WKBK’s Dan Mitchell Discusses City Council Drinking Game

August 20, 2010 by Sam Dodson
Filed under: Audio, Noncooperation, Personal Freedom, Response, Video

I called into the morning show here in Keene to discuss last nights Keene City Council drinking game and the Anti-Free Keene hecklers that showed up to disrupt filming. Keene City Councilor Pam Slack called in to announce that Heika’s letter would be addressed on Wednesday at 6:30.

Grab the Archive here to get my perspective on this video:

Here’s an Update based on the comments:

I’m currently editing the video for the event. The full footage from this incident is shown in the beginning. This version seems to have cut two previous occasions where he was disrupting my interview by holding the cup in front of the camera. He was repeatedly asked to stop interfering.

He then went over to Puke, and said I think I’ll just stand here. I asked him what his cup said, and what it meant. He read the cup and said he wants to “get you morons out of here.”

That was fine with me, and I started the interview. When he saw that he was unable to prevent me from interviewing Puke, he then again started putting the cup in front of Pukes face. This is Disorderly conduct. That’s when I walked over to him (and this video starts) to again ask him to stop interfering with my business.

He did hit me in the face with the cup; He was obviously hostile and engaging in name calling. I didn’t know what was in the cup, and he had a lid on it. When he hit me with it, that was assault, and I honestly didn’t know if he was planning to throw something on me or hit me in the face while I can’t see past the cup.

I felt threatened by his actions and took steps necessary to ensure my personal safety.

That said, I was also frustrated that there were no Keene Policeman around to inform him that his behavior was disorderly and causing alarm. I was also under a time crunch to get the interview before the meeting started.

The second time when he hit my camera I again grabbed his arm because the camera is very expensive, and he has already shown hostility towards me. He apologized, and unfortunately because of his attitude and demeanor, I did not believe it was sincere.

James was warned about his behavior, and told that he attacked me and my camera with the cup. I informed him that if he touched me again that I would take him down. Meaning remove him from my space because he was threatening me and my equipment with unwanted physical contact while interrupting my interview.

He then went and stood behind Puke (after I repositioned him elsewhere), and as the video will show,the interview was completed, while James was acting irrationally in the background causing a scene. (but not interfering with my interview)

I do agree that in the situation I was angry and did move in close to James after he was warned to stop. I certainly could have responded differently, and apologize for my aggressive behavior. I also apologize for escalating the situation, as I could have handled it better.

I do not feel I owe you a new cup, as it was a closed container you shoved in my face, the writing shows you planned this, and I truly felt threatened.

However, I would invite you to sit down and talk about real issues related to Free Keene, and the Liberty Activists here in Keene. If you want to do this on camera, I think this would make great footage, and would be happy to film this in front of your coffee shop. This would be great advertising or the people that support your viewpoint. I’ll even buy the drinks.

I think this would go a long way to help you understand some of the changes that are happening in Keene and around the state. You seem to be suffering from the rumor mill which has fed you a lot of mis-information.

You reference a girl stealing my sign at the middle school outreach event. Did you know it was a parent who first stood in front of my sign? I had no problem with this, and simply held it over his head. It was another parent who then came up and attacked me knocking the sign down. Cody (a boy) who was encouraged by the juvenile behavior of the adults, then ran up to rip the sign from my other hand, run off, and destroy it.

So James if you would like to set that up on camera or off, please let me know.

Sam

smeg

i'd like to add that the only reason i commented on this thread (i have been just avoiding everything sam writes/posts at this point) was because 4 different people within the FSP (but outside of keene, so they must have assumed i was still with him) contacted me asking "what was wrong with sam".

i finally came here and watched the video, and all i can say is:

this is normal for sam. just not normal in public… until now i guess.
Luthor

James, you never answered Nealaus' question: arer we all "cut from the same cloth?" Because one person acts a certain way, does that mean everyone within that group acts the same way. Can you really judge honey by looking at the bee? Would it be any more right to judge all black people in this manner? I sure hope not. The idea that you can judge a group based on an individual is ignorant and dangerous.

This Sunday, I will be at McCues at 5PM. I would like to extend a personal invitation to you to join me there. I would like to get to know you better. I hope you will accept my invitation.

I know Sam overreacted, and I'm not proud of his actions. However, they do not reflect upon me simply because I too moved to New Hampshire for Liberty. I'm sorry that my friend was a jerk. I promise you that he's not always like this. I have lost a little of my respect for him.
http://www.freelunchproject.com Nealaus

Here, I'll repeat my question:

@ James – Leaders? Someone doesn’t quite understand. There are no leaders here. You were dealing with an individual. You need to let go of the centralized model and understand a distributed network of people doing things independent of any commands or plan.

Are all coffee shop owners rude and condescending to people they disagree with? Or is it just you? Should all coffee shop owners be cut from the same cloth as you are? Are you a collective or an individual? Do you speak for yourself or for everyone in your general vicinity? Were your actions typical of your every day dealings with customers, people on the street, family, or just the ones you are politically polarized against?

I came here for several reasons: I got a great job, the Free State Project appealed to some of my core beliefs, I love the scenery and general feeling of NH and the people, and I have ancestry going back centuries here.

I am not a label and you, too, should avoid the same propensity to categorize yourself and others.

Just some thoughts

(p.s. I do not involve myself in protests generally because I work full time and have children.)
holy_canole

Alright, I've been talking a lot about this in the forum, so I don't want to repeat myself *too* much here, but I will say a few things:

Both James and Sam were aggravated and probably made some mistakes. Obviously they don't get along, and I don't think any sort of forced 'apologies' will be productive or sincere from either party.

The argument that Sam crumpled the cup because it could have contained a dangerous substance is completely ridiculous. If Sam was worried for his safety, he wouldn't have gotten up in James' face and placed himself merely inches from the 'volatile cup' and her *certainly* shouldn't have put himself in further 'danger' by grabbing and risking spilling whatever chemical compound he was concealing … *rolls eyes*

Seriously guys, what this comes down to is both men were upset. James probably shouldn't have antagonized Sam, but Sam should not get upset at someone who choses to to protest in a manner which is really no different than the methods he himself chooses.
james

What this comes down to, Mr holy_canole, is that I was doing a peaceful protest. Sammy was on PUBLIC property. He has the same right to use the public property as I do. I don't have to move to get out of his camera shot. Would it be polite to do so? Yes. But do I have to do it? No. Since when do you, and yes, I'll lump all you free staters together, have the right to tell me where I can and can not stand on public property? Wanna do that interview with no chance of being interrupted? Do it on PRIVATE property. In no way did I instigate violence. That was Sammy. I have nothing to apologize for, except to the veteran who was being interviewed. And I did that last night.
http://www.freelunchproject.com Nealaus

James, nobody has a right to tell you where to stand on public property. You are correct. Nobody.

Now lets take the same logic and apply it elsewhere:

When the cops come and shut down, disperse, and otherwise disrupt individuals on public property and tell them they can't stand there, who's side are you on?

Or do they need a permit? If so, where's your permit to stand where you were standing at the time of this incident?
CJS

I wonder what Sam would have done if James had a bullhorn and disrupted his interview from 20 feet away . Seems to me he got a taste of his own medicine and ended up looking like a hypocrite .

Sam got violent and that's that . If he didn't charge this guy he would not have been tapped by the cup .. not saying James is innocent , just that Sam has finally physically crossed a line he has been tip toeing around for a while.

Not all the protesting / disobedience being done by the Keeniacs is civil and some of the things i have seen in vids is truly violent .. screaming in someone's ear and such.

I like a lot of the things the Keeniacs do , but reacting to their aggression with violence really turns off the fence sitters that could be involved and makes the group look bad . Way to win the hearts and minds.
Luthor

I totally agree with you, CJS. It's a misfortune that sensational media gets more attention.

James, you're an ignorant bastard. I take back my invitation to meet with you. I have no need for such hateful people. At first I agreed with you, but you let blind hatred ruin your credibility. How can you truly judge me before you've actually met me? (And yes, I realize the irony that I have not met you yet, but your words definately turn me off. Like I said, at least the Free Keeners protests have a point, even if they are annoying. You're just annoying.
james

Sam, I have no interest in speaking to a liar and someone who makes up such ridiculous excuses. You were in no way threatened. You even admitted on the radio that you felt at the time that my touching your nose with my cup, and the sun shield on the camera were by accident. Your excuses and "apologies" are pathetic. Get some help. I'm done with this for now. I still want my cup back. You need to write on it "FREE KEENE FROM THE FREE STATERS". Till then, good bye.
Paul

Not all the protesting / disobedience being done by the Keeniacs is civil and some of the things i have seen in vids is truly violent .. screaming in someone’s ear and such.

I agree, that stuff is no good, and should not be tolerated.

I like a lot of the things the Keeniacs do , but reacting to their aggression with violence really turns off the fence sitters that could be involved and makes the group look bad . Way to win the hearts and minds.

I agree, on both counts. I support a lot of the activism by Keeniacs, but agree that poor behavior turns people off.

I hope:

1. The individuals behaving this way reform their actions.

2. Others realize that the actions of a few individuals do not represent the whole group.

However, Sam has apologized, so I see no reason to beat him over the head about this. Everyone makes mistakes.
http://dailyanarchist.com Seth

Yes. I always log in under the "other" column in the middle. I even click the button "remember me" but it never does. It only keeps me in until I shut down my browser or computer, then I have to log in again. Any advice?
Griffin

There is no need for James to apologize to Sam. The Free Staters do not apologize every time they pull a stupid prank downtown. Did they apologize for their rude and aggressive behavior at the middle school? Have they apologized for rudely yelling at residents downtown through their mega-phones? Did they apologize for writing all over the Civil War statue in the square? Have they apologized for anything? No! James… you did nothing wrong, unless protesting and making your opinion known is wrong. If the Free Staters expect more civility then I suggest they start modeling a more mature and civil form of political action…. and apologize for their past behavior.
Paul

There is no need for James to apologize to Sam. The Free Staters do not apologize …

But, two wrongs don't make a right, right?

I'm glad James is a bigger man than you're advocating he be, and did apologize.

every time they pull a stupid prank downtown. Did they apologize for their rude and aggressive behavior at the middle school?

I'm not aware of the event you're talking about, but if individuals were rude and aggressive, I am sorry for that.

Have they apologized for rudely yelling at residents downtown through their mega-phones?

Yelling at people through a megaphone is rude, I agree, and I'm sorry if that occurred.

Did they apologize for writing all over the Civil War statue in the square?

I agree that that was wrong. I think you'll find most people here opposed that. Indeed, there was a poll posted in the forum section, and out of 24 people, only 10 agreed with the chalking, in general. Probably if the statue portion of the chalking were isolated in the poll question, that number would be even lower.

Have they apologized for anything? No!

Sam just apologized for this, you know .

I encourage you to remember that "they" is not some monolithic entity. There are many styles of activism that many people here oppose. In fact, the ones you listed are probably the least popular.

James… you did nothing wrong, unless protesting and making your opinion known is wrong. If the Free Staters expect more civility then I suggest they start modeling a more mature and civil form of political action…. and apologize for their past behavior.

Only individuals can truly apologize for their own behavior … but if it makes you feel better, I apologize for the behavior of any person who has yelled at police, chalked the statue, or been excessively loud downtown, with or without a megaphone.
theodorelogan

Hi Griffin,

When you are rude to someone, you ought to apologize. That's what my mom taught me. Intentionally trying to disrupt someone trying to conduct an interview is rude IMO.
Whammo

"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering".
James

I did apologize for my actions. Pure and simple. Without a veiled attempt at a condition for more free publicity. Sam, you are a liar and a total hypocrite. Sometimes when the mirror is held close, the view Isn't so good. You should seek some professional help. Peace. Out.
http://www.freelunchproject.com Nealaus

James,

You still have not answered any of my questions. I'd be happy if you just read and answered comment #56. You, of course, don't have to answer. I'll take your silence on the matter as the answer I expected from you.

Nealaus
http://freetalklive.com/ Ian Freeman

James did apologize to Sam on Sam's apology thread:
http://freekeene.com/2010/08/20/my-apology-to-jam…

James, can you please explain why you keep accusing Sam of having a condition on his apology? He apologized and offered to meet with you and buy drinks at your own establishment, Brewbakers. He said you could have cameras present for the discussion or NOT. It is up-to-you.

Where is the condition?
Name (required)

Meg,

In a rather scathing post on another thread I ran through a few of Sams lesser qualities..I cavalierly mentioned you during my rant..I'd like to apologize for that. I should have considered the probability that this boarderline personality was an abuser. I should have realized my suggestion in the comment was actually accurate. While I dont mind coming off callous and insensiteve when I post here, it was not my intention to make a mockery of any pain you have been living with. I hope you have moved on to greener pastures. While you and I probably sit on different sides of the fence you seem to carry yourself with dignity and respect others would do well to emulate that..
Scott Carnegie

There wasn't violence here, no one was harmed, lets not exagerrate.
bil

Either Sam is a professional or he is not. If you are reporting, then you must expect this.You see it all the time on television , from the jokers waving, to legitimate political dissent. You report the news, you do not become the news. If you want to be considered a journalist with the attendant respect, then act like one. If not, you are just a guy with a camera, and not a member of the press. —bil
http://www.obscuredtruth.com Sam Dodson

Bill – I think there's a clear difference between being annoying in the b ackground (which I can handle with a tighter shot) and someone deliberately disrupting an interview by holding objects in front of the face of the person being interviewed.

If you watch the full video, you can see I did this both before and after this incident. Had he stood in the background with his cup, that would have been fine.

Unfortunately when he saw we were able to continue with the interview, James went further to interrupt us.

What's going on here is very different from most anything a typical news organization would cover. What's happening in Keene has never happened before anywhere else.
http://www.unitedcivilrights.org Kinley

Comments #56 and #67 from Nealaus are the most poignant and point-scoring as the cup confrontation applies or compares to Free Keene's agenda and positions.
max allison

sam- previously you interested me in what i believed to be thoughtful debate, now i regret wasting my words as i regard you as a narcissistic phony. actions speak so much louder than words.
VT_Vince

As an outsider watching this video of the confrontation I mistook James as the FreeStater and the aggressive guy as some sort of facsist with a camera. Sorry.
Paul

As an outsider watching this video of the confrontation I mistook James as the FreeStater and the aggressive guy as some sort of facsist with a camera. Sorry.

Not surprising. Everyone has apologized, and hopefully will behave better in the future. Nobody here is endorsing Sam's behavior.
bil

" Whats going on here is very different than most anything a typical news organisation would cover. What's happening in Keene has never happened before anywhere else."

WTF?? Where have you been hiding?? Have you ever read a newspaper or a history book?? I would not know how to respond to a statement like that. It must feel good to be at the center of it all while these earth shattering events occur around you. Edward R. Murrow, move over !!! —bil
david

AGAIN . that guy with the beard is a trouble making little gutter snipe

Sam did fine
david

PEACE