[We were unable to transcribe this letter due to injury, so thanks go to volunteer Anthony Richard for transcribing this letter from Ian. We have not checked the transcription, so we are still attaching to this post Ian's letter scanned in a PDF format.]

My most asked question - "Was it worth it?"

My answer - It depends on your perspective. What do you think?

Allow me to explain. The question feels like there should be some
objective criteria by which one can determine the worth of civil
disobedience. There is not. It's completely subjective.

For instance, were you to look at this from a financial perspective, I
took a big hit. It is costing me thousands to hire contractors to run my
business in my absence. My phone bill alone will likely be in the hundreds
with the collect calls I am making to the LRN.FM studio to be on-air
occasionally and to assist Mark and the rest of our great crew with
Technical Operations. Does it hurt to cut those big checks? Yes, of
course. Could the money have been spent in better ways, perhaps on other
activism? I don't know. How could I quantify what the extra publicity that
Free Talk Live and Free Keene may be receiving is worth? How many people
have decided to move to NH or have moved up their plans because of this
incident? No way to tell. Even if there was some way to know, what value
could be put on each? Incalculable. Therefore, while it is tempting to
judge the "worth" of this incident by a financial perspective, doing so is
folly. Besides, I came here to do activism. Activism takes time and costs
money. I knew that going in.

So, "Was it worth it?"

Another perspective to consider is that of the listener of my radio
program, Free Talk Live. The show is my creation and I have been with it
from day one without any real vacation for almost nine years. I have my
fans and my critics and while I appreciate someone who says, "we need you
behind the microphone." I would encourage them to remember why It's not
called "The Ian and Mark Show", FTL is a open phones panel discussion with
a pro-liberty viewpoint. It has multiple hosts because of a few reasons:

1. I created the show I wanted to listen to, and I prefer not to listen to
myself monolog.

2. Multiple hosts bring multiple perspectives to the table and can check
each other's egos.

3. I wanted the show to continue in my absence. It sure would be a waste
to put years into building a major communications tool for the liberty
movement and then have it wiped out because I got hit by a bus or targeted
by aggressors. Considering I am an activist AND talk host, the latter was
only a matter of time.

Therefore, the show goes on, with or without me. While I would certainly
prefer to be on-air, it would be inappropriate for me to decide the
"worth" of this incident from that perspective. No doubt my critics would
answer the question with a resounding, "Yes!" I'm glad I could finally
make them happy. They will be pleased to discover I still face a trial for
last year's "drinking game", wherein I may be locked up for 18 more
months.

So, "Was it worth it?"

The only valid way for me to answer this is based on how I feel.

I did what I felt was right. I stood in front of that police car as they
were kidnapping my peaceful friend, Heika.

I had determined in advance that I was going to take this action after
being inspired by David Krouse's actions during the 2010 420 in Nashua.
When one chooses the road of disobedience one should expect to be caged.
To believe otherwise is delusional.

I wish the sentence were shorter, but it could have been longer. One must
expect the worst. I knew I might get a harsh sentence, as whether I like
it or not, the government guys think I am the leader. "Judge" John P.
Arnold even called me the spokesman. I hope my time in a cage shows them
that the activism continues without me.

See blog post #2 for a detailed description of my conditions here at the
Keene Spiritual Retreat a.k.a. "Cheshire House of Corrections". Being
caged could be a LOT worse. Just look to Maricopa County, AZ to see how. I
am making the best of my time here.

I talk on-air and blog about civil disobedience and non cooperation. I
advocate it. If I were to advocate it and not perform it, I'd be a
hypocrite. Why would anyone want to listen to a hypocrite? If I were to
advocate, as Gandhi did, to be the change you wish to see, then stand by
and expect others to be that change for me, I'd be a user.

I followed my inner light. I fulfilled my promise to myself. I set and
example in the hope of encouraging others. I am the change I wish to see.
Had I chosen otherwise, I'd not have been able to live with myself.

I chose to stand for liberty, peace, and love. My awesome liberty family
supports me.

OF COURSE it was worth it!!