Saluting the tyranny-defying micronations

Micronations are extremely small countries started by people sick of being pushed around by statist governments. Some micronations are theoretical only, or don't claim any physical territory, but some are deadly serious. Some are frivolous like the Cockatiel Empire:

http://www.listofmicronations.com/listphysical.html

I enjoy occasionally checking up on what may be the most famous one, the Principality of Sealand six miles off the coast of Suffolk, England. It was founded by its Prince the late Paddy Roy Bates, a onetime Major in the British army. Check it out online including zestful but not frivolous shows in Youtube. Strictly as a measure of its seriousness of purpose and long-term commitment, consider:

Roy Bates’ government had several confrontation[s] with the British including once when Roy's son Michael Bates fired at a British navy vessel that ventured too close to Sealand’s territory, leading to his arrest. But since the incident occurred outside British territorial waters, no charges could be pursued.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddy_Roy_Bates

Reports of suicides on the tower were frequent, as the dull, cold rough North Sea coast drove some to madness [While the structure was still British government property].
http://micronations.wikia.com/wiki/Sealand

Having a lust for freedom and independence is one thing, risking everything to defend your sovereignty is something few on earth would do -- like sentencing yourself to total isolation in a gaunt facility less than 1/10 the size of a football field. Yet the Sealanders have always had a sense of fun and irony about their mission.

Perhaps the most phenomenal micronation is the Principality of Hutt River.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutt_River_Province

Well -- "Australia is home to almost half of the world's micronations"! Wikipedia doesn't think the Principality is recognized by Australia, but the Principality makes a case to the contrary which makes perfect sense to me. Americans are dimly aware of the depredations of socialist dictatorship on agriculture, not to mention the abuse of forfeiture and eminent domain -- Constitutionalists and freedom lovers far more so.

An inquiry of mine and Hutt River's frosty response:

Sent: Saturday, 16 August 2014 4:20 AM
To: huttriver@principality-hutt-river.com
Subject: misc inquiry

Greetings. I salute you for your bold spirit of liberty and creativity. I'm planning to purchase a piece of Sealand and perhaps become nobility there. Do you make any such offers?

Many thanks -- /\/.\/\/., M.Mus.

Dear Sir

Thank you for your email.

The Principality of Hutt River came to be as a result of legal battles between the land holders, the Commonwealth of Australia, the State of Western Australia and the British Crown. The battle was over a wrongful wheat quota, a quota that if not fought against, or if the fight were lost, would have resulted in not only the loss of future income but in our case the resumption of the land by the Government without recompense, as they were threatening, something that obviously had to be fought against.

http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/PHR_The_Formation_of_the%20Principality_of_Hutt_River.htm

The result of the legal battle as it developed was the secession of the land as the only choice in the end, something which the laws at the time allowed for, given the circumstance. This was all achieved in the courts, using the applicable laws at the time; it was not something sought after or aimed at but simply the resultant progression of a legal battle.

http://www.principality-hutt-river.org/gov/PHR_Historic_Secession_Documents.htm

It is fact that the secession of this land was achieved using the law and that the PHR continues self-rule after more than 43 years with no involvement of the Australian State or Federal governments apart from small annoyances every now and then.

http://www.principality-hutt-river.org/Principality%20Downloads/Historic%20Documents/AUSTEO%20SECRET%20Document.pdf

Being recognised in law is also the reason why all resident subjects of the PHR are declared non-resident in Australia by the ATO with no taxes payable (to Australia)

http://www.principality-hutt-river.org/Principality%20Downloads/Copy%20of%20HRHPL_ATO.pdf 

http://www.principality-hutt-river.org/Principality%20Downloads/HRHPS_ATO.pdf  and no social services are paid from Australia to the PHR, nor any Medicare etc etc.

All resident subjects of the PHR were removed from the Australian Electoral Rolls by the Australian authorities after the secession was declared and social security cheques received in the weeks following secession were claimed back by the Australian Commonwealth and were returned to them. All taxes are now paid to the PHR Government by resident subjects at the PHR applicable rates and the welfare of the PHR subjects resident in the PHR is the responsibility of the government of the PHR.

Declaring independence is not something that can be done simply because someone thinks it a good idea or because of some squabble or simple disagreement, neither of which applied in the case of the Principality of Hutt River.
It is simply not possible to wake one day and decide that you do not agree with the laws of the land where you live and therefore form your own nation, if it were we would all be living in a state of anarchy.

With regards the many that contact us seeking advice or assistance I'm afraid it is the strict policy of Prince Leonard and the Government of this nation not to involve itself in matters that concern others, just as we do not like outsiders interfering in our concerns. No-one here is qualified to offer legal advice nor able to become involved in advising on matters such as secession etc. We therefore do not offer discussions or advice to the many who think that they can do the same or who would like to separate themselves from something they do not agree with.

The Honours and Awards of the PHR are not offered for sale nor available to be purchased.

If a so called 'honour/award' may be purchased from anywhere then print your own, it's cheaper and just as worthless.

I trust this answers your question.

Regards
PHR STAFF

Principality of Hutt River 
Via Western Australia 6535
E-Mail:     huttriver@principality-hutt-river.com
Website    www.principality-hutt-river.com

Don't miss this micronation right here in the Untied [sic] States: "While the protest that sparked the creation of the Conch Republic (and others which have occurred since then) have been described by some as "tongue-in-cheek", they were motivated by frustrations over genuine concerns. The original protest event was motivated by a U.S. Border Patrol roadblock and checkpoint which greatly inconvenienced residents and was detrimental to tourism in the area."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conch_Republic

/\/.\/\/.