa Interest Group

FSP Mensa Interest Group liaison Lynn Pina has moved north from Virginia recently, and will be starting southern NH in-person monthly meetings for her Mensa Free Stater and "Starving the Monkeys" self-sufficiency groups soon, either September or October (to be announced).

Interested parties (both groups are open to non-Mensan Free Staters) can contact her at lpb52@cotse.net or through the Yahoo Groups for more information:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StarvingTheMonkeysSIG/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreeStatersSIG/

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,663. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,400
Participants in NH: 860
as of 09/15/10

FSP News - August 2010

Dr. Mary Ruwart Endorses the Free State Project

Dr. Mary Ruwart, a libertarian speaker, writer, activist, leading candidate for the 2008 Libertarian Party presidential nomination, and author of the bestselling 1992 book Healing Our World: The Other Piece of the Puzzle recently commented on the Free State Project, stating "While not called to move there yet, I think it's a great thing...I think it's a wonderful thing that's happening." See more from here interview on the LCLReport here: full interview or just the clip about the FSP.

10,000+ Facebook Fans

The Free State Project facebook page now has over 10,000 fans. If you're already a fan, please suggest it to your facebook friends. If you're not yet a fan, please become one.

NH #1 in Child Well-Being

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2010 Kids Count ranked New Hampshire in overall child well-being. This is the 3rd year NH received top ranking. Learn more here.

2nd Best Job Growth in the Country

Liberty on Tour

Silver Circle — funding for a FSP-friendly film

Lineplot Productions is working on a film that, in their own words, "balances economics, romance, rebels, and explosions." They need a few thousand dollars of funding to move forward with the project, and so are asking for donations via Kickstarter. If the project sounds like something worthwhile, go ahead and make a pledge. You won't have to pay unless enough money gets pledged to move the project forward.

Merchandise

The crowd roared, the bell sounded "ding-ding", and my trainer pushed hard against my back. His raspy voice prodding me into the ring, a "Go get 'em tiger!" nearly drowned by the shouts of a million oppressed throats screaming for action. I lifted my hands and took a defensive stance, a Life Free or Die sticker like a belt buckle on my silky shorts. My opponent, glistening with the exertion of the last three rounds came at me. I easily dodged his "for the children", blocked his crossing "progressive inevitability" and ducked a weak roundhouse straw man. I could tell he was tiring, his "society demands..." came in from the left with no real power. Even the expected ad hominem hooks were slowing down and fading out. I dancing easily around his "social contract" while he tried to pepper me with inefficient jabs using mercantilist corporations being painted as capitalists. A bolo of bolshevism and a failed liver punch of "genetic guilt" and that was it. I could hear the raspy voice again, this time louder and it was saying "Finish him, finish him!" I pulled my right glove back in time a few years and came forward with an Enron to my unworthy opponent's jaw. He stumbled back, eyes glazed more than normal. I pressed the attack and gave him a good "human action" to the gut. I heard the sound of escaping breath and a painful moan. His knees were getting shaky and I knew he was about to go down. But how to finish him off? Personal protection with firearms statistics? A thorough thrashing with the tragedy of the commons seemed cruel at this point. Maybe a gusty exposition on the non-aggression principle would blow him over. No, that would be too good for him. For a guy like this who led with eco-warrior pleadings and neo-luddism attacks, he would have to be put down and put down hard so the crowd would know - I'd be cheating them otherwise. I feinted to the right and then let him have it. All he could see was the FSP logo magnet rocketing towards his face on the front of my glove. Before his legs could buckle beneath him I applied a strenuous uppercut with the FSP pin proudly showing towards the crowd. They cheered in response. I flexed the muscles bulging beneath my PorcFest 2010 tee shirt and landed a right cross wrapped in a Don't Tread on Me Porcupine flag. He was on the ropes now. "How appropriate," I thought. Like the ropes that he would have used to bind all mankind, bind them, us, until we were nothing more than human insects, slaving and struggling for nothing other than the stasis of constancy. These ropes were holding him up now giving me another chance to knock him down. He tottered into the middle of the ring, blood and sweat running down his face. Not the blood of a brave man fighting for truth and freedom and not the sweat of an honest day's labor, but the blood of a coward sacrificing others for a mythical whole and the sweat of one who's basic tenets are crashing down around him. It was time to end it, past time. I paused briefly to make sure the Free State Project's Statement of Intent was clearly showing from the Gadsden-style tee shirt wrapped tightly around my left glove. Full in the face was how he took it. He went rigid, slowly swaying in place. I glanced over to my corner, my trainer's gravely voice joining the rest of the throng, and then a wink. I moved closer to my opponent; I could smell centuries of oppression and the deaths of millions coming from every pore in his body. I put my mouth to his ear, took a breath and said, "Yours is over - it's time for Liberty in Our Lifetime." His eyes rolled up and he collapsed like a gutted, deboned fish. The crowd erupted in ovation, my trainer Murray beamed with joy. It was a good day to move to New Hampshire.

Free State Project logo items and apparel available at http://www.FreeStateProject.org/store Pre-sweated shirts available for a small added fee :). Sorry, no sparring equipment in stock.

In New Hampshire

Mensa

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,651. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,337
Participants in NH: 842
as of 08/15/10

FSP News - July 2010

PorcFest Wrap-Up

Over 700 people attended the 7th annual Porcupine Freedom Festival last month in Lancaster, New Hampshire, making 2010 by far the biggest PorcFest yet! Highlights this year included speeches and seminars by Stephan Molyneux, Michael Badnarik, Marc Stevens, Gary Johnson, and more.

Congratulations to Christa G for winning the one-pot cookoff. Congrats also to the new SoapBox Idol, Catherine Bleish. A shout-out to Buzz for her Big Gay Dance Party (thanks! It was awesome!). A general shout-out to all the agora-vendors whose goods and services transformed Roger's Campground into a thriving free-marketplace.

Thank you to all who participated--presenters, volunteers, and attendees alike--and a special thanks to Carla Gericke (a.k.a. Queen Quill) and her team of organizers for making 2010 a rousing success!

If you missed PorcFest this year, be sure to catch us is 2011, June 23rd through the 26th at Roger's Campground.

Bond rating agencies: NH has 'strong state economy'

The nation’s three largest bond rating agencies have held New Hampshire’s rating steady, reflecting a "fundamentally strong state economy." Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investor Services, and Fitch Ratings all maintained the state’s above average ratings, both for this bond issue and the state’s long-term outlook.

"Delightful foretaste of liberty, a hint of an infinitely brighter tomorrow"

Thanks to Jim Davies for the nice PorcFest article at Strike The Root!

Low Unemployment

NH's jobless rate is the 4th lowest in the country according to an article from Foster's. You can see New Hampshire's monthly unemployment rate compared to the national average here.

After run-in with police, law-abiding Texas couple considering Free State Project

Great article from the SF Examiner!

Merchandise

Forget "The Lord of the Rings", let's talk about "The Lord of the Ribbons". Never mind "Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone", there are hundreds of ribbons and only a few colors. Thus are battles waging, not in far away lands, but right here under our very noses. It's a battle of colors, it's a battle of themes and sympathies, and fund-raising. The front lines are the very colors of the rainbow themselves. D.A.R.E. and MADD struggling over the domination of red. Blue is being ripped apart by everyone from dystonia, alopecia, drunk driving and victims of hurricane Katrina. Green is locked in a terrific struggle between "open records for adoptees", the environment, and human tissue donation. Unless it's really a teal color, then polycystic ovarian syndrome joins the fray. I don't even want to mention the fight over brown between second-hand smoke and colorectal cancer. But what of the One Ribbon, the one that will rule them all? In the case of ribbons, it does not rule, but makes the freedom of all the other ribbons possible. This ribbon will give it's all to make sure that the other ribbons can exist. "One ribbon to save them all, and from the darkness free them." This ribbon is not some limp shred of fabric. This ribbon has been delivered from the heart of the earth, fired with the heat of valiant deeds, and is wrought of hearty brass. The Second Amendment, gun rights ribbon. When endometriosis wrestles with bladder cancer for the soul of the yellow ribbon, remember their freedom to do so is protected by the Brass Ribbon. Stamped on the cartridge end that forms the loop of this ribbon are the immortal words of Spartan's king Leonidas at the battle of Thermopylae: "Molon Labe". Priced at $10, and as with all FSP merchandise, all proceeds go towards the Free State Project and Liberty in Our Lifetime.

We also have extra PorcFest 2010 shirts for sale. If you missed the event, or just missed picking one up - order now while supplies last at http://www.freestateproject.org/store. Also, if you pre-paid for a shirt, but didn't pick it up, send an email with your address to merchandise@freestateproject.org and we'll ship it to you.

In New Hampshire

Facebook Groups

If you're planning on moving to New Hampshire shortly, you should be aware of the Move-In Help group on Facebook, which will hook you up with people who are willing to help you move. Similarly, the FSP Job Alert group will keep you notified of new employment opportunities in New Hampshire.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,643. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,272
Participants in NH: 835
as of 07/15/10

FSP News - June 2010

PorcFest 7

The 7th annual Porcupine Freedom Festival is less than two weeks away! Join us June 24th through the 27th at Roger's Campground in Lancaster, New Hampshire. PorcFest 2010 is going to be the biggest one yet! Check out the schedule and start planning your weekend in the Free State. Be at the opening ceremony on Thursday evening with Stefan Molyneux, and stay afterwards for the 80's Dance Party! Also,

Don't miss live music Friday night with many talented musicians and headliner Jordan Page.
Exchange ideas with Larkin Rose as he discusses how to achieve freedom "for those few who WANT it!".
Get interviewed by Ernest Hancock of Freedom's Phoenix on Liberty News Radio and Republic Broadcasting Radio. On Saturday night, catch Ernie's speech before the start of Soapbox Idol.
Join former governer of New Mexico, Gary Johnson, at the closing ceremony Sunday morning. Stick around after the speech for the awards ceremony.
If you're interested in attending either Marc Steven's seminar or Michael Badnarik's Constitution class, it's not too late to sign up. Tickets are limited for both events, and there are fewer than 10 left for each, so don't wait until PorcFest to purchase yours.
Don't forget, theme camps are being encouraged this year. Decorate your campsite, and you could be our first ever Best Campsite winner!
PorcFest is also all about our in-state Porcupines.... Don't miss your chance to meet and mingle with the activists on the front lines of freedom... Bring your questions, and make the move!

Online registration for PorcFest is $25 (18 and under FREE!) and $30 at the door.

To book your accommodation, call Roger's at 603-788-4885 or visit them online at www.rogerscampground.com/. See you in June! Since the Free State Project relies on the generosity of freedom lovers such as yourself, please consider contributing to help support outreach events like the Porcupine Freedom Festival as well as effective advertising on liberty oriented sites. Your donation brings us closer to achieving Liberty in Our Lifetime.

Police Ordered to Return NH Dealer's Switchblade Inventory

Hot on the heels of New Hampshire's achieving total knife freedom, police have been ordered to return confiscated switchblades.

Abe Foote of Abe’s Awesome Armaments in New Hampton, NH, who was an unfairly prosecuted victim of New Hampshire’s former restrictions on switchblade sales, was reunited on Wednesday with some of the knives the police had seized.

Unfortunately, approximately one third of the knives seized by the police remain unaccounted for, having disappeared from the evidence room. An internal investigation has been launched by the County Prosecutor. Knife Rights attorney and Freedom’s Point award winner Evan Nappen got the court order for the knives’ return.

Details at this post on ammoland.com

Two Free Staters Honored at BLADE Show in Atlanta, GA

Source of article below: PGNH

New Hampshire State Representative Jennifer Coffey, a senior Advisor of PGNH, and attorney Evan Nappen, PGNH General Counsel and Director, were presented with awards at the BLADE show last week in Atlanta, Georgia.

The BLADE show included an awards breakfast sponsored by Knife Rights, Inc., with keynote speaker Alan Gura, the lead attorney for the landmark Heller case in which the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Second Amendment two years ago. At that breakfast, Jenn Coffey was presented with Knife Right's inaugural "Freedom's Edge" award, the first of an annual series. Per the Knife Rights press release:

The Freedom’s Edge™ Award is to be given annually to honor a local, state or national elected representative who has demonstrated their commitment to a Sharper Future™ by leadership in the fight to protect or enhance our knife rights.

Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, "Representative Coffey is being recognized for her courageous initiative and sponsorship of the New Hampshire Knife Rights Bill which will legalize switchblades, dirks, daggers and stilettos for New Hampshire citizens." With support from Knife Rights, at this time the bill has passed by unanimous consent in both houses and is on its way to the Governor for signature. [Note: the press release was written before Governor Lynch signed the bill on May 18.] This will make New Hampshire one of the most knife-friendly states in the country. Said Ritter, "The Freedom’s Edge™ Award represents a Sharper Future™ for all knife owners."

Evan Nappen, who took the stage to introduce Rep. Coffey, was surprised to be presented with another Knife Rights award, the inaugural "Freedom's Point" award, also the first of an annual series. Per a second Knife Rights press release:

The Freedom’s Point™ Award is to be given annually to honor a individual citizen who has demonstrated their commitment to a Sharper Future™ by leadership in the fight to protect or enhance our knife rights.

Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, "Evan Nappen is being recognized for two significant contributions during the past year. Last summer, when U.S. Customs was attempting to redefine what a switchblade was in a manner that would have adversely impacted 80% of the knives sold in the U.S. today, Evan volunteered to develop Knife Rights' official response to U.S. Customs. He put together an excellent legal brief clearly exposing the fallacies and inconsistencies of Customs' position in a matter of a few short days." That effort eventually resulted in Congress passing an amendment to the Federal Switchblade Act exempting assisted opening and one-hand opening knives."

Doug continued, "Every legislative initiative requires someone local to lead the charge. In New Hampshire, it was Evan who worked long hours to rally support for the Knife Rights bill introduced by Representative Jenn Coffey. It was Evan who spearheaded the fundraising effort. It was Evan who organized the testimony in front of the committees. We would not have been so successful in New Hampshire if it weren't for the leadership and hard work of Evan Nappen." The Knife Rights Bill passed in New Hampshire legalizes switchblades, dirks, daggers and stilettos.

Evan was further honored later at the BLADE show's dinner banquet, when he was awarded the show's coveted Publisher's Award for his many important contributions over the past year. These included not only the New Hampshire legislation and help with many other legal issues all over the country including Arizona's state preemption law, but most significantly his twenty-page legal brief which many believe was a critical factor in Congress's landmark legislation not to reclassify most folding knives as switchblades. Evan received this award as a representative of all the individuals and groups who fought for knife freedom throughout this year.

NH Liberty Radio

New Hampshire Liberty Radio has posted interviews with several Free State Project movers and activists. Recently, they've interviewed Carla Gericke to discuss the upcoming annual Porcupine Freedom Festival and Videographer David Ridley to discuss happenings in the Free State Project community. For an archive of past shows and to listen to future shows, visit nhlibertyradio.com.

Most Livable Cities

Forbes has listed the Manchester-Nashua area one of America's most livable cities. This is on top of NH being ranked #1 in the nation for quality of life and livability five years in a row.

Made the Move Interview: Jason Talley

Jason Talley, founder of Bureaucrash and traveler with Motorhome Diaries, has made the move to NH. See his interview here. For more interviews with movers and other cool videos related to the Free State Project, check out and subscribe to our YouTube page.

Merchandise

The sign on the door said "Mead Asps - Merchandise Detective". The sign on my bottle said "According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects." But as I wasn't a woman, and wasn't planning on getting pregnant any time soon - I took a long swig. I waited for my throat to stop burning and my eyes to clear then looked at the bottle again. It also said, "Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems" Well, I wasn't driving, the most dangerous machinery I was likely to operate was a stapler, and May has already come and gone. I took another slug and while I was at it, finished the bottle. A soft knock at the door mingled with the ringing in my head. Hoping it was the liquor store delivery kid with my dinner, I called out, "Come on in." Through my blurred vision I couldn't see details, but this dame looked like a shiny gold sovereign in a sea of dirty reserve notes. Even through my watery eyes I could tell she was the perfect blend of Ethel Merman and Daryl Hannah. Her lips parted, she hesitated for only a heartbeat, and with the sweetest voice this side of a purple finch said, "Mr. Asps, I'd like to hire you." At least that's what it sounded like, the blood rushing through my ears like congressmen stampeding toward a taxpayer funded buffet made it rather difficult to tell for sure. I put a calm, confident look on my face and replied, "Hire me for what? Loose your copy of the tax code?" That was the booze talking; it didn't like me very much and wanted to make sure I never had a girlfriend. "No, Mr. Asps," her voice now tinged with just a tiny bit of frost. "I want you to find me some merchandise... some Free State Project merchandise." This time the booze didn't talk; it walked over and smacked me upside the head with a blackjack. When I came to my senses, she was still there, waiting patiently with a hopeful look on her face. I stood up, brushed off my suit, walked around the desk and leaned against it in my most casual pose and said "FSP Merchandise, huh? That covers a lot of ground. Are we talking key chains, tee shirts, can koozies? Are you sure you know what you're getting into?" She looked me right in the eyes and replied with steely determination, "Yes, I do, Mr. Asps. I want the stickers, I want the books, I want the pins, I want the flags. I want one of everything. Are you the man to get them for me, or will I be paying someone else?" She pulled out a giant wad of bills, enough to buy a pack of gum with anyway. "I hope you have more, you know my time ain't cheap", was my snide reply. With a cocky bend in her neck she pointed a thumb and said, "My dump truck's out back, where do you want it?" Even the booze was speechless at this point. Our eyes met in understanding. And after a little self-composition I said, "Why don't we go down to the café around the corner and down a cup of joe while we plan this out. Tell me, have you ever heard of the FSP Silver Round..."
http://www.freestateproject.org/store

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,629. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,192
Participants in NH: 825
as of 06/15/10

FSP News - May 2010

PorcFest 2010

The 7th annual Porcupine Freedom Festival is just around the corner. Roger's Campground in Lancaster, New Hampshire is THE place to be June 24th through the 27th If you can make it earlier in the week, all the better! Show up by Tuesday if you want to catch Dale's pancakes, Kate and Alec's ice cream social, and Rocco's talent show. Can't make it until Thursday? Don't worry! You can still catch most of the fun. Check out the PorcFest Website for a schedule of events and start planning your weekend in the Free State.

Meet blogger, essayist, author, and host of the Freedomain Radio, Stefan Molyneux, at Thursday's opening ceremony. Molyneux will kick off PorcFest with a rousing speech followed by Q&A. Stick around afterwards for the Launch Party, where you'll have the opportunity to meet and mingle with hundreds of liberty-lovers.

Michael Badnarik, stepfather of the Constitution and 2004 Libertarian Party presidential candidate, will be "Lighting the fires of Liberty" with his 8-hour Constitution class on Thursday, 8am to 5pm. The course is $100 and includes a copy of his book Good to be King. Act NOW if you want to attend because space is running out!

Take the "Adventures in Legal Land" seminar from Marc Stevens. Learn how to write and file legal motions and to effectively cross-examine witnesses. Discover the nature of government and "due process" procedures. Learn why focing on a witness's competency and the facts is more effective than raising legal arguments. This 8-hour, $70 seminar is scheduled for Friday from 8am to 5pm. Space is limited, so register TODAY.

Early-bird pricing ends soon! Register by May 15th and pay only $20 for a weekend of freedom, fun, and fellowship!

Great Speakers Announced for PorcFest 2010

It just keeps on getting better. Stefan Molyneux of Freedomain Radio has announced he is accepting the offer to speak at PorcFest during the Opening Ceremony. Also, Michael Badnarik, step-father of the Constitution and Libertarian Party presidential candidate, will boil down a lifetime of scholarship into an 8 hours course.

Get your tickets today! Early-bird pricing ends May 15th. More details about PorcFest activites can be found here.

Interview with FSP President Varrin Swearingen

Sam Dodson has posted his interview with Varrin Swearingen at the FSP's annual 2010 New Hampshire Liberty Forum. They discuss the actions of Free State Project participants who have moved to NH to get active for liberty and the underlying freedom message that ties it all together. See more FSP related videos on our YouTube channel.

130+ Reasons to Move to Keene, NH

Since Free State Project movers to New Hampshire are free to live anywhere in the state, some friendly competition has arisen amongst various cities and regions in NH. Recently, activists in Keene, NH have compiled a list of over 130 reasons to move to their city. And remember, these reasons are in addition to the 101 Reasons to move to New Hampshire.

Free State Project discussed on Freedom Watch

On the April 13th edition of Freedom Watch, Walter Williams and Andrew Napolitano talk about the FSP. Walter Williams is an early endorser of the project and Andrew Napolitano spoke at the FSP's NH Liberty Forum. Video of the discussion is available here.

FSP Director Election Results

Congratulations to Rich Goldman for winning the election to fill the open seat on the Free State Project Board of Directors. Results of the vote can be found at the CIVS website.

Merchandise

Since he's not around to argue the point, I'll say Christopher Gadsden would approve of the newly re-stocked Free State Project "Don't Tread on Me" t-shirt. Even if he were to argue the point, I'd just call it a Hopkins flag; that would really tick him off :) The shirt: it's an awesome Gadsden, sorry Esek, flag-inspired look. Instead of that Oh, so scary rattlesnake, there's an FSP Porcupine. It's cute. It's cuddly looking. But you don't want to mess with one. There were some discussions about updating the text as well as the graphic, but when "Don't Walk on Me", "Don't Crush Me", "Don't Quick-step on Me", "You Bad, Away Go Now", "Don't Repress, Tax, Regulate, Interfere, Nag, Coddle, nor Condescend Towards Me", and of course, the modern translation: "Don't F*** With Me" were all voted down, it seemed best to keep the original "Don't Tread on me" line of text. Available now in different sizes. Order yours today, sport it at PorcFest tomorrow (or in June, whatever). This shirt looks great getting photographed at your favorite rally/protest/storming the Bastille event. Show the world your (and you're) FSP!

We also have the popular Puzzle Key Chains back in stock. New Hampshire quarter (er, rather, Treasury token coin), curious puzzle, great message, what's not to love? And they'll even hold your keys together.

http://www.FreeStateProject.org/store

(Thanks to Gadsden.info for making it easy for me to name-drop and have it look like I know some history.)

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,627. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,140
Participants in NH: 813
as of 05/15/10

FSP News - April 2010

10,000 Participants

As you know, the FSP recently reached the 10,000 participant milestone. This means that in order to complete our goal, all that is needed is for every participant to get one additional signer. That could be your spouse, a friend, or any other person committed to achieving liberty in our lifetime. Homework: go out and get one additional signer. Send an e-mail blast, post about the FSP on facebook, or talk about it over a cup of coffee.

PorcFest 2010

The 7th annual Porcupine Freedom Festival is less than three months away! June 24th through the 27th are the dates and Roger's Campground in Lancaster, NH, is the place. Come join hundreds of liberty lovers for a weekend of freedom, fellowship, and fun. We anticipate this will be the biggest PorcFest yet! Be sure to tell your friends. Register for PorcFest today, and reserve your campsite as soon as possible if you want prime pickings because Roger's Campground is guaranteed to fill up. Discover what makes PorcFest an event Porcupines look forward to all year long. Join us for live music, talks, panel discussions, shooting trips, hikes, games, bonfires, activism training, our annual cookoff, Soapbox Idol, and MUCH more.

"We want to keep things fresh and interesting," said PorcFest's head organizer, Carla Gericke. "So we're introducing new activities like a relaxing nightly coffeehouse, salsa dancing lessons, cocktail mixing classes, and even a pig roast." Also new in 2010:

The free market is coming to PorcFest! Have a gourmet breakfast delivered right to your campsite. Munch on homemade Mexican and Greek food. Cool down with a spiked smoothie. Get a tattoo, haircut, and a massage. Exchange your FRNs for silver. Have a good or service you'd like to sell? Consider joining the PorcFest Agorist Cooperative on Facebook today and start networking with other free market activists.

Feeling creative? Whether it's Mardi Gras-themed or camouflage, decorate your campsite for a chance to win Best Campsite.

Freedom and responsibility go hand-in-hand. This year, we're offering free daily gun safety and etiquette classes. Carry your piece with confidence and security. Contribute to an atmosphere of safe gun ownership. Avoid making a firearm faux pas. If you're new to firearms, make room in your schedule to attend one of these classes, or feel free to ask one of our gun safety trainers for pointers. You can even get a gun safety rule tattooed in henna somewhere on your body.

For kids, in addition to the annual Porcupine Olympics, we will have an afternoon of gymnastics too!

To book your accommodation, call Roger's at 603-788-4885 or visit them online at www.rogerscampground.com/. For more information about this year's event, visit the PorcFest website. See you in June! Since the Free State Project relies on the generosity of freedom lovers such as yourself, please consider contributing to help support outreach events like the Porcupine Freedom Festival as well as effective advertising on liberty oriented sites. Your donation brings us closer to achieving Liberty in Our Lifetime.

New Hampshire Liberty Forum Review

Being the President of the Free State Project, I have a bit of a different take on this year's New Hampshire Liberty Forum. On the one hand, I love the event for its effectiveness at attracting new participants to the Free State Project. Showcasing the potential of New Hampshire to lead the world in practical application of the philosophy of freedom is very persuasive to those who come to see it. On the other hand, I like to take advantage of the opportunity to efficiently accomplish meaningful work beyond 'evangelism' given the proximity (everyone in one hotel) of those most active in the liberty movement.

This year, I had very little to do in the way of official duties. I didn't deliver a speech. In fact, this was the first Free State Project event in history where not a single speech focused on the Free State Project itself has occurred. I looked forward to the 'light' schedule providing an opportunity for me to see more of the speakers than I have in the past. I also had more time available for 'doing', which I took advantage of.

The event itself was a huge success. I don't have final numbers yet (attendance or money), but it was, as has been every single event the Free State Project has ever put on, bigger than last year's in terms of registrations (Ron Paul's '08 speech drew a colossal crowd but they didn't register for the whole weekend). Numerical growth for a not-at-all-free ($) event in this economy, in an off year, is a great sign.

Also great was the speaker lineup. We continue to achieve that magical balance of styles, spheres of influence, issues, and notoriety that makes the event a world-class value to those who attend. Speakers and attendees alike say it's their favorite pro-freedom event in the whole world. It's personal, informative, entertaining, productive, and just plain fun!

But behind the scenes, there's more going on, and I'd like to review some of that. The Free State Project's mission is to attract 20,000 people who will move to New Hampshire and exert the fullest practical effort toward the creation of a society in which the maximum role of government is the protection of life, liberty and property. The FSP organization's goal is to secure those commitments. That is not a trivial task, mind you.

To that end, I worked a good portion of the weekend on various projects aimed at attracting more participants. One element of that was a meeting of the FSP Board. We meet monthly but usually only in-person once a year (this year might be the first time we'll meet twice given this first-ever meeting at Liberty Forum). We worked on the filling of a board-seat vacancy, and three other items which I want to give a little more detail about. In all three cases, the Board meeting was just one of many meetings and/or conversations I had over the course of the weekend about these topics.

First, some Free State Project participants who are passionate about telephone outreach have been working for quite some time to get an outreach calling program to recruit new participants off the ground. Some of the practicalities of the program they proposed are at odds with, among other things, the Free State Project's protection of it's participant database information and standards for counting participants. In order for them to do their best work to promote the Free State Project, and for us to continue to do our best to maintain the integrity of the project, this particular outreach program is going to be accomplished by a separate organization, not the Free State Project itself.

Prior to Liberty Forum, enough progress had been made that the people working on the calling program had started developing and testing the system. The initial alpha test results were fairly encouraging but the calling program team still has more work to do before the program really gets off the ground. More work was also required on the part of the Free State Project itself if we wanted to enable the calling organization to work more efficiently without, for example, compromising the integrity of the participant database or encouraging fraud. The board decided to take another big step with that work. A fringe benefit of that step is that it formalizes a verification procedure to improve the quality of Statements Of Intent collected indirectly and/or from third parties (i.e. at events and/or otherwise from non-FSP volunteers, which we've done all along).

Second, I discussed a problem we have with Liberty Forum 2011 leadership. The problem is, we've had two outstanding leaders who have, with the help of countless volunteers, produced four home-runs in a row. Their work has turned the New Hampshire Liberty Forum from an unknown and untested idea in 2006, to a world-renowned brand that is hugely beneficial to the Free State Project.

That's a problem because we need new leadership in 2011. Chris won't be back to lead a grand slam, and his wife thanks me from not only not asking him but barring him from such enslavement. Because we're past the experimenting phase, and because both Irena and Chris set the bar so high in every way, we're struggling to figure out a strategy for 2011 (and beyond) leadership.

Fundamentally, the Free State Project is not an event-organizing organization. In as much as that is the case, we shouldn't actually be diverting too much from effective outreach into event organization. Liberty Forum is a very effective (cost and otherwise) outreach tool, but the content-neutral work of organization could be somehow outsourced or contracted. I suggested such an idea and started by suggesting outsourcing that to people who do other pro-liberty events. There's still one internal possibility on my radar, and maybe this message will result in others. Barring that, we might make the transition to outside organization next year and see how it goes. We did all agree that the Liberty Forum brand (including Free State Project 'ownership'), look and feel, style, balance, and so on needs to remain in tact, so no need to worry there. In the end, this was discussion, not a decision, but if anyone out there wants to chime in, now's the time.

Third, I presented the idea of producing a far more substantial print outreach piece for the Free State Project. The piece would have the look and feel of a magazine (think Reason or Republic) but be a single issue, maybe updated every year or two (or when we run out). It's goal would be to communicate 'enough' about the Free State Project to the reader so they would come away with a well-developed picture of what we are and where we're at. We currently have no such piece and a tri-fold just doesn't cut it anymore. This is no longer an idea encapsulated in a paper, but a reality with more information and stories to be told than even a magazine could hold.

Such a publication would be very useful. Currently, the Free State Project website is the best place to go for that kind of information, but it's visual impact isn't as strong as it could be and some people simply don't go there. A magazine can be touched, absorbed over time, visually appealing, and shared easily with real-world friends. It also gives prospective participants and donors (!) a sense of what is actually the case: well established real-world success. They could be handed out at events and maybe even mailed to well-qualified interested parties unearthed by the aforementioned calling program.

Being the ambitious person that I am, I'd like to have the first finished product in hand in time for Porc Fest, which, by the way, is coming right up. I'm not sure we can make that deadline, but that's never stopped me before (really, that means aim to be done by June 1st). We already have a lot of writing, though we need more. Same with photographs. Over the course of the weekend, I secured three more critical pieces: a graphic designer, the story teller (essentially senior editor and producer), and money (the Board is happy with the idea even given its obviously hefty price tag).

We still need some important pieces for this project. Maybe most important and urgent is an overall project manager. The project manager would connect the dots between the story teller and existing and newly-created content (mostly writing and photographs), find new content creators, find content editors (and connect them with the story teller), connect the dots between the story teller and graphic designer, keep the project on time, and keep me in the loop all the while. If anyone is up for such an abusive but rewarding challenge, please contact me yesterday. We also need people to write content, edit content, submit photographs (we already have a bunch but the more the better), and agree to have content written about them (i.e. be featured in the magazine). If you're looking for something to do that's not long term, this is it.

Keep in mind, of course, we have done and continue to do all of this with virtually no 'normal' resources. Throughout the entire history of the Free State Project, we've never had a single paid staff member. Total spending of the project for its whole history, including events, probably lies in the ballpark of $1/2 Million, give or take a bit (outright donations over the last six years has been less than $200,000). This is undoubtedly the most effective shoestring in the history of the modern libertarian movement.

In closing, it's exciting to now have over 10,000 participants on the books and over 800 in New Hampshire. The progress is accelerating and every shred of evidence suggests that achievement of the plan outlined in 2001 will, indeed, eventually lead to enormous success. Even as our nation continues its trend towards tyranny, my excitement grows with increased confidence in the very real prospect of Liberty in Our Lifetime. I hope, somehow, you'll help make that happen, and I thank all of you who already are.

Varrin

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,623. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,073
Participants in NH: 804
as of 04/15/10

FSP News - March 2010

Ten Thousand Participants

The 10,000th person has signed the FSP Statement of Intent. It may be the time, now that we are at the half way point, for all SOI signers to reflect on our reason(s) for signing. Some of us, almost 550 now, could not wait and as "Early Movers" — along with the "Friends of the FSP" who were already in NH — are attempting to lay the corner stone for you to build on when you arrive.

This may be the time to start planning for your move to join us in NH. Contact the FSP, Early Movers, Friends of the FSP or any of media, business, blogs and websites supporting the FSP to help you find your place in NH to settle, work and expand personal freedoms for you and your family.

For the young, where else can you be at this time but at the beginning of a migration for liberty in NH. Those with or wishing for children, where else would you want them to live and thrive but in NH with people who understand self ownership. We middle agers it's time to stop talking and make a stand for what we saw and complained about but did nothing because we thought we were alone. Ah, the elderly, come enjoy your golden years in NH reminding us how it could have been today if people had stood together and said "no" to past encroachments of their liberties.

To the rest of the world's Liberty loving people, it has once been said, if you are looking for freedom go to America. Every country and people's ancestors had come to America looking for freedom. It is now your turn, support the FSP, come to New Hampshire and be with us and make it the new "Land of Liberty" were helping defending your natural rights will be foremost in our priorities.

Volunteering

In April there are going to be LOTS of volunteer opportunities to spread the word about the Free State Project. There are events on April 15th throughout the country... please attend and spread the word about the FSP. Also there is the 2ndAmendment March on DC on April 19th.... and more.
Please email volunteer@freestateproject.org for more details on what YOU can do.

Liberty Forum

This week hundreds of Liberty Lovers will be gathering in Nashua, NH to visit the Free State, meet new people and hear great speakers. Online registration is closed but you can show up and get day passes. See www.freestateproject.org/libertyforum for a list of speakers and more details! You don't want to miss it!

Merchandise

New Item Announcement! Introducing a new book for the FSP store: "Dishonest Money: Financing the Road to Ruin" by Joseph Plummer. This is a very accessible book about the fraudulent state of our money. Written in plain language with easily understood examples. It goes over, clearly, the history and genesis of the fictional reserve, I mean, fractional reserve banking system. It has generous examples of the topics explained; without the use of impenetrable financial jargon (I don't believe the term "aggregate demand" is anywhere in the book :). And best of all is the chapter entitled, "How We Stop Them", showing how it's been stopped before (gotta love that Andrew Jackson), and how we can stop it now. If you were scared away from "The Creature from Jekyll Island" by its 608 pages, or know someone who might be, then consider this an excellent alternative to that and a wonderful introduction to the subject. With liberal quotes from Griffin, and a number from one of my favorites, Murray Rothbard, this book is easy to read and easy to understand. Signed by the author to the FSP, a great book at the right time.

http://freestateproject.org/store

New Book

Brian Wright, author of New Pilgrim Chronicles (an early-mover panegyric of the Free State experience) has just completed his major overhaul of The Sacred Nonaggression Principle—inspired around the camp- and bon-fires of FSP Porcupine Festival, 2005—and will present the case for elevating the simple nonaggression principle and moving from verbal to "agoric" (alternative economy) libertarianism at the AltExpo sessions at the 2010 Liberty Forum. He will also have copies of his Don't Throw Mama off the Turnpike booklet, which includes three other fireside tales from "around the bend of the freedom road." One such story is of the first "Free State"- related major victory: the first smoking ban defeat of 2006.

The author has signed each book with the message "Thank you for supporting the Free State Project!" It's a great book at the right time.

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

What's happening in New Hampshire with the Free State Project? Free State Blogs attempts to answer that question.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,612. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 10,000
Participants in NH: 797
as of 03/15/10

FSP News - February 2010

NHLA

Oyez oyez! The New Hampshire Legislature is now in session, and the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance is hard at work both within and without the halls of the State Capitol, fighting for greater freedom and more limited government in the Free State.

Formed in 2003, the NHLA is a non-partisan coalition working to increase individual freedom in New Hampshire and has become a unique and increasingly powerful voice for liberty. An army of volunteers, many of them FSP Participants, use a custom online Bill Review System to review every bill and rate each one on its pro- and anti-liberty features. These ratings are used to produce "The Gold Standard," a weekly newsletter distributed by hand to state legislators. Some legislators have come to rely on this newsletter as a quick reference guide on how to vote pro-liberty in each week's session.

To help swell its all-volunteer ranks, the NHLA has hosted four bill review training sessions this month, attended by almost 50 people. A State House tour/citizen lobbyist training session in early January was attended by 30 activists. A candidate training session will be held on Feb. 6th at Murphy's Taproom, in Manchester.

You don't have to wait until you make the move to join the NHLA! For more information, please visit http://www.nhliberty.org.

Liberty Forum

Sign up now: Judge Napolitano is the Friday night keynote speaker. We also have dozens of other speakers including Thomas Naylor, founder of the Second Vermont Republic; Charles Johnson, founder of "Alliance of the Libertarian Left;" and Skip Coryell, founder of the 2nd Amendment March. And, of course, there will be hundreds of liberty lovers mingling and getting to know the Free State. We have also added a Sunday Brunch to the event. Sign up NOW as seating is limited for the special Friday night dinner.

Merchandise

T-shirts, t-shirts, t-shirts. We got yer t-shirts. Have we got any PorcFest t-shirts? Absolutely What year do you want? I should say, what color do you want? You want a classic tan, then go for a 2005. Carolina Blue? Then the 2007 PorcFest is for you. A cool, serene, white more your style? The 2006 shirt with pro art "is you". Feeling bad-boy? Looking for a cool-guy black? Then the 2009 shirt is calling you out. You may ask, "What about a dark blue shirt, got one of those?" Oh, you bet, the 2008 New Hampshire Liberty Forum shirt is the scene for you. And we're not just t-shirts, don't you know. We've got wristbands, and Frisbees, and balloons, and shiny silver things and soft, fluffy things. So go to http://freestateproject.org/store and get all your FSP goodies.

In New Hampshire

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,605. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 9,918
Participants in NH: 796
as of 02/15/10

FSP News - January 2010

NH Liberty Forum

It is that time of year again! The NH Liberty Forum 2010 is just around the corner. If you attended last year you remember the feeling of having 300 people who you don't have to explain yourself to. You remember the electricity in the air during the talks and between the talks. You remember surrounding yourself with liberty lovers. Come back in 2010 and charge your batteries!! If you weren't there last year...come and see what it is all about!

We have some exciting new speakers Stewart Rhodes from Oath Keepers will be there. Pasha Roberts from LinePlot will be there talking about his cool new animated film that wants to END THE FED. Tom Baugh will teach us all how to Starve the Monkey.

Come hear those speakers and more! A further list can be found here: www.freestateproject.org/libertyforum. And we have some more speakers to announce shortly. And we added a Sunday brunch.... Who doesn't want brunch with 300 libertarians?

Inexpensive ads are available for sale for the LF booklet. Contact libertyforum@freestateproject for details.

Volunteering

Last month we put out a call for volunteers and many of you answered the call... THANK YOU. But we still need more. The FSP runs on volunteers. We could use your talents. Spend as little or as much time as you want. Check out our help wanted page.

If you see something that the FSP is NOT doing... make a suggestion and we can add that job to the page. There are great ideas out there about how to get more people interested in the FSP...we just need help implementing those ideas. Volunteer TODAY!

FSP Job Alert

There is a new group on Facebook: FSP Job Alert. A group of people are posting jobs in NH to this page. If that is the only thing holding you back....contact that group right away so that we can help you find a job. Join this group so that you can see all the job listings. And if you are in a specific field let us know.

Recruiting

Want to recruit new FSP participants? This Ridley Report video mentions several ways to recruit that you may not have thought about. Here is the link to the FSP download page mentioned in the video, http://www.freestateproject.org/volunteer/downloads.

Speaking of recruiting, a few people are distributing FSP bookmarks, buy them here, at libraries around the country (but mostly in Massachusetts). If the idea interests you, a thread on the FSP Forum has the details. Keep in mind that the above types of recruiting are neither endorsed nor sponsored by the FSP.

- Keith and Stuff

Do you know people who are interested in the FSP but might not be ready for the commitment? have them join as friends and they can get this newsletter. They don't have to move and there is no charge. Sign up a friend TODAY.

Local Groups

The FSP local groups are picking up steam throughout the nation. If you want to find a local group near you post on the forum or Email localgroups@freestateproject.org with your name and city/area, and we'll help you get connected.

Merchandise

A new batch of pins has arrived. They look as gorgeous as ever, but we now have two different attachment types. The safety pin and the butterfly clutch. These look great and are wonderful conversation starters. The conversation often starts with "Hey, what's that pin?" and can end with "Wow, far-out man, that Free State Project scene is like the happeningest group of freedom loving cats around, I totally dig it". Or it can end with "Awesome dude, I can't wait to kick it with those bodacious liberty guys in New Hampshire, they're the bomb". Or it can end with "Ah, yes, your lucid explanation concerning the preeminence of liberty as the casual agent of human consummation has me eagerly looking forward to a time when I shall reside in the Free State". Or it can end with "OMG, those d00ds rock! They kewl or what? Tyrant n00bs will taste the pwnage for sure. Gimme a woot 4tw!". Or it could end with, "Like, mega-rific man, that is like so totally dee-vine, I mean like think of all the nifty guys and gals totally making freedom work, like I'm like ready to freak out about how swell that will be". Or it could end with a simple "Yeah" (you know, one of those off-the-grid guys you see a month later and says, "Yeah, I moved, but didn't want to tell anyone".) One of the many great things about a free state is the kind of people you meet and better still, the ones actively promoting Liberty in Our Lifetime. And hopefully all of the freedom-loving, liberty-leaning people around the world will be displaying the fine FSP pin.

http://freestateproject.org/store

In New Hampshire

A Visit to Keene

FSP forumite kyfornow recently visited Keene, and has posted a nice two-part description of the trip.
Part 1
Part 2

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,556. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 9,873
Participants in NH: 791
as of 01/15/10

FSP News 2009

FSP News - December 2009

The Liberty Forum is here!

Early bird prices are in effect!
Sign up now: Judge Napolitano is the Friday night keynote speaker. We also have dozens of other speakers and added a Sunday Brunch to the event. Lots of things to do and people to meet. Sign up NOW as seating is limited for the special Friday night dinner.
Don't forget to sign up now!

The FSP runs on volunteers. We need you!

If you only can spare an hour or two a month... the FSP needs you! If you have time for more...the FSP needs you! Help the FSP break the 10,000 mark to hit the downslope. Visit http://freestateproject.org/volunteercenter for more info.
Seriously we need you!

Good ideas wanted

Do you have an idea that you think that the FSP should follow up with to get more people to sign up? Head over to the FSP Forum and post about it. The FSP is always looking for good ideas: http://forum.freestateproject.org/

Merchandise

When I'm shopping for holiday gifts, I like pure things (like the FSP .999 pure silver round), shiny things (like the FSP .999 pure silver round), with all the bells and whistles (like the FSP .999 pure silver round in a clear plastic case). I think I know what I'm asking Santa for this year. Anyway, there's lots of other neat things in the FSP store as well for that special someone this year. Hmm, bells? silver? I think I feel a song coming on...

New Hampshire, New Hampshire
It's freedom time in our country.
Lib-er-ty, all can see,
soon it will be freedom time.

City councils,
busy councils,
forcing law after law.
In the air there's
a feeling of revolt.
Lawyers laughing,
people chaffing,
paying tax after tax,
but in every
free heart you will hear.

New Hampshire, New Hampshire
It's freedom time in our country.
Lib-er-ty, all can see,
soon it will be freedom time.

See the movers,
and the provers,
show that lib-er-ty works;
as the forlorn come home
with great pleasure.
Hear the free speech,
see the them impeach,
all the u-surp-ing pigs;
and above all
this action you'll hear.

New Hampshire, New Hampshire
It's freedom time in our country.
Lib-er-ty, all can see,
soon it will be freedom time.

New Hampshire, New Hampshire
It's freedom time in our country.
Lib-er-ty, all can see,
soon it will be freedom time.

Soon it will be freedom time.
Soon it will be freedom time.
Soon it will be freedom time.

Soon it will be freedom time.

In New Hampshire

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,499. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 9,820
Participants in NH: 785
as of 12/15/09

FSP News - November 2009

Google it, you'll like it

I was in Anchorage, AK after several months traveling the US. The next day in the early morning of my arrival, I saw a guy watching an old movie in the common area. I said good morning and I sat down. He started a conversation and it led to politics and how the government should be. Then he asked me if I knew about the Free State Project. I said no. Then he told me I should Google it. I asked, “What is it about?” He looked at me and said with confidence, “Google it, you’ll like it.” I spent days looking over the videos and reading about it. Three weeks later I moved to NH

Muhammad

Merchandise

The waiting...over. The sun...shining. The angels...singing. Free State Project silver rounds are now available from the FSP store page. (http://www.freestateproject.org) The pure, one-ounce silver round (don't dare call it a coin) is ready and waiting. Why a "round" and not a "coin"? Well, a coin is what the government makes and a "round" is the cool way numismatists refer to non-government issued flat, round, metal slabs. Although from the numismatic point of view, it's probably an insult. As if these beautiful discs of silver have no charm, no uniqueness, no purpose. They think they're just a "round", a slug, a blank. Now that just won't do. I guess you could call them "medallions", which is kinda cool, like a "metal lion" roaring for freedom. I can see it now. Our top story tonight: "The silver porc's bellow, heard through-out the land bringing stability and honesty to economies everywhere". Well, ok, maybe not. How about "sabot". Yeah, solid money, conforming to the laws of economics, running along the rifling of a straight-shooting economy with honest money for honest people. No, huh? The aesthetic approach? A thing of beauty? A gleaming, shining example of man's mastery over the rough and random world around us. A resplendent reminder that man can create beauty from the gritty dirt of the earth. Turning mud and stone into shining objects that tempt the eye to linger. An object that caresses the eye, and the brain working behind it. An object telling us that haphazard nature, while fascinating, has no choice but to look as it does. While a creating man can take the savage roughness and turn it into an exquisite object of pulchritude and style. Too high-brow? Snobbish? Yeah, you're right. Perhaps "round" is the best term. Plain, solid, everyday. So while we wait for the New Miss Mad-Ticks to give 'em a name, I'll sit here calmly, enjoy the sun's sheen on FSP silver, and listen to the angels sing.

For donors that received an SP (Silver Porc): I hope to be receiving the plastic cases for them any day now. (Darn, more waiting) If you want one for your silver porc - you know to keep it all fine and clean, passing it down from generation to generation, as a venerated family heirloom - send me an email at merchandise@freestateproject.org, and I'll get one out to you. For you hard-core gold-buhgs who expect the SP to be a working piece, being exchanged hither and yon as a vital part of a dynamic, reality-based economy; well you don't need such namby-pamby things. You want to handle the heft of the metal, feel the delicate cut of the design, trace your fingertips along the flutes, and hear the signing, ringing sound of the pure silver as you flip it through the air to a waiting vendor, completing the voluntary exchange that benefits you both as together you say; "Thank you".

In New Hampshire

At the ballots

Liberty-lovers had many great victories at the ballot box in New Hampshire on November 3rd. Free Staters are helping to install small-government candidates in districts where "politics-as-usual" would never have let such candidates succeed. A spending cap (capping the rate of spending increases to the rate of inflation) passed in Manchester, New Hampshire's biggest city. A liberty activist has been elected to Nashua's Board of Education. A Free-Stater won his race for Selectman, while a Friend of the FSP won his race for Alderman. These victories are encouraging for those who hope for greater freedom in New Hampshire, and they would not have occurred without the Free State Project.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,447. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 9,778
Participants in NH: 778
as of 11/15/09

FSP News - September 2009

Something mysterious in the air...

Porcfest was great wasn't it? Wanna get that feeling again? Save the date March 18 - 21st. Details coming soon.

FSP Money Bomb and Silver Ounce

Check out the FSP's MONEY BOMB! FSP volunteers have started a Money Bomb to go off on Oct 1st. The goal is to raise $20,000 to help us in our goal to reach 20,000 movers. Please sign up at the link below, send the link to your friends, and *donate on October 1st*. Sign up at: http://www.wheresliberty.org/?q=20k_for_20k. BONUS: for every $100 you donate, on October 1styou'll get one of the new, limited FSP Silver Ounces (see below).

Announcing the FSP Silver Ounce!! The FSP has minted a very limited number of the pictured silver ounces. They're not for sale, but you can get one if you sign up for the money bomb and donate $100 on the trigger date of the money bomb, October 1, 2009. If you donate $200, you'll get 2 silver ounces; $300, you'll get 3 ounces; etc.

Events

There are lots of events around the nation in October. People protesting, conferences, etc. Can you help promote the FSP? If you are willing to man a table at any of these events or willing to hand out flyers email events@freestateproject.org.

Merchandise

The waiting... I hate the waiting. The ponderous ticking of the clock. How it seems to slow down with each empty second. The gravid moments, heavy with promises of future joy, pass empty and hollow. But we must wait. The vacant present seems interminable, made unbearable by the harbinger of things not yet ready. Worse than that, the realization that others will be receiving the resplendent item before the rest of us. Knowing that others will be able to bask in the shining glow of joy and happiness before me only makes the present more otiose and worthless. But, ah, the future, a silver lining to the current dark time. A future filled with real riches, where the gossamer promises and flimsy assurances of yesterday are replaced with hard-forged truth and metal-cast bonds. A shimmering future of certainty and brilliance, where you hold not some paper promise of value, but a value in and of itself. But for now we wait, silently profaning those "donors" who will have first option at the object of our desire. They, the participants of the so-called "money-bomb" will have first opportunity to rub their hands on the object of our desire. They, who give away the soiled linen of fractious oaths, will be the early revelers of that gleaming trophy, that sparkling, shiny disc of assurance, THE ARGENT PORC. Alas, the store page must wait to offer this wondrous item, as donors to the FSP Money-Bomb will have first dibbs on the new silver porcupine disc. Don't dare call it a coin. If you don't like disc, you could go with round, flan, discoid, medallion, or how about AgPorc (as apposed to the AuPorc which we will hopefully have in the not too distant future. Darn, more waiting.) So for now we wait, hopefully, expectantly, longingly. Our hands slightly trembling, our eyes filling with hope as we wait, as we wait.

While we're waiting, check out all the other great items in the store. We have a new shipment of bookmarks - thanks Jon.

In New Hampshire

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,229. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 9,644
Participants in NH: 760
as of September 15, 2009

FSP News - August 2009

A Taste of Porcfest

If you missed the 2009 Porcupine Freedom Festival, you can still enjoy parts of it via the Internet:
Jason Sorens' address
Tennyson McCalla's photos

Merchandise

We see the embattled rebels, sheltered from the freezing rain and howling winds in the basement of their crenelated hideout. A valiant group of freedom-fighters, with the fire of truth blazing in their eyes and a raging inferno of justice burning in their gut, fueling their struggle for the American Way. The crackling fire paints their shadows on the wall, making black, empty sections in the brick wall, mirroring the empty families and incomplete cliques created by their choice to defend the freedom of all by risking their own. "It's time", one of them says and they huddle closer together. The static coming from the small radio brings them hope. The outside world does exist, there is more than just this struggle, there are those who are not hip-deep in mud and blood every day. They have help, they have friends, they indeed have hope that one day the struggle will be over. That the warm sun of liberty will shine on everyone, and everyone can get back to living their own lives. Lives without a boot on their neck, a hand in their purse, nor an eye - everywhere. "They're starting the broadcast". All ears bend towards the speaker as they listen for news, instructions, or a call for help. "Bzzt, bzzt, and now a message for the remnant underground:" "The cows go west, the cows go west"; "Tiffany is lost, Tiffany is lost"; "White roses bloom in red hats", "White roses bloom in red hats"; "The FSP Store has great items", "The FSP Store has great items"; "Older PorcFest shirts are dirt cheap", "Older PorcFest shirts are dirt cheap", "Over thirty items for sale", "Over thirty items for sale"; "The porcupine is free", "The porcupine is free". "Bzzt, Bzzt that's all the news for now to our brave patriots, braving storms and risking life and limb, we close now as always: May your sights be true, your path be clear, and may we all have Liberty in Our Lifetime - station PORC signing off".
http://www.freestateproject.org/store

The "Free State Audi A4" finds a new home abroad...

by Brian Wright
Don't Throw Mama off the Turnpike: Brian Wright, early mover and author of New Pilgrim Chronicles—a diary of his Free State experience—has just published/posted another road story, in which he travels with his mother ("Mama Bear") to sell his prized "Free State Audi A4," the vehicle that brought him to New Hampshire as an early mover in 2005. Pamphlet copies of the humor piece will be available courtesy Dan Stuart at the Freedom Rally, August 21.

"Don't Throw Mama off the Turnpike" has been posted on Wright's Coffee Coaster site. It is several pages long, but can be downloaded and printed for free as a PDF file here.

In New Hampshire

Open Carry at (or rather, near) a Presidential Rally

FSP participant William Kostric raised quite a ruckus by openly carrying a sidearm near a place where the president would soon hold a town hall meeting. Kostric's actions were both legal and nonviolent. Regardless of those truths, the media went a bit nuts.

CBS Inside Edition short article
NECN article and video
Chris Matthews video The ED Show video

New Hampshire has the lowest loan fees in the U.S.A.

New Hampshire lenders charge the lowest fees for home loans, according to a study described on bankrate.com. It's just one more reason to buy a home in the free state.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 14,065. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 9,565
Participants in NH: 736
as of August 15, 2009

FSP News - July 2009

PorcFest 2009

A record-breaking number of freedom lovers attended the 6th annual Porcupine Freedom Festival last month, in Lancaster, New Hampshire. Despite a rainy forecast, an estimated 600 people packed Roger's Campground for a weekend of freedom, celebration, and camaraderie. Those who came to Rogers early were treated to a pancake breakfasts provided by Anarchy in Your Head's Dale Everett on Tuesday, and the annual hike of Mt. Liberty on Wednesday. Highlights this year included the one-pot cook-off (congratulations to Eve Whittaker of New Jersey for taking first place!), the Porcupine Olympics for the kids, and Soapbox Idol, where New Hampshire's own Seth Cohn emerged as ranter supreme! The Free State Project had a successful silent auction among the many vendors who came to PorcFest this year. Free Talk Live broadcast live from Rogers Campground from Thursday to Saturday, as well as Free Minds TV and the Motor Home Diaries crew parked and partied for a few days.

Thank you to all who participated--volunteers and attendees alike--and a special thanks to Carla Gericke, 2009 Porcfest organizer, for her enthusiasm and hard-work in making PorcFest a rousing success!

PorcFest 2010 date's have already been set. The main festivities will happen on June 24th to June 27th, 2010 at Rogers Campground. You can book your campsite or motel room now by calling 603-788-4885 and telling them you're coming for PorcFest.

101 Reasons to move to New Hampshire

It's finally here. Stock up on reasons to impress others on why you are moving to New Hampshire and why they should too. Topics covered are New Hampshire's government, politics, economy, geography, and quality of life. See all the reasons at 101 Reasons to move to New Hampshire

Merchandise

What's that loud chanting I hear? What do we want? - Shirts! When do we want them? - Now! What do we want? - Shirts! When do we want them? - Now! The protest can end. Now in stock the PorcFest 2009 shirts. Call off the hunger strikes, stop sitting in and go to the FSP store to get your terrifically cool, black FSP shirt. Finally a black shirt for the FSP. Many people have asked for a black shirt over the years and now we have one. Call in the sleeper cells, halt production of the WMDs (Whining Merchandise Demands). Here's your chance to cause a scene with the latest IED (Independent Expression Device). Show the world you want Liberty in Our Lifetime - and know how to get it with the Free State Project. We also have a new bumper sticker, a very eye-catching one, at that. It has a bright yellow background with large black letters spelling out one of our favorite quotes: Live Free or Die. Even better, these are free with any order, just add one to your cart before check-out.

Media Coverage of the FSP

Taking Liberty: Government, Political Activism, and the State of the Free State Project by Josh Eboch.

This newsletter is a selection of news about the Free State Project (FSP), its participants and New Hampshire. The activities of FSP participants are not controlled by the Free State Project and should not be taken to represent the attitudes of the FSP or other FSP participants. Full Disclaimer

In New Hampshire

2009 Legislative Updates

State House Successes

In the April newsletter, Jeremy Olson provided reports on numerous successes at the New Hampshire State House, some of which wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Free State Project participants. Here’s an update from him on the important bills:

HB312, a bill to stop law enforcement from abusing the wiretapping law to prevent citizens from recording them: Passed the House through the efforts of Rep. Joel Winters (D–Manchester), but died in the Senate.

HB383, a bill creating a primary-offense seatbelt law: Passed the House despite our best efforts to oppose it, but was tabled in the Senate due to the work of Keith Carlsen and Denis Goddard.

HB648, the medical marijuana bill: Passed both the House and Senate, thanks to Matt Simon of N.H. Compassion, but was vetoed by the Governor. It’s not dead yet, though, as the veto may be overridden in September.

HB436, HB310, and HB73, ending marriage inequality in New Hampshire and establishing State recognition of same-sex marriage: Passed the House and Senate, and signed by the Governor. Ryan Marvin of the N.H. Coalition for Equal Rights was pivotal in getting this legislation passed.

More details can be found in his blog post

NHLA 2009 Liberty Rating Released

The New Hampshire Liberty Alliance has released their 2009 Liberty Rating report card, which rates all 424 of New Hampshire’s legislators on how pro- or anti-liberty their voting record is. This year, the NHLA used forty-four bills in the House, and eleven bills in the Senate, to determine their scores.

The NHLA Legislator of the Year award went to Edith “Dee” Hogan (R–Nashua), who achieved a 98.77% score (A+) for her tireless support for liberty in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Activist of the Year went to Keith Carlsen, for his work on the seatbelt bill, medical marijuana, and more.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 13,784. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 9,442
Participants in NH: 727
as of July 15, 2009

FSP News - June 2009

PorcFest 2009

It's not too late to register for the 6th annual Porcupine Freedom Festival happening June 25th through the 28th in Lancaster, New Hampshire. But make it quick! We're less than two weeks away from the biggest PorcFest ever! Whether your idea of fun is partying in a large crowd or chatting around a campfire with a handful of friends, PorcFest provides a variety of activities to suit any personality and preference. With so much to do, you'll want to arrive early to get it all in.

Breaking the Ice:

PorcFest makes it easy to meet people and make friends. Thursday night is the SAKAL CAI Launch Party, where you'll have the opportunity to meet New Hampshire natives, early FSP movers, and future FreeStaters. Other mixer events include the road rally ice-breaker, Liberty Ladies' One-pot Cook-off, communal lunches and dinners, and Alec's Ice Cream Social. Bring your questions for the First Movers Panel and come meet the FSP Board. And don't miss the group photo on Saturday evening!

Summer Fun:

Enjoy the peace and beauty of New Hampshire in the summertime. Groove to live music on the lawn. Get a massage. Participate in a kickball or volleyball game. Shoot firearms, play miniature golf, or toss the Frisbee around. Kids can participate in the first ever Porc Olympics!

Outdoor Excursions:

Venture beyond Roger's Campground and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Northern New Hampshire and the famous White Mountains. Enjoy a hike, go geocaching, or take a bus tour to some of the Granite State's liberty hot spots.

Indoor Activities:

Check out the exhibitors and bid on swag at the Silent Auction. Learn more about liberty-oriented topics like Agorism, Voluntaryism, and States' Rights. Be part of the Free Talk Live audience. Watch a late night movie. And don't miss Soapbox Idol, your chance to rant about the liberty topic of your choice.

Relaxation and Camaraderie:

Come to PorcFest to relax and have a drink around the campfire. Participate in board and card games. Relax in the hot tub and take a dip in the pool. Hang out by the bonfire and meet the activists who are making a change. Soak up the atmosphere that comes from hundreds of freedom lovers getting together to celebrate Liberty in Our Lifetime.

To book your accommodation, call Roger's at 603-788-4885 or visit them online at www.rogerscampground.com/. For more information about this year's event, visit the PorcFest website. Register today!

The Philosophy of Libery

The famous Flash animation "Introduction to the Philosophy of Liberty" (PoL) is being relaunched in over 30 languages. In a two-year effort led by long-time FSP organizer Steve Cobb and involving two Russian developers, the PoL was rearchitected to easily incorporate translations in languages as diverse as Arabic and Afrikaans (the latter provided by the FSP's own Louis Calitz). The animation text comes from the epilogue of Ken Schoolland's classic "The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible," whose web site www.jonathangullible.com was just relaunched by Drew Suder. Drew is also providing the animation in various video formats for wider distribution. You can find the new animation on the JG web site, and soon on the site of the International Society for Individual Liberty. Be on the lookout for a porcupine that somehow wandered into one of the frames. ;)

Merchandise

New stickers, new balloons, a re-new place for PorcFest! All the wonderful FSP mercandise will be at PorcFest. You can help us by saving on shipping costs. You can help yourself to fantastic FSP goods. You can help spread the word about the FSP. Go ahead, handle the goods. Feel the fine cotton fabric of the shirts. Enjoy the heft of the shiny key chain with the FSP logo. Marvel at the fine workmanship on the Buck custom FSP knive (not so many left now, you might want to get one soon). We'll even let you test-fly the Gadsden Porc version of the Ultimate brand flying disc (OK, ok, I know it's a 'frisbee', just not Frisbee :). From insulated beverage holders to author-signed books to flags to wristbands and major league-cute, stuffed porcupine hand-puppets. Yes, we may be out of hats, mugs, and tote-bags, but we have plenty of other way-boss swag to tell the world that we want Liberty in Our Lifetime.

In New Hampshire

Legislative Successes

We now have four early-moving porcupines elected to the NH House of Representatives!
Once again, the big money and the Federal government did their best to pass a seat belt law in New Hampshire. And once again, Free-Staters were the prime movers responsible for defeating the seat-belt law! That's right, in New Hampshire, buckling up is common sense and your choice as an adult. For more details, visit the NH Liberty Alliance.
NH now has equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. A number of Free-Staters helped this effort; see the NH Coalition for Equal Rights for details.
Medical marijuana legalization has passed the House and Senate, and will be landing on the Governor's desk shortly! This success was in part due to hundreds of Free-Staters who contacted their State Reps and Senators, and due to the great work of the NH Coalition for Commonsense Marijuana Policy.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 13,640. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 9,352
Participants in NH: 720
as of June 13, 2009

FSP News - May 2009

The 6th annual Porcupine Freedom Festival

The 6th annual Porcupine Freedom Festival is just over a month away. Join us June 25th through the 28th, or show up early. Porcupines will start to camp out from Monday, the 21st. If you haven't registered yet, what are you waiting for? This year's PorcFest is going to be the biggest yet, and you don't want to miss the fun!

As the liberty movement in New Hampshire grows, so does the number of liberty-oriented media outlets. New Hampshire is home to bloggers, television and radio personalities, newspaper journalists, videographers, and podcasters. PorcFest is the best place to meet many of these people who are changing and challenging the rules of news media.

Meet Pete Eyre, Jason Talley, and Tom Pearson of The Motorhome Diaries. Learn about their ongoing odyssey across the country in an RV. Hear about the people they've met as they promote voluntaryism in their search for freedom in America.
Join the hosts of Free Talk Live, Ian Freeman and Mark Edge, as they broadcast their nationally syndicated radio show on site at PorcFest. Be part of the live audience and maybe even win some cool swag.
Meet Toby and Nick, the hosts of Free Minds TV. The cast and crew of Free Minds TV and Radio will be on site throughout PorcFest interviewing attendees, capturing highlights, and encouraging people to "Think Outside the Box."
If you see a guy with a backpack on his back and a video camera in his hand, there's a good chance you've run into Dave Ridley of RidleyReport.com. Dave's video blog attracts thousands of hits daily, and there's no question that his videos have influenced recent public policy here in New Hampshire and beyond. Attend PorcFest and you might end up starring in a "Ridleo."
Meet the people keeping New Hampshire residents informed about goings-on at the State House. Capitol Access is a Concord-based television program hosted by fellow Porcupines Denis Goddard and Lydia Harman. If you've ever considered running for a public office in New Hampshire, these are the people you want to meet.
Meet radio personality and author Gardner Goldsmith, and director at Antiwar.com Angela Keaton at Soapbox Idol on Friday night. Not only will they be judging your 3-minute rant in true 'Idol' style, but strike up a conversation with them afterwards about the ins and outs of new media.
Also in attendance will be many of the bloggers, documentary filmmakers, and podcasters who make up the rich and influential New Media that is changing the way people get their news. Meet the creators of Homeland Stupidity, Liberty Conspiracy, Anarchy In Your Head, Obscured Truth Network, Surrealpolichick (our very own PorcFest organizer!), FreeKeene, The New Hampshire Free Press, and many more!

To book your accommodation, call Roger's at 603-788-4885 or visit them online. For more information about this year's event, visit our website . Time is running out... See you in June!

Register today! (PS: If you can't make it to the 2009 Porcupine Freedom Festival, please consider donating to help promote Liberty in Our Lifetime. Thanks!)

Join the discussion

Have you visited the FSP's Message Board, or Forum? It's an interactive discussion board filled with ideas and opinions about the Free State Project, and it's a good place to ask questions or simply browse.

Merchandise

Let me introduce our new sticker. It's a trés-chic black-and-white beauty. Notice the clean lines, the easy readability; and the slogan that brings hope to all that understand it. "Liberty in Our Lifetime", boldly proclaimed in uncompromising letters. The new sticker was recently overheard at a fancy shindig saying how proud it was to be a part of the FSP's merchandise offerings. The "Don't Tread on Me-Porcupine" flag, a close personal friend of mine, told me the sticker also said that even though it was only four inches wide and three inches high he felt like a sticker that could cover the world! Even the shiny keychain, known for it's rigid sense of style and good taste, was impressed by the new sticker, commenting on how the black background and white lettering made for a particularly stand-out look. Not all the reviews were positive, however. The porcupine hand puppet didn't think the new sticker looked "fuzzy" enough. Most onlookers did agree that the sniping, negative comments, and disapproval coming from the older stickers was just a case of pertness envy. I hope you'll all welcome the newest member of the advertising family with open arms, and good ideas on where to place the new sticker. (The all over the body "Hey look at me, I'm the sticker man!" probably is not the way to go) The new LIOL sticker is a fine complement to the FSP's line of merchandise that advertises, reinforces, and inspires us all to have "Liberty in Our Lifetime". Visit the store to get FSP stickers and other stuff.

In New Hampshire

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 13,508. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 9,282
Participants in NH: 705
as of May 14, 2009

FSP News - April 2009

PorcFest 2009

The 5th annual Porcupine Freedom Festival (a.k.a. PorcFest) is only a couple of months away. The official dates are June 25th through the 28th, but you are invited to arrive early. Liberty lovers will be camping out as early as Monday, the 21st. Book your reservations today to secure the best spot at Roger's Campground in the beautiful Lancaster, NH. Whether you've been thinking about making the move to New Hampshire or just want to enjoy a weekend of fun with like-minded individuals, this is the event you don't want to miss.

PorcFest is the perfect way to experience NH for yourself, to meet hundreds of fellow liberty lovers, and to make long-lasting friendships. People travel from across the country and beyond each year to attend this event, so the chances are good you'll meet someone from your own home state. Even more importantly, you'll meet people who understand the principles of freedom, individuality, and self-ownership. Who knows? You might even decide to move!

PorcFest is also a great way to experience the many flavors of liberty activism in NH. Whether you're a political activist, a civil disobedience activist, or someone else entirely, you are likely to meet others who share your views. Come to discuss ideas and methods, take activism training classes with Free State Project early movers, enter to win in the Best Liberty T-Shirt Contest, take rifle training classes, go on a hike, or try your skills as an orator in the SoapBox Idol event. For more information about this year's event, visit the PorcFest website. See you in June!

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.

Action of the Month - Porcupines as Twitter Critters

<Plaque on the wall at the Museum of the Universe> In the constant search for freedom and liberty in our galaxy, many useful devices have been employed over the years. One of those most used in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries on Sol-3 was the "PC". The silicon chip based Personal Computer and it's connection, to what they quaintly called at the time The Internet, proved a worthy companion in the fight for doing what you wanted as long as you didn't hurt anyone else. The advent and rapid expansion of "Social Networking" programs caught the forces of nannyners and controlerites completely by surprise. The dedicated and stalwart lovers of liberty used FaceBook, MySpace, and Twitter to spread the meme of voluntary exchange, freedom, individual responsibility and a higher civilization throughout the populated areas of the planet. Prominent in this vanguard of freedom were members of the Free State Project. The FSP, of course, was an outstanding collection of freedom-lovers the likes of which have never been seen in the Hundred Systems. The use of "Twitter", a popular method for sending short messages, enabled these avant-garde guardians of liberty to communicate with followers all around the globe. Most of us, in the civilized parts of the galaxy, are familiar from childhood, with the nursery rhyme that was popularized after The Great Uplifting that brought us to this time of freedom, enlightenment and liberty for all.

Twitterdum and twitterdee

    thought people were as cattle;

For Twitterdum said twitterdee

    "they make the finest chattel";



Just then up popped a glorious Porc,

                    not scared of any peril;

which frightened both the haters so;

          that they became quite sterile.

Twitterdum and Twitterdee refer here to the majority of the population at the time who thought that using the force attendant with government actions was a solution to the problems of the day. While we know in these enlightened times how ludicrous that is, people in the savage, early days before free minds and free people actually thought it was not only appropriate, but necessary. While people who think like this today are rarely seen and even more rarely tolerated, we must remember that in earlier times the notion was quite popular.

(This plaque sponsored by the Sorens Universal Political Enrichment Ruminations Foundation.)

If you haven't figured it out by now, the action is to spread the word about the Free State Project and freedom in New Hampshire using twitter. Keep your hashcodes simple and obvious, or whatever takes it's place in the tweets of the twittersphere?, twitterscape?, twitterville?, twitteralaxy?, ah well, you get the point.

Merchandise

A special treat for all of you that may have missed the John Taylor Gatto appearance at Liberty Forum. We have a small number of signed copies of his wonderful book, "Weapons of Mass Instruction", available for purchase. Yes, signed by him, not me. That'd be pretty silly for me to sign them. Although... if you want to donate an extra $5 bucks or so, I'd be more than happy to make a mark or two on it. Not on the cover page, of course, but maybe some secret marginalia extolling the virtues of liberty. Maybe some ranting against the government in invisible ink, or perhaps... ahem, we really don't need to go there. Seriously, this book is amazing in it's ability to explain the public, er, government schools as they really are and the dangers they pose to a truly educated citizen. Buy one for your friends who think "My school's OK". They may not think so afterwards.

In New Hampshire

State House Successes

FSP members have been remarkably successful at the State House recently. Here's a short list of successes:

Medical marijuana, HB648. This was largely due to the efforts of a freestater, Matt Simon, founder of N.H. Common Sense and N.H. Compassion.
Same-sex marriage, HB436. Again, largely due to the work of a freestater, Ryan Marvin, founder of N.H. Coalition for Equal Rights and the N.H. chapter of Pink Pistols.
A bill to stop the police from abusing the wiretapping law to protect themselves, HB312. This was strongly supported by the N.H. Liberty Alliance, and was sponsored by a freestater Rep, Joel Winters.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 13,408. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 9,231
Participants in NH: 698
as of April 14, 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:

Create a free rubber stamp with text like "Want more liberty? www.FreeStateProject.org" and stamp the paper money that crosses your hands.
Join and invite your friends to Free State Project social networking sites on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Bureaucrash Social.
Use GoodSearch to search or buy things. The FSP will receive a percentage of the sale. Be sure to use the links provided.
Buy and show off an FSP bumper sticker, shirt, keychain, or other items from the FSP merchandise store.
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.
Mention the FSP in at least one conversation each week and/or include a link or blurb about the FSP in your email signature.
Write about the FSP on your blog or post about it on forums, blogs, and other sites you visit.
Leave a handwritten or pre-printed note about the Free State Project on cars with pro-liberty bumper stickers.
Stick FSP bookmarks (available from the merchandise store) in pro- liberty books at your local library and bookstore.
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.

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

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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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 News - February 2009

2009 Liberty Forum - It's not too late!

Less than a month away, it's not too late to register for the Liberty Forum.

Come join us and others dedicated to liberty from across the country. Hear speakers on gun rights, education, personal liberty, and more. Reinvigorate yourself with conversations with like-minded liberty oriented individuals! Come attend the liberty event of the year!

New Additions

Mary Ruwart author of Healing Our World In an Age of Aggression, and 2008 Libertarian presidential candidate is our Friday Night Keynote Speaker!
Stefan Molyneaux, blogger, essayist, author, and host of the Freedomain Radio series of podcasts will be speaking.
Aaron David Ward, stand up comedian, will be entertaining Thursday night!
The New Hampshire representative who wrote HCR6 will be joining us Sunday!
Kenneth Royce (aka Boston T. Party), shooting instructor, speaker, and author of books on guns, history, law, and more!
Alan Schaeffer, President of Alliance for the Separation of School and State.
Check out our Education Track.

And of course, John Taylor Gatto, Dick Heller, William Norman Grigg, representatives from Reason Foundation, NHELD, and more! See the whole line up!

Make your reservations now! Join in the conversation and camaraderie about Liberty in our Lifetime!

Answering Objections to and Misconceptions of the FSP

A new marketing pamphlet is available that provides responses to common misconceptions and objections to the Free State Project. Topics covered include: NH's weather and population; the role, purpose, and goal of the FSP; and issues holding people back from making the move or simply signing up. It's a useful handout for any prospective participant. Download this and other materials at the FSP downloads page.

The FSP at Boston Tea Party '08

Keith C. and Greg S. worked a table at historic Faneuil Hall in Boston, MA on 12/14/2008 for the Boston Tea Party '08 event. We handed out a bunch of Liberty Forum cards, FSP bookmarks, and a flyer similar to the one Michael Hampton made for FSP activists to hand out at the I.O.U.S.A. movie. The FSP Gadsden Flag and porcupine hand puppets were big hits. Steve, a MA libertarian activist who recently woke up to freedom because of the Ron Paul movement joined the FSP at the event. Afterwords, we went to a party at the Green Dragon and did more recruiting. A guy even went up to us at the restaurant and said he found a couple more people interested in the FSP and we gave him Liberty Forum cards. I also managed to network on Facebook with about a dozen MA residents who attended the event.

All in all, it was great spending the day in Boston with a couple hundred mostly MA and NH liberty activists.

See pictures of the event

Gunshow Outreach

Sonya Setting up A couple members of the Bluegrass FSP Local Group set up a Free State Project table at a gun show in Indianapolis on the weekend of November 29-30. "The place was really busy," said member William Brinda. "In all, there were well over a thousand people who went through and saw the FSP display. Fifty or sixty people chatted with us and/or picked up some literature. About half of them were seriously interested." Sonya Sawtelle, who also attended, added, "It's refreshing to talk to so many people who are eager to hear about liberty movements."

Gun show attendance is currently higher than it was over the last few years. Now is a great time to recruit at a gun show near you. For help with this, check out the related section of the FSP Forum.

Action of the Month - Liberty Forum

The New Hampshire Liberty Forum is only a few weeks away. There will be wonderful speakers to excite (and possibly incite) the freedom-loving regions of your brain. There will be many opportunities to network, socialize, and enjoy camaraderie with fellow freedom-seekers. There will be corners in which to stand and observe the fine goings-on (for those that aren't the glad-handing type). There will be gun classes, and comedy, and lunches, and dinners. There will be rejuvenation, a renewal of the spirit of liberty that can languish when alone in the "lower 49". When was the last time you were in a room where the proportion of socialist/rent-seeking/proxy-nannies to rational, freedom-loving individuals was less than 99%? Less than 85%? How about a room with hundreds of people, and 100% of them freedom-minded; not a single one of them interested in stealing your money, or telling you how to live, or commanding how many gallons of water a minute your shower head can use. Not that there won't be lively discussions on a range of subjects so varied that I couldn't think of most of them or have the room to write them down. A final selling point for the Liberty Forum, those of us who have not been able to "make the move" yet, for whatever reason, will be able to spend time in the Free State. While it may not be a truly free state, it's the best we have and only getting better. With each Homo Sapiens that crosses the border into New Hampshire and transforms into Homo Freepians, the goal of Liberty in Our Lifetime gets a little closer.

Merchandise

"Good morning sir, and welcome to the Free State Project store. How may I be of service?"
"Oh, I'm just looking around, seeing what you have."
"All right, let me know if I can help with anything."
"Well, actually, I was looking for something...special, you know, unique."
"Ah, in that case, let me show you the 'special' room."
"The special room?"
"Yes, it is where we keep the exceptional items. The rare items."
"What kind of things do you have?"
"Just a moment, let me unlock the door and pardon my change in voice once we're inside, the boss thinks it lends a certain air of respectability. Let's see, retina check, thumbprint scan, 32 digit combination, voice recognition 'LIBERTY-IN-OUR-LIFETIME', both padlocks, secret release button - OK there."
"Wow, this is a neat room."
"Oui, oui monsieur, az I said, zis iz our 'special' room."
"Oh, that must be the voice thing. Anyway, what is this stuff?"
"We have zee most merveilleux items in here. Handcrafted items from far, distant shores. All 'tre bon'.'"
"Wow, awesome. What a great pillow with a porc on it and I love these little pouches, how much?"
"Ah, my apologies monsieur. They will only be for sale at the Liberty Forum."
"What you've got to be kidding? These are great, they've got the cool porc logo sewn into them and a drawstring - I couldn't possibly wait until the Liberty Forum."
"Again my apologies, mon ami. Zee boss says only to sell zem at Liberty Forum. If zere are any left, well zen zey will be put up on the website."
"OK, if that's the way it's gonna be, I'd better make sure I get there early. Will you be selling any other FSP items at the Forum? Wait, let's get out of this room before you answer."
"Thank you. Ah, that's better. Yes, we'll have the full complement of FSP merchandise available for sale at the Liberty Forum. Shirts, magnets, pocket Constitutions, fluffy porcupine hand puppets - we'll have it all."
"And what about the special items?"
"We'll have them there too - some of the more special items may only be available through auction, we'll have to see."
"Fair enough, I'll have to wait until then. While I'm here, let me get a PorcFest'05 can koozie, a keychain, 2 pins, and a tee shirt."
"Very good, sir. Will that be gold or silver..."

In New Hampshire

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,995. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 9,033
Participants in NH: 663
as of February 13, 2009

Are you looking to get involved with other liberty lovers from across the USA and around the world? With over 1,600 freedom fighters from 65 countries Bureaucrash Social is that place. Described as "a vibrant online activist community" it's the heart of operations for Bureaucrash. It's an easy, private and fun way to connect with other people and pro-liberty events in your area and share and view related videos and photos. Visit bureaucrash.com today, where you can get your daily fix of freedom. And be sure to check out our selection of thought-provoking clothing and accessories at our Contraband store and podcasts with liberty-minded thinkers, musicians, entrepreneurs, and activists at our Podcrash. All this and more, at bureaucrash.com.

FSP News - January 2009

Want to Visit New Hampshire?

If you are interested in visiting New Hampshire at any time of the year and experiencing the Free State Project community, we would be glad to show you around. Simply let us know through our brand new Visit NH page. Provide us some basic details and a representative of the FSP will contact you to facilitate your trip. Also, as this is a new site, if you have any comments, complaints, or suggestions, please forward them to rgoldman@freestateproject.org.

2009 Liberty Forum - Two Months and Counting!

Dick Heller, John Gatto, Mary Ruwart, Lisa Snell, Angela Keaton, David Bergland, David Nolan, and many more! The Liberty Forum is the place to be for exciting speakers, roundtables, and discussions about freedom and the many paths to liberty!

If you haven't made plans yet, now is the time! The Liberty Forum is less than two months away.

Too busy for a full weekend of liberty? Just want to see the speakers on Saturday? Only have time for the Friday Keynote dinner? A la carte pricing is now available. Check out the schedule and registration for details and more information!

Have questions or need more information? Contact libertyforum@freestateproject.org!

PorcFest 2009

Save the date! The Porcupine Liberty Festival is June 25 - 28, 2009 at Rogers Campground in beautiful Lancaster, NH.

Outdoor Music
Bus Tours
Group Hikes
Scavenger Hunts
Kids Activities
Team Sports
Vendor Tables
Pub Nights
Camping
Movies
Bonfires
Liberty Ladies Cook-off
Shooting Range Trisp
Communal Meals
Games
and Much, Much More!

Stay tuned for more details...

Online registration opens March 15, 2009

To book your accommodation, call Rogers Campground at 603-788-4885 (please note it is off-season, so leave a message and someone will call you back) or visit them online at http://www.rogerscampground.com/. Call before May 1, 2009 for your 10% discount.

Action of the Month - Librarything

How often have you read a book and thought, "Wow, everyone should read this!" How many books are on your shelves right now that meet that criterion? How often have you wondered, "Is there anyone else out there that reads these kinds of books?" and "What joy and knowledge could others gain, as I have, from these biblio-messengers?" Books, like heralds from some other's mind, from times recent as last year, or from millennia past, speaking their message of hope, or fear, or shame. Books can be papyrus teachers, sometimes so intimately engrossing that you feel the author to be a close friend or mentor. Sometimes they can seem cold and soulless with all the warmth of a black dwarf, frigid and dead in the blackness of space, only to have us discover, upon reading and reflection, that it contains diamonds the size of battleships. Some books shine with the brilliance of a hypergiant sun bathing us with philosophy and wisdom we could never see on our own. Then there are the deceivers, those books that seem to make sense, they seem to give truth and light, but are instead an insidious betrayal of all that is honest and good. Don't you wish there was a way to tell friends and like-thinkers of these wonderful books you have found? Don't you wish you could warn others of the banal, fallacious, and just plain stupid books you've trudged through and wish you hadn't? Wouldn't it be great to introduce someone to that One Book? That One Book that sets things in place, that makes order out of chaos, that rings so true like a thousand sonorous, silver bells gleaming in the bright rays of reason? Sounds good, yes? How about we make that 'One Book' a 'Those Books'? How about you go to the Free State Project Reading Group on Library Thing? See what other liberty-minded people have on their shelves. See what they say about the latest work by P. J. O'Rourke. See if it usually does start with Ayn Rand. See if you've missed a good Heilein read. See what to avoid and what you shouldn't. See if you can find Liberty in Our Lifetime. Can you handle the Mises? Can you find that rare Rothbard? A great portion of the world's knowledge waits for you in books. Finding the good, dodging the poor, and connecting with others who know the difference is what Library Thing can do for you.

Merchandise

237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, ...[wa wa wa] What? Oh, hi. I'm just counting FSP bumper stickers. 245, 246, 247, 248, ...[wa wa wa] Huh? Oh, well thousands. Yeah, really. Oh sure, me too. It'd be a lot better if all of these were on a car or sign or something. Much better to have them out in the world advertising the Free State Project, than here on the shelf collecting dust. 249, 250, 251, 252, ...[wa wa wa] Sure, we have plenty of t-shirts in stock as well. [wa wa wa] Magnets? Totally, look at all the magnets. There's an eight-pack, one of each, or five of each kind, or...[wa wa wa] Well, yeah, we have awesome pins, nice and shiny - and don't forget the Golden Porcupine pin you can only get if you're responsible for three people signing up (and I hear there will be some recent achievers of the Golden Porcupine pin at the Liberty Forum this year). Um, let me see 255, no, 522, no darn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ... [wa wa wa] Duh, of course we have Ultimate brand flying discs. Yes, with the FSP logo proudly emblazed on it, sheesh. 7, 8, 9, 10, ... [wa wa wa] Porcupine what?!? No, we don't have porcupine-scented body oil. [wa wa wa] Huh? No, we don't have any Official FSP Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Liberty Model Air Rifles. ... [wa wa wa] Eh? What's that? A what? Of course not, what self-respecting organization that promotes Liberty in Our Lifetime would carry a thing like that? [wa wa wa] Oh, that's what it means? Well, we do have toy stuffed porcupines, and I guess the small ones could be like babies, so sure we have them. They're hand puppets to boot. Ah, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, ... [wa wa wa] Where? Well the web site of course! Uhg, go to freestateproject.com, then click on the merchandise link on the left. It's not hard, even a government employee could do it. [wa wa wa] Now don't you take that tone with me. Look I've got counting to do. [wa wa wa] La la la, not listening. 10, 11, 12,...

In New Hampshire

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,816. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,956
Participants in NH: 654
as of January 14, 2009

FSP News 2008

FSP News from 2008

FSP News - December 2008

Joining the activism in New Hampshire

Once you get to New Hampshire, it's important to connect with other liberty lovers at social events and to get involved in activism. You can find both at http://www.nhlibertycalendar.com/. You can also find those types of events at http://calendar.nhfree.com/ and http://calendar.nhliberty.org/. NHFree focuses on market based activism and NHLiberty on political activism.

Mystery of the Missing Movers

We've seen a large jump in movers lately, but there are still many people who have moved and not updated their address. Updating your address allows the "Already in New Hampshire" counter on the main FSP webpage to move forward, and helps us with recruiting future movers. Whether or not you think you're address is updated, send an e-mail to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to check.

2009 Liberty Forum

The 2009 Liberty Forum is coming fast! (And early bird pricing expires soon!)

The New Year is nearly upon us! As we hear about economic turmoil, goals of our new president, and continued battles for minimal government across the country, let's gather together and talk about liberty!

Come hear Dr. Mary Ruwart, author of Healing Our World in an Age of Aggression and 2008 Libertarian Presidential candidate.

Our Saturday Keynote Speaker is Richard "Dick" Heller who worked with attorneys of the Bill of Rights Foundation and successfully overturned the ban on handguns in Washington DC!

Don't miss our Education Track including John Taylor Gatto, Lisa Snell of Reason Foundation, Charlie Arlinghaus of The Josiah Barlett Center for Public Policy, and a panel on New Hampshire Homeschooling!

Also attending:

William Norman Grigg, journalist, author and blogger at Lew Rockwell.
Patri Friedman, Executive Director of The Seasteading Institute.
March Stevens, author of Adventures in Legal Land.
and many more!

Early bird pricing ends 12/20 so register today!

Help the Ridley Report Gain Viewers

The Ridley Report continues to gain more subscribers and become more popular. The Ridley Report now has more than 1500 subscribers and has been in the top 100 "most viewed" reporters on YouTube quite a few times in the last few weeks. In fact, the Ridley Report is only a few subscribers away from being in the top-100 most subscribed reporters of all time! If you haven't yet, please go over to http://www.youtube.com/user/RidleyReport and click "subscribe." Geting the award for being one of the top-subscribed reporters will help Ridley gain more views, which is good for liberty and good for the Free State Project.

Action of the Month - Porcers in Arms

No, not those kinds of arms. Boy, you 2A guys are always jumping the gun. :) I'm talking about the arm-in-arm kind of arms. Think more "1970's with flowers in your hair" rather than "1770's with muskets in your hands".

But with whose arms should we link? Whose elbows are worthy of our clasping? What other limbs are brave enough and strong enough to stand with us against the awful onslaught of an uncontrolled and rapacious government? There are quite a few. Some organizations may officially cold-shoulder us, as we often get their best people to join the fight for freedom in New Hampshire, while personally cheer us on and give us philosophical fist-bumps. One organization I think that is certainly more with us than agin'us is Bureaucrash. I don't know if you've heard about them or not, but their people always have the best stories. They "crash" statist gatherings and delight in showing the folly of the more feather-headed of that ilk. Sort-of like getting greenies to sign a petition against dihydrogen monoxide. They have an awesome collection of tee-shirts and other items for sale in their "contraband" section of their website.

Getting back to the arms thing, socially locking arms with these people can only be a win-win. They are most often young, smart, and willing to raise their arms in defense of liberty. Yes, their arms with hands attached. Not raised in some feeble sign of surrender or capitulation. Nor in narcissistic glee of hands raised high on the roller coaster as the FED plunges the value of the dollar ever lower. Their arms are raised in defiance of what academia tries to shovel into their heads on campus. Their arms are raised shining the light of free-minds and free-markets, often with a dose of humor thrown in for good measure. So be a good net-neighbor, and socialize with the folks at Bureaucrash. Let them know there's plenty of people in New Hampshire that think along their lines, that we need good people like them to join us, and that we're cheering them on from the Free State. Locking elbows for liberty, and not being the weakest link.

Merchandise

(If you don't know the tune for this song, consider yourself lucky :)

I want some Porcer merchandise for Christmas
Only Porcer merchandise will do
Don't want the Gore, no filthy Iraq war
I want some Porcer merchandise to handle and adore

I want some Porcer merchandise for Christmas
I don't think Ronald Paul will mind, do you?
You won't have to use a dirty congress tax
Just order from our web site,
then you sit back and relax.

I can see me on some Concord morning,
climbing up the stairs
Oh with my shirt and plushie porc
legislation to uncork
They'll see some Liberty in Our Lifetime.

I want some Porcer merchandise for Christmas
Keychains, bumperstickers, those will do
Yes Constitutions, yes for flying disces
I only like the Porcer Merchandises
And Lysander the Porc who likes me too

Mom says the Gov will eat me up, but then
Jason says a Porcer is a vegeterian.
...
There's lots of room for us in New Hamp-a-shire
We'll free us here and show 'em there, the whole world we'll inspire

I can see us now on any morning,
shining like the stars
Blazing freedom to their minds
Just like open-ing the blinds
and they will know the Porc is happ-e-ning

I want some Porcer merchandise for Christmas
Only Porcer merchandise will do
No higher taxes or socialisterisms
I only like NewHampshireFreederisms
And HampshireFreederisms like me too!

- Lots of neat stuff in the FSP Store - If you need something by the 25th, order it right away.

In New Hampshire

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,705. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,900
Participants in NH: 641
as of December 13, 2008

FSP News - November 2008

NH Election Results -- More Free Staters Elected!

Our influence in New Hampshire politics continues to grow by leaps and bounds. While in 2006 only one early-moving Free-Stater was elected to the NH House of Representatives, in 2008 that individual was joined by 3 more pioneers. That's right, we now have 4 FSP Pioneers in the State Legislature!

These four individuals are a diverse group: a Democrat, 3 Republicans; two men, and two women. Two of them have served on the Board of Directors of the NH Liberty Alliance; another is the NH coordinator for the 2nd Amendment Sisters; another is an activist with privacy group NH CASPIAN. These four Free State Pioneers are joined by another four Friends of the Free State Project -- legislators who signed on as Friends after learning about the FSP and meeting us, or who joined the FSP before New Hampshire was chosen as the target state. Moreover, recounts are currently underway, and at least 1 more FSP Pioneer has a decent chance of winning in the recount. Good luck!

Meanwhile, the NH Liberty Alliance endorsed 154 candidates for NH State Representative. Of these, a whopping 98 won! These people are all "upper-quadrant Nolan Chart" folks; they either scored above 80% in Nolan-style questionnaires, or have consistently voted pro-liberty on economic and personal freedoms during their prior times in office.

Congratulations, and thank you to the many liberty-lovers elected to the New Hampshire legislature!
More info about the 2008 NH elections is here.

Liberty Forum 2009

It's another month closer to the 2009 Liberty Forum. Have you registered yet?

Richard Heller, (District of Columbia v. Heller), instrumental in overturning the ban on handguns in DC & around the nation is our Saturday Keynote Speaker!

Speakers from Reason, Independent Institute, Seasteading Institute and more will be presenting!

Also presenting are:

Matt Simon, Director of NH Common Sense Marijuana Policy
Glenn Jacobs, creator of the blogsite Adventures of Citizen X
Evan Nappen, lawyer and author of New Hampshire Gun, Knife, and Weapon Law
Hear from Will Buchanan, who is walking to liberty in New Hampshire from the West Coast!

See the full line up of speakers.

For more information about the 2009 Liberty Forum contact the Forum Coordinator!

Liberty, or lack of it, in Massachusetts

While the Free State Project elected 4 of its members to the New Hampshire House of Representatives, liberty did not do so well in other states. In Massachusetts, voters voted overwhelmingly to keep their state income tax. It must be lonely being a libertarian in Massachusetts so we decided to reach out to them with an advertisement. You can donate and view the advertisement at fsp.chipin.com. Donations will go straight to the advertising campaign operated by Seth H, who is posting daily updates to the FSP Forum.

Action of the Month Nov 08 - Universal Porrcerage

The votes have been cast, the ballots counted, the plebiscite ended. The "great quadrennial" has resulted in a change of administration. The yeas and nays of the franchise give way to the "Yeahs!" and "Noooos!" of the varying electorates. Whether the poll went the way you wanted, or the tally played tattoo on your sense of civic virtue - it is done. Another set of thieves have won the auction for our stolen goods. The power heaped upon the previous tenant will be passed to, and no doubt expanded upon, the next. So ask for a show of hands and tell those that feel the assault on our freedoms that there is hope. Have them exercise their suffrage and let them know there is hope in New Hampshire with the Free State Project. Those who hear the "whisper of the porc" will respond. Voting with our feet is a concrete, positive move towards liberty. If your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and occasional strangers on the street are all tapped out, consider making a donation to the FaceBook advertising project to help us all get Liberty in Our Lifetime.

Merchandise

Let's see, FSP merchandise and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Hmmmm, maybe t-shirts can be used for potholders. Liberty Forum DVDs as those "protect your table from hot pots" things (I can never remember the name of those). How about 'fridge magnets spelling out the time the feast will be ready? Pocket Constitutions to read while you're waiting for the gravy to thicken. Logo pins to keep the napkin firmly under your chin (not like you'd slop or anything). Key chains to attach to pot lids (you know how you hate burning your fingers on those things). FSP Ultimate flying discs make great plates and serving platters. Cute, stuffed, plushie porcs are sure to make a fantastic center-piece. And let's not forget FSP bumper-stickers to cover up the charred area around the oven (mistakes do happen you know). Obviously there are plenty of non-standard uses for the quality FSP merchandise available on the web site. Please remember though, the main purpose of these items is to advertise Liberty in Our Lifetime and to keep freedom and New Hampshire close to mind and heart.

New Pilgrim Chronicles

On November 9, 2008, Free State member and early mover Brian Wright released the second edition of New Pilgrim Chronicles, "his personal travelogue turned into a book about why people are coming to the Free State of New Hampshire for more freedom and to improve the quality of their lives." Brian tells us, "This is really an extensive rewrite. I took out all the 'rant.' I wanted to produce a more readable and usable literary companion for those who are considering making the trip here... whether for freedom or for the social reasons."

In New Hampshire

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,610. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,822
Participants in NH: 626
as of November 15, 2008

FSP News - October 2008

Free State Project Turns Five

The Free State Project is now five years old, and has a long list of successes under its belt. The biggest goals still lie in the future, though, and we need every bit of help we can get. Check out the Ridley Report's great retrospective/promotion video.

2009 LIBERTY FORUM - Speakers list firming up!

The Liberty Forum team received an overwhelming response to our offers for speaking opportunities. Some of the speakers confirmed so far are:

John Taylor Gatto, author of Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling and The Underground History of American Education. Mr. Gatto will speak to us about his new book, scheduled for release this month, Weapons of Mass Instruction. He has also graciously agreed to do a book signing!
Angela Keaton, Development Director from antiwar.com
Gary Franchi, National Director of Restore the Republic
Adam Kokesh, from Iraq Veterans Against the War

And, just confirmed! Dick Heller will be our Saturday night Keynote Speaker along with Dane von Breichenruchardt, President of the Bill of Rights Foundation!

See all confirmed speakers on our website and check back often for new additions. And while you're there, take advantage of early bird pricing by registering now!

For more information or questions about the event, contact us at libertyforum@freestateproject.org

FSP In The News

The Independant, one of Britain's nationally-distributed newspapers, published an article on September 20 about New Hampshire in general and several times mentioning the Free State Project and the efforts of the porcs already in the state. The tone of the article is fairly amusing, seemingly a combination of honest admiration and the sort of admiration you feel when you watch alligator wrestling. It's a fun read, and a good thing to show your almost-convinced friends.

According to the Concord Monitor, the porcupines of the Free State Project are partially responsible for the New Hampshire Libertarian Party being able to run a full ticket of candidates this year, and hopefully become an officially recognized major party in the state, with no need to collect signatures before appearing on the ballot.

The Buchanans and their Walk for Liberty project have made the news again, this time in the Beloit Daily News and the Mankato Free Press. Will and Brooke Buchanan are painting a swath of local coverage of the Free State Project right across the country!

Action of the month Oct 08 - Cry

Yes, It's time to cry. Shed a tear for the republic. Weep over lost liberties. Let flow your sadness for the founders' price squandered. Go ahead, collapse into a spasmodic, lachrymose bag of blood and bones on the floor. Then arise. Raise your chin. Lift your eyes to take in the shining beacon on the hill that is the Free State Project. Though we are 700 billion dollars poorer today, and we will either be an Obamanation or McCainangrad in November, there is still hope. The Porc calls to us, raising us up from the blubbering pit of despair to the freedom and liberty of New Hampshire. Dry your eyes, put on your brightest smile, and tell the others whose eyes are damp with despondence that there is something to feel optimism about, the growing freedom in The Free State. The sanguine land of brave men and women, who love freedom and are willing to do what it takes to get it, will clear the tears of future neighbors. Let us strike while the iron is hot, while people's indignations are fired red-hot by the prevarications of the politicians seeking to win the "advance auction". There is no better time than now, and just after, the electoral violations of the American public by the major parties to spread the words of freedom. Seek out the political gatherings, search for those with moist eyes, quivering lips, and sickened looks on their faces - these are the people who need a shoulder, these are the people who need the sweet, hopeful words of liberty whispered in their ear. And we, the Participants and Friends of the FSP have the absorbent shoulders and the gentle voices that will show the way to Liberty in Our Lifetime. The Free State Project and New Hampshire: hope and facial tissue for the dark days ahead.

Merchandise

We have a limited number of 2008 PorcFest T-shirts available - check the website for size availability. There are still a few 2008 Liberty Forum shirts available as well. Speaking of shirts, we have older event shirts too. Now don't give me any grief about "I wasn't there", or "That was a while ago". If you have a problem with owning a shirt from an event you didn't attend, just get a marker and put "I should have gone to..." in front of the title, or "I missed a great time at...", or "I wish I hadn't just gotten the shirt from..." Besides, it does none of us any good to have these shirts sitting on the shelf when they could be out there in the world advertising for the FSP (and all the fun we have). By the way, the older shirts are less expensive, as if you needed any more motivation.

In New Hampshire

The Fight Over Public Kindergarten

The Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers has an update on the status of statewide, state-mandated kindergarten. The fight for local control isn't over yet.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,563. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info or send a message to Moved@FreeStateProject.org to let us know.

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,727
Participants in NH: 592
as of October 13, 2008

FSP News - September 2008

Liberty Forum Registrations Now Open

Registration is NOW open for the 2009 Liberty Forum. Take advantage of the special early bird pricing which includes 2 lunches and 2 dinners. Check out the speakers that have confirmed so far! All the details are at www.freestateproject.org/libertyforum.

FSP Outreach At Events

The FSP will be out and about in the next few weeks. If you are at any of these events take a moment and come by and visit the booth. The FSP will be at:

Conservative Leadership Conference Sept 18- 21 in Las Vegas
MassCann Sept 20th in Boston
NHCCS Constitution Day Sept 21st in Nashua NH
The CT Liberty Forum Sept 27-28 in Bristol CT. The FSP will have a speaker at this event.

If you know of other events that the FSP should be at please email the Events Coordinator. Events are one of the best ways to get more people to join the FSP. If you can volunteer to man a booth for an event please email the Events Coordinator.

Protests at the Republican Convention

This MTV reporter's blog chronicles and contrasts the Rally for the Republic and Ripple Effect. For those who don't know, the Rally for the Republic is the first major effort of Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty -- the kind of event where you're likely to find friends and members of the FSP, and where in fact the FSP was well represented. Ripple Effect was a concert staged by "liberal and progressive" activists.

There is one paragraph from that post that I think is particularly telling:

The Ripple Effect event highlighted an approach to revolution that seems a bit different from the Rally for the Republic's. While people at both gatherings talked about the erosion of civil liberties in the US, the Rally focused on the ways Americans can calmly use the freedoms we have to gain more freedom. At Ripple Effect, activists expressed their anger at the government, and railed against the abuse and injustice that exist.

That's something to be proud of, folks. Everybody can see what's wrong these days, but we know how to fix it and we're calmly and determinedly doing exactly that.

R3VOLution Road Trip: 2,844 Miles

By surrealpolichick

Viva la r3VOLution! Can't talk (hoarse from screaming: "End the Fed"), can't walk (soccer injury after Monday night's Nation Celebration -- you should see the other guy, well, she was an eight year-old, but all's fair in love, war and r3VOLution), can't believe the MSM coverage (USA Today, September 3, 2008: "Ron Paul Hosts Alternative Event... Hundreds of people..." Hundreds? What, are they blind as well as stupid?), can’t get the Aimee Allen song out of my head.

Ron Paul! Save our constitutional rights. Ron Paul! We're not gonna give up the fight! Ron Paul! Start a r3VOLution. Break down these illegal institutions!

Twenty-four-and-a-half hours in a white Windstar decked out with Ron Paul stickers and decals racing from New Hampshire to Minnesota. Five Freestaters, four drivers, three pillows, two video cameras, one cooler. Opening the Atlas for the first time: Holy crap, did you know Minneapolis is half way across the country? 1,442 miles, if you're counting. And, trust me, after a while, you're counting. Or at least, Red is.

Red is our GPS. She will murmur sweet nothings to you all through the night. "Keep to the right, in," pregnant pause, "two miles." When Red demands, "Keep to the left" in Chicago, she will mean it, and when you don't, she will punish you with an extended silence as exits flash by while she takes her own sweet motoring time 'calculating route.' She will seduce you with Pavlovian dings that, somewhere in Ohio, will make you flap your hands like flippers and bark like an otter. By the way, Ohio is, like, motherfrakking H-U-G-E, and nothing happens on the I-80 except to stretch and stretch and stretch, black asphalt, forever. What's the state after Ohio? Delirium.

Keep reading...

Freestaters at the Rally for the Republic and related events

Almost two dozen porcupines worked the crowd at the Ron Paul Revolution Rally in July and they did it again at the Rally for the Republic in the Twin Cities of MN over an extended Labor Day weekend. Free State Project participants attended various protests, marches, picnics, and virtually every Rally for the Republic related event but not before several porcupines on their way to MN from NH stopped at the house of Jason Osborne of Sakal / CAI for a beer and meat break.

Flyers were given out at the Liberty Parade, the final leg of the Great American Walk for Freedom, and several other events on August 31st. Virtually everyone at the Campaign for Liberty Leadership Summit received Free State Project and Free Talk Live flyers while at the same time a team of porcupines distributed bookmarks at Ron Paul's book signing event on September 1st. That night, all of the porcupines and thousands of Ron Paul supports gathered for a free Nation Celebration concert. Free State Project shirts and frisbees were sold near the entrance while flyers were offered to everyone in attendance. The Free State Project had a great booth at the September 2nd Rally for the Republic where Chris Lawless schmoozed with all of the other vendors and sold Free State Project gear. Porcupines manned the exits with flyers. Will Buchanan of Walk for Liberty took a couple days off his walk and made a guest appearance at the Rally for the Republic where he handed out Walk for Liberty cards.

Overall, the Free State Project activism was a great success. Many people heard of the Free State Project and the great opportunities in NH, over one hundred people decided to become friends of the FSP, and thousands of flyers were given out. For a more personal report of the activities check out surrealpolichick's blog (above) or the Ridley Report interview of Jon Maltz and do not forget to take a look at some photos of the events. If there are pro-liberty events in your area that you think the Free State Project should be present at, please email Chris Lawless.

Action of the Month - Friends and Enemas

They're the government and they're here to help. Friends help friends, right? So the government must be my friend. They keep me from doing unsafe things. They keep me from insulting other people. They keep me from making bad decisions. They keep me. I can tell it's true because lots of the bumper stickers I see agree. "Friends don't let friends drive drunk". "Friends don't let friends vote republican" (or democrat). "Friends don't let friends plant perennials". Poor grammar aside, I can tell the government is my friend because they don't let me do so many things. Having friends is good, right? Well, Friends of the FSP are certainly good. Chris's suggestion that we contact real friends of ours and suggest they become friends of the FSP is a very good one. Almost any liberty-minded individual should be a Friends of the FSP. Even those that feel we should not abandon the "lower 49" can see the utility of having a concentrated liberty bloc working to restore freedom. The movement toward freedom, as spearheaded by the Free State Project, will start in New Hampshire. It will clean, shine, and polish the already mostly Free State. From there it will flush through the country, rinsing the socialist matter that is so foreign to the American psyche. It will "blow the tubes" of the Great Ship America, sending the fascist fear-mongers flying into a past best forgotten. The Free State Project will Run through every channel in our country and then throughout the world, purging the back rooms and silent hallways of those that would bind us up with the chains of servitude. The FSP needs friends to make this happen. It needs movers, it needs shakers, it needs participants, donors, and speakers. It needs you. For without the help of real friends, true friends, the FSP will not be able to clear out the enslavers of man. They will build up and clog the highways with their enforcers and wards, they will swell the columns of those living off others, they will obstruct the path to freedom and congest the natural flow of liberty that moves mankind forward. So listen to Chris, he's a good man, and go get some friends, make some friends, be a friend to freedom and Liberty in Our Lifetime.

Merchandise

Show your colors! This election season we'll all see the banners and signs of the... well, let's be polite and call them "hopefuls". (You can fill in the blank yourself as to what they're hopeful FOR...) Anyway, it is possible to show them and everyone else where you stand politically. The FSP "Don't Tread on Me" flag. Fashioned after the Gadsden flag of our Revolutionary War fame, it will declare your independence from politics as usual. Don't forget our other fine FSP products available at http://www.freestateproject.org/store. 100% of all sales go to the FSP. (Note: hats are out-of-stock in all colors)

Join the FSP and help St. Jude Hospital!

Thinking about joining the FSP? Want to help children in need?

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital charitably provides health care to children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases, regardless of their ability to pay. They also do basic research.

If you join the Free State Project by Thursday, September 18th, the hosts of Free Talk Live will donate $10 to St. Jude's Hostpital! That's right -- for every person who signs the FSP Statement of Intent between now and Thursday, Free Talk Live hosts Ian Bernard and Mark Edge will donate $10 to this very worthy charity. Hear their on-air pledge here (fast-forward to 10:00 min.).

Liberty in our Lifetime... and help for children who desperately need it. Please, take advantage of this opportunity. Thank you, Ian and Mark!

Walk for Liberty Update

We've had an action packed month on the Walk For Liberty! About a month ago, a major piece fell out of our Subaru, the crankshaft pulley. We ended up being stranded in the small town of Forsyth, MT for several days. Fortunately, the people we met there were very generous and hospitable, and made us feel right at home.

We ended up having to get our car towed 100 miles back to Billings, MT. But one side benefit was that we were able to get TV coverage at the local NBC affiliate there. In fact, Brooke was featured in the clip!

The media train has been gaining steam ever since then. Not only have we been covered in numerous small town papers, but also in 2 larger ones: the Aberdeen American News and the Watertown Public Opinion.

In other news: a month ago we announced that Brooke and I are getting divorced.....from the state. We decided there's no reason we should have the state involved with our marriage. So after we move to New Hampshire at the conclusion of the Walk For Liberty, we will be getting a divorce from the state.

At long last I finally finished walking through Montana, in which I had been walking for nearly 2 months! I then walked through a sliver of North Dakota (on the first private transcontinental highway in the country, the Yellowstone Trail), and I'm nearly through walking in South Dakota as well.

We got a dog! While we were having our RV fixed in the town of McIntosh, SD, the mechanic who serviced our RV suggested we might need a traveling companion. He had a beautiful Australian Shepherd for which he was looking for a good home. He decided our RV was that home, and that's how we got our new dog, Jake. I'm intending to train Jake to walk with me along the way.

About a week ago, Brooke and I took a few days off from the Walk For Liberty to drive over to Minneapolis and attend Ron Paul's Rally For the Republic. I'm really glad we did, as I made many new contacts and had a great time. In fact, a lady I met at the Rally and her family ended up being the first guest walkers on the Walk For Liberty just a few days ago!

At this point I've walked approximately half way through the country. Since I'm walking over 20 miles a day now, we're planning on arriving in New Hampshire by the end of November. I'm looking forward not only to a successful last half of the Walk, but also to moving to New Hampshire and getting active there!

You can follow my progress on the Walk For Liberty either on my blog or on YouTube. If you would like to subscribe to the YouTube channel, you can do so by clicking here.

[Editor's note: The more media attention this astonishing endeavor receives, the better, so anybody who lives near the route he'll be taking could help out by calling their local media and informing them of the interesting story that's about to stroll through town.]

In New Hampshire

Featured Mover

This month's featured mover is Rich Angel.

Lebanon and Concord are "Dream Towns"

MSNBC compiled a list of the top ten "Dream Towns" in America. Two of them are in New Hampshire.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,551. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,615
Participants in NH: 568
as of September 13, 2008

FSP News - August 2008

Connecticut Liberty Forum

National Home Education Legal Defense (NHELD) is hosting Connecticut's first annual "Connecticut Liberty Forum" and it will be held September 27-28 in Bristol, Connecticut. This groundbreaking event will be open to the public and to the media, and the FSP will have speaker and a booth. The event runs from 8 am Saturday until 8 pm and then continues on Sunday from 8 am until 2 pm. At the Saturday luncheon Susette Kelo and Michael Cristofaro will be presented with the CT Freedom Fighter Award for their valiant and courageous fight against eminent domain abuse, and then Mr. Cristofaro will speak and tell his story. The Saturday night keynote speaker is Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman Project, and the Sunday breakfast will feature Robert Levy from the CATO Institute who will speak about Supreme Court decisions that have eroded our liberty.

To find out more information, and to register, please visit nheld.com, or call 860-523-7257. An early bird special pricing is available during the month of August, so register early and save! FSP Particpants get an additional $5 off their tickets if they use the "NHFS" discount code.

New Hampshire 46th State Out of 50... For Taxes

The Tax Foundation tracks lots of information regarding the taxes imposed throughout the U.S.A. Their collection of New Hampshire information emphasizes how much better off a move to New Hampshire can make you. In 2008, Free Staters got to their "Tax Freedom Day" a week before the nation as a whole, and payed 2% less state/local tax than the national average.

Liberty Forum 2009 is Closer Than You Think

Liberty Forum 2008 was a great success. We want to build on that success with Liberty Forum 2009. It will be March 5th - 9th, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. We will be announcing speakers shortly.

$10 for the FSP

Will you pledge $10 a month to the FSP for one year? This pledge will help the FSP quickly fund events that pop up, allowing us to make the most of sudden opportunities. Please pledge today.

FSP at C4L Needs Help

Check out the Chip In widget on the Front Page of the FSP website. This Chip In will be used to fund flyers and handouts to the THOUSANDS of people who will be going to the Rally for the Republic in Minnesota. There are going to be lots of FSPer going and this is a great chance for THOUSANDS of people (ACTIVISTS!) to hear about the FSP. We had a great response in DC at the Revolution March and we want to repeat it in MN. Chip in.

Action of the Month - Represent the Remnant

Freedom-minded individuals have been called many things over the years. One of the nicer names is "remnant". Although this word often has religious connections, I think it can, at times, be an apt title. A political remnant, that which is still there after the left and right have finished "choosing up". The remains of the political process when the socialists and fascists have finished chewing on each other's legs. This word, remnant, also implies that there aren't very many. Whether you're at a literary release cocktail party in Manhattan, a futures trader's bar in Chicago, a steelworkers saloon in Dallas, an after-Oscar party in LA, or the local Cheers or McGinley's Bar and Grill, odds are, there won't be many (if any) there that aren't interested in living at the expense of someone else. When there are one of those few occasions where more than one or two liberty-minded people might show up, it makes sense to show up yourself and introduce them to the Free State Project (for those very few who don't yet know about Liberty in Our Lifetime). There are local Libertarian Party gatherings, Ron Paul Meetups, Taxpayer rights groups, eminent domain protests, and other assemblies of zero-aggression types. Word-of-mouth has always been the number one way that people have found out about the Free State Project. Face-time is the best path to true communication. Much better than an anonymous flier, an invective blasted from a megaphone or a nasty letter to the editor. A calm, rational explanation of the Free State Project makes it almost impossible not to fall in love with the idea of free living in a free New Hampshire.

In New Hampshire

Portsmouth One of the Top Ten Places to Live

Outside Magazine has rated Portsmouth as one of the best places to live in the U.S.A. They like the do-it-yourself attitude and indie culture of the town.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,541. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,524
Participants in NH: 551
as of August 12, 2008

FSP News - July 2008

District of Columbia et al. v. Heller

By now, you've probably heard of the supreme court decision in District of Columbia et al. v. Heller, a.k.a the DC Gun Ban trial, but if not, allow me to be the bearer of good news. The court concluded, in part, that:

The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.

What you may not know is that Rich Heller, who started that whole ball rolling, is a participant in the Free State Project. I look forward to seeing what project this principled (and effective!) activist takes on next.

Michael Hampton, over at Homeland Stupidity, has some additional discussion of the court decision and the reactions to it.

Freestaters at the Ron Paul Revolution Rally

The Free State Project was well represented at the Ron Paul Revolution Rally in DC on July 12th. The rally was headed up by two Free State Project participants and was a great success, attracting thousands of liberty lovers. 20 Porcupines, half from the DC-area and the rest visiting from New Hampshire, handed out close to 2000 flyers to the crowd, got 133 newsletter sign ups and 8 new FSP participants. Varrin Swearingen, the past president of the FSP, also spoke during the rally and Ron Paul gave his praise to the over 40 Ron Paul supporters running for office in New Hampshire. Some pictures of Porcupines at the rally have been posted to Flickr and a video from the event has been posted to YouTube. A longer write up has been posted by Varrin at his blog. If there are pro-liberty events in your area that you think the FSP should be present at, please email Chris Lawless.

The Next 1000 Pledge

If you wanted to sign the First 1000 pledge, but couldn't commit to such an early move, take heart. The Next 1000 pledge has been launched. If it's as successful as the First 1000, participants can be proudly responsible for nearly doubling the number of freestaters in New Hampshire.

PorcFest Wrap-Up

PorcFest just keeps getting bigger and better. This year featured 8 local bands, over 50 exhibitors, a Sakal/CAI sponsored Fun Tent, professional bus tours, greater media coverage, diverse hikes, kids activities, and much more. Thank you to everyone who traveled both near and far to attend, as well as the many volunteers and donors who made PorcFest possible. For pictures from the festival, visit the PorcFest 2008 Photo Gallery. If you have pictures that aren't there and would like them to be, email the photos to porcfest@freestateproject.org . Similarly, please email that address if we are missing any coverage (blog posts, articles, videos, etc.) of the festival on our press page. If you have suggestions/requests for PorcFest 2009, please email them to rgoldman@freestateproject.org. Until next year, keep on advancing Liberty in our Lifetime.

PorcFest was featured on two New Hampshire community television programs. They are also available on the web — enjoy!
Capitol Access
Free Minds TV

PorcFest also garnered an article in The New Hampshire Union Leader.

Action of the Month - Help porc, help

See porc run. Run porc, run. See porc run for office. See porc knock on door. Knock on door, porc. Knock porc, knock. Porc is alone. See porc knock on door alone. See porc knock again. Hear porc talk. Talk porc talk. Hear porc talk about freedom. Talk freedom, porc. See porc talk alone. See porc mailing letters. Mail porc, mail. See porc stamp letter. Stamp porc stamp. See porc stamp alone. See porc buy stamps. Buy porc, buy. See porc reach in pocket. Reach porc, reach. See porc has empty pocket. See empty pocket of porc. See empty yard. No sign in yard. See voters not see. Voters have not heard porc. Voters do not know porc. See voters pull wrong lever. Wrong voters, wrong. See country go to hell. To hell country, hell. See porc cry. Cry porc, cry. Too late porc. Porc, too late. No, not too late. See porc help. See porc help porc. See porc and porc help. Help porc, help.

The tone of this month's "action" is, of course, in no way a response to the e-spanking received concerning last month's rather circumlocutional "action".

Merchandise

They're mystical, they're magical, they're magnets! These things are really cool. They stick to metal. Don't ask me how. You just hold it close and thwp!, the next thing you know, it's stuck there. But not permanently. You can pull it off with a slight tug. And -make sure you're sitting down for this- you can stick it back up again. I'm telling you, these things are amazing. Why I bet if this were a couple of hundred years ago, we'd be burned as a witch for slapping one of these against a refrigerator. Well, I guess they didn't have... Anyway, these things are really cool. Now, how about this as a way to spread the news of Liberty in Our Lifetime. Stick one of these beautiful magnets up, you know, somewhere kinda public, and soon enough someone will come by, see it, and probably take it. Who knows how many people will see it then as they show it off their friends and family. (Hopefully their friends and family are a bit more morally advanced.) If it does stay up, think of how many people will see it. I was thinking of neat places to put these. Places where there are highly visible steel surfaces. Signs of all types are often made of ferrous material. Lavatory dividers might be an interesting place to display one of the eight different varieties of FSP magnets. That particular placement possesses the added benefit of the audience being rather...captive. Doors, cars, safes, chairs, railings, shelves, poles, benches, and many other things are likely targets for the always sticky, but never tacky FSP magnets.

Don't forget to check out all the other items in the store, and imagine ways to put them to good use. And never, ever, confuse the weber (Wb) with the tesla(T)

Walk for Liberty Gets Media Coverage

After only a couple of months on the road, the Walk for Liberty is beginning to attract the attention of the mainstream local media. On day 61 of the Walk for Liberty coverage, Will Buchanan discusses a positive article appearing in the Lewiston Tribune.

Jason Sorens On "Political Animals"

Jason Sorens, the founder of the Free State Project, was recently interviewed on the WBGU radio show "Political Animals." You can read a little bit about the show here, and listen to it here.

In New Hampshire

Recent Mover:Rene

Volunteers Needed for Live Free or Die Rally

The Third Annual Live Free Or Die Celebration Benefit Rally: Bands, renowned speakers, vendors, cannons, demonstrations, barbecues & more! Free secluded camping & facilities with mountain views 5 min. from main event. After-hours party, cannons, salutes, bands (mindsetx, dreamline and more.) Volunteers must attend a meeting on Aug 22, the event is Aug 23. You will receive a free tshirt and the tasks are simple. Please give a few hours of your time! Volunteers meeting on Friday, August 22, 7 PM at Dillon Lodge.Interested parties should contact: Caacp01@aol.com

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,389. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,458
Participants in NH: 540
as of July 13, 2008

FSP News - June 2008

PorcFest Across The Web

Stories about PorcFest are popping up on liberty-oriented sites all across the web: The New Jersey Libertarian Party and the Atlasphere are running articles by Rich Goldman. The Liberty Sentinel of Floria is running an article by Erik McLean. The New Hampshire Free Press is running an article by Kat Kanning. Anarchy In Your Head has a fun four-panel cartoon.

Web-based editorials and cartoons are a great way to spread the message of liberty and the Free State Project. It's easy to share URLs with your friends, and it's very rewarding to write an article and get it published on a website you admire. Give it a try!

Walk For Liberty Still Moving Along

Will Buchanan is still walking his way across the country, hoping to focus attention on the Free State Project and the ideals of liberty. Check out his daily video blog to get a sense of this remarkable adventure, and don't forget to share it with your friends.

Action of the Month - Let Us be the collectivist pigs, er cats.

The agon will be long and hard. It will be followed by another agon. That will be followed by yet another. There has never been a proagon, and there will never be a parabasis. Those who grasp for power will forever be grasping, and thank the gods, there will always be those who will grapple with them to wrest the power away, pulverize it, and scatter it into the void. Yet, you can be sure that it will coalesce again, little bit, by little bit, as if it were conjured together by some evil magus, bent on domination, or worse, "doing right". There will be many around him, the sycophants, who want little more than to be in the graces of a "great man". There will be hoplites, eager to brutally enforce their master's will, grateful to indulge their vicious inclinations in the name of a "higher good". There will be the masses, whether ovine or bovine, going along and staying intact, or going along and getting ground up, consumed and egested by the voracious appetite that always accompanies power. And then there are the enablers [spit]. These are the pernicious ones. They work for the goal, whatever the leader's goal is. They are often smart and capable. They "feel" what they're doing is right, perhaps without thinking much about it. They have a sense of purpose, given to them by their leader, by their group, by their attention to their goal. They suffer the sycophants, holding back what they know they don't want to hear. They praise the hoplites, heaping honor and eulogies upon those carrying out the conclusion of their edicts. They shear the sheeple and present it to the leader, hoping for praise and adulation, hoping for a sense of having done their part, hoping for permission to sleep soundly at night. And they butcher the cows, turning people who, more likely than not, are just living out their lives, trying to do their best to get along in a complex world. Instead of getting along, they "git along" right into the paddock, and if they do not concede to the wishes of the leader, they are pressed into the stockyard, vivisected, segmented, and fed into the grinder. There are others. There are those who will not genuflect to the leader, who will not go silently to the abattoir. They agitate. They resist. They fight. These are the sheepdogs. These are they who watch the watchmen. These are the grapplers. These are the brave ones, these rugged individuals who care greatly for truth, honor, and justice and less for platitudes, baubles, and other people's opinion. These singular knights of freedom press bravely against the leader and his hordes in a never-ending struggle. If only there were more of these lonely paladins. The strength of one is mighty indeed, the effect of many would be compound. But alas, as the leader's horde are of the same ilk; socialized, group affiliated, hive-like, the forces of the noble paladins are fragmented, discrete, singular. The greatest Action I can imagine would be the cooperation of these knights. The setting aside of the twenty percent difference in opinions and striving valiantly to bring the eighty percent, the common ground, to fruition would be the greatest feat of all. It is a doable feat. Working together, whether victual or victor, on what can be agreed to. And as circumstance would have it, there's even a place where it can be done - Newest Hampshire. Don't let freedom's singular voices be like a drop of rain on that log in the forest, but together as part of a mighty wave, bellowing and crashing on the rocky shore, that echoes far inland.

Merchandise

All the specials on merchandise can be had by simply... pardon me a moment. (What did you say? Where?) Well, it seems the store will be at the PorcFest this weekend. No waiting for shipments to arrive, you know how boring it is waiting around the mail box for days. You can handle the merchandise before buying it, gently of course, and don't even think about eating a chocolate bar beforehand. All the glorious t-shirts and magnets in full, living color right before your eyes, well not all exactly living, the FSP bonsai tree idea didn't exactly pan out. You can marvel first-hand at shape of the lettering in the Pocket Constitution, you can stand in awe of the aerodynamic brilliance that is the Porc flying disc, you could be entranced by the dazzling radiance of the FSP diamond tiara, could be, but that idea didn't pan out so well either. But, if koozies and wristbands and hats and stickers and outrageously cute porcupine puppets make your heart palpitate then come buy, I mean, come by and see the stuff. For those of you unable to be at PorcFest, if you're very, very quiet, you might be able to make out the sounds of the PorcFest from all the way in New Hampshire. If you hear something that sounds like nanny-nanny-boo-boo! I'm sure it won't be me, cause I'm going and you're not.

Freestaters At The Revolution March

Join dozens of Freestaters as they converge in Washington DC on July 12th at the Ron Paul Revolution March. We will meet up with thousands of Ron Paul supporters many of whom agree with the FSP message. If you would like more details please contact clawless@freestateproject.org.

In New Hampshire

Recent Mover: Jeremy in Manchester

Dave Ridley interviews early mover Jeremy about his reasons for moving, and why he's glad he made the move.

Varrin Swearingen was on Behind The Mike

On June 7th, Varrin Swearingen was on Behind The Mike, talking about liberty and the Free State Project.

FSP Friend Free Talk Live Goes International

Free Talk Live is now being broadcast in Trinidad & Tobago, in addition to over 40 stations in the United States. FTL's outreach efforts for the FSP are invaluable, and now, international as well.

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:

Lauren Canario freed after three months
Ron Paul sympathizers detained for open carry
Porcupine Freedom Festival log, with video
FEMA: Don't rely on us after flood
more in Free State Blogs

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

An Offer To FSP Members, From Third Wave Systems S.A. And Learn4x.com LLC

For those interested in permanently securing their financial future, rapidly eliminating all debt, and developing an independent, sovereign-secure career that may be practiced privately from a home office almost anywhere in the world, we offer you this invitation to learn how to trade in the world currency, or foreign exchange markets known as Forex.

This is an exclusive private offer to take advantage of a course unlike any other in Forex trading education. You will be taught under the personal guidance of two world-class traders in a comprehensive, live, hands-on 6-day seminar.

Once you have learned the skills we'll share, you will be given the opportunity to work as an independent consultant to an internationally established professional Forex Trading Team. You may choose to practice your new skills alone and/or in association with our Trading Team. If you join the Trading Team, you will have the means to live freely and independently anywhere you please, secured by your own ability to accumulate risk-free wealth 24 hours a day, 5 ½ days a week through trading.
Full details are disclosed in the free materials you'll find at: http://u15198738.onlinehome-server.com/trainingportal2/seminarregister.aspx

IMPORTANT: This offer is by private invitation only. When registering for the class, please be certain to mention that you were referred by The Free State Project.

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,381. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,410
Participants in NH: 538
as of June 15, 2008

FSP News - May 2008

PorcFest

The 5th Annual Porcupine Freedom (and Music) Festival is almost here!

Set among the scenic surroundings of Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, New Hampshire, this year's PorcFest promises to be bigger and better-sounding than ever. There are myriad activities for attendees, including a Lakes Region road rally, gun shoots, fishing, hiking, camping, CPR/AED certification classes, workshops, guest speakers, and games! Don't miss the exhibitors/vendors area, highlighting some of the best products, services, and pro-liberty organizations in the state. See what fun awaits you, with our PorcFest preview video. The event takes place June 9-15, 2008.

Come for the music; stay for liberty! This year PorcFest will have two days of live musical performances on an outdoor stage, as well as informal singing and guitar playing around the campfire each night, and open-mic performances.

For those of you who want to explore the Free State, this year we are expanding the statewide bus tours. Daily trips include the Seacoast area (Dover, Portsmouth), Manchester, Concord/Grafton, Keene, and the Lakes Region. Find your new home: This is a great way to learn about the real estate, politics, and social aspects of the Free State.

PorcFest is a great place to meet other lovers of liberty. Enjoy the fellowship, and discover new friendships and new freedoms by signing up today. If you are planning to attend, please sign up (tickets are required) and make your lodging arrangements ASAP.

There are plenty of ways you can help make the festival a success, even if you aren't planning to attend:

Provide an item or two for the Silent Auction. We're looking for Liberty and non-Liberty themed stuff. Anything cool that you think would sell if auctioned is welcomed. To provide an item, or to help with the auction at the festival, please email Kate Marshall.
Spread the word about the festival. Tell your friends, family, and co-workers about the FSP and the opportunity to check it out at PorcFest. Distribute our Press Release, post our BlogAd, hand out our flyer or SlimJim, talk up the festival on web forums, or whatever other marketing activities you can do.
Donate money. PorcFest is an expensive event to produce and its financial success is based on attendee ticket sales and donations. All donations go to PorcFest; none of the organizers are paid. To support the festival, either use our ChipIn module, or use the services of GoodSearch or GoodShop.

New Hampshire Winning Awards

Last issue, we reported that New Hampshire had been ranked as the most livable state in the union by the analysts at CQ Media. That's not the only field in which New Hampshire ranks well, though: it's also the safest state and the second-healthiest state.

Action of the Month - Stimulating Porcupines

For those of us who haven't managed to avoid the grasp of the IRS, a certain bit of largess may be headed our way. The politicos are calling it a "stimulus", and, oddly enough, so do I. However, fear not brave porcs, for I speak not of economic repercussions, but of philosophical and literary excitement. To quote a quote: "My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention." As such, my irony potentiometer is pegged in the red. So many possibilities, so few inflated dollars. I could rip up the check to drive them crazy by having an outstanding check lying around. No, that wouldn't work, they'd just take the money back after a while. I could spend it on something illicit, thus keeping that money out of the eyes and clutches of the money police. No, that wouldn't help much, eventually it winds up in a government bank (or politician's pocket). How about cashing the check in for one-dollar bills and papering my walls with it. No, it might look cool, but it seems like a lot of work. How about cashing the check in for pennies and then selling them as copper? Well, let's see, that'd be about 330 pounds of pennies, and copper is around $3.50 a pound, hey you could make a fair profit. No, wait, there's probably a law about smelting pennies. And, oh yeah, pennies aren't really made of copper anyway - I wonder what zinc goes for these days? No, I guess that's not a good idea. I could use those dollars, sorry, Federal Reserve Notes to buy a car! No wait, they cost too much. A big-screen TV? No, they cost too much. A nice gaming computer? No, they cost more than this paltry pittance bequeathed to me by our, no scratch that, those politicians in Washington. (Wow, just think how fast George [the good one, or at least, better one] must be spinning in his grave over that bit of nomenclature.) Taking a quick guesstimate it looks like this may be a six-hundredths-of-a-percent tax discount, not quite the stuff dreams are made of.

Hmm, depending on whether or not I want the money to go to China (and then back to the FED), I could just go to Wal-mart and buy some stuff. Although, there are still some American firearms manufactures, maybe my thirst for irony could be thusly quenched. Buying some quality American cigarettes would also serve well to blow some smoke up their, well, chimneys. But you know what, in the end I think maybe liberty could use some stimulating, perhaps the Free State Project could make use of this unexpected windfall. Supplying the means to aid in their own diminishment has a sort of romantic, though deliciously sardonic, quality to it.

Merchandise

We've all seen "Old Glory" fluttering in the breeze (or at least on late-late-night television, just before the screen goes chhhhhhhhhhhh). Despite all the negatives and the current state of affairs, I occasionally find myself feeling a certain pride in that standard which has stood for freedom, liberty, and hope for the oppressed around the world. But as time goes on, and as the ubiquitous stars and stripes can be seen on everything from underpants and shoelaces to ads for toothpaste and used car lots, I feel a bit of separation from that banner that has called so many to our shores. What can there be to replace it? What standard can be held aloft with pride and surety? Dare we "hold the red star proudly high in hand?" I think not. Maybe we can adopt a previous ensign, one that was proudly held with a bloodied but defiant hand at the creation of this land of the free. The Bunker Hill flag with it's blue field, green tree, ...and... OK, Breed's hill, don't be so persnickety. Perhaps instead, we should adopt a fictional creation, with red bar sinister and brass cannon. No, we must leave that for our distant descendants who may very well be able to plant it themselves in the airless soil of Artemis' bosom. How about we show the bold, blue flag of the Libertarian Party, with Lady Liberty holding her torch on high for all to see? OK, ok, maybe not, big "L" and little "l" people can get sooooo touchy. My suggestion is this, the flag of the Free State Project! Yes, we had a flag made if you didn't know. Modeled on the "Don't Tread on Me" Gadsden flag, it has the FSP web site address along the hoist, and an honest, minding-it's-own-business-but-I'll-skewer-you-if-you-screw-with-me porcupine in the center. You'll feel no shame raising this above home and hearth (or covering your windows, if you're one of those college dorm types). Two styles are available in the FSP store, grommets in four corners, or pole sleeve top and bottom.

In New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Advantage Coalition's Tax-Capping Initiative

The New Hampshire Advantage Coalition is helping residents in several townships work to put caps on their local taxes. Judging by the tone of this Concord Monitor article, this is provoking abundant confusion and uncertainty on the part of city governments used to having an unlimited power to spend the hard-earned money of their residents.

Dave Ridley and His Illegal Puppets

Dave Ridley has been trying to shine a light on an initiative to remove junk laws from the books, by performing with puppets. Thanks to a ridiculous law dating back to 1850, these puppet shows are illegal. Ridley gave a short interview in the Concord Monitor on his act of civil disobedience.

New Hampshire Gets a Pink Pistols Chapter

Ryan Marvin, a porcupine previously from Texas, is getting a New Hampshire chapter of the Pink Pistols going. The Pink Pistols is an organization that helps people learn to use firearms for self-defense, focusing particularly on teaching gay people how to protect themselves. Find out more from this short interview in the Concord Monitor.

Update on Events in Grafton

In March we ran an article by Rich Angell describing a recent town hall meeting in Grafton. He has since written a follow-up article describing some of the further outcomes of that event, along with the general political status of New Hampshire. Both articles ran in the Idaho Observer.

May Issue of the new Hampshire Free Press Now Online

In the current issue, you'll find:

Keene Police Ignore Illegal Gambling Operation
Walk for Liberty
Double Trouble of Taxation
Bailing out Banks
LEAP Speaks
The Fatherphobia of Family Courts
Ain't Nobody's Business if you Do
A Heated Conversation about Marijuana with Molly Kelly
Dancing for Freedom in Public will get you Arrested
Watching the Watchers
A Strategy for Freedom

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12362. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,354
Participants in NH: 530
as of May 13, 2008

FSP News - April 2008

PorcFest 2008

PorcFest is less than two months away. Tickets are inexpensive and required to attend the festival and certain activities. Lodging is available, but our exclusive hold on campsites and hotels will end by April 25th and be opened to the thousands of Bike Week attendees. Therefore, sign up and make your lodging arrangements ASAP.

Also, an essential aspect of PorcFest is the ability to interact with new people. If you have a business, an organization, or simply want a soapbox for your views, please take advantage of the opportunities PorcFest provides and register as a vendor/exhibitor. Our rates are inexpensive and you will be able to reach hundreds of potential customers, volunteers, and supporters.

A new aspect to PorcFest this year will be the outdoor concerts on the weekend. For a taste of the bands that will be performing check out:

Last but not least, PorcFest needs your help and there are several ways you can help in the success of the festival:

Donate:: PorcFest is an expensive event to produce and its financial success is based on attendee ticket sales and donations. All donations go to PorcFest (none of the organizers are paid) and will cover expenses ranging from facility and equipment rental to marketing. Especially if you will not be attending the festival, a donation is a meaningful way to support the event and the FSP. To donate, either use the ChipIn widget to the left or become a sponsor when you register.
Promote:: Bring/drag along your friends, co-workers, and family and post announcements to the email-lists, forums, and groups you belong. PorcFest is a great way to show people what this Free State Project and New Hampshire thing (you've hopefully been mentioning) is about. You can put your pitch in your own words (tends to be the more powerful) or use some of our pre-made material: SlimJim Handout, Flyers, News Articles, Website Ad, and Videos. If you'd like any printed material sent to you, email porcfest@freestateproject.org with your name, address, and the amount you would like.
Volunteer:: During the festival, people will be needed to help with and perform a variety of tasks. When you register, please tell us in the Volunteering section of the form where you would like to help. Training and instructions are provided for everything.
Buy & Search:: The Free State Project has account with GoodSearch which enables us to receive donations based on the searches and purchases of our members. All you need to do is use GoodSearch when you search, and GoodShop when you shop. Please use the links provided here which will automatically specify the FSP as your desired beneficiary.

Action of the Month - Become an Advertising Mogul

There are millions of people out there. Out there in the "lower 49", following along with the crowd, unaware of the possibilities offered by freedom and liberty. They walk as neither living nor dead, with empty minds and hearts, the promise of personal gain scrubbed from their psyche by the collectivist chant of "all for all". They are like zombies shuffling along with broken limbs. They work like automatons, repetitious and programmed, with few original thoughts, and no fresh ideas. They know that a new thing, successfully produced, will only lead to derision, envy, and contempt from the have-nots and can-nots that are all too pervasive in big-mouth media and tiny-brain academia. So they work on, day after day, in a slick, well-oiled world where doing as you're told is held up as a reward in itself. And what do we have to offer? Do we say to them, "Come join the shuffling up here? We have metal polish and silicone grease?" No, we say, "Come join the eternal vigil for freedom! Come enjoy the anti-virus for your vassalage! Come free your soul to soar among the clear skies and open air of the Free State!" At first, they may not hear you, they may not understand. Remember they have been taught since birth to go-along and get-along. They may never have had a friend or neighbor tell them that it's OK to think like a citizen with responsibilities and privileges. They only think of themselves as victims and subjects with shifting rights, capriciously enforced. So we say to them, "Come free yourselves from the rigid program of "like-everyone-else". Come peel away the cold, metal shell used as protection from the overly PC, overly vindictive crowds. Replace the wires and steel in your arms and legs with the true flesh and true blood of actual humans." We speak gently, with confidence and truth. "Come to New Hampshire with the Free State Project, come home to liberty."

So, to make a short story long, the Action of the Month is: Advertise! Spread the word to the unwashed masses. Get out ye olde crow bar, break open the wallet and buy some advertising in your local paper. In smaller papers, you can find ways to place ads for little or no cost. You can make a sign and stand on a street corner. Get your local group together and pitch in for a radio spot, set fliers on store counters, pass out leaflets at spring festivals, tax rallies, sporting events, etc, etc, etc. With freed minds like yours, I'm sure you can think of more possibilities than I can. The ads don't have to be some long, drawn out explanation or polemic against The State; maybe just a kindly finger pointing out the shining beacon on the hill. Take a little time and advertise Liberty in Our Lifetime.

Request for Local Media Contacts

To help spread the word about the FSP, Porcfest and other events, we're asking our members outside NH to please send in the email address of their local newspaper(s), TV, and news/talk radio stations. Our membership growth is definitely tied to our media exposure, and making a direct outreach to media outlets across the country (and world) will help. Please send the media outlet's name/call letters and the contact email(s) to publicity@freestateproject.org.

FSP Conference Calls

A bi-weekly FSP conference call has been started. Occurring every other Wednesday @ 9pm eastern, the next call will be April 16th @ 9pm eastern. To participate, simply dial 1-785-686-2400 and use the Participant Access Code 72682. The discussion on the 16th will revolve around the marketing of the FSP, the status of PorcFest, communication with and activism of early movers, and questions or subjects attendees would like to raise. If you have any items you'd like to have added to the agenda, for either this or a future call, please email Rich Goldman or post to the FSP Forum.

Merchandise

Nothing new in merchandise. It's just the same old stuff. Tee-shirts are nice. We have different colors. We have different sizes. They all have porcupines on them. We have a bumper sticker. It has a porcupine on it. We have a bookmark. That has a porcupine on it. We have a pin. There's a porcupine on it. There's a really cool, custom Buck knife. It has a porcupine on it. Oh, and this bright yellow Ultimate flying disc. That has a porcupine on it. And there's these neat Koozie can cooler things from PorcFest '05. They have a porcupine on them. We have these blue, stretchy wristbands with the URL and Liberty in Our Lifetime on them. And a porcupine. My favorite of all are the soft, cuddly plushie animals that come in two sizes. They're porcupines.

Free State Match

Line up your sights and take aim for fun and freedom with the Free State Match #5.

Are freedom and liberty in the cards? Will we once again be kings of our own sovereign selves? Will we end up as queens or queans? No matter what, don't jack around but take part in this challenging shooting match. Here's the deal, place 5 playing cards on a target, a deuce (a 2 of any suite) and 4 aces, now shoot the 6 marks on the cards. You have 15 shots in one minute to "break the ink". If you shoot with a scoped rifle, do it at 200ft, iron-sight rifle at 100ft, pistols at 15ft. Why a two and four aces? It spells out 20,000 (well, sort of), as we're shooting for 20,000 liberty-minded people to lead New Hampshire and the world to Liberty in Our Lifetime.

Scoring change: 1 point for each card hit, 2 points for each center mark (pip) hit.

For all you jokers out there, perfect scores will be highly suspect. :)

Walk for Liberty Update

The start of the Walk For Liberty is almost upon us! Tomorrow, April 14, my wife Brooke, my brother John, and I will start the Walk For Liberty from Seaside, OR. I'm going to be starting the walk right from the water, and will walk all the way across the country to the seacoast of New Hampshire.

We're making this walk to do our part to reverse the trend of the government encroaching on our liberties. We're walking to raise awareness of two freedom-oriented causes: the Free State Project's idea of liberty-lovers all moving to New Hampshire, and presidential candidate Ron Paul's message of freedom and individual responsibility.

Preparations for the Walk

The last month or so Brooke and I had been getting ready to move from Hawaii: purging unnecessary items, figuring out what to take with us on the walk, and packing up the rest of it to ship to New Hampshire for when we move there at the conclusion of the walk.

On April 3, Brooke and I flew to Washington state where we stayed with relatives for about a week. John flew in and joined us on April 8. While there, we bought an RV to use as a support vehicle for the walk and a car to shuttle us back and forth. We made final preparations to get ready for the walk, including doing work on the RV to make sure it's ready for a cross-country trip.

Currently

For the past 2 nights we've been living in our RV in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Lacey, WA. We've been finishing up some maintenance work on the RV as well as getting some supplies we will need.

Today we drive down to Oregon -- in about an hour we will head out for the three hour drive down there. We'll stay overnight at an RV part, and then tomorrow start the Walk!

For More Info

I've shot a couple videos recently to document our last minute preparations: Video 1, Video 2.

John has also written a nice blog post: Starting the Walk for Liberty.

You can visit my blog for more ongoing updates, or visit the Walk For Liberty home page.

-- Will Buchanan

New Hampshire is Once Again the Most Livable State

According to the CQ Press annual state ranking, New Hampshire is the most livable state in the union. This is the fifth consecutive year that New Hampshire has won that honor. To all those liberty lovers languishing in states near the bottom of the list: you're in the wrong place. Come home to New Hampshire.

In New Hampshire

Governor Meets with NHLiberty

The Governor of NH met with the NH Liberty Alliance to restate his commitment against Real-ID. Thanks BikerBill for the video!

Varrin Swearingen on Ron Paul Radio

FSP Media Spokesperson Varrin Swearingen was interviewed on Ron Paul Radio. Click here to listen!

Dave Ridley Interviews Movers

Dave Ridley is producing a series of videos interviewing Free State Project members who have "made the move!"

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

Manchester one of the "Best Places to Live and Launch"

Fortune Small Business has rated Manchester #13 out of 100 best places to live and launch a business in 2008.

NHLA Day at the Races

Come volunteer at the NASCAR race track in Louden! All funds raised through your hard work will be used to support pro-liberty candidates in the November general election. The more the merrier (and the bigger our bonus!).

The event takes place on Saturday, September 13th. Contact Carol McGuire for more information.

New Hampshire Free Press

The April issue of the New Hampshire Free Press is now available online. The issue contains

Civil Disobedience Victory
Never put your Fate in the Hands of a Bureaucracy
Reader Letters
Consent of the Governed
$42 Million Question
Tombstones Mark Anniversary
On 5 Years in Iraq
Can the Free Market Secure Airlines?
Live Free or Die Celebration
Sudoku Puzzle
Why I am an Anarchist

Free State Blogs

Free State Blogs is now featured on the Free State Project home page!
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:

Letters to the Editor

DownsizeDC

Hi, Ian and Mark here from Free Talk Live. We're big fans of DownsizeDC.org. In a recent interview, two-time, Free State Project, Liberty Forum speaker and DownsizeDC.org President, Jim Babka, told Wikinews...

"DownsizeDC.org is an organization that makes it easy for every day citizens, with jobs and busy lives, to express their wishes to their two Senators and Representative. It's free and quite easy to use. The DownsizeDC.org system combines education, recruitment, and activism into one simple, seamless process.

"And once someone sends a message, they begin receiving our free email newsletter, or as we prefer to describe it, they become part of the Downsize DC Army. Voltaire said, "God tends to be on the side of the bigger battalions." And we're looking to build the Downsize DC Army so large that Congress cannot afford to ignore us - so big that we can get our message of small, Constitutionally-limited government out everywhere."

You can read the rest of that interview here.

We strongly believe that DownsizeDC.org represents effective, long-term activism. And that's why Jim Babka is a regular guest on our show. It's also why we recommend that YOU check out DownsizeDC.org, join the army, and make your voice heard.

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12334. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8304
Participants in NH: 526
as of April 15, 2008

FSP News - March 2008

Free State Project: Making a Difference

Porcupine Rich Angell has written a wonderful article, published in the Idaho Observer, about the positive effect that the FSP is having in New Hampshire, with a focus on Grafton. If a little over 500 porcs can have such an effect, I can't wait to see what happens when more of us make the move.

To the whole Grafton crew, great job overall, and great job on article 26! It's a coup that the amendment passed!

Rich has written a follow-up for us, describing the result of the voting after the Idaho Observer article went to press. You'll find that in the "In New Hampshire" section.

PorcFest

Have you signed up yet to attend PorcFest 2008? It's only three months away and it's time to make your plans. Available campsites and hotel rooms are going fast and ticket prices, which are currently only $10/adult for the entire week, will increase on April 1st.

If you want to see New Hampshire and meet FSP participants, there is no better opportunity than PorcFest.

There is so much to see in New Hampshire and we want to show it off. There will be guided bus tours, giving you an insider's view of the sights and personalities of FSP communities in Manchester, Keene, Winchester, Concord, Grafton, Portsmouth, and the Lakes Region. At a cost of only $5/seat, this is the most entertaining, interesting, and cost-effective way to see New Hampshire. Also, there will be a road rally in which teams will follow riddle-like directions around the state to arrive at interesting spots where answers to trivia questions can be found.

We also want to show off the people, the fun, and the impact of the FSP. There will be entertaining and informative speaking events such as an early movers panel discussion, workshops, and an FSP Town Hall Meeting. There will also be lots of social activities: group hikes, fishing, shooting range trips, acting classes for youths, board games, crafts, geo-caching, and more.

On top of all that, this year's PorcFest includes a music festival! Enjoy live bands outside in an open-air atmosphere on Friday and Saturday. And if you like to sing or play guitar, there will be "open mic nights" and music around the campfire during the week. Freedom rocks!

And because the FSP is about more than just fun and games, you'll have access to representatives from a number of pro-liberty organizations, businesses, job placement firms, Realtors, service providers, and political groups in our exhibitors/vendors area.

So what should you be doing if you want to attend PorcFest? Here's a helpful to-do list with the relevant links.

Reserve your hotel or campsite: Due to PorcFest's overlap with Laconia Bike Week, hotels and campsites will sell out. The FSP has reserved some campsites and hotels, but these are first come, first served. Do not wait until the last minute. To discuss lodging and room-sharing options with fellow attendees, post to the PorcFest Lodging Forum.
Register: You'll need a ticket to attend PorcFest and we'll need accurate head counts of attendees so that we can organize PorcFest. Ticket rates will increase after April 1st and again at the festival, so get yours now. Some of the activities, like the bus tours, have limits to the number of participants along with nominal fees, so register early to ensure your space.
Consider registering as an exhibitor: PorcFest is a great opportunity to get the word out about your interests, business, or organization. Beyond the hundreds of attendees that will be there, you'll be mentioned in the FSP Newsletter which goes to over 12,000 subscribers.
Review the schedule: There's a lot going on but there's always room for more. If you have an event (e.g. a gathering of ham radio hobbyists) you'd like to see added to the schedule, email porcfest@freestateproject.org with a brief description of the event, when you'd like it to be, and what resources you might need.
Post to the Forum: Introduce yourself, ask questions, let people know what events you're looking forward to, or see who might be interested in sharing a ride or campsite. Start a conversation now and continue it by the fire at PorcFest.
Promote PorcFest: First, invite/drag your friends and family to PorcFest. Show them what this Free State Project and New Hampshire thing is all about! Next, spread the word to others. There are SlimJim Handouts, Flyers, News Articles, and Videos for your use. Post these to forums, listprocs, community bulletin boards, and wherever else you can. If you'd like any printed material sent to you, email us at porcfest@freestateproject.org with your name, address, and the amount you would like.

PorcFest 2008 promises to be bigger and better than ever. With over 500 Free Staters already living in NH and the tremendous exposure to the FSP through the Ron Paul campaign, pro-liberty energy here is exploding. Come see for yourself! Bring your friends and family and see how we are achieving "Liberty in Our Lifetime."

Action of the Month - Think Ahead

Looking down the road, past the chains and fetters of our current lives, to the freedoms and promises of New Hampshire, it seems reasonable that we do some planning for the brighter times ahead. Do we lie around all day gazing at the glory and grandeur of the Free State's natural beauty? Do we quietly scratch around on our little plot of heaven, just feeding ourselves? Do we diligently labor at our chosen commerce or industry, dismissing the balance of life? Do we sit back and enjoy the freedoms won for us by ancient freedom fighters, and perhaps squander the liberties we should be jealously preserving? No. No, I say. We should be planning the next steps of our path to freedom. We should be seeking out and joining our liberty-minded brothers and sisters who hold dear the tenets of individual freedom and responsibility. Where are these kin and colleagues? How do we tell the pure from the posers? Only with sedulous research and the Eternal Vigilance that is the price of freedom can we discern the truth. No one can tell you who is good or who is bad. You must test and observe to find those whose actions match their words; and whose actions ring true with the hope of freedom. And when you find these groups whose ring is clear and pure like a giant silver bell signaling the way to freedom and prosperity - don't keep it to yourself, spread the word to other lovers of liberty and we will indeed have Liberty in Our Lifetime. A few organizations you might like to consider:

RonPaulForums' Free State Poll

RonPaulForums is hosting a poll to choose states for liberty lovers to congregate... sound familiar? This is a fantastic recruiting opportunity, so head on over and make your voice heard. Every vote for New Hampshire will bring people toward the FSP.

Merchandise

Don't wrack your brain or wrangle your wraith over the wrongs of wretched politicians. Wear the wrier grin of a wary wright who works for freedom's wrinkle. How you ask? By wrapping your wrist with the wristband of freedom! Wreally, I mean really, the new rubber bracelets are in, and they are cool, and stretchy, and blue, and you just gotta have one! So don't wreck the wren of happiness, wrestle your wallet and wring out a few bucks for the wristband of freedom and you'll wriggle with joy.

Free State Match

Line up your sights and take aim for fun and freedom with the Free State Match #5.

Scoring change: 1 point for each card hit, 2 points for each center mark (pip) hit.

For all you jokers out there, perfect scores will be highly suspect. :)

CORRECTION

In the January edition of the FSP News, we have an incorrect attribution to the fantastic video series Finding Life and Liberty in the Free State Project. These videos were produced by Roger Grant. We deeply appreciate Roger's generosity and his talents. Here are the video links: Part 1, Part 2

In New Hampshire

Voting Results from Grafton

Rich Angell was nice enough to write a follow-up for us, since the Idaho Observer article went to press before the results of the voting were in. Here are the results in his words:

The results of the election of 11 March were mixed, but positive overall.

First the regional school district:

The proposed new high school was failed; the proposed raise in the budget failed, except for approximately $4,000 raised for special ed kids. This is minor compared for what they were asking for.

The big win was New Hampshire native libertarian Bob Constantine's 48-hour coup. He was drafted to run for school budget committee, and we ran a write-in campaign. The ballot was open. He handily won, ousting the well-disliked incumbent socialist Cathy Mulholland, who, for some reason was not on the ballot. Bob joins a lonely fiscal conservative on the committee.

Grafton itself didn't fare so well on the Budget committee and select board. There were a couple of extremely close races. More experience, a few more Porcupines, and smarter organization is sure to push the freedom fighters over the top next election cycle.

The proposed budget raise failed. Only a small raise for the lonely police officer and some emergency equipment passed.

All of the proposed warrant articles were pro-liberty or neutral. Here are the warrant articles that passed:

19. "To see if the Town will return to the voters control over expenditures from the following Capital Reserve Funds: Bridge Capital Reserve Fund, and Highway Capital Reserve Fund. By rescinding the authority given to the Selectmen to act as agents to expend. Thence requiring voter approval at Town Meeting to expend from these funds as was necessary prior to 2004."

21. "To see if the Town will vote to request that the Selectmen recommend for appointment as the Town Health Officer, as provided in RSA 128:1, only individuals who are residents and taxpayers of the Town of Grafton."

22. "In order to reduce Grafton property taxes, are you in favor of requesting the Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee to reduce town spending and property taxes by 10% of the current town budget for each of the next the fiscal years?"

23. Paraphrase: Any additional or reduced spending that is proposed and put on the ballot will require a disclosure of its resulting increase or decrease in property taxes.

26. "Resolved: We the citizens of Grafton, NH believe in a NH that is just and fair. The property tax has become unjust and unfair. State leaders who have increased State spending 17% in the last budget perpetuate higher and higher property taxes. We call on our State Representatives and our Governor to reduce the irresponsible spending in Concord, which will lower property tax burden for the residents of NH."

New Hampshire Free Press

The March issue of the New Hampshire Free Press (formerly the Keene Free Press) is now online. We're all very glad to see this paper back in action.

In this issue:

Juror's Rights Wookiee Hits Manchester Streets
Lies and Torture: Impeach Bush
Reader Letters
Peace Rallies
Sudoku Puzzle
Illegal Wiretapping for Dummies
Night of the Brown's Capture
Feminist Abuse of Domestic Violence Laws
Keep the Revolution Going
The American Dream
Frogs on Preheat
"Evidence Suitable for a Court of Law"

New Hampshire Magazine

According to New Hampshire Magazine, Richmond is the place to be if you want to "Live Free or Die." The article mentions the FSP in a positive light, and notes that Ron Paul won the town during the recent primaries. Whether you're heading for Richmond or not, you might find New Hampshire Magazine's real estate section a useful guide in choosing your new home.

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,336. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,260
Participants in NH: 523
as of March 12, 2008

FSP News - February 2008

PorcFest 2008

PorcFest 2008 is only four months away and it's time to make your plans. What should you be doing to get ready for PorcFest? Well, below is a quick to-do list with the relevant links.

Reserve your hotel or campsite: Due to PorcFest's overlap with Laconia Bike Week hotels and campsites will sell out. The FSP has reserved some campsites and hotels, but these are first come, first serve. Do not wait until the last minute. If you'd like to discuss lodging and room sharing with fellow attendees, post to the PorcFest Lodging Forum.
Register as an attendee: You'll need a ticket to attend PorcFest and we'll need accurate head counts of attendees so that we can organize PorcFest. Ticket rates will increase after April 1st and again at the festival, so get yours now. We're highly subsidizing the cost of the tours of New Hampshire this year. If you can be at PorcFest during the week, be sure to reserve seats.
Consider registering as an exhibitor: PorcFest is a great opportunity to get the word out about your interests, business, or organization. Beyond the hundreds of attendees that will be there, you'll be mentioned in the FSP News that goes to over 12,000 subscribers.
Review the schedule: There's a lot going on but there's always room for more. If you have an event (e.g. a gathering of ham radio hobbyists) you'd like to see added to the schedule, email porcfest@freestateproject.org with a brief description of the event, when you'd like it to be, and what resources you might need. It needn't be completely thought out before you contact us. The sooner you ask, the better.
Post to the Forum: Introduce yourself, ask questions, and let people know what events you're looking forward to, see who might be interested in sharing a ride or campsite. Start a conversation now and continue it by a fire at PorcFest.
Promote PorcFest: First, invite/drag your friends and family (show them what this Free State Project and New Hampshire thing is all about). Then, spread the word to others. We have SlimJim Handouts, Flyers, News Articles, and Videos. Post these to forums, listprocs, community bulletin boards, and wherever you can. If you'd like any printed material sent to you, email porcfest@freestateproject.org with your name, address, and the amount you would like.

Do these and look for more in next month's newsletter :-)

Action of the Month - Network for freedom

"Networking" often brings to mind two things. The computer kind, e.g., the internet, an intranet, your Local Area Network, a company's Virtual Private Network, or a local coffee shop's wireless network. The other kind of network being the human kind, e.g., the salesman's contacts, the PR firm's list of friendly media, or the group of friends you have down at the local coffee shop. Though now that we're all 21st century, modern-type people, there is a third type of network that comes to mind. The techno-babble types like to call it Web 2.0. That's where a lot of the content on "the web" is created by the users, e.g., forums, blogs, and chat rooms. So your Myspace, Facebook, and Second Life friends, acquaintances and otherwise now use the first kind of network to be a part of the second kind. And, as if you didn't see this coming, the opportunities to spread the freedom meme and the joys of living freer in New Hampshire are as close as your PC. (Personal Computer that is, not Politically Correct, although how that would have made any sense the other way, I'll never know - boy, you guys are weird) There are great organizations that are basically (keeping with the computer metaphor) pre-formatted and awaiting programming instructions. Some of my favorites are The Advocates for Self-Government, the Foundation for Economic Education, Lew Rockwell, The Ludwig von Mises Institute, Strike The Root, and The Future of Freedom Foundation. Not to mention the ones near and/or dear to the FSP already, like the NH Underground, Free Talk Live, New Hampshire Liberty Alliance, and the New Hampshire Libertarian Party. (Oh darn, I just mentioned them didn't I) Anyway, to make a long action short (too late), get out there and put some "wetwork on the network" and let everyone know how great New Hampshire and the Free Sate Project are. - Phil Denisch

FSP Local Groups

From Andrew Del Vecchio, FSP Local Groups Coordinator - Yesterday, Hillary Clinton came to my university for a 'town hall meeting.' I and a friend did a bit of Ron Paul and FSP counter-recruitment at the event, and a couple of student activists in other organizations had heard about the FSP, and were supportive of RP's anti-war record. Today, I followed this up by being a guest on the school's radio station (a friend of a friend hosts a weekly talk radio show there). I gave a brief introduction to what libertarianism is, why RP matters, and what the FSP is. The show's listener base is very small, but it probably reached some people, and you never know what kind of seeds you might be planting out there. Overall, it was a great experience, and I think Ian Bernard of Free Talk Live is right when he says that participating in other talk radio shows can be very useful for spreading the message of liberty. More info on our Local Groups in the FSP Forum.

Merchandise

Step right up ladies and germs and see the amazing marvelous merchandise of the FSP! See here, our incredibly low priced tee-shirts. And over here the wonderfully useful key chains. And over there the glorious custom Buck knife (there aren't too many left folks, get 'em while you can). Let's not forget the outstanding bookmarks and fliers that are just perfect for handing out and sharing with friends, family, and neighbors. Don't forget, spring is just around the corner, you don't want to be the only one without an Ultimate flying disc replete with the Don't Tread on Me porcupine! And did I mention our newest addition? The New Hampshire Liberty Forum 2008 tee-shirts and DVDs of the 2007 speakers! Step right up, no need to crowd, there's plenty for everyone. - Phil

Free State Match

Line up your sights and take aim for fun and freedom with the Free State Match #5. Are freedom and liberty in the cards? Will we once again be kings of our own sovereign selves? Will we end up as queens or queans? No matter what, don't jack around but take part in this challenging shooting match. Here's the deal, place 5 playing cards on a target, a deuce (a 2 of any suite) and 4 aces, now shoot the 6 marks on the cards. You have 15 shots in one minute to "break the ink". If you shoot with a scoped rifle, do it at 200ft, iron-sight rifle at 100ft, pistols at 15ft. Why a two and four aces? It spells out 20,000 (well, sort of), as we're shooting for 20,000 liberty-minded people to lead New Hampshire and the world to Liberty in Our Lifetime. - Phil

Targeted FSP Contributions

What's the best way to reach out to liberty-lovers? FSP participant numbers are climbing, but we need to increase the rate, too. What do you think? Google Ads? Direct mail? Free Talk Live? Only you know what's best. You choose what project is worthy of your dollar. Go to freestateproject.org/donate and choose how you want to contribute!

In New Hampshire

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:

New Hampshire Industries Rank First

U.S. Census data just released indicates industries in which NH ranks first in terms of sales or receipts per capita.

Taking Action for Liberty in New Hampshire

In the wake of a certain high-profile, pro-liberty presidential campaign that recently passed through New Hampshire, some may have forgotten, or lost sight of the fact that there's a flourishing movement for liberty that is focused on the New Hampshire state house. New Hampshire has the most accessible state legislature in the country, and many liberty activists have reached the conclusion that, while D.C. may be rather hopeless, the legislature in Concord provides a comparatively friendly arena for the proponents of liberty to state their case for legislators.

This state-focused activism manifests itself in many ways. Primarily, the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance does a great job studying all the bills and trying to have as much of an effect as possible. Their efforts are complemented by groups like the New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy (NH Common Sense), which focus activist efforts on liberty issues where serious, focused effort can achieve remarkable results.

NH Common Sense is currently working to pass HB 1623, a bill reducing penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana (a.k.a. "decriminalizing" marijuana). Bills to reduce penalties have been soundly defeated in the past, but this one has a full effort behind it and loads of momentum. This effort to increase liberty in New Hampshire has even been endorsed by a major newspaper, the Nashua Telegraph.

Liberty activists at the New Hampshire state house are playing excellent defense against a lot of bad legislation, but this is one truly pro-liberty bill that has a good chance of passing. Read more at NHCommonSense.org.

Help Free Talk Live in Manchester

A quick and easy way to help the cause of liberty in New Hampshire would be to help FTL get on the air in Manchester.

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 out the RidleyReport coverage of the HB1354 hearings.

Check the NH Calendars

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,310. Back issues are available. Got FSP news? Please submit content by the 12th of the month. Thank you to all advertisers and contributors. Ad space available.

FSP Participants - here are some quick links:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,221
Participants in NH: 516
as of February 15, 2008

FSP News - January 2008

Liberty Forum 2008

The 2008 Liberty Forum was a smashing success! Over 350 were registered for the 3-day event and over 600 attended the closing ceremony with Dr. Ron Paul. Many of the videos are now posted here with more and more coming online everyday. We thank all of our speakers, vendors, and attendees. We also would like to thank our sponsors SakalCAI and the great gifts that they gave away and the NHLA. Special thanks to Candi Cooper who won the NHLA raffle and donated her half back to the NHLA. Free Talk Live also broadcast live from the event on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Liberty Forum attendees often mentioned that the time spent between the speakers and panels was also just as important as the time in them. People networked and got to know their future neighbors. Be sure to attend Porcfest and the next Liberty Forum so that you can be a part of the action!

Special thanks to Crista, Jean, Jon, Neal, Irena, Denis, Kate, Bill, Rob, Lasse, Kate (another one!), Seth, Chris L (yeah that one), Michelle, Chris L (another one), Rich, Rochelle, Phil, Ron and all the other volunteers who made this event a success.

The Liberty Forum saw coverage in several newspapers, including The Nashua Telegraph (twice), The Union Leader, and a halfhearted mention in The New York Observer.

"Thank you to Chris Lawless and the entire 2008 Liberty Forum organizer/volunteer crew. The event was a smashing success! On behalf of the FSP, I thank you all for your tireless effort. And, to all Liberty Forum attendees, thank you all for attending, and I sincerely hope that you had a good time. If you have photos, videos that you want to share, please let me know." - Irena Goddard, FSP President

Brian Wright chronicles the Liberty Forum

FSP "freedom rider", early mover, and panegyrist Brian Wright attended the recent Liberty Forum. As he has done for the previous Porcfests and last year's winter Liberty Forum, he has generated a writeup and commentary on the 2008 Liberty Forum - Free State Great in Winter of '08: Moving liberty forward and the rapture of Ron Paul. Brian is also the author of New Pilgrim Chronicles, a diary of his early days in the Free State.

Free Staters' Impact on the New Hampshire Primary: A Statistical Analysis

A new article by FSP Founder, Jason Sorens - "The recent New Hampshire presidential primary, coming now with well over 500 Free Staters in the state, affords us the first opportunity to examine our prospects with hard evidence." Discussion about Jason's research is on the FSP Forum.

Porcfest 2008

It's that time again. Building on the success and fun of our Liberty Forum, its now time to start focusing on the Porcupine Freedom Festival, aka PorcFest, which will be the week of June 9th - 15th at Gunstock Mountain Resort. Whether you are considering signing up to be part of the Free State Project, want to socialize with fellow pro-liberty activists, or want to experience the Live Free or Die state, PorcFest is a great event to attend. The weekdays will emphasize organized tours around the state and the weekend will emphasize New Hampshire and the FSP community through concerts, team sports, BBQs, bonfires, and more.

Now (not later) is the time to start setting time aside in your calendar, making travel and lodging arrangements, and telling your friends! Information on lodging, previous festivals, and answers to some typical questions are posted on the PorcFest website. Registration, schedule, and volunteering details will be in next month's newsletter. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Rich Goldman. See you at PorcFest :-)

FSP Mini-Documentaries

Heller Goodale has produced rentFREE**, a nice mini-documentary about the Free State Project, showing friendly and dedicated Porcs working and living in New Hampshire.

Shuvom Ghose has produced Finding Life and Liberty in the Free State Project, which does a great job of showing off what friendly, interesting, dedicated people Porcs are. Part 1 Part 2

There are so many videos covering the FSP, the Liberty Forum and activity in New Hampshire that it is difficult to keep up with them all! bikerbillnh has about twenty such videos posted.

Free Talk Live

FTL added KBZZ 1270 AM "The Buzz" in Reno, NV to the weekday show. KBZZ is FTL's 33rd affiliate. The FSP is one of FTL's sponsors - tune in live on the radio or to its archived shows. For a peek into their studio during showtime, watch this Ridley Report

Ian Bernard, host of Free Talk Live, has made "The Market for Liberty" available as a free audio book. The Market for Liberty, by Morris and Linda Tannehill, strongly makes the case that "government is an unnecessary evil and freedom is the best and most practical way of life." There are lots of folks out there who need to hear that message; spread the word!

New Member of the Board of Directors

Peter Eyre replaces Brian Sullivan on the FSP Board of Directors this month. Thank you to Brian for his service to the FSP and welcome to Peter.

The December Board of Directors meeting minutes have been posted.

FSP in New Orleans

Matt Simon and Phillip Allen attended the International Drug Policy Reform Conference and represented the FSP last month. Matt describes the conference and all the contacts.

FSP participants and friends attend relevant events with vendor tables and speakers. This is an area of the FSP that that does not currently have a volunteer coordinator. We increase our presence in the liberty community and recruit more people by attending events. If you're interested in helping out in this area, please let us know!

Your chance to help out

We are looking for the few, brave IT souls out there who would like to help the Free State Project. These people should have some programming/development experience. Drupal is a plus, but by no means necessary. Oh, of course, this is a volunteer position and can be very part-time or almost full time - based on your availability and interest. If you wish to investigate this opportunity, please e-mail Louis Calitz , IT Manager. Whatever your skills, please consider volunteering to help the FSP grow. There are many areas with volunteer needs - please check the Volunteer Center.

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs

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

Why I Left Massachusetts: More Corrupt Cops in Boston
Nearly 100 Civil Unions in New Hampshire
NH: RidleyReport interviews ex-Homeland Security Director
FreeKeene's Ian Calls WKBK's "Talkback" 2008-01-12
much more in Free State Blogs

The RidleyReport

Videographer, Dave Ridley 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 Liberty Calendar tracks liberty-oriented NH events. Check the calendar before a visit or a move - you are welcome to attend NH events!

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,303. Back issues are posted on the website. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,158
Participants in NH: 511
as of January 15, 2008

FSP News 2007

FSP News from 2007

FSP News - December 2007

2008 New Hampshire Liberty Forum

Ron Paul is confirmed as one of our featured speakers! Nashua, New Hampshire is THE place to be in early January 2008, as the Liberty Forum will be held just days before the all-important New Hampshire presidential primary on January 8th. The New Hampshire Liberty Forum will be held from January 3rd - 6th in Nashua. Please make your reservations now by registering for the LF and booking your hotel room. We have just a few rooms left at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and, just in case, we have some rooms at two other nearby hotels. Check the list of speakers below and the event schedule and make reservations ASAP. Buses to the shooting range and the NHLA State House Tour are nearly full - please register now! Take a look at some scenes from the 2007 Liberty Forum. See you there!

RON PAUL - BERNARD von NOTHAUS - JOHN SUNUNU
BABKA - BAGGE - CHRIST - COOPER - CRYER - EDDLEM - GREEN - GOLDSMITH - GORMAN - GRONSKI - HARMAN - HARRIS - HOWELL - HUDGINS - LARK - McPHERSON - MOTTAHEDEH - NADELMANN - PORTER - SCHULZ - STEARNS - WILSON

PorcFest Planning

Yeah! PorcFest 2008 will be the week of June 9th-15th at Gunstock Mountain Resort. Make your campsite or hotel reservations ASAP. Laconia Bike Week will start June 14th (and end June 22nd) and so there will be increased demand that weekend. Our weekend is not the main Bike Week weekend, but once things are sold out, that’s it. See full Lodging details for PorcFest 2008.

If there is an event or speaker you'd like to see at PorcFest, please email a description and we'll work to make it happen. Similarly, if you have ideas about how to improve PorcFest, want to have the inside scoop on what's going on, or would like to do some volunteer work for the FSP, then join the PorcFest 2008 Yahoo Planners Group.

The initial draft of the PorcFest 2008 website is up. If you have web development skills and would like to help spruce it up or simply have ideas you'd like to see us try to implement, please email us. .

For promotional purposes, we want pictures and testimonials of those who attended PorcFest 2007. If you still haven't uploaded your pictures from PorcFest 2007 yet, please either do so here or email them to Rich Goldman. As for testimonials (i.e. good quotes we can attribute to people) please email them in soon. Summer is on its way

Photo Contest Winner

Lou Eastman was the winner of the Fall Foliage Photo Contest! His photos are featured throughout this issue of the newsletter and his Porcupine Puppet prize is on its way. New Hampshire sure is stunning in the Fall...and in the Summer, Winter and Spring!

Fundraising Campaign

"Perfect Storm" - FSP, Liberty Forum and New Hampshire Primary. Every presidential candidate is taking every opportunity to be seen in New Hampshire. The media is swarming into our state. Our country stands at a tipping point: a nudge in the right direction, at the right place, at the right time, will change history forever. The right direction is freedom, the key place is New Hampshire and the time is Jan 3 - thought 8th. The time has come for true patriots who love freedom to join together, to make our mark. Please, give generously to the campaign, designed specifically to take maximum advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity! - Irena Goddard

500th Free Stater in NH!

You may have heard of Trevor Lyman, a key man behind the huge 5th of November fundraiser for Ron Paul and other supporting events - he was the 500th Free Stater in New Hampshire! Trevor joins a fast-growing number of Participants in New Hampshire as the 500th - a milestone on our way to thousands of activists in the Free State. As of publication, the number of Porcupine activists that now live in NH and have updated their address is up to 505. Welcome to New Hampshire!

The Ron Paul campaign has brought the FSP new Participants and Friends and has also given us some good media coverage. The FSP and the Liberty Forum were mentioned in this new article in The New American - The Doctor is Calling in New Hampshire. And, New Hampshire comes in first in this new analysis of the Freedom IQ of each state. More FSP media coverage is posted on the FSP Forum, along with NH news. More NH news sources.

Action of the Month – Straight Speaking

There’s no hidden message in this month’s “Action of the Month” (Did anyone noticed it last month? :). Instead of some drawn-out, arcane prose, let’s use a simple chart:

Well-meaning, innocent, minding-their-own-business Word	Common usage in the current statist/media vernacular	Common usage by honest, liberty-loving people
Investment	Money spent on society to make the world a better place. (Often used in conjunction with the phrase “for the children”)	Tax, i.e. impost, levy, monetary extraction, pay-or-we’ll-throw-you-in-jail (Keeping in mind, “Society’s” bank account has no number)
Public School	Wonderful centers of education, with child-centered administrations, unbiased curricula, and supplied at no cost.	Government School – 1) Fiscal black holes with an ever-expanding event horizon. 2) Union-Controlled works program 3) Puerile Indoctrination centers.
DoublePlusGood	Rarely used. (This would bring too much attention to the fact that, while not destroying or removing words from the dictionary, but by perverting words and collapsing their meanings, they are doing the same thing)	Not applicable (As we all know; ‘Oldthinkers unbellyfeel Ingsoc”. Therefore, Porcs and related beings would probably say something more like “Way wicked cool” :)
The Free State	Contrived, fallacious nickname for the state of Maryland.	Intrinsic, genuine element of the wonderful state of New Hampshire

I’m sure we all could add quite a few words to this list. The point is to make sure we correct all of the badthinkers (socialists) when they use a term that clouds the issue or mangles the English language, twisting it to fit their obviously twisted worldview. Letters to the editor, polite corrections at the holiday cocktail party, or screaming out the window that you’re “Mad as hell and not taking it any longer”, all good ways to help correct the slide towards serfdom. - Phil Denisch

Free State Shooting Match - The Big Bull

The politicking season is heading our way. The candidates will spread out across the country like a plague of locust chewing and jawing their way into our lives and wallets. There's little stopping it (just the Free State Project, of course :). There will also be an attendant swarm of pundits, commentators, bloggers, and prognosticators bloviating their way from one coast t'other. Hunker down in your compound as you may, there is no escape. Like an a'a lava flow of hot smelly, bovine excrement suffocating everything in their path, they're coming. But before we get too depressed, let's have a little fun. An easy shoot this time around, The Big Bull. A single, large bull's-eye, with twenty chances to score a hit. Each shot in the black scores one, maximum score of 20. Categories for pistols and rifles (scoped and un). - Phil

Merchandise

Bringing in the new year with a new item. If all goes well, we'll have a new item for sale at the New Hampshire Liberty Forum. Silicone wrist bands in small, medium, and large sizes. They're easy to wear all day long and oh, so fashionable. Be prepared with a clever answer when someone asks, "Hey, what's that really cool-looking wristband you're wearing?". It's a great way to get the conversation going. We'll have them on the merchandise page after the NHLF. But that's no excuse for visiting the store now to get all those last-minute gifts and gear for your trip to the Free State and the NHLF - you are going, aren't you? - Phil

In New Hampshire

New Hampshire Liberty Alliance

The NHLA is a non-partisan coalition working to increase individual freedom in New Hampshire. The NHLA has just introduced its new political strategizing forum and you're welcome to contribute and join. bikerbillnh attends and videos a NHLA Bill Review Training Session - just some of the inside work being accomplished by Free Staters and liberty activists in New Hampshire.

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:

NH: Op. Live Free or die activists weather first blizzard
No More Kings
NH: Behind the scenes at Op. Live Free or Die Hampton
How Counterfeiting Can Make Us Rich
My Report to the State Commission on Seat Belt Usage
Bombed if you d, Bombed if you don't
The Plundering of the People
NH Capital Access
more in Free State Blogs

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

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,247. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,087
Participants in NH: 505
as of December 15, 2007

FSP News - November 2007

Liberty Forum - Moving Liberty Forward

The Free State Project's annual Liberty Forum will be held in Nashua, New Hampshire from January 3rd - 6th, 2008. NH Senator, John Sununu will be the Saturday night keynote speaker this year, with more speakers to be announced as we have them - as of press time, there are 19 outstanding speakers booked. On Thursday night come hear from FSP and NH native authors while you enjoy a cocktail and chat with your fellow liberty lovers. There is still no word on the date of the NH presidential primary, so get your hotel rooms now, before they announce the date! The schedule of events as we have it, is now up on the website

For a good look at the Liberty Forum, please take a look at the "trailer" from 2007! Come home to NH to meet your future neighbors! Come home to NH to meet your fellow activists! Come home to NH to Move Liberty Forward!

New Free State Project President

The Free State Project is pleased to announce that Irena Goddard has been appointed by the Board of Directors as the new President of the FSP. Irena was the "Czarina" of the 2007 Liberty Forum and is also serving as a Director of the FSP. We thank our outgoing President, Varrin Swearingen, for his two years of service and leadership to the FSP - "thank you Varrin!"

And, a quick note from new President, Irena Goddard - "Please write blog posts. . . . .I know you have an opinion about the FSP. I know you have a story about how you found out about the Project, what the deciding point was, what you currently think about the FSP, what do you think about if/when FSP will succeed. I am particularly interested in your thoughts about Ron Paul and how his candidacy relates to FSP or if at all etc. etc. The important thing is that we want you to share your thoughts on various blogs, forums and websites. Please start 'talking' and include a link-back to freestateproject.org. Just talking about it creates a buzz and helps out a lot. You can do something real easy that will help us now."

New FSP Participant Growth Charts

The steady growth of new Participants and Friends of the FSP are now shown in the new membership charts on the Membership Statistics webpage. You can find the link to the new charts by clicking on the Participant counter or the Statistics link in the Community Center, both on the FSP Home page. There is a wealth of interesting information available there, such as Participants by state, country and migration status. Thanks go to our chart volunteers; Friend of the FSP, Curry Taylor, is the original author of the code, and our IT Manager, Louis Calitz, who made it work with the website.

PorcFest 2008 Planning

PorcFest 2008 will be the week of June 9th-15th at Gunstock Mountain Resort. Make your campsite or hotel reservation ASAP. Laconia Bike Week will start June 14th (and end June 22nd) so there will be increased demand that weekend. Our weekend is not the big/main Bike Week weekend but once things are sold out, that’s it. Lodging details and Gunstock reservation information for PorcFest 2008 can be found at the website.

Have ideas about how to improve PorcFest? Want to have the inside scoop on what's going on? Looking to do some volunteer work for the FSP? Please join the PorcFest 2008 Yahoo Planners Group.

The initial draft of the PorcFest 2008 website is up. If you have web development skills and would like to help spruce it up or simply have ideas you'd like to see us try to implement, please let us know!

For promotional purposes, we want pictures and testimonials of those who attended PorcFest 2007. If you still haven't uploaded your pictures from PorcFest 2007 yet, please either do so here or email them to Rich. As for testimonials (i.e., good quotes we can attribute to people) please email them in to PorcFest.

Moving to the Free(er) State

That's the title of the latest article by Bill Walker at LewRockwell.com - "Would you like a big tax cut? Would you like your state government to uphold the Second Amendment? Would you like to have neighbors with Ron Paul signs in their yard? You don’t have to be a billionaire with a great tax accountant, or have your own Caribbean nation… you just have to move to New Hampshire. That’s what my wife and I are doing next month." Help us spread the word -- Digg the article!

Action of the Month - Stay carefully apolitical (or at least a-politician-ical)

Realizing that the Free State Project doesn't endorse any particular political party or candidate, we need to be careful about the FSP aligning itself too closely with any one party or candidate. One must be on guard to separate personal actions from actions which might be seen as official FSP functions. Nowhere is this more important than on the trail of presidential elections (including this incredibly long one that started months ago). Perhaps it is best to let discretion be the better part of valor and not practice "in your face" campaigning. A simple message of truth and freedom is what makes the Free State Project great. Until we embrace and convey that message to the country and the world, we'll get stuck with the politicians we've had for the last handful of decades. Leaving a lasting legacy of Liberty in Our Lifetime is the best stump speech we can give. - Phil Denisch

Free State Shooting Match - The Big Bull

Merchandise

(You know the tune :)
Up on the rooftop porcdeer pause,
Out comes a chorus of free hurrahs,
Down through the states with lots of gear,
All for the down-trodden,
Christmas cheer.
Free, free, free,
Who wouldn't be?
Hats, shirts, mugs,
Who says humbug?
Up on the rooftop,
Click, click, clik,
Down through the states,
For the sad homesick.
First comes the stickers,
For the car,
Oh, dear porcers,
Heal that scar,
Give us a signal,
With no disguise,
One that will open,
Up all our eyes.
Free, free, free,
Who wouldn't be?
Marks, yards, BORs,
All can be yours,
Up on the rooftop,
Clop, clop, clop,
Down through the states,
With the free state shop.
Next comes the freedom,
If you will,
Move your feet,
To this doorsill,
Here there are matches,
And lots of discs,
Also a Const.,
So loose your risks.
Free, free, free,
Who wouldn't be?
Flags, totes, pins,
Wish you were in,
Up in New Hampshire,
Clap, clap, clap,
Up from the states,
You'll need no map.
We also have magnets and totes and patches and posters and Buck knives
and keychains and [gasp] it's getting to much for me :)

In the affiliation department: Don't forget to see our New Hampshire Merchandise (link on the right-hand side of the merchandise store page). There are NH posters, NHToDo Magazine and NH flags in a variety of sizes. The FSP gets a 10% cut of the flag sales, so do your part :). You'll also find the fantastic FSP "Liberty Cards", great for handing out, sending out and leaving out - on a friendly merchant's counter that is - of course, never left out of mind. - Phil

NH #7 in 2008 State Business Tax Climate Index

The Tax Foundation just released its 2008 State Business Tax Climate Index and New Hampshire again ranked 7th nationally. The index can be used,..."as a tool for lawmakers, the media, and individuals alike to gauge how their states tax systems compare. States with the best tax systems will be most competitive in attracting new businesses and be the most effective at generating economic and employment growth." - Tax Foundation website. How does the state where your business is located compare with New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire

Understanding the New Hampshire Constitution

On November 10, the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance held a class, "Understanding the New Hampshire Constitution". It was a smashing success -- the class filled to capacity within 2 days of being offered. Both Free-Staters and liberty-loving NH natives attended. The session was presented by NH State Representative Dan Itse, and is highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand how the structure of NH government is designed to keep it small, and to empower its sovereign citizens. Fortunately, the session was videotaped in its entirety and is available here on the NHLA website.

Free State Blogs

In Free State Blogs this month, you'll find many topics of interest to Porcupines everywhere! For all the stories and links, go to Free State Blogs. Here's a selection of topics just posted to the blog:

NH Capital Access
Why the Ron Paul campaign is dangerous
Marc Steven's Thoughts on Terrorism
Ron Paul distortions and smears
Loose Change, Final Cut Coming to Keene
Letter: Ride a Bike
NH: More Ron Paul wookies
Ron Paul 4th Place in NH
NH: Lauren Canario returns from jail
Requiring Self-Immolation
New Hampshire Liberty Update
More at Free State Blogs!

NH Common Sense

The New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy has scored some notable successes in its campaign to take advantage of New Hampshire's "First in the Nation" primary. When candidates visit the Live Free or Die state, they have to answer tough questions about the "War on Drugs" from NH Common Sense activists. Executive Director Matt Simon writes an article about each candidate encounter and posts it, along with video, at SendTheRightMessage.com, and the last several articles have also been published by The Huffington Post. The campaign is starting to get some major exposure! (And if you think some of these question-asking activists in these videos might be FSP early movers, you might be right!)

The Keene Free Press

The November 2007 print edition of the Keene Free Press is now available online in pdf format. The Keene Free Press is the free online and print news and opinion publication covering Keene and Cheshire County, New Hampshire. This issue:

Keene Free Press Reporter Jailed Indefinitely
Opting Out
Reader Letters
Liberty Forum 2008
Congressional Control of Healthcare is Dangerous to Children
Quest for Freedom - Do you Own your Life?
Marshals Investigate Potential Threats to the Nation
New Alternative Video News
Letter from Ed Brown
Climbing off the Bandwagon
NH Common Sense
More at Keene Free Press

The RidleyReport

Videographer, Dave Ridley from NHFree.com is one of our Porcs on the scene in New Hampshire. He "...takes you to the front lines of the peaceful battle for liberty in New Hampshire." See some of what's happening in the Free State with the RidleyReport.

Check the NH Calendars

FSP News Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,237. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 8,030
Participants in NH: 496
as of November 15, 2007

FSP News - October 2007

Presidential candidate Ron Paul enthusiastically endorses the Free State Project!

Porcupine Irena Goddard and friends recently caught up with Dr. Paul in New Hampshire to inquire about his support of the FSP - see the video. Dr. Paul was a featured speaker at the last FSP Liberty Forum.

New Hampshire Liberty Forum

The Liberty Forum is the FSP's BIG Winter event in New Hampshire. We're busy gearing up for another great one, scheduled for January 3rd to the 6th in Nashua, NH. We have even more exciting speakers lined up - check here to see them all. Keynote speakers still TBA! Hotel has limited space so please reserve your rooms now.

People who came early last year were looking for something to do - come to the shooting range with us. If you are a newbie we will have qualified range instructors on hand to help you out. Then head on up the the New Hampshire State House to see all the action. After that relax with a drink at the Welcome Reception back at the Crowne Plaza with some very special guests (details to follow).

By popular demand we have added a 4th track of sessions on Saturday. That means more CHOICES for you. Stay tuned for the announcement of the full schedule. Register today!

The Porcupines Go To MassCann

On September 15, the Merrimack Valley Porcupines joined representatives of NHFree.com, Free Talk Live, the New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy and thousands of others at the Boston Freedom Rally XVIII. The rally is an annual event hosted by MassCann (The Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition) in their ongoing efforts to achieve a more rational and decent drug policy. The event was a productive one for the freedom lovers, giving them an opportunity to spread the word that liberty can be achieved in our lifetime, to distribute literature, and to sign up new members of the Free State Project.

The rally was also a chance to have fun, with live music, speakers, and plenty of good folks to talk with. Judging by the video available online, a good time was had by all... except the very dour state troopers, of course.

FSP Local Group Activity in Seattle

On Sept. 14, several Puget Sound area Porcs met at the Westin Hotel in Seattle for the Ron Paul rally there. We did some Ron Paul and FSP promotion, but more importantly, I got to meet some old friends from Porcfest and some new activists I'd never met before. As someone who's regularly involved with FSP members, I'd say that these kinds of events are key to building, and maintaining support both within the FSP, and with the greater American people as well. When we make pro freedom meaningful, inclusive, and fun, we help people warm up to new, powerful ideas, and enable them to have a stake in what's going on. When they have a stake in seeing freedom and liberty succeed, they are motivated to MAKE things happen, and change their environment for the better. This is a major reason why grassroots activism is so powerful. Is this good, or would you like more detailed commentary? - Andrew Del Vecchio. For more on getting your existing or new FSP Local Group active, contact Andrew , the FSP Local Groups Coordinator.

Action of the Month - *Looking for the B*** Job*

Some jobs are just no fun at all. Imagine being a pachyderm proctologist in Pittsburgh, or a cattle catheterist in Cleveland, or a hummingbird hematologist in Houston. What all these not-fun jobs have in common is... ain't none of them in New Hampshire! Whether boring or bracing, lucrative or lacking, any job you have in The Free State is better than one in the "lower 49" (and you won't have to pay a state income tax on it). So to help you find the BEST job (and you thought I was being dirty), check out the NH Jobs page. - Phil Denisch

Free State Shooting Match - The Big Bull

The politicking season is heading our way. The candidates will spread out across the country like a plague of locust chewing and jawing their way into our lives and wallets. There's little stopping it (just the Free State Project, of course :) . There will also be an attendant swarm of pundits, commentators, bloggers, and prognosticators bloviating their way from one coast t'other. Hunker down in your compound as you may, there is no escape. Like an a'a lava flow of hot smelly, bovine excrement suffocating everything in their path, they're coming. But before we get too depressed, let's have a little fun. An easy shoot this time around, The Big Bull. A single, large bull's-eye, with twenty chances to score a hit. Each shot in the black scores one, maximum score of 20. Categories for pistols and rifles (scoped and un). Details on the FSP website - Phil.

FSP Merchandise

The bookmarks are here,
The porcs are quite dear,
We've koozies for beer,
So spend without... worries that the store doesn't have something you'll
like.

There are lots of nifty items in the store. From collectible knives to
cheap t-shirts, from magnets to mugs. Plenty of ways to help support,
and more importantly, help promote the Free State Project and beautiful
New Hampshire. And while I hate to be one of those that keep pushing
you-know-what earlier each year, the season of credit card meltdown is
just around the corner. (ouch, ouch. Pardon me while I self-flagellate
for the preceding sentence; some people never learn.)

There are shirts and gear,
And mugs without peer,
P.C.s for our cheer,
That will last all... the time it takes to achieve Liberty in Our
Lifetime.

*P.C.= Pocket Constitution (So, OK, you try to rhyme that)

In the affiliation department: Don't forget to see our New Hampshire Merchandise (link on the right-hand side of the merchandise/store page). There are NH posters, NHToDo Magazine and NH flags in a variety of sizes. (The FSP gets a 10% cut of the flag sales, so do your part :) . You'll also find the fantastic FSP "Liberty Cards", great for handing out, sending out and leaving out - on a friendly merchant's counter that is - of course, never left out of mind. - Phil

PorcFest 2008 will be the week of June 9th - 15th at Gunstock Mountain Resort

If you will be planning to get a hotel, please make a reservation as soon as possible. Laconia Bike Week will start June 14th (and end June 22nd), so there will be increased demand for that weekend. Our weekend is not the 'big' Bike Week dates and area hotels currently have ample availability; but once the hotels are sold out, that’s it. Here's a list of nearby hotels. Additional PorcFest 2008 details will be announced in the November FSP News!.

Concord in the Top Ten Places to Retire

U.S. News & World Report has chosen Concord, NH as one of the top ten places to retire in the United States, thanks to its friendly community, beautiful surroundings, and easy access to art and culture. The article tells everyone what members of the FSP already know: New Hampshire is a great place to live, work, and build the future!

In New Hampshire

FSP on YouTube

Want to see what's going on in New Hampshire with Free Staters and friends? FSP supporters have increasingly been utilizing YouTube to get the word out. Using the Search function in the YouTube website header will uncover FSP related vids, both old and new. Also, Porcupine Dave Ridley has been reporting on lots of activism in New Hampshire. Go to Dave's latest, the RidleyReport - one of the top subscribed to YouTube contributors. Thanks Dave!

New Hampshire tech sector is facing a shortage of skilled workers!

The New Hampshire Business Review brings us the news. Opportunities abound for incoming Free Staters! Get started in your job search (in any field) at the FSP NH Jobs resource page.

Free State Blogs

Visit Free State Blogs for the up to the minute coverage of Free State New Hampshire activism. This month, we include the New Hampshire based individuals and organizations that are contributing to Free State Blogs:

New Hampshire Fall Foliage Photo Contest!

Those of you in New Hampshire can probably look out your windows and see the autumn beauty at its peak--please capture it! We can expect a large increase in visitors to the FSP web site over the next couple of months leading up to the Liberty Forum and the NH primary, so the more attractive we can make the site the better. Please contribute to the Fall Foliage Photo Contest!

We're looking for photos in several categories:

Best New Hampshire Photo
Best New Hampshire Halloween Photo (like from the Keene Pumpkin Festival)
Best PorcFest Photo
Best Photo of FSP Merchandise in Action
Best Activism Photo

Send your contributions to Frank Todd, our FSP Media Librarian.

The Keene Free Press

The October 2007 print edition of the Keene Free Press is now available online in pdf format. The Keene Free Press is the free online and print news and opinion publication covering Keene and Cheshire County, New Hampshire. The issue contains a truckload of engaging articles:

The Police State vs. the Browns
None Dare Call it Genocide
Reader Letters
Julia Miranda for Keene City Council
1995 People Control Your Life
History of US Currency
In Pursuit of Liberty
Between a Rock and Ed Brown
Evil of Inaction
Jailed in Defense of the Constitution, Part 3

Check the Calendar

FSP Thanks & Statistics

FSP News circulation: 12,224. Back issues are available. Got FSP news? Please submit content by the 12th of the month, Thank you to all advertisers and contributors. The FSP News welcomes Daniel Arbuckle as Associate Editor!

FSP Participants - here are some quick links:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 7,961
Participants in NH: 492
as of October 15, 2007

FSP News - September 2007

The FSP's New Hampshire Liberty Forum registration is now OPEN! Join hundreds of Free Staters and friends in Nashua, New Hampshire, January 3 - 6, 2008. Details about the speakers booked so far and registration and hotel information are all available now - we are still working on putting the finishing touches on the event, so please check back often as we update the Liberty Forum webpage! Many people came 'early' last year and we are going to be scheduling some great things to do on Thursday, including an outing to a shooting range, a tour of the State House and a Welcome Reception at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. As soon as you register, make sure you make your hotel reservations. Rooms are filling faster than expected (remember the NH primary is coming).

The video trailer for the New Hampshire Liberty Forum is now up on YouTube. Be sure to "Digg It!" to help get the word out to more people! If you don't have a Digg account yet, please do take a moment to create one, then click "Digg It!" to help promote Liberty Forum. The trailer is also a teaser for the 2007 Liberty Forum 3-DVD set, which is available for sale when you register for 2008 Liberty Forum!

Questions or comments about the Liberty Forum? Please email us. See you there!

FIRST 1000 SIGNERS! As you move to the Free State, please go back over to PledgeBank, login and add the checkmark to indicate 'they've done it'. And, movers - please tell your move story, your adventure. The We Made the Move! webpage was set up to record and inspire. And, of course, login at the FSP website and update your address to New Hampshire!

FSP Fall Foliage Photo Contest

According to the New Hampshire Foliage Report, the New Hampshire forests will reach their peak beauty in early October, so we are sponsoring a photo contest with the following categories:

Best New Hampshire Photo (maybe photograph a choice location every day and make a time-lapse movie? Set up those tripods!)
Best New Hampshire Halloween Photo (like from the Keene Pumpkin Festival)
Best PorcFest Photo (we saw a lot more cameras at PorcFest than we have photos in the FSP Photo Gallery)
Best Photo of FSP Merchandise in Action*
Best Activism Photo*

* Note that the last two categories are not limited to New Hampshire.

Winners will get a T-shirt (or maybe something else more to their liking) and a place in the annals of history. All the usual disclaimers apply: photos must be original, make sure you have your subjects’ permission, and by submitting the photo to the FSP you are giving us unlimited rights to use it for publicity purposes - thanks! Upload your photos (please, just the best!) or send them to Frank, our new Media Librarian. Submission deadline: November 4th.

A new article, The Free State Project: What Liberty is All About by Lynn Pina, was published in the July 2007 issue of the Mensa Bulletin.

Action of the Month - Vary Interesting. No, that's not a typo, I'm talking about the varying interests of people interested in Liberty in Our Lifetime. Freedom-minded individuals come in all shapes and sizes, and in all philosophical flavors and styles.
From atheists, Buddhists, and Christians to Wiccans, Yiguandaos and Zoroastrians; from aviators, bookmakers and chemists to webmasters, xenmasters, and zoologists; from amorists(poly), bimboists, and cunning linguists to whipmasters(and mistresses), yankophiles, and Zamboners. As different as we all can be from one another, there will always be those with which we share similar interests. That's where the FSP Interest Groups come into play. If you're looking for fellows and friends or you want to reach out and introduce the Free State Project to the world of others like you, check out the Interest Groups and especially the empty liaison slots. If your group is not yet represented, start one up and reach out to others around the block and around the world; and let freedom ring! - Phil Denisch

Free State Shooting Match - Join us in The Great Donkaphant Hunt of 2007 (Targets to be received by October 10) This is not a real hunt, of course. We won't be hunting for rotten candidates (too easy). We won't be hunting for narcissistic bureaucrats (also too easy). And we won't be hunting for nosy, meddling, officious busybodies. (too repulsive) Instead, a make-believe, fantasy hunt to rid ourselves of the clannish, tribal affiliations which divert far too much energy from the proper (and few) operations of government. - Phil

You know about the Free State Project, but how is it going? Can we really move 20,000 freedom lovers to New Hampshire, and why would we want to? What's life really like for those who have already moved? Find out! A new video by ShuvominNH on YouTube - Finding Life and Liberty in the Free State Project, Part 1. The FSP website now features a growing collection of videos posted at YouTube by FSP supporters!

Free Talk Live has finished up its third year of syndication with 30 radio affiliates! FTL just added WAAM in Detroit/Ann Arbor, MI to the weekday show, WKBK in Keene, NH to Saturdays, and KTAE in Cameron, TX all six nights a week. TALKERS Magazine's Michael Harrison recently called Free Talk Live "A rising star among the independents". Indeed, Free Talk Live has now won podcast awards three years in a row - this year taking home the award for Best Political Podcast of 2007. The FSP is one of FTL's sponsors - tune in live on the radio or to its archived shows!

FSP Merchandise: A special thank you to everyone who helped with the bookmark Chip-in campaign. A fresh order of bookmarks is on its way! Order now for placement in freedom loving books everywhere (and to help remember where you were in "Human Action", "Atlas Shrugged", and the possibly libertarian, "Cat in the Hat"). We have a special item, a signed, hardcover edition of John Stossel's "Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: GET OUT THE SHOVEL -- WHY EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS WRONG". We'll have an online 'silent auction' for this great book and unique piece of history (It was signed at the '07 NHLF in Concord, NH). Email your bids to merchandise@freestateproject.org, I'll relay bids to all other bidders, auction closes on Sep. 30th.

In the merchandise affiliation department: Don't forget to see our New Hampshire Merchandise (link on the right-hand side of the merchandise/store page). There are NH posters, NHToDo Magazine and NH flags in a variety of sizes. (The FSP gets a 10% cut of the flag sales, so do your part. :) You'll also find the fantastic new FSP 'Liberty Cards', great for handing out (see pic at right), sending out and leaving out - on a friendly merchant's counter that is - of course, never left out of mind. - Phil

FSP VOLUNTEER POSITIONS OPEN - Help Wanted

FSP News Associate Editor - I'd like to locate one or two people to work with me on the FSP News. We would gather, edit and publish the monthly newsletter and back each other up. It's a rewarding job and we need more than one person able to produce the newsletter. It's easy, and full training and support is provided. Contact Brian for details.

We are also looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to answer occasional email inquiries, point potential volunteers to the right FSP person, and revive the weekly volunteer teleconference and gab session. Duties include:

recruits volunteers for key positions
responds to volunteers' offers of assistance; providing all who ask with at least one task
maintains the How to Help list of volunteer activities

We have the details and organizational support to get you going, and are in the process of updating the Organization Chart and volunteer contacts to make things easier for you. It's up to you, but if you're good at this, you could develop the role to lead the Doers Meeting at PorcFest every year, and certainly be the liaison to FSP management concerning volunteer needs, goals and ideas.

If you're interested or have questions about the positions above, please email Lynn Pina. Use your skills to benefit the FSP by taking on one of the above roles and making it your own! And, if these jobs don't appeal to you, just let us know what you'd like to contribute - all are welcome to help move the FSP forward.

Though the FSP does not endorse any candidates, it continues to receive publicity from the Ron Paul campaign. From National Review: "Don't forget that New Hampshire is home of the Free State Project, and has always had a strongly libertarian streak. He is well represented here in terms of young volunteers." From Washington University: "Sounds like there's a Paul contingent in the audience. There oughta be, this is New Hampshire, after all, home of the Free State Project." From The Spoof: "This new 'signage' is visible from flights to the new Live Free or Die International Airport built by Free State Project members." And, one more for you, during an interview with college student Ms. Morales, CNN shows Ron Paul speech in front of FSP's NH Liberty Forum.

Our friends, the Granny Warriors are on the road speaking out for liberty! Can you spot the FSP banner on the red, white and blue van in the latest Granny Warrior video?

In New Hampshire

Send The Right Message! NH Common Sense kicked off its petition drive in support of a marijuana decriminalization bill that will be filed in New Hampshire in December. The bill will reduce the penalty for first offense possession of marijuana in small quantities from a misdemeanor to a "civil violation". This reform will prevent a lot of responsible marijuana users from being hauled into court and saddled with criminal records; it will also save tax dollars, unclog the court system, and scale back on some of the worst harms of marijuana prohibition in New Hampshire.

Audio from our Send The Right Message! campaign's encounters with Bill Richardson, Mitt Romney, and Ron Paul is available on NORML's AudioStash. Send The Right Message! is a special project of the New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy.

Liberty activism in New Hampshire is well reflected in Free State Blogs. Here are some of the very latest blog entries:

Liberty Forum 2008!
Open Letter to Senator Clegg
Two Brown Supporters Arraigned in Concord
Against The Grain Radio
Silly Bureaucrats, trix are for kids
A Way-Cool, Web-2.0 Blogsite
Surrender Should Not Be An Option
Early September
Letter: Education is the Key
Party/Fundraiser at Ed and Elaine Browns 9/15
Social Insecurity and the Taxman
In Pursuit of Liberty
As the Free State Grows
song of solomon
Free Minds TV
The Keene Weekly News
NH Wins First Place from Ron Paul Campaign!
Meet Ward 4 Candidate Julia Miranda This Sunday! (9/9)
Ron Paul Gets More Money
Meat Markets in New Hampshire
Property tax bills soar in Massachusetts as services fall
Shootings and Brawling in Manchester
Fantasy Football Nation
Why Fred Thompson Sucks
Ted Nugent, Hillary and Obama
NH Legislative Employee Pay Raises
Fall Grey Squirrel Season Has Started!
more...

"A little bit hip and a little bit homey, these up-and-coming towns guarantee a fun detour on your next road trip. You'll be browsing the local real estate pages before you know it." - Frommer's Budget Travel chose Peterborough, NH as one of the 10 Coolest Small Towns

The September 2007 print edition of the Keene Free Press is now available online in pdf format. The Keene Free Press is the free online and print news and opinion publication covering Keene and Cheshire County, New Hampshire.

FSP News circulation: 12,133. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise changed your info, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 7,898
Participants in NH: 479
as of September 15, 2007

FSP News - August 2007

The Liberty Forum 2008 - 'Moving Liberty Forward' is now scheduled! It will be held January 3 - 6, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua, New Hampshire. This may seem like a strange time to have the Liberty Forum, but remember this is New Hampshire, home of the nation's first primary and we have special plans for that...(tba)..

We listened to your comments from the first Liberty Forum, and this year promises to be even bigger than last year. There are six confirmed nationally known speakers so far, but we aren't letting the cat out of the bag just yet! We're offering a special "earlybird discount" - $219 for the entire event. This includes a full pass to all speakers and events, the Friday night dinner and the Saturday night dinner. Register early for the best price! Early registration is coming - watch the FSP website for announcements and details. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Ever wanted to help coordinate PorcFest? Well, here's your chance! We need a co-Coordinator for PorcFest 2008 to help backstop Rich Goldman, who has generously volunteered to head things up again for next year as Coordinator. Duties would include writing PR blurbs, coordinating the events calendar, and possibly being the liaison with GunstockAcres.com, hired to assist us with local NH outreach and exposure. Being a NH resident isn't a requirement, but it's definitely a plus, as are good writing skills.

Are you a social butterfly? Like to attend events that would interest Free Staters or beg for FSP representation? We're looking for you! We are seeking an Events Coordinator to develop new opportunities and coordinate with us for FSP publicity and presence at existing venues whose audiences coincide with FSP's. The job description includes:

ensures that the FSP is maximally represented throughout the year and around the country at events where we are likely to pick up recruits
maintains a database of events
proactively seeks out new events at which the FSP can recruit and/or gain publicity
serves as initial liaison between FSP and event organizers
locates FSP volunteers to speak and/or man vendor booths as needed
ensures that FSP event representatives are adequately supplied with merchandise and supplies, such as banners and brochures
solicits feedback on events in order to judge their success

What kind of events could we use your help coordinating? How about the Big E as a great example? We would provide information on prior and existing venues, and help with volunteer coverage.

Have you been a natural contact for potential volunteers, a nexus online or in your community? We could really use your help!

We are looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to answer occasional email inquiries, point potential volunteers to the right FSP person, and revive the weekly volunteer teleconference and gab session. Duties include:

recruits volunteers for key positions
responds to volunteers' offers of assistance; providing all who ask with at least one task
maintains the How to Help list of volunteer activities

If you're interested or have questions about the positions above, please email our VP of Ops (and current de facto Volunteer Coordinator) Lynn Pina. Come and have a good time, and use your people skills for the FSP's benefit by taking on one of the above roles and making it your own! And, if the above jobs don't appeal to you, just let us know what you'd like to contribute - all are welcome.

Action of the Month - Make your mark, with a Bookmark. The wonderful bookmarks designed by Jon Maltz are great for at least two reasons. One, they work very well as a place-marker in any book or magazine you're reading. It's very simple, you just place this thin, but sturdy, piece of laminated paper between the pages where you stopped reading and close the book. When you're ready to start reading again the bookmark is in-between the pages you were reading last! Amazing, pure genius! (It's OK, you can laugh now) There's no end to the remarkable abilities of these wonderful items. These bookmarks actually have writing on them, also. Starting off with "Join the Second American Revolution" and ending with "We look forward to welcoming you home" these bookmarks are also great for advertising and recruiting (reason #2).

Visiting your local tax-funded library and inserting them in books by Rand, Heinlein, any of the founding fathers or other books as appropriate, may bring home another liberty-minded person to the Free State of New Hampshire. Some may consider the local bookstore instead, but there are private property issues to consider, so please act as the moral agents we know you all are. For ideas on books to make your mark with, see this forum topic. - Phil Denisch (PD)

Free State Match - Congratulations to Art Curtis! - Winner of the FSM#2. He'll be receiving a gift certificate as well as a small, silly prize for beating my score <grumble, grumble>. Join us in The Great Donkaphant Hunt of 2007 (Targets to be received by October 10) - A great hunt is afoot! Be sure to arm yourself appropriately for this most dangerous of seasons. Don the Helm of Lucidity to keep your head clear while the candidates attempt to pour an endless stream of banality into your brain. Be ready with the Crystalline Shovel to keep your path clear of equine excrement and pachyderm poop. Don't leave home without your Wallet of Peril to keep out the grasping hands of political operatives. And last, but not least, go forth with the Shootin' Vest of Alacrity to keep your spirits high in the dark times ahead. See Free State Match details. - PD

Merchandise - (You know the tune)

Freedom on stickers and freedom on magnets,
Bright pewter keychains and cool cotton ballcaps,
F-S-P Bookmarks are 50 for 5,
These are a few of our merchandise things.

Standard white t-shirts and S-O-I magnets,
Matches and Patches and pins for your jacket,
Platters that fly just like porcs had their wings,
These are a few of our merchandise things.

When the law bites,
When the vote stings,
When you hear the lies,
Just simply remember our merchandise things,
And then you will see the prize.

(Please visit soon, before the ghosts of Rodgers
and Hammerstein catch up with me :) - PD

Former FSP VP, Organizer, early-mover and attorney Evan Nappen is profiled in the August issue of BLADE Magazine. The article profiles Evan and his legal specialty of "...defending those who are charged unjustly with gun or knife crimes."

New state rankings roundup: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, New Hampshire (pdf) had the steepest decline in traffic fatalities in 2006. In The Best States for Business, a Special Report by Forbes, ranks NH as 1st in Labor, 5th in Quality of Life and 14th Overall. As reported by WebMD, the Commonwealth Fund, a foundation primarily focused on health care, ranked NH as tied for 3rd in state health system performance.

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs provides "boots on the ground" info on what's happening in the Free State! It also provides "positive community feedback to those who are thinking about moving to the Free State". This month:

Policing the police
Machine gun shoot
Every legislator should be required to watch...
Washington a Force for the Good?
Radio Interview
Ron Paul Sign Wave at the Head of the Square in Keene NH, on Saturday!
Free Minds TV
The Keene Weekly News, July 6, 2007
This is Freedom
Jailed in Defense of the Constitution
Walking for Ron Paul
No security at Sky Harbor
Feds Arrest Activists at Keene IRS Building
New Hampshire in View
hot air
can't get there from here
Lethal Legality
Ron Paul 6th out of 16 in WMUR/UNH Poll
To harass and annoy
An example of a Verbal Ninja
An Orderly Society
Fantastic News (more pundits overheard grumbling)
Victory Against Income Tax (experts quoted as saying "pfft...whatever")

The August 2007 print edition of the Keene Free Press is now available online in pdf format. The Keene Free Press is the free online and print news and opinion publication covering Keene and Cheshire County, New Hampshire.

FSP News circulation: 11,844. 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:

If you've moved to NH or otherwise, please update your contact info

Find NH job info on the website - post your resume & check the FSP forum for a job!

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: 7,844
Participants in NH: 475
as of August 15, 2007

Three Bedroom home in NH offered for sale by FSP member

Located in Claremont, NH, just minutes from I-91, lakes and ski areas. Listed at $119,000. Ready for immediate occupancy. We own the property next door. If you're ready to make the move, this is a great entry property. Live free or die!

For more details see the realtor's site or email the owners for more info.

- advertisement - contact us -

FSP News - July 2007

Chalk up PorcFest 2007 as another successful FSP event! With over 450 registered attendees, a nearly 50% increase over last year, the freedom message is ringing loud and clear! Thank you to everyone who traveled both near and far to attend, and to the dozens of PorcFest volunteers who worked hard all year to pull it off, especially our PorcFest Coordinator, Rich Goldman. This year we made a lot of changes, from moving to Gunstock to adding activism workshops and organizing tours around the state. The FSP and PorcFest are building solid momentum and we plan to continue the trend in 2008! Wrap-ups, media and post-PorcFest info below:

Media coverage:

Free Staters Make Camp at Gunstock - Laconia Citizen

Free-staters find common ground at Gunstock get-together - Laconia Citizen

300 Free Staters to gather in Gilford for 'PorcFest' - Union Leader

PorcFest Special live at PorcFest - Free Minds TV, Keene, NH

FTL Broadcasts Live from The Free State Project's Porcfest 2007 - Free Talk Live (mp3 file)

PorcFest Feedback Survey - We have placed the PorcFest 2007 Feedback Survey online. Please fill it out if you attended. The survey is crucial to improving PorcFest and shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to complete. If anonymity is important to you, be sure to "log out" of the FSP webpage in the left column before taking the survey. Thank you!

FSP Design Winner - First 1000 signer, Christa Siering won the PorcFest design competition. See her winning design above. If you have design skills and want to help out and/or compete next year, please join the FSP's Yahoo Art Group.

PorcFest T-Shirts - We have about 50 PorcFest shirts left. If you'd like one, they're available on the FSP Merchandise page for $15 (S&H included). Help spread the word and support PorcFest with this cool shirt.

PorcFest Cookoff Winners - The Liberty Ladies' Cookoff was a huge success! Thank you to all the cooks and participants. The food was prepared, seconds were obtained and votes tabulated - this year's winners are:

1st Place - Joy Sandoz's Gumbo
2nd Place - Edi Swearingen's Hotshot Brownies
3rd Place - Tina and Seamus O' Scalaithe's Cold Sesame Noodle (tie)
3rd Place - Steve Deeds' Porc Pulled Pork (tie)

PorcFest Photos - If you have photos from PorcFest that you'd like to share, the FSP website has a PorcFest 2007 Photo Gallery for viewing and uploading images. You must have an FSP account to upload however. Current members must login to upload photos. To create an account as a new Participant and signer of the Statement of Intent, please go here. If you'd like to create an account as a new Friend of the FSP, go here. Once logged in, you will be able to add pictures and perform other actions by means of the "album actions" drop-down menu located at the bottom of the page. Alternatively, if you email your photos to richgoldman@gmail.com, he will upload them for you.

First 1000 group photo at PorcFest

While not all of the First 1000 participants at PorcFest made it out for the above photo, we counted about 70 present for the group shot, plus about six dogs (no cats - we couldn't herd 'em up in time).

PorcFest Testimonials - We are looking for PorcFest testimonials to use in future promotional material. If you had a great and/or memorable time at PorcFest and would like to share your sentiments and experiences, especially to those who may be hesitant or unsure about whether it would be worth their time and money to attend, please email Rich Goldman with your name, current state of residence, and your statement(s) about PorcFest or any of its sub-events (e.g. bus tours, bonfires, workshops, etc.). Don't worry about writing something "perfect", all we ask if that you're authentic.

Free State member Brian Wright, author of New Pilgrim Chronicles and perennial diarist and panegyrist of the Free State Project and movement, provides his man-on-the-dirt-path narrative of the fourth Porcupine Festival at Gunstock Resort. "I found this Porcfest, though lacking the star power of its predecessors, to be the most productive in terms of socializing, or at least discussing, the need to take the organization to the next level. I'm extremely optimistic for the future."

PorcFest 2008 - If you are interested in helping out in any way with PorcFest 2008, please join the Yahoo Group. No experience is needed. See you next year!

Free State Match - Join us in The Great Donkaphant Hunt of 2007 - A great hunt is afoot! Be sure to arm yourself appropriately for this most dangerous of seasons. Don the Helm of Lucidity to keep your head clear while the candidates attempt pour an endless stream of banality into your brain. Be ready with the Crystalline Shovel to keep your path clear of equine excrement and pachyderm poop. Don't leave home without your Wallet of Peril to keep out the grasping hands of political operatives. And last, but not least, go forth with the Shootin' Vest of Alacrity to keep your spirits high in the dark times ahead. - Phil Denisch

Action of the Month - Get your groovies at the movies! (Just don't ask me why that rhymes) There are many good movies out there that show one aspect or another of people trying to live freer lives, fight the system, etc. Although few are 'pure', there are still many worth watching. But how to make the FSP and New Hampshire connection? You could mention that "Serenity", "V for Vendetta", and "The Fountainhead" have all been shown during previous PorcFests. You could point out that quite a few political movies and TV shows feature New Hampshire as a critical state during elections; "Dave" and [choke] "West Wing" come to mind. For a more intimate look at New Hampshire, you could go with the old classics: "Our Town" or "The Devil and Daniel Webster". Remembering, of course, that all movies can only be a weak reflection of life. But they can inspire thought, action, and new ideas. So whether it's "Hotel New Hampshire", "1984", "Rabbit-Proof Fence", "Silk Stockings", "The Castle", "Fahrenheit 451", "The Americanization of Emily", or "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the New Hampshire and FSP connection to Liberty in Our Lifetime to all. - Phil Denisch

Oyez, oyez, oyez, come forward and be... Fleeced. Voluntarily that is. We have a great selection in the FSP store, from hats and shirts to stickers and magnets, just about anything a good lover of liberty needs (except of course, that switch that makes all politicians honest and all judges wise). We have a new magnet design, courtesy of Steve Cobb, perfect for putting up at work. There are some PorcFest 2007 shirts left, even in the 3X size (hurry, only 3 of those). The new batch of shiny, pewter keychains are in, and there are still some of those adorable, stuffed porcupine hand and finger puppets. The Ultimate Discs are a great idea, what with it being summertime and all. So heed the call: Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the Honorable, the Supreme Store of the Free State Project, are admonished to draw near and give their money, for the Store is now open. God save the Free State Project and all Honorable Porcs! - Phil Denisch

The FSP and New Hampshire got a mention in the July 4th edition of Chron.com, online news by the Houston Chronicle. Where you can find affordable places to retire.

Free Talk Live added another radio station affiliate to its lineup. KSCO AM 1180 serves listeners in the San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Cruz area. The FSP continues to advertise and sponsor FTL as it spreads the message of freedom throughout the country. Free Talk Live again took the #1 spot in the June voting for top podcast in the world, even beating out the Harry Potter podcast. Listen online.

In New Hampshire

NO REAL ID in New Hampshire! Following the 24-0 vote of the New Hampshire Senate in May, Governor Lynch signed into law legislation prohibiting state agencies from complying with the federal REAL ID act. The NH House passed the bill 268-8 in April. From NH House Bill 685: "The general court finds that the public policy established by Congress in the Real ID Act of 2005, Public Law 109-13, is contrary and repugnant to Articles 1 through 10 of the New Hampshire constitution as well as Amendments 4 though 10 of the Constitution for the United States of America. Therefore, the state of New Hampshire shall not participate in any driver’s license program pursuant to the Real ID Act of 2005 or in any national identification card system that may follow therefrom."

The 2007 Liberty Rating of the NH House and Senate was released by the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance. "The Liberty Rating is based on pro-liberty and anti-liberty votes and their impact on the state of New Hampshire. Bills have been carefully selected for inclusion which clearly demonstrate the level of respect our elected representatives show for our individual rights and liberties."

Also just released, the 2007 New Hampshire Liberty Index - an independent evaluation of the voting records of the New Hampshire state legislature. "It reflects roll-call (recorded) votes from the state house and senate on legislation that, if passed, would increase or decrease the liberty of people in New Hampshire."

The Coalition of NH Taxpayers held their 9th Annual Taxpayer Reunion Picnic on July 7th. The successful event featured a presidential straw poll and Ron Paul easily won with 65% of the vote.

Free State Blogs this month gets you inside the Free State of New Hampshire. Please visit Free State Blogs online. Entries this month include the following topics.

Ron Paul wins straw poll at 9th Annual CNHT Picnic
Free Keene Festival
Free Minds TV PorcFest 2007 Special Parts 1 and 2
all along the watchtower
Free Minds TV Episode 26, 27, 28
DOJ: Ed Brown supporters will be "rounded up"
Inside the New Hampshire State House
tarot
random acts of YouTube
WKBK's Al Kulas spends an hour with Free Keene's Ian
Liberty Ratings
Liberty Activist of the Year

The Keene Free Press won "Best Underground Newspaper", an award given by The New Hampshire Magazine. It was an Editor's Pick in its Best of NH 2007 competition - "There’s still a touch of the radical and irrational in its pages, and founder Russell Kanning learned well from old-school street theatre and passive resistance tactics."

The July 2007 print edition of the Keene Free Press is now available online in pdf format. The Keene Free Press is the free online and print news and opinion publication covering Keene and Cheshire County, New Hampshire.

FSP News circulation: 11,810. 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 - have you moved to New Hampshire? Please contact FSP Participant Services with address updates!

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

Participants: 7,788
Participants in NH: 475
as of July 15, 2007

Great North Woods Home and Cabins with Income Potential - Columbia, NH

Property features a large 3+ bedroom house and six 1-2 room rental cabins.
Some work done recently, but needs TLC. Offering good business location on
US RT.3, we are set on 5 acres in the heart of the snowmobile kingdom and
close to the Connecticut River. Asking $210,000.
email jsanta@ncia.net or call 603-237-8630 for more info.

- advertisement - contact us -

FSP News - June 2007

PorcFest! Come up to New Hampshire!

"Discover New Freedoms, New Communities, and New Beginnings!"

PorcFest begins this Monday, June 18th. If you are coming, please register ASAP. You can specify to keep your information from appearing on the We'll Be There List. Having this information will help us better plan various aspects of the festival, from how many people to expect each day, to how much food we purchase from the caterer, to who can be counted on to help out during the festival. If you're coming, please register today!

BBQ and Cookoff Tickets - It is important that if you plan to eat at the Friday BBQ or Saturday Cookoff, you purchase tickets in advance. If you don't have a ticket, you will not be served. There will be a limited number of tickets available for purchase at the festival. If you have already registered and would like to buy tickets, please email Rich.

Cookoff Participation - The Liberty Ladies are still looking for contestants and judges for the Cook-Off. Here's how it works. We have three categories this year. Soup/Stew, which covers everything from your favorite Chili and beef stew to baked beans or split pea soup. Salads, sides and etc. is where everything else that isn't a soup/stew or a dessert goes. Tossed salad, pasta salad, or tuna casserole goes here. Dessert will be the last category. Nothing but the sweets ma'am.

The entered dish needs to be fairly large, but remember, this is a tasting contest, not an all you can eat buffet. You'll need to make enough to give 175 people a couple bites. For soups and stews that's about one ladle. For desserts, cut small pieces. There should be more than enough food there that no one will go away hungry. Gunstock does not have a kitchen available, so you need to be able to bring a pre-made dish, such as brownies, or know how to make it over a campfire, unless you have a portable gas grill or are lucky enough to have a site with electricity. The dishes will be judged by popular vote. Tasters will go around the campsite with plates, a map and a ballot and they will rate their favorite dish in each category. They turn these back in when they are done and the tallies are done. There is no set route that tasters have to take, they are free to wander at will. We will have volunteers walking the site with baskets of bread to not only provide a glutinous snack, but to help answer questions and direct tasters. Awards will be in the form of cash and will be handed out the following day. Those interested in participating as cooks, or anyone with questions, please email Llalania.
Doers Meeting - Are you a current FSP "Doer"?- one who is actively promoting the FSP and working on its behalf. Perhaps you'd like to join with members of the FSP Board and leadership volunteers in what will be an annual face-to-face opportunity for dialogue. You are invited to attend, participate and offer your ideas and projects to help the FSP achieve its mission - be a Doer!Please email your interest or suggested agenda items to Lynn Pina. The meeting will be held Saturday night at 7:30pm at PorcFest prior to the FSP Town Hall Meeting.
First 1000- If you are a signer of the First 1000 pledge, you'll especially want to attend the panel of early movers we are having from 10am-12 noon on Saturday, June 23rd and the group photo shoot of First 1000 signers at 1:30pm.

Birds of a Feather (Flock Together) Events - There's still time to schedule a special interest group meetup. If you have a hobby, issue, background, or anything you'd like to gather attendees around, please send us an email with the topic, a preferred date/time, and a sentence or two description of the topic. We'll provide the venue.

PorcFest ChipIn - Based on the initial success we had with ChipIn, we have decided to extend this PorcFest fundraising opportunity until the end of the festival (June 24th). As before, all revenues will be used to cover the costs associated with making PorcFest possible (e.g. venue rental, advertising, etc.) If you can't attend PorcFest, this is a great way to show your support - Chipin is located on FSP Homepage. And, if you are attending and donate $500 or more, you will be invited to a special donor lunch on Saturday June 23rd at Gunstock with FSP leaders and VIPs.

Join us for the celebration of the year - the 2007 Porcupine Freedom Festival! Make a last-minute plan!

A Candid World documentary filmmakers are looking to profile serious potential movers during this year's PorcFest. If you will be attending PorcFest June 23-24th and plan on touring New Hampshire towns and/or real estate during that time -- or are free to schedule a tour -- please contact Marc Femenella. (Please note that any footage could be used in fundraising materials for the film as well as in the final film itself). For more information about the documentary, visit A Candid World.

Free-Staters coming to Gunstock - The Citizen of Laconia featured PorcFest in a news story on May 31st. (Note that while their coverage of PorcFest is correct, the article erroneously says the FSP has only attracted 450 people to pledge to relocate to the state, when in reality, we have 7,722 people pledged.)

When John Stossel was our guest at the FSP's Liberty Forum in February, he interviewed FSP Founder Jason Sorens and FSP President, Varrin Swearingen. The full interview is being edited, but there is a pre-release sample video available now.

Two new editions of the FSP President's Corner have been posted. Join Varrin Swearingen, FSP President, as he reports to us from Washington DC on May 10th on the Reason presentation, PorcFest, media coverage, and a new Health Freedom Liaison. Varrin also reports to us from Shanghai, China on June 1st - topics include our Volunteer Coordinator, PorcFest, the FSP Welcome Wagon and the John Stossel Interview.

New Hampshire ranks #3 in The Commonwealth Fund's new State Scorecard. The ranking of U.S. states "...assesses state variation across key dimensions of health system performance: access, quality, avoidable hospital use and costs, equity, and healthy lives."

Free Talk Live adds six nights a week in Boston on WBNW 1120 and in Cape Cod/Plymouth on WPLM 1390. There are now 26 affiliate radio stations across the country broadcasting FTL. The pro-liberty talk show originates out of Keene, NH, 6 nights a week from 7-10pm EST. Check to see if the show is on in your area, or listen to it through the website.

Other FSP members with new radio shows include Michael Badnarik, broadcasting via the internet on the We The People Radio Network from 7-9am CST. And, in Washington DC and on the internet, there's The Tom deSabla Radio Program, airing 1-3pm EST weekdays on WMET 1160 AM. Tune in and give them a call!

In February of 2004, the FSP was featured on the popular New England TV news magazine show, Chronicle. The show aired on WCVB TV channel 5 in Boston, just a few months after the member selection of New Hampshire as the target state. It features some of our earliest movers! Here's the link to the video if you haven't seen it.

Reason Magazine sponsored a "Meet the Free State Project" happy hour May 10th, in Washington, DC. Lots of Reason staff members and other folks stopped by to learn about the project, including NH Senator John Sununu (shown to the right with Varrin Swearingen). Check out the photos! More in the President's Corner. Also, note the Reason article on the FSP, Revolt of the Porcupines from December 2004.

Action of the Month - Local Groups . A successful politician once said, "All politics are local." That particular politician's view on politics notwithstanding, there does seem to be some truth to that saying. So it's a good thing the Free State Project has a number of local groups to help you live locally, and, well, act locally as well. Local groups are wonderful, dynamic places. Wonderful because of the like-minded individuals and dynamic because your time is split between saying hello to new faces that just heard about the FSP and saying goodbye to other faces as they leave for New Hampshire. (no cracks now,... darn) Local Groups come up with many activities, like having picnics, chalking sidewalks, tax day protests, moving parties, lunchtime gatherings, fancy dinners with speakers, or anything else that welcomes new people, attracts interested parties, publicizing the FSP and just enjoying themselves. What!?! You say there is no local group in your area? Well, then, I guess it's up to you to start one! You don't need some politician to tell you its OK to start one up, just do it! See how many Porcs are in your area, find out how many there are yearning to be free. - Phil Denisch

We have a new item in our merchandise store! An embroidered FSP "Don't Tread on Me" patch. Suitable for jackets, bags, hats, jeans, and pretty much anything else you can think of. Well, it might be a bit small for your thong, although it might look cool on your baggy boxers, whitie-tighties, or stretchie-meshies (maybe a little scratchy, though). One of the main purposes of merchandise is to advertise, so not too many people will see it there, unless you, well, we won't go there... We have plenty of other items in the store. Order now so you're all set to sport your o-so fashionable FSP gear at the PorcFest and the rest of the world. We have shirts from previous PorcFests available. Even if you didn't go then, it's OK (and encouraged) to show your support and get people talking the Free State Project and Liberty in Our Lifetime. - Phil Denisch

In New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy has been busy, announcing two new websites and releasing a newsletter (pdf). Reschedule Cannabis is an educational site, a portal for information on cannabis policy, anti-prohibitionist scholarship and the 2008 presidential candidates. The second website, Send The Right Message, is focused on effective activism - how to get involved in promoting marijuana reform issues to friends, neighbors, politicians and media. Matt Simon, the Executive Director, was interviewed on June 11th by NORML's Daily Audio Stash - play mp3. .

The New Hampshire Senate voted against a mandatory seat belt law for adults. It remains the choice of an adult in New Hampshire whether he or she wears a seat belt or not. Efforts against mandatory seat belt legislation will be carried on by New Hampshire Liberty Alliance.

What's going on in New Hampshire? Free State Blogs is a great source for activism information in the Free State. Some of the blog entries this month:

John Stossel Interviews the Free State Project President & Founder
Ron Paul Nation
Ron Paul Rally
Backlash on Civil Unions in New Hampshire?
Free Minds TV - episodes 22-24
Matt Simon on Free Minds TV
When they're not making laws
Hey, Minuteman, Wait a second!
One-woman pro-liberty lobbying force
The (un)surprising Relevance of New Hampshire
N.H. Senate Backs REAL ID Ban
Stepping Outside the Political Party Box for the Best Candidate
reichstag 911
Keene Weekly News

Concord #1, Lebanon #2, Claremont #18, Keene #26, Laconia #51. POLICOM examines and measures cities in the U.S. for more than 100 factors. Concord scored #1 for the third straight year!

The June 2007 print edition of the Keene Free Press is now available online in pdf format. The Keene Free Press is the free online and print news and opinion publication covering Keene and Cheshire County, New Hampshire

FSP News circulation: 11,795. Back issues are available. Got FSP news? Please submit content by the 12th of the month, Thank you to all advertisers and contributors.

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and work towards Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join, and make a last minute plan to come to PorcFest!

Participants: 7,722
Participants in NH: 458
as of June 15, 2007

For Sale by Owner

$249,000. Classic 1848 farmhouse in un-zoned Wentworth,

NH, 2184 SF (4 bedrooms, 2 baths), PLUS 2456 SF of business space, PLUS 492 SF rentable apartment. Free Staters in the area. See the web site.

Email joeroy@joeroy.com or call 603-764-9099

- Advertisement - Contact us -

FSP News - May 2007

Make your reservations NOW for The Free State Project's 2007 Porcupine Freedom Festival! This Summer, the festival will be held at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford New Hampshire from June 18 - 24th. Last year over 400 fellow Free Staters and liberty-lovers from all over the U.S. converged in NH for the big event and celebration! This year we've changed locations and promise lots of great events to "Discover New Freedoms, New Communities and New Beginnings!" There will be bus tours, shooting events, hikes and sports, speakers and special guests, the Liberty Ladies Cook-Off, trainings, workshops, Birds-of-a-Feather meetups, entertainment and lots of celebrating the growth of freedom. Join us in New Hampshire!

REGISTRATION - LODGING - SCHEDULE - VENDING - WE'LL BE THERE LIST - PORCS HELPING PORCS

PorcFest Challenge - Attention Free Staters! The Porcupine Festival is about a month away, and the resources necessary to make this amazing event the best yet are needed more than ever. It seems a good time to remind you that YOU are the reason the FSP can spread the pro-liberty message - thank you!!! We need your help now to make Porcupine Festival 2007 an amazing experience. We need to send out mailings, advertise in targeted markets and reserve spaces at Gunstock ahead of time.

I believe that a lot of people doing small things can make a big difference. That's why I'm inviting you to the Porcupine Festival Challenge. The Challenge is this – to have as many Free State Project Participants as possible donate $3 to the FSP in the next seven days (May 15th to May 23rd). To participate in the Porcupine Festival Challenge all you have to do is go to the FSP's ChipIn site. Once there, click on the ChipIn button and make your important contribution to the future of the FSP. Three dollars. It's that easy. But if you participate, you'll be amazed at the results when I send them them out at the end of this week. You'll also see the impact of your giving at a great festival this Summer and in growing visibility for the Free State Project. This Challenge is a special way to make a big difference. Here's your chance to shine - Make your Porcupine Festival Challenge gift now! - Carolyn R. Ham, FSP Development Director

Thank you to all our donors! The special FSP Donor Luncheon will take place during Porcfest this year, and all donors who have given $500 or more to the FSP since June 2006 are invited. If you would like to attend the luncheon by giving at this level, or have questions about how much you have given this year, please contact me - Carolyn Ham

Back by popular demand at PorcFest, it's the Liberty Ladies Cook-Off and we need cooks! Have a fabulous recipe that wows family and friends the world over? Think it can win the hearts and minds of fellow Porcupines? Then enter your dish and win cash! There will be cash prizes for first, second and third place, as well as prizes for honorable mentions. We'll also need volunteers, so don't hesitate to offer a helping hand and get a free meal. ^_^ Tickets to eat and judge the event can be pre-ordered during online registration and will be sold at PorcFest. For more details, please email Llalania.

Birds of a Feather, flock together. Part of the plan for this year's Porcfest is a batch of Birds of a Feather meetings on sundry topics, including non-traditional marriage, food and cooking, brewing, drug war opposition, freedom philosophy, parenting/home schooling, and metalheads! Ward Griffiths is organizing the Birds of a Feather part of PorcFest. Do you want to meet other Porcs with your interest or be the leader of an interest group? Contact Ward through the FSP Forum and set it up now!

Are you a current FSP "Doer"? One who is actively promoting the FSP and working on its behalf. Perhaps you'd like to. join with members of the FSP Board and leadership volunteers in what will be an annual face-to-face opporttunity for dialogue. You are invited to attend, participate and offer your ideas and projects to help the FSP achieve its mission - be a Doer!. Please email your interest or suggested agenda items to Lynn Pina . The meeting will be held on Saturday night at PorcFest. See you there!

New Hampshire retains its #4 position in the latest Safest State rankings by Morgan Quitno. New Hampshire has consistently ranked among the safest states for the fourteen years that the company has been compiling the Safest State ranking.

Merchandise: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue.
The old is the shiny, round, pewter keychain that is back in stock. Great for holding keys to the castle, the car, your heart, the gun locker, the medicine cabinet, the state house, and perhaps the oubliette (for holding you know whos ;) The new is a new lanyard. It's a freedom-lovin' yellow color with "Don't Tread On Me" emblazoned on it, and the FSP web address, of course. Great for not holding your REAL ID, nor your FBIDEAEPABTFFPFFAAFCC (Mix and match your favorite 3) badge, but perfect for holding your security edition Bill of Rights, pocket Constitution (available on the FSP merchandise page as well), and your microfiche version of Human Action and Atlas Shrugged. The borrowed is, well, of course we don't borrow things. Unless we're talking about the borrowing of great feelings and great times being with other liberty-lovers at the PorcFest. What! You haven't registered yet? Be sure to reserve your PorcFest 2007 T-Shirt at a discount when you do. You can catch up on previous or missed festivals by buying a 2005 or 2006 PorcFest t-shirt, at bargain prices, I might add. Now for the something blue. There are a lot of blue items in the FSP store, from shirts with blue, to magnets with blue, to hats with blue. This particular blue item that I'm thinking of is mostly blue. It's the 2005 PorcFest can Koozie. The next question usually is "What's a Koozie?" A Koozie is a name-branded can insulating receptacle. With the aforementioned PorcFest upcoming, I'm sure you'll want a way to keep your favorite beverage cool whilst strolling around the beautiful grounds of Gunstock, philosophizing with all the other porcupines. Whether it's water (mineral, flavored, fruity, filtered, caffeinated, juiced, hops derived, carbonated) or not, this insulator will keep it cool (and you'll look cool sportin' it :). Besides, I've a huge pile of these things and I'd like to get rid of them! Come on, they're only a buck and a half! I've never seen so many cheap, stingy, tightfisted, churlish, chary... Ahem, excuse me. As I was saying, the noble, honest, magnanimous porcupines of the Free State Project deserve the best, and indeed they are the best. So, please visit the FSP Store, as your heart's desire is only a click away; if your grubby little fingers aren't too tired from counting..., I mean, see the wonderful items that can adorn your life and show the world that you want "Liberty in Our Lifetime" and you'll be willing to work for it. - Phil Denisch

There is a new FSP Interest Group interested in discussing ways to increase and promote health freedom in the Free State of New Hampshire. Topics may include the free market in medicine, health care choices, alternative medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbs, organic foods, health insurance, governmental involvement in health care and more, Please feel free to join the Yahoo discussion group and help get things started.

Varrin Swearingen's latest President's Corner videos for April have been posted. Reporting from Gunstock Mountain Resort and Alaska, Varrin keeps us up to date with the FSP.

Attention MySpace Free State Project members and supporters! Friend of the FSP, Scott Jones, of Progressive City, VT, has created a special Myspace Makeover Place for Myspace users. Add special FSP backgrounds and customizations to your Myspace webpage. To use, go to either "Basic or Advanced Layout Editor", then go to the area "Background Image" and choose "select one of our images". From the drop-down menu (scroll a little) you will see FSP-Blue, FSP-Blue II, FSP-Gold and Porc-07.

Free Talk Live just added FIVE more new affiliate radio stations to its syndication lineup! That brings the total affiliates to 23 now. Recent interviews by FTL included Russell Kanning, FSP Participant and civil disobedience activist in Keene, NH and FSP President, Varrin Swearingen. The Keene Sentinel ran an article about FTL's Ian Bernard - Monadnock Profile: Podcasting Freedom, Six Days a Week - coverage by Free Keene.

A new video has been made by Rick Angell, host of the community access television program, Sovereign Solutions. It's a two hour show "dedicated to the Free State Project, and why I'm leaving Montana for New Hampshire." You can find the program, which focuses on the 101 Reasons to Move to New Hampshire, at Sovereign Solutions.

Action of the Month - Read and share the 101 Reasons There is a wonderful document named "101 Reasons to Move to New Hampshire". It was prepared by Michelle Dumas on behalf of the LPNH. It is a great source for sound bites and answers to the question "Why New Hampshire?" From number 28: "NH has a long tradition of transparency in the legislative and executive branches" to number 47: "NH has no general income tax" (one of my favorites) there are plenty of outstanding reasons why New Hampshire is "The Free State". While NH isn't a perfect Gulch or perfect Luna City, or a perfect anything, (as nothing is), it's truly the best hope we have for "Liberty in Our Lifetime". It's a great document to read and an even greater one to share. Although the name could be changed to 100's or 1,000's, because every time a Porcupine moves in, it's another great reason - Phil Denisch

Free State Match #2: Simple, Sweet and Still Open
A simpler course of fire this time. No otherworldly scourges to take care of, just straightforward shooting. We'll use letter-sized targets downloaded from the match webpage. Submit targets via email or snail-mail. Two categories (.22 rifle and pistol), and two runs (fast and slow). All details are on the FSP website! Have fun, be safe, and let's make the world unsafe for a certain few selected pieces of paper...deadline for shooting: May 20th.

Reason magazine in Washington, DC hosted the Free State Project on May 10th. FSP members Varrin Swearingen, Rich Heller and Spear Lancaster were on-hand to represent the FSP at Reason's special Happy Hour.

In New Hampshire

Liberty activism is growing at a good clip in New Hampshire! Be sure to read Free State Blogs to keep up. This month we feature a selection of the blogs topics. To read all of the entries in Free State Blogs, please go to the website.

Testimony Against Centrally-Funded State Education
FSP Prez to speak at Reason Magazine Event
The Real Republican Debate
Keene's Russell Kanning Interviewed on Free Talk Live
Free Minds TV Episodes 17, 18, 19
2007 Spring Turkey Season Starts Today!
Trout Season Underway in New Hampshire
NH GOP & the Democratic Agenda
Sayonara Montana; Hola New Hampshire
Free State Diversity
NH Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill
Union Leader: Ron Paul #2 Republican in New Hampshire
Governor John Lynch Will Sign Civil Unions Bill For New Hampshire
We Need Some SchoolHouse Rock, New Hampshire Style
New Hampshire Gun Owner Saves the Life of a Doorman
State Senate Passes Lynch's Amendment
See all topics for this month at Free State Blogs

Free Staters made recent issues of the Concord Monitor. Tax protest backers vow to disobey, Two Run for open council seat and Free State diversity.

The latest print edition of the Keene Free Press is now available online in pdf format. The Keene Free Press is the free online and print news and opinion publication covering Keene, New Hampshire and Cheshire County.

FSP News circulation: 11,780. Back issues are available. Got FSP news? Please submit content by the 12th of the month, Thank you to all contributors.

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and work towards Liberty in Our Lifetime? Come to PorcFest to check it all out!

Participants: 7,676
Participants in NH: 458
as of May 15, 2007

FSP News - April 2007

This year's 2007 Porcupine Freedom Festival, or PorcFest, will be held at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, NH, from June 18 - 24th. Join us to "Discover New Freedoms, New Communities, and New Beginnings!" - speakers, NH bus tours, sports, Birds of a Feather Meetups, trainings, outdoor activities, camping, entertainment and more. REGISTER NOW!

PorcFest is about bringing together people that are, in any shape or form, connected to the Free State Project. Whether you are simply curious, whether you are a friend of the FSP, whether you are a signer of the Statement of Intent, whether you are originally from New Hampshire, or whether you are have already moved, PorcFest is the place to meet, talk, plan, and enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the Live Free or Die state. Come on up!

New Hampshire was again named Most Livable State in the nation for 2007! For the fourth consecutive year, .New Hampshire was selected by Morgan Quitno Press as #1. “New Hampshire does an outstanding job in a number of quality of life areas,” said Scott Morgan, President of Morgan Quitno Press. “The state has the lowest crime and poverty rates in the country. In addition, the citizens of New Hampshire are employed, well educated and involved in their communities.”

Which state is healthiest? Morgan Quitno also just released its annual Healthiest State Award and New Hampshire came in 5th in this year's ranking. This 15th annual publication is based on 21 health-related factors.

Action of the Month - Act on the small things. We can't all be famous, or smart, or popular. The giants have trod before us, as they shall after we are gone. I may not be a giant, though I could be. You may not be a giant, though you could be. But while we aren't, let's not forget to do the small things. There are small things that giants can't do. It would be hard to sell as many books as Ayn Rand has, but it would be easy to buy a few copies and get them to those who might benefit. (Resisting the temptation to strike out Galt's Gulch and replace it with New Hampshire - or not) It would be difficult to think as deeply as Ludwig von Mises, but it would be simple to vote for freedom-loving, or at least -leaning, politicians. (See the NHLF report card. Sorry no help for the lower 49, I guess you'll have to move to New Hampshire) It would be maddening to try and figure out where in this world one can be freer, but it is pleasant to know that the Free State Project has already done the brain work for you.

So let's attend to the small things; registering for the PorcFest, showing up at local group meetings, and donating time, money and talent to help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime. - Phil Denesch

Phil is also our Merchandise Coordinator - Well, pull my quills if we aren't out of the "FSP Don't Tread on Me" Flags! It's been less than a year that we've had these great flags - and we're sold out already. We were basically selling these at cost and if it wasn't for the wonderful generosity of porcupines like Steve Cobb, we'd never have had them at all. If you think we should get another batch then step forward. Make a donation to the flag fund (just make a donation and note it's for the investigatory prologue for vexillogical enhancement or you could just write Flag Fund) If there's sufficient interest, we'll place another order. But let's not loose sight of all the other wonderful products held within the nearly magical FSP Store! Hats and shirts and bumper stickers and flying discs and lanyards and mugs and super-fancy collectable Buck knives and key chains and pins and magnets and (let me catch my breath here) - well, you get the idea. Help us out, help spread the word, and help yourself to the great deals (especially on Previous PorcFest items - hey, you haven't forgotten to register, have you?)

Congratulations to Jean Alexander and Irena Goddard, our two newest Board Members of the Free State Project. Jean also returns to her former position as Secretary of the FSP. Further info about the election and the latest posted Board minutes are available.

FSP POSITIONS OPEN

The Free State Project has benefited from the efforts of hundreds of talented and dedicated volunteers since its founding in 2001. We have volunteers that have an idea and follow through to make it happen and we have people who take on more responsibility and leadership in the operational side. All are equally important to accomplishing the mission of the FSP. If you have an interest in making the FSP a success, please consider lending the organization a hand! Whatever your time and talent, your contributions are welcome.

There are positions in defined areas that are currently unfilled. We need some new hard-working Porcs in key areas - it's very rewarding! Please look over the FSP Organization Chart for some of the openings - also see the Help Wanted page. Thanks!

Free State Match #2: Simple & Sweet and Still Open

A simpler course of fire this time. No otherworldly scourges to take care of, just straightforward shooting. We'll use letter-sized targets downloaded from this page. Submit targets via email or snail-mail. Two categories (.22 rifle and pistol), and two runs (fast and slow). All details are on the FSP website! Have fun, be safe, and let's make the world unsafe for a certain few selected pieces of paper...

In New Hampshire

Free State Blogs this month has blog entries on lots of legislation news, press, videos and activist reports out of New Hampshire. The prolific topic list for the past month is below - for the full stories, please go to Free State Blogs.

New Hampshire Gun Owners Defeat SB44!!!
Eminent Domain Public Hearing Reminder
Okay, I'm done with winter now...
Free Minds TV Episodes 12, 13, 14 & 15
Sentinel Article About FreeKeene's Ian
Fiat Money is Unconstitutional
Free Keene's March Meetup is this Sunday 3//25!
Free Minds TV on MySpace
Preserving Gun Rights in New Hampshire
NH House Committee Unanimously Opposes 'Real-ID'
A real solution for the Main/Marlboro/Winchester intersection
Ron Paul Revolution!
LTE: "A backbone transplant?"
Become a Free Keene Supporter!
March meeting success
Sorry Nevada but you're still not going to be New Hampshire
Ray Buckley...Creepy...
Civil Unions or whatever it's called in New Hampshire
Lynch's Amendment: A Trojan Horse for Broad Based Taxes
Catamount Hill, Bear Brook State Park
Two same-sex marriage bills pass the House
NH House Overwhelmingly Votes to Block Real ID
Nanny State Seat Belt Law Passes New Hampshire House of Representatives
Separation of School and State
A banner day
My Testimony Opposing CACR18
Action Item: Stop House Bill 802, Mandatory Seat Belt Law
No Real ID in New Hampshire
Whining leftists continue to push for sales and income taxes
New Hampshire House votes no on Real ID
Promising Outlook for New Hampshire Spring Turkey Hunt
The Federal Reserve Monopoly over Money

Looking for a job in New Hampshire? Visit the FSP New Hampshire Center - JOBS

FSP News circulation: 11,751. Back issues are available. Got FSP news? Please submit content by the 12th of the month, and thank you to all contributors.

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and work towards our goal of Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW! Come to New Hampshire for a visit. How about coming up for PorcFest!

FSP Member Address Changes: Login or write!

Participants: 7,645
Participants in NH: 458
as of April 15, 2007

FSP News - March 2007

The 2007 New Hampshire Liberty Forum was a resounding success! The packed event was held in Concord, NH February 22-25th and featured John Stossel, Ron Paul and Michael Badnarik, along with dozens of other engaging speakers. The FSP would like to thank Irena Goddard and her team of dedicated volunteers, who all worked so hard to plan and produce the event. We also thank all the speakers, attendees, vendors and friends - all of you made the weekend so special! Videos, blogs and photos of the event are being posted on the website, and Varrin Swearingen's opening ceremony remarks are also available to read. The Liberty Forum was covered by Manchester's Union Leader on Sunday, February 25th in its article, Free Staters see gains, obstacles and also in the NH Insider, Heeere Porcy, Porcy. And now, just around the corner is the 2007 PorcFest!

The 2007 Porcupine Freedom Festival

- Discover New Freedoms, New Communities and New Beginnings! -

New Hampshire is awakening with warmer Spring temperatures and our thoughts turn to the upcoming PorcFest, this year held at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, New Hampshire from June 18 - 24, 2007. Join us in New Hampshire for the party of the year! Here is the latest information about PorcFest:

Registration:
With NHLF successfully completed, registration for PorcFest moves to prime time. Please register as soon as you can. Your registration helps us plan PorcFest accordingly, so please start your vacation planning and invite your friends and family too! If you have any questions about PorcFest please let us know.

Birds-of-a-Feather:
A key aspect of PorcFest is meeting new people (and your future neighbors ;-). To encourage the building of friendships and community, we are setting up PorcFest for attendees to organize Birds-of-a-Feather Flock Together special interest meetings as part of the official schedule. If you have a hobby, interest, or issue, and would like to have a meetup at PorcFest, please post to the Birds-of-a-Feather forum the intended focus of the meeting and, if you have one, a preferred time during the week you'd like to have your meeting.

Cookoff:
Back by popular demand, it's the Liberty Ladies Cook-Off and we need cooks! Have a fabulous recipe that wows family and friends the world over? Think it can win the hearts and minds of fellow Porcupines? Then enter your dish and win cash! There will be cash prizes for first second and third place as well as prizes for honorable mentions. We'll also need volunteers, so don't hesitate to offer a helping hand and get a free meal. ^_^ Tickets for judging the event will be sold at PorcFest and can be pre-ordered during online registration. For more details, and to send a description of what you plan to cook, please email Llalania.

Bus Tours:
There is so much to see in New Hampshire and we want to show it off. We are therefore organizing bus tours during the week. Each bus trip will leave from Gunstock at 9:30am, and spend the day out and about. If we have enough tourists for two (or more) buses, we may offer to have one bus explore the nightlife scene, otherwise the bus will return to Gunstock in time for dinner. Bus tickets are $20 per seat per day, however, a weeklong access ticket, allowing admission to all of the bus tours, is only $75 per person (a $25 savings). If you'd like to go on one of these bus trips, be sure to specify this when you register for the festival. Bus Tour questions should be addressed to Seth Cohn.

FSP Art Group:
Are you a graphics designer? Can you do page layout? Do you need artwork made for your FSP promotions? (think PorcFest too). If you answered yes to any of these questions, please join the newly created FSP Art Department Yahoo Group! The intention of this group is to create an avenue for those with artistic ability to help the FSP and for those that need design work done to know where to go. If you have any questions about this group, please email Rich Goldman

Vendors:
PorcFest is an excellent way to reach pro-liberty individuals. If you are interested in having a table for yourself or your organization at PorcFest, please visit our Vendor webpage. Table space is limited, so please make your reservation asap

Porcs Helping Porcs:
Want to attend PorcFest, but are short on funds or resources? Have a room, campsite, money, or ride to share? If so, please inform us of what you need or can supply either privately by email or publicly on our Porcs Helping Porcs Forum.

Merchandising, merchandising, merchandising! (where the real advertising for the project is done ;) Check out our ever-expanding choice of FSP merchandise. The plush porcupines were a big hit at the NHLF - we sold out (don't cry now, a new order is on it's way). From cheap shirts to fine hemp/cotton blend polo's, we have lots of cool FSP stuff. Coffee mugs and flying discs, magnets and matches; all the stuff that's fit for the free. (A quick side note about the $5 PorcFest 2005 shirts - just because you weren't there doesn't mean you can't have the shirt and support the FSP. It's more important to keep getting the word out by having someone ask "What's a PorcFest?" than for us to have them sitting on a shelf.)

"In the universe of collective-action problems (CAPs), the Free State Project (FSP) can be categorized as a collective-migration problem (CMP). Comparing the FSP with similar problems and applying well-established theory leads to some suggestions for improving its structure and thus increasing its effectiveness". - Steve Cobb examines The Collective Migration Problem.

Free State Match #2: Simple & Sweet
A simpler course of fire this time. No otherworldly scourges to take care of, just straightforward shooting. We'll use letter-sized targets downloaded from this page. Submit targets via email or snail-mail. Two categories (.22 rifle and pistol), and two runs (fast and slow). All details are on the FSP website! Have fun, be safe, and let's make the world unsafe for a certain few selected pieces of paper.

As he has done for the previous FSP Porcupine Festivals, Free State author Brian Wright shares his on-the-road personal narrative of the 2007 NH Liberty Forum, The Free State in Winter. "As a gathering of freedom people on the verge of wide success, this Free State event tops them all," said Brian. "This special joy of kindred souls will fuel the struggle for liberty worldwide."

Action of the Month - Get to know your future home. New Hampshire is more liberty-minded than most places on the planet (and only getting more so, with your help). But why, you may ask? How does this bastion of liberty survive and thrive in the covetous, rent-seeking, nihilistic world around us? Who is John Stark? What about Bunker Hill? Where's the Concord Coach? When was America's Stonehenge? How does a bill become a law? Or, more appropriately, how do we expunge a nefarious law? Think what there is to learn about your new home, and the thinking never stops. - Phil Denisch

*GoodSearch.com * is a search engine powered by Yahoo! that donates a penny per search to an organization you select (FSP). Switching your search engine is a simple and easy way to support Liberty in our Lifetime (and if you already use Yahoo!, you won't even be switching at all). If you don't think one penny per search can make a difference, consider this. There are over 7600 FSP Participants, not including Friends of the FSP and supporters worldwide. Knocking that number down to 6,000 people and assuming they only search two times per day, that is nearly $44,000 raised per year!

Using a search engine is habit forming, so it takes a little getting used to a new one. Make a commitment to use GoodSearch exclusively for one week and make your decision at the end of that week. GoodSearch can be added to your browser or download the toolbar. If you add GoodSearch to your browser, make sure you go to the website and select the Free State Project as your beneficiary or we won't get credited. Thank you!

Free Talk Live, the syndicated pro-freedom talk radio show continues to pick up new listeners all over the country. FTL was again chosen by Talkers Magazine for their "Talkers 250", a list of the 250 most influential and important talk shows in America. FTL is also the top producer of new FSP members - welcome FTL listeners!

The FSP has openings on its Board of Directors. Nominations and an election will take place over the next 10 days for the first position. Please go to FSP Director Election for full voter and candidate information.

In New Hampshire

Bloggers in the Free State have been busy this month, reflecting the activism levels in New Hampshire! Keep up with some of the activity in New Hampshire by reading Free State Blogs. Here are the topics posted over the last month:

Testifying
Free Minds TV Episode 8
The Keene City Council votes in favor of eminent domain
Sunday’s Free Keene Meeting: Marijuana Decrim, Eminent Domain, Campaign ‘07
US Congressman Dr. Ron Paul wows crowd of 150 in New Hampshire!
A Few Liberty Forum Articles
First Free State Project "Liberty Forum" A Huge Success
Ron Paul in NH Fundraiser Video
Excellent Ron Paul Site, With Liberty Forum Posts
More Liberty Forum Photos
A Tale of Two Campaigns
Coming to America
Governor Lynch and the Great Moose Hunt
New Hampshire Republicans and the Anti-Liberty Smoking Ban
Nashua Telegraph Article on Marijuana Decriminalization
NH Republicans and the Smoking Ban Part 2
State Troopers in MA paid to drive their own cars?
Mumbles' Bait and Switch
Union Leader article: "Legalizing Marijuana would save lives and money"
Good Testimony: Zap 'Em Right Between the Eyes!

The New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy, recently formed to end marijuana prohibition in NH, has updates on House Bill 92, the bill to decriminalize marijuana in NH. "A Criminal Justice subcommittee voted the bill “Inexpedient to Legislate” in a 4-1 vote today, but supporters of moderate reform were pleased to see all five subcommittee members voice their support. All five openly agreed that possession of marijuana in small amounts should be reduced from a criminal offense to a civil violation..."

One of the ways to learn about organizations and liberty-oriented activism in New Hampshire is to subscribe to their newsletters or groups! Here are the newsletter links for some NH organizations:

- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance sign up

- Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers E-Blast Newsletter

- Republican Liberty Caucus RLCNH Yahoo Group

- Keene Free Press email notification of print version pdf

- Libertarian Party of New Hampshire mailing lists

- New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy email newsletter

- Free Talk Live latest news and updates list

FSP News circulation: 11,715. Back issues are available. Got FSP news? Please submit content by the 12th of the month, and thank you to all contributors.

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and work towards Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW! Come to PorcFest for a visit.

Participants: 7,617
Participants in NH: 448
as of March 15, 2007

FSP News - February 2007

There is still time to get a ticket to THE Libertarian Event of the year! The New Hampshire Liberty Forum , Feb 22 - 25th at the Concord Holiday Inn. Over 200 people have pre-registered. Mr. Stossel's Keynote dinner has SOLD OUT, but day passes are still available. Likely Presidential candidate Congressman Ron Paul will be speaking at the Closing Ceremony. Key members of the New Hampshire Senate and House of Representatives will engage in a discussion about the role of government and the changing face of New Hampshire politics on Friday, Feb. 23. Come and have YOUR questions answered.

The Center for Public Integrity just released its latest study of the ratio of lobbyists to state legislators in each state. New Hampshire leads the U.S. with the lowest ratio, just half that of the next "best" state of Maine. Also, just released as a part of the U.S. Census Bureau 2007 Statistical Abstract, in Median Household Income , NH ranked 6th highest. In Persons Below Poverty Level , NH scored the best at #50. When state Unemployment Rates were calculated by the Census Bureau, NH scored 6th lowest.

The new article in Blade magazine by Evan F. Nappen, Don't Step on the Porcupine Knife, details the FSP's limited edition, commemorative Buck Knife, with a laser-cut 24k-gold-plated porcupine in the 8.5" birch handled knife. Nappen, a former FSP V.P., also discusses the FSP - "For many folks, including your humble author, just moving to New Hampshire brought tremendous personal liberties. I formerly lived in New Jersey, a place the National Rifle Association officially called 'Gun Owner's Hell.' Conversely, New Hampshire knife and gun laws respect freedom and individual rights, and include a reasonable 'Shall Issue' carry license. It is actually prohibited in New Hampshire to be fingerprinted or photographed when applying for the carry license." The last few of of this limited edition, individually numbered FSP knife will be for sale at the Liberty Forum, and it is currently for sale in the FSP Merchandise Center.

While NHLF is the big event now, don't forget, PorcFest is just a handful of months away! PorcFest this year will be June 18-24 at Gunstock Mountain Resort, on 2,400 acres in Gilford, New Hampshire. The campground is located close to the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, with beautiful mountain views. Up to date schedule, lodging, and other information is available on the PorcFest 2007 webpage. Registration for PorcFest attendees and vendors will be available March 1st.

Free State Project First 1000 press release "Significant successes by early movers motivate others to follow" - on January 23, 2007.

Blazing Bumper Buzzes Bash!
A new bumper sticker will make its debut at the NH Liberty Forum.
Be the beginner on your block to brandish this wicked-bad badge of freedom.
Bare this bravura and bear witness to the beacon of liberty!
(Picture unavailable so as to cause a mysterious, anticipatory effect)
Available in the store after the Liberty Forum...

Mark Owen refers to the Free State Project in his essay at LewRockwell.com, The Welfare State: Shedding Society

Action of the Month - Go Forth and Mingle. Mingle at your local watering hole, mingle at the happenin' club, mingle at the PTA, mingle at the church social. Meet new people, catch up with old friends and always keep an ear out for an opening where the seed of liberty can be planted. On most subjects, you can't talk for long without someone mentioning an area where government has gotten too big. When that happens, there's no need to lay in with a recitation of Human Action, an attack on social contract theory, nor the negative-reverse feedback of an unenforced law. A simple remark that people know how to live their lives better than politicians and bureaucrats is all you need to say if the ground is fertile or futile. If futile, walk away with a smile and don't waste your time; if fertile, you may just have made a new friend and fan of liberty (and telling them how great New Hampshire is can't be too far beyond :). - Phil Denisch

HOW'S YOUR AIM? Shoot at your local range then send your targets in and may the best Porc win (prizes, fame, fortune, etc.). A different course of fire with multiple categories every time will keep things interesting. Free State Match #1 targets are due back by February 20th. Read all about the Free State Match Shooting Competition on the FSP website. Good luck!

In New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Liberty Alliance is "a non-partisan alliance formed to effect political and cultural change in a manner conducive to individual liberty within the State of New Hampshire" - see what's new with this active, growing organization in their newsletter for January. The NHLA is providing the NH State House Tours at the Liberty Forum.

Another new activist organization has just sprouted up in New Hampshire. The Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy was formed in support of New Hampshire House Bill 92, effectively decriminalizing marijuana, and to help end the war on marijuana in the state. News about the decriminalization bill was covered by the Concord Monitor and, listen to new 10 minute interviews with US Rep. Ron Paul, NH Rep. Charles Weed, a sponsor of HB92, and Matt Simon, a Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy organizer. NORML's Daily Audio Stash conducted the interviews - download the MP3 from January 23, 2007.

In Free State Blogs this month:

Alleged Phone Jamming from the Statehouse!
How a Bill becomes a Law in New Hampshire
Fingerprints

A new column by author, Brian Wright was carried by the Keene Free Press. Why I'm a Free Stater - "Now, I want to specifically address my fellow libertarian activists throughout the movement. Let me suggest why the Free State Project—by which I mean moving to New Hampshire and fighting for freedom, now —is the best available technique for imminent liberation of humankind."

The following organizations and businesses will be Exhibitors at the Liberty Forum. Stop by and say hello! Day passes and three day passes for the Liberty Forum are still available.

* Gun Owners of New Hampshire
* Libertarian Party of New Hampshire
* Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire
* Fully Informed Jury Association
* Second Amendment Sisters, New Hampshire Chapter
* New Hampshire Liberty Alliance
* Free Talk Live
* We The People Congress, New Hampshire Chapter
* Downsize DC
* Free State Project
* Gimme Liberty Bar in Secondlife
* Institute for Justice
* Integrity Plus Investments & Real Estate, LLC
* Gibson's Bookstore
* Flag-Works' American Cowboy Supply
* Marijuana Policy Project
* Students for Sensible Drug Policy
* New York Life Insurance

FSP News circulation: 11,503. Back issues are available. Got FSP news? Submit content by the 12th of the month. Thank you to all contributors.

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and work towards Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW! Come for a visit.

Participants: 7,574
Participants in NH: 446
as of February 15, 2007

FSP News - January 2007

What is YOUR Liberty Issue? Taxes? Privacy? The Right to Bear Arms? The War on Drugs? Liberty-minded New Hampshire residents are making strides! We will talk about the various successes & issues at the New Hampshire Liberty Forum from Feb 22 - 25, 2007 - Are you moving soon to the "Live Free or Die" State? Come to the "NH Info & Jobs" sessions; employment information and Realtors will be available to help you! Over 25 speakers including:

- John Stossel, award-winning author and journalist from ABC's 20/20
- Michael Badnarik, Libertarian presidential candidate and author
- Jim Harper, from the CATO Institute, speaking on REAL ID
- Bill Westmiller, national Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus
- Rob Kampia, Executive Director from Marijuana Policy Project
- Jack Cole, Founder of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
- Christopher Gronski, NH coordinator for the We the People Congress
- Joe McQuaid, Publisher of Union Leader, New Hampshire's statewide newspaper
- Jim Babka, President of the Downsize DC Foundation
- Geoffrey Segal, Director of government reform for the Reason Foundation
- Sharon Harris, President of The Advocates for Self-Government
and many more. . .

Participate in ENGAGING AND INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSIONS - the Taxpayer Activism Panel, Education Panel, Broadcast Panel, 2nd Amendment Panel and more. Each panel will feature 4 panelists, representing interested organizations who will debate the issues and answer YOUR questions. Panelists include liberty-loving members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Register and read details here!

The Free State Project is very pleased to report that the First 1000 pledge reached its goal! Thank you to all those who worked so hard to make it happen, and especially to those who pledged to move to New Hampshire over the next two years. First 1000 Pledgers - join us to celebrate at the New Hampshire Liberty Forum! Come to the Free State in February, or to PorcFest in June...

PorcFest 2007! Make your advance plans now for this Summer's big 2007 Porcupine Freedom Festival.
It will be held from June 18 - 24th at Gunstock Campground in Gilford, NH. The theme for this year's PorcFest is "Discover New Freedoms, New Communities, and New Beginnings!"

Announcing open submission for PorcFest designs - we need designs for logos, t-shirts, and posters. If you are interested in submitting a design, please email Rich Goldman with your name and a brief description of what you intend to design by February 1st. You may submit more than one design and proper recognition will be given to all entries. The winning design(s) will be used in merchandise and related promotions and the designer will be awarded $100. The deadline for design submissions is April 1st. General PorcFest questions and comments may also be sent to Rich. See ya there!

Action of the Month - Go for the gold! The Golden Porcupine, that is. Do your part and reap the rewards. If three participants list you as the reason they joined the Free State Project, you can join the venerated rolls of the Golden Porcupine. There are no goofy handshakes and no silly songs, but there is a fancy gold pin you can proudly wear to proclaim your achievement. You will also get a certificate and have your name listed on the FSP website. Most of all, you will know you've done a fine job in helping us to achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime.

"My husband and I took a stand two years ago and moved to New Hampshire as part of the Free State Project. I don't know if the plan will work but the signs are good and we are optimistic. But, if nothing else, we are acting on our consciences." - by Jean Alexander in her essay, Voting Our Conscience, published in The Libertarian Enterprise.

"The best part about the FSP is that a concentration of liberty lovers wearing various stripes is impossible to pigeonhole. In theory we in New Hampshire are libertarians or free-marketeers or Goldwater republicans or Jeffersonian democrats, classical liberals or constitutionalists or zero-aggression anarchists; we are Christians or atheists or whatever; we are country people or city people or suburbanites or cavemen." - from Happy New Year from the Happiest Freedom Fighter! by Matt Simon.

Some intriguing new statistics shining a light on New Hampshire. The State ranking of mortgage closing costs for 2006 was just released by bankrate.com. And, newly updated figures from the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count state-level data online measures the share of children under age 18 who live in households without a computer and children without internet access at home.

How's your aim? Shoot at your local range then send your targets in and may the best Porc win (prizes, fame, fortune, etc.) A different course of fire with multiple categories every time will keep things interesting. Free State Match #1 targets are due back by February 7th. Read all about the Free State Match Shooting Competition on the FSP website. Good luck!

Free Talk Live adds its 20th affiliate radio station and its a big one, with 50kW daytime and 24kW nights, NewsTalk 850 WFTL covers all of southeast Florida from West Palm Beach to Miami. Check for an affiliate in your region, listen on the web live or to archived shows. FTL was also featured in Talkers magazine.

Blogger Michael Hampton in Homeland Stupidity writes Save liberty before America finally destroys it - "The time has come for all of those who understand and love liberty to make a stand. That’s why I joined the Free State Project..."

Brian Wright's new article is on The Sacred Nonaggression Principle (SNaP). He indicates that this is the central role of the FSP. The SNaP article is currently on Brian's Coffee Coaster website and will be published in February by Liberty Magazine. Brian Wright is the author of the New Pilgrim Chronicles, a new book about his journey to the "freedom portal" of New Hampshire with the FSP. "SNaP out of it, man!”

In New Hampshire

After being held for 90 days in a Connecticut prison, eminent domain protester, Lauren Canario was released December 21st. Welcome home Lauren! The Keene Free Press reported and Free Talk Live interviewed Lauren just after her release - here's the mp3 file of the interview.

There are some new media sources in Keene, New Hampshire. Free Keene, a new blog, and Free Minds TV, are both bringing a new message of liberty to us from the Free State.

This month in Free State Blogs - on the ground blogging from the Free State with over 20 contributors, we have the following entries. Please visit the Free State Blogs website for full content!

Opening Day 2007
Happy New Year from the Happiest Freedom Fighter!
The Right to Know, The Right to Pledge and what CNHT does
NH is the best, and the socialists know it
so long, and thanks for all the fish
down by the old mill stream

A new Porcupine led organization, the Coalition for Common Sense is "an organized hub of information and activism, a vehicle by which New Hampshire citizens can communicate their desire for an end to Marijuana Prohibition." The new organization was formed to support House Bill 92, An ACT decriminalizing marijuana - removing the criminal penalties for possession of marijuana.

FSP News circulation: 11,440. Back issues are available. Got FSP news? Submit content by the 12th of the month. Thank you to all contributors.

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and work towards Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW! Come for a visit!

Participants: 7,524
Participants in NH: 442
as of January 15, 2007

FSP News 2006

FSP News articles from 2006

FSP News - December 2006

We all know the story of the frog in the pan of water. If you toss the frog into boiling water, it’ll hop right out again (and probably give you a very dirty look). But if you put it in cold water and gradually raise the temperature, the little guy will just keep taking the increasing heat until he's soup. Don’t be a frog! You know that your taxes keep going up while your freedoms keep being taken away (been in an airport lately?). How much more heat are you willing to bear? You don’t have to just lie there and take it. JUMP… to New Hampshire! This is your final opportunity to stand up and proudly be counted as one of the First 1000 liberty lovers willing to take a stand for freedom in New Hampshire. The First 1000 pledge sign-up period ends December 31st - if you've already have moved, or if you can move before year-end 2008, seize the day!

"New Hampshire may be the most libertarian state in the country..." - from new research and analysis by David Boaz of Cato, and David Kirby of America's Future Foundation. Covered by TCS Daily, with the full text of The Libertarian Vote published as a Policy Analysis by the Cato Institute.

Are you ready to mingle with hundreds of Free Staters and hear some of the top liberty writers and thinkers of our time? The Free State Project's Liberty Forum is for you! It will be held in Concord New Hampshire from February 23-25, 2007. Register now!

More speakers have been announced, including Jim Babka, president and co-founder of Downsize DC, an organization working to 'downsize' Washington DC. Just as Free Staters are working to downsize local and state government in New Hampshire, one of Downsize DC's primary goals is to reduce the federal government to a tiny fraction of its current size.

For full details of the Liberty Forum's 23 outstanding speakers and panelists, please look over our full schedule. Held at the Concord Holiday Inn in historic downtown, it is also conveniently located next to the New Hampshire State House. Thursday and Friday afternoon there will be guided tours of the State House and observation of the scheduled debate and committee meetings.

STOSSEL - BADNARIK - AITKEN - BABKA - BERNARD - COFFEY - COHEN - COLE - GOLDSMITH - GRONSKI - HARPER - HARRIS - KINGSBURY - McGUIRE - McQUAID - NAILE - PELLETIER - SEGAL - THORNTON - TWARDOSKY - VAILLANCOURT - WELCH - WESTMILLER

Looking for work in NH? You've found the place! How do you go about it? Simple! Take a look at our FSP NH Jobs webpage, follow the tips, and give our NH Jobs Coordinator, Lynn Pina a shout if you still have any questions or if you have the inside scoop on a NH job opening!

The Boston Globe on November 26th ran an article, Free State Project cheers one of its own in Winters. "This month, Joel Winters, a transplant to Manchester, N.H., by way of Tallahassee, became the first member of the movement to win a state-level office with his election to the state Legislature."

Free State Match Shooting Competition!

Save the planet! Do your part to protect the human race by sharpening your shooting skills. One can never tell when an alien invasion will blight our beautiful home. Be prepared to repulse an alien invasion, clean up a zombie infestation, or survive the predations of an off-world lizard. Pick one or all of the categories, shoot at your local range, and send your targets in. Fame, fortune, and prizes await the brave, honorable, and courageous Porcs who prove their mettle and come out on top. For full details, see the FSP webpage on the Free State Match Shooting Competition.

There are two film crews currently working on coverage of the Free State Project. Korean Broadcasting has been in New Hampshire of late making the rounds of Porcupine events. And, A Candid World is a forthcoming documentary about the FSP being put together by Tom Caruso and Marc Femenella.

Free Talk Live, now broadcasting on 19 affiliate radio stations out of Keene, NH, continues to bring its edgy, liberty-oriented talk radio show to the people! The FSP is a sponsor of the show, which in addition to its 19 radio stations, now boasts 8 internet affiliates, 2 satellite channels and 13 'unofficial' stations. It is one of the top podcasts in the world and is offered as webstream as well. Tune in! Get a free FTL bumper sticker (shown) with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Ian Bernard, co-host of the show, will be a media panelist at the FSP's Liberty Forum.

FSP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - We have several exciting FSP positions available as we revamp and expand the New Hampshire Information area of the FSP website. The positions include:

NEW HAMPSHIRE REAL ESTATE AND HOUSING INFORMATION COORDINATOR - This individual will research and keep their finger on the pulse of things related to real estate and housing in the Free State. Useful tasks include becoming familiar with real estate and housing resources in the state, being informed on housing trends within the state and being able to direct folks interested in moving to New Hampshire to resources to help them find places to call home.

NEW HAMPSHIRE RESEARCHER/WRITER - We'd like to find someone who can research New Hampshire's history, climate, and/or recreation opportunities and more and do custom write-ups on them for our website and New Hampshire Information brochures. If you like research and writing, this is the job for you. Being in state is not necessary for this task.

FSP NEWS REPORTER - A reporter to cover Porcupine activism and news in New Hampshire and across the country. Discover leads, check sources and track activity for the monthly newsletter. Work with the Editor.

FSP EVENTS COORDINATOR – Keep tabs on all the events happening around the country where the FSP might gain recruits and arrange for FSP representation. See FSP Job Description webpage for more details.

There are as many volunteer opportunities in the FSP as you can imagine. If there is something that you would like to offer the FSP - your services, your company or your time, just let us know. We'll help get you going. The FSP is the sum of the volunteer effort of hundreds and hundreds of activists - 'hat's off' to you all! Your help will move us further, faster! Please contact Nik Ludwig, Volunteer Coordinator, about the positions above, other jobs or your ideas about how to help out.

The Constitution Party of Michigan is now posting links to the FSP News on its website. And, The Libertarian Enterprise announces each new issue to its readers! Thank you for your support in getting the word out about our real-world plan to create Liberty in Our Lifetime! Feel free to forward this issue of the FSP News to your freedom friends.

iGive, you give, we all give with motive. It's the shopping time of year. If you're like many this season, you'll be going out to the malls and shops of this great semi-capitalist country, fighting the crowds, hunting for sales, and searching for parking spaces. Give yourself a break and give the FSP a cut of your holiday spending. Assign the Free State Project as your cause on iGive and let your holiday cheer extend to the free state. They have hundreds of stores willing to give a percentage of your purchase to the Free State Project. If you're going to spend anyway, you might as well go through iGive and have some of it sent to help achieve Liberty In Our Lifetime.

Action of the Month - It's down to the wire, the number grows higher, all the brave Porcs escaping the fire. With the deadline looming at the end of this month, it's time for serious consideration concerning the First 1000. While the FSP will carry on regardless, a chance to jump-start this beacon of liberty should not be dismissed in a casual manner. As early movers can attest, the Free State is certainly better than the "lower 49". She calls you to her, she makes you want to hurry, she waits with open arms at the first race's finish. Join the First 1000! - Phil Denisch

In New Hampshire

Early mover Brian Wright, author of New Pilgrim Chronicles - a Gonzo jounalistic "book look" at the Free State - has launched a daily web column of opinion and book/movie reviews called the Coffee Coasters ™. Subjects to date have included the Liberty Dollar and the naturally successful connection between the Free State and citizen empowerment.

Free State Blogs - Chronicles of Progress Towards Freedom in New Hampshire this month features the following topics. Please visit Free State Blogs to read the content behind these blog entries:

Union Leader: "Free State Project has representative in House"
Greetings from the Land of Snow Crash
If this is not arrogance I don't know what is...
election 2006
Boston Globe story on Free Stater victory
Rugged Individualism
From the business side...
OUR RESPONSE TO GSFTC...

Porcupine, Lauren Canario remains in prison in Connecticut. She was arrested in a silent protest on September 22nd as she read a book on the porch of one of the homes seized in New London. Find out the latest on the NH Underground forum. Further links and How To Help are at the new freelaurencanario.com

** Courageous activist Lauren Canario was just named Freedom Fighter of the Year by Strike the Root!

From the Keene Free Press - silent demonstrator, Dave Ridley has his day in court. Local man charged with petitioning government for redress of grievances.

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!

FSP News circulation: 11,411. Back issues are available. Got FSP news? Submit content by the 12th of the month. Thank you to all contributors.

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and work towards Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW! When you join, also consider pledging to be one of the First 1000 Free Staters to live in New Hampshire by December 31, 2008. Jump off the fence.

Participants: 7,482
Participants in NH: 439
as of December 15, 2006

FSP News - November 2006

TIME magazine featured the Free State Project in the November 13, 2006 issue! The full-page article appears on page 46 in the Nation section. Titled How to Stage a Coup, American-Style. The article is also available online at TIME.com.

The First 1000 Pledge - "I will move to New Hampshire by 12/31/2008 where I will work to bring about a society in which government’s maximum role is protecting life, liberty, and property but only if 999 other liberty minded individuals will too." - Ian Bernard, Free State Project Participant On the fence? Jump off...to the Free State! Join the First 1000!

Patricia Evans left a First 1000 comment; "I made the move in June 2005, so signing this pledge is easy! As I said in my 'I Made the Move' story, there is a level of grassroots political activism here in New Hampshire that I haven't seen since the early 1970's. Free State Project early-movers are already taking active roles in their new communities in so many different ways. The Free State Project early-movers are like true pioneers, laying the groundwork, clearing the fields, and planting the crops that will support the liberty-loving communities of New Hampshire's future, and I'm proud to be a member of this group!"

REGISTER NOW for the 2007 New Hampshire LIBERTY FORUM - Attaining Personal and Economic Freedom in America's Freest State - Brought to you by the Free State Project, February 22 - 25, 2007 in Concord, New Hampshire. Keynote Speakers:

John Stossel will deliver a speech on The Enemies of Liberty, on Saturday following a four-course meal. Mr. Stossel will be available to sign copies of his books.
Michael Badnarik - was the 2004 Libertarian Party presidential candidate and 2006 candidate for Texas Congressional District 10. An FSP Participant, Mr. Badnarik will speak Friday night following a buffet-style dinner.

There will be multiple program "tracks" from which attendees can choose based upon their interests. Program Speakers include:

Sharon Harris, author and libertarian visionary, President of the Advocates for Self-Government
Jack Cole, Founder of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
Jim Harper, Director of Information Policy Studies, CATO Institute
Christopher Gronski, New Hampshire Coordinator for the We The People Foundation
Joe McQuaid, Publisher of New Hampshire's statewide newspaper, the Union Leader
Bill Westmiller, National Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus

Engaging and interactive Panel Discussions include Broadcast, Print and Web Media, Education, 2nd Amendment, and Taxpayer Activism. During the 3-day convention, activists will hear about the political action methods already being effectively employed in New Hampshire. Members of the Free State Project community will enjoy the chance to meet, socialize, and get a firsthand New Hampshire experience. New Hampshire residents will learn about the Free State Project, meet its Participants, and understand their stake in its goals. Attendees will find a positive, enthusiastic environment and emerge excited about the reachable common goal of creating a State that is personally and economically free! The 3-day Convention will be held in historic downtown Concord. The hotel is within walking distance of the State Capital, where some of the programming will take place. Join us for the Liberty Forum. Register now - early discount ends Nov. 23rd.

Researchers find that New Hampshire is the least corrupt state in the nation. The 28 page study, Weathering Corruption, published by the Merctus Center at George Mason University, was authored by West Virginia University economics professors Peter T. Leeson, Ph.D. and Russell S. Sobel, Ph.D. Their research explores the effect of FEMA-provided disaster relief on public corruption. The Concord Monitor covered the release of the research.

Brian Wright, author of the FSP-related book, New Pilgrim Chronicles - his new book developed from his Free State experience, was interviewed (mp3) by James Hughes, executive director of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (IEET). Dr. Hughes is the former executive director of the World Transhumanist Association, which is dedicated to extending and enhancing human capabilities and longevity. Hughes is sympathetic to the idea of the Free State Project and enabled Brian to expound on the depth, diversity, and success of our community.

FSP Volunteer Positions Available

Thanks again to all who have been working to keep the FSP moving forward. While you are enjoying the holidays this month and next, think if perhaps you might be the perfect person to fill one of these exciting roles - we'll help you get started:

FSP EVENTS COORDINATOR – Keep tabs on all the events happening around the country where the FSP might gain recruits and arrange for FSP representation. We have some tools already on the FSP website to help you manage events and volunteers, and we are constantly improving these to make it easier to organize events.

NEW HAMPSHIRE INFO COORDINATOR – This important position is responsible for the NH Info section of the FSP website, including updating and keeping current the information on jobs, housing and real estate, and community events and activities. You are encouraged to recruit other volunteers to help you with the various areas within NH Info. Lynn Pina, current NH Info Coordinator, will be taking on other roles in the FSP but will help you get oriented and up-to-speed.

Sound interesting? IT IS! Please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Nik Ludwig for your laminated ID card and secret decoder ring! The FSP Volunteer Center has lots of ways to help.

Look for the latest President's Corner, due to be posted later today, for New Hampshire election comments and an update on the Free State Project!

Action of the Month - S'virtual, s'online, s'marvelous. Are you leading a secret life...online? If so, let me suggest you mention the Free State Project to all your friends' avatars. Whether virtual or veritable, spread the word of Liberty in Our Lifetime to all who cross your path. Word of mouth is the very best way to light the fires of liberty in our friends and neighbors. It doesn't matter if they're simulated or solid, letting them know there is a path to liberty is a bona fide gift in any life. So, "lay down a rubber road to freedom" or follow that electron path to liberty, the free[er] state of New Hampshire waits for her sons and daughters to come home. Be sure sure to mention/add/promote the FSP in your friends list, etc., such as MySpace, Facebook, Gimme Liberty in Secondlife and the Atlasphere. - Phil Denisch

Just like real freedom-lovers, our stuffed animals are cute, cuddly, and just plain adorable. Unlike true liberty-minded people these are also puppets. Santa versions wear a Santa cap and are raring to give peace, freedom, and voluntary cooperation this holiday season (and they'd push Leonard Read's freedom button given half the chance ;). But they are rather sensitive, so don't forget to sing "Here Comes Porcer Claus" before they go to bed on Christmas Eve. Lot's of gift ideas in the Merchandise Center!

In New Hampshire

Free State early mover is elected as a State Representative. Share the victory speech with all the pro-liberty activists you know. The NH Constitution was amended to end private eminent domain transfers. More New Hampshire election coverage by Denis Goddard at Free State Blogs.

Free Stater and eminent domain protester, Lauren Canario remains in jail after being arrested on September 23rd while sitting on the porch of one of the Fort Trumbull homes taken in the Kelo Decision. Lauren's courageous silent protest is being updated on the NH Underground Wiki and discussed on the forum.

Chronicles of Progress Toward Freedom in New Hampshire. Free State Blogs has entries this month by a host of Porcupines and friends. The following blog titles appear this month:

New Hampshire Election Results
Union Leader features "Gimme Liberty Bar"
secession central (Part 2 of 2)
NH Local Election 2006: my experience in running for the Concord School Board
FSP Article in Time Magazine
If you're not for lower taxes and less government...
live...from secession central!
Free Stater Runs for School Board, Slams Unions
NH Taxpayer Radio - Your Only Source for Intelligent Insider News in NH
New Hampshire Liberty Alliance Releases Candidate Endorsements
butterfly effect
A New Hampshire Prayer
In Response to the Income/Sales tax-mongers
Yes Virginia, there *is* Voter Fraud in NH!
capraesque

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!

FSP News circulation: 11,395. Back issues are available. Got FSP news? Submit content by the 12th of the month. Thank you to all contributors.

Participants: 7,418
Participants in NH: 436
as of November 15, 2006

FSP News - October 2006

Register NOW!!! For the 2007 New Hampshire Liberty Forum - Attaining Personal and Economic Freedom in America's Freest State. Keynote Speaker is John Stossel, a 20/20 award-winning journalist, who will deliver a speech titled The Enemies of Liberty. Other speakers include Sharon Harris of the Advocates for Self-Government, Jim Harper, a Director at Cato and Jack Cole of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, among many others! Schedule is firm, but not final - that's why signing up now for the 3-day event & keynote dinners will give attendees a 15% discount. We already have people registering, so if you have not secured a spot, please do so now. A formal marketing blitz will start at the end of October. We are expecting to have about 300 attendees. It will be held convention-style, at the Holiday Inn in historic downtown Concord. The hotel is within walking distance of the State Capitol, where some of the Forum program will be taking place as well. Register NOW to be part of this exciting Event!

Are you sick and tired of having your state and local candidates lose? Tired of being forced to choose between the lesser of two evils, knowing full well that, whoever wins, your state and local taxes are still going to go up? Tired of busybody buffoons who continually erect more hoops for you to jump through? This election season, make your vote really have an impact: make a commitment that, by the end of 2008, you'll be casting your vote in New Hampshire! With its large state House of Representatives and local town governments, politics in New Hampshire is accessible. You can call your Representatives and Senator at home; they'll answer! You can stop in the Capitol and chat with them in person. You can vote for serious liberty-loving activists running for office...and help them WIN! Stop spinning your wheels and come join other freedom fighters who are having a real impact on electoral politics. Sign the First 1000 pledge today, and by the end of 2008, your vote will truly be making a difference.

Dr. Walter E. Williams, Professor of Economics at George Mason University, again mentioned the Free State Project, "There is a glimmer of hope in the horizon," Williams said after mentioning how the balanced budget amendment that he co-authored with several other prominent thinkers failed to pass Congress in the 1980s and 90s. "That hope is the Free State Project, a private group of conservatives and libertarians that are attempting to woo 20,000 like-minded citizens to move to New Hampshire. Once there, they will restore a government that only protects individual liberties in both state and federal government." In 2002, Dr. Williams also went on record suggesting a "...peaceful resolution proposed by the Free State Project..." Thank you Dr. Williams - come on up to the Free State for a visit!

Please be sure to keep your contact information up to date with the Free State Project! There's the announcement and FSP News email list and your record as a Friend or Participant. Login in anytime. A good time to login and change your address would be upon moving to NH! If you have any questions about the FSP or your participation, or need assistance with anything, please contact our concierge. The FSP Community Center covers many common membership questions and centralizes info about the FSP online and in-person communities.

The Tax Foundation has just released its annual State Business Tax Climate Index for 2007 and New Hampshire posts a position as 7th best in the U.S. The index examines 113 variables to measure the relative competitiveness of state tax systems. The Tax Foundation, established in 1937, examines tax data "...to educate taxpayers about sound tax policy and the size of the tax burden borne by Americans at all levels of government." How does your state stack up against New Hampshire?

The Minneapolis Free State Project Meetup Group is one of our most active FSP Local Groups! In September the Minneapolis area Porcupines held a successful weekend event (a.k.a. party) in northern Minnesota, "Up Nord Before The Snow Flies". If you live anywhere near them, feel free to join in their active schedule of events. The October Meetup is on the 18th.

Action of the Month - Visit the Free State. Come for an hour, a day, or a month. If you do that, I'm inclined to believe that you'll come back for a lifetime. Compare the Free State to the "lower 49". Just drive around. Seat belts? Car insurance? You are at liberty to decide. Sublime beauty? Fresh air? A hike up Mount Liberty is sure to affect your concept of home. Small town charm? You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a picturesque Norman Rockwell-looking town. Metrosexual? Karaoke in Manchester or curio shops on the coast are ready and waiting. Gatherings of freedom-lovers in NH? The Porcupine Freedom Festival and the New Hampshire Liberty Forum are great places to meet, schmooze, play, and learn. From the wilderness of the North Woods to the tax-free malls of the south, the Free State of New Hampshire is ready and waiting for liberty-minded people to come home. For help with touring or settling, make contact with our in-NH Porcupines in the FSP Welcome Wagon. - Phil Denisch

This month Free Talk Live added a new affiliate, WVTS AM, Charleston, WV, bringing the affiliate total up to 18 radio stations. FTL interviewed Michael Badnarik, a Porcupine, and Libertarian candidate for Congress in District 10 - Texas. They talk about his contract with the voters, his New Hampshire plans and more. Listen online.

The Granny Warriors are on the road against the USDA’s National Animal Identification System, NAIS, kind of a Real ID for farm animals - and they are new friends of the FSP! The Granny Warriors ride into battle in an RV all decked out in liberty colors and now a Free State banner. See more pics of their RV, the War Wagon!

The Granny Warriors will stage their next freedom protest on October 24th in Richmond, VA, right across from the USDA office that signed off on the pre-dawn raid of the Henshaw hunting club, which slaughtered their entire stock of wild Russian boars without due process. The Granny Warriors need your support - their RV consumes a lot of gas, so they welcome donations. At the protest in Richmond they will need numbers, and they will be distributing FSP brochures, so any Porcupines and friends who can make it are welcome!

Did ye' enjoy Talk like a Pirate day..., ye scurvy dog? T'was September the 19th. The Merrimack Valley Porcupines, er, I mean, Pirates didn't have t' work hard t' convince th' "powers that be" t' allow us mutineers t' take th' entire FSP site/ship o'er fer a day, and piratize it completely, with a chest full of booty. Once we explained th' clear connection betwixt "Pirate Utopia" and th' FSPP, they hopped on board... Load the cannons!

Do you have a Second Life? Hundreds of Free Staters and friends have been living a second life at the fast-growing online 3-D virtual "world". Visit the Gimme Liberty Bar, dance, drink, shoot, fly, or attend a Free Talk Live listening party! Gimme Liberty has all the details of upcoming FSP events at Second Life. The Free State Observer made special note of the first First 1000 event, held September 16th.

In New Hampshire

Free Stater, Lauren Canario was arrested once again in a silent, peaceful eminent domain protest in New London, CT on September 22nd. At press time, she was still being held at the York Correctional Institution. The story unfolds on the NH Underground forum. Political Graffiti has just released a video featuring Lauren and the Keene Free Press is covering her protest and arrest.

The New Pilgrim Chronicles is now published. On the FSP website, Brian Wright, an early mover (2005), posted twelve weekly diaries of his experiences in the Free State. He wanted to encourage freedom lovers to come here, as well as to smooth their way. Brian has built these raw journals—with many new ideas and information—into a uniquely visionary and insightful account of our movement to the “Freedom Portal.” He hopes the book can serve as a breakthrough of the freedom movement into the culture at large.

Read his “stunning combination of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and (Robert Pirsig’s) Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”. From the book: "The decision to take part in the Free State Project (FSP) and to migrate to New Hampshire required several months of contemplation. When Yale political-science lecturer Jason Sorens and his cyberspace friends first brought up the migration concept, I recall reading something of the idea in customary libertarian sources." The book is available online and in print from Lulu.

"While Russell Kanning never said so explicitly, and I didn’t catch it myself until yesterday, the form of his protest — to try to convince IRS employees to reduce their complicity in government wickedness by quitting their jobs — comes straight from Thoreau’s manual of civil disobedience." - from the tax resister blog, the Picket Line in one of a series of interviews with New Hampshire Porcupine activist, Russell Kanning.

For in-New Hampshire boots on the ground reporting on the Free State, we turn to Free State Blogs - this month:

Primary results for candidates endorsed by the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance
Another Side of Eminent Domain
Who is for an income tax in NH?
CNHT on Real-ID: "A Pig In A Poke, Hogs At The Trough, Sheep To The Slaughter"
my so-called second life
Who is for a Constitutional Amendment?
Susette Kelo Visits NH
Why NH is an "oasis" in a sea of economic disaster!
Homeland Security and Petition for Redress of Grievances
Fall Colors; Liberty Forum
Various Liberty Conspiracy entries

The NH Underground Calendar lists liberty-oriented New Hampshire events. The NH Liberty Calendar also tracks NH events.

FSP News circulation: 11,371. Back issues are available. Got FSP news? Content submissions are due by the 12th of each month. Thank you to all contributors!

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW! When you join, also consider pledging to be one of the First 1000 to live in New Hampshire by December 31, 2008.

Participants: 7,351
Participants in NH: 430
as of October 15, 2006

FSP News - September 2006

John Stossel will be the featured speaker at the FSP's new Liberty Forum. Speakers will also include Sharon Harris of the Advocates for Self-Government, Jim Harper, a Director at Cato and Jack Cole of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. This event will be held in downtown Concord in February 2007. Enter this exciting Porcupine event in your calendar today!

New Hampshire ranks high in personal income (6th), the lowest in poverty, and residents are more likely to have health insurance, as reported in the Concord Monitor. The U.S. Census released the report August 29th.

Second Life is an online virtual world that now has an FSP presence! There is a "mixed reality" event planned for September 16th. Read about it on the FSP Forum and on its own new webpage - what's going to happen there?

First 1000 Blitzkrieg! Only 107 days remain to make the First 1000 pledge a success. In case you're just tuning in, the pledge was set up at the beginning of this year by Ian Bernard, host of the popular libertarian talk radio show Free Talk Live. The goal is to find 1000 brave souls willing to pledge to move to the Free State of New Hampshire by Dec. 31, 2008... but only if 999 others do as well. The pledge expires at the end of this year, and we are still several hundred patriots short of our goal. We're pulling out all the stops in our search for heroes of the Second American Revolution: an animated ad on the reason.com website; a full-page ad in the current issue of Liberty magazine (ad in paper version); an ad in the November issue of America's First Freedom, a publication of the NRA (ad in paper version); mass emailings and snail-mailings to FSP participants and friends. We're going to find 1000 Sons and Daughters of Liberty to pave the way for 19,000 more! Have *you* signed the pledge? If you would like to help us reach our goal, either by volunteering or by making a financial donation to pay for more advertising, contact us!

The 2006 Vans Warped Tour has come to an end and we'd like to thank the dozens of people that helped make sure the Free State Project had a presence on 13 stops of the tour. With the efforts of our hard-working volunteers, we spread the message of liberty in our lifetime to thousands of young people. FSP volunteers worked along side other pro-freedom organizations present at the Warped Tour and a good time was had by all! We were shown in shots on the Warped: Inside and Out TV show and most importantly, we recruited 34 Friends of the Free State Project and 13 new FSP Members that we know of!

In June of 2006, the Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual KID'S COUNT data snapshot, selected New Hampshire as the best state to raise kids for the fifth consecutive year. In its latest release of updated data, New Hampshire showed the lowest teen birth rate in the United States.

Action of the Month - Subscribe to Liberty. I mean that in all meanings of the word. Subscribe as in "attest" that "Liberty in Our Lifetime" is a worthwhile goal. Subscribe as in "sanction" that liberty is the proper condition of rational people. And especially, subscribe as in "pledging money" to help advertise and demonstrate that the Free State Project is a worthwhile plan to achieving liberty, for ourselves and others. - Phil Denisch

The FSP is a proud sponsor of Free Talk Live and each month the FSP News features the ongoing changes and growth of the show. This month some big things to announce! Mark and Ian, the Porcupine hosts of the syndicated radio show, webstream and podcasted pro-freedom talk show moved their studio and residence up the coast from Florida to New Hampshire! Both are First 1000 pledgers - join them in making the move! Also, the Podcast Awards 2006 announced that FTL was nominated and voted by listeners as the Best Political Podcast for the second year in a row! Another new radio station affiliate - 770 WAIS AM in Athens, Ohio brings the message to even more listeners.

The President's Corner this month updates us on the Liberty Forum, First 1000 promotion, media coverage, new movers and more. The latest FSP Signup Statistics have been compiled and the Board of Directors meeting minutes posted.

A sea of change is coming to the FSP in just four days - September 19th. Watch the FSP website for more...

Nik Ludwig, our Local Groups and Volunteer Coordinator, describes his Summer FSP road trip to San Diego. "If you want to start a FSP local group or need ideas on how to make your group more successful, write me or give me a call."

"What I can do is burst through the remaining obstacles getting in the way of my own life and proceed to live it now rather than in some undetermined fantasy future." - Lady Liberty in Ready, Set... An inspiring look at the freedom movement.

In New Hampshire

The Liberty Scholarship Fund awarded four $1,000 scholarships for 2006. The LSF encourages non-public educational opportunities for families in New Hampshire through its private scholarship program. The new LSF newsletter has details about the scholarships and the organization that was founded by Porcupines in 2003.

The FSP is referenced a couple of times at Answers.com in the New Hampshire page. It's billed as the world's greatest encyclodictionalmanacapedia and it's packed with great info about New Hampshire.

Read all about it in Free State Blogs this month:

Free Stater wins primary Challenge; will be on ballot in November
I chatted with the Governor this weekend...
Off-Year Election Politics in the Free State
Police Seizures: Eminent Domain By Another Name
NH Executive Councilors Make Public Statements on Real-ID
NH Identity Theft Among Lowest
endless summer
More, with Ian, Naz, and Gard on the War on Terror
Against the Grain and Free Talk Live look at the London bomb plot and air security

The Keene Free Press has many Porcupine contributors and is available online, in addition to the print version.

Joel Winters was awarded the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance's annual Activist of the Year!

The NH Underground Calendar lists liberty-oriented New Hampshire events. The NH Liberty Calendar also tracks events in NH.

FSP News back issues are available. Got FSP news? Content submissions are due by the 12th of each month. Thank you to all contributors! FSP News circulation: 11,233.

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW! When you join, please also consider pledging to be one of the First 1000 to live in New Hampshire by December 31, 2008.

Participants: 7,306
Participants in NH: 426
as of September 15, 2006

FSP News Aug 2006

FSP News - August 2006

Join us in New Hampshire for the 2007 New Hampshire Liberty Forum - Attaining Personal and Economic Freedom in America's Freest State. Mark your calendars for a visit to Concord, February 22 - 25, 2007. This will be the Free State Project's second big annual event, a new and different style event from the PorcFest. There is a dedicated group of volunteers busy at work planning the event right now! The complete Liberty Forum schedule and format will be announced soon. It will be held convention-style, at the Holiday Inn in historic downtown Concord. The hotel is within walking distance of the State Capital and the downtown shopping district too. Stay tuned for more details.

Have you had it with the state that you're currently living in? Do some state to state comparison and join the First 1000! (and the FSP). If you choose to move to New Hampshire before 12/31/2008 or if you already have moved, you are eligible to be a part of this group of freedom pioneers. We're 38% of the way to our goal now.

Comedian Doug Stanhope, FSP Participant and Endorser, makes a serious bid for the 2008 Libertarian Party presidential nomination. Doug's website goes into more detail about his plans.

We have provided some new tools in the FSP Advertising Center to facilitate decentralized, web-based advertising. We have new pages supporting two of the more popular internet advertising formats, Blogads and Google AdWords ads. Feel free to contribute by:

1. designing new ads
2. donating money for an ad deployment
3. deploying an ad yourself!

This will give you, the individual member of the FSP community, more influence in determining where we advertise.

If you would like to include an FSP banner on your website or blog, check out our stock of banners in the Advertising Center. You will find a wide variety of graphics in different formats, including static images, animated gifs, and Flash animations.

FSP Participant, Tim Bauman made a trip to New Zealand recently. His write-up was carried in Liberty, the Official Journal of the Libertarianz Party. And, Steve Cobb, who does IT and publicity for the FSP, writes about his visit to the International Society for Individual Liberty (ISIL) 2006 Conference in Prague.

"These are a few concrete examples of what FSP participants have accomplished in New Hampshire in a fairly short period of time." - covered in Varrin Swearingen's President's Corner this month. Also what the FSP volunteers have been up to of late!

FSP Board of Directors meeting minutes are available to read. The last meeting was on July 15th.

Action of the Month - Use GoodSearch. Dare I say, "Search the good search?" If you select the Free State Project as the "I'm supporting" group, the FSP will get a penny each time. What better way to learn about freedom than raising money for the FSP. Whether you're searching for Ayn's favorite recipes, Murray's gold standard, or the xanthic electorate, the world lays at your feet (and it doesn't hurt to kick a few coins to the FSP for Liberty in Our Lifetime) - Phil Denisch

Talk Radio's Insurrection, Free Talk Live, has added its 15th radio station affiliate to its syndication lineup - in under two years! The show, has FSP Participant hosts, Ian and Mark, and is also available on the web and as a podcast. The latest radio station on-board is WWKK in Petoskey, MI and is carrying Free Talk Live all six nights a week.

Free State Project Lanyards are now available. Add one to your merchandise order today. Have you seen the FSP store?

Whether you "...aim to misbehave" or want to "...build a better mousetrap", or wish you'd written "WHEN in the Course of human Events...", help out the FSP by signing up with NetFlix. We get a commission and you get many whole worlds of inspiration. So come on, live the Life with Ayn Rand, BS with Penn and Teller, laugh with Doug Stanhope, and practice your Gun Kata; just don't forget to channel that inspiration into recruiting others for Liberty in Our Lifetime.

In New Hampshire

Tilting at Windmills - FSP Participant, Russell Kanning was arrested again on July 27th in a planned civil disobedience event at the IRS office in Keene, NH. At press time, Russell was still being held in a maximum security prison while awaiting a sentencing hearing, scheduled for August 17th. The continuing story has been covered in the press, blogs and FSP and NH Underground forums.

Here is the (very impressive) agenda for the August 5th meeting of the Merrimack Valley Porcupines (MVP) in Manchester, NH.

I. Welcome the New and Visiting Porcupines!
II. Report on July events

a. Kevin's Moving Party 7/1
b. CNHT Picnic 7/8
c. Fiscal Committee hearing 7/11
d. CNHT NASCAR Fundraiser 7/15
e. LPNH Supreme Court Trial 7/21
f. Lorraine & Rick's Moving Party (from MD) 7/26
g. Civil Disobedience at Keene IRS office 7/27, 8/3
h. Meet n' Greet for Shyfrog in Keene 7/29

III. Upcoming Events in August

a. NHLF planning mtg 8/5 (at Panera, right after MVP mtg)
b. Free Russell Kanning rally 8/5 (in Dover, after MVP mtg)
c. Petitioning for LPNH – every day through 8/9
d. Fiscal Committee hearing/call for volunteers 8/8
e. Concord Porcs 8/12 – note new location
f. New England Secession Congress in Cambridge MA 8/12
g. Monadnock Porcs 8/13
h. Seacoast Porcs / Fireworks in Jaffrey / FSP Litter Pickup 8/19
i. Jim Perry's Fundraiser, Amherst, 8/20
j. Coffeys' (Second) Moving Party 8/26

IV. Member Announcements
V. Liberty Scholarship Fund Raffle Drawing
VI. 2006 Candidates Forum

a. George Phillies – Libertarian candidate for U.S. President
b. Rich Kahn – Libertarian candidate for NH Governor
c. Joel Winters – Democratic candidate for NH House, District 17
d. Keith Murphy – Republican candidate for NH House, District 10

VII. Other Business

Movers! Please write-up the story of your move to share with others. We Made The Move! is the place. And, please keep your contact info and address up to date at the FSP. We're counting, so when you move to New Hampshire it's important to login and update your address, etc. Alternately, you can email your new contact information, including that all-important New Hampshire state of residence, to info@freestateproject.org and we'll take care of it for you!

This month in Free State Blogs:

Free State Victories 2005-2006 Legislative Session
NASCAR action at NHIS
Back to Court
Another PorcFest write-up
A Man for All Seasons (Russell Kanning)
Ahhhhh, New Hampshire! We Are Not Alone...
One Parent's Demand for the Truth About the Legality of Homeschooling
NH Gubernatorial Candidate: Make State Income Tax Unconstitutional
Perhaps it is a Vice (Russel Kanning)
RFID - Against the Grain radio audio
Homeland Security Nabs Free Stater From Home
My Thoughts - Denis Goddard
NH Law vs. Real-ID

The NH Underground Calendar lists liberty-oriented New Hampshire events. The NH Liberty Calendar also tracks events in NH.

FSP News back issues are available. Got FSP news? - content submissions are due by the 12th of each month. Thank you to all contributors. FSP News circulation: 11,186.

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOWWhen you join, consider pledging to be one of the First 1000 to live in New Hampshire by December 31, 2008!

Participants: 7,255
Participants in NH: 412
as of August 15, 2006

FSP News July 2006

FSP News - July 2006

PorcFest 2006 was a wonderful success! Varrin Swearingen, FSP President, wraps it up for us.

"What we’ve found is that now, Free Staters are dominating the testimony at the state legislature on bills that matter most to us." - Jason Sorens at PorcFest 2006 The Cannae Tactic: How to Sell New Hampshire Self-Government.

...and there was hope - Varrin also welcomed FSP Porcupines and friends at this year's PorcFest 2006 "...the effect of just those couple hundred early movers, some of whom just raised their hands, has been very noticeable and positive." The text of his speech is posted.

Lots of PorcFest photos are posted in the new website gallery! PorcFest merchandise, along with the hot-selling Gadsden Porcupine Ultimate disc and the brand new Gadsden Porcupine Flag - all available at the FSP Store! Great write-up on the PorcFest and the FSP by Vermont blogger Jeremy Ryan. And, we had coverage in the Washington Times on June 21st.

As you will read in a few of the links presented here, the FSP is planning TWO big events in New Hampshire in 2007! PorcFest, and the Liberty Forum, now planned for February 2007 in Concord. Initial details!!

Get on the Wagon Train - In the 19th century, brave and hardy Americans fed up with the increasingly overcrowded Eastern states packed up their families and personal belongings in Conestoga wagons and headed west. Lured by the promise of wide-open spaces and a chance to

start anew, they left behind the comforts and familiarity of home to create new homes and communities that offerred greater long-term possibilities for themselves and their children. Now, in the 21st century, the tide has turned. Liberty-loving Americans, fed up with congested cities, escalating crime rates, and an ever-more-intrusive government that attempts to meddle in every single aspect of their lives, are heading East... to New Hampshire. Individuals and entire families are once again making the transcontinental migration, with the ubiquitous bright orange U-Haul trailer replacing the Conestoga wagon. These brave souls have the foresight to see that things are only going to get worse where they are now. New Hampshire offers economic opportunity, a wide variety of lifestyle options (urban, suburban, and rural), and a political system that makes it possible to have a real impact, now, on legislation. And together, we're going to make it even better in New Hampshire. It's not too late to become a part of this epic new chapter in American history. Sign the pledge, become one of the First 1000, and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you, your children, and their children, will grow up in greater liberty and freedom.

New Hampshire #1 state to raise kids, according to the 2006 KIDS COUNT Data Book. The report, by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, selected New Hampshire as the top state for the fourth consecutive year!

TOUR SUCCESSES! The FSP had outreach tables at recent Vans Warped Tour stops in Kansas City, Nashville, and San Francisco. The outreach has already netted the FSP seven new members and seven new Friends of the FSP. Around 1000 flyers, lots of free stuff, and the message of liberty has reached thousands of people in these three cities. The Tour is not over and the FSP plans more outreach at future stops. You still have time to volunteer for this excellent opportunity to spread the message of freedom across the nation!

The President's Corner puts us all in touch with what's happening inside the FSP. Thanks Varrin! Over the past month, Varrin has written about the LP, PorcFest, volunteering, the survey, Slashdot, media and more.

Free Talk Live added a new radio station in Tallahassee to its growing syndication lineup - now at 14 stations! Listen to the new 60 second promo for the show. You can listen to the show through the website too. FTL finished in 4th place last month on Podcast Alley's Top Ten Podcasts - a rapidly growing radio delivery system. Listen, then vote in this month's competition!

Looking for a job in New Hampshire? Want some guidance and a few good leads? The FSP Jobs Coordinator, Lynn Pina, has put it all together for us! A discussion about the job market in New Hampshire, member job referrals and a comprehensive listing of the major employers in New Hampshire are found on the new Jobs page.

Action of the Month - Write a Letter. Writing letters to the editor of your local paper does have an impact. In a worst-case scenario, the letter gets lost and no one reads it; but you have just increased your ability to think rationally about how to present the freedom-minded point of view. In the next-to-last worst-case scenario, only one or two people at the newspaper will read the letter and decide not to print it; but then that's one or two more people, and people in persuasive positions, who have been exposed to a rationally thought out defense of a freedom-minded point of view.

In a much better scenario, they print your letter and hardly anyone reads it. In a town like mine where the Baltimore Sun (sadly these days, a mere shadow of what it was when H.L. Mencken made his home there) has about 200,000 weekday readers and double that on Sunday - I'd take that "hardly anyone". In the best-case scenario, they print your letter and lots and lots of people read it and their eyes begin to twinkle with a reflection of the Shining Beacon of Liberty on the Hill and they start thinking a little more clearly. So write a letter, and let's tell the world about the Free State Project.

If you need help writing your first, or to hone your skills, try these three sites; 1., 2., 3. (Even Big Brother himself will help out, though he stole your money first to pay for it) - Phil Denisch

Free State Project Participant Angela Keaton has been elected to the Libertarian National Committee of the Libertarian Party. Congratulations Angela! Speaking of the LP, the FSP had a strong presence at the National LP convention in early July with a vendor table. Thank you to the team of Porcs - Varrin, Morey, Peter and Charlie, who spent the weekend talking to convention attendees about the FSP! See Varrin's President's Corner for a report, and a Forum post by Morey Straus.

FSP volunteers also did outreach tables at the Virginia LP Convention in Charlottesville and at the Tennessee LP Convention in Nashville - thanks to Porcs, Keith, JR, Bill and Kate! If YOU have ideas to put into action for FSP outreach or promotion, contact our Events Coordinator, Marty Humphrey!

Fundraising pledge goal exceeded! Cary March challenged 39 other supporters of the FSP to step up and pledge to donate $50 a month for six months, from July to the end of the year. When the sign-up period ended on June 30th, 52 people had pledged! At $300 per person, that's $15,600 that the FSP can count on for the remainder of 2006. Thank you to Cary and all of the people who pledged and worked for its success!

Where did our Participants and Friends hear about the FSP? When you join, we ask how you heard about the FSP. This info helps us in marketing the FSP to those most likely to join us. We have been posting the monthly tally on the FSP's Forum. Now, there is a new section of the website called Signup Statistics, where such source info will be posted.

GUN WEEK just published an article featuring Free Staters, More and More Gun Laws: Ethnic Cleansing California Style This is a follow-up article to their April feature on the FSP, San Fran Gun Ban Last Straw For Gunowners Now NH Bound. You can find both of these excellent articles posted on the FSP Forum.

In New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Liberty Alliance (NHLA) held their annual Liberty Dinner at the Derryfield Country Club this year. Representative Jim Wheeler was chosen as Legislator of the Year and the annual NHLA Report Cards, rating the elected representatives of the General Court were announced. This year the NHLA covered both the House and Senate and is the most extensive tracking they have done to date.

An Open Letter to All Libertarian Party Members - a moving communication by FSP Participant and mover, Shuvom Ghose, " Free Staters have successfully passed bills to increase the rights of home-schoolers, repeal mandatory smoking bans, and are now running 12 people for the NH House of Representatives."

Free State Blogs this month covers much of the important NH activity:

LPNH vs. the State of NH - equal access to the ballot
Missouri Porc writes LTE upon his move!
Coalition of NH Taxpayers holds annual Taxpayer Reunion Picnic
Just Say NO to Real ID in NH - update
Free State Observer on the PorcFest and the LP Platform

"The Revolution Will Be Televised" A new DVD was just released by activist Roger Grant of political graffiti.com Free State Activism 2005 - 2006 DVD. The disc is for sale, with any profit going to be used for equipment to improve freedom movement documentaries. Available through the NH Underground, also see the DVD forum thread. The DVD will also soon be available at the FSP store.

The Keene Free Press is the free online and print news and opinion publication covering Keene and Cheshire County. New Hampshire. See what's new this month in the online version.

Interested in the First 1000? Try chatting with others considering the NH move and with those who have already made the move. Register and login at NH Chat link at NHFree.com at 6:00pm Free State Time on July 20th.

New Hampshire ToDo magazine has offered to give $5.00 of any new subscription fee to the Free State Project. Please write "FSP" on the subscription form. New Hampshire Magazine and New Hampshire ToDo both gave the FSP multiple copies of issues to give out at PorcFest and other events.

The New Hampshire State Constitution makes for a thought provoking read.

The NH Underground Calendar lists liberty-oriented New Hampshire events. The NH Liberty Calendar also tracks events in NH.

FSP News back issues are available. Got FSP news? - content submissions are due by the 12th of each month. Thank you to all contributors. FSP News circulation: 11,152.

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW When you join, consider pledging to be one of the First 1000 to live in New Hampshire by December 31, 2008!

Participants: 7,205
Participants in NH: 408
as of July 15, 2006

FSP News June 2006

FSP News - June 2006

The 2006 Porcupine Festival is upon us!

Every year visitors say that coming to New Hampshire and meeting the large group of liberty minded who are here makes them begin the move process. What could be more invigorating than finding a campground full of people who think and believe like you do? Well, the lineup may be just icing, but it is impressive icing!

The theme of this year's Festival is Activism. Friday at 2:00pm, the Republican Liberty Caucus presents speakers on political corruption, campaigning, and starting a newspaper. Friday evening starts with opening remarks by our President, Varrin Swearingen, proceeds to a Porcupine BBQ and as usual, late night campfire socializing winds up the evening. Saturday starts in with learning about our new home state, New Hampshire, and about the different techniques and methods being used for activism in the state. Meet some folks already in state and working for

freedom. Discover some of the avenues you could pursue as a resident of the state and freedom fighter.

Our second annual Silent Auction begins at noon on Friday and concludes Saturday at 4:00pm. Compete for cool stuff, from great books to movie posters to speaker signed copies of the Festival posters. Reproductions of maps of old New Hampshire and New England, Porcupine Buck knives and much more are waiting for you.

Cocktails with leadership, followed by the Liberty Ladies cook-off lead us into the Saturday evening bonfire. More late night campfire socializing leads us to Sunday, where religious gatherings are enjoyed. And Sunday afternoon don't miss the New Hampshire info segment where those who have moved to the Free State can talk to you about their favorite areas. In the week that follows, tour the state, hook up with Porcupine residents for tours, and if possible, try to catch Michael Badnarik's Constitution Class being held at Rogers Campground on Tuesday. For more information, see our webpages or contact our Porc Fest Pooh-Bah!

The FSP News is all about keeping us up to date with the activities and accomplishments of the Free State Project and its activists, both in New Hampshire and all across the land. Varrin Swearingen has made this editor's job easier by publishing his President's Corner (see Varrin below holding up the Welcome to New Hampshire sign). At press time, Varrin has posted three more updates to the President's Corner, May 21st, 28th and June 8th. Read up on the First 1000, advertising, FSP survey, recent movers and much more!

Since you are reading this newsletter, we'll let you in a secret: it's not too late to still sign up to compete in the Liberty Ladies cook-off! You don't need to cook for hundreds of people, either. If you make your favorite chili/stew/soup/other one-pot dish with just 10+ full servings, the judges will all be stuffed from going round and tasting a little bit from everyone... Contact Edi to sign up right now! It's free to compete, and $7 for adults to judge.

FSP SURVEY - The FSP needs your feedback! Understanding what our current and potential participants look like will help us to know where to look for like-minded people, what messages to use to talk to them, and where to best spend our marketing dollars. About 20 questions, anonymous and private. Please take the 5 minute survey - thank you!

“New Hampshire again has the lowest tax burden in the country even with property taxes and statewide property taxes. That's good news for the state" - Economist Dennis Delay. From the New Hampshire Union Leader article, NH pays least income to taxes in U.S., June 4th.

Action of the Month - Volunteer. The task of Liberty is never finished. No matter how far you think we are from where we ought to be, there will always be farther to go. Eternal vigilance is one thing - eternal volunteering is another, and just as important. There are many things that need to be done, and while I wouldn't bet Kennedy's bar tab on it, I'm sure you can find something to your liking. What would you enjoy doing?

New Gadsden Porcupine Disc!

Top-quality 175-gram Discraft UltraStarÃ¢â€žÂ¢ disc, the number one Ultimate disc in the world, and the official disc of the Ultimate Players Association, now available at the FSP Merchandise Center or at the PorcFest! Our new disc is also available from our latest merchandise Partner, the Internet Disc Shoppe, the #1 purveyor of Ultimate discs on the web!

The FSP is one of the organizations represented in the Vans Warped Tour's Take Action! areas at the shows and on the website. We're doing FSP outreach tables at many cities across the country starting June 19th in Kansas City MO. There are still openings for enthusiastic Porcs to staff our tables and enjoy the shows. Check the schedule - the forum page will give you all the details of this rockin' way to tell others about the FSP.

One of our more prominent FSP Participants and current Libertarian Congressional candidate in Texas, Michael Badnarak, will be teaching his well-known Constitution Class at PorcFest 2006! Class topics include original intent, the philosophy of limited government and rights vs. privileges. Register and read more at Candid World.

Top 10 Reasons Why It's Better to Be One of the First 1000 than a Pilgrim

#10) No more scurvy on the journey to New Hampshire

#9) No more suffering through harsh New England winters: the advent of central heating is a Good ThingTM

#8) Most of the natives are quite friendly... and even when they're not, there's little chance they'll scalp you

#7) No need to plough rocky fields and plant crops: New Hampshire is well-furnished with grocery stores

#6) No need to wait months for a letter from the family back home to arrive: New Hampshire has both telephones and high-speed Internet access

#5) No more months-long treacherous trans-Atlantic ocean voyage: nearby Logan International offers daily flights to and from Europe

#4) You won't have to wear one of those ridiculous hats with a buckle on it

#3) No need to worry about spending a day in the stockade for missing church on Sunday

#2) No more frequent death during childbirth: New Hampshire has all of the modern medical amenities

and the #1 reason why it's better to be one of the First 1000 than a Pilgrim....

#1) You don't have to slaughter the turkey yourself

Have you signed the First 1000 Pledge?

The American Founding Fathers gave all that they had -- their homes and their fortunes and their sons in battle -- to break free from the tyranny of British rule and establish a new country founded on the principles of individual liberty, economic freedom, and limited government. We cannot let what so many fought and died for be lost.

We must stand tall today and reclaim that vision and bring America back to those founding principles that served her well for so long. Freedom requires eternal vigilance, and indeed freedom isn't free. Freedom-loving people, today I am asking you to join the Second American Revolution and sign your commitment to join the ranks of a brave group of individuals that will provide a light of hope for the rest of the country, and indeed the world: the First 1000 of the Free State Project.

Rather than shed your blood and give your fortunes as your forefathers did, you are being asked to move to New Hampshire, by the end of 2008, and work together peacefully within its political system to reestablish those principles of liberty we all hold dear. Together, let us show the world that all Americans are not passively acquiescing as our government expands with cancerlike rapidity. Some of us, a few, are fighting back. Join us. Sign the First 1000 pledge and fight for freedom in New Hampshire.

Article: Free State Observer the first 1000 - June 11, 2006

From Cary March, pledge sponsor: Like all volunteer organizations, the FSP needs the support of individuals to succeed - both project participants & friends of the project. Plan to help the FSP in the second half of 2006 by pledging to provide financial support to the organization. Sign the donation pledge. Your six month long, $50 monthly pledge becomes $2000 a month to the FSP when 39 other people sign up. The pledge expires on June 30th and we've got 25 people pledged so far, so sign up now!

Porcupine Run: An amusing new FSP Flash animation appears to be inspired by the famous Football Badgers

GoodSearch is an internet search engine that returns a piece of the

advertising income to the organization of your choice for each search accomplished. The Free State Project is now an approved organization. It is free to the FSP, so give GoodSearch a try - it's powered by Yahoo! ~~Fight~~ Search the good ~~fight~~ search!

Free Talk Live is the topic of a front page article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune - "With its innovative, multiplatform approach to broadcasting, it could show the crotchety denizens of conventional talk radio how to cross the online frontier." Read all of the news and tune in right NOW to Free Talk Live on local radio, webcast, archived shows or podcasts!

In New Hampshire

The charges were dropped against Russell Kanning and Kat Dillon, arrested while peacefully protesting and refusing to be herded into a "free speech zone" in Manchester. Kat's article from the day of arrest was in the Keene Free Press, the NH Underground has background and a video from Political Graffiti from the trial day.

Free State Blogs this month points to lots of activity in the Free State! Make this blog a regular, bookmarked stopping-in place to stay up to date!

NH writer Ted Sares
CNHT: taxpayer revolt continues
U.S. Senator John Sununu blasts REAL ID
Free State Observer
Denis Goddard's Blog
Dangergrrl's How to become an ambassador to liberty
Gardner Goldsmith -Against the Grain - NH radio

"Katrina" no-emergency-gun-confiscation bill signed by NH Governor. The Gun Owners of New Hampshire have the details of this important new legislation, SB348.

The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire released their new website! Updates on news, candidates, the annual convention and the Free State Project in NH - Welcome to the Granite State!

The Keene Free Press continues to grow by expanding into Massachusetts distribution! Articles by Porcupines and New Hampshire liberty lovers make this newspaper a must read.

The NH Underground Calendar lists liberty-oriented New Hampshire events. The NH Liberty Calendar also tracks events in NH.

FSP News back issues are available. Got FSP news? - content submissions are due by the 12th of each month. Thank you to all contributors. FSP News circulation: 11,103.

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW

Participants: 7,166
Participants in NH: 402
as of June 15, 2006

Make a last minute plan and come to PorcFest 2006!

FSP News May 2006

FSP NEWS - May 2006

Porcupine Freedom Festival 2006!

People are gearing up and making reservations for the third annual PorcFest 2006, to be held June 23 - July 1, 2006! Pre-register using the FSP We'll Be There form and call Roger's Campground to make your camping or motel accommodations.

Volunteer to help with the Free BBQ (donations welcome) on June 23rd. Join John Babiarz, Chris Lopez, and others to help flip burgers & hotdogs and serve punch to feed the masses.

The Liberty Ladies of New Hampshire will be featuring a "One-Pot Meal" cook-off on Saturday, June 24th @ 5:30 pm. Entrants will cook up their best chili, soup, stew or other "one-pot" main dish. There is no entry fee and multiple cash prizes will be awarded. The deadline to register is June 15th. We would also like to encourage those who would like to judge or simply enjoy a great meal to sign up early. There is a charge of $7 for adults, $5 for kids 4-12 and under age 3 are free! There will also be Prize Drawings! Please contact Edi Swearingen to register and for any other information regarding the cook-off.

Thinking of New Hampshire as home already, but not sure where exactly you'll land? Come on Sunday, June 25th, to the NH Info-sponsored Town Information Day. Find out about communities all across the state, and make contacts for your own exploration.

Calling all FSP talent - note the happy campers in the Festival poster to the left. If you have talents to help entertain around the bonfires, let us know. Donations for the Silent Auction fundraiser can be shipped prior to the Festival or brought with you. We need items of interest to Porcupines! Are you on the mailing list for the 2006 PORCFEST CRIER? Email Tim and be put on the list for up-to-date periodic info leading up to the Festival!

PorcFest Gear! There's old, there's new, there's something for you! The 2005 items have again been reduced... again. We have t-shirts and koozies and posters, oh my. Don't forget those very handy tote bags. And oh, by the way, shhh, quiet, don't tell anyone, but there are also previews of the 2006 PorcFest items on the merchandise page. They are on double-secret probation, of course, but if you buy one now, you can be sportin' a fine ought-six shirt and be the envy of all the other Porcupines (and it wouldn't hurt to advertise the PorcFest either). Consider a poster (above) for the back of your SUV; just think of all the compliments and chances for conversation you'll get on the fantastic design created for this year's Freedom Festival. PorcFest 2006 posters are available for nominal costs if used for high traffic advertising - contact Morey Straus. 2006 gear will also be sold at the Festival.

The Tax Foundation's 2006 State and Local Tax Burdens report was released in April. New Hampshire is again ranked 49th. Over the last 10 years, the Free State has ranked 49th nine times and 48th once! Compare your state.

Looking for a high tech job in New Hampshire? - here's great news for you! "New Hampshire added 2,400 high-tech jobs, for a total of 37,500 jobs, in 2004, according to electronics industry group AeA. "The stateÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s 6.8 percent increase was the highest percentage increase in the nation." The Union Leader covered the story on April 20th. A starting place for a NH job search is the FSP's New Hampshire Center - Jobs. More excellent NH economic and job news came out of Boston at the New England Economic Partnership conference. NH leads the pack, yet again - Union Leader May 12th.

It's time to take your place in American history! Be one of the First 1000 to move to New Hampshire by the end of 2008 as a part of the Free State Project. Consider signing the pledge to move in the next year and a half and help to pave the way for all the other Participants not able to move in this time frame. Incredible Porcupine activity levels and results in New Hampshire beg for your participation - excitement is growing. Thus far, 274 individuals have signed the pledge to be among the First 1000 on the ground in New Hampshire. You are eligible to sign if you have already moved or if you can commit to living in New Hampshire by December 31, 2008. When the First 1000 program is successfully completed, all First 1000 participants who move to New Hampshire will receive certificates and special recognition for their pioneering work for freedom. Are you ready? Join the FSP, and if you are able to move by 2008, sign the First 1000 pledge as well!

Special thanks go out to our recently retired long-time Webmaster, Tom Parker! Until the recent launch of the new website, freestateproject.org had been under Tom's professional and careful watch. He has earned a universal reputation among fellow FSP volunteers for being creative, prompt, accurate and friendly, and the FSP site is well known and appreciated by visitors from all over the world. Thank you Tom - see you in the Free State!

The new FSP website is now live, thanks to the IT team and the thousands of hours that went into the transition. The new site uses the latest Content Management System (CMS) software, Drupal and CivicSpace. There is still a great deal to be done with the new site, such as features to turn on and content to add. Steve Cobb, IT Director, said, " We've replaced the engine in the FSP bus, and the new one is a jet." Much more to come!

Numerous FSP volunteers take Karl Marx's 'from each according to his abilities' dictum seriously, and contribute their own specific skills. This month we would like to acknowledge Eric Williams and e-BUILDERS, who for two years have been providing internet hosting services to the FSP's forum and other applications. Eric urges other members to consider what skills, services or products they could offer to help the cause of liberty and the FSP.

The new President's Corner gives us the inside track on what's going on with the FSP. Varrin Swearingen will periodically post details to this space on the new website.

Welcome to Marty Humphrey, our new Events Coordinator, Brian Sullivan, the newest member of the FSP Board of Directors, Jon Maltz as Webmaster and Sandy Pierre as our new Secretary. Thank you to all for helping the FSP work towards its goals. The Help Wanted page shows more positions available - if you'd like more info on any of these open positions, please contact Nik Ludwig.

Action of the Month - Calling in to Radio Shows. A few minutes spent waiting on hold, a few seconds spent speaking on the air (and mentioning the FSP, of course), could have large returns in the service of letting others know we're here. A well placed, kindly worded: "It's not like that in New Hampshire, that's why I joined the Free State Project", may inspire some listeners to see what we're all about. Even for those left behind, knowing things don't have to work that way will invigorate liberty lovers all across the land. Call your local talk show, or here are two listings of some nationally syndicated talk shows - about.com and rnc.org.

You can also call Free Talk Live! They'd love to hear from you. FTL added a new affiliate radio station to its growing lineup - WUTL 100.1 FM in Tallahassee, FL. FTL has built up a nice archive of interviews with notable libertarian guests - listen to these great interviews with one click by downloading the mp3 files in the guest archive. The latest is medical marijuana activist, Steve Kubby.

We're promoting the FSP with outreach tables all across the country this Summer at the Vans Warped Tour. There are still some open spots in various cities, such as St. Petersburg, Orlando, Milwaukee, Dallas, Los Angeles and more. Read the full list and find out more about these great volunteer opportunities coming to a city near you!.

Stuck in Slavery by Unega Woya - 12 years old

This is a Free Country
But we are not Free
"No more Slavery!" the government shouted
But we are slaves
Children are slaves to parents
Parents are slaves to the president
The presidents are slaves to the government
And the government is a slave to their shallow hearts and endless depths of greed.

Dean, her Porcupine Dad says, "This is one of the reasons that motivates me to make the move for freedom to NH."

Is your spouse or partner moving with you to New Hampshire? We've found that some equally supportive "other halves" are not signed-up as Participants! All people age 18 or over who agree with the Statement of Intent and Participation Guidelines should JOIN. Please address questions about participating to Participant Services.

A great deal of discussion and sharing takes place on the FSP Forum. Have you read it over? Ask questions and make comments there. You're invited to read what first-time Forum contributor Shuvom had to say a week before his big move to New Hampshire!

In New Hampshire

Full coverage of the efforts to stop the REAL ID in New Hampshire continues at GraniteStateId.com , Free State Blogs, and the NH Underground. Also, New Hampshire can stop the coming police state by Karl Beisel, was published in the Union Leader April 25th. and NH Against National ID held a highly successful rally at the State House in Concord on April 22nd. Catch the latest video by Roger Grant covering the Real ID rally.

Free State Blogs activity continues to pick up as activists report in, providing us all with boots on the ground Free State information. Among the subjects this month on the blog:

Boston Globe article about new NH taxpayer organizations
Gun Week features article with Porcs fleeing the San Fransisco gun ban
Anti-Real ID Rally in Concord and updates on legislation, audio & video
Gun Freedom Bills in NH
Keene Free Press articles
New Pilgrim Chronicles - new book by Brian Wright
Liberty Ladies in the Free State Observer

A Wintertime fun - Snow Porcupine Building contest was sponsored by the NH Underground. The contest, started in Jan 06 (and extended due to the warm weather), was won by Jim Johnson and Lauren Canario!

Advocates, Activists, Agitators, Our Remarkable Women 2006 - The May issue of New Hampshire Magazine honored our own Kat Dillon as an Agitator - "Free State Fundamentalist". Congratulations Kat!

The NH Liberty Calendar lists the upcoming events of 30 liberty-minded New Hampshire organizations. The NH Underground Calendar also lists liberty-oriented NH events.

FSP News back issues are available. Got FSP news? - content submissions are due by the 12th of each month. FSP News circulation: 11,053

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW

Participants: 7,130
Participants in NH: 400
as of May 15, 2006

FSP News April 2006

New Hampshire activists score again as the New Hampshire Senate voted down HB1177, the Bill to ban smoking in restaurants and bars across New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Smoking Ban Goes Up in Smoke, Free State Observer - "A small cadre of approximately twenty freedom fighters, both outnumbered and outfinanced by ban supporters who were organized on a national level by the American Heart Association, successfully tipped the scales of the outcome...". More on the story below in In New Hampshire, Free State Blogs section.

Come get a taste of freedom!

The Third Annual Porcupine Freedom Festival will be held June 23rd to July 1st at Roger's Campground in Lancaster, NH. Join in the celebration of freedom with your new Free State friends. Preparations are being made, the schedule is developing and the registration form for the We'll Be There list is up.

We're also gearing up for the PorcFest Silent Auction fundraiser. If you have items you would like to donate, we'll advertise them on the website and arrange delivery to the PorcFest. Friends and liberty organizations may like to contribute. Please contact Jean.

Come get a taste of freedom; you won't want to live anywhere else.
We need the help of Porcupines and Friends all over the United States! There are great volunteer opportunities to help staff FSP outreach tables at Libertarian Party state conventions and at the Vans Warped Tour music festival dates. Please check over the two schedules on the FSP Forum threads linked above for complete details about this. Outreach tables are a wonderful opportunity to talk about the FSP to those who might have never heard of the FSP, those who have followed our progress for a while but never had anyone to talk to about it and those who just need a nudge to join and move to New Hampshire with us! We provide the FSP materials to hand out and you provide the smile and the handshake.

FSP endorsed by the Liberty Forum of Ohio - "There is to be no doubt: without such a grass-roots movement as the Free State Project, the usurpation of our rights will only continue to grow until this country needs one day be drenched in the blood of patriots, for a third time. Surely, the Free State Project has provided us with a peaceful alternative to such future bloodshed. Let us not forsake this opportunity to accomplish what those before us were willing to die for: good government, not against, but for the people." Full Liberty Forum endorsement text.

Action of the Month - Talk with Friends, Family and Neighbors

Most of us don't have a problem talking with each other about freedom, or the lack thereof, but talking with someone who may not be as "liberty-minded" is not an easy task. But by a large margin, word of mouth is the most common reason cited by Participants as to why they joined. If you need to refine your philosophical and more practical points, check the essays section and the wonderful 101 Reasons and you'll be sure to have everything you need. "Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." - Benjamin Franklin

The First 1000 breaks 200. People often move for good reasons – jobs, family, relationships, or just a change of scenery. Have you ever considered moving to protect our very freedom? Are you considering moving to New Hampshire by December 2008, or have you already moved but not signed the First 1000 pledge? Be looking in your snail mail for a new First 1000 brochure and letter from Dr. Jason Sorens, FSP founder and Chairman. Be a part of the excitement in New Hampshire - sooner rather than later!

The messages on the Florida Free State Project email list flew thick and fast: "Are the winters really as cold as they say? What are the people like up there? How many Libertarians are there? Is there a network to help people moving into the Free State?" All questions promised to be answered by a couple who actually "went and did it." - from the new essay by Tim Condon, Free State Porcupine Visiting!

Safety and health are certainly important considerations for many in deciding where to live. New Hampshire retains its 4th place ranking in the just released Morgan Quitno 2006 Safest State awards. Neighboring state Vermont is ranked 3rd, with Maine 2nd and Mass 21st.

The 2006 Healthiest State awards also just came out. New Hampshire retains its 2nd place ranking and similar to the Safest area above, Vermont is ranked 1st Healthiest, Maine 4th and Mass 6th - a safe and healthy stretch of New England real estate to be sure! But check the link to the U.S. Census state tax collections below for some sharp differences. Last month, New Hampshire was awarded the #1 Most Livable state honor for the 3rd year in a row.

"The Libertarian Party of Florida has decided to officially endorse the efforts of the Free State Project. From the deep south to the far northeast, the Libertarian Party of Florida congratulates and thanks the Free State Project for their work in support of freedom in New Hampshire. Keep up the good work, for all Americans."

Free Talk Live announces the 14th syndicated affiliate radio station, 1490 WWPR AM, broadcasting in Tampa Bay, Florida - a market population of 2.6 million. KLID AM 1340 was also added to the line-up this month in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, adding another 40,000 in market population to the potential audience. FTL makes it easy for you to contact your local radio station to suggest that they carry the show. The FSP is one of the show's sponsors and its hosts are FSP Participants. The growth of FTL, our ads, and all the talk about liberty and the FSP brings us lots of new Participants - thanks guys! Have you tuned in? Listen to one of the affiliate radio stations, the live webstream, archived shows or the podcast. Once you've heard FTL, VOTE for the show as the top podcast of the month. You can vote once a month and help spread the words of liberty and the FSP.

You'll note the new FSP matchbook and bookmark pictured in this newsletter. Order some of these new outreach tools at our merchandise page. Every libertarian and freedom-lover you know should get one of each. When you hand a book of new FSP matches to a smoking friend, tell them that the NH Senate just killed the smoking ban on principle! Inventory Sale! Help us make room for the new PorcFest 2006 gear by purchasing last year's designs - still great, and at reduced prices.

Various FSP volunteer positions are available for dedicated Porcupine activists! There's a great opportunity for an activist to help out as Events Coordinator. The busy season has just started for events all over the U.S. and the FSP should have a presence - help make it happen! Visit our Help Wanted page for details, and remember that you can live anywhere and still help. For additional ways to be an FSP activist, visit the Volunteer Center.

The newly revised FSP Website is expected to launch within the next week or two, with both immediate changes in look and design, as well setting the stage for future new features and larger community connection. Graphic artists and cartoonists are needed, both for this and other projects. Contact us!

In New Hampshire

REAL ID battle ongoing in NH. An Act prohibiting New Hampshire from participating in a national identification card system. GraniteStateID is a coalition of activists across the state, bringing Left, Right, and Libertarian together. Concord Monitor - Foes Blast Real ID

Free State Blogs - Chronicles of Progress Toward Freedom in New Hampshire. Keep up with the activists in New Hampshire, if you can! This month:

New Hampshire's Taxpayer Revolt! by the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers
"Against the Grain" with Gardner Goldsmith - Cato/REAL ID audio from his radio show
Audio of many NH Senators on the smoking ban
New website mobilizes NH citizens against REAL ID
More Free Staters win local government seats!
Free State Observer - NH activism, smoking ban, Russo film

Down at the bottom, that's where most liberty-lovers like to be when it comes to taxes. In the latest U.S. Census numbers, New Hampshire comes in 48th in state and local government tax collections per capita. Look up your state here.

New Hampshire will be replacing the new highway signs "You're going to love it here" that started going up last year with the state motto, "Live Free or Die".

One of our earliest movers, Calvin Pratt in My New Hampshire Civics Experience, talks about his new life as an activist in New Hampshire. Cal has been standing up for liberty for nearly 40 years and is currently the Research Director with the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance.

Visiting New Hampshire? The New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism website has a great deal of information for you, and stunning photos of the Free State! Our own New Hampshire Center is packed with excellent resources and links as well!

Rumors of perpetual Winter in the Granite State are laid to rest with the emergence of Spring flowers in early April! The down jackets are away in the closet for the year, and have been for some time, as this winter was very warm, and this trend is likely to continue. If cold weather was the only thing stopping you from moving...

The NH Liberty Calendar lists the upcoming events of 30 liberty-minded New Hampshire organizations. The NH Underground Calendar also lists liberty-oriented NH events.

FSP News back issues are available. Got FSP news leads? - content submissions are due by the 12th of each month.

FSP News circulation: 10,991

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW

Participants: 7,087

Participants in NH: 399

as of April 15, 2006

FSP News - March 2006

New Hampshire wins Most Livable State in the U.S. for the third year in a row. Scott Morgan, President of Morgan Quitno Press said, "Citizens of New Hampshire enjoy low unemployment, low crime rates, high levels of household income and high levels of education. The state has a stellar record in many of the categories we considered for our award." An average of 44 factors are considered by Morgan Quitno in this ranking, giving us a simple and telling look at state government and livability. How does your state compare to #1 New Hampshire?

Amanda Phillips has stepped down as President of the FSP, "... to focus more on law school and to spend more time with my daughter." We thank Amanda for her leadership and service to the organization over the last few years! Varrin Swearingen, the current VP of Operations and last year's PorcFest Czar, will take over the reins as President.

Porcupine and early mover, Sandy Pierre won the recent vote of the FSP Organizers to become the newest member of the Board of Directors. The minutes of the February 19th Board of Director's meeting are now posted.

Dr. Walter Block, Professor of Economics at Loyola University in New Orleans and Senior Fellow with the Ludwig von Mises Institute endorses the FSP! "You people are doing the Lord's work. The FSP is one of the freshest practical ideas for promoting liberty that has come out of the libertarian movement in the past few decades. May you succeed beyond your wildest dreams, and thus demonstrate in yet another empirical way the benefits and blessings of liberty." Dr. Block is a prolific writer and Austrian school economist and a libertarian anarcho-capitalist philosopher.

All those individuals planning to move to New Hampshire by the end of 2008 are invited and encouraged to be a part of The First 1000 pledge. We're looking to recognize and enumerate those who have already moved and those who will be moving soon and living Liberty in our Lifetime. So far, we're up to 157 people. Read the pledge and sign up today!

The Free State Project was pleased to surpass 7,000 Participants on February 22, 2006. Here are some suggestions as to how YOU can help to bring FSP message to thousands of others. Be an activist even before you move!

The FSP website is being updated with new pages and features. Look over the newest pages; the Community Center, Foreign Friends of the FSP and the New Hampshire Center.

"Far from being lovers of liberty dedicated to keeping America the land of the free, we have become a nation of couch potatoes who only become upset enough to do something when FOX cancels our favorite TV program. That must change. And it starts with you. Or in my case, me. So today I finally signed up for the Free State Project." - How to get liberty in your lifetime, a new essay by Michael Hampton.

"The Tax Foundation presents the 2006 version of the State Business Tax Climate Index (SBTCI) as a tool for lawmakers, the media, and individuals alike to gauge how their states' tax systems compare." New Hampshire comes in 6th best in the U.S. in the study.

PorcFest 2006! The third annual Free State Project gathering will be held in Lancaster, NH from June 23rd - July 1st. Last year's festival was thought to be the largest group of libertarians gathered in one place all year. Be there! Take advantage of this opportunity a plan a visit to the Free State.

Action of the Month - Mention the Free State Project in your blogs or your comments in blogs. The "blogosphere" is getting more popular by the day. I don't know how many of us own, run, listen, troll, or frequent blogs, but as their popularity increases, so do the opportunities to mention the Free State Project. It's best to use the full name, "Free State Project", with an embedded URL in every mention.

Listen to Brian Gottstein call into the Neal Boortz radio show talking about the FSP and the gun ban in San Francisco.

Help Wanted. The operation and activity of the FSP is all based upon the voluntary efforts of a core group of Organizers and hundreds of Participants, Friends and supporters. We have current openings and opportunities throughout the FSP organization for motivated individuals - the latest positions are Associate FSP News Editor (help me research and write this newsletter) and Associate Director of Participant Services. If these identified open positions are not for you, tell our Volunteer Coordinator what you'd like to do!

Cary March has an FSP fundraising challenge for you! He will donate $50 per month to the Free State Project for 6 months, but only if 39 other people will too." Thus far, 10 other supporters have signed the pledge.

Talker's Magazine picks Free Talk Live as one of the most important talk shows in its just-released "Talkers 250". FTL is the top source of new FSP Participants and Friends and announces a new radio station affiliate, KLID 1340 Poplar Bluff, MO and 50% more airtime at WNTK in New London, New Hampshire. FSP enthusiasts have been instrumental in adding their local radio stations to the FTL syndication roster - here's how you can help!

The Mid-Atlantic FSP Local Group, in conjunction with the UMBC Libertarians, held a successful fundraising and outreach event on February 18th in Maryland. The special guest speaker was Scott Bullock, Senior Attorney, Institute For Justice and Co-counsel, Kelo vs. City of New London. Porcupines from New Hampshire attended the event and discussed their experiences in moving to the Free State!

Brian Sullivan spoke about the FSP to an enthusiastic group of Cornell Libertarians on February 13th.

The Vans Warped Tour has invited us to promote the Free State Project across America! The Vans Warped Tour is a traveling festival that hops around North America every summer with over 70 rock/punk/metal bands. There is a special non-profit tent where various groups, like the FSP, are allowed to set up tables for free. FSP volunteers gave out flyers, stickers, and FSP matchboxes to thousands of music fans in five cities during 2005 (and we have even more stuff to give out this year).
We already know the cities and dates for the 2006 Vans Warped Tour. We need just one more thing, volunteers! All volunteers will get free entrance to the venue, tons of supplies to pass out, plenty of water, any needed training, and the opportunity to promote the powerful idea of Liberty in our Lifetime to thousands of people. Feel free to bring someone with you, even if they are not a member of the FSP. Let's try to have at least two volunteers at every venue this year!
A big thanks to everyone who volunteered last month. We already have one confirmed volunteer for the following Vans Warped Tour stops but we still need move volunteers at these locations, and volunteers for other cities:

8-01 Buffalo, NY
8-02 Brockton, MA
8-03 Philadelphia, PA
8-04 Scranton, PA
8-05 New York, NY
8-06 Old Bridge, NJ
8-09 Virginia Beach, VA
8-10 Washington, D.C.

For more information, or to sign up as a volunteer, take a look at the tour information and send an email with the date(s) you are interested in working. - Keith Carlsen, FSP VWT Organizer.

In New Hampshire

AN ACT prohibiting New Hampshire from participating in a national identification card system - passed after a vote 270-84 by the New Hampshire House. House Bill 1582 "The general court finds that the public policy established by Congress in the Real ID Act of 2005, Public Law 109-13, is contrary and repugnant to Articles 1 through 10 of the New Hampshire constitution as well as Amendments 4 though 10 of the Constitution for the United States of America. Therefore, the state of New Hampshire shall not participate in a national identification card system..." The bill moves on to the NH Senate. Up to date discussion at NH Underground.

Homeschooling Bill HB406 signed by Governor Lynch! The newly signed legislation does away with the annual homeschool curriculum reporting component of state law. Read the final version of the Bill that includes the specific text ~~strikethroughs~~. This giant stride forward for educational freedom in NH is credited to Porcupine and early mover, Dawn Lincoln!

The first print issue of the Keene Free Press hit newsstands in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire on February 23rd. The new opinion-and-news publication's first distribution was 5,000 print copies throughout the area.

The Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers brings us a report on the state of some of the taxpayer groups around NH. "If there is indeed a tax revolt going on in NH in the towns where we all live, nothing has proved it more than the activities of these past few weeks!"

Also from Free State Blogs, all the latest news from activists in New Hampshire. including the changes at Gun Owners of NH, legislative coverage, the death of the "Wal-Mart insurance regulation", NH homeschooling laws, videos and more!

Just-released reports show that electronic instrument, component and semiconductor manufacturing leads in net employment gains in NH. Other reports on NH population, income, employment, and economic and social conditions are also available from the New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau.

The NH Liberty Calendar lists the upcoming events of 30 liberty-minded New Hampshire organizations. The NH Underground Calendar also lists liberty-oriented NH events.

FSP News back issues are available. Got FSP news? - content submissions are due by the 12th of each month. FSP News circulation: 10,907

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW

Participants: 7,036
Participants in NH: 393
as of March 15, 2006

FSP News - Feb '06

FSP News - February 2006

Moving to New Hampshire in the next 2 years? Already moved? Be a part of The First 1000 people to move to the Free State. At press time, 112 had signed The First 1000 pledge! Many of the liberty-lovers who have signed up as FSP Participants have indicated that they will move "within the next two years". Are you one of them? Dare to be one of The First 1000 to move to New Hampshire before the end of 2008. How? Add your name to the Pledge Bank today!

David Bergland endorses the Free State Project. Mr. Bergland is a former Libertarian Party National Chair, 1984 LP Presidential candidate and author the the popular book, Libertarianism in One Lesson.

"The lucky folks in New Hampshire may soon be the beneficiaries of a libertarian 'tipping point.' It is wonderful to imagine and anticipate the changes toward liberty we will see in New Hampshire when the Free State Project's goal of 20,000 libertarians moving there is realized. Then, think about the effect on neighboring New England states, then all the states, then all of North America. And why stop there. The Free State Project just could (and should) change the world. The sooner the better." – David Bergland, January 20, 2006

The January Recruitment Challenge totals are in! We welcomed in 60 confirmed new Participants and raised a total of $1,700. Thank you to Keith Carlsen and the Tennessee FSP Local Group, Vince Silvia and John P. Cunningham for pledging their financial support for the challenge. Success!

Have you thought of ways to help the FSP? Skills and talents to offer? Let us know how you'd like to contribute and we'll help you get started. There's a place for you, no matter what your skills! You do not need to 'take an official position' to make contributions – just contact the volunteer Coordinator, Nik Ludwig. The more people participating in the outreach, the faster we will reach our goals. Visit the new FSP Positions Open webpage for volunteer opportunities.

PorcFest 2006 planning is in full swing. Make a trip to the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire this Summer, June 23 - July 1. Speakers, events and good times and hundreds of Porcupines! There will also be another Silent Auction fundraiser this year – items of curiosity and value are needed – contact Jean for details. Roger's Campground is offering a special on campsites and RV sites for PorcFest – 5 nights for the price of 3. Make your reservations today! See you this Summer.

Morey Straus was elected to the Board of Directors in mid-January. See page 3 of the Santa Clara Libertarian for an announcement and article about him.

"New Hampshire is already so liberty oriented it's like night and day compared to where we've come from." Jean Alexander is back with her next Life in New Hampshire. While you're there, explore the brand new New Hampshire Center - NH Jobs, Housing/Real Estate, Communities, Activism, Maps and more!

Hello College Students! Promote the Free state Project on your campus. We'll make it easy for you to distribute literature and find like-minded individuals. We want an FSP Coordinator at every college and university – yours! Say hello to our FSP College Coordinators.

Free Talk Live adds its 11th radio station affiliate, "Z-600 The Edge" KGEZ 600 AM in Kalispell, MT. This FSP sponsored radio show continues to pull in about 10% of new Porcupine sign-ups. You can tune into one of the affiliates on the air, podcast, webstream or archived shows.

"Gun laws in New Hampshire were a key reason for its selection as the Free State. Any resident without a criminal record can openly carry firearms, and permits for concealed carrying are available to any resident passing a background check." From FSP Press Release, February 12th – Free State Project offers safe haven for San Fransisco gun owners.

The FSP now has an RSS newsfeed. It's a simple way to set up a link to the FSP website to receive the latest news. Try it.

New 1950's retro style FSP desktop wallpaper design available through Bureaucrash (see pic at right). We welcome design contributions for merchandise, advertising and publicity. Please see the FSP Design Center for more info.

Action of the Month - Add the Free State Project to your email signature. Promoting the FSP with every email you send is an easy way to spread the word. It won't cost you any extra, and it gives the recipient an easy way to access the site for more information. Keep it short and sweet, or include the whole first paragraph (or page!) from the site, and let people know there is hope. All of our actions, the large and the small, will take us closer to Liberty in Our Lifetime – feel free to make suggestions to Phil Denisch.

The Vans Warped Tour has invited us back to promote the Free State Project at 48 cities across the United States and Canada! The Vans Warped Tour is a traveling festival that hops around North America every summer with over 70 rock/punk/metal bands. There is a special non-profit tent where various groups, like the FSP, are allowed to set up tables for free.

FSP volunteers gave out flyers, stickers, and even FSP matchboxes to thousands of music fans in 2005. Daniel Patrick managed FSP volunteers in Atlanta, Lloyd Danforth handled Northampton Mass, Bryan Stevenson took care of Virginia Beach, and I helped in Buffalo and Pittsburgh. Everyone reported having a good time!

We already know the cities and dates for the 2006 Vans Warped Tour. Supplies are already being made and ordered. We need just one more thing; volunteers! All volunteers will get free entrance to the venue, tons of supplies to pass out, plenty of water, any needed training, and the opportunity to promote the powerful idea of liberty in our lifetime at the shows. Feel free to bring someone with you, even if they are not a member of the FSP. Let's try to have at least two volunteers at every venue this year!

For more information, or to sign up as a volunteer, take a look at the tour information and send an email with the date(s) you are interested in working – Keith Carlsen, FSP VWT Organizer.

In New Hampshire

Homeschooling Bill HB406 awaits NH Governor's signature. From Dawn Lincoln, in Free State Blogs, "In summary the current law states that a homeschooler must submit an annual notification, an annual curriculum plan that must be acknowledged by the party it is sent to, and an annual evaluative process that can be satisfied through testing, portfolio review or other methods agreed upon by the parent and the participating agency. HB406 removes the curriculum component, leaving annual notification and evaluation."

Free Staters arrested for disorderly conduct at protest in Manchester! Coverage and discussion at NH Underground.

NH Blogger Tom Bowler endorsed the FSP on January 16th. His popular blog is Libertarian Leanings – Ruminations of a New Hampshire Republican with decidedly libertarian leanings. "The Free State Project favors the growth of liberty and has a plan to achieve it that goes beyond merely presenting facts. It makes perfect sense that New Hampshire – 'Live free or die' – is where they have chosen to establish their political community. I fully support the aims of the Free State Project." See all endorsements of the FSP.

♥ Congratulations and best wishes to Amy and Joel on their marriage – it may be the first Porcupine marriage in the Free State! A reported 50 Free Staters joined friends and family in their celebration in New Hampshire on February 12th.

Gun Owners of New Hampshire (GO-NH) just published its list of pending NH legislative bills. The GO-NH Legislative Watch List will help keep us up with the all the Second Amendment action in NH.

The NH Liberty Calendar lists the upcoming events of 30 liberty-minded New Hampshire organizations. The NH Underground Calendar also lists liberty-oriented NH events.

FSP News back issues are available. Got FSP news? – content submissions are due by the 12th of each month.

Are you ready to JOIN THE FSP, move to New Hampshire and help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join NOW

Participants: 6,985
Participants in NH: 390
as of February 15, 2006

FSP News - Jan '06

FSP News - January 2006

WE WANT YOU TO BE PART OF THE FIRST 1000!

The FSP invites you to be a part of the first 1,000 to move to New Hampshire! Ian Bernard, Porcupine and Free Talk Live host, has made this public pledge at PledgeBank.com "I will move to New Hampshire by 12/31/2008 where I will work to bring about a society in which government's maximum role is protecting life, liberty, and property but only if 999 other liberty minded individuals will too." Anyone who has moved to New Hampshire since October 1, 2003, and all of you who pledge to move by December 31, 2008, can sign up to be a part of The First 1000. Be one of the first 1,000 Free Staters in New Hampshire!

The Tennessee FSP Local Group has started off the year with a recruitment challenge! For every person who joins the FSP in January 2006, the TN FSP will donate ten dollars to the FSP. This is the perfect opportunity for fence sitters to hop off the fence and join - do you know any fence sitters? Vince Silvia has also pledged to match the TN FSP with an additional ten dollars, and he challenges any other Free Stater to match him. Join today!

Thinking of visiting or moving to New Hampshire? Please contact the FSP Welcome Wagon to meet other Free Staters in NH and to get advice or other assistance on your visit or move. You have friends in NH!

The FSP wins Freedom Organization of the Year with NH Underground coming in second in a recent poll at Strike the Root. NH Porcupine activist Russell Kanning won second place for Freedom Fighter of the Year!

In its latest Tax & Budget Bulletin, No. 29 - January 2006, the Cato Institute examined the size of state and local bureaucracy. New Hampshire residents enjoy the fourth smallest state and local bureaucracy.

New Hampshire's state and local tax burden, as a percentage of income, fell in 2005 for the third straight year according to the Tax Foundation. New Hampshire also retains its second lowest state and local tax burden for the same three year period.

The Beacon Hill Institute released its State Competitiveness Report 2005 and New Hampshire ranks second in the nation in terms of economic competitiveness.

Free State Project, Inc. Board of Directors meeting minutes for the December 28, 2005 meeting are available for your perusal. Topics: open Board position, Doers and Organizers email communication lists, First 1000 Pledge and the PorcFest budget.

FSP Volunteer Positions Available

The FSP is currently seeking enthusiastic and creative volunteers to fill the following positions. We have several exciting positions available as we revamp and expand the New Hampshire Information area of the FSP website. These positions include:

NEW HAMPSHIRE REAL ESTATE AND HOUSING INFORMATION COORDINATOR - This individual will research and keep their finger on the pulse of things related to real estate and housing in the Free State. Useful tasks include becoming familiar with real estate and housing resources in the state, being informed on housing trends within the state and being able to direct folks interested in moving to New Hampshire to resources to help them find places to call home.

NEW HAMPSHIRE RESEARCHER/WRITER - We'd like to find someone who can research New Hampshire's history, climate, and/or recreation opportunities and more and do custom write ups on them for our website and New Hampshire Information brochures. If you like research and writing, this is the job for you. Being in-state is not necessary for this task.

FSP NEWS REPORTER - A reporter to cover Porcupine activism and liberty news in New Hampshire. Keep note of stories and links throughout the month and report for the monthly newsletter.

Several other positions are available:

FSP EVENTS COORDINATOR - Keep tabs on all the events happening around the country where the FSP might gain recruits and arrange for FSP representation. Our current Events Coordinator, Sandy Pierre, has moved to the Free State and is focusing on in-state activism, but she will be able to help her successor get up to speed. See the FSP Job Description page for more info.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR PROJECT MANAGERS – If you like working with people and projects, I could really use some help in following up with our increasing number of enthusiastic volunteers, finding the best roles to fit their visions and talents, and helping them nurture their projects to fruition. Note that several people can fill this position.

These are just some of the many volunteer opportunities available with the Free State Project. You can view other openings on the Organizational Chart. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Nik Ludwig, for more information, and thank you for helping achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime!

The sky is falling, the sky is falling! Oh my, oh my! What is that rushing, plummeting sound I hear? Is it the forced whoosh! of evil alien spacecraft plowing through the atmosphere; ships glowing red from entry burn and exotic eyes glowing red with a hatred of all things human? No, it's the price of PorcFest05 Merchandise dropping like a gentleman's probity the day after he's elected! Don't miss your chance, get 'em while they're hot (white hot, that is, as in the gleaming beacon of freedom that is the Free State Project). - Phil

Mark your calendar now for PorcFest 2006! Meet up with your Free State friends again from June 23 - July 1, 2006 in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire. It's the event of the year - the 2006 Porcupine Freedom Festival!

Free Talk Live continues its run of growing popularity, boasting the #1 podcast spot for the first week of voting in the new year, and there are now over 12,500 podcasts available. Tune in to hear why this pro-freedom syndicated radio show is so popular.

FSP Newswire provides links to important news stories about the FSP or its Participants. This month there are six new stories from Foster's Online, Renew America, NH Underground, InfoWars.com and Lew Rockwell.com.

In New Hampshire

New Hampshire Liberty Alliance announces that Keith Murphy was elected the new Membership Director. In a surprise tie membership vote with Joel Rauch, Keith won a Liberty Dollar coin toss. The NHLA has plans to promote liberty in 2006 including legislative training sessions at the State House in NH, Mock Town Meetings, so new people can see how town meetings work, reviewing of the hundreds of Bills that are submitted to the NH General Court, the annual Liberty Dinner and the NH Legislator Index.

The NH Underground's 2005 Year in Review covers the many, many activities of this growing group of Free Staters and New Hampshire liberty lovers.

The Second Annual Lloyd Danforth Birthday U.N. Flag Burning took place December 18th. Watch the video that was shot at the event.

"House Bill 1639-FN, prohibits the confiscation of lawfully owned and lawfully carried firearms during a state of emergency, making a felon of any law enforcement officer who attempts to seize such a firearm during a disaster. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Paul Hopfgarten at the request of local Free Staters..." Read the text of the Bill and Concord Monitor article.

NH View Tax - Becoming an "Informed No" Voter - Voter Fraud in NH are just some of the tax topics currently covered by the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers, keeping an "Eye on Granite State Government" for us. No matter where you live, you can tune into their weekly radio show webstream, NH Taxpayer Radio on Thursdays from 6-8pm.

The NH Liberty Calendar lists the upcoming events of 30 liberty-minded New Hampshire organizations.

FSP News back issues are available. Got FSP news? - content submissions are due by the 12th of each month.

Are you ready to join the FSP, move to New Hampshire and help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime? Join Now

Participants: 6,921
Participants in NH: 388
as of January 15, 2006

FSP News 2005

FSP News articles from 2005.

FSP News - Dec '05

FSP News - December 2005

January Recruitment Challenge - the Tennessee FSP Local Group has stepped up with an innovative new idea to increase Participant sign-ups and raise funds for FSP promotion. The Local Group will donate $10 to the FSP for every new member that signs up in January - thank you Tennessee Porcupines! Updates and additions to the Challenge will be posted on the FSP website.

Free Staters are all over the world. Staff Sergeant and Porcupine, Art Curtis sends holiday greetings to his family at home and Free Staters worldwide. Art has served in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq, all the while continuing his FSP recruiting efforts (note his hat in the picture). Before being deployed, Art was the Oklahoma Local Group Leader. Art talks about his wife; "My wife Lena is from Russia and grew up under tyrannical government. That has alot to do with shaping her particular desire for a free society. We both believe that Americans are forfeiting the principles that made America great. Reminds me of a little story. When she was going to be sworn in as an American citizen a few years ago, the ceremony being conducted in a federal building, so we had to go through metal detectors and have our bags searched. I had left my wallet out in the car all the way on the other side of the parking lot. The security people wouldn't let anyone in the building without government-issued ID. When everybody finally produced their documents, got inside and then into the waiting area, I could tell she was upset about something, but wasn't sure what, so I asked. I remember what she said: 'Just what kind of country am I becoming a citizen of? Americans cannot come and go as they please without papers? You know, even in soviet Russia there were not as many "security" checkpoints as here. Land of the free? How can denying freedom make us all safer?'" See you in NH, Art and Lena.

One of the top producers of new Participants and Friends for the FSP is Free Talk Live, the nationally syndicated radio program. 930 WKCT in Bowling Green, KY was added to the syndication line-up on December 1st, and FTL continues its remarkable growth with the addition of the 26th largest U.S. market, Sacramento, CA. Beginning January 7th, the Porcupine hosts will be addressing another 1.7 million potential listeners with the addition of the Sacramento station. The unique FTL AMP program, where loyal listeners contribute $3 or more per month to help promote the show, has just eclipsed $1,000 per month. Tune in or webstream the show Monday through Saturday, 8-10pm ET.

'Twas the time before Christmas when all through the land,
Not a wallet weren't pillaged nor card yet unscanned;
The people were stuck, between imp and the sea,
How to spend on their list and on liberty?

The founders are gone now all snug in their graves,
While the house and congress are acting like knaves;
And those in the free state, and we in the rest,
Have long ago settled where freedom is best.

When how to help best (not only to chatter),
I want to give cash to mine and the latter;
Away to the internet, we'll find a way,
A fine site called iGive, let's see what they say.

Pick out the Porc from the long list of causes,
And we'll give those statists more fits and more pauses.
When you buy for yours, or even yourself,
Some portion of spending will make you an elf.

So don't hesitate now or wait for St. Nick,
"Liberty in Our Lifetime" the phrase that you pick;
Help out today and the rest of your life,
With freedom and justice we'll be plenty rife.

[The iGive program lets you pick a cause, hint, hint: The Free State Project, and a percentage of your purchases from hundreds of online merchants will be donated to the FSP. I figure, if you're going to buy it anyway, why not let the FSP get a cut? For more information go to iGive.]

- Phil Denisch, Merchandise Coordinator

The Newswire has links to FSP related media coverage over the past month. The NH Social Security card burn (see below) and NH election coverage stories are linked. Check the website during the month for updates.

FSP website just added links to FSP-Friendly podcasts. Free Talk Live, the Coalition of NH Taxpayers and Gardner Goldsmith's Liberty Conspiracy are the currently featured podcasts.

The FSP was included as a Sweet Site of the Day on November 22nd.

New Hampshire Apartments and Roommates finding services are now listed in the NH Info section of the website.

Free State neighbor and Porcupine Hardy Machia was just elected Chair of the Vermont Libertarian Party. Hardy is a former Vermont gubernatorial candidate and hopes to help guide the Party in making new strides for liberty. The Vermont Libertarian Party endorsed the FSP in 2003.

FSP Volunteer Updates & Positions Available

Thanks again to all who have been working to keep the FSP moving forward. While you are enjoying the holidays this month, think if perhaps you might be the perfect person to fill one of the following roles - we'll help you get started:

FSP EVENTS COORDINATOR – Keep tabs on all the events happening around the country where the FSP might gain recruits and arrange for FSP representation. Our current Events Coordinator, Sandy Pierre, has moved to the Free State and is focusing on in-state activism, but she will be able to help her successor get up to speed. See the FSP Job Description page for more info.

CAFEPRESS MANAGER and FSP MERCHANDISE DESIGNER – Do you have an idea for a cool T-shirt design? How about a Porcupine belt buckle? We've got some cool stuff, but we need much more cool stuff; like tees, tanks, hats, caps, jackets, flags, jewelry, posters, calendars, postcards, stickers, and more! How about FSP matchbooks, lighters and pipes? The possibilities are endless with you in the design seat. Try out your designs on CafePress and if they are a hit we'll make 'em in-house. Truly the world (of FSP merchandise) will be your oyster :)

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR PROJECT MANAGERS – Yep, I already need help! If you like working with people and projects, I could really use some help in following up with our increasing number of enthusiastic volunteers, finding the best roles to fit their visions and talents, and helping them nurture their projects to fruition. Bonus: you get to work with a really swell guy and show him what he's been doing wrong all this time. (Note that several people can fill this position)

These are just some of the many volunteer opportunities available with the Free State Project. You can view other openings on the Organizational Chart. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Nik Ludwig, for more information, and thank you for helping achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime! - Nik

In New Hampshire

The Freedom Friends Tuath has been formed in New Hampshire. What is a Tuath, you ask? A Tuath is a means of a society functioning without a Government. The word comes from the Irish experience of over 1000 years of a Stateless Society. The new Freedom Friends Tuath is based upon the Zero Aggression Principle - no human being has the right, under any circumstances, to initiate force against another human being, nor to threaten or delegate its initiation.

"Somebody's got to say no to government", said Russell Kanning at the Social Security card burn and protest held outside the Social Security Administration offices in Concord, NH on November 12th. Lady Liberty, sporting a 'black eye', made an appearance at the protest! Get the full story, including a video and radio interview at NH Underground.

Porcupine blogger, Friday Jones, gives us some personal insights into life in New Hampshire in 4342 miles for freedom. Thanks Friday!

The New Hampshire Liberty Alliance continues to gain in influence and momentum. Here are some of the events and projects in the works:

Two candidates are running for Membership Director - NHLA members should vote at the website
Legislative training sessions - learn all about the legislative process in Concord. Learn to testify on legislation and observe the NH Legislature in action
Town meeting workshop - learn about how town meetings are run and how to be an effective participant in the process
Town elections session - whether running or supporting others, this session will provide the know-how. And dinner after!
The Civic Action department seeks to bring voluntary, non-governmental assistance to local Granite Staters. Dave Mincin is looking for energetic fun-loving people to help him bring liberty solutions to our neighborhoods.
Research and Legislative bill analysis is performed year 'round and allows the NHLA to focus support or opposition to bills. It also provides the research necessary to develop the annual Legislative Report Card
The production of a new presentation specifically for children, all about the legislative process in New Hampshire

Download New Hampshire wallpaper for your desktop from the Visit New Hampshire website. Travel guides, online maps, basic town information and much more available here - see site map.

"To get the Live Free or Die advantage, Free Staters trickle into Granite State" - The Salem Observer recently ran a nice article called Freedom Movement. It featured some of our Porcupine movers!

The Liberty Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit organization founded to act as a direct channel for charitable donations to assist families in New Hampshire who choose to pursue non-public education. An Endowment Fund was also created and is regularly funded to create a growing asset to benefit the LSF. The LSF awarded three $1,000 scholarships in 2005 and is currently conducting a fundraising raffle!

Eminent domain fight sparks airport rally in Manchester. About 30 Porcupines and NH liberty-lovers gathered to protest the use of eminent domain and to show support for the property owners. The Concord Monitor covered the story.

The NH Liberty Calendar lists the upcoming events of 30 liberty-minded New Hampshire organizations.

FSP News back issues are available. Got FSP news? - content submissions are due by the 10th of each month.

Are you ready to join the FSP and move to New Hampshire to help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime? Click here.

Participants: 6,889
Participants in NH: 387
as of December 15, 2005

FSP News - Nov '05

FSP News - November 2005

Welcome Free Staters - "When an organized group decides to come here for their belief in less government and lower taxes, that sounds good to us." Another warm welcome in a recent Editorial in New Hampshire's Hooksett Banner.

The Board of Directors released a statement on the 1st of November detailing the hiring of a public relations firm and providing further details of the FSP changes reported last month.

The November 2005 print edition of the LP News reports in Free State Project Political Activity about the coverage of the FSP in a September 23rd article in the Concord Monitor.

Free Staters Among Us - "The Free Staters are coming. Wait, make that: The Free Staters are here." The Bow Times carried the article on November 9th. The story features four recently moved Porcupines!

US Census Bureau Report (PDF) released October 27th - New Hampshire #2 in % of Households with Internet Access and #3 in % Households with a Computer. "The report provides information about the characteristics of households and people who have and have not adopted use of computers and the internet."

PorcFest 2006 will be held at Roger's Campground again in Lancaster, NH, June 23rd - July 1st. The official FSP Program will take place during the first weekend, June 23rd - 25th, with a week of more informal get-togethers to follow. More info about the annual festival will continue to be announced. Mark your calendars!

Turning New Hampshire into a 21st Century Powerhouse by Alan R. Weiss - "This paper identifies what other leading centers for growth have achieved, grazes on how they achieved it, and challenges the Free State to live up to its motto and propel itself to the vanguard of this new century by adopting successful models pioneered by others." Published at The Libertarian Enterprise - now celebrating 10 years of bringing us libertarian thought.

Brian Wright wraps up his 12-part New Pilgrim Chronicles. - One man's story of the trials and rewards of moving to the Free State. "Time to wrap it up for you, my fellow Free Staters and running-dog liberty-lusting lackeys." Start at week 1 if you missed this series.

Jason Sorens, PH.D. FSP founder, spoke to students and faculty at SUNY Fredonia October 18th. Read the text of this talk at Free Market News Network (FMNN). Twelve other articles by Jason were published this year at FMNN, where he is the Free State Strategist.

The Free State came in #2 in the new Work Environment Index (WEI). "The index rates working environments in terms of average pay, employment opportunities, employee benefits, percentage of low-income workers, fair treatment between genders and ability for employees to unionize. It is the first index to evaluate worker climate as opposed to business climate on a state-by-state basis, and was developed by researchers at Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts."

FSP Volunteer Updates & Positions Available

THANK YOU VERY MUCH to everyone who has volunteered to help with recruiting, organizing, researching and evangelizing! We have eighteen new volunteer helpers since last month!

Several Porcupines have stepped up to improve and strengthen our College Groups, including Lauren Munoz, Rich Weiser and Richard Goldman. We still need many more college groups and leaders so if you are currently enrolled, or work at a college or university, let's talk!

The FSP is in the midst of making major improvements to our website and we have several IT volunteers helping out, but we need more help. If you can help in the following areas, please let us know.

MYSQL/PHP PROGRAMMERS – We need programmers familiar with using these tools in building websites. In particular experience with Drupal or other similar content management systems is a plus.

FSP IT DIRECTOR – Do you have both technical and managerial skills? Do you have the ability and commitment to complete complex projects? We are looking for a talented individual to direct and manage the FSP's IT infrastructure and to act as project leader for our new improved website.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT - We are looking for someone experienced with fundraising to lead and direct the FSP fundraising activities.

FSP NEWS REPORTER - A reporter to cover Porcupine activism and liberty news in New Hampshire - "what's going on in New Hampshire?" Keep your eyes and ears open and provide leads and links for the FSP News.

These are just some of the many volunteer opportunities available with the Free State Project. You can view other openings on the Organizational Chart. Please contact volunteer coordinators Nik Ludwig or Tim Bauman for more information, and thank you for helping us achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime!

FSP merchandise is a terrific idea for Holiday gift-giving! Not only do you spread the word, but it financially supports the FSP as well. Please check the website for the selections and specials over the next few weeks. This limited edition (100) official Buck Knife collectible pictured above features a gold plated FSP porcupine cutout in the blade. They are also laser engraved with the FSP logo on the handle and on the walnut presentation box. The handle is charcoal NH Birch with nickel-silver guard and butt cap. Leather sheath included.

Free Talk Live, the fast-growing radio talk show and top-rated podcast is hosted by Porcupines Manwich and Ian and has added another radio station to its affiliate line-up, "KUSA" (KBBO) 980 AM in Yakima, WA. Free Talk Live has also joined forces with Talk Shows USA to help promote the show. Listen live 6 days a week, from 8-10pm ET on an affiliate radio station, via webstream, or to show archives on the website.

The newest FSP Community Liaisons are: Earth-sheltered homes in New Hampshire - Brian Sullivan is the Liaison. This new group aims to learn about locating land, building earth-sheltered, solar, zero-energy homes in NH, and promote the FSP in the sustainable housing community. Also new is Alternative Health Care - Dr. Alva Irish is a Homeopath and will be the Liaison for this community. There are open Liaison positions listed at the Community Liaison link above. If you have ideas to reach out to a group or community that you know and are a part of, please contact Dr. Chris Harrison, Liaison Coordinator.

Jim Walters is our Liaison for the States Rights community. Meet another Porcupine volunteer in an interview with Jim in Liaisons Corner.

On The Road - PorcFest '05 - a video short, recorded on-location at the PorcFest in Lancaster, NH. Jason Talley, Crasher-in-Chief at BureauCrash talks about the travels of the MARV, or Mobile Authority Resistance Vehicle and the FSP. Poker Face provides the music.

In New Hampshire

The FSP website feature, Newswire, carries stories featuring activism in New Hampshire. This month the right to bear arms, Jim Maynard's new book, The Light of Alexandria (also see Union Leader article) and a Letter to the Editor by Seth Cohn. Further activism in NH, such as the RFID protest, the Social Security card-burn protest (radio coverage) and candidates for local office, were covered by the NH Underground and its Forum.

An online news publication, the Keene Free Press was just launched - read all about it!

Porcupines joined in at the annual Pumpkin Festival in Keene, NH. Keene holds the Guinness World Record for "Most Jack-O'-Lanterns in One Place At One Time." How many? ... 28,952!

"The forecast said New Hampshire's economy is expected to lead the regional recovery in coming years as the state's high-tech sector enjoys a recovery." From the Portsmouth Herald article, N.H. leads region in economic vigor.

Jean Alexander writes about her new Life in New Hampshire. "It's late fall - cold at night but pleasant most days. Winter is coming and with it, I will have known New Hampshire for a year. Almost newlyweds no longer, I continue to be thrilled to be here and contentedly set down more roots with every passing week."

FSP News recent issues are available. Content submissions are due by the 10th of each month.

The NH Liberty Calendar lists the upcoming events of 30 liberty-minded organizations.

Are you ready to join the FSP and move to New Hampshire to help achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime? Click here.

Participants: 6,840
Participants in NH: 384
as of November 15, 2005

FSP News - Oct '05

FSP News - October 2005

The Free State Turns Two

The announcement of New Hampshire as the Free State took place on October 1, 2003. The Wire, out of Portsmouth, NH, ran a cover story in its October 5th edition. From the article, "They're here, they're politically engaged and, like it or not, they've given New Hampshire another moniker it will never shake. The Granite State and the Live Free or Die state will also be known forevermore as the Free State." Notice the Royalty.

The Board of Directors has reached a decision on the FSP restructuring. The Board voted to strike the informal 2006 goal for obtaining 20,000 signatures and to allow Participants who thought this goal was a deadline to opt out at the end of 2006. The Board also decided to promote early moving, in part by deepening and expanding the New Hampshire information department. These changes will be discussed in detail in a forthcoming paper to be published on the FSP website.

Porcupines were seen on the historic Boston Common doing an FSP outreach booth at Mass Cann's 16th Annual Boston Freedom Rally on September 17th. Other Porcupine appearances on behalf of the FSP over the last month included three outreach tables; at the Wisconsin Hempfest in Madison, the Gandhian Conference on Nonviolence in Memphis, TN, and at the Vermont Freedom Fest 2005 at Vermont Technical College, Randolph Center, VT. Trevor Snyder spoke on The Future of America Politics at Revolution, a Science Fiction and Fantasy convention in Asheville, NC. These successful events produced lots of new contacts, Friends and Participants.

Hour 1 : Another "embarrassed" marijuana smoker. / Evolution and Traits / Are we heading towards a police state? / Habeas Corpus Suspended
Hour 2 : More about the Police State / Police are infallible! / Mass fining its citizens for buying cigarettes online. / Sedition and Dissenters / Torture is evil and sick. This is a sampling of topics on a recent Free Talk Live - Listen Now!

Media making reference to the FSP and its Participants comes in all the time, from the press, on the web and in blogs. Newswire is a new part of the FSP website and it is where secondary media mentions are listed. The latest news and media about the FSP is always listed on the home page, front and center.

Libertarian TV offers programs of interest to libertarians and other freedom lovers, including both political and non-political shows. A selection of FSP audio and video is now included in the Libertarian TV lineup.

Fall harvest brings an endorsement by Keith Stroup, the Founder and Executive Director of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Keith said, "This is lovely. I really admire you guys. I hope it works." Have you read all the FSP endorsements?

FSP POSITIONS OPEN: The FSP is currently seeking enthusiastic and creative individuals to fill the following volunteer positions. If you are interested in finding out more about the opportunities and the time commitment needed, please contact Volunteer Coordinators Nik Ludwig or Tim Bauman. We will be posting more open positions for your consideration, or perhaps you have an idea of how you can apply your skills to help the FSP achieve Liberty in our Lifetime. Contact Nik or Tim.

COLLEGE GROUPS COORDINATOR
This person will be responsible for coordinating FSP college groups and organizing campus recruiting efforts.

COLLEGE GROUP LEADER
If you are currently enrolled or work at a college, please consider hosting a FSP group on your campus.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
We are looking for someone experienced with fundraising to lead and direct the FSP fundraising activities.

NEW HAMPSHIRE EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION COORDINATOR
This person will research and keep their finger on the pulse of things related to employment in the Free State. Useful tasks include researching and becoming familiar with job hunting resources in the state and on the internet, being able to provide monthly summaries on job availability, helping people interested in relocating to New Hampshire learn about job search resources and more.

NEW HAMPSHIRE REAL ESTATE AND HOUSING INFORMATION COORDINATOR
This individual will research and keep their finger on the pulse of things related to real estate and housing in the Free State. Useful tasks include becoming familiar with real estate and housing resources in the state, being informed on housing trends within the state and being able to direct folks interested in moving to New Hampshire to resources to help them find places to call home.

NEW HAMPSHIRE RESEARCHER/WRITER
We'd like to find someone who can research New Hampshire's history, climate, and/or recreation opportunities and more and do custom write ups on them for our website and New Hampshire Information brochures. If you like research and writing, this is the job for you. Being in state is not necessary for this task.

FSP NEWS REPORTER
A reporter to cover Porcupine activism and liberty news in New Hampshire. This helps to answer the question asked by people in the other 49 states, "what's going on in New Hampshire?"

Joe McQuaid, Editor of the Manchester Union Leader, spoke about the FSP while appearing on C-Span.

FSP PorcFest merchandise is all 10% off now at the Store. There is also a new magnet selection, FSP Buck Knives, and all kinds of merchandise to chose from to show your enthusiasm and support.

"Yet in the face of the FSP opportunity, the great majority of libertarians remain immobilized, or worse." Porcupine Tim Condon lets libertarians who have not yet joined the FSP have it in his new essay, LISTEN, Libertarian!

Buffalo, Niagra Falls and Erie area residents are invited to SUNY Fredonia for a talk to be given by Dr. Jason Sorens on October 18th at 7:30pm. For more information please contact Aaron Stadler.

In New Hampshire

New Hampshire Liberty Alliance (NHLA) Civic Action held a fundraiser Sunday, September 18th at Loudon International Speedway. It was the NASCAR "Sylvania 300" - the biggest race day in NH this year. Thanks to the effort of 24 folks arriving at the track at 5:30am to be race event ushers and working until almost 6:30pm, they were able to raise nearly $2,000 for Civic Action The goal of the NHLA Civic Action department is to bolster the culture of liberty within the hearts and minds of the people of New Hampshire. Further, to open a wide, robust dialogue on the benefits of liberty among the people, political candidates, and the office holders in New Hampshire.

Don Gorman coordinated an NHLA outreach event held at the Deerfield Fair. The NHLA volunteers signed up 23 new members and passed along hundreds of copies of our legislative report card. People were impressed and very happy to see that someone is playing the role of watchdog up at the State House.

Porcupines are running for local office in New Hampshire again! The NHLA has offered financial support to candidates. There are news stories covering some of the candidates in the FSP Newswire, and links to New Hampshire online newspapers, magazines, TV and radio can be found at NH Info.

The heavy rain across the Northeast has been especially severe in southwestern New Hampshire. The Keene area, where many Porcupines now call home, has been hardest hit by the rain and flooding. So far, all of our friends seem to be doing all right. There is discussion and coverage on the NH Underground forum and in the NH media, links mentioned above.

The NH Liberty Calendar lists the upcoming events of 30 liberty-minded organizations.

Past issues of the FSP News are available.

FSP News content submissions are due by the 10th of each month.

Participants: 6,801
Participants in NH: 384
as of October 15, 2005

FSP News - Sept '05

	FSP News - September 2005 The Life of Freedom Whenever I think of freedom I think it looks a lot like New Hampshire. Because of all the freedom loving people who live here, this state becomes freedom. With the colors of the great outdoors, the free-thinking can do anything as long as it follows the two fundamental laws: do all that you have agreed to do, and do not encroach on other persons or their property. The taste of it is as sweet as a violet lollipop on a stick. Sappy and piney, the smell has a natural scent to it. Liberty has a way of making persons want to change the all-powerful government. Kira Dillon Age 14 New Hampshire FSP Participants affected by Hurricane Katrina: FSP Participant and Friend networks are in place all around the U.S. If you need temporary lodging or help, or if you are ready to re-locate to NH now, please contact us.While we are not set up to handle disaster relief, many have expressed the desire to help. Call the FSP general number - 888 532-4604 if you have a return phone number, or email us. We will do our very best to put you in touch with Porcupines with the ability to offer assistance to you and your family, whether in your area or in NH. We have a new Volunteer Coordinator, Nik Ludwig, and a new Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, Tim Bauman. Nik and Tim are working on setting up the structure to facilitate the involvement of many, many new volunteers for the FSP. In the meantime, to get involved go to the FSP Volunteer Center and watch the FSP Home page for the posting of many new ways for you to help out. Nik announces the first important opening for your consideration: *Position open - DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT* Achieving Liberty in our Lifetime takes all kinds of resources, including money of course! The FSP is currently seeking an individual to lead and direct our fundraising efforts. As a purely volunteer organization, the FSP operates totally via donations. Are you a persuasive communicator? Enjoy hobnobbing with the rich (and not so rich) and famous? Have some experience in organizing and managing fundraising events? OK with asking folks to dig in their pocketbooks for the cause of freedom? If so, this job is made for you! Your mission will be to lead and direct all the fundraising of the FSP. You will work with the FSP Treasurer and VP of Operations to meet the needs of the FSP and to initiate new fundraising events and projects. You will manage a fundraising budget and have access to volunteers and resources to help you in your efforts. If this sounds like just what you’ve been looking for, then please contact Nik Ludwig or Tim Bauman for more information, and thank you for helping bring about Liberty in our Lifetime! New to the FSP? Or, maybe you've never run across this yet; The FSP Timeline is an up to date chronology of notable events in the brief history of the FSP, beginning with Jason Soren's original article published in The Libertarian Enterprise on July 21, 2001 and continuing to today. *PorcFest 2005 Wrap-up* Report from PorcFest - by Varrin Swearingen, PorcFest Czar 2005 Kate Rick is the Freedom Festival Coordinator for 2006! Dates and location for the next PorcFest will be announced soon... PorcFest 2005 Reports by Bill Walker and Chris Lopez have been posted. PorcFest 2005 merchandise is still available. The LIAISONS CORNER is new on the FSP website and features interviews with our Liaison Leaders - Participants who are members of, or associated with a particular community or group. The first interview is with Marc Cohen, Liaison for the Jewish community. From the interview with Marc, "We have the ability to become a nation of upright citizens who take responsibility for their own lives and local communities instead of waiting for our "Nanny" to take care of us." Free Talk Live (FTL), the syndicated radio show, which is run by Porcupines and partially sponsored by Porcupines, continues to draw in new FSP Participants and Friends. In June, 6.5% of new sign-ups were attributed to FTL. In July it rose to 10.8% and in August it was up to 11.1%! The show was also voted the #1 Podcast for August and September - listen in online or on the radio and then vote. This top status earned FTL press from the Chicago Tribune and London's Financial Times. FTL announces three new affiliate stations; 1440 KMLB Monroe, LA , 960 KGWA Oklahoma City/Enid, OK. And, 980 KBBO Yakima, WA is scheduled to be added this month as well. "You, dear libertarian reader, will need to open yourself up to other possibilities. What is needed is a place where the people have a strong cultural respect for personal freedoms and responsibilities." – Morey Straus, in his inspirational new essay Lots of new photos in the FSP Photo Gallery! The FSP is full of activists that stand up for liberty in new and innovative ways, as evidenced by the individuals referenced throughout this newsletter! FSP Participants, both inside and outside of NH, have recently been involved in issues such as eminent domain and civil disobedience. There is a new section of the website called Issues in the News that examines these issues in more detail. The New Pilgrim Chronicles: One man's story of the trials and rewards of moving to the Free State by Brian Wright has just posted week 6. Have you been keeping up with Brian's New Hampshire saga? News In New Hampshire Eminent Domain in NH update: From the New Hampshire Union Leader - House Committee seeks to restrict eminent domain powers, August 26, 2005. "The House committee voted to recommend that the Legislature define the words 'public use' clearly and narrowly. It would then substitute 'public use' anywhere the term 'public purpose' appears in state law." The NH House committee is seeking to strengthen the state's language concerning the use of eminent domain. Also see the Castle Coalition's most recent overview of NH law covering the period 1998-2002. NH loves its VNTYPL8s - 17.7% of New Hampshire's registered passenger vehicles have vanity plates. NH vanity plate fees are among the lowest in the country. NH culture from The Hippo, Manchester. Keith Murphy made great, longstanding contributions to the FSP while he was a part of leadership. In January of this year, Keith moved to NH, where he's been active with the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance and is a candidate for Selectman in Manchester's Ward 3. Keith has some insightful thoughts about NH in a recent Union Leader Guest Commentary. Free State Participant Karl Beisel, of the Concerned Taxpayers of Manchester, works to get a budget limiting charter amendment on the Manchester, NH ballot! The charter amendment would limit Manchester's spending to the rate of inflation measured over the three previous years. Related Union Leader article. The NH Liberty Calendar lists the upcoming events of 30 liberty-minded organizations. New Hampshire News Reporters needed for the FSP News - contact the editor Content submissions are welcome at any time. Participants: 6,746 Participants in NH: 377 as of September 15, 2005

FSP News - August '05

	FSP News - August 2005 Porcupines and friends gathered again in Lancaster, NH a couple of weeks ago for the biggest and best PorcFest yet! A grand time was had by all. Did you take any photos at the PorcFest? Send in your favorites. We're having a Photo Contest and there will be awards for the best, the most submitted and the funniest, along with a Grand Prize awarded for the Best Publicity photo to be used to help promote PorcFest 2006. We made up some great merchandise for the PorcFest. A great deal of it was sold, but the remaining items are now for sale on our merchandise page. There are T-shirts, drink koozies, tote bags and even a few signed and numbered posters (shown to the left). We also debuted new FSP hats and polo shirts, and the limited edition FSP Buck Knife - all HOT sellers. The 2006 Porcupine Freedom Festival planning is already underway with the selection of the new PorcFest leader, Kate Rick. This is an important leadership role - thank you Kate! To suggest a new title for her, please go to the Forum. We had a talented team of over 20 people working on the PorcFest planning this year and we'll need even more for 2006 - new ideas are welcome. Please contact Kate to volunteer. The FSP Board has taken another important step forward in organizing our efforts. Two new Vice President positions have been created and staffed. Steve Cobb now serves as Vice President of Publicity and Varrin Swearingen now serves as Vice President of Operations. The day to day organization and operation of the FSP will now be led by those two VPs, who will share the work of managing the existing departments. They will report to Amanda Phillips, who remains the President of the FSP and will focus more of her efforts on public relations and media representation. Brian Wright's new report, FSP Porcupine Festival, 2005 is a great read, insightful and amusing! Varrin's Czar's Report will be posted soon and we'd love to post your report too - see how on the Reports page. New Hampshire wins another wonderful award - five months ago, NH was crowned as the Most Livable state - #1 out of 50 states. In June it was named as the Most Improved, and at the end of July, it was NH again in the top spot in the 2005 KIDS COUNT Data Book! This annual report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranks the very latest state-by-state data in areas such as education, employment, income, poverty, health and youth risk factors. According to this report, there is no better state for kids (or their parents). Shhh, only tell freedom-lovers about this! Thank you to all who have responded to the Board of Director's request for suggestions and input on how, and if, to restructure the Project to increase our chances of success in creating a free state. There are some exciting and fresh ideas being sent in and discussed on the Forum. Please send in your thoughts for consideration before September 1st. Media and press this month included the PorcFest articles Taking Freedom for Granite in the Boston Phoenix and Porc Fest Draws 450 Libertarians in the Coos County Democrat. Hey early movers! When you move to NH, please let the FSP volunteers know by emailing or calling 888 532-4604! We all want to know about the migration's early progress. And before you move, or when you visit NH, please contact the FSP Welcome Wagon for networking and community. The FSP Welcome Wagon has grown deeper and stronger! The last meet and greet was held in Epsom, NH on August 5th, where 30 Porcs and friends were very pleased to greet two newly moved families. As usual, all kinds of things are happening at Free Talk Live. FTL wins a podcast award in the category Best Cultural/Political Podcast! Listenership continues to grow too with the addition of internet affiliate RantRadio and more radio stations. Tune in to the web stream, podcast or on the radio, and call in to the show - the hosts are Porcupines! Rockin' FSP outreach tables were operated at three locations on the Van's Warped Tour in July that featured bands such as Offspring, Strung Out, Reliant K, Dropkick Murphys and others. The FSP tables greeted concert-goers in Buffalo, NY, Pittsburg, PA and Northampton, MA. Thanks to Keith Carlsen and his volunteers. ________________________ In New Hampshire Organizations, activities and events of interest in NH: 2005 Liberty Ratings! The New Hampshire Liberty Alliance released the 2005 NHLA Report Card and handed out its coveted Legislator of the Year Award at its annual Liberty Dinner July 30th. Look over the Report Card - some very impressive pro-liberty voting. The Legislator of the Year is Clifford Newton. The Liberty Dinner was an overwhelming success once again and featured the release of the NHLA Report Card, the award for Legislator of the Year and was highlighted by speeches by Congressman Ron Paul and Jack Cole, of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). The dinner was delicious and the company priceless! More NHLA news: another Legislative Workshop was held August 7th, where freedom-focused people gathered to go over the NH Bills that the NHLA will support, introduce, or work against. More volunteers are welcome in this effort. NHLA Day at the Races will be held September 18th. It will be a fundraiser and awareness effort at the stock car races. All volunteers will get a T-shirt while assisting with ushering, concessions and parking. Taxpayer holidays - who doesn't love a tax holiday? The State of NH ran an ad campaign August 7, 10 and 11 in the Boston Globe, aimed directly at Massachusetts residents and sales tax payers. Scorecard for sales tax-free days: NH = 365, MA = 2. The Liberty Scholarship Fund provides donated funds directly to families in NH for non-public education. The LSF just awarded 3 new scholarships for the 2005/2006 school year. The LSF Endowment Fund has also been established with initial funding. The Endowment Fund helps to assure the long-term success of the LSF mission. The Libertarian Party of NH Chair, John Babiarz, made an appearance on Hannity and Colmes on Fox News, August 12th. The topic was the planned eminent domain proceedings in order to build a Constitution Park on Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer's NH land. See the World Net Daily article on this and the other eminent domain plan to seize Justice John Souter's property in NH to build the Lost Liberty Hotel initiated by Logan Darrow's FreeStar Media. Full Slate for the Free State is an aggressive plan to run a full slate of Libertarian Party candidates all across New Hampshire! The following rapidly growing Porcupine groups in NH are open to FSP Participants, friends and all those considering moving to their area: The Merrimack Valley Porcupines' last meeting, held in concert with the Freedom Summit, drew 60 people! This active group of Porcs and friends meets next on August 27th and features speaker Wayne Anderson of the Free State Objectivists Club. The Seacoast Porcupines' monthly meeting regularly draws 20 interested people and meets the 3rd Saturday on the month in Somersworth, NH. The Modnadnock Porcupines are an active bunch! A meet and greet was held August 14th for all the new recent movers to the Keene and Modnadnock area. For amazing levels of new activism - see the NH Underground's Forum Gun Owners of New Hampshire, GO-NH, keeps you up to date with the many important Legislative actions and alerts in NH. Upcoming special events of note: GO-NH Annual Banquet, September 17th. Keynote speaker will be Alan Gottlieb, the founder of the Second Amendment Foundation. New Hampshire Outdoor Pistol Championships, September 24th & 25th. The Free State Objectivists Club meets monthly to share ideas and socialize with other active-minded people in the Concord area. The next meeting will include the presentation of the first five lectures from Nathaniel Brandon's NBI lecture series. The Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers, CNHT, has a live streaming radio show on Thursdays from 6-8pm (also on 90.7 FM in NH). Check out the CNHT Insider News posts for details of many news stories of interest to NH taxpayers! Try out a new FSP window decal, shown above. Available in black, dark blue or white through the merchandise webpage - polo shirts, hats, brochures and more. _________________ Participants: 6,707 Participants in NH: 376 as of August 15, 2005 Please forward the FSP News to interested people. To report FSP and NH news, or to comment on the FSP News, please contact the Editor. -- FSP Website: http://www.freestateproject.org Liberty in our Lifetime

FSP News - July '05

	FSP News - July 2005 PorcFest 2005 is a week away! Join us in Lancaster, New Hampshire, July 23-31 for our big annual gathering. At publication date, 341 people had signed up on the “We’ll Be There List". There is still room for you at at the PorcFest site, Rogers Campground, a beautiful camping resort and motel high in the White Mountains of the Free State. A press release was just sent out. The PorcFest is friendships, hiking, speakers, food, discussion, gun instruction, live music by Poker Face, vendors, laser tag, polyamory gathering, talk, camping, mountains, liberty, swimming, Badnarik's Intro to the Constitution class, NH town tours, Circle of Liberty, vacation, Breaking the Chains, a Mock Town Meeting, Moving to the Free State reports, Christian & Atheist gatherings, PorcFest Family Dinner, educational voucher debate, & campfires!. The Board of Directors of the FSP has requested your input. Jason Sorens, FSP Chairman and Founder, brings this message to you: With Free Staters continuing to move to New Hampshire ahead of the 20,000-signer threshold, and with our original September 2006 goal for 20,000 signatures on the horizon, we need to consider whether to change our Mission Statement, Statement of Intent, or Participation Guidelines Is there a way we can restructure the Project to increase our chances of success in creating a free state, and in achieving liberty in our lifetime? The FSP Board of Directors wants to hear what you have to say. You can post your ideas on our forum, send them to us by email, participate in the discussion at the upcoming Porcupine Freedom Festival (PorcFest) or attend one of many to-be-scheduled local group meetings in August to make your views heard. We'll carefully consider all input we receive by September 1st, and we plan to make a decision on any changes by October 1st. Thanks for your help in working toward a freer society! The June edition of The Quill covers the Porcfest of course, and features Tim Condon’s popular serial, Supercharged Solitons, and an essay by J. Alexander called Libertarian Women, that has sparked a dialog about where libertarian women are and what they are doing for freedom. For some of that dialog see Forum thread New Hampshire wins 2005 Most Improved State award! Scott Morgan, President of Morgan Quitno Press, the publisher of State Trends, 2nd Edition, said, “Sometimes life just isn’t fair for states other than New Hampshire,” said Scott Morgan, President of Morgan Quitno Press. “New Hampshire won our Most Livable State Award earlier this year and has performed well in nearly all of Morgan Quitno’s surveys.” The Proposed FSP Budget for fiscal year 2006 shows upcoming departmental expenditures. See how the income from merchandize sales and your donations is allocated in this year’s budget. Also posted this month is the Profit and Loss report for the first fiscal year quarter. An FSP Operations Report dated July 3, 2005 is now posted. This is the latest report by some of the key people moving the FSP forward. What goes on behind the scenes? This Commenorative Buck© Knife will first be available for sale exclusively at the PorcFest. This very limited edition (100), numbered knife is a collector's item of extraordinary craftsmanship and quality. The FSP President, Amanda Philips spent a week at 'Rand Camp', more regularly known as the 2005 Summer Seminar of The Objectivist Center. Wherever Amanda goes, she leaves people thinking about the Free State Project. In the wake of the Supreme Court's recent decision that governments may take our private property for economic developement and to raise tax revenue, Logan Darrow Clemons, CEO of Freestar Media, LLC and FSP supporter, causes a big splash with his plan to turn the tables. The Lost Liberty Hotel Project intends to use eminent domain to seize the New Hampshire property of Supreme Court Justice David Souter. In an interview on Court TV on July 12th, Logan said, "One reason is that there is a project under way called the Free State Project, that's where people who believe in limited government and maximum freedom, are all moving to New Hampshire, so that at least one of the 50 states can be as free as possible." Free Talk Live listenership is growing fast! Listen to the promo of the show. There is a steady flow of new FSP Participants from FTL. Tune in: live webstream 8-10pm ET Mon-Sat. Upcoming events - see the FSP Calendar. If you'd like to suggest an event for an outreach table or a speaker, please contact our Events Coordinator, Sandy Pierre. Make a last-minute PorcFest plan ! -- FSP Website: http://www.freestateproject.org Liberty in our Lifetime

FSP News - June '05


	FSP News - June 2005 A new essay by Jason Sorens - Free New Hampshire: How Libertarians Can Win in the Marketplace of Ideas. Published in the May 2005 issue of the Yale Free Press ”While the suffocating nanny state continues to grow at the local and national levels, some places are even more socialistic than what passes for normal in 21st century America. …The solution for freedom lovers is obvious: Move to NH." From the June 10, 2005 essay by Bob Doyle, States to Avoid at LewRockwell.com The FSP is currently advertising in the following places: 1. Google Ad words – those who type the word “freedom” into a Google web search will see the FSP in the Sponsored Links column in the right margin 2. Sponsorship and ads on Free Talk Live Tune in 6 Days a Week - weekdays: 8pm-10pm EST, Saturdays: 7pm-10pm EST – listen live on the radio in any of 5 markets or to live web streaming. Call in and say hello to everyone! 800 259-9231 Shows are also archived on the site for streaming anytime. 3. CA Libertarian Party Newsletter 4. CO Libertarian Party Newsletter – paper newsletter (no link) 5. LP News: June 2005 – the official monthly newspaper of the LP (no link) 6. MD Libertarian Party Newsletter 7. NJ Libertarian Party Newsletter. Our $20,000 FSP fundraising goal was surpassed on May 31, 2005. A special thank you to all donors - and to the volunteers who worked on the campaign! The FSP was featured on Chattanooga Talk Radio, 102.3 FM WGOW "FRED The Show" with Jeff Styles on June 7 and 8. Keith Carlsen, TN Local Group Leader, along with Trevor Southerland, Hamilton County Libertarian Party Chair were the guests. Keith also spoke to the Hamilton County Libertarian Party members about the FSP The PorcFest “We’ll Be There” list continues to grow with 276 signed in so far. Speakers including Jim Bovard, Michael Badnarik and Jason Sorens, music by Poker Face and all of the many great events are now confirmed. Bureaucrash, the Coalition of NH Taxpayers, 2nd Amendment classes and the Taste of the Free State luncheon are all scheduled. Porcupines are dusting off their suitcases and heading to New Hampshire. Meet your new neighbors July 23-31st. Tour the Free State! Sign up for the PorcFest Spam update by emailing Tim Condon After reading Ayn Rand's Anthem, NJ eighth grader Ethan Nappen entered a national reading and writing contest sponsored by the Library of Congress. Ethan, from the Nappen Porcupine family, was one of the NJ finalists in his age group and received a special Governor's Proclamation. Congratulations Ethan - SYITFS! Upcoming events - See FSP Calendar for more: June 24-25 Freedom Summit 2005 in Manchester, NH with notable libertarian speakers including Amanda Philips, FSP President July 3-4 Central NY FSP & Ithaca Libertarians BBQ & Campout, Ithaca, NY July 23-31 2005 Porcupine Freedom Festival July 30 The 2005 Liberty Dinner by the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance in Plymouth, NH There are all kinds of opportunities to assist the FSP by volunteering your time and talent. We need more people to help spread the FSP message and create faster growth! Get involved - contact us, liberty needs your efforts now - go to our Volunteer Center to find out more Please keep us up to date with any address and contact information changes at the Participant Services Center -- FSP Website: http://www.freestateproject.org Liberty in our Lifetime

FSP News - May '05

	FSP News - May 2005 It's time for the monthly roundup of Free State Project news! The FSP is now sponsoring Pro-Freedom Talk Radio airing 6 days a week. It's called "Free Talk Live". They are on in 5 markets right now including Kansas City and even parts of New Hampshire. The talk show's hosts are all Free State Project Participants and they promote the FSP at least once an hour. If it's not on in your area, you can listen to the show via their Archives, Podcasting, or Live Streaming at http://freetalklive.com If you'd like to see it get picked up on one of your local radio stations, contact the host, Ian, at ian@freetalklive.com, and he can give you more info about how to help make that happen. Several new items are in the FSP Store - a new FSP brochure, two new magnets, a new section for NH Merchandise (currently featuring a discount subscription to NHToDo magazine), and a partnership with Netflix (for DVD rentals) so you can rent a variety of liberty minded movies no matter where you live. The FY 2005 Profit & Loss statement is now available. Volunteers are always needed for a variety of jobs small and large, so if you'd like to do more to help foster Liberty in your Lifetime, just contact us. If you can't give some time to help, donations are always welcome and your contribution will support print and online advertising, outreach to other pro-freedom organizations and their members, as well as basic infrastructure like the FSP website. For more ways you can help, see our Volunteer Center We never know what sort of donations or help our participants might be able to arrange. For example: A generous donor arranged for the FSP to have radio ads on a top-40 Internet radio station. The audience is nationwide/worldwide. The spots are 1-minute spots and will begin airing on Saturday, 20 times per day. Thanks to the station and the donor for providing yet another outreach method to all of the liberty-minded people out there. Amanda Phillips wrote a brief report on her talk at the LP Minnesota Convention. If you'd like to see the Free State Project promoted at an event near you, just let us know! We had a presence at FreedomFest in Las Vegas, thanks to Dan McGuire, and we have plenty of upcoming events on the calendar as well. The Jan/Feb '05 issue of American Handgunner magazine contained a great article Can a Porcupine Save Your Guns? by FSP vice-president Evan Nappen. The article is now available in a nice PDF to print and share. On May 9, Mike Fisher, an FSP participant, violated NH's licensing laws at the State Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics in Concord in an planned act of civil dis-obedience. There's been a lot of news coverage, much of it positive. Have photos of an local FSP event, or even just you wearing an FSP t-shirt in public? Send them to us and we'll include them on the website or future emails! The 100+ early movers are already making waves and news regularly, and as more activists move every month, the number of activities that seek to increase liberty will only grow. The Welcome Wagon is always ready to help visitors to the Free State meet people and see the sights, as well as help new movers get settled in. Just let them know your plans to visit! Speaking of visiting, The Porcupine Freedom Festival is fast approaching - July 23-31, 2005! Keep your eye on the We'll Be There list. Is your name on it? We're now at 225 people, and the list continues to grow! Have you made your reservations yet? Roger's Campground and Motel will almost certainly fill up, especially after readers of Reason and LPNews find out about the Porcupine Freedom Festival! This will be the best, most exciting liberty event in 2005. Don't miss it! All the information that's fit to print can be found here: http://freestateproject.org/news/festival/festival05 Want more frequent emails of FSP news? While we're going to maintain a roughly "monthly" mailing to everyone, for those of you who want more regular updates from the FSP, we've created a new mailing list just for you. If you subscribe, you'l get more emails as news events happen, weekly or even more often. -- FSP Website: http://www.freestateproject.org Liberty in our Lifetime