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Fifty pounds down, yay for Keto

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

I have officially lost FIFTY POUNDS.

How, you ask?

  • I quit drinking. 
  • I started and stick to Keto, no cheating (low carbs, medium protein, high good fats).
  • I move more. I did it through the dead of a NH winter, walking Nellie on the Piscataquog river trail through rain, sleet, and snow. I ride an exercise bike in the basement 2-3 week for 30 mins, low and slow, nothing crazy. I lift weights at the gym sometimes. I’m eager to see how I can move more now that it’s Spring. More gardening, more yoga, more meditation, more play, more LIVING in BALANCE which helps me achieve my goals. 
  • I made ME my #1 priority.

Other observations:

Fifty pounds is A LOT. Part of me thinks, wow, I should really be much skinnier now! lol But this reminds me how far I let my health and weight go when I was focusing on everyone and everything around me. You can’t fix the world, if you can’t fix yourself. 

A better YOU is out there for the taking. For me, this isn’t about a number on the scale, it is about how I *feel*, and I feel FINE. 

I’m in my mid-forties, and that’s my PRIME (weird old-lady-on-the-trail hat or not!). Watch out world, I’m coming for you! ***ROAR!!!***

Awful selfie celebrating a great outcome, my 50 lbs loss!

PS: I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation for three fabulous ladies who inspired me through their own human action: Kari DePhillips, Kelly Chase and Sandy Pierre. Thanks, grrrls! <3

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BlogReviews

Review: The Culture High (2014)

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

“The Culture High” (2014) is one of the best documentaries I’ve seen on the marijuana debate, connecting many of the disparate dots. I’m left with a sense of frustration–WHY is legalization taking so long? (Hint: special interests of the poli-crony-elite persuasion.) And a sense of hope–many in the film believe we will see global legalization (in some form) in our lifetimes. I’m also hopeful on a smaller scale because of today’s decriminalization of small amounts of MJ in NH (3/4oz, or a “Bradley,” in honor of the senator who reduced the amount from the standard 1oz). In the movie, they cover David Nutt’s firing for doing the science behind drugs and coming up with the following chart. Yes, you read that right. Alcohol is by far the most harmful drug. Yet, here in NH, the government peddles booze by the highway. The same government that is considering introducing KENO gambling to pay for full-day kindergarten. In case you don’t know it yet, the state thinks “bad things” can be “good” for you, as long as “they” run it on your behalf (and take the tax money). Don’t be fooled, folks. We MUST resist any form of MJ legalization that does not include a homegrown provision. The film also discuss how FACTS don’t matter to politicians. They simply want “evidence” to support the policies that are already in place. This is why it is so difficult to shift people in power’s perspectives–it’s hard admitting you were wrong. But it is the right thing to do. Which means…I will no longer tolerate ignorance by any NH politician, reporter, or state employee on this issue. If you utter the words “Gateway Drug,” expect to be ridiculed. If you support putting peaceful people in jail for MJ, expect to be ridiculed. YOU NO LONGER HAVE ANY EXCUSE FOR YOUR IGNORANCE. (If you don’t know where to start, watch “The Culture High,” it’s full of people like you, former cops, policymakers and politicians who have the DECENCY to admit they were duped and are now doing the right thing.) I was deeply saddened by yesterday’s news about Ross Ulbricht’s appeal being turned down, but ultimately, thanks to the Internet, the battle to free minds and to #FreeRoss continues to tilt in our favor. As Lyn said to me yesterday: We won’t stop the fight. I add: Never give up. Peaceful resistance will prevail. There are more of us, than them! Viva la EVOLution!

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Enemies of Liberty Call for Forced Sterilization of Free Staters

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

Let’s see if I have this week’s local news straight… It is not OK for F&G to shoot a bear that is invading homes (I’m glad they’re not); but it IS OK for police and state troopers to shoot an alleged car thief in his mom’s car four times; it IS OK for the AGs office to take a week to even release the names of the parties involved and to clear all 3 officers of any wrongdoing (has the AGs office *ever* found a shooting unjustified? I mean, even when the cops shoot someone in the back while he is fleeing a scene, and kill him, it’s A-OK); it is also OK for progressives to call for the forced sterilization of free staters, an idea so great, Sherry F*cker Frost “loves” it! #nhpolitics

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Movie Review: Sherpa, a Documentary

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

Since I was little, I have been interested in mountaineering, and Everest in particular–thanks Reader’s Digest, one of the few “international” news sources available in South Africa under sanctions. Louis and I hiked to Annapurna’s base camp in 2002 (world’s 10th highest peak), a spiritual journey for me, and I have a deep love for that part of the world.

The documentary SHERPA is definitely worth a watch. It’s like “Arab Spring” at the base of Everest, mixed with people power, passion, capitalism, danger, corrupt government, a simpler time/desires, and greed. It strikes me the lack of clear property rights is what is causing the problems.

Who wants to buy Everest with me (this is probably super insulting to Nepalis, sorry!), and let the Sherpas decide how many people and at what price should climb their god annually? It won’t be cheap… Going rate per climb season is $360 million in total, of which a third goes to the government, Sherpas (about 300-400) receive $5,000-ish each, and the rest, I assume, goes to the western expedition leaders. I say we can do better than that! 🙂 (Pic is Mount Annapurna, and I took it.)

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Year End 2015 Appeal from the Free State

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

We’re ramping up for Liberty Forum, March 5-8, 2015 in Manchester. For the first time, many libertarian think tanks will be in attendance–Cato, Charles Koch Institute, Mercatus, and FEE–a very good sign that shows the FSP is now regarded as a real contender for the future of freedom. I hope you will attend. This would give you an opportunity to meet the community first-hand and see what is transpiring on the ground.

From an organizational standpoint, we are going from strength to strength. Jason Sorens, the founder of the FSP, cofounder of Ethics and Economics Education of New England, and lecturer at Dartmouth College, has rejoined the board, and is now VP. It’s exciting to have him back!

We saw many successes in 2014:

Received 501c3 status, which has allowed us to leverage Amazon Smile and AdWords grant

We expanded the board, and new board members commit to $10K+/year

Approximately 1,200 new signers; 135 new movers (keep in mind no one is obligated to move yet) 

18 Free Staters have been elected to the state house, the most so far. It is imperative that we Trigger the Move asap, so that more activists can run and win 

Released a new, independently made documentary “101 Reasons Liberty Lives in New Hampshire” (23,000 views) and new “It’s Like This Too” mover profiles on the Voices for Liberty Channel 

Strong social media growth, averaging 400 new page likes per week, with almost at 70,000 on Facebook, and almost 62,000 followers on Twitter

Media coverage in The Economist, NYT, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Reason, etc.

Our goal for 2015-2016 is two-fold:

  1. Garner remaining signers (3,666 as of this writing) and Trigger the Move 
  2. Reach out to all past participants and encourage them to move/find signers

Take a look at the draft Strategic Plan I sent the board, which outlines our mission, vision, target markets, current marketing efforts, and identifies new ones. Also attached is a Participant Statistics Monthly Performance Report for November 2014. You’ll note a few things: 1. Our biggest spikes in signers comes from mainstream media coverage (e.g. the jury nullification case, the Concord BEARCAT incident, and when a sitting Democrat said Free Staters are the single biggest threat to the state of NH); 2. the second largest spikes are around our FSP hosted events, Liberty Forum and PorcFest; and 3. the current Trigger the Move date is early 2018. We want to accelerate this. With your support, we can. If we double our recruitment rate in 2015, we will Trigger the Move in early 2016. 

Our current signer acquisition rate is $100 (this increased from the historic $81 due to my transitioning into a full-time, paid position). If we are to Trigger the Move in 2016, we need to raise $366,600 as soon as possible. We are working on a capital campaign which will launch in Q1 2015, where we are asking select donors to contribute at the $25,000-$50,000 level.  

Would you be willing to support 10% of this goal, $36,600? Your tax-exempt donation would directly support the following projects:

1)  A mailing to all signers promoting the move and promoting obtaining new signers (est. cost:  $16,000). We are sending a test mailer invitation to Liberty Forum to 3,125 signers in the identified target areas. This test mailing will provide data to help us determine how to proceed with the larger mailing list. 

2) The balance will spent on online signer acquisition through Facebook, Twitter, and online advertising networks, employing SEO metrics to keep us on target and provide reporting data. 

The Free State Project has the leadership, the skills, and the commitment to make your contribution count. We stand at the cusp of a historic breakthrough. We have already seen the benefits of concentrating liberty activists in one geographic area. Help us reach the finish line!

Yours in peace and liberty,
Carla

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Croydon School Choice Saga Continues

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

Life in NH is never dull! Look at this turnout for the injunction hearing in the matter of NHDoE vs. Town of Croydon school board.

Cliff-ish Notes:

The state is arguing that *it* needs an injunction to immediately remove 4 kids who were placed in a Montessori school otherwise *the state* will suffer irreparable harm. Notwithstanding the fact that the children are FLOURISHING at their new school, and despite the fact that the taxpayers of Croydon are actually saving $3,000 per kid.

Said the AG’s office: “Public students with public funds need to be in public schools. Those children don’t belong there [at Montessori]!” The state lawyer asked for an injunction, saying that parents can either pay privately, out of pocket for their children to go to Montessori (double taxed jeopardy, anyone?) or the court must order the kids back to the Newport public school IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

This, argued with a statist-straight-tist face after the DoE KNEW about the issue in JUNE DURING THE HOLIDAYS and after this is the second year in which this approach has been taken for kids who need it.

In a June letter to the DoE, the Croydon attorney wrote: “This practice [sending kids to the best school for them] will continue,” and yet, the AG and the DoE did NOTHING…

…Until the school year started to… sue and disrupt perfectly happy kids lives… I smell… let me be gracious… incompetence?

The Croydon attorney, who is a former NH Supreme Court judge, more rationally argued–after saying, “We told them in June, so BRING IT ON, BABY!” (best line of the day)–that allowing the children to go to a school better suited to their needs was better. *Doh.* He went on to say: “The bill is already paid until February 2016. The parents want their kids there. The school board wants the kids there. The kids WANT TO BE there. They are paying less money for a better education.”

BUT NOOOOOOO… the state in all its wisdom wants to kids back in their pre-approved reeducation camp. Must not allow this flight, this, shall we say, brain drain to begin, otherwise, oh, lordy mama, everyone might want to… choose what is best for them, and we can’t have that now, can we???

My money is on the DoE’s request for injunctive relief not being granted, mostly because the state dillydallied and didn’t file the motion during the vacay. If that’s the case, 1-0 for Croydon and school choice. Either way, a hearing will be set on the merits of the case, and this too should be interesting. The AGs office, IMO, overplayed its hand in trying for injunctive relief. But, then, this is the nature of statism: you belong to us. They also underestimated the courageous people who believe in what is best for the individual person.

If the court does the right thing–the order about the injunctive relief will come out in the next 48 hours–then the children can at least see out the current school year at their CHOSEN, CHEAPER school.

This case can have a monumental impact on school choice in NH, where, btw, several other schools already send their kids to non-public schools, like Pinkerton and schools in Vermont. Stay tuned for details as they unfold.

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Update from the Free State, June 2015

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

Hope to see you at Freedom Fest in July! Wanted to share a quick update about what we’re working on. We are now almost 85% towards our goal, and 1,755 signers have moved, with more arriving weekly. In the “good problem category,” it’s getting hard to keep apace with all the move-in parties! 

Liberty Forum was a great success. We had a record number of attendees (530+), and for the first time, all the D.C. libertarian think tanks were represented. Relocating the conference to a larger venue in Manchester was the right decision, and gives us room to grow and to showcase all that downtown Manchester has to offer. Next year’s event is slated for February 18-21, 2016. I hope you will attend. 

PorcFest is coming up in a few weeks. FSP board member, Matt Philips and his partner Kristin Wetzel are the main organizers this year. In addition to the usual suspects, we have added a few fresh names to the mix, including Lenore Skenazy, founder of the Free Range Kids movement, Philip Stinson, a professor who runs the largest known police misconduct database in the U.S., and investigative reporter and author of Family of Secrets about the Bush dynasty, Russ Baker. We are expecting another great turnout, and several media outlets, including CNN, Bloomberg, The New York Times, and Maxim will be covering the event. 

We recently had a film crew out from L.A. to interview Free Staters for an upcoming documentary called “Freedom in America.” I hope this will help bring the message of Liberty in Our Lifetime to a new audience. We have also been getting a steady flow of national and international media interest in the Free State Project. 

We launched a new pledge landing page, and have actively been using our Google AdWords grant. This new page, with a shortened form and condensed pitch, is seeing dramatic early results. Interestingly, the AdWords campaign that is getting the most traction is related to Liberland. I did a Google trends comparison between the FSP and Liberland, and it’s hard not to feel a little frustrated–short of declaring Roger’s Campground a sovereign nation during PorcFest–there simply is no way to replicate this sort of global media attention. But, as they say, slow and steady wins the race, and we are winning. 

The most satisfying part of the Free State Project is seeing how pro-freedom successes translate into human flourishing. From the burgeoning New Hampshire nanobrew market where there are now 3 highly successful Free Stater owned breweries (Able Ebenezer, Eagle Brewing, and Area 23) to something as seemingly trivial as being invited to a panel discussion about police militarization with the Department of Homeland Security at UNH, and having students thank me afterwards for opening their eyes. 

Take education. As you know, Patrick Byrne, who spoke at Liberty Forum, is a passionate advocate for school choice. He was thrilled to learn how much progress has been made on this front in New Hampshire, including a recent case from the town of Croydon where Jody Underwood (an FSP board member) is chair of the school board and has allowed students to choose private and religious schools instead of being tied to only one public choice. Of course, the NH Department of Education is pushing back, but it looks like more schools are set to follow suit. 

Or take simply living a principled life in liberty. This past weekend, I attended a joint baby shower for a dozen expecting couples in Portsmouth. Amongst those present were several entrepreneurs, a past PorcFest organizer, a former FSP newsletter editor, the founder of the FreeCoast Festival (started last year with a focus on radical entrepreneurship), and the founder of the innovation hub, The Praxium, where the event was held. These folks are not the ones you typically hear about in the news, but they are the ones who are buying houses, starting families and businesses, writing LTEs, and changing their neighbors’ views by living productive lives extolling the virtues of voluntary relationships.

This liberty revival in New Hampshire is the direct result of the Free State Project. We are the chicken and the egg. All the exciting things originating from here–from Jason Soren’s Ethics and Economics Education of New England project, to Bitcoin businesses, to civil disobedience aimed at blocking the police state–are because we are actively bringing dedicated, passionate pro-freedom people to the “Live Free or Die” state.  

With the first-in-the-nation presidential primary coming up next year, there is an opportunity to aggressively market and inspire more movers before next year’s Liberty Forum. 

To increase our outreach, we now have a $25,000 challenge grant–every dollar up to $25,000 donated will be matched 1:1 through the rest of 2015 by one of our board members, Séamas Ó Scalaidhe, who recently bought a home in Wolfeboro and now spends 50% of his time here. I’m also excited to let you know Howard Kaloogian, a fundraiser at Hillsdale College, recently moved with his wife to Weare, and he will be working with me on some upcoming fundraising projects. 

In the meanwhile, there are a few projects for which I am seeking immediate funding:

  1. I negotiated a discounted Gold Sponsorship for Freedom Fest, which includes 8 tickets. In additional to several board members who will be attending this year, I would like to bring out a team of our best recruiters and ambassadors. We need to cover their airfare, accommodation, and meals, in additional to the sponsorship fee. ($12,000) 
  2. Radio ad buys on the Howie Carr Show, a daily 4-hour peak time syndicated talk radio show. The show airs across New England, and is our perfect target market. ($150 per 60 seconds, blocks of 20, test of 40 blocks = $6,000)
  3. Keynote speaker for Liberty Forum 2016. Based on more than 150 responses to our Liberty Forum 2015 survey, attendees are interested in interactive workshops and learning more about NH-based freedom projects. For next year, I would like to contract with one nationally recognized speaker to help drive ticket sales, and then focus volunteer efforts on creating a program showcasing New Hampshire and the exciting projects Free Staters are working on. (Up to $20,000)
  4. Trigger the Move marketing and merchandise. Design and distribute a new tri-fold and follow up marketing focussed on encouraging signers to move asap. This will be sent in stages: new landing page signers, past 5,000 signers for which we have good data (when I came on board), and then the cleaned data from the legacy signers. ($20,000 for first stages)
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