This morning on NHPR’s “The Exchange” with Laura Knoy about the Free State Project‘s first decade in NH, the haters were on the attack against liberty activists here in Keene. Keene activism dominated the conversation with FSP guests Carla Gericke, Joel Winters, and Carol McGuire (both are state representatives – Joel a democrat and Carol a republican).

Perhaps the host of the show will have another episode actually featuring Keene activists who can respond to the ridiculous critics. The usual complaints of toplessness in front of middle schoolers, smoking pot, harassing crossing guards, police, and court staff and other misinformation came up and the guests’ answers were dodgy at best or outright attacks on Keene activism. Carol McGuire, for instance, agreed with the host when she asked her if she thought Keene was a “black eye” on the Free State Project.

One thing is for sure, as Joel Winters points out, Keene activism gets people talking. Too bad none of the speakers on the show bothered to address the ridiculous critiques straight on. No one pointed out:

The haters don’t like freedom and can’t stand to see the little tyrants’ legitimacy threatened by liberty activists, so OF COURSE they are upset by Keene activism. Turns out, though, that they’ll get upset about any activism that gets some traction. There have been plenty of people who have hated on the elected free staters for the same reasons – they are a threat to the status quo. The critics act like they speak for everyone in New Hampshire, but that’s just not the case. The haters are in the minority – and they hate that, too. Most people in NH have never even heard of the Free State Project.

Despite the critics calling and emailing, longtime democrat leader Peter Burling calls in and speaks highly of the FSP, as does Jennifer Horn of the Republicans. You can listen here.