By Matthew Hayward In our daily commutes, we often encounter endless red lights, bringing us to a crossroads of practicality and strict adherence to traffic laws. It's a familiar scenario: a red light that tests our patience more than it ensures our safety. This pondering was further sparked by an article in the News Tribune about the complexities of traffic light laws, leading me to contemplate the balance between logical decision-making and lawful obedience. Picture this: you're at a three-way intersection that's missing a crucial element—a turn lane. Here, the traffic lights orchestrate a perplexing situation that defies common sense. You're driving south, intent on continuing straight, but as the northbound traffic receives a green light, you find yourself halted by a red signal that serves no apparent purpose. Despite the clear path ahead, the traffic system doesn't recognize your intention to go straight. It lumps you in with those who might turn, unnecessari...

By Matthew Hayward In the eternal battle between liberty and oppression, we must recognize the crucial roles that individuals, including those in public service , play in upholding or dismantling the chains of tyranny. We must also accept that sometimes, making those who enforce unjust rules uncomfortable might be the only way to tip the scales in favor of freedom. This is a path not of violence but of conviction, courage, and unwavering commitment to our rights . The Discomfort of Enforcement The concept of making enforcement more uncomfortable than refusal is not merely a theoretical idea but a practical tool we can wield in our struggle for liberty. Let's examine how this principle has been put into action: Law Enforcement: A personal experience showed that standing firm against law enforcement led to their backing down. The public's general outrage and subtle suggestions about individual accountability and comparisons to the Nuremberg Trials and being armed created a situa...

By Matthew Hayward In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., "He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it." This powerful statement resonates deeply with the principles of civil libertarianism, which champions individual rights and limited government. It serves as a stark reminder that our silence and inaction can inadvertently contribute to the perpetuation of evil. The TSA: A Case of Unwitting Complicity Consider the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Established in the aftermath of 9/11, the TSA was tasked with ensuring the safety of travelers. However, in the process, it has often been accused of infringing upon individual rights with invasive searches and questionable practices. One of the most egregious examples of this was the use of full-body scanners that displayed explicit images of passengers' bodies. There were instances where ...

By Matthew Hayward 3/24/2025 The hard decisions and things you do today will make tomorrow easier, more pleasant, and more fulfilling. 2/28/2024 Freedom is not merely the absence of chains, but the presence of choices that allow individuals to shape their own destinies. 1/16/2024 When your greatest fear is that you will not accomplish enough in this life and you use it to motivate you each day, you become a force to be reckoned with. AI assisted interpretation: "In the crucible of our deepest fears about legacy, where the dread of underachievement burns, therein lies the forge of the ultimate architect of destiny." 8/21/2023 Embrace each new day with gratitude and courage, knowing that with faith and perseverance, we can build a life of meaning and purpose. 8/19/2023 Pushing the blurry lines between freedom and authority, challenging the comfortable boundaries we've accepted, is where liberty shines brightest; this bold defiance reveals our true freedom. 8/7/2023 Embrace ...

By Matthew Hayward Patriotism is often defined as love for one's country and a willingness to serve and defend it. However, when the government of that country is being run by people who ignore and disrespect the Constitution and founding documents and intentions laid down by the founders, the definition of patriotism becomes more complicated. In such situations, standing against one's own government can be seen as the most patriotic action. The founders wrote the Constitution and founding documents to establish a government that would protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens. They recognized that unchecked government power can lead to tyranny , and they designed a system of checks and balances to prevent such abuses of power. The Constitution outlines the government's structure, defines each branch's powers, and sets limits on what the government can and cannot do. It also includes the Bill of Rights, which is integral to the Constitution, specifically enumerate...

By Matthew Hayward Story #1 In the late 1800s, the town of Port Townsend, Washington, was plagued by corrupt officials who abused their power and stole from the people they were supposed to serve. Frustrated and outraged, a group of citizens known as the Port Townsend Regulators decided to take matters into their own hands. They saw themselves as defenders of justice and the common good, standing up to a corrupt government that had lost its way. Too many people in Port Townsend and beyond, the Regulators were heroes who stood up to tyranny and fought for what was right. They were seen as fearless defenders of the people willing to risk their own safety to stand up to government corruption and abuse. The Regulators were praised for their courage, sense of justice, and willingness to take action when others would not. The Regulators' most famous act was the burning down of the Jefferson County Courthouse and Jail in 1889. This dramatic action was a symbol of the Regulators' deter...

By Matthew Hayward  The government must cease attacking the liberties of the American people and Washingtonians.  The direct and indirect use of force to coerce and threaten people's livelihoods, attacking our liberties and pursuit of happiness, is becoming an act of war against the people. Non-compliance is an appropriate response; it is both justified and a position worthy of self-defense. "As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose — that it may violate property instead of protecting it — then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder."