Keene Council Committee Votes to Support Marijuana Decrim
* Warning – Boring Political Talk Below *
City Council has little effect on state laws, but the Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee voted to recommend that the City Council draft resolutions related to marijuana use for submission to State offices in Concord.
Wednesday evening, the Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee of the Keene City Council voted 4-1 to recommend the full council support medical marijuana legalization AND 3-2 to recommend the support of decriminalization of personal amounts of marijuana. The most vocal detractor, Mr. Greenwald, made it clear that he was voting “no” because he didn’t feel the issue to be something the City Council should be handling, and not because he disagreed with the idea. The committee acted on this due to the pushing from a seemingly unlikely source. Former KPD detective Fred Parsells submitted the letter at the bottom of this post to the Mayor and City Council, as well as spoke to the committee.
In favor of the resolution for medical marijuana: Arnold Bailey, Pamela Slack, Charles Redfern, and Ruth Venezia. Bailey opposed the decrim resolution.
If adopted, this decision still has no legal effect, but means that the City Council will draft a resolution and submit to Concord in support of these marijuana freedoms. The full council will be voting on these issues at the next meeting, September 17, 2009.
· Here is audio of Mr. Parsells’ speech to the committee. (Length – 14:17)
· Also, here is audio of blogger Nick Ryder speaking in support of Mr. Parsells’ letter, and his response to that. (Length – 02:10)
And the letter that prompted the action:
Dear Mayor and Council:
An incumbent city councilor was recently asked by an individual representing a particular point of view if said councilor would be willing to propose language to the full council which would, in so many words, direct the Keene Police Department to make enforcement of minimal marijuana possession laws its lowest enforcement priority. Even if it had the mind to do so, I do not believe that the council has the legal right to dictate such a policy. That said, the idea did prompt the councilor and me to engage in conversation regarding medical marijuana and the decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal consumption.
Little did I suspect thirty and more years ago that I would ever be writing such a letter as is now before you. Some of you will know that I have the perspective of having been involved in three so-called wars in my life. Governmental actions in and against Vietnam, crime and drugs were and are all referred to by the media as wars against the noted actions. I was involved in all of them. I mean no disrespect to those I served with, both at home and abroad, but I would be remiss if I did not point out that I have yet to be on the winning side.
Focusing on the medical marijuana issue for a moment, I strongly believe that New Hampshire’s elected leaders missed an opportunity to do the right thing for those who would benefit from their ability to legally use marijuana as they confront medical issues. I urge you to adopt a resolution and communicate it to our leaders in Concord encouraging them to pass a medical marijuana usage law.
But now for the larger issue and where I believe that you as councilors can, if you have the mind to do so, have some influence at the state level. I similarly urge you to endorse a resolution expressing your collective belief that minimal possession of marijuana for personal consumption should be decriminalized.
While I don’t believe that you have the legal authority to direct the police department to act as was suggested above, I know that you have the authority, and I believe the moral imperative, to express your concern to those in Concord about the many state and local dollars being spent and the young people’s futnres being ruined by misdemeanor level marijuana drug possession criminal records for perhaps a moment’s indiscretion. Please know that I am not talking about going to jail for the noted offense as the means of ruination but rather about the criminal record that will follow the youthful offender forever.
There is much more to be said on this matter that space does not allow, but I look forward to the opportunity to come before you and express my beliefs more fully.
Respectfully and sincerely,
Frederick B. Parsells
Comments
30 Comments on Keene Council Committee Votes to Support Marijuana Decrim
He’s calling you out Ian… 
Yay Fred – have you joined LEAP yet?
Also, how am I being called out?
See, I told you Fred wasn’t so terrible. (Hi Fred!)
This is just the sort of thing the City Council needs to do. Similar things happened in towns and cities all over MA before the Decrim vote.
that letter and his actions represent the highest dishonor — the formal equivalent of nuremberg defense married to, “For heaven’s sake, catch me before I kill more. I cannot control myself.”
and here he is praised.
Fred deserves credit for taking his time and energy to support this issue, but don’t be deceived into thinking he shares your views.
Did you listen to his speech? He favors keeping marijuana possession illegal, just a violation. He also felt the need to plea to the committee to not confuse his views with mine
Again though, thank you Fred for the effort you did put into this. Though we don’t see toward the same end-game, I’ll support those that support changes in the right direction.
FYI – the mp3 files are tagged the same, some mp3 players won’t sync them as they think they are the same.
not that it matters to him, but I’ve got a lot of respect for someone who can help to make changes for the good of innocent people. Kudos Fred.
a lot of respect
[...]
Kudos
yeah, “kudos” to a career criminal who urges not zero, but merely fewer victims at his hands via the orders of the holy church of mob.
“a lot of respect”!
WTF are you people smoking? appears you have been permanently brainwashed to give a pass to the official crime gang. a rapist deciding to rape fewer victims doesn’t ascend to sainthood, unless you’re in loony-land (AKA stockholm-syndromeville).
Good for Fred. I think he’s very brave to have voiced his opinion on such a controversial subject.
I would agree with him on decriminalizing having small amounts of marijuana. I think that the KPD and other police could afford to focus their efforts in other areas.
Nice to know you’re still around, AWITFS.
To Hardman:
It’s called being encouraging, something you obviously know nothing about. Fred has taken a big step for someone in his position. He should be appreciated as such, and indeed the comments here reflect it. Good thing someone with your level of negativity isn’t part of this movement in Keene, cause you wouldn’t really fit in.
I’m not sure if Hardman is his real name or not, but it certainly fits. Most people, when they argue in a debate, try to make valid points in a civil manner. Hardman is hard, man … a troll at best.
It’s called being encouraging,
via dishonesty and screaming contradiction.
He should be appreciated as such,
as would a serial rapist announcing decreased “production”. no gushing.
Good thing someone with your level of negativity isn’t part of this movement in Keene, cause you wouldn’t really fit in.
thank you.
There is no middle ground in Charley land. The world will magically go free in a blink in Charley land.
A typical Charley Squishman post:
Poster: “But killing defenseless Baby Seals? That’s brutal.”
Charley: ibbitydibbityibbitydibbityibbitydibbity, fuckface.
Poster: “There are many non-violent ways to achieve warmth.”
Charley: glugblugchuglugsmugflugnugclugjugoof. dickwad.
Poster: “Why hurt an innocent creature?”
Charley: spoolknyevsplatterhamatikkytikkyvegetable. shithead.
Poster: “I can’t write to you anymore; you don’t make sense.”
Charley:
albesesansclegramocallarthprepticautonesweaseetbecogingstroquanbrookmanatebraerosnetwortautikalisturoundtoshuflaplierspatiousessubtertivingdooressscorntallyberamiscorfullosesscanicksfoggioncreezespostamclaparvatinedevouatenquandaismfraggretivehaltimbeatsfieratedimpelionreclailbushipulpansifiewganichicateduraptbrilesgeresteariorkmustrifinicclimmurmouswilmenesphsorscauctingrequenscordissdovemedingmetefleepileexottervititiousronizefallbiciousnebuleastigon!!!!!! nobody loves me. cunt.
———— end scene ————-
shocker. another anonymous pussy tinkers with my real name. what balls you have, grandmother.
note that, as usual, not a syllable of refutation has been offered. AnAmazedReader is all over this blog with earnest FK quacks attempting to refute her laughably anti-voluntarist dicta. in reply to the single commenter who consistently notes failure to adhere to voluntarism: “let’s talk about you and your shitty attitude! we don’t like you!”
to a career psychopath who’s practiced daily kidnapping and violence initiation against peaceful people?
“Bravo Fred!!”
“Way to go Fred!”
“I’ve got a lot of respect for someone who can help to make changes for the good of innocent people. Kudos Fred.”
to one about which there’s no evidence of any initiated violence, much less a career of it on plunder, “Good thing someone with your level of negativity isn’t part of this movement in Keene, cause you wouldn’t really fit in.”
yeah, i wouldn’t fit in like fred, the goon of the hour.
tells everything necessary about the psychos at this joint, who drool over the hand of the state like puppies waiting for nibblets. always a pass for the brainwashing crew.
The guys who picked up guns in the 1770s were like Charley, except they felt government was necessary in the Lockean tradition, and Charley does not.
However offensive it may seem, I could see those guys having a very similar attitude toward all modern politicians and bureaucrats, given the enormity of government today as opposed to back then.
What rankles me deep down, is I want to give it to em just the same at all points in my life, and for whatever reason (pragmatism, fear, kids, fear, cowardice, fear) cannot.
As the dollar scam pyramid tumbles over, many more will be just like Charley once they realize the extent of the fucking they’ve gotten.
Sometimes I don’t want to agree with Charley. But Fred, he’s been just recently trying to bait Ian into breaking man laws (go all the way, trooper!) and he comes off as disingenuous.
Join a protest, Fred. Hand out some FIJA flyers.
Ian, RE:82576,
By ‘called out’ I was referring to a challenge Fred had made to you that you talked about on the show. Unfortunately I am about a month and a half behind on the podcast so I can understand why you were like, ‘Huh?’
As often (and as vehemently) as I disagree with Ann, she really nailed Chuck to the wall with that one, so much so that I nearly laughed my damn head off.
As for Fred, I have no kudos to give him because, as Chuck rightfully pointed out, he’s only lessening his victimization, not ending it. While not the best possible stand he could make, unlike Chuck, I will admit that fewer victims is some sort of progress and thus his actions here are, to a minimal degree, positive.
It doesn’t mean I’ll be swapping spit with him anytime soon, however. Hopefully this is only the beginning for Fred on the long road to liberty and he will eventually embrace peace completely.
Oh yes Ian, I visit the site frequently
It’s called encouraging and supporting the good, while opposing the bad. I did not say “Bravo Fred” because he was a detective. I did not say “Bravo Fred” because he supports immoral actions, such as theft.
I said “Bravo Fred” because he supported marijuana decrim, and will say it again!
If one cannot praise the good in another while they still have not eliminated all that is bad, one will never find occasion for praise of others, but only for negativism and condemnation. I do not want to be that kind of person. It is not an effective way to show love or effect change for the better.
If one cannot praise the good in another while they still have not eliminated all that is bad [...]
and again, straw man from an FK poser.
It’s not a strawman charley, you in your last post clearly argued that Fred should not be praised, because of other actions he has taken:
to a career psychopath who’s practiced daily kidnapping and violence initiation against peaceful people?
“Bravo Fred!!”
“Way to go Fred!”
“I’ve got a lot of respect for someone who can help to make changes for the good of innocent people. Kudos Fred.”
Fred was not being praised because of these actions, but because he supported marijuana decrim. It is right to praise someone who takes a good action for that good action, even if others actions of theirs are not good.
Then, you argue that because you have not done the things Fred has, you should not be criticized for your negativity:
to one about which there’s no evidence of any initiated violence, much less a career of it on plunder “Good thing someone with your level of negativity isn’t part of this movement in Keene, cause you wouldn’t really fit in.”
Again, you are not criticized because you did not participate in these actions, but because of your negativity. It is right to criticize someone who acts poorly for that poor action, even if other actions of theirs may be good.
The point really is that one should praise the good in another while they still have not eliminated all that is bad — and the converse is true as well. One should not praise the bad in another because other actions of theirs are good. That’s no strawman.
It’s not a strawman charley, you in your last post clearly argued that Fred should not be praised,
and you’ve just added another layer of inaccurate dreck. at least keep your premises straight, decrepit though they are.
you, dumbass from hell, went from “one cannot praise the good in another” to “Fred should not be praised”. that this needs to be pointed out, much less explained, tells all. i note for your edification that i did not quote/criticize nick. that, moron, was intentional.
It is right to praise someone who takes a good action for that good action, even if others actions of theirs are not good.
as one would a rapist. this has been explained, but you’re too retarded.
Then, you argue that because you have not done the things Fred has, you should not be criticized for your negativity:
more straw man. LOL. what a douchebag simpleton. pay attention.
Join a protest, Fred. Pass out some FIJA flyers. I also am not finding Fred very praiseworthy based on the fact that he supports the slight easing of ONE governmental control.
Libertarian he is not. Pure voluntarism would likely frighten and/or disgust him.
Is that a nicer way to put it?
LP, you are right that many of Fred’s words and actions are still far from praiseworthy, but his action regarding decrim was praiseworthy. I think it makes sense to oppose the former while praising the latter.
…OK, OK, OK….I love all the pointless arguing…*Who *ELSE* noticed Fred say that he doesn’t think..”the City Council has that authority”-(to instruct the KPD to place marijauna prosecutions at a low priority)???…Well, we have Civilian control of the Military, don’t we also have Civilian control of the *POLICE*???…There have been numerous cases all the way to the US Supreme Court…There is *NO* law which requires *ANY COP* to do anything!!!!…think about it…how could there be???…(NH RSA 1123: “Officer so-and-so shall arrest John Doe”..)..The law doesn’t *REQUIRE* police to arrest us, it *ALLOWS* them to…The Police themselves could issue a public statement that marijauna enforcement has low priority…back when he was a Sgt., Art Walker sent one of my pot pipes to the NH State Police Crime Lab!!!…See, THERE REALLY ISN’T ENOUGH *REAL* POLICE WORK FOR THE COPS TO DO!…And “Community Policing” is still a dream for Keene…Look how badly they’ve ignored the Skate Park in Keene….Poorly Trained, Poorly Supervised, Out-of-Control Assholes…That’s KPD for ya…This is just election season P.R. on Fred’s part….
Gee Fred,you’ve come a long way baby, I still remember the evening in Oct 1973, when you unsuccessfully shook me down for pot. Should have checked my boots. lol. Course, in those days we still had some constitutional rights.
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