Yep..LHSer is right in both cases. Just take off the belt.
I did it because I was out of freon and it was useless anyway (my lines leak, they're all green).
I also had a slight issue with the compressor kicking in when the A/C wasn't even on. Sometimes at the worst moment, like on an on-ramp, or passing someone. I just had to gun it that much harder to make up for the drop in HP. it sucked, so I ditched the system.