Introduction

For Immediate Release

January 4, 2008

NEW VISION FOR FREE STATE PROJECT, TIPPING POINT FOR LIBERTARIANISM

Nashua, NH - The first day of presentations for the 2008 Liberty Forum covered several broad themes and brought together members, speakers and activists from across the country and across the world, with attendees coming from as far away as Hawaii and Australia.

At the opening ceremonies, FSP President Irena Goddard related her own family's story of escaping Communism and the parallels of her later journey as part of the Free State Project. She then announced "FSP 3.0" which will let members decide their own threshold for making the move, be it the election of a certain statist politician, the imposition of "universal health care", or the number of participants. "The goal is to refocus on the members themselves, who are really what drives the Project and its success." said Goddard.

This initiative was modeled on the successful "First 1000" project to commit 1000 members to move to New Hampshire by the end of 2008. So far, 508 members reside in New Hampshire. The new membership thresholds will be rolled out in January.

The opening ceremonies also featured Sharon Harris, of the Advocates for Self-Government, showing how Libertarianism is a "sticky" idea that is approaching its tipping point of mass adoption. She explained how liberty is a simple, profound, credible idea, the foundation for any widespread movement. The only facet it traditionally lacks, if only in tone, is the emotional impact and appeal. She pointed out that "people care about your ideas when you care about them."

Harris reminded the audience that all great progress in history has been the story of liberating humanity, be it ending feudalism or prohibition or the separating church and state. She said, "Libertarianism is the new anti-slavery movement. Be it warrantless searches, huge tax burdens, or undeclared wars, the people are yearning to be free. The future of western civilization depends upon you, let's move liberty forward."

The Liberty Forum continues until Sunday at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua. Full details are at http://www.freestateproject.org/libertyforum

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Introductory Videos

It is hard to understand the FSP from dry text alone. If we can recommend just a few videos to convey the FSP spirit and the New Hampshire atmosphere, they would be:

Finding Life and Liberty in the Free State Project, Part 1 and Part 2
From rent FREE** on Current TV, How far would you go for a political dream?

But there are many, many more:

FSP Youtubed videos collected in the FSP News Center
The Ridley Report

Introduction

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For linking to the Intro Center.

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Introduction to the First 1000

Freedom — now!

The original FSP mission to gather 20,000 commitments neglected a key segment of the FSP community--everyone who wanted to move earlier! The original FSP organizers were surprised to find that some liberty activists were ready to move as soon as New Hampshire was voted the target state. Others needed only a few others to join them. The FSP thus launched a mini version of the mission, the First 1000 (F1K): 1,000 people would agree to move within three years. The new project succeeded, with 1033 signatures.