Why I Support “Free Keene”

August 21, 2010 by Bradley Jardis
Filed under: Issues, Living Free, Outreach, Personal Freedom, Police, Rant

You know…. as I read all the insults and hatred that is directed at both myself and fellow Free Keene contributors, I can’t help but think the vast majority of you making these rude remarks haven’t the slightest clue as to what exactly this blog is about. I think this because I’m fairly sure that if people really knew the logic behind things here that we would be supported, joined, and encouraged.

I think this because at one time I vehemently disagreed with Ian Freeman’s (the owner of this website) view of how a society can function without institutionalized violence. Not only do I now agree with him, I volunteer to help him by writing for his blog.

I am a native New Hampshire-ite. I am also a former NH law enforcement officer with eleven years of service.

Why am I here?

Why did I quit a decent paying job and walk away from an excellent retirement plan that people in the private sector could only dream of?

Why do I voluntarily subject myself to the vitriolic comments which this and my previous blogs attract?

Why did a girl who grew up in the Keene community decide to voluntarily swan dive her reputation in a similar fashion?

It’s simple. Our slowly increasing numbers don’t think violence is an appropriate solution to solving non-violent problems…. and we have the gonads to say it.

Every ordinance (no matter how trivial) that the Keene City Council enacts is a threat of violence or violence itself as a solution to a largely non-violent problem.

The alcohol ordinance is the hot topic. You think that people peacefully drinking alcohol in public is a problem? Okay, solve the problem without authorizing, threatening, and using violence and I guarantee you the Free-Keene-movement-minded people (like me, Heika, Ian, and Sam) will shut up about it.

The current non-violent “problem” of open alcohol containers is currently “fixed” by a police baton, a can of pepper spray, a taser, a cage, and ultimately a gun. Don’t you get it? I’ll tell you stories about how I turned to “legal” violence against people who did non-violent things if it better helps you understand.

We’re loud, persistent, and to some of you annoying BECAUSE we are hell bent on eliminating institutionalized violence as a solution to solving peaceful problems. It is amazing that being opposed to the **initiation** of violence is such a controversial position to take.

Is violence REALLY such a good thing that people who don’t want it to be socially acceptable deserve to be insulted, attacked, and opposed?

Do you believe that violence should be used to solve non-violent problems? I would have answered “NO!” seven years ago as I pushed around a Crown Victoria. My answer would have been “NO!” because I didn’t know any better. Once I knew better… I had to quit. I never want to be violent to the non-violent. But I was… 40+ hours a week.

Imagine how differently history would read if violence were never an acceptable solution to solving non-violent problems.

Imagine how different and peaceful the future could be if violence stops being an acceptable solution to solving non-violent problems.

The Earth doesn’t have to stay flat.

Par for the course around here: Advocate a society without institutionalized violence against peaceful people = get toasted in the comment section

max allison

vince, do you see a problem with a person free-basing cocaine and injecting heroin in the park?

and i want to make it clear, i'm just trying to get a clear understanding of ideas- i'm not being aggressive towards anyone's views or values, so please don't interpret my words that way.
Lpviper

Max, the problem is with the 'public' ownership of the park.

If the park were privately owned, the owners could make rules either allowing or banning any type of activity, and park consumers could choose the park that most closely fits their value set.

Really, the activity is a side issue, and the one the government people will harp on because they don't want people to see the REAL problem, which is that 30,000 people cannot 'own' the same thing and all extract value from it.
Lpviper

BTW I saw some of the comments above about Sam. I have indicated that I am going to boycott Sam's work on this site and others because of his questionable behaviors.

I want to say that I hate to do this, as Sam and his phone calls to FTL and his move to NH were very inspiring and liberating to me.

My feeling right now is that I'm a litlle creeped out by Sam. I won't go into the specifics here because Ian doesn't like it and I have a lot of respect for Ian.

With that said, I forgive easily. Very easily. Don't really have enemies, and don't want any.

I'm just waiting for Sam to say the right thing, and be honest about himself. I have decared on these forums and on the radio that I was the worst kind of bigot and nationalist in the past, and I have been in trouble for (admittedly drunken, I no longer drink) violence against others.

I have owned my faults, admitted my mistakes, and learn from them, as well as answering whatever others want to ask of me about feeling and behaving in those ways, and how i converted to being peaceful in every way. FTL and FreeKeene have everything to do with that, and I will continue to frequent these pages and support these people and their ideas.

Thank you, Ian, and everybody else here, for showing me the road to inner peace. Sam, I love you buddy, be a man and admit fault for your failings so I can resume my enjoyment of your activism.

Thanks
Luthor

NR: how would any corporation exist without a government, much less these "mega-corps"? Do you even know what separates a corporation from a regular business? Would you shop at a business that used violence to run out its competition? it seems to me that a company would rely heavily on its reputation to gain and/or maintain a healthy customer base. A great example of this are the private garbage collection companies in the area. In Florida, they were more expensive, less efficient, and had very poor customer since maintaining peoples' business didn't rely on good service.

I can't help but notice that heavily regulated Florida (where I moved from) has fewer mom and pop businesses, as the cost of doing business is high making it harder for smaller operations to even start a business, much less run one. That doesn't seem to be as much of a problem in northern New England, where there is less regulation. If what you're suggesting is true, the correlation between corporatism and less regulated markets would be evident in this region. I would suggest brushing up on some basic economic principals. I highly suggest reading Mises, Rothboard, and Hayek.
Luthor

NR: What businesses have you ever supported because they pissed you off? None, right? Wouldn't they gain more business by making you happy? Isn't that how commerce works? If goods and services aren't being traded for the mutual benefit of all parties involved, then why would anyone enter into such agreements? If what you say about regulating the marketplace is true, then wouldn't there be a correlation between less regulation and more corporations? Why aren't there less mom and pop businesses here in Keene as opposed to other highly regulated places I've lived? Just look at the garbage removal services in the area. They are granted government monopolies in other places I have lived. As a result, they are more expensive and have poor customer service because the incentive to make their customers happy has been removed.

I suggest you brush up on some basic economic theory. I highly recommend Mises, Rothboard, and Hayek. Also, Dr. Mary Rewart's book 'Healing Our World" gives excellent, real life examples of how government regulation impedes small businesses from starting up and staying afloat. It's available free on this website.

As far as smoking/drinking in the park goes, I see families there all the time, even during the 420 celebrations. Don't the night caps take place late at night? How many children are out and about at midnight? If you feel these are bad habits, then it is your responsibility to talk to your children. If you use honesty, compassion, and logic, they will listen.

No one has forced you to pay attention to this message (except when a bullhorn is used, which I openly oppose); you make that choice yourself. I think the group that opposes some of the tactics used is very exciting news. I intend to join them in voicing my opinion about the tactics that I dislike.
Luthor

Oops. That posted the first time. Sorry, not trying to be redundant.
theconscienceofDENNI

I just re-lacquered my Mozart garden gnome. How am I doing, kids???…
theconscienceofDENNI

Most of this bullshit belongs on the Forum. Any more OFF-TOPIC, and we'd be discussing doilies & Ring-Dings…Sometimes, I guess, "freedom from authority" also means "freedom from making sense"…
KEENENATIVE

#

max allison on Tue, 24th Aug 2010 10:50 am

vince, do you see a problem with a person free-basing cocaine and injecting heroin in the park?

and i want to make it clear, i’m just trying to get a clear understanding of ideas- i’m not being aggressive towards anyone’s views or values, so please don’t interpret my words that way.

—–>Let me answer that one: When I was a kid, I watched a guy inject "heroin" -(I assume it was heroin, what else would it be?) – while sitting on a bench in the COMMON(what some of you still insist on calling a "park"…). Watching that guy "shoot up" was the one thing that kept me from doing "needle drugs". So, that's one time, at least, that even a junkie bootin' up did some good…
max allison

keenenative, thanks for your story. i'd still like to hear from vince
Dennis

Viper, you're a good man for your honesty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dennis

KEENENATIVE, that's exactly what this lots trying to make legal in Keene. I've had 3 friends die from drug usage.

I've seen enough!

The free lot wants dead people from drug usage in the Central Square area to show they have succeeded in getting their work.

Mind you there would be no government services to deal with it, as they are footing the bill for 'clean-up'.

Ever seen "the Stand"?

They want that.
Paul

do you see a problem with a person free-basing cocaine and injecting heroin in the park?

I don't support drug use, especially hard drug use. I think people who use hard drugs need medical care, intervention by friends, etc. I also think the war on drugs is doing massive amounts of damage, both in lives and property, on a far more massive scale than even alcohol prohibition.

I consider certain behaviors in the park to be inconsiderate of others, and I hope folks will take care in the future to be more considerate.

Ultimately, I wish the park were owned by a community organization, and people were not forced to fund it. Then, rules could be set as to what behavior will be allowed or disallowed in the park. As it is, we've got a tragedy of the commons situation.
max allison

paul, thanks- i find everyone's perspectives interesting and appreciate them.
Lpviper

Dennis, a violent group demanding that people not consume this substance or that on penalty of punishment will not stop people from consuming those substances. If it would, it would have worked by now.

Look at the example of Portugal, where drug use was decriminalized, and while there was a small spike in drug usage immediately thereafter, overall use has gone down, and black market drug related deaths have plummeted, as people can now seek help for their addictions without fear of punishment.

I know it's hard to watch loved ones perish over a stupid buzz, but seriously, man, forcing people not to do something has never worked and it never will.

Understanding and compassion beat control and punishment every time.
KEENENATIVE

HEY! I got a "2-fer" on the cut/copy/paste thingy!!!…WOO HOO! And, they are both relevant! I'm sorry that you've only lost 3 friends. I have lost more than 3, and some of those died from LEGAL, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS! —>1st copy/paste, from COPBLOCK.com: "If these cops can’t find anything better to do than strongarm their way into elderly peoples’ home to look for marijuana, its time for them to trim their force down.#"….Now, Dennis, I haven't seen "The Stand". Isn't that a movie from a Stephen King novel? What's it about? I agree that there are no easy answers to the "drug problem", but that "WAR ON (some)DRUGS(sometimes), is WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM. Like, why do we need a methadone clinic in Swanzey???…Where does all that heroin come from? Um, Afghanistan. Turkey. Mexico. If it weren't for the DRUGWARS, the street cost would be a fraction of what it is. No more grossly-inflated street prices, for one thing…When you suggest that anybody here wants to see people die of a drug OD, are you just being stupid, or are you just stupid? You sound scared. Just because there's a movie called "The Stand", do you think that means it will happen? Maybe that means it WON'T happen. As for "Nazis", look what Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Stalin, Mao, etc…did to their own people. The "nazis" have no monopoly on evil. Again, I am truly sorry that your 3 friends died of "drug usage". What drugs did they use? I want to be sure to avoid those drugs. Just as I avoid pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals, & alcohol, killed as many NH folks last year, as illegal drugs did. What have you got to say to THAT, kiddo???…

Dennis on Thu, 26th Aug 2010 4:30 am

KEENENATIVE, that’s exactly what this lots trying to make legal in Keene. I’ve had 3 friends die from drug usage.

I’ve seen enough!

The free lot wants dead people from drug usage in the Central Square area to show they have succeeded in getting their work.

Mind you there would be no government services to deal with it, as they are footing the bill for ‘clean-up’.

Ever seen “the Stand”?

They want that."

…&if you really BELIEVE that, you really are full of crap…
Slim P

Can't argue with any of your sentiments Brad. I think your priorities are slightly out of whack however. I'd push this alcohol thing down the list a tad and start giving the topless crusade the attention it deserves. It's a much better path to non-violence, IMHO.