By Matthew Hayward The struggle for freedom has been a recurring act in the grand theater of human history. Yet, there is a philosophical argument that once freedoms are lost, they are irretrievably gone. This perspective, while disheartening, merits exploration. It's a chilling echo of the words of the trailblazing libertarian Claire Wolfe, "America is at that awkward stage; it's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." The first act in this tragic play is the rise of technology. As we advance technologically, the tools of distraction become more potent. The Roman Coliseum has been replaced by the smartphone, a device that can pacify and distract with unprecedented efficiency. This technological pacification, while seemingly benign, has a sinister side. It diverts attention from the erosion of freedoms, making it easier for those in power to chip away at our liberties unnoticed. Consider the pervasive surveillance facilitated by our ...

By Matthew Hayward Dear free thinkers, In the midst of a tumultuous era, nowhere are changes more starkly evident than within our educational system. A decidedly progressive wave is shaping how our next generation understands the world through critical race theory, human diversity, and a spectrum of identities. At the forefront of these curricular alterations is the topic of gender identity. On the surface, this seems an empathetic, progressive stride aimed at reaching out to those wrestling with their identity in a society that can be less than accepting. But it's worth asking ourselves: Are we prematurely introducing complex topics in the formative period of children's lives? Is there a hidden undercurrent of unintended consequences we need to consider? Could this result in unnecessary confusion among those who've never before questioned their gender identity? Is there a deliberate assault on the pillars of our societal structure, from the nuclear family to our free-marke...

By Matthew Hayward In the face of growing governmental overreach and the erosion of personal liberties, there are those who choose to stand firm, refusing to compromise their principles. I am one of those individuals. Despite the passage of time and the pressure of conformity, I have chosen to maintain my stand against invasive security measures at airports, specifically the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) body scanners. But my stand extends beyond the airport security lines. It reaches into the heart of our society, where the battle for our freedoms is being waged daily. The Early Days of Opt-Out Protests When the TSA first introduced body scanners, there was a significant public outcry. Privacy concerns, health risks, questions about effectiveness, and legal issues led to widespread protests. One of the most notable was " National Opt-Out Day ," which called for a day of protest against the scanners on the busiest travel day of the year. The early days of...

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 As we move to the third entry in our series, "The Tipping Point: When Civil Disobedience Teeters on the Brink of Violent Resistance," we continue to explore moments in history that have tested the fragility of social order. We began by examining the tinderbox of tensions ignited by the global pandemic in the summer of 2020, turning to Minneapolis and the Black Lives Matter protests, the ideological battles waged on the streets of Washington D.C., and the alarming siege at the U.S. Capitol. One event that further exemplifies these tensions was the 2014 Bundy Standoff in Nevada. Here, a legal dispute between cattle rancher Cliven Bundy and the United States Bureau of Land Management morphed into an armed confrontation that drew nationwide attention. The BLM sought to enforce a court order to seize Bundy's cattle, illegally grazing on federal land. Many heavily armed Protesters rallied in support of Bundy, leading to an escalating standoff. The desert air ...

Artificial intelligence (AI) often stirs a sense of unease in the realm of technology. Like any significant technological advancement, the rapid rise of AI is accompanied by a unique set of risks and challenges. As we observe the transformation of numerous industries, it's natural to feel a sense of trepidation. However, I propose a slightly different viewpoint. At its core, technology is neutral. It's a tool that can be wielded for both good and ill. The pivotal question we should ask is not about the tool itself but who is wielding it and for what purpose. If those with benevolent intentions retreat from AI, they leave a void that could be filled by less altruistic forces. This underscores the importance of more 'good' individuals embracing AI and steering it towards a future that is beneficial for all of humanity. This principle is equally applicable to the realm of cryptocurrency. While it's true that cryptocurrency can be exploited for nefarious purposes, it al...

By Matthew Hayward In our  first entry of this series , "The Tipping Point: When Civil Disobedience Teeters on the Brink of Violent Resistance," we delved into COVID-19 lockdown measures, an instance illuminating the delicate balance society often treads between civil disobedience and violent resistance. In Minneapolis, the summer of 2020 was a sweltering cauldron of frustration, fear, and fury. The killing of George Floyd by police sparked an outcry and an inferno. Protestors packed streets and squares, demanding justice and systemic reform. Among the sea of protesters, a significant subset embarked on a path of destruction. The Twin Cities bore the brunt of this rage. As dusk descended on May 28, anarchy took hold. Buildings were engulfed in flames, stores ravaged by looting, and the city's infrastructure creaked under unprecedented strain. The Minneapolis third precinct police station, a symbolic focal point, was overpowered and set ablaze. This wasn't the work of ...