Porc Fest Blog Day Seven/Eight

This is the final blog entry relative to the Porc Fest for this year. I am writing this from the comfort of my own home.

Day seven allowed us to sleep in a little, but by 9 am we were out and about visiting vendors, chatting with other campers, and catching more seminars including an up date about Line Plot Productions' Silver Circle Movie. I then posed for imaging photos which may be used in the movie for crowd scenes. Glyn Wilkinson, who came to the Porc Fest that day, also posed for the imaging photo. So we both have a real chance of actually appearing in the movie "Silver Circle." I also spoke with another producer who is working up a liberty oriented horror film called "Chartarum". He even showed me a clip from the film, and it didn't look bad.

Later that evening, Maria and I set out to our campsite to set up for the evening movie, V for Vendetta. We weren't sure how many people would show. Upon arrival, we found a family had already settled into the theater. Within fifteen minutes of our arrival, the tent was full. We therefore started the film. Before the movie got into full swing, still more arrived and we had to open the tent up and use the canopy for seating. A rough head count showed that at least 17 people had crammed themselves into our tent. Surprisingly and despite the cramped quarters, the tent remained silent throughout the film and the end of the movie was greated with applause and thank yous.

The next morning, as we tore down the pavilion, several people came up to express interest in what we did and congratulated us on the decorations and the idea. Once the tent came down and everything was put away, we went down to the picnic tent and sat in on the closing ceremonies. A friend of mine called me over at one point and introduced me to former Gov. Johnson who struck me as a down to earth and reasonable man.

What has become clear to me after this experience is that we here in Vermont should try to tap into the experience, energy, and society of the Free State Project. They have a lot of real world experience to offer. In return, several of the FSP/New Hampshire Liberty Alliance Leadership I spoke to seemed very interested in working with us.

Overall, this weekend was a reaffirmation to me that liberty is not only popular, but it also can work in a real world. The four days of Porc Fest is a clear indication of this.

Also, as an FYI, the Porcupine Fest for next year has already been scheduled for June 23 through the 26th at Roger's Campground. You should make your reservations early as sites have already been reserved.

Porc Fest Blog Day Five/Six

Sorry for not posting on Thursday, but the action kicked off and I didn't get home until after midnight the last two nights.

Thursday morning started with setting up the Pavilion Tent and Canopy to make the "Vermont Campaign for Liberty Theater." Pictures to be posted on the meet up group when we get home. Next, we went our seperate ways, each family member following their own bliss. I went to a roleplaying workshop called "Pimp (practice makes perfect) my activism". This course covered a variety of different situation and scenarios in which an activist is confronted by the authorities and how to handle it. It was fun, challenging, and thought-provoking. I even returned for a second round of the course on Friday and got a whole new presceptive on it. Can't wait to share what I learned/discovered.

Then we went to a low buget/no budget marketing course. Unfortunately, the instructor was unable to make it due to being "unavoidably detained" in New York. So we went to the vendors booths and silent auction. Everything from silver coins to real estate agencies were there. Books, bumper stickers, rugs, hats, guns, t-shirts, and you name it was on display and for sale. Following that we went to the opening ceremonies. the picnic pavillion can hold one hundred people easy. The crowd in attendence was overflow and standing room only. The speakers (including special VTC4L friend, Chris Lawless) were energized as were the crowd.

In the afternoon it was a mobile grab fest as we walked around talking with anyone and everyone. One of the things you get use to at Porc Fest is perfect strangers walking up and hugging or giving you a handshake out of the blue. They then introduce themselves and your conversation is off. I am not exaggerating when I say that the atmosphere has a vibe about it. A sense of safety and belonging fueled by the knowledge that for this one little period in the year, you are surrounded by liberty minded people who share your ideals. I often say that in any Free State Project event, all attendees enter the safest place in the USA. Open carry is the rule and respect for the property of others is more than an expectation.

Thursday night Maria and I spent fine tuning the Theater and experimenting with the sound/projection system we brought. We also engaged many people at the site encouraging them to attend the movies. We did take some time to attend the Free Talk Live Broadcast in the Television room and got another chance to see internet radio in action. Already, the liberty- oriented online radio has exploded to become a series of networks. New Hampshire Liberty Radio is one example with programming coming out of New Hampshire (three regular daily programs and two programs that switch off and on.) and live feeds from national liberty broadcasters. Check it out at www.nhlibertyradio.com

On Friday I attended a Fully Informed Jury seminar with a panel of four activists who were reporting on their successes and future plans for community outreach. I then did my second session of Pimp my Activistism. I also had a long and enlightening talk with the Legislative Director for the NH Liberty Alliance. We talked about the differences between the workings of Vermont's and New Hampshire's legislative process and their method of creating legislative report cards. We then had a leave the campground briefly to drop my daughter off for an activism minicamp down in Randolph. When we got back Maria and I raced like mad to pop enough popcorn for the movies. When we arrived at the "theater" Hunter Melville was camped out front, basking in the aura. We talked for a while with each other and passers-by, and then when the sun set, we started the film, The Fountainhead. Three of our fellow campers joined us. All three were young (late teens and early twenties) and were very into the film.

That is one thing you immediately note about FSP gatherings. The demographics for the Liberty Movement in New Hampshire is a majority of young to middle aged people, almost an even split relative to the sexes, and a significant number (at least 25%) brought their children. This isn't a movement coming out of the nursing home. It is a movement with its roots firmly planted in the future. With their youth, knowledge, energy, and committment, it is hard not to believe that the future belongs to them, a future of liberty.

Now I have to run. I got to attend a seminar entitled "A world without Courts". I think I might have to sneak in on that one. Tonight is the second movie "V for Vendetta" and we have heard some buzz on the camp ground that interest is up for that one. Wish us luck.

Steven

Porc Fest Blog Day Four

It's 11:27 pm as I type this and I am exhausted. This is the only chance I had today to blog about the events of the next few days.

Today, we went sight seeing again with the girls and were gone just a few hours. When we got back, it was like a liberty tidal wave had hit Rogers. Free Staters/Libertarians were everywhere. Half of the sites were now occupied and even though the festivities were scheduled to start tomorrow, the party had already started.

In the Pavilion Hall, a crowd had gathered for some karaoke with performances varying based upon the amount of alcohol the performer had consumed. On Agora Alley (the main strip for vendors) several had already opened for business and were doing a steady trade. In the Television Room, Free Talk Live did their broadcast and down below in the field, a tent was set up (god knows who did it) and two games were in progress, Texas Hold em at one table and Black Jack at another. Walking through the campground several spontaneous parties were going on. Just about every other tent site had some discussion/debate going on. The Last Biscuit (an open air kitchen) had already started its 24-hour a day business. You need a chicken fried steak at 2 am, the Last Biscuit will make it and deliver to your site!!! Finally, the Free State Project's version of Jail and Bail called Prison Break was already advertising their most wanted celebrity fugitives with posters tacked up everywhere.

Tomorrow is just a few minutes away and I need my sleep. But like a kid on Christmas Eve, I can't wait for the morning to come. But unlike the usual Yule Tide experience, I already know what I well get come morning.

By the way, if you are planning to come to the Porc Fest, don't forget our movie nights on Friday and Saturday from 8 to 10 pm at tent site 81 We will be showing The Fountainhead (based upon Ayn Rand's novel of that name) and V for Vendetta. Also, if you are from Vermont, stop by the tent or give me a call when you arrive at 802-779-4447. Look forward to seeing you soon!

Porc Fest Blog Day Three

After posting last nights blog, the family and I listened to a rebroadcast of Free Talk Live, the liberty oriented radio program coming over the internet from Keene, NH (http://www.freetalklive.com/). During the program, a person from Michigan called in from the road. His name was Kurt. He and his wife were driving from Michigan straight to Lancaster, NH for the Porcupine Fest. A trip of 18 hours. Once the show concluded, we went to the local store to get additional supplies. While working my way through aisle one, I heard a voice say "Nice t-shirt". I had on my Ron Paul Revolution tee on at the time. I turned to the voice and found that he had on the Porc Fest 2008 T-shirt which was my first Porc Fest. "Back at yah!" I said and introduced myself. The tall gentleman replied that his name was Kurt and he was from Michigan! It turned out that he just pulled in from the road and was buying supplies for the week. He came with his concert ready sound equipment to be used by the musical acts playing at the festival. Soon his wife and Maria joined the conversation. Not long after, another Free Stater joined the discussion. For the next half hour we stood and talked about our respective states, the problems confronting each, and our hopes for liberty in our lifetime. Finally, our little gathering ended with handshakes and promises to talk again.

Today, we worked on the display for the VTC4L Tent, grilled up some wicked steaks, and took a couple of walks around the campground. My daughter and my niece both volunteered to help with the preparation for the Porcupine Fest and seemed quite excited by the behind the scenes activity they were involved in.

This evening, during our walk around the campground, we ran across a couple from Louisiana who was just setting up there tents. They had driven over two days to get here and were excited by the coming gala. They had brought along some tie-dye t-shirts and others odds and ends to sell. Their tent site was located next to the site of VTC4L tent and they were pleased to hear about our coming movie nights.

License plates from all over the country: Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Missouri, and Texas have appeared at Roger's Campground. Impromptu restaurants, open air vendors, and even a raffle put on by an ammunition salesman have sprung up almost overnight. The list of activities scheduled for this years Porc Fest almost pales in comparison to the variety of "unofficial" stores, vendors, and exhibitors who have sprung up in the campground. It is not a stretch to say that this festival is a true representation of the diversity, spirit and self-organization of the liberty movement.

To learn more about what will be happening at this years Porc Fest check out their website at http://www.porcfest2010.com/

Porc Fest Blog Day Two

Many roads to the same destination.

A nice day today. Went sight seeing all the way down to Conway, NH. The family had a good time.

As part of this vacation I have been making it a point to read a book given to me at the Liberty Forum entitled "Secure the Blessings of Liberty" by Robert Jones, an attorney from out in the mid west. The book deals with the understanding of the Constitution and how accessible the document is. It is a very good and simple read and I highly recommend it to everyone regardless of education or background.

Another thing I am taking pains to do is listen to Free Talk Live over the internet. Free Talk Live broadcasts out of my home town of Keene, NH. The hosts are committed Free Staters and Libertarian Anarchists. Their show is interesting, challenging and unashamed. You rarely hear the topics and discussion they put on regularly anywhere else. They do a great job of presenting interesting and challenging libertarian topics to the general public.

Finally, at least once a day, I check my email. And as usual I am bombarded with notices and calls to action from the National C4L. Also, I have been monitoring several intense debates among Vermont Libertarians, some opaque and others more mundane. All were presented with passion, knowledge, and a lot of heat.

If any thing I can conclude from all of this, coupled with the upcoming liberty extravaganza that is the Porcupine Fest, is that their are many ways to achieve a common goal. As all roads lead to Paris, all sincere efforts of liberty minded people and enterprises lead to greater freedom, liberty, and citizenship. There is no magic bullet, no simple secret, no single path to a future of liberty. All fronts must be explored. All efforts equally legitimate as long as each carry the common goal and cause of liberty. We need not agree on the specifics or the methods, we only need to agree that what made our nation and the State of Vermont great was our cultural, social, and ethical committment to liberty, property and life.

There are many groups, organizations, and mediums striving to inform, empower and energize the forces for liberty. Each offering their own piece of the puzzle. Their own ideas to achieve our common goal. Their own resources to arm our common effort. Each are right in their own way and actions. Each has something to offer their fellow citizens.

But like all human endeavors, the tendency toward competition leads many like minded groups to fight amongst themselves. Sometimes the greatest enemy of any movement is the membership of that movement. Intense and protracted fights often erupt. These fights tend to be destructive of the overall effort and demoralizing to the membership of the movement. Many a good cause have become lost causes because of the evils of in-fighting.

For any movement, such as ours, to be successful, we will need to learn to agree to disagree and fight even harder to find or define the common ground we all share. In order to do this, it requires each member to engage their fellow members, to interact, discuss, debate, and most importantly listen to each other. It is through this process of interaction and discussion we define what it means to be Vermonters for Liberty.

porc fest blog day one

Though the Porc fest is not due to start for another four days, the family and I decided to make a week of it. So we rented an RV at Roger's Campground and spent today settling in. The area is beautiful and the campground seems a good location.

Maria and I rented a tent site as well and will be putting up a 10' X 20' tent which will have displays and materials about the Vermont Campaign for Liberty. At night we will be showing movies.

The layout of the campground is conducive to an intimate feeling and a sense of community. Like us, other people have already arrived early. In fact, I ran into another Porc Fester (?) at the local store stocking up on supplies. A simple exchange of recognition and a hand shake was all that was needed. We both knew that we were going to be part of something memorable and exciting. Events likes the Porcupine Fest are vital to developing a fellowship of liberty and community committed to the cause. These events help foster a stronger bond among the membership in the Free State Project while providing a show case for their ideals and beliefs. No amount of emails, phone calls, and letters can accomplish what four days of fellowship can. Every organization, including ours, can learn a lot from this event and the reasons behind it. And that is what I hope to do this year. Observe and report what is happening here in Lancaster. To see it not just as a participant, but also as a student. My hope is that we can all draw concrete lessons from this event not only in the areas of outreach and advocacy, but also in the area of building and caring for our group in Vermont.

Now its late and it has been a long day. Tomorrow, we will be working on developing our displays for the tent and site seeing.

What's Wrong with States' Rights?

First there were “Truthers” and then “Birthers” and now there are “Tenthers.”
To be accurate, the “Tenthers” actually came first, since this newly-coined term (which is supposed to denote a “fringe” position and is therefore derogatory) refers to those who believe the tenth amendment to the Constitution actually means what it says, that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states. By this definition today’s “Tenthers” may consider themselves in good company since we can assume many, if not all, of the founders themselves agreed with this concept.

The history of the “Tenthers” dates back to 1789, when the Constitution was being considered for ratification throughout the former colonies. Though the enumerated powers listed in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution seemed concise enough to limit federal power, Americans were still wary of government’s tendency to grow and liberty to yield. This concern was a central theme at the state ratifying conventions and as a compromise the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were added to the Constitution in 1791. Amendments IX and X briefly encapsulated the two-fold theory of the Constitution: that its purpose was to protect our natural rights, which are not granted by government but are inherent by virtue of our humanity; and, in keeping with this idea, the powers of the national government are limited by the Constitution to only those enumerated therein.

Among the early “Tenthers” was Thomas Jefferson, who, while considering the constitutionality of a national bank in 1791, quoted the tenth amendment verbatim: “I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that ‘all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people,’” Jefferson said, then declared prophetically: “To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specifically drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, not longer susceptible of any definition.”

This idea of limited federal authority is a cornerstone of federalism, a governing philosophy which James Madison, principle author of the Constitution, helped develop.

“The powers delegated to the federal government are few and defined,” he said. “Those which are to remain in the state governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, [such] as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce. The powers reserved to the several states will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people."

The powers of the federal government today can hardly be called “few and defined.” Far too much of our news and our lives seem to revolve around Washington D.C. With nearly two million civilian employees the federal government is the nation’s largest employer after the Postal Service, itself a semi-independent government agency. Many federal agencies and departments – Health and Human Services, Education, Housing – do not even come close to being required under Constitutional authority. Most scholars trace this power grab to the 1930s and the Roosevelt administration, when the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce was suddenly interpreted to mean Congress could regulate anything and everything. With this decision the Supreme Court essentially declared “Let the games begin!”

But finally the states are starting to fight back against this encroachment on their rights to create a governing atmosphere in accordance with the will and the character of their residents. As of today more than 20 states have either introduced, passed or signed non-binding resolutions or binding legislation which basically warns the federal government to “cease and desist” from any and all activities outside the scope of its constitutionally-delegated powers.

For the states’ declarations of sovereignty to have any teeth, however, they must be willing to exercise the principle of nullification with regards to federal laws. Through nullification a state declares a federal law null and void within that state’s boundaries. There are currently nullifications efforts underway against such diverse federal laws as those concerning Real ID, firearms, medical marijuana, health care and more.

Why is the reemergence of states’ right an important step on the road toward restoring liberty? State governments, though still powerful, are in theory closer to and thus more responsive to their citizens. Also, allowing states to create varied and diverse societies within the larger society of the United States allows people to choose the one that best answers their desires and needs. In a society where choice is abundant, from the shelves of our local food stores to the multitude of apps for our iPhones, can we really tolerate a government that comes in only one size- XXL?

Duplicity on a Political Scale

It is no longer amusing to experience the duplicity that reigns supreme in the political world. And it is not confined to either party as they both indulge in magnum efforts to castigate the other with nary a thought to the disastrous results. All elected and important appointed officials take an oath (or affirmation) to support and defend the constitution of the nation or the state as the case may be. Yet, all three departments of government have failed to honor that commitment.

Consider the U.S. Supreme Court first as the penultimate transgressor considering its clearly mandated duties in Article III do not include making law. If the unborn human beings aborted legally due to the court ruling in Roe v. Wade could speak, they would complain that their lives were terminated as pseudo-legal homicide, not by operation of law, but by a handful of life tenured judges. Does that square with the oath? Or how about property rights that first were purloined during the Roosevelt era when a farmer was ruled to have offended the law by growing wheat on his own farm for his own use on the ludicrous theory that it distorted the “stream of commerce” to defend an apportioning statute governing what commodities a farmer could grow? That ruling has morphed into the sick ruling that allowed a Connecticut town to use eminent domain to seize private properties for a developer on insane proposition of increased revenues for the town. There are many more examples of the court erring and often is because they use stare decisis, the flawed legal notion flowing from prior decisions being immutable. That result is of course entirely due to the court’s reluctance to overturn prior flawed rulings. Is the cost in time and money a barrier to bringing unconstitutional statutes before the Supreme Court? The founders had presumed and intended that the court would be the final correction when the legislative branch deviated. Do you think it works that way when the legislative branch has not been constrained by the first corrector, the executive?

Is it excusable for presidents to not veto unconstitutional statues based on political considerations? It seems pretty clear that since the Roosevelt era Presidents of both major parties have cleaved to that notion or else we would not have the enormous growth of government since that time. We have seen a variety of gun control statutes enacted without a veto despite the second amendment. It is a curious thing considering it is the very law abiding citizens those efforts assaulted, and they are the militia who in colonial times owned cannons on the frontier. That shows a lack of trust in the citizens in the issue of militia when we have a professional military. Vermont, of course, has no gun control laws because the Vermont constitution forbids such constraints and the Vermont Supreme Court so ruled over a century ago. What about the lack of vetoes for the federal criminal code in matters outside of the treason, piracy and counterfeiting specifically mentioned in the constitution? How can the executive justify ignoring the constitution for this excess? Doesn’t this outrageous behavior presume a lack of responsibility to the people, who are after all, the employer of the executive? And then there are the myriad of laws that demand states participate in programs the federal government partially funds with diminishing funding in future years, leaving the states with most or all of the costs. Apart from a lack of constitutional authority for the programs, by what right or privilege does the president have to burden the states with programs that are not fully funded? Recently the executive has transgressed beyond all reason by demanding that British Petroleum (BP) completely fund all damages from the massive oil spill in the gulf while simultaneously seeking to put BP out of business by taking control of the company assets. That might bankrupt the company, deprive many small stakeholders of their retirement funds, make it impossible for the company to pay damages, and recovering government costs at the expense of the folks actually harmed. Moreover, by what authority does the executive believe it has such powers to harm so many citizens while destroying so many jobs in the Gulf region? Is that a lack of fiduciary trust, fidelity to the constitution or does that apply solely to the congress?

Congress is certainly the biggest offender of unconstitutional behavior, partially owing to the protection the constitution provides them for bad behavior in their congressional offices. Every offense above began in congress. There is much more, especially in the current congress with respect to their fiduciary duties. Borrowing to fund a massive variety of programs has been the hallmark of congress, no matter which of the major parties has been in control. While the constitution provides for congress to tax and to spend, there is no power given for congress borrowing. That explains why virtually all of the members of congress should be voted out of office, if not prosecuted for breach of their oath and for breach of a fiduciary trust. Congress has consistently indulged in legerdemain by holding hordes of hearings on all sorts of matters that are not a part of their charge in Article I of the constitution. Vermont is suffering with a legislature (protected by Article 14 of the Vermont Constitution) that seeming cares nothing about its duty under Article 18 of the Vermont Constitution, which requires frugality from the “legislators and magistrates”. Curiously the right to petition government guaranteed in Article 20 of the Vermont Constitution has not been allowed. Why? Fortunately, our unfaithful servants can be replaced at the ballot box, but only if the people put up new candidates, contribute to their costs of running for office and vote to elect them. All of this lays in the hands of the people if they are unwilling to be subjects instead of citizens.


Karen Kerin, South Royalton