Day 191 – An Apology to Jeff Knaebel

A week or so ago, I received a comment from David at freeofstate.org on the post I wrote about Jeff Knaebel. Here is what he wrote:

AN UPDATE ON MR. KNAEBEL
I was with Jeff in Delhi when he did this, and have news on what happened next. The police agreed with his declaration, applauded his “action that followed belief,” and let him go, stating that he could now wander freely throughout India without papers. The next day, he went back to “get that in writing,” though they said that wouldn’t happen, they’d gladly help him if he ever got in trouble. I called the embassy, and they were unconcerned, as was the Inidan office of foreign affairs, similar to the Imigration Dept. in the U.S. Later that evening, we was interviewed for the evening news on TotalTV in Delhi. He is now writing and directing a couple of websites that further his ideas. See the video clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSeLVebtCds

First of all, I want to thank David from freeofstate.org for updating me on what happened after Mr. Knaebel went to the police station. I am very happy that he was let free to wander through India without papers and that the embassies were unconcerned. Given that this was the outcome, I have to take back almost all of my poorly written first thoughts. I wrongly assumed that Mr. Knaebel was going to be thrown in jail and that he willingly walked to his imprisonment. Since this is not what happened (thankfully), most of what I said no longer makes sense. I still agree with his base motivations and core beliefs, and I whole-heartedly apologize for my original criticism of his acts. After some further thought and reconsideration, I realize that he was pursuing what he thought was correct, and he was working in his own way towards a stateless society.

I suggest you all check out Mr. Knaebel’s website, freeofstate.org, and read What One Can Do.

Again, I apologize to Mr. Knaebel and wish him well. I am glad that he broke free from the chokeholds of all states.