Thank you, @kevinwong --this is a super exciting article and just proves that Steemit really is revolutionary!!!
This article strikes a deep chord, because we actually HAVE experienced the state knocking down our door and giving us hell for no good reason--our peaceful community was raided in a $350,000 black ops SWAT raid in 2013.
Luckily, we’re empowered, intelligent individuals living in a community, and the terrorist tactics did not work. We’re aware of our rights and know the law better than some lawyers, which gives us power in the corrupt system.
There are 8 million laws on the books in the US. After the SWAT team “secured the premises”, they sent in code compliance officers who fined us for such “crimes” as the grass being too high and improper use of an extension cord.
We continue to receive support and fight back against the attempted criminalization of our truly free life (seriously, some people on here like to philosophize about freedom, but we LIVE freedom deeper than most can fathom). We have the right to be secure in our persons and property, but these rights were violated in a most dishonorable and deplorable manner; our free wills were grievously violated. The government TRIED to criminalize us, and justified committing blatant and atrocious crimes because of it!
I disagree with your statement that “you can only be as "good" as your immediate environment”--the Garden of Eden’s existence proves this wrong. We are the most sustainable organization in Texas, we save 350,000 pounds of trash from the landfill annually, and we feed 40,000 free meals a year, and we’re doing it in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex--it’s not the most elevated, conscious, or compassionate environment, but it doesn't limit us. In fact, @quinneaker founded the Garden of Eden because the environment here was so disgusting, just totally lacking in standards. We’re here to embody values and to show everyone that a better way is possible--it really is possible!
We’re also intimately familiar with the criminalization of homelessness, and again we choose to live the solution:
https://steemit.com/homelessness/@gardenofeden/sustainable-community-illegally-feeds-the-homeless
It's immoral to obey unjust laws, so we don't comply.
Thanks for dropping by such an extensive reply - I've checked your linked article :) Sorry to it happened to your community. I'm still searching for words to describe my idea probably - yes "you can only be as "good" as your environment" probably doesn't encapsulate my thoughts on the matter properly. I believe that the imagination brings us far. See the solution beyond what's common in our surroundings takes nodes (or people) who have updated their thinking through years of training and being exposed to ideas one way or the other. Not saying fresh imagination is impossible - there just needs to be a catalyst :)
Very interesting project that you're having over there. I've followed and will check out on your initiative :)
Thank you for the support; we're following you as well! Let's catalyze some inspiration!