I found the Free Keene site through Free Talk Live. I'm on the FTL chat room from time to time while watching the FTL web cam. So, FTL is responsible for me jumping with both feet into the liberty movement, which then brought me to voluntaryism. I’ve always had these principles inside me throughout my life, but now they have been solidified and are clearer.
I signed up with the FSP a few months ago and have posted comments from time to time on the Free Keene blog. Most recently, I posted a comment on the “Guest Blog: Come Home to the Free State, by Mike Ruff in Manchester.” Here are my comments, which might shed more light on where I am coming from:
“As a newbie to voluntaryism and the liberty movement, I have joined the FSP and am working to make my move. I read a lot from sites like this to learn and have made contact with a few people who are much further along on this journey and much more knowledgeable than I am.
I have noticed this divide between “in-the-system” and “outside the system” people referred to by Mike Ruff. My own experience has been that the “outside the system” folks have little to no patience for those of us still “inside the system” as we try to educate ourselves and move towards the “outside the system” position. I have looked to these people to mentor me, educate me, but have in a couple of instances had them turn their backs on me because I am “inside the system.” I find this short-sighted as it could turn people away from being involved.
I can’t be discouraged. For one, I have taken it upon myself, here in North Carolina, to talk to at least 5 new people every day about the principles of liberty and voluntarism. Some days, I engage as many as 10-15, but always at least 5. I am not shy about approaching government workers, law enforcement and I have even debated jury nullification with a state court of appeals judge (two days ago) at a local restaurant/bar.
I am on my own educating myself through sites like this, so my appeal is to the “outside the system” folks. Please be more tolerant and open to us newcomers as we continue on our own journey. We are in this together and despite any personal differences, we must work together for the common goal of liberty.”
I need to make a trip to Keene and get acquainted with people. I have started donating to Free Talk Live, $25 per month and encourage everyone to do the same at whatever level they can. My next target for donation is the Free State Project – financial and to see if there is anything I can contribute remotely from North Carolina.
Welcome to the forum. Actually, some of the inside-the-system folks are very intolerant towards outsiders, so that door swings both ways. Most people aren't like that - it's only the extremes on each viewpoint. Many people do and support both types of activism.
Oh, absolutely, I understand that, Ian. I was only speaking from my personal experience. Hopefully, after a trip to Keene, I will connect with some good people open to working together.