Here is the letter-to-the-editor I sent into the Sentinel which was published last Sunday.![yinyang[1]](https://i0.wp.com/freekeene.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/yinyang1-300x300.jpg?resize=126%2C126)
I am still interested in discussing any concerns anyone has.
Letter Below:
You may have heard about the “Stop Free Keene” group. I see this development as positive, since I believe that if someone has concerns with other people’s actions, they should let others know, a principle that Free Keene shares.
Unfortunately, my admiration for the group is offset by the rhetoric I’ve seen from the group. Often, many comments on their Facebook group are negative. They often resort to name calling, personal attacks and even advocating for violence toward bloggers of Free Keene. I’m fine with someone disagreeing and calling names, but it’s not OK to think violence is acceptable.
One Stop Free Keene member posted
a picture of a Free Keene blogger with a laser dot illuminated on his head and torso. Under this picture was a rifle with a laser aiming device attached. Stop Free Keene deleted the post, but the Stop Free Keene member who posted the picture is still in the group and no public announcement was made denouncing the person or his post.Many Stop Free Keene members wear Emerson Towing hoodies. In this video,
https://youtu.be/MH_APg3JcvY, an employee of Emerson can be seen threatening a former Free Keene blogger. Many Stop Free Keene members stated they support this behavior. Other Stop Free Keene members have also made threats and are still in the group. Conversely, a Free Keene blogger was removed over concerns that he may
not be a peaceful individual because of allegations regarding his language.
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The former group to Stop Free Keene was called Free Keene from the Free Staters and many current Stop Free Keene members were in the group. The group was deleted from Facebook and the founder of Free Keene from the Free Staters removed himself from associating with the Stop Free Keene members and is not in the new group because of its attitudes and language.
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If the opposition to Free Keene is because of the tactics employed, it would be beneficial to have a discussion about them between both groups. If Stop Free Keene members can make good points, I’m willing to consider changing how I do things. To that end, this letter serves as an invitation to meet. Regrettably, Stop Free Keene members seem unwilling to talk to anyone who holds an opposing view. One illustration of this position is their Facebook group being locked from outside comments. For comparison, anyone can comment on the Free Keene Facebook page or website. I want to hear comments about the things I do and am open to dialogue, especially in the case of disagreement.
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I’m hopeful that members of Stop Free Keene and Free Keene bloggers will continue to coexist peacefully and that both groups can meet in the future to discuss differences.
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James Cleaveland
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