Posted on 09/30/2003 7:24:17 PM PDT by Dan Evans
This idea was actually originally floated in Playboy back around 30 years ago or so.
I know a couple of people pretty well who talk about the FSP a lot. Believe me when I tell you they have no intention of ever moving to New Hampshire or any of the other states that always get floated. I'd wager good money the same is probably true of about 90% of the people who talk up FSP all the time.
ESPECIALLY in a place like Cow Hampshire. More than a few stone-faced Yankees up there. But one of the factors that's really, REALLY attracted me to NH has been the hospitality and offers of assistance in resettling I received from FSPers already resident in NH. Their graciousness and helpfulness was one of the particular things I noted in the place's favour, not limited to the FSPers there alone; I've got pals in NH from a couple of other interests, and I've visited there enough to know it's a beautiful place, and the hospitality there is the equal of that I've enjoyed in the South for the last half-dozen years.
The place has its warts, too. And there are those there who want to do something about that, and have so far been unable to do so on their own. I reckon they're about to get a few helping hands, and we'll soon see just how many. As of mid-September of this year: 5,454
If the rate of growth continues on the climbing curve it has- and neither a dropoff nor an increase would surprise me now that the state's been announced- the goal of 20,000 members in approximately 113.7 weeks. But I do not expect it to stop at that point, either.
And one thing we have not well prepared for is the possibility that the numbers could go WAY beyond what we've imagined and expected. Should that happen, we'll be pleased, of course, but it will bring some problems.
This idea was actually originally floated in Playboy back around 30 years ago or so.
Well, not quite. Certainly the article Taking Over Vermont* by Richard Pollack that appeared in the April 1972 issue of Playboy magazine was an influence, though that successful effort was more directed toward the hippie/leftish community still suffering the stings of the loss of the Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco and the temporary community of the Woodstock music and mud fest.
More directed at the L/libertarian set was the editorial musing of Free Republic's own Mark *Laissezfirearm* Penman, in his 1994 essay Phony Yogis and the Samson Option, which can be read *here*.
Really, though, it's FSP Boss Porcupine Jason Sorens who deserves the credit for assembling several competing theoretical possibilities and courses, and turning them into a coherent plan that's now become a reality. Though there's nothing really new under the sun, his was a neat coalescence of several former good ideas with a few wrinkles of his own and others thrown in.
-archy-/-
We'd love to have you. Care to be added to the FSP *PorcuPing* list for FSP articles and posts?
It's a little further for me from Memphis, and I think I'll probably get this season's snowfall out of the way before heading that way myself. But I'd be not at all surprised, and particularly pleased, to make your acquaintance in the Free State.
-archy-/-
Aw, it's got a bit of a supercillious British sneer to it, but that's nothing new from across the pond. I believe they expressed some similar sentiments back when their upstart American colony expressed rumbles about breaking away from the Crown, and proclaimed to the world that Such A Thing Could Never Happen.
Buncha pommie bahstaads. Take their fulminations with a grain or several of salt, and a grin. They hate it when they're all pompous and they get laughed at.
-archy-/-
I found this essay kind of funny:
I wake up with the sun, not suddenly, but quickly. Within 60 seconds I am wide awake. I take a moment to enjoy the stillness of the house and to look over at my wife and thank God for her, my children, and the blessings of liberty.
[H's. G.: Oh brother, is that corny.]
Ten minutes later I head out for my morning workout. I pass my Ruger Security 6, 357 Magnum hanging in its holster by the door as I head out. I jog down the mostly typical suburban street, but I notice again some of the distinctions that make this place home. The lots are larger and more spread out than most, and the houses vary in style and size, with yardwork and other accoutrements proclaiming the personality of the occupants. Within minutes I have reached my destination.
[H's. G.: In other words, not a scrap of a zoning law! This person's obviously not seen the hideous results of locales without zoning laws---as any jaunt down the main drag of Plaistow, Salem, or just about any other fair-sized town in New Hampshire would demonstrate. Want to put a funeral parlor next to a Wendy's? No problem! Your neighbor wants to start a used tire lot next to your 3-bedroom colonial? Live free or die, buddy.]
The community fitness center is the result of a collaborative effort among 22 of the neighborhood's families. We bought a centrally located lot and proceded to build a small gym to house fitness equipment, everything from free weights to aerobic machines. The cost was extremely affordable and we were able to get it built in under one month thanks to the fact that there are no property taxes, and no city permits or building inspections are required, although we did hire Solomon's Builders to inspect it, just to be safe. The building received their Gold Seal, which is only given to about 2% of all the buildings they inspect! We now have over 50 families participating and we have been able to add a racquetball court, two tennis courts, and we are planning for future expansion.
[H's. G.: Sounds like a bit of communism and a healthy dose of unrealistic expectations.]
. . .
In any event, the essay went on and on and was so saccharine I think I need to go to the state-sponsored dentist right now. I like the gist of this project, but based on this featured essay, man, it must be filled with some bright-eyed, bushy-tailed dreamers.
Well, I'm not really planning on putting a badge on again when I get to the Free State, though I've had the job a couple of times before. But as for busting aging hippies in their marijahootchie garden, I don't think I'd better. I might get arrested for impersonating a fed.
-archy-/-
Gentlemen, it seems we shall meet sooner, rather than later.
Yours in Freedom-
See you in the Free State, my FRiend.
Reckon I need to change the state flag on my FReeper profile page. I'm a gonna miss my old Lone Star.
-archy-/-
Wyoming would have been better, or Alaska.
Well, from some natives, at least. And there's a lot to be said for having the project take place in a locale where the present governor has signed on as a *Friend of the Porcupines.* Thankfully, he won't have to move, and I doubt there'll be much porcupine-driven effort to unseat him, though his replacement may well face a challenge.
Wyoming was my first choice, for the likely quicker result our numbers might have accomplished in that less populous state. Alaska would have been okay by me, as I've lived and visited there and love the place, even the state bird.
But New Hampsterland will do. And a sizable Porcupine advance party is resident there already.
-archy-/-
He's leaving for a land where the vowels run wild and free.
"And secession from the United States would be great," he said."
Somebody needs to explain to Francis that the question of secession was pretty well settled at Appomattox ;)
LOL
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