Why I Support “Free Keene”

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 🙂