The past (almost) six months have been incredibly difficult. Looking back, I can see areas in my life in which I have grown significantly. My writing is one of those areas; I took a media writing class last semester through which I learned how to write better for the web format (no more 10 sentence paragraphs!).
Although not too many people read this blog on a regular basis, I'm writing this entry as a public record of my projects and thoughts during the hiatus.
Ron Paul Radio
By far, my largest time consumer since December has been Ron Paul Radio. I'm not sure if I was bored or what, but for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to start my own radio network and revive a stigmatized product.
For the past 6 months, I have spent on average 20 hours a week working on this project. Despite some bumps along the way, the network is still on the air and is getting bigger each and every day.
First of all, I have to thank Hank Xavier for all of his help with the project. Hank and I have been friends and business partners for years, producing some of the best Internet based media, especially in the political sphere. With my technical skills and his business smarts, we built a rock-solid foundation for Ron Paul Radio.
Hank decided to step away from the project about a month ago, which left me scrambling a bit to figure out how to continue running the network by myself. Thank goodness some great people (namely Angel and Dave Clark) stepped up and have been helping me with updating the image and social media aspects of the network. In the near future, I will be employing more volunteers to help with promotion and technical assistance.
We've been really blessed by our amazing listeners as well. While we haven't been reaching our fundraising goals each month, we're bringing in enough money to keep the network afloat and also acquiring a bit of a nest egg which will be used for a surprise in the future. Something big.
Snitches Get Stitches...
End up in ditches, etc.
Alright, enough with the hyperbole. If you have been paying attention to the market anarchist news this past month, you know what I'm talking about here.
My public statements on the situation have caused a few people to be uncomfortable and have possibly cost me allies. And I am OK with that. Like I said on Facebook, I cannot associate with anyone that is supporting police informants.
Once you have decided to become a police informant, you have turned over your right to be considered a victim of the drug war. It is especially bad if you set up your friends and fellow activists for a possibility that you won't have to pay the price for your "crime."
Kent Student Liberty Alliance
I'm free! The hard work that this organization has done these past two years is finally paying off. Our elected executive board is very competent and truly understands and believes in the ideas of liberty. We're looking forward to a super-charged year of activism and education on the Kent State University campus.
I will be assuming the role that I had when I started in the organization, which is Outreach Director. With the possibility of Ron Paul still pulling an upset and the very exciting candidacy of Gov. Johnson and Judge Grey, we'll have the chance to use the political process to our advantage by showing the student population there is a choice other than nanny-state liberalism and conservatism.
We're also going to emphasize non-state alternatives to current problems. While I liked the idea of a Students for a Stateless Society organization, many folks are afraid of the market anarchist alternative as it is currently presented to them. By emphasizing alternatives (positive word) rather than anarchy (negative word), our chances of educating people are significantly better.
Gary Johnson
Why do I like this guy so much? He's everything that I normally hate in a politician (pragmatic, conservative-leaning, pro-tax, a slight war hawk, etc). But there is just something about the Johnson campaign that excites me.
A two-term governor went into office with a large deficit and left with an even larger surplus is something the American people can get behind. He doesn't hate the gays. He admits he's smoked weed, and unlike our current fascist in chief, actually advocates for legalizing it. He is the best peace candidate, behind the good Doctor. What's not to like?
For starters, the "Fair"Tax, which is a plan which has its roots in the utilitarian efforts of economist Milton Friedman. It's a terrible idea, but I would take it over the odious Income Tax. He's also super supportive of Israel, which isn't necessarily a bad thing in-and-of-itself, but with the possibility of Israel attacking Iran, I'd be worried that a President Johnson might endorse the murder of thousands of innocent people.
If you listen to Johnson, really listen to him, you can tell he "gets" it. He's not a big government shill who is going to turn around and endorse the GOP candidate in 2016 (thanks, Bob Barr). His understanding of libertarian philosophy seems to be more rooted in Rothbard than Rand; in the Austrian camp moreso than the Chicago school (despite the cost-benefit rhetoric he uses). In other words, he seems to be genuine about supporting liberty and furthering the cause.
PorcFest
If you aren't going to PorcFest, you suck.
Angel, Dave and I will be selling coffee, smoothie drinks and low-carb deserts at Site #32 in Agora Valley. I can't wait to hang out with all of y'all again and get the opportunity to meet many more of you.
Oh, and I'm sexy as hell this year. I'm down around 40lbs from this point last year. I know it will be hard to keep your hands off, but I'm taken.
The Future
Eventually I will graduate and move to New Hampshire. Until then, I'll continue to do my best here in Kent to support the cause. Oh, and I should probably write more than one blog every six months.
My name is Corey Moore. I write opinion pieces about current events and issues.
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