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Posted: 6/21/2023 12:13:42 PM EDT
WTF?
These folks are going to scour the grocery stores for miles around Probably a great place to score some weed though. Just wear a tie dye shirt Thousands of members of Rainbow Family of Living Light and Love arriving in White Mountain National Forest this July Article pasted in spoiler. Click To View Spoiler Baruch Chaim calls himself a “weekend hippie.” He leads a typical life working as a physician's assistant in Boston, but he’s also a Rainbow who prays for peace and connects with nature alongside thousands of chosen family members in forests around the country. Chaim, whose “Rainbow name” is Stone, plans to come to New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest the first week of July to join thousands of other Rainbows to celebrate love and nature and pray for world peace. More than 5,000 Rainbows – about the population of the town of Hopkinton – are expected to camp in a temporary tent city, which would be a relatively low turnout compared to past annual events. Some have already started arriving. The group has no leaders, no organization, no currency, and no barrier to entry — all are welcome to join the Rainbow Family of Living Love and Light. Who are the Rainbows? The Rainbow Family is an eclectic group of people who describe themselves as hippies, activists, outcasts, and peace promoters. Members pride themselves on their individuality and refer to each other with a unique rainbow name. The Rainbow Family’s Facebook group has over 25,000 members, many of whom post updates as if talking to their closest friends. Michael Niman, author of People of the Rainbow: A Nomadic Utopia and professor of journalism and media studies at Buffalo State College, said anyone can be a Rainbow, including himself. Historically, he said, non-violent communes require some level of formal membership, which makes the Rainbow Family unique in its inclusivity. “Anybody with a belly button is a rainbow,” Niman said, “some just don’t know it yet.” Gatherings are typically filled with clouds of marijuana smoke, tie-dye shirts and naked bodies wading in muddy water. This peaceful imagery doesn’t always tell the whole story. “Just like any other town of ten to twenty thousand people, the majority are wonderful, incredible, beautiful people who would probably give you the shirt off their back,” said Stone. “And then you're going to have a couple who are known as ‘Drainbows.’” Drainbows are the people who come to gatherings with the wrong intention, there to spend days in the woods drinking alcohol and being rowdy. “They end up sucking the energy and life out of a lot of things,” Stone said. But Drainbows are a minority and tend to remain near the parking lot, which the Rainbow Family views as a barrier to the outside world that they call “Babylon.” Walk a little farther into the national forest, past the parking lot, and you may enter something magical or shocking depending on your perspective. The Nationals Every year since 1972, the Rainbow Family has gathered in a national forest for their annual week-long event, often referred to as “nationals.” Thousands of Rainbows carpool and hitchhike to get to their destination — a different national forest each year— to make it for the first week of July. Nationals are like “summer camp for adults,” according to Stone, with different events each night including a talent show and a singer-songwriter series. Stone requested his paid time off from the emergency department five months ago in preparation for the gathering. Rainbows often separate into smaller clusters of people to set up camp, ranging from Kid Village where all of the younger rainbows are, to Yoga camp, to the Lovin’ Oven where big barrel ovens full of cinnamon buns and treats are baking 24/7. When Stone goes to nationals, he “plugs in” with two groups — “CALM,” or the Center for Alternative Living Medicine, which functions as the first aid camp at Rainbow events, and the Jewish camp called “Home Shalom.” Stone is an orthodox Jew who lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, but spent a few years in Israel at a rabbinical school, an experience that eventually led him to the Rainbow family. Home Shalom offers Kosher food and daily prayers, but most special to Stone is the thought of practicing Judaism in nature. “Judaism was originally twelve tribes in the wilderness,” he said. “I never feel more spiritual than when I’m in nature communing with God.” Pete Golden, Rainbow name Soaring Eagle, is disabled and becoming a student pilot through the non-profit Freedom’s Wings. Soaring Eagle has watched people arrive at gatherings on the verge of complete despair and leave smothered with joy and love. What keeps him coming back to gatherings is “the love and the goodness of the people,” he said. The Rainbow non-economy All you need to attend a Rainbow gathering is padding to sleep on, if anything. Anyone can live off of the makeshift banking system that the Rainbows call the “magic hat.” “You give what you can,” said Niman. “Whether you dropped off a thousand dollars to the magic hat, or whether you haven’t touched money in years, you line up with everybody else.” At one of the larger gatherings in Vermont, Ben and Jerry’s sent a refrigerated truckload of ice cream. People might be cooking, educating others, or on “sherpa duty,” but “everybody contributes in their own way,” said Soaring Eagle. Stone contributes to gatherings with his medical expertise. For any health issue that a Rainbow is facing, whether it be a cold, a splinter, or a medical emergency, Stone is there to help. He will diagnose sicknesses, recognize the symptoms of stroke, help treat drug-related emergencies, and even perform CPR if needed. Non-Violence? In 1980, nationals were at the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. In late June of that year, Nancy Santomero and Vicki Durian were hitchhiking to their Rainbow Family reunion when they were murdered. Though the murder was not traced to anyone associated with the gathering, the crime contrasts with the Rainbow Family’s reputation of safety. “If there’s violence in American culture, it's gonna show up at the gathering,” said Niman. What sets Rainbows apart, however, is their approach to violent incidents that do occur. “If you see a problem, you don’t call the police, you become the police, and everybody around you becomes the police, and you try to intervene non-violently,” said Niman. Soaring Eagle, who sits in a wheelchair as a quadriplegic, feels safe and protected at Rainbow events, but understands that entering an event through the parking lot full of chaos can be intimidating. Hilary Markin is an officer for the National Rainbow Incident Management team, a collection of people who work with national forests around the country. “We help respond to the incident, to address the public health and safety concern for minimized environmental impact to the resources, and to recognize and mitigate the social and political impacts that are happening on the ground,” said Markin. Their team is on-site at the nationals from mid-June through early July, working with the campers to ensure the health and safety of Rainbows and the resources around them. They post daily about the number of people on site, safety estimations, and other updates for the community. Gatherings in national parks of 75 people or more require a permit, but because the Rainbows have no system of leadership or hierarchy, they claim no one of them can be in charge of the licensing process. Each year, the incident team hands out permit applications, but these end up being more symbolic than anything, as the Rainbows have not budged. Marijuana and drug culture Keeping with its aura as a counter-culture community that originated in the 70s, marijuana is a key ingredient to any Rainbow gathering. “A lot of rainbows have taken marijuana as a sacrament,” said Niman. If there is tension between rainbows, marijuana can often be the unifying solution. “Just chill the f*** out and sit down and smoke this bowl,” Niman described as a typical reaction to friction. Though marijuana can be seen and sniffed in almost every crevice of the campsite, the Rainbow Family does not believe in alcohol consumption. “Alcohol is the source of so many problems,” said Stone. If a Rainbow is found drinking alcohol, members will kindly intervene. There are also dry camps at nationals that have Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and other sobriety chapter meetings every day. Impacts – environmental and otherwise The environmental impact of thousands of people living in the forest is a potential concern. Last year at nationals in Routt National Forest, Colorado, officials were concerned with the “environmental and wildlife impact of any gathering this size, along with the fire risk,” Larry Desjardin, president of Keep Routt Wild told Steamboat Pilot & Today. In 2017, nationals were in Malheur National Forest in Oregon. Dave Halemeier, Blue Mountain district ranger for the Malheur National Forest, said the land would take years to recover. “It’s basically been reduced to dirt,” Halemeier said of the Rainbow gathering’s main meadow. National Forest officials also reported that elk and other animals were displaced by the gathering, possibly because of the dogs and other pets that Rainbows bring with them. Generally, though, the National Forest Service expects Rainbows to clean up after themselves and trusts them to do so. The USDA Forest Services website reads: “The Rainbow Family is responsible for site rehabilitation. Guidelines are outlined in the resource protection plan. At past events, many individuals have stayed to assist in site clean-up and have paid for trash disposal with a local vendor.” On the same website, the forest service warns: “Some activities may include public nudity, civil disobedience, drug and alcohol abuse, confrontations between Rainbows and locals, abandoned or disabled vehicles, and traffic congestion and parking for 4,000-7,000 vehicles.” The impact of the upcoming gathering in New Hampshire will be followed closely by the forest service and other local and state organizations. This year's gathering will be held near the Kilkenny Loop Road near the city of Berlin. “An incident of this size can have significant impacts on traffic, communities, local resources, residents, and visitors,” the Forest Service warned. “Local businesses can expect to see large numbers of Rainbow Family participants visiting stores and buying food and supplies along routes to the incident location. Forest and local roads in the vicinity may become congested during the incident and road closures and/or traffic detours may occur.” Though the dates are technically July 1-7, the event is sure to peak on the 4th. For Rainbows, July 4th is spent entirely in silence from dawn until noon. People meditate, do yoga, pray for peace, and sift toward the main meadow all morning, waiting for the Kid Village parade to break the silence. Then, once the quiet is pierced, everyone joins hands for an “om” circle that lasts about forty-five minutes and leads into their biggest festivity. “Everyone goes wild,” said Soaring Eagle. Despite it being semi sovcit behavior, I do kind of like their stance on permits. USFS Release. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whitemountain/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1114608 |
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NRA: Not another dime until WLP is gone
GOA: Supported anti 2A legislation in NH-not a dime until they fix themselves SAF: Sends the most junk mail of all and refuses to remove me. Worst donation I ever did. |
[#1]
Aight. Hear me out. Three words.
Aztec death whistles. |
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[#2]
Great..... more homeless junkies to suck any and all resources out of every community they come across. The amount of "free shit" and resources that are thrown at these people is staggering. Drug addiction and mental illness is rampant among them.
Imagine small roaming groups of leeches that leave trash and shit(literally) and used needles littered about along their path. Your public safety resources stretched thin. Your food banks looted. Your elderly left with no help because these people consumed the resources meant for them...... That what these people are and do. |
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[#3]
I feel sorry for the area's residents. Also assume that every grocery store from Tilton north will be stripped bare.
I really feel sorry for the areas EMS folks responding to the inevitable issues there. |
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NRA: Not another dime until WLP is gone
GOA: Supported anti 2A legislation in NH-not a dime until they fix themselves SAF: Sends the most junk mail of all and refuses to remove me. Worst donation I ever did. |
[#4]
Berlin/Gorham has been a shit show.
These are not hippies in the traditional sense....tread lightly around them. |
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[#5]
Originally Posted By Jmo371: Berlin/Gorham has been a shit show. These are not hippies in the traditional sense....tread lightly around them. View Quote and it hasn't even started yet Concord Monitor had an article saying the cleanup and rehab that the USFS does runs between $500-700K annually. These folks are supposedly known for picking up their trash, but that's about it. I'm staying FAR away in the Lakes and then western Coos. |
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NRA: Not another dime until WLP is gone
GOA: Supported anti 2A legislation in NH-not a dime until they fix themselves SAF: Sends the most junk mail of all and refuses to remove me. Worst donation I ever did. |
[#6]
USFS is everywhere up here.... saw a line of 5 or 6 USFS trucks heading towards Gorham on my way in to work this morning......lot's of conflict with the locals and the rainbow crowd. Its only the beginning.
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[#7]
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"Some get spiritual because they see the light, others because they feel the heat."-Ray Wylie Hubbard
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[#8]
Originally Posted By Jmo371: USFS is everywhere up here.... saw a line of 5 or 6 USFS trucks heading towards Gorham on my way in to work this morning......lot's of conflict with the locals and the rainbow crowd. Its only the beginning. View Quote |
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For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.
Thomas Jefferson "He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige |
[#9]
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[#10]
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For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.
Thomas Jefferson "He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige |
[#11]
Thanks for the heads up!
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[#12]
Saw some likely folks hitchhiking on the Exit 41 south onramp today. Chick with her thumbs up and stoner old dude sitting on the grass. If it was just the chick, I might have picked her up--but kept the windows rolled down.
Dead smack in the middle of downtown Littleton is a NHSP presence and a little printed sign saying federal court check in. I'm betting that is related. |
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NRA: Not another dime until WLP is gone
GOA: Supported anti 2A legislation in NH-not a dime until they fix themselves SAF: Sends the most junk mail of all and refuses to remove me. Worst donation I ever did. |
[#13]
Originally Posted By FDC: Saw some likely folks hitchhiking on the Exit 41 south onramp today. Chick with her thumbs up and stoner old dude sitting on the grass. If it was just the chick, I might have picked her up--but kept the windows rolled down. Dead smack in the middle of downtown Littleton is a NHSP presence and a little printed sign saying federal court check in. I'm betting that is related. View Quote Rumor is USFS/NHSP has been crushing these guys with tickets and arrests, so much so they flew a federal Judge into Littleton in preparation of the event. |
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[#14]
Originally Posted By Jmo371: Rumor is USFS/NHSP has been crushing these guys with tickets and arrests, so much so they flew a federal Judge into Littleton in preparation of the event. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Jmo371: Originally Posted By FDC: Saw some likely folks hitchhiking on the Exit 41 south onramp today. Chick with her thumbs up and stoner old dude sitting on the grass. If it was just the chick, I might have picked her up--but kept the windows rolled down. Dead smack in the middle of downtown Littleton is a NHSP presence and a little printed sign saying federal court check in. I'm betting that is related. Rumor is USFS/NHSP has been crushing these guys with tickets and arrests, so much so they flew a federal Judge into Littleton in preparation of the event. Nice. While I'm not really against their I don't want a permit ideal and I've got no issue with folks having mostly safe fun, these folks are a genuine hassle for the area. |
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NRA: Not another dime until WLP is gone
GOA: Supported anti 2A legislation in NH-not a dime until they fix themselves SAF: Sends the most junk mail of all and refuses to remove me. Worst donation I ever did. |
[#15]
Originally Posted By FDC: Nice. While I'm not really against their I don't want a permit ideal and I've got no issue with folks having mostly safe fun, these folks are a genuine hassle for the area. View Quote I don't really care about some hippies doing mushrooms/acid in the woods....not even a little. While most of them might be just peace love dope hippies, they bring a lot of radical wackos, criminals, anti-government types with them........and holly shit if you say anything negative about them on any social media, or to one of them? They DOX you, follow people around, it can be a pretty wild/dangerous group.....with some pretty bad actors concealed inside an innocent message of peace. Just steer clear. |
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[#16]
One of the most dangerous creatures you'll ever run in to is an angry liberal.
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For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.
Thomas Jefferson "He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige |
[#17]
Originally Posted By FDC: Saw some likely folks hitchhiking on the Exit 41 south onramp today. Chick with her thumbs up and stoner old dude sitting on the grass. If it was just the chick, I might have picked her up--but kept the windows rolled down. Dead smack in the middle of downtown Littleton is a NHSP presence and a little printed sign saying federal court check in. I'm betting that is related. View Quote Meh, those two could have just been Littleton locals. I’ve been seeing a lot of absolute critters around there the last couple of years. |
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"Some get spiritual because they see the light, others because they feel the heat."-Ray Wylie Hubbard
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[#18]
Originally Posted By Detn8r-Red2: Meh, those two could have just been Littleton locals. I’ve been seeing a lot of absolute critters around there the last couple of years. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Detn8r-Red2: Originally Posted By FDC: Saw some likely folks hitchhiking on the Exit 41 south onramp today. Chick with her thumbs up and stoner old dude sitting on the grass. If it was just the chick, I might have picked her up--but kept the windows rolled down. Dead smack in the middle of downtown Littleton is a NHSP presence and a little printed sign saying federal court check in. I'm betting that is related. Meh, those two could have just been Littleton locals. I’ve been seeing a lot of absolute critters around there the last couple of years. Not wanting to open a can of worms, but what is with all the I guess African natives floating around there. Seems an odd location, but I run into them every time I hit that sketchy as heck Walmart. |
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NRA: Not another dime until WLP is gone
GOA: Supported anti 2A legislation in NH-not a dime until they fix themselves SAF: Sends the most junk mail of all and refuses to remove me. Worst donation I ever did. |
[#19]
Originally Posted By Jmo371: I don't really care about some hippies doing mushrooms/acid in the woods....not even a little. While most of them might be just peace love dope hippies, they bring a lot of radical wackos, criminals, anti-government types with them........and holly shit if you say anything negative about them on any social media, or to one of them? They DOX you, follow people around, it can be a pretty wild/dangerous group.....with some pretty bad actors concealed inside an innocent message of peace. Just steer clear. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Jmo371: Originally Posted By FDC: Nice. While I'm not really against their I don't want a permit ideal and I've got no issue with folks having mostly safe fun, these folks are a genuine hassle for the area. I don't really care about some hippies doing mushrooms/acid in the woods....not even a little. While most of them might be just peace love dope hippies, they bring a lot of radical wackos, criminals, anti-government types with them........and holly shit if you say anything negative about them on any social media, or to one of them? They DOX you, follow people around, it can be a pretty wild/dangerous group.....with some pretty bad actors concealed inside an innocent message of peace. Just steer clear. My experience has been extremely heavy on drug abuse and mental illness. These people will do anything to get that fix including going through you and or taking what they can from you to get to it. They often seem fairly docile when they are high and therefore content, ranging from social to barely conscious. When they aren't high/content they are extremely unpredictable and dangerous. Often they have weapons of some sort as well. Just steering clear is very good advice. |
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[#20]
How did Bike Week go over there this year? We heard lots of bikes (we're set back quite a ways from any roads) but didn't really see a lot of news about it.
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For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.
Thomas Jefferson "He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige |
[#21]
Originally Posted By JCoop: How did Bike Week go over there this year? We heard lots of bikes (we're set back quite a ways from any roads) but didn't really see a lot of news about it. View Quote Surprisingly peaceful and respectful from where I'm currently sitting by Squam Lake on 3. Read as bike noise all day long. Didn't see a bunch of groups doing dumb stuff either. I don't even think there were any fatalities this year. Never got crowded out of my local bar either. |
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NRA: Not another dime until WLP is gone
GOA: Supported anti 2A legislation in NH-not a dime until they fix themselves SAF: Sends the most junk mail of all and refuses to remove me. Worst donation I ever did. |
[#22]
Originally Posted By FDC: Surprisingly peaceful and respectful from where I'm currently sitting by Squam Lake on 3. Read as bike noise all day long. Didn't see a bunch of groups doing dumb stuff either. I don't even think there were any fatalities this year. Never got crowded out of my local bar either. View Quote |
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For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.
Thomas Jefferson "He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige |
[#23]
Hey no fatalities in a week was a crazy high standard to meet.
Somehow they did it. |
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NRA: Not another dime until WLP is gone
GOA: Supported anti 2A legislation in NH-not a dime until they fix themselves SAF: Sends the most junk mail of all and refuses to remove me. Worst donation I ever did. |
[#24]
Local news articles have been saying that attendance for the rainbow crowd is significantly lower then expected.
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[#25]
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War Don Alejo Garza Tamez!
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[#26]
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[#27]
Originally Posted By FDC: Not wanting to open a can of worms, but what is with all the I guess African natives floating around there. Seems an odd location, but I run into them every time I hit that sketchy as heck Walmart. View Quote Littleton’s kinda the “big city” for the northern part of the state. You get a little bit of everything there. That Walmart is sketchy as shit though. The one in Woodsville is a little better. |
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"Some get spiritual because they see the light, others because they feel the heat."-Ray Wylie Hubbard
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[#28]
Originally Posted By Detn8r-Red2: Littleton’s kinda the “big city” for the northern part of the state. You get a little bit of everything there. That Walmart is sketchy as shit though. The one in Woodsville is a little better. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Detn8r-Red2: Originally Posted By FDC: Not wanting to open a can of worms, but what is with all the I guess African natives floating around there. Seems an odd location, but I run into them every time I hit that sketchy as heck Walmart. Littleton’s kinda the “big city” for the northern part of the state. You get a little bit of everything there. That Walmart is sketchy as shit though. The one in Woodsville is a little better. Fave area Walmart is Plymouth--less scruffy Vermonsters, but unfortunately more greasy Massholes. There is a physically disabled dude that works in sporting goods. He's cool as shit and a legit gun guy. |
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NRA: Not another dime until WLP is gone
GOA: Supported anti 2A legislation in NH-not a dime until they fix themselves SAF: Sends the most junk mail of all and refuses to remove me. Worst donation I ever did. |
[#29]
Originally Posted By FDC: Fave area Walmart is Plymouth--less scruffy Vermonsters, but unfortunately more greasy Massholes. There is a physically disabled dude that works in sporting goods. He's cool as shit and a legit gun guy. View Quote I only go to that one about once a year now. When I first moved to NH (former scruffy Vermonster) that was the closest one to me, so I used to go all the time. |
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"Some get spiritual because they see the light, others because they feel the heat."-Ray Wylie Hubbard
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[#30]
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NRA: Not another dime until WLP is gone
GOA: Supported anti 2A legislation in NH-not a dime until they fix themselves SAF: Sends the most junk mail of all and refuses to remove me. Worst donation I ever did. |
[#31]
Scumbags.
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For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.
Thomas Jefferson "He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige |
[#32]
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NRA: Not another dime until WLP is gone
GOA: Supported anti 2A legislation in NH-not a dime until they fix themselves SAF: Sends the most junk mail of all and refuses to remove me. Worst donation I ever did. |
[Last Edit: JCoop]
[#33]
Saw that. I don't understand how somebody can defend people who leave their disgusting, filthy trash piles laying around for others to clean up (and pay for). That's a total lack of respect.
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For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.
Thomas Jefferson "He didnt punch anybody. He punched an idea." DrFrige |
[#34]
Originally Posted By FDC: They are. There is a couple in that sub trying to defend them as well. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By FDC: Originally Posted By JCoop: Scumbags. They are. There is a couple in that sub trying to defend them as well. Shame on you both, don't you know that they're victims of society? Yes that was sarcasm. We as a society enable this shit. We enable people to do absolutely nothing with their lives. To contribute nothing to society. To overdose over and over again and be saved only to do it again. Generations of people living off welfare and shitting out tons of kids who will in turn do the same and leech off the system their entire lives. We have created multiple generations of snowflakes and victims. People who think they're special and don't have to follow any rules. They do nothing and shit is handed to them for free their whole lives. It's only going to get worse until the whole system collapses. |
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