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.

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.