The Ballad of Carl Drega: Essays on the Freedom Movement, 1994 to 2001: Suprynowicz, Vin: 9780967025926: Amazon.com: Books

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Vin Suprynowicz

The Ballad of Carl Drega: Essays on the Freedom Movement, 1994 to 2001 Paperback – June 4, 2002

by Vin Suprynowicz (Author)

33

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In a free country, individuals have almost limitless rights -- to travel as they please, carry private arms, consume any plant or drug, keep what they earn, raise their kids as they see fit ... all without showing any license or permit. Bureaucrats have few powers, specifically listed.

But that hardly describes America today, where the default settings fast approach those of a slave state. Bureaucrats claim expansive power and privilege; the rights of the individual are crushed. Carl Drega fought back ... and died. Peter McWilliams fought back ... and died. Garry Watson fought back ... and died. Donald Scott fought back ... and died. ...

Not all their desperate acts were wise or admirable. But Libertarian columnist Vin Suprynowicz insists we should at least start cataloguing and honoring the names of those who have given their lives in this War on Freedom, being waged against us from the lowliest government classroon and "code-enforcement office" to the loftiest temples of Washington. Because we're next. Eight died on that bridge at Concord, back in 1775. How many will it take this time?

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Print length

689 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Mountain Media
Publication date

June 4, 2002
Dimensions

5.5 x 1.5 x 8.25 inches
ISBN-10

0967025923
ISBN-13

978-0967025926
See all details

Vin Suprynowicz
31
Paperback
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"'The Ballad of Carl Drega' is, in my opinion, even better than 'Send in the Waco Killers.'" -- Jon Ford, Editorial Director, Paladin Press, Boulder, Colo.

"Buy this book in bulk and carpet bomb your friends. Do the country and your kids a large favor." -- Bill Branon, author of "Let Us Prey" (a New York Times Notable Book of the Year), Devil's Hole, Timesong, and Spider Snatch

"I screamed, I cried, and at times I laughed so hard I had tears coming out of my eyes." -- Edward A., Monkton, Maryland

About the Author

Vin Suprynowicz grew up in a nice, Politically Correct Democratic family, fine folks who taught him that it was wrong to steal or hate people for being different from them. He still feels that way, but has since expanded the list of those deserving such tolerance from merely homosexuals and members of racial minorities to also include machine-gun owners; militiamen; folks who choose to vote their conscience in the jury room in defiance of the judge's instructions; who use intoxicants other than those approved by the current government; who decline to vaccinate their children or turn them over for government indoctrination; or who decline to contribute any portion of their earnings to support the welfare/police state.

He landed his first newspaper job at the alternative Hartford Advocate in 1972 after graduating from Wesleyan University. He went on to become the star reporter at the daily Willimantic Chronicle, news editor of the Norwich Bulletin, managing editor of the daily Northern Virginia Sun, and founder and publisher of the weekly Providence Eagle. Suprynowicz was named three times to the Golden Dozen (the top 12 weekly editorial writers in the U.S. and Canada) by the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors.

A resident of Las Vegas, he's now an editor, editorial writer and weekly columnist at the daily Las Vegas Review-Journal. In wide demand as a dinner speaker at Libertarian and gun-rights gatherings throughout the U.S. and western Canada, he also pens a twice-a-week column appearing in 20 or so newspapers around the country, and publishes the monthly newsletter "Vin Suprynowicz's Privacy Alert."

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mountain Media; First Edition (June 4, 2002)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 689 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0967025923
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0967025926
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.8 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.5 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,822,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #105,593 in United States History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
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Vin Suprynowicz

Vin Suprynowicz

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Deep in the Nevada desert, in a hidden mansion full of old books and vintage clothes, guarded by five anthropomorphic cats and a family of Attack Roadrunners, Vin Suprynowicz went cold turkey from a 40-year newspaper career. They said he'd never write anything over a thousand words, again. But with the help and encouragement of the Brunette and a few close friends, he came back. With "The Testament of James" -- about the modern-day search for a lost book revealing the long-suppressed secret of Jesus and the manna -- he proved them wrong.

Now comes the second drug-enhanced adventure of Matthew Hunter and Chantal Stevens. "The Miskatonic Manuscript" asks the question that victims of the Drug War have been waiting a hundred years to hear: "What if they fought a War on Drugs . . . and someone fought back?

The bibliomysteries of Matthew Hunter and Chantal Stevens are based in the used bookstore "Books on Benefit," in H.P. Lovecraft's Providence, Rhode Island. Vin edited and published the weekly Providence Eagle from 1980-1985.

He began his writing career with the alternative weekly Hartford Advocate (writing part-time and driving the delivery truck at night), eventually giving up honest work entirely to become an award-winning reporter for the daily Willimantic Chronicle, news editor of the daily Norwich Bulletin, and managing editor of the daily Northern Virginia Sun.

Vin worked on the Las Vegas Review Journal Opinion section, winning numerous industry awards, through the great Las Vegas boom. He rode it a bit further into the ground than Tom Mitchell, finally exiting in 2013. For the past six years, he has sold vintage and collectible books online at www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sortby=0&vci=51238921 and in the Charleston Antique Mall, Las Vegas (where the Brunette handles the vintage clothes) as “Cat’s Curiosities.”

In an earlier life, Vin (Eaglebrook ’65, E.O. Smith ’68, Wesleyan ’72) published two collections of his daily Libertarian newspaper columns, “Send in the Waco Killers” and “The Ballad of Carl Drega,” and the freedom novel “The Black Arrow.” He continues to write his monthly Libertarian column on the politics of gun control for Shotgun News.

The latest lengthy interview with Vin about his writing was posted by Claire Wolfe at her blog at Backwoods Home magazine on Sunday Jan. 4 and Monday, Jan. 5, 2015. The second half is probably the better; try www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/ClaireWolfe/2015/01/05/ .

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My favorite book. Period.

Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2006

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Do not let the fact that this text is a "collection of essays" disuade you. Neither should you be dissuaded about the month waiting period for a new copy to arrive. Order several copies and earn a profit by selling via Amazon's Marketplace!

This thoughtful book forced me to take a fresh look at the incredible power's that have been given the IRS, FBI, ATF (BATFE) - just to name a few. Upon opening the book, I was under the distinct impression that I was a "citizen" residing in a "representative democracy." It has become clear to me that the Bill of Rights (which unquestionably grants me the rights of a true citizen) has been usurped by a runaway police state - where I resemble a well-trained slave. Does that mean I hate police, FBI, IRS, ATF(BATFE)? No. Although, I feel strongly that law-abiding citizens must reclaim their citizenship birthrights from these (and other) superiorly armed and trained slave masters. Vin asks rhetorical questions throughout his essays. My favorite question is "how can the government prohibit law-abiding citizens from owning particular weapons?" You see, our government inherits powers from "we the people." Therefore, if one citizen cannot lawfully prohibit another citizen from owning an assault rifle - how can Uncle Sam? It matters not that a "duly elected government" passed this law, because the Bill of Rights are God given and cannot be usurped. These essays are more powerful than a linear text and have been the genesis of heartfelt powerful pro-liberty thoughts. Subsequently, it is impossible for me to look upon my government as benign. In fact, I feel much like Benjamin Franklin must have. Ben Franklin was enamored with England and was residing there during the "Colonial Stamp Tax Revolt." It pained Benjamin to hear of his Colonial brothers resisting the "just command of his Majesty." I was staunchly pro-FBI during Waco & Ruby Ridge, because I watched mainstream media. Now I'm disgusted with my weak thinking - I sincerely apologize to the victims and surviving family and friends. I have come to the conclusion that our government has purposely overstepped its boundaries and now violently snuffs-out those small groups that see the wolf for what it is. The police-state may already be invincible, having already achieved critical mass - but I find some solace in the fact that I am no longer acting like a deferential pawn. I will resist illegitimate authority from this day forward. Thank you Vin! Sorry it's taken me so long to wake up. In my defense, I was public schooled. Also, I recommend Boston's Gun Bible (revised edition).

16 people found this helpful

Not even a patriot

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024

Carl Drega’s rampage was not done to change the hearts and minds of “the people”, but to enact revenge on those who had had a personal grudge against. To glorify him in any way only labels one as sympathetic to the murder of law enforcement officers and unarmed civilians.

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Insane by reason of bureaucracy!

Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2004

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That could very well be a legitimate legal defense some day. Certainly this book goes a long way toward detailing the million and one ways that we suffer from a surfeit of government.
Mr Suprynowicz does an excellent job of pointing out that tyranny comes in many forms. That sometimes the most aggravating forms are those of the petty bureaucrats and local governments who refuse to use compassion or common sense in the course of their duties.
This book is an easier and more entertaining read than his previous "Send in the Waco Killers", which read like a collection of his columns. "Ballad" follows a logical progression towards the inescapable conclusion that freedom and regulation are at opposite ends of a scale.
Guaranteed to irritate Republicans and Democrats alike.

14 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2022

Verified Purchase

Great book. Still relevant.

One person found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2020

Verified Purchase

Very well presented literature on an incredibly touchy topic! Definitely one of my favorite reads!

2 people found this helpful

BETTER than described!

Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2011

Verified Purchase

Very interesting book. The author reminds us of all the rights we really have, but which have fell into disuse. A path to get them back.

3 people found this helpful

Kathryn Talbert

If I could Get the Book for Free

Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2023

Maybe I'd read it, but there is no way I'd pay the writer or publisher for such drivel. Suprynowicz, like other of the "Free State Project" extremist, border fascist group that has infiltrated New Hampshire, sees the world through a lens of narcissism mixed with a strange naivete about how the people and society works. I know people who lived in Colebrook and suffered the loss of loved ones because of Drega. I also knew a carpenter who worked with him in the carpenter's union -- yeah, some libertarian, he was a union member!

Drega was known to be mentally unbalanced. It was said that he never cashed his paychecks, keeping them at home because he had an irrational fear of banks. No one liked him, no one wanted to work with him, he had no friends. He would often wouldn't change clothes, refused to buy new work boots but would glue them together until they were worn thin. He poisoned the waterway with his personal refuse and waste because he refused to honor sensible and conservative environmental rules. His house was a delapitated shack that he refused to spend a dollar on even though it barely functioned and was an eye sore.

The only disservice done to Carl Drega was that no intervention was done for him when he was younger to enable to overcome his mental illness and live a happy life. But no intervention for even the helpless and the hapless is what you get in a state that won't spend a time on their community or its residents.

Now he's dead and he left a trail of dead innocents behind him. It was a miracle he was killed when he was as no doubt he would have kept on his irrational gun fueled tirade as long as he could.

Whatever rationalizations, fictions, half fictions, fantasies or fetid nut-fueled dreams Syprynowicz and his other extremist libertarians need to spin and carry on about are hard to understand and hard to listen to and certainly for those of us who live in this state and try to carve out a unified, sensible community, this kind of idiocy is hard to take.

I've asked libertarians repeatedly why they don't go somewhere else besides New Hampshire to live out their dream of a no-laws Lord of the Flies Empire. Somewhere like Gary Indiana, or East St. Louis where lawlessness already prevails and most people would be happy if someone planted their money down there.

We don't need you up here and we certainly don't need you attempting to make martyrs out of murdering madmen.

One person found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2015

Verified Purchase

A great companion to "Send In The Waco Killers"!

2 people found this helpful

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