The story about Ed Brown is spreading. I mentioned it here last week under the title "Live Free or Die." For those educated in government schools, that's the state motto of New Hampshire.

I've been following this case rather closely and have been in contact with numerous people who have actually been on the ground and have visited with Ed. Ed is a very nice guy. And the Fox News story really mentions the crux of this story. Once again, not for the first time, someone is asking the government a question that simply cannot be answered. When it comes to taxes, Ed says,

Show us the law that requires us to pay [income] taxes, and we'll pay it immediately

Folks, they didn't hide or avoid. They blatantly and openly didn't pay. They also got in trouble for "money laundering" for having funds transferred under the federal reporting limit. In case you're not aware of that law, certain financial institutions are required to fill out federal forms when transactions exceed a certain amount (it used to be $10,000). So, for example, when I was going to receive $15,000, I asked for it in two checks: $7,500 each. I guess that makes me a criminal, too.

Ed does have quite a number of people up there with him. And Ed's rather set in his ways. He is very non-violent. He has vowed not to shoot government trespassers. However, he said that he will also not leave his property against his will.

He was found guilty on Friday, but sentencing is not until April. It's not currently clear whether the judge has issued a warrant for his arrest, but the judge may do so at any moment. I don't know what will happen if they attempt to take Ed by force. If they do so now, there will be a bloodbath because Ed's simply not going. My guess is that the government will attempt to wait him out and won't do anything until closer to the sentencing date.

But there is a way for government to end this without bloodshed -- but they have to leave Ed alone. He's not bothering anyone. He's self-sufficient and won't go anywhere or harm anyone. He's not committed any crime that's hurt anyone in any way. But they're going to get him -- because if they don't, others might actually follow his lead.

Good luck, Ed, and Godspeed.

Posted by: Ogre at 05:04 PM | Comments (16) | Add Comment
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