Don't Hate – Create
The rising wave of insecurity and loss of lives. Ethno-religious related upheavals. Unresolved farmers/herders clashes. An ailing economy. The increasing poverty rate among the population.
Real and perceived imbalance in appointments into political and other sensitive positions. These are the key issues and complaints that have dominated the discourse when various self-determination groups and ethnic nationalities voice their desires to secede from Nigeria.
Liz Howse
Full-Time Mommy
LH: What’s self-determination. I know the definition of the words but the wider context?
Oh, that’s kind of interesting but I’m from the UK so I kind of feel maybe I should stfu about anyone else’s self-determination lol. I’d be interested to read your posts as they show me your wall though, I might learn some new stuff.
That’s interesting. I kind of assumed it was a state thing… and having read Celeste’s post and reread the above it seems you extend the definition to individual self-determination on a sort of global basis?
JE: Those are the things that make our group different.
LH: It almost reads like de-identifying from oppressive collective mentality, state or otherwise… that’s quite intriguing.
JE: We help defacto nations, unrepresented peoples, secession movements, and individuals gain self-governance through non-violent means.
LH: It would be a nice world wouldn’t it if we could just travel freely and ignore the old battle lines and bullshit?
JE: There are a lot of exciting experiments going on. If a new country project can’t secede they can go for autonomous territory, Special Economic Zone, Free trade Zone, Charter City, Private city, Co-op, or Intentional/proprietary community.
The other thing we focus on is helping people gain self-governance in their personal life.
Politics is a tool. But, honestly, it is a win/lose process.
LH: Yeah I liked that turn of phrase ” supporting the disillusioned.” That would be me… lol.
Yes! Zen and the Art of motorcycle maintenance.
JE: I love that book. I need to read it again. There are many things an individual can do to live a freer life. You feel disillusioned?
LH: I used to argue with a blac bloc friend… when you tear it all down what are you going to replace it with… not enough people understand the beauty of the system to really change it. IMO.
JE: That is so true… we need people with your wisdom… Societies develop over hundreds or even thousands of years…
LH: In the sense that Celeste’s post was referencing. I’m hitting forty soon… worldwide the corruption and conflict of interest are getting blatant… everything has to be polarised.
No one can seemingly live in fucking peace… it all takes money or tangling with bureaucracy. Lol. If by wisdom you mean people who accept they don’t know wtf anymore…
JE: Too many are in that certainty trap… and willing to fight about it.
LH: Lol.. ain’t that the truth.
JE: Would it be ok for me to post about you?
LH: Sure if it helps other people who might think its not for them but really it is. I don’t suppose it matters where we are if we all want to be free… lol.
JE: Your profile pic or another?
LH: ERM.. its a carclipse..so my profile pic is probably fine. Most people get a kick out of the Tesla in space farce. I suspect the blue marble is imagined geography…
Even more, I suspect our political, geopolitical, and economic spheres are highly likely to be contrived geographies… and also our future too currently…
Which is why, internally, I believe all narratives are ripe for rewriting, reimagining and renegotiating.
During an episode of the Rational Radio webinar, BizNews founder Alec Hogg chatted to Phil Craig, the co-founder of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group. This political pressure group conducted a poll to find out how many people in the Western Cape would support what BizNews has dubbed as ‘Wexit’ – a move to separate the Western Cape from the rest of South Africa. Craig argues that as the Western Cape produces 13.9% of South Africa’s GDP, the province would only benefit from a Cape secession.
“The Western Cape economy, as it currently stands, is equal in size to the economy of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe combined. So, there’s no question of viability. There’s no question that we’ll be better off. As one economist put it to me, effectively it would be a giant special economic zone for South Africa. You now have this kind of freer market, less bureaucracy, investor-friendly territory next door.”
New Delhi, Sep 16
Indian anti-terror agencies have alerted law-enforcement agencies in different states after the banned pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) on Wednesday announced to undertake a door-to-door drive for voter registration in Punjab for its secessionist agenda ‘Referendum-2020’.
The ‘news’ that Star Wars Jedi star Ewan McGregor has shifted his opinion from opposing Scottish independence to enthusiastically supporting it, is welcome and indicative of the fundamental and irreversible shift towards Scottish secession from the increasingly ugly and nasty British Union.
But it is neither ‘news’ nor as significant as the latest opinion poll which registers clear support for Scotland to become an independent nation once again by those who actually live in the country and particularly the young people who are the lifeblood of the nation.
Since the start of 2020, opinion polls have given “Yes” campaigners a consistent lead over their unionist rivals. One recent survey predicted a total reversal of the 2014 referendum result — 55 percent in favor of separation, versus 45 percent against.
Andy Evans
Chair, Straits Area Libertarian Party
From Cheboygan, Michigan
JE: Many libertarians up there?
AE: Finding more and more Libertarian minded folks here, rural areas seem to have a few more. Too much Trump love at the moment though. I lose a few on the topic of immigration. 😉
JE: The Economist magazine says that if people could work where their skills are needed… world GDP would go up 5x. But many libertarians have issues with free migration too.
AE: I think the Ellis Island model worked fine. The current quota with Mexico is a joke. BTW, I think the concept of a State of Superior needs to revisited. Folks in the U.P. of Michigan and nearby areas are NOT happy with the dictates from Lansing and Madison …
JE: What can I do to help? Is there a website… or someone to contact?
AE: Well I’ll post your page in the U.P. Libertarians group for starters, and thanks for asking ❤
JE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_(proposed_U.S._state)
AE: That’s the one. Some challenges here, of course, I heard it would require a 2/3 vote from the Michigan State Legislature, then of course Congress, and they would probably want to balance the Senate seats, etc? I say let in Superior and Puerto Rico (or DC at the same time) perhaps.
JE: What do you think of the election so far?
AE: Typical shit show lol Sure would love to see Jorgensen in the debates, she would mop up the floor with those two. 😉
JE: Yes, how is that going? The debate is the end of Sept?
AE: Well she has zero chance of making the debates. You need a 15% average in the polls – and none of the polls list more than two candidates lol – quite the farce and I’ll probably boycott the debates myself.
JE: That is so sad… What do you think of the SDA group by now?
AE: Love the concept you guys have put together. How many members are there now?
JE: 287 – It is big enough for good discussions… Do you like the concept?
AE: Self-determination is a natural decentralization of government i.e. at the most local level possible. Of course, I suppose sovereign citizen would be the ultimate expression but I’m not quite there yet lol.
Have you reached out to some of the actual groups who have named their entities i.e. microstates etc. ?
JE: Yes, there was a book back in the 90’s “Sovereign Individual.” Different than the “Sovereign Movement.” I have thought of that… Maybe I should… What other ideas do you have for the group?
AE: Well that’s about all at the moment. I guess anything that gets people thinking about the MANY layers of government we deal with, experiences of people in new nations, all the things! Also, I HATE zoning in so many ways.
Californians may be voting on whether to leave the United States and join the nations of the world as a stand alone country. Last week, the California Secretary of State’s office announced that a proposed initiative has been cleared for circulation that would put the question on a future ballot.
If 50% of registered voters participate in election; and 55% of those voting approve, the result would be treated as vote of “no confidence in the United States”.
Thus, an approval vote would not necessarily result in immediate secession (even assuming that the federal government would assent). The proponent has until March 8, 2021 to collect signatures of 623,212 registered voters (five percent of the total votes cast for Governor in the November 2018 general election) in order to qualify the initiative for the ballot.
Another poll, a recent Britain Elects survey, shows the Scottish separatist side ahead on the question of independence. (Yes at 53.5 percent) So, there may be another independence vote on the “neverendum” treadmill.
Daniel E. Twedt
Studied at John Hopkins University
Studied at National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
DT: I often identify as Geo-Libertarian and an e-democracy advocate (www.democracy.earth).
JE: Being a minister, could you start a permaculture community… and not have to pay property tax? You could charge residents a land tax instead…
DT: True. I’m going to be filing for a Religious Non-Profit here in California this year. Land Trusts can circumvent Jarvis-Gann 1% property tax limits apparently.
JE: Good idea! I don’t know about California. You have to negotiate with some counties…
DT: Community Land Trusts are a recognized thing AFAIK.
JE: What is the netork party you were talking about?
DT: They vote according to the e-Democracy outcomes. Pirate Party does the same thing, also 5 star movement.
JE: E democracy outcomes?
DT: Democracy.earth or decidim.org; just follow the popular will on votes for issues
JE: I will check it out. What do they do if I disagree?
DT: Recall, vote out, breach of contract?
JE: Is that three things? Can I stand aside?
DT: I guess any or all would be options. Withdraw endorsement? No pressure. I just want to have a decent looking list there.
JE: “You guys do what you want… but no thanks.” That is what I mean by stand aside… Quaker thing.
DT: https://decidim.org/?fbclid=IwAR2f0gwIPBgpiy0ErpPAJiXumtj9b3Rd73pL0z91JlmsYB25ResR9qCTe5U
JE: That seems more user friendly. The word “Democracy” pushes buttons for me… I think concensus makes a better paradigm
DT: It can have dangerous downsides
JE: Decidem?
DT: I think it can be reformed in the consensus direction too. decidim.org
JE: Oh, Democracy can be reformed? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_democracy#:~:text=Consensus%20democracy%20is%20the%20application,of%20legislation%20in%20a%20democracy.
DT: If the user base is educated… if not, watch out…
JE: De Tocqueville felt Democracy could be a learning process.
DT: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_governance
JE: This looks good too…
DT: I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive
JE: I am interested in your ideas of the use of religious or non-profits to forward freedom…
DT: I think it may be a really powerful bit of legal judo…
JE: Yes, me too; and you were talking about “land”? Trusts?
DT: Probably “Community Land Trusts” for Intentional Communities with Religious Non Profit Organizational Protections
JE: You familiar with FIC? https://www.ic.org/ They might have the legal expertease. Have you lived in comunnity before
DT: Oh in an IC? Rental houses with friends a couple times.
JE: I think it might be fun. If I ever wanted to disapear I would go to a Catholic Worker community.
DT: Hundreds of those and good folks I understand. if civil war breaks out…
JE: Can I still become a Universal Life Church minister?
DT: Sure, instant ordination by decree.
JE: How?
DT: I’ve actually presided at a funeral with it once.
JE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_church
DT: Beats years at Divinity Schools
JE: My concern with the ULC… is that …. it seems kind of scammy
DT: Yeah I think they were more sincere back in 1980 maybe. Bahai faith people meet in houses too.
JE: I heard the most libertarian religion is hinduism. Are you libertarian?
DT: On the spectrum at least! Some interpret this verse as a slam against building churches: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_7:9
JE: “Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?”
Does all the libertarian talk in the group bother you?
DT: No. I’ve been lot’s of different flavors of libertarian over the years.
JE: Good, would hate to alienate you.
DT: lol. that’s MY job usually!
JE: Alieanting people? lol
DT: Gives me a joke idea….Q: What did one hungry alien say to the other hungry alien. A: “Do think if we land this thing and get out we’ll end up alieneating any people?”
JE: Alien-eating! Hehe!
Celeste Garrett
Lives in King William, Virginia
CG: What exactly IS self-determination?
JE: “self-de·ter·mi·na·tion, noun, the process by which a country determines its own statehood and forms its own allegiances and government.
‘the changes cannot be made until the country’s right to self-determination is recognized’ the process by which a person controls their own life.”
I equate it to self-governance.
CG: FASCINATING I like it.
JE: Wanted to thank you for your involvement in the SDA group. What do you think of the group now?
CG: Hmmm, After some interactions, I determined there was too much State for me and so while I haven’t left I did unsubscribe. I don’t have time to battle on Facebook right now, I’m focusing my energies and small amount of spare time on campaign support.
JE: Yes, we started the group… but it has taken on a life of its own.
CG: Yeah. Maybe newcomers who have yet to grasp the idea of Liberty 🤷♀️
JE: I don’t know what to do about it.
CG: LOL! Me either that’s why I just walked away. Indoctrination is hard to break.
JE: Part of me wants to struggle, part of me is just too tired…
CG: Exactly what I was about to say. I don’t have the energy to deal with that right now. Maybe after the election.
JE: Hoping if we have enough anti-statists it would sort itself out.
CG: Maybe?
JE: I actually encourage the statists to post to start a discussion. But it seems to be backfiring.
CG: I’ll look into it more when there aren’t 100 campaign-related things… Debating makes me tired. I prefer to encourage those who are becoming disillusioned.
Self-Determination Advocates