420 in the Upper Valley

[the_liberty_belle]

I'm starting this thread because I'm really interested in getting another 420 celebration happening in the Upper Valley.   

Some of us locals discussed this last week at the Liberty Tuesday meetup.  There was a lot of interest, but we never really reached any firm conclusions.  I think we could benefit from working out some of the details here.  Here's what we discussed.

1) Time: Most of the people who were interested work 9 - 5 type jobs on the weekdays.  It was suggested that we either do a once-a-week event on a Saturday or a Sunday, or make up some fliers with the slogan "6 PM is the new 4:20" and make it sort of an after-work, recreational gathering.

2) Location: Lebanon Green, Dartmouth Green, and other places (suggestions?) are all options.  Dartmouth Green is part of Dartmouth's campus, and not actually "public property," but it would definitely draw more college students.  Lebanon Green is ~20 min away from Dartmouth, but it's an actual "public" park, and it's right in front of the city bureaucrat building.

3) Promoting the event: several people seemed to like the idea of kicking this event off on April 20th and advertising it with fliers, etc. on campus at Dartmouth and at other places around the area for a couple of weeks beforehand.  The weather is getting colder but, in my opinion, not so cold that it necessitates waiting until April.  On the other hand, soon it will be starting to get dark at 4:20 PM.

Thoughts on the above, anyone?

I realize the irony of trying to organize and plan a CD event (after all, the original event in Keene pretty much arose spontaneously).  But, I figure if we discuss the details here, it can only lead to more good ideas and more people being able to participate.

[bigmike]

1-I think either is good. It really is just about people getting together to enjoy each others company over a smoke. I'd go with whatever gets more people there.

2-I'd go with the public property if you're doing it as a CD statement. Also, 20 minutes isn't that far to go to show up to something like this. People would likely do it just to be a part of it.

3-I was planning to get contact info for the locals that have been coming to Manch so I could keep in touch with them over the winter and keep them in the loop about any FSP activism that's going on. Next spring these events should be popping up all over NH but the locals I've been talking to have expressed an interest in other things we're doing, or will be doing.

If you don't have a lot of FSP activists in the Upper Valley, starting it now might help you recruit some friendly faces for anything that may happen until Spring.

[Fluff and Stuff]

3-I was planning to get contact info for the locals that have been coming to Manch so I could keep in touch with them over the winter and keep them in the loop about any FSP activism that's going on.

You think the locals want to recruit liberty lovers/activists to move to NH?  Or are you talking about encouraging the locals to go to the Liberty Forum and Porcfest?  Because that is the extend of FSP activism.  I think you are over estimating how much some marijuana smokers care about the FSP, and really, why should they care much?

[K. Darien Freeheart]

I personally think the 4:20 thing is overused, honestly. Not that I have a PROBLEM with cannabis culture, but I think we're making a political and social statement about freedom and I think something is lost in centering CD activism around a counter-culture rather than a change within mainstream culture.

So essentially, I'm saying that I think moving it to 6 pm or any other time would be just fine. I do wonder about lighting though. Will there be ample light at 6 at any location for cameras (still and video) to catch what needs to be caught? I don't know either location you have in mind.

the locals I've been talking to have expressed an interest in other things we're doing, or will be doing.

I've gotten questions on open carry. That, I think, is a GREAT bridge to build, given the stereotypes in both the cannabis community and the gun-carrying communities.

I'm willing to support this, and I can tenatively offer Lindsay's support as well. We're local and fairly flexible in our schedules, so whatever is good for me, I think.

Because that is the extend of FSP activism.  I think you are over estimating how much some marijuana smokers care about the FSP, and really, why should they care much?

In my eyes, and the eyes of many people, any activism that is done by Free Staters is FSP activism. ESPECIALLY when that activism ends up in the news regionally, nationally and INTERNATIONALY. It shows that the Free Staters are willing to act towards being more free rather than just babble about it.

Why would the locals care? Because some of them like freedom in addition to cannabis. When a Free Stater knows of some form of activism that might be relevant to their communities, they're sometimes encourages, curious and supportive.

[Fluff and Stuff]

In my eyes, and the eyes of many people, any activism that is done by Free Staters is FSP activism. ESPECIALLY when that activism ends up in the news regionally, nationally and INTERNATIONALY.

Well, the FSP clearly doesn't see it that way.  Plus, to me, it seems like a way to intentionally discourage others from participating.  If people don't want anyone but FSP movers and a few locals at events, they should wrongly label them as FSP events.

Look at what Rich did in Keene.  It certainly isn't an FSP event.  Besides the fact that it would be impossible for the event to be an FSP event, Rich doesn't call it that.  It's a local event and 90% or more of the people that have participated aren't FSP movers.  It's an amazing event and works well. 

Since most of the liberty folks in NH aren't FSP folks, it makes little sense to refer to an event as a FSP event.  Why alienate and isolate folks.  Why try to group people into minor and sometimes off putting groups?  It seems like spreading a positive message would make more sense.  Besides, it's more honest.

[K. Darien Freeheart]

Well, the FSP clearly doesn't see it that way.

I personally don't give a damn about anything that happens within the realm of the FSP as an organization. To me, the Free State Project is a phenomenon of movers to New Hampshire to be active for liberty. You've got to have aspiring politician to knit-pick over that distinction when the media and average folks do not.

Plus, to me, it seems like a way to intentionally discourage others from participating.  If people don't want anyone but FSP movers and a few locals at events, they should wrongly label them as FSP events.

You may be the only person on the planet who hears "FSP Event" and assumes "Non-FSP participants excluded". The table at the Boston Hempfest was an FSP Event. The GOAL was to bring non-FSP participants over and talk to them. Just because movers WITH the FSP kick off an event doesn't imply that non-movers can't participate.

Look at what Rich did in Keene.  It certainly isn't an FSP event.

Rich moved to New Hampshire to get active for liberty. How is that NOT an FSP event when he, as an FSP mover, got active for liberty in New Hampshire, in accordance to the statement of intent? Actually, I really don't care. In my eyes, and the eyes of others, it was an FSP event.

Why try to group people into minor and sometimes off putting groups?  It seems like spreading a positive message would make more sense.

I've got to say, there's something in there that is at the very root of why this irritates me so much. This sounds almost as if you see association with the FSP to be a stigma. More. Liberty. That's what EVERY mover of the FSP has pledged to work towards, and most are in their own ways. What the hell is negative about that?

[Russell Kanning]

seems to me ... once a week is more sustainable
a place near the college is better
any time is good ... the dartmouth guys can make their own rules

[dalebert]

seems to me ... once a week is more sustainable

Not sure about that. People form habits better when it's every day. I think when it's something fun like smoking pot, as opposed to something that might seem like a chore, like protesting (I know it's fun to us), then it's not hard to keep it going daily. I like the way it happened here. One person said he was going up there to smoke and a few brave people from Social Sunday came along. People started just glomming on and it rapidly spread by word of mouth and just grew on its own. It was emergent order.

[Lloyd Danforth]

Emergent order. Like it!

[AntonLee]

I like how we talk about organizations as if they have feelings, thoughts, and opinions.  I'm a member of the FSP. . . and I can speak for myself.  If I go to an event, it has become an FSP event.  If I decide to wave my porcupine FSP gadsden flag, you can consider it anything from an FSP event to a used car auction. . . it doesn't matter.

The FSP will now be angry with me.  I should repent to the sacred lord FSP for I know not what I do.