Dennis,
I’m writing this as a long-form letter so that nothing gets misinterpreted in the heat of text messaging. I’m publishing our original exchange below so your investors can judge for themselves what happened. I would not typically do this without your consent, but the false accusations being spread against me—that I tried to cancel Jeremy speaking at the Inn, and that I threatened the Inn and that threat sent you to hospital—warrant an immediate response. As a courtesy to you, I have made this post password-protected (code: “Please read this…”). I would appreciate it if you would share it with your investors. [UPDATE: As of 06/01/26, this post is no longer password protected. Based on my stats, not one reader logged in.]
When I interact with people, I take their words at face value. I try hard not to make assumptions or publicly ascribe motivations—especially negative ones—without first seeking clarity if I’ve been offended.
First, I am genuinely sorry that your health has been suffering. I am sorry you have been dealing with serious medical issues, and I truly wish you well. It was never my intent to cause you stress or harm.
That said, I need to be very clear about what I meant—and what I did not mean—because a narrative has formed that is both false and deeply troubling.
When I wrote, “But carry on. I’m glad the Inn is working out for you,” I meant exactly that.
Over the years, I’ve learned that I cannot control other people. “Carry on” has become a signature acknowledgment of that reality. It’s a clear statement that says: you get to decide; I respect that, even when we don’t see eye-to-eye. It is not a threat. It is not pressure. It is not a demand.
I would never ask—nor expect—you to cancel an event on your own property. Ever.
To have it suggested that I would do so is extremely hard to swallow. I respect property rights at a fundamental level. To imply otherwise is not just incorrect; it is deeply insulting—especially to a principled libertarian—and especially because it is 100% untrue.
For the record: I have no knowledge of your financial situation, or that you had an upcoming investors’ meeting scheduled. You’ve said that buying the Inn was made in good-faith support of the Free State Project, and I believe that, although I was never consulted for an opinion prior to your purchase.
What I find troubling is that you took one sentence in a long, winding, philosophical conversation about our differing approaches to building a successful movement, and later told your investors it was “a threat,” and that our exchange, presented in full below, was the precipitating event that sent you to hospital for a heart arrhythmia.
This claim is deeply upsetting. It attributes intent and consequence to me that simply are not there.
I value your opinion. I want you to be well. But I also need my words and character represented accurately.
None of this erases what you have contributed to the liberty movement in New Hampshire. That record deserves to be stated clearly.
You have mentored, built, challenged, and organized. You’ve run successful events, guided people toward self-improvement, managed countless Signal groups, seeded innovative programming and ideas, and helped create real infrastructure for our community.
Your focus on practical, entrepreneurial approaches to accelerating the FSP’s growth has been noteworthy and valuable.
The Inn serves as a gathering place for Freestaters and potential movers.
The cruises and bus tours were innovative, fun ideas.
Remember those FSP passports we imagined and created together?
Despite turning down my invitation to join the FSP board, you’ve represented the movement on podcasts, shows, and in the NBC docuseries, and have regularly spoken at our events.
You support the SHELL clubhouse on the Seacoast.
You stewarded PorcFest 2021, our 20th annual event, and created the largest Porcupine gathering ever, with a decentralized HUB model people still talk about. And, that we get to celebrate your birthday at PorcFest every year feels serendipitous!
You’ve written countless excellent articles about Libertarianism and ethics.
You were named “Activist of the Year” by the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance in July 2022. And, of course, you’ve done even more since then!
Lastly—naming your dog “Ron Paws” is exactly the kind of cultural signal that makes movements like ours human and appealing. Brilliant!
Since you and Carol arrived in 2018, the community has benefited from your energy and commitment. That’s remains true, and I don’t want to diminish your contributions.
But acknowledging this does not require me to accept a false story about my conduct or my intent. Both things can be true at once: you have helped the movement, and you did me wrong here.
I’m setting the record straight—not to inflame, but to be accurate. Integrity matters. Words matter. Reputations matter. Relationships matter. I don’t want this to fester between us, so I am presenting this as is. I hope this serves its stated purpose.
I wish you well. Hope to see you at the SHELL on Valentine’s Day—we have our tix!
—Carla
SLIDESHOW, click right.
