Live Free (or die trying)
DATE: Friday, August 1, 2025
AUTHOR: Hon. Eric Brakey - Executive Director, Free State Project
For the Free State, it is more than a motto — it is a mission:
"Live Free or Die —
Death is Not the Greatest of Evils."
This Thursday marked the 216th anniversary of General John Starks' immortal words, delivered in a toast to veterans of the Battle of Bennington.
That motto — and the revolutionary spirit of New Hampshire it speaks to — is one of the reasons why the Free State Project landed here two decades ago.
Our purpose is to reinforce and restore the libertarian "Live Free or Die" spirit, which has animated the Granite State since the Pine Tree Riot.
Meanwhile, while activist leftists call Free Staters an "invasive species" that is "transforming" New Hampshire, they are the ones regularly agitating to abandon the state motto.
Just four years ago, 161 NH Democrats in the state legislature voted against protecting the right of schools to display the state motto (some expressing concerns that "Live Free or Die" could be "triggering" to sensitive students).
To this day, left-wing statists continue bemoaning the New Hampshire state motto.
Ditch the State Motto? Earlier this year, the Granite Post published an article expressing the desires of many on the left to abandon the "Live Free or Die" New Hampshire state motto. Click here to read the full article. Excerpts below:
“New Hampshire’s GOP is destroying the motto, pushing their alt-right agenda. I moved here three years ago and see it everywhere,” said Mike Blackledge.
For Mary Langdon, the phrase gives New Hampshire a reputation that doesn’t align with modern values. “Honestly, I hate it... It feels outdated — more about hardcore individualism than collaboration,” she said.
This week, Steve MacDonald at Granite Grok reminded us of the hypocrisy of one of our most persistent critics: Jeanne Dietsh of Granite State Matters.
Many will remember Dietsh (a former NH State Senator who was unelected after one term) as the person who compiled an enemies list of known Free Staters in late 2023.
Now, she is on a cringe-worthy statewide tour: warning dozens of woke Boomers that the Free State Project is a "libertarian cult" seeking to take over and change New Hampshire.
Ironically, Dietsh is not a native of New Hampshire either. Also, the radical progressive ideology she advocates for represents a greater departure from the Granite State's historic roots than anything the FSP stands for.
Free State hater and unelected one-term state senator, Jeanne Dietsch, continues her (comically bad) disinformation tour across New Hampshire.
In a recent piece at Granite Grok, Steve MacDonald reminds everyone that she is the real "out-of-stater trying to change New Hampshire..." Read the full article here. Excerpts below:
"And for the record, the out-of-staters trying to 'take over' New Hampshire have long been the Democrat emigrants escaping the political house fires they helped set in the states they are fleeing, and the out-of-state college students they insist must be allowed to vote in your elections.
"[Free Staters did not] come here to change New Hampshire. They chose it because it was already a lot more like how they wanted to live their lives."
- Steve MacDonald, Granite Grok
"A longtime state representative (and native of New Hampshire) once told me that there is really only one political party in our county: Fix my roads and leave me the hell alone.
"If you’re ever curious about how the FSP came to choose New Hampshire, it’s because it was already filled with natives like this."
- Ian Underwood, Free Stater
As more liberty lovers make the move, we will protect the "Live Free or Die" motto and ensure New Hampshire always lives up to it.
That's why, at the Free State Project, we continue working to recruit more libertarians to join us here to live, work, and raise their families.
Focusing on that mission, we are seeking to build and promote more events and opportunities to bring visitors to New Hampshire, particularly those that appeal to specific libertarian segments
We are already at work planning for next year's flagship events — Liberty Forum (March 2026), PorcFest (Summer 2026), and Porcupine Day X (February 2026).
We are also helping to promote many events from the extended Free State community, including music festivals, Bitcoin conferences, and family weekends.
What kinds of new events would you like to experience in the Free State?
Hit reply and send me your ideas. (Bonus points if you can help host and organize the event.)
Freedom Palooza Music Festival. The Mammals rocked the house last weekend at the Roaring Brook Farm in Northumberland, New Hampshire.
It is my honor to serve as Executive Director of the FSP.
For as little as $10/month, you can support our year-round mission — "Liberty in Our Lifetime," one new mover at a time — while receiving exclusive patron benefits, including access to exclusive perks at all FSP events.
We currently have 170 patrons supporting our mission. I would love to reach 200 patrons by the end of the summer. Can I count you in?
If you would like to support our continued outreach efforts, then please CLICK HERE to become a Porcupine Patron of the Free State Project.
For more of our weekly newsletter from the Free State, prepared with assistance from our Communications Director, Mahgdalen Rose, please read on.
For Liberty!
Hon. Eric Brakey
Executive Director
Free State Project
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
For Sunday, September 21st, 2025, we are in the early stages of planning a new event.
Lace up your boots and join fellow liberty lovers for the 1st Annual Granite Freedom Trek, a thrilling celebration of community, freedom, and New Hampshire’s stunning wilderness.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a curious newcomer, this one-day adventure in the Granite State invites you to connect, explore, and take a bold step toward liberty.
This will be a one-day (rain or shine) hiking event. For active Free Staters and libertarian visitors who enjoy the outdoors, join us as we traverse New Hampshire trails in good company during one of the most beautiful times of year.
Look for more details and opportunity to register for the Granite Freedom Trek in future newsletters.
This October, Columbus Day weekend is packed with events for families and digital asset enthusiasts alike.
FREE STATE FALL FEST:
For the entire three-day weekend (October 11-13), our friends at Independence Realty are organizing several family-friendly events across the state.
Activities will include apple picking, corn mazes, candlepin bowling, a family hike, and even a trip to Fun Spot (with the largest arcade in the world).FREE STATE BITCOIN DIGITAL ASSET CONFERENCE:
On Sunday, October 12, the FSBDAC returns with discussions on the cutting-edge issues and opportunities in the emerging realm of cryptocurrencies.
This event will be held at Wentworth by the Sea in beautiful New Castle, NH. Included with your ticket, will be a light breakfast, coffee, refreshments, and lunch.
Registration is now open. CLICK HERE to Secure Your Ticket to the Free State Bitcoin Digital Asset Conference.
This November 9th, several friends with the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire are running in the Manchester City Marathon.
Under the team name, "LPNH for Defend The Guard," they are seeking to raise support and awareness for legislative efforts to bring our state national guard troops home from foreign wars not declared by Congress.
If you would like to run with the team, email Rachel Goldsmith for details: goldsmithrd@gmail.com.
Free State Voices
Porcupine Report #74: “Selling Liberty” with Brian Nichols
Brian Nichols, host of The Brian Nichols Show, joins Eric to discuss how liberty-focused messaging can become more persuasive and impactful. He breaks down the importance of meeting people where they are—focusing on solutions to real problems rather than abstract ideology.
Using his sales background, Brian emphasizes tailoring messages to different audiences, like moms worried about school safety or business owners navigating regulations. He critiques ineffective libertarian outreach and encourages a shift toward empathetic, problem-solving communication. The conversation is both practical and motivational, aimed at helping liberty advocates win hearts and minds more effectively.
Manch Talk: Right-to-Know Update with Great New Legal Precedent
This week Carla Gericke is joined by Jake Abuhav who recently won an excellent open government case in Grafton. When he told the board he couldn't hear at a public meeting, the Chairman told him, "Good, this meeting is not for you." Now they have to pay his costs.
Jason Sorens: "The Men Who Made Conservatism"
"Buckley’s and Meyer’s intellectual origins could not have been more different. Both came from wealthy families—Buckley’s was wealthier—but young Meyer gleefully rejected conventional religion and morality as a teenager and became a Communist organizer in the 1930s, while Buckley, 16 years younger than Meyer, was a carbon copy of his Old Right, Catholic, Texas-native father as a teenager."
The Granite Discourse: Eric Brakey
The Executive Director of the Free State Project joins the show to discuss his move from Maine to New Hampshire and how this libertarian mass migration movement is helping to restore the "Live Free or Die" spirit.
Gratitude isn't about the *feeling*, but the *doing*. The real magic is in "practicing"—that's how habits take root and shape who we become. #Gratitude #HabitFormation
News from the Free State
Reason: "New Hampshire could become the 17th state to adopt a strong within-district open enrollment law.”
NH Journal: “New Hampshire Health Care Best In Nation, Report Finds”
NH Journal: "NH Motorist Rights Advocates Gear Up for New Fight After Vehicle Inspection Victory"
Seacoast Online: "New Hampshire Average Hourly Pay Is Higher Than Most States"
Boston Globe: "NH Hasn't Raised Minimum Wage in Sixteen Years"
Granite Grok: "Former State Senator Jeanne Dietsch has been on a tour of sorts, during which she demonstrates that she doesn’t know a thing or two about the Free State Project."
Vermont Biz: "NH among top states for lowest construction unemployment"
NH Bulletin: "Community colleges are hailing a part-time teacher law. Public school advocates are wary."
NHPR: "Ripe for the pickin': Blueberries are in full bloom across NH"
PorcFest XXII
We have been publishing content from this year's Porcupine Freedom Festival.
Just as we did earlier this year with the NH Liberty Forum, we will be publishing PorcFest content on a rolling basis, several times a week, across multiple social media platforms. Please find below all content published since our last newsletter!
You can find all video content from FSP events on YouTube and all audio-only content on our Spotify podcast channel: "FSP Talks."
"Monetary Chaos: Dedollarization, the Mar a Lago Accord, Crypto, and Gold" with Peter Earle of AIER
In this eye-opening talk, economist Peter Earle of the American Institute for Economic Research explores the unraveling of the global monetary system, focusing on what he calls “monetary chaos.”
He explains how U.S. policy decisions—like tariffs, attempts to weaken the dollar, and radical Treasury restructuring—are shaking the foundations of dollar dominance. Earle outlines the emergence of a multi-polar financial world, where gold, commodities, and decentralized digital assets like Bitcoin are gaining prominence. He also warns of the risks tied to Central Bank Digital Currencies and legislation like the GENIUS Act. The future, Earle argues, is one of fragmentation: regional currencies, alternative reserves, and a breakdown of the dollar’s monopoly on global finance.
"Visionary of Blockchain Leading Quai" with Dr. K
Dr. K delivers a compelling presentation on how blockchain technology can break the link between money and the state. He critiques the limitations of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange and introduces Quai Network —a proof-of-work blockchain designed to be scalable, private, and independent of fiat systems.
The system includes two tokens: “Quai” for store-of-value and “Chi,” an energy-backed stable unit meant for daily transactions. With over 50,000 transactions per second and privacy-preserving features, Quai aims to replace dollar dominance with a decentralized, energy-based economy. Dr. K emphasizes the importance of building systems that everyday people can use, arguing that true decentralization requires widespread, practical adoption.
"Pirate Chain: Privacy by Default" with Amy Voluntary & Daniel J
Amy and Daniel, first mates with Pirate Chain, passionately present their privacy-focused cryptocurrency at PorcFest. They explain how Pirate Chain uses zero-knowledge proofs to offer 100% private-by-default transactions, distinguishing it from other privacy coins like Monero or Zcash.
The team stresses the importance of financial sovereignty and warns of increasing attacks on privacy coins by governments and institutions. They highlight tools like Edge Wallet’s new duress mode, Pirate Chain's Treasure Chest full-node wallet, and decentralized exchange options like atomic swaps. The talk ends with a call to action: support privacy coins, reject surveillance, and help build a freer financial future.
Watch their full remarks from PorcFest XXII.
As Seen In the Free State
NH Blueberry Season is Here! Bet you can't eat only one.
Beach Day --> Rain Day. Sometimes a beach day in NH is just hanging out with friends on the coast as the rain comes down. 🌦️
Atlas Shrugged Pinball. On the final morning of Freedom Palooza, Dennis Pratt plays “Atlas Shrugged” pinball at Roaring Brook Farm.
Freedom Palooza 2025 at Roaring Brook Farm. At five years old, one of the youngest attendees of Freedom Fest meets one of the musicians.
One of the best things about New Hampshire? Who can disagree with that? NH Maple Syrup > Aunt Jemima.
Notable Birthdays
Milton Friedman - July 31.
Happy 113th birthday to Milton Friedman! As a pioneer of the Chicago School of Economics, many of his public policy ideas (like school choice) live today in New Hampshire. Milton — we will finish what you started, here in the Free State!
The Empire State - July 26.
Happy birthday New York — appropriately known as the "Empire State." NY has been ranked the least free state every year this century with: (1) double the average taxation, (2) the worst policies for homeschoolers, and (3) no respect for gun rights. Escape New York!
Free State > Empire State.
"Live Free or Die" - July 31.
General John Stark: "LIVE FREE OR DIE — DEATH IS NOT THE GREATEST OF EVILS." 216 years ago today, New Hampshire first heard its motto and mission. Every Free Stater carries those words in our hearts to this day.
Send Ron Paul a Birthday Card. On August 20, Dr. Ron Paul turns 90 years old. If you'd like to express your regards, please send him a birthday card and tell him the Free State Project sent you.
Some Upcoming Events:
Friday, August 1st
Manchester, 7pm-10 - New Mover Potluck - All liberty lovers are invited to join us in welcoming the newest movers of the great liberty migration! Even if you have been here for a while and this is your first opportunity to join the community, come on down! We want to welcome you home as a new mover. New movers eat free! This month guest hosted by Jason Spencer. (the Quill, 131 Amory St, Manchester)
Saturday, August 2nd
Lancaster, 9am-1pm - the ‘Pine Market Day - Bring a table and sell your wares the First Saturday each month! During the summer, this is the same time as the Lancaster Farmer's Market, so may attract some local foot traffic. Table space is free for the 'Pine members; $10 for non-members. Hosted by Amy Norris. (the 'Pine Clubhouse - 70 Main St, 2nd floor, Lancaster)
Manchester, 11:30am-1pm - Merrimack Valley Porcupines - Every first Saturday folks who are passionate about liberty gather for MVP, the Merrimack Valley. This month will be a presentation from Amy Norris regarding next year's PorcFest event. Hosted by Jeremy Olson. (the Quill, 131 Amory St, Manchester)
Concord, 12pm-10 - The Agora - the Watermelon Festival - "The Agora" is a private event where folks are free to voluntarily trade and barter, host workshops, presentations, listen to music, play games, or just socialize with their community. It's August and still pretty warm out, so let’s enjoy fresh fruit (Watermelon, berries, etc.) as a community and the weather outside before it gets cold again. Hosted by Dylan. (the Prickle, 74 Curtisville Rd, Concord)
Croydon, 5pm-9 - Bardo Potluck & Upper Valley New Mover Party - Join the Bardo crew, friends and neighbors for an evening of socializing and good food. Potluck dinner is at 5pm, please bring a dish to share. Hosted by Emily Smith. (Bardo Farm, 92 Forehand Rd, Croydon)
Sunday, August 3rd
Lancaster, 10am-11 - North Country Sunday Yoga/Pilates - Join for a casual yoga and Pilates session. Open to all levels. Free for The 'Pine members ($5 donation for non-members). Hosted by Amy Norris. (the 'Pine Clubhouse - 70 Main St, 2nd floor, Lancaster)
Manchester, 1pm-3 - Sing a Long and Jam - BYOI – Bring Your Own Instruments to our monthly family friendly Jam Session. This is a members and their guests only event. FSP welcome & engagement director Chris Lopez is a member of the Quill and can put families in touch with other members to be guested for this and other Quill events. (the Quill, 131 Amory St, Manchester)
Candia, 1:15pm-3:15 - Garnet School Ruck/Shoot - Bring a backpack full of hiking supplies, water bottle, etc. I’ll be wearing a plate carrier and plenty of magazines and a rifle. This month, we’ll do a pretty easy 2-mile hike around the Conspiracy Campground. Optional hike a second time to around 4 miles. This is a moderate hike. This is a free-of-charge, open-carry event. This will be held rain or shine. Optional shooting after. Range donations accepted. If you want to bring after-hike protein, we’ll have the grill fired up. Hosted by Baxter Tidwell. (Garnet School, 456 Critchett Rd, Candia)
Manchester, 5pm-7:30 - Manchester Crypto Meetup - We’re not trying to shill any coin, token, or project. We are a group of individuals and businesses in support of cryptocurrency and its everyday uses. Hosted by Matt Ping. (Strange Brew, 88 Market St, Manchester)
Keene, 5pm-6 - Social Sunday - Enjoy the company of other liberty-loving people at NH's longest-running activist social! Hosted by Chris Waid. (Local Burger, 82 Main St, Keene)
Nashua, 6pm-8 - Nashua Liberty Social - Weekly Nashua Meet-Up - Location varies each week. This calendar event is typically updated by 2PM on Sunday. Meet-ups are generally within about a 10 minute drive of the downtown area. Hosted by Jeff Creem.