Questions on Recording Police

A carrer police officer in Texas has some questions about recording the police.

Apparently there has been some Internet kerfuffle involving officers being videotaped by citizens. Seems some officers get their Hanes all up in a half-hitch about it — to the point of pulling some truly feather-legged stunts.

Why?

And I’m asking that question of both sides, by-the-by.

 Head over and help him figure it out.

Voluntary Alternatives: Pollution

Pollution seems like an insurmountable problem for a stateless society. After all, without government regulation, who will prevent companies from dumping toxic waste everywhere? This overlooks the fact that a company has a strict liability for damage it causes, even through it’s dumping practices. This liability is something that the company itself, as well as its insurance provider will want to control. And because all property is privately owned, there will always be a damaged party from indiscriminate dumping. (more…)

A Modest Proposal

I was in Central Square today for Free Speech Fridays, and while I was there I noticed that the gazebo is starting to look battered, the grass is patchy, and a serious mud hole, that may even present a safety risk to pedestrians, is to be found around the water fountain. Because of these problems, I took up the microphone an proposed that the activists, who are the primary users of Central Square in terms of time present, make an effort to repair the wear and tear the facilities have sustained. This will not only provide a better facility for the activists whom use the square the most, but also for all members of the public.

To accomplish this, we’re going to need paint, brushes, and other tools. If we wish to repair the ground cover, seed of some variety will be needed, and the effort will be impossible without volunteers. To that end, I will be attending the 4:20 rallies every weekday over the next 2-3 weeks to collect any funds anybody may wish to contribute, as well as any equipment that anyone may wish to donate for our use. I have also created a Facebook event, to be held in Central Square on Wednesday, September 14 at 4:00pm to discuss plans for making repairs.

An action like this is not without risks. Two years ago, another activist was arrested for attempting to create a public garden in Central Square. Arrests relating to this are also possible. The work done, if not done well, may cause bad publicity. And of course there is the chance that agents of the city council may choose to strip and repaint after our work is done, even if no arrests are made. I’m willing to take that risk.

Anybody who is interested is of course welcome to come out to Central Square on Wednesday to help plan. I’ll see you there.

Aggression Disrupts Free Speech Fridays

Today in Keene’s Central square, beginning at 4:00, a weekly event known as Free Speech Fridays was held. The idea behind the event is to provide an open microphone for the people of Keene to come out and speak to the general public. This is the third such event to be held in Keene’s Central Square, and so far it has been a success. Unfortunately, it’s not without its bumps in the road.

At approximately 5:00PM two individuals wearing blue outfits with small pieces of metal on them, carrying large firearms approached the gazebo in Central Square. The demanded in the name of some person calling themselves ‘The City’, who at this time is unidentified, that the persons gathered in Central Square cease using the publicly available power outlets due to a lack of a ‘permit’. After some questioning, these two individuals, against the requests of the owner of the PA system set up for Free Speech Fridays, unplugged it. After some further discussion between the attendees and the aggressive individuals, the aggressors left the are. An unknown individual then restored power to the PA System and Free Speech Fridays continued.

The aggressive individuals did not further harass any attendees. Talley.TV was there, and will post video later.