State Agents Arrest, Cage Ryan Over $4 Fee

February 7, 2012 by DerrickJ · 14 Comments
Filed under: Corruption, Economic Freedom, Jailed Activist, Manchester, New Hampshire, Police, Thuggery, Video

Shire activist Ryan Maddox was arrested on Friday, February 3rd, 2012. His alleged crimes? Theft, disorderly conduct, and placing others in danger. Then when arrested, he was charged with another “crime,” resisting his own kidnapping. Listen to him describe the incident which started it all…

(*Note* The date on this video mistakenly shows 1.04.2012 when it should actually read 1.14.2012, which is the day after the incident occurred.)
Ryan will NOT be taking a plea deal for the outrageous charges that followed this incident:

To learn his charges, continue reading…
Read more

Russ Roberts “Raises Keynes” on NHPR

January 20, 2012 by Skeptikos · 3 Comments
Filed under: Economic Freedom, New Hampshire

Laura Knoy, host of NHPR’s The Exchange, interviewed EconTalk host and “Keynes vs. Hayek” co-creator Russ Roberts, along with former Obama adviser and economics blogger Jared Bernstein yesterday morning.

You can hear the show, titled Raising Keynes, at NHPR.org.

For fun, the Keynes vs. Hayek videos are posted below the fold. Read more

FK’s Derrick Makes National News for Illegal Haircuts

December 18, 2011 by Ian · 7 Comments
Filed under: Civil Disobedience, Economic Freedom, New Hampshire, News

Free Keene blogger Derrick J Freeman makes national news with an AP article on his illegal haircutting. Multiple disobedience arrests, his own youtube channel, and now national news – Derrick J is in my opinion the activist of the year. He arrived in Keene in 2011, hit the ground running, and hasn’t stopped. Thank you Derrick for all you do for liberty. Here’s the AP piece:

CONCORD, N.H.—Anyone handy with scissors and a blow-dryer could set up shop in New Hampshire without the state’s formal blessing if an effort to eliminate education and licensing requirements for a host of occupations is successful.

Cosmetologists, barbers and a handful of others in state-licensed occupations would no longer need to go to school or get a license to work under the bill facing a vote in the House early next year that makes the licenses voluntary.

Derrick Freeman, a 22-year-old unlicensed hairdresser from Keene, said his customers’ satisfaction should determine if he can work, not a state license. Read more

Occupy Bank of America – Success! :: The Occupy Song

October 21, 2011 by Ian · 36 Comments
Filed under: Corruption, Economic Freedom, National, News, Outreach, Update

Several activists gathered from 11a-1:30p today in front of the Main St. Bank of America to encourage people to close out their BoA accounts and open accounts at more local banks or credit unions. Hundreds of fliers were distributed, signs held, and songs sung. As Tully reports from his blog – it was more than just a protest – it was an effective day of outreach. He confirmed both by talking to people and calling local credit unions at the end of the day:

One customer, a young man who appeared to be in his late twenties, excitedly responded to us, “I just did it! I just opened up an account at the credit union, and I closed my Bank of America account!”

Indeed, he wasn’t alone: a phone interview with the Cheshire County Federal Credit Union by your blogger confirmed that several people came in today to open new accounts, and self-identified as those leaving the Bank of America.

Here’s his full blog covering today’s events.

Also, Keene’s first overnight occupier, Craig Dallas Rice created and performed “The Occupy Song”, which resulted in a singing session out in front of the Bank of America:

What will happen next? Stay tuned here to find out, or better yet, drop into the Occupy Keene facebook page and discussion group.

Ian’s Blog from Jail #5

September 15, 2011 by Mike Barskey · 75 Comments
Filed under: Civil Disobedience, Court, Economic Freedom, Jailed Activist, Noncooperation, Police, Robin Hood

[Transcribed by Mail-to-Jail.]

Ian Freeman

“KPD Shows True Colors with Parking Meter Proposal & What to Do About it”

Keene Police Chief Ken Meola tipped his hand recently with his proposal to switch from the parking meters littering beautiful downtown Keene that many know and detest to a new system of kiosks.” Each unit will replace several meters and unlike meters in other cities, thees do not require the user to place a receipt on the dash.

Please forgive my inexact numbers. I write this from my jail cell and do not have source material in front of me. I’m going by my memory of recent Keene Sentinel pieces on the subject.

Considering, if I recall correctly, that KPD rakes in over $300,000 per year from the current system, one might wonder what the motivation is to change a system that is “working.” (Though I have heard rumor that the Parking Division actually runs in the red. I would love to have this confirmed or denied. Regardless, that information doesn’t change the point of this post.) Read more

City Council Votes to Ban Bars from Advertising Drink Specials

August 5, 2011 by Ian · 31 Comments
Filed under: Corruption, Economic Freedom, News

Last night at a council meeting, Keene’s city council voted unanimously to continue prohibiting local bars from advertising their drink specials in a way that would be visible outside their business. Based on the comments of one city councilor, they don’t want anyone to think that Keene “condones” drinking. I would like to know how many of the city councilors are active consumers of alcohol.

Seems to me that the city really doesn’t want businesses to come to this area. They seem to do everything they can to restrict their freedom to offer goods and services to willing customers. Recently, they jacked up property tax valuations by 30-40% on many commercial properties in town. That will result in higher prices for customers in addition to businesses on the edge of profitability going under.

The city council has chosen death over living free. If they keep this up, Keene will end up like Berlin – a dying town.

UPDATE: Apparently people in Claremont were upset I called it a dying town. I’m glad to see there is life there. Does anyone deny that Berlin is dying?

Big Greenfield Update

July 17, 2011 by Ian · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Civil Disobedience, Copblock, Economic Freedom, Personal Freedom, Police, Update, Video

Copblock‘s Ademo and Pete ask the meter maid in Greenfield some tough questions and get some sad answers:

The guys encounter Greenfield police officer McCarthy, who appears to be stalking Ademo’s parents:

Update for 7/14: Read more

Not-so-Live-Free: Keene Councilors Vote Down Bar Owners who Want to Advertise their Drink Specials

July 14, 2011 by Ian · 3 Comments
Filed under: Economic Freedom, News

Not a Beer

A power-mad city council committee voted down bar owners’ who want to be able to advertise their drink specials outside their establishments. Of course, this isn’t the only absurd, micro-managing rule these “councilors” force down the throats of peaceful business owners. It is in the news though, because a state law has repealed these ordinances across NH, but unfortunately has an opt-out provision.

The council committee voted to opt-out unanimously. Here’s the story from the Keene Sentinel’s Sarah Trefethen.

Here’s an excerpt:

Several people worried that signs outside bars would give the impression the city is a place where drinking is condoned and is a large part of the local culture.

Just pretend like drinking doesn’t happen in Keene and no one will know! Ludicrous. Unfortunately, no one showed up to testify in favor of repealing the prohibition. One “councilor” used this as his excuse to support the prohibition. Most productive people are working or relaxing after work, perhaps with an alcoholic beverage. Plus, we know what happens when someone tries to enjoy a drink at a boring council meeting.

That said, it would be nice if someone would take an interest in alerting liberty lovers to opportunities like this to speak out in favor of freedom. I didn’t find out until the night before, and I work during council meetings.

Keeniacs Travel to MA to Support Property Tax Freedom Advocate

July 5, 2011 by Ian · 1 Comment
Filed under: Copblock, Corruption, Economic Freedom, Personal Freedom, Police, Thuggery, Video

Liberty on Tour‘s Pete Eyre and I went down to Palmer, MA with some other Keeniacs and helped protect local fireman Jay Noone from being evicted from the property he rightfully owns. To this day, Jay has not been evicted.

We also spent some time visiting with the bureaucrats at Palmer town hall, who just-so-happened to be having a tax sale that very day!

Here’s the video, thanks to LOT:

Talley.TV Shows Medea Benjamin of Code Pink the Violence Inherent in the System

June 17, 2011 by Ian · 5 Comments
Filed under: Economic Freedom, Introduction, Personal Freedom, Update, Video

The Civil Disobedience Evolution Fund‘s Jason Talley talks with Code Pink‘s Medea Benjamin. This video drips with cognitive dissonance, as a nice woman who is committed to peace around the world is shown the violence that is part-and-parcel of the system in which she believes. I hope she continues to think about what Talley.TV shares: