My name is Daniel Lakemacher and I've been an avid aficionado of FreeKeene.com since learning about it in early 2009 from the Complete Liberty Podcast (http://completeliberty.com). I was discharged from the United States Navy as a conscientious objector about one month ago. At the time that I originally filed my application for discharge, I also started the website http://warisimmoral.com in which I documented the progress of my request while detailing the immorality of war based on the non-aggression principle.
In brief, I utilized my website to explain that war is immoral for the following three reasons:
1. Money - The funding for war comes from the theft of millions of people through an elaborate system called "taxation".
2. Manning - Military "contracts" are a form of enslavement because personnel are threatened with imprisonment or death if they leave their jobs without permission.
3. Mission - The purpose of war is to use force as a means of getting what you want.
With this understanding, it is clear that war cannot cease without putting an end to the State.
Throughout the months long process of my discharge I was extremely encouraged by following the stories on FreeKeene.com. At a time when I felt rather isolated within the ranks of the military, it was very refreshing to see and hear from others who were taking a stand for liberty and exposing the unjust actions of people calling themselves government.
Now that the military is no longer an obstacle, I'm curious to explore how I might become involved in Keene. As a first step beyond internet research, I'm driving to New Hampshire and will be in the Keene area between October 19-22. My goal is to gather some solid information about housing, job opportunities, and the general area, but most of all, I'm interested in meeting people involved with FreeKeene.com. My trip is less than a week away, but I'd really like to have a few personal contacts to meet up with when I'm in the area. Please feel free to get in touch with me here or at my email address: warisimmoral@gmail.com
If you're still interested to learn more about who I am, I encourage you to visit my website where you'll find video, podcasts, and my blog.
Daniel
Hello Daniel and welcome to the forums. I would suggest, if you can swing it, to be in Keene Oct. 18th for the Free Keene Fest http://www.freekeenefest.com/. This will give you a chance to meet pretty much all the movers and shakers at one time.
As far as what you can do for your activism, that depends on what interests you. We have many small projects going on and various methods of spreading the message. If you see something you want to get involved with, do it. Or you can start your own project. This is all very open source. It is what you make it.
JJ's right. You're barely missing a really big event in Keene if you arrive on the 19th instead of the 18th. Still, if you post your plans here and put out a Porc 411 when you're in town, whoever is available will likely meet up with you somewhere and have lunch or walk around town with you or whatever floats your boat and gives you a chance to get a feel for Keene and the folks who have chosen to settle down here.
Welcome! ;D
Welcome - I'll have to thank Wes next time I talk to him. Complete Liberty is an excellent program.
One good thing to do when you are here is decide when and where you'd like to get together with people and announce it here and via Porc 411 at 413-0411. That will likely get folks out to meet you. Also check http://calendar.freekeene.com to see some of what is already happening.
I think the people that leave the military are true heroes, either by time served or awol.
Dan is a stand up dude. I had the pleasure to meet him when MHD was in WI and Pete interviewed him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfdPsAaWrjI
Hope you find all your looking for in Keene, which I think you will. I also look forward to working with you on future projects.
Thanks for the advice and comments everybody. I'm already on the road, but a good ways short of the Free State at the moment. I'm closer to the ideological opposite of Keene actually, Washington, D.C. I have plans here through Saturday night, so unfortunately I won't be able to attend the Sunday shindig.
After looking at the calendar, I'm planning on being at the "Open Government" event as well as the Tuesday movie night. At least one of the days I would also like to hang out near that white gazebo around the 4:00 hour. Another detail I'd like to try and plan ahead would be to see if anyone is willing to accept some money from me in exchange for lodging on either Tuesday or Wednesday night?
I credited Wes Bertrand and his Complete Liberty Podcast with initially introducing me to FreeKeene, but as Adam pointed out, I spent some time with the crew of the Motorhome Diaries and that definitely heightened my interest.
I'm really looking forward to next week, and thanks already for being so welcoming.
[quote author=warisimmoral link=topic=1753.msg19206#msg19206 date=1255625778]
At least one of the days I would also like to hang out near that white gazebo around the 4:00 hour. Another detail I'd like to try and plan ahead would be to see if anyone is willing to accept some money from me in exchange for lodging on either Tuesday or Wednesday night?
[/quote]
I'm sure someone will put you up at The (Liberty) Bunker
It was great meeting you in person. Your movie selection was very informative, if a bit depressing, and I'm glad we watched it. I hope you'll be back to stay before long. We have a good time here alongside all the good work we're trying to do.
[quote author=warisimmoral link=topic=1753.msg19206#msg19206 date=1255625778]
I'm closer to the ideological opposite of Keene actually, Washington, D.C. [/quote]
Eww. Yucky. Stay away from that place, it is full of madness.
I appreciate you being here. I've been against militarism all my life. Good luck with your work.
You might be interested in divestfromdeath dot wordpress dot com which is a site about following the money to see who is profiting from all these wars. Divestment worked for the civil rights movement and the apartheid movement, maybe it can work for anti-war.