Introduction

[Eric]

Howdy!

My name is Eric. I'm in Florida and currently a student at the University of South Florida. As of right now, I cannot see moving out West (namely, to Wyoming) in my immediate future, but it's definitely in my plans. I find the whole idea of a Free State so invigorating. Having always been interested in politics and philosophy (my major at USF), I had become so dejected with the anti-freedom Republicrats destroying the country at an ever increasing pace and watching the ineptitude of the national Libertarian Party as it consistently fails to produce any tangible results. I thought there was no hope for a future of freedom. Having first come across the Free State Project (which I had my doubts about) and now the much more sensible option of Free State Wyoming, my heart has been uplifted to new heights! I recently got Molon Labe! in the mail and it is quite an entertaining and informative book. I cannot wait to live in a place where the freedom to protect oneself, one's family, and one's property is not going to be infringed upon and live amongst other liberty-minded individuals (whenever it happens to be that my fiancee and me are able to make the move). I just thought I'd introduce myself and say, "Hi!" to all the liberty-lovers on this forum. My little piece of the net (where I blog and post interesting information) is located at:

panhellenios.livejournal.com

--Eric

[manfromnevada]

Welcome Eric! Always glad to hear about liberty minded folks no matter where they live or what their immediate plans may be.
But don't be misled about Wyoming. There are still people up here that would love to control ALL of us, there just aren't as many of them as in other places. That's why we need people like YOU to move here and join us.
Mac

[bobcat]

Welcome aboard Eric.  Glad to see some young minds that think independently and likewise interested in constitutional freedom.

But don't be misled about Wyoming. There are still people up here that would love to control ALL of us, there just aren't as many of them as in other places. That's why we need people like YOU to move here and join us.

Mac makes a very good point here.  Wy is not a panacea.  The soft war is still on across the entire country.  Many of us are preferring to move to the West where rugged individualism and liberty are still valued.  We simply have a better chance of preserving freedom in the West.

I would suggest looking at the current state of affairs of Republicrats, RINOs, DemocRATs, and "ineffectual" Libertarians as an opportunity to make a difference.  There are many of us 'registered' Republicans that are looking for something stronger, such as the Libertarian or Constitutional Party movements.  We CAN make a difference.  It will take time, money and perseverance.  Just think what would happen to the Libertarian or Constitutional Party if a large block of 10's of millions of conservatives jumped on board?

[wyomiles]

Howdy Eric, welcome here !  Miles

[MamaLiberty]

Welcome! You sound like our kind of people. MamaLiberty

[Beulahtrash]

welcome to the forum. if you ever want to visit just PM

[Eric]

O yes, I understand there are Statists everywhere and they need to fended off any place one moves. I just like the idea of the open, wide life of the West. Also, knowing that other people who cherish liberty live in or plan to move to Wyoming makes it seems all the more like the place I want to be.

[Eric]

There are many of us 'registered' Republicans that are looking for something stronger, such as the Libertarian or Constitutional Party movements.  We CAN make a difference.  It will take time, money and perseverance.  Just think what would happen to the Libertarian or Constitutional Party if a large block of 10's of millions of conservatives jumped on board?

Although I sympathize with the Constitution Party, it seems they want to reduce government in some areas (welfare; defense; etc) and than increase the Leviathan in others (abortion; trade; etc). I don't think they see the real fact of the matter: Government is the problem, period. Shifting the focus of the government from area to the other is the game the Repukes and Democraps have been scamming the American people with for the the last century or more. However, I do admire the party's and its members' principled positions. Unlike the corporate-socialist stooges nominated and elected even year by the Republicrats, the people behind the Constitution Party (and the Libertarian Party for that matter) seem genuinely to care about making this a better country and solving some of the problem the government has been causing for the last 200+ years.

[Blaineus]

Hey Eric, and welcome.  My 'rents live in that area, and my sister goes to grad school at USF so I know the territory.  She's libertarian minded as well, so there are other students down your way that think rationally  .  Anyways, glad to see ya here.

[Prairie Fire]

Howdy Panhellenious:  Maybe I'm just an old fart, new to computers.  Have to tell ya, that your avitar does distract from whatever you might ever say on this board.  For some, it might be an item of trash talk to be published in newsprint by detractors, as the FSW community tries to establish itself.
 
If you have read up on the original Sundance newspaper hit piece on FSW and it members, and on the current follow-up interest from newspapers from around the state, you might think that the avitar may not be real appropriate as the press does their mining efforts into FSW.
   
The "us-es" are here right now, representing FSW ideals in our daily lives.  Trolls looking at this board might take your avitar out of its context, and use it to hurt  people.  Our people.  That tactic has been done before...it's just another variation on the strawman arguement. 
 
I'd ask you to take another look at your avitar as seen thru the eyes of critical newswhores, and wonder if you still want to keep it up.

[Eric]

I'd ask you to take another look at your avitar as seen thru the eyes of critical newswhores, and wonder if you still want to keep it up.

I have taken a look and it's a moving skull. Thanks for your input, but I will keep it since it seems unique here.

[bobcat]

I'd ask you to take another look at your avitar as seen thru the eyes of critical newswhores, and wonder if you still want to keep it up.

Panhellenios, I gotta agree with Prairie Fire on this.  I was thinking it, but was not saying it.  We are at a real critical stage in development right now with the Newspapers starting to take significant notice in the last couple of months.  As you might guess, most of the sentiment has not been flattering.  Yes, you have something unique, but is it helpful to us all right now?  Initial impressions do count, especially with the media.  Please mull it over and consider something more positive that puts our best foot forward.

Thanks for your sincere consideration.

[FSW Forum Administrator]

Perhaps it is just me... But, what is the big deal with the avatar? It is a graphic. It isn't offensive. It isn't associated with any groups that are offensive. Personally, I think it is a pretty cool graphic. That is why I put it in the library of avatars. If he were linking to and using a swastika or hammer and sickle, yeah then there would be issues.

Surely there are bigger issues that can be discussed? More important problems to be solved? Rifleman skills to be developed? Personal networks of friends to be built? Pantries to be stocked? Maybe it is just me but I can think of a thousand things to be done that are far more productive than worrying about an avatar.

FSW Forum Admin

[bobcat]

Yeah, J, there ARE bigger and better things to worry about.  I, speaking for myself, was expressing an OPINION in a polite manner.  It only took a few minutes and Pan can take it or leave it.  I will agree that the ACTION of the graphic is pretty cool.  I just didn't and don't think something that glorifies death is in our best interest.  Just my opinion, take it or leave it, politely please. 

Sincerely,

Bobcat (no claws out)

[Paul Bonneau]

Pantries to be stocked? Maybe it is just me but I can think of a thousand things to be done that are far more productive than worrying about an avatar.

I can think of a reason to worry about an avatar: tradition.   

I think it is cool looking and has no political overtones. However I tend to have difficulty reading messages where the avatar is animated - just too distracting. Especially those ones of bouncing boobs I have seen on other forums.