Waco, Weaver, Brown

Post by **Demosthenes** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:59 pm

Tax resisters finding allies in cyberspace
N.H. couple vow to continue fight
By Raja Mishra, Globe Staff | June 22, 2007

PLAINFIELD, N.H. -- He has been holed up for five months in his turreted mountain compound with federal prison time hanging over his head. And convicted tax cheat Ed Brown, a handgun tucked in his pants and a hunting knife on his belt, vows that he is not coming out alive.

"They think they can intimidate us," Brown said of federal agents. "They can't. Not everyone in the world is a coward. We're men."

The defiant stand by this New Hampshire exterminator and his wife, Elaine, a dentist, over their refusal to pay $625,000 in taxes because they refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of the US government echoes previous sieges in Waco and Ruby Ridge.

But this standoff carries a new dimension: Brown's antigovernment crusade has rocketed through cyberspace, transforming the once-anonymous couple into a cause célèbre among fringe groups around the world and leaving federal agents wary of turning them into martyrs.

Brown's blog has received more than a million hits in a month. Randy Weaver, who infamously resisted arrest at Ruby Ridge in Idaho in 1992, has joined Brown at his compound to offer his support after word spread online. Supporters from across the country arrive bearing supplies and camaraderie.

During a rare and recent interview in his fortified home, a cross between a Victorian house and a castle, Brown ranted about the government and accused President Bush of orchestrating the Sept. 11 attacks.

As he spoke, one admirer pecked away on a laptop. Another took digital video for uploading to the web. Yet another ally plotted updates to Brown's MySpace page.

"It's too late" to stop him, said Brown, 64. "Too many people are aware."

Federal agents are treading gingerly around Brown, recalling that Timothy McVeigh was provoked by the bloodshed at Ruby Ridge and Waco to commit the Oklahoma City bombing.

Brown and his wife were convicted of 20 tax evasion-related felonies in January and sentenced to five years in prison and a $215,890 fine.

"It is our intention to serve the warrants," said Stephen R. Monier, US marshal for the New Hampshire district, who is leading the effort against the couple. "It is not our intention, however, to engage in a violent confrontation with the Browns. We have no intention of harming the Browns."

Monier has sent them two letters urging a peaceful surrender. The couples' other property in Lebanon, N.H., was seized by federal agents in June. All utilities to their Plainfield compound have been shut off.

But Brown has power from a wind turbine generator and solar panels, communications through satellite dishes, and a steady stream of food, water, and supplies brought in by followers and friends who have read about his case online.

"They are trying to shut me and my wife up," Brown said. "They know they're in deep trouble."

The Browns live on a lush 103-acre property near the Vermont border with mountain views and a sizable pond out back. Signs posted at the head of his lengthy driveway warn people away, but a steady stream of visitors has come and gone over the past five months, with occasionally more than 20 people lodging in the sprawling compound.

Federal authorities do not maintain any presence there. Brown moved from Westborough, Mass., in 1990. US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has a vacation home a half-mile away.

Beginning in 1996, the Browns stopped paying taxes, mostly on income generated by Elaine Brown's dentistry practice.

Prosecutors said the Browns used falsified tax returns and other financial schemes to try to hide their income.

A jury rejected Brown's antigovernment theories at trial, and the couple was convicted. In the middle of the trial, Brown left court and ensconced himself on his property, where he has been since. His wife soon joined him.

"We know there's a possibility that this will end badly and they will end up killing us," Elaine Brown said in May in an interview on Terri Dudley's talk-radio show on WTSL-AM in Hanover. "Maybe some of us will die, but that happens in every revolution."

Dudley, a Lebanon city councilor and former mayor, has known the Browns for 15 years. Elaine Brown was her dentist.

"Elaine is a very friendly person," Dudley said. "Her husband is friendly but a little more aggressive."

Dudley said she cannot reconcile that image with the couples' rhetoric. "They're very passionate in their belief that citizens are not supposed to pay income tax. . . . I believe they will either walk out free or in body bags."

Indeed, Ed Brown's beliefs are well outside the mainstream.

He admires Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a bitter foe of the United States. Brown believes that the US government is an arm of the Freemasons, a centuries- old fraternal order that has long been a staple of conspiracy theories.

He said Bush ordered the killing of thousands on Sept. 11 to justify a takeover of the Islamic world on behalf of Freemasons. He said his allies around the world are compiling a list of Freemasons for future reference.

"For years now, we've been identifying them . . . in each town, each city, each state, each nation," he said. "We know who they are."

The supporters who come in a steady stream to the Browns' compound come lugging laptops, cellphones, and video cameras, united by deep skepticism about governmental institutions.

"There are a lot of people interested in what he has to say," said Cirino Gonzalez of Alice, Texas, who has moved in with the Browns to manage their MySpace page.

Danny Romero, 59, cofounder of We The People Radio Network of Austin, Texas, sat typing on a Dell laptop in the Brown's dining room, preparing a pro-Brown video for his website.

"When you get good people, serious people together . . . change happens," he said. "The forces are all coming together."

Next to him sat Weaver, one of the iconic figures in the antigovernment movement. Weaver's son and wife were killed in the Ruby Ridge stand-off, as was Deputy US Marshal William F. Degan, a . Quincy, Mass., native.

Weaver, who now lives in Arkansas, said he is once again willing to face off with federal agents. "I respect courage," he said of Brown. "I'll be dead before I follow the government like a blind sheep."

Monier said the Browns will eventually be charged with obstruction of justice for resisting arrest.

He acknowledged that the Internet has given Brown a considerable platform to spread his views and mock federal agents. But Monier said he will continue the waiting game.

"It requires a strategy that takes a slow, methodical, and careful approach to resolving the situation," he said.

Robert Trestan -- a lawyer with the Anti-Defamation League, which monitors fringe groups -- said material from Brown's websites is reposted on other radical websites that are linked to even more websites, multiplying the effect of Brown's message.

"There are a lot of extremist media that are covering him around the world," Trestan said. "He's able to tell someone a thousand miles away what's happening right now in his house."

With all the people watching, federal agents are even more reluctant to act aggressively against Brown, while Brown is less likely to back down so as not to disappoint his followers, specialists on fringe groups said.

Brown said the standoff will only end peacefully if the government leaves him and his wife alone, so they can move south.

"We're tired of the cold," he said. "My wife and I were ready to retire and go live our life happily ever after."

But he made clear he now has a more ambitious goal: "The end of tyranny forever."

ElfNinosMom · Post by **ElfNinosMom** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:04 pm

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs ... 043/NEWS01

Joe Haas, whose crusades against property taxes, federal jurisdiction and other arcane legal matters have made him a familiar face around the State House, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with threatening a Lebanon city councilor in an e-mail he sent to government officials. Haas's message was a part of his most recent campaign, to free Plainfield residents Ed and Elaine Brown from their tax evasion convictions.

The Plainfield police arrested Haas, 54, of Gilmanton, on Wednesday outside Plainfield Town Hall on a misdemeanor charge of criminal threatening.

In a message sent last Friday, Haas assailed Gov. John Lynch and the Lebanon City Council, in language at times biblical and legalistic, for not doing more to protect the Browns from the U.S. Marshals Service.

"You all live in a dream land of lies, the father of which is the devil himself: devil worshipers you must be," Haas wrote in the e-mail, addressing the council. "Either you do your job, or get out of the way. WISE UP OR DIE. If the latter be your choice, then BE GONE with you NOW!"

Ed and Elaine Brown were convicted and sentenced to five years in prison earlier this year for not paying income taxes. Saying they will resist any attempt by marshals to arrest them, they have been holed up in their Plainfield home for the past five months.

After receiving Haas's e-mail, Councilor Terri Dudley, who formerly served as a state representative, complained to Lebanon Police Chief Jim Alexander and state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte.

In 2005, Haas faced criminal charges for sending an e-mail to Ayotte in which he warned that her month-old daughter would be killed if she didn't stop prosecuting one of his friends. The judge ruled that the law under which he was tried - improper influence of a public official - was unconstitutional because it was too broad, and she dismissed the case.

More than a decade ago, Haas was charged with assaulting a tax collector and a police chief in Grafton County. He was acquitted of the charges against the chief but spent 62 days in jail for the fight with the tax collector.

Haas was questioned in 1998 about pipe bombs found inside and outside Concord libraries. He was never charged in connection with the bombs.

In Haas's recent message, Dudley was the only city councilor whom he mentioned by name. "You have turned the Isaiah 1:21 'faithful city' (in your 78+ years Rep. Terri Duddy) into a land of the harlot: the vague and the vagabond," Haas wrote.

Dudley, 78, said she found the e-mail chilling.

"Everybody has the right to free speech," she said. "I do not think they have the right to threaten the life of someone else."

Bernie Bastian, a friend of Haas who also supports the Browns, said Haas's message should not be construed as a death threat. He sought to offer alternative interpretations of the "Wise Up or Die" phrase.

"That could be: If you're not smart enough, you get hit by a car in the road," Bastian said. "We've got 'Live Free or Die' on the license plate. Wising up is easier than living free, so is Live Free or Die a threat?"

Bastian was one of about 10 Brown supporters who turned out with Haas for the regular meeting of the Plainfield Board of Selectmen on Wednesday night. Haas had rallied the group to attend the meeting and request that town officials intervene with federal authorities on behalf of the Browns.

At the selectmen's meeting, Bastian, speaking on behalf of Haas, told board members that they had a constitutional obligation to protect the Browns from federal law-enforcement agents. If they did not do so, Bastian suggested, the town should refund the couple's local property taxes.

Haas was arrested just after he arrived for the meeting. Three Plainfield officers and two state troopers were waiting for him in the parking lot. Sullivan County Attorney Marc Hathaway and two assistant county attorneys were also present.

Hathaway said members of his office had heard there might be a large contingent of the Browns' supporters at the meeting and were there to offer advice, as needed, to the police.

Haas, a bespectacled man in a patterned short-sleeve shirt, made no efforts to resist the police. Several of the Browns' supporters captured his arrest on video, watching Haas as the police escorted him into the Plainfield Police Department and then into a Sullivan County Sheriff's Department cruiser, which ferried him to Lebanon.

"We were here in case something like this happened," said Danny Romero, an internet radio producer who traveled to the Browns' home over the weekend from Texas.

"This is fascism," said Corinna Cooper, a California resident who was holding aloft a sign that said "Taxes or Blood? Is this America?" outside the town hall as selectmen met inside.

Plainfield Police Chief Gordon Gillens said the Lebanon police, who had a warrant for Haas's arrest, had asked that Haas be arrested if he showed up to the selectmen's meeting, which he had indicated he might attend. The Lebanon police also staked out Wednesday's council meeting in case Haas showed up there.

Dudley said Haas had attended a council meeting June 6, when he demanded officials fire Lebanon Police Chief Jim Alexander for his role in arresting Ed Brown last year.

Bastian said the Lebanon police had been in touch with Haas sometime in the past week to investigate the alleged threat. As a result, he said, his friend "expected" that he might be arrested in the coming days.

Yesterday, Bastian said he picked Haas up from the police station later that night.

Lebanon Police Sgt. Stephen St. Louis said Haas was released Wednesday night on a personal recognizance bond and would be arraigned July 31. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to $1,200 but no jail time.

In a posting he made on an internet discussion board yesterday, Haas said he was released on $2,000 personal recognizance.

According to the posting, he was released with a map to the Lebanon courthouse and an order to stay away from Dudley and not possess any guns.

"I guess that I'll just have to continue my paper war with the federal and state government goons," he wrote.

Monitor staff writer Margot Sanger-Katz contributed to this report.
This article is: 0 days old.

Evil Squirrel Overlord · Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:18 pm

CaptainKickback wrote:In reality, the "missing 13th Amendment" merely said that the President would be formally called Mr. Bobo and the Vice-President would be formally called Mr. Prickly-britches.

If I sign the Constitution can I see the hidden words of the 13th Amendment?

Post by **The Observer** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:28 pm

Evil Squirrel Overlord wrote:
CaptainKickback wrote:In reality, the "missing 13th Amendment" merely said that the President would be formally called Mr. Bobo and the Vice-President would be formally called Mr. Prickly-britches.
If I sign the Constitution can I see the hidden words of the 13th Amendment?

No, but if you record yourself reading the Constitution and then play the recording backwards...

Post by **webhick** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:32 pm

Evil Squirrel Overlord wrote:
CaptainKickback wrote:In reality, the "missing 13th Amendment" merely said that the President would be formally called Mr. Bobo and the Vice-President would be formally called Mr. Prickly-britches.
If I sign the Constitution can I see the hidden words of the 13th Amendment?

No, you have to pee on it after drinking disappearing beer.

Post by **Demosthenes** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:34 pm

The Observer wrote:
Evil Squirrel Overlord wrote:
CaptainKickback wrote:In reality, the "missing 13th Amendment" merely said that the President would be formally called Mr. Bobo and the Vice-President would be formally called Mr. Prickly-britches.
If I sign the Constitution can I see the hidden words of the 13th Amendment?
No, but if you record yourself reading the Constitution and then play the recording backwards...

Number 13, number 13, number 13.

Nikki · Post by **Nikki** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:01 pm

Demosthenes wrote:
The Observer wrote:
Evil Squirrel Overlord wrote: If I sign the Constitution can I see the hidden words of the 13th Amendment?
No, but if you record yourself reading the Constitution and then play the recording backwards...
Number 13, number 13, number 13.

= 42

Post by **LPC** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:06 pm

The Observer wrote:No, but if you record yourself reading the Constitution and then play the recording backwards...

Ron Paul is dead?

(We all need a vacation, I think.)

Post by **The Observer** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 2:12 am

Way ahead of you. Heading to Alaska tomorrow. Courtesy of my poor body that was sold as chattel to international bankers in exchange for unlawful FRNS.

Post by **Demosthenes** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:16 pm

Enjoy your cruise, Observer.

Post by **Demosthenes** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:47 pm

Maria
Jun 23 2007 12:38A

Hello all, Mr. Gonzalez (Cirino's dad) asked for this to be posted...

Mr. Gonzalez and his son Lee arrived at the Brown's home on Friday morning. A little later than scheduled because the home was difficult to find. They advise anyone wanting to get to the home should arrange to meet first & follow or call to be guided in...Everything is well at the home...He also wanted me to remind everyone about the "party" today (Saturday)...

Post by **Demosthenes** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 5:48 pm

LIve feed of the Brown "Jamboree"

http://www.gsradio.net/asx/phconcert.asx

AFTP's estimate of 35 people showing up looks to be a good one. Maybe even a little generous.

Post by **webhick** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 6:10 pm

Demosthenes wrote:LIve feed of the Brown "Jamboree"

http://www.gsradio.net/asx/phconcert.asx

AFTP's estimate of 35 people showing up looks to be a good one. Maybe even a little generous.

Wow, I'm so good I have Demo thinking I pegged a number that AFTP came up with...

Kudos to AFTP. You get a free "I'm with the Illuminati" sticker.

gezco · Post by **gezco** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 6:20 pm

This keeps getting more and more pathetic. Did you see the article about Brown being pardoned by Michael Dukakis http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs ... 043/NEWS01

Or the article about how he owes $3 million? http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs ... 043/NEWS01

I guessing the Brown's net worth is about $0.02. If he works hard in prison, he may have enough money when he gets out to buy a cup of coffee. Not at Starbucks, but maybe at McDonald's. There isn't much incentive for him to turn himself in.

gezco · Post by **gezco** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 6:21 pm

webhick wrote:
Demosthenes wrote:LIve feed of the Brown "Jamboree"

http://www.gsradio.net/asx/phconcert.asx

Webhick's estimate of 35 people showing up looks to be a good one. Maybe even a little generous.
Wow, I'm so good I have Demo thinking I pegged a number that AFTP came up with...

Kudos to AFTP. You get a free "I'm with the Illuminati" sticker.

Weaver just said they could have had 1,000 if they would have planed it a month ago.

Edit: I wonder how many are Federal Agents?

Post by **Demosthenes** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 6:34 pm

webhick wrote:
Demosthenes wrote:LIve feed of the Brown "Jamboree"

http://www.gsradio.net/asx/phconcert.asx

AFTP's estimate of 35 people showing up looks to be a good one. Maybe even a little generous.
Wow, I'm so good I have Demo thinking I pegged a number that AFTP came up with...

Kudos to AFTP. You get a free "I'm with the Illuminati" sticker.

I wrote AFTP. Yeah, that's the ticket...

Post by **Demosthenes** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 6:37 pm

gezco wrote:This keeps getting more and more pathetic. Did you see the article about Brown being pardoned by Michael Dukakis http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs ... 043/NEWS01

Or the article about how he owes $3 million? http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs ... 043/NEWS01

I guessing the Brown's net worth is about $0.02. If he works hard in prison, he may have enough money when he gets out to buy a cup of coffee. Not at Starbucks, but maybe at McDonald's. There isn't much incentive for him to turn himself in.

The pardon story is old news. The Concord Monitor wrote about it in 1995, and it was introduced by the prosecution in 2006 as evidence for why the judge should have Ed held in custody pending trial.

http://www.cheatingfrenzy.com/brown7-1.pdf

Post by **Demosthenes** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:06 pm

Anyone see the whole thing? Did anything of interest happen?

I confess, I clicked it off less than a minute into the first song. It was painful.

Post by **Demosthenes** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 2:15 am

New Associated Press video:

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/ ... cl=3133430

Post by **Demosthenes** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 4:51 pm

The BBQ is not called off. I got a call from Elaine today.

Independence Day Party at Ed & Elaine's Place.
Ed & Elaine invite supporters and well-wishers to gather at their home for Independence day.
Wednesday, July 4th, 2007
10 am to 10 pm
401 Center of Town Rd.
Plainfield NH

It's a pot luck, bring a big helping of what ever you like, and others will do the same.
Questions? Contact Lauren: 603-239-8506
Who wants to make potato salad?