If Police Really Wanted To Make Communities Safer

… they would strike at the root of the cause of so much crime that plagues their communities: drug prohibition.

In Farmington, NH there has been a rash of burglaries:

Police have nabbed three men and continue to make headway on an investigation into a burglary and theft spree plaguing the town.

Farmington is a town that averages 35 to 40 burglaries annually, Willey said, but in a monthlong period from early June to early July, there were nine reported break-ins, he said. Between June 1 and June 6, there were additionally 15 reported thefts from motor vehicles, he said.

I feel I must repeat myself continuously here for the truth to hopefully one day sink in: Why, oh why, are these innocent people being victimized?

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Logic of Opposing The FSP/Liberty Movement

I know there are quite a few Free Keene readers who are reading this not because of their participation or belief in the movement towards a society that respects individual freedom, but because they want to keep tabs on what we’re doing and saying.  I want to make sure those of you who disagree with our positions correctly understand where your opposition leaves you.

While reading the comment section of the article “Dependence Day” that I referenced in my news update blog I came across the following comment:

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News Update

1This is a nice story about a very young entrepreneur in Sunapee, NH who has opened up a rather professional ice cream stand.  He seems to be making good money…  good for him.  This is the part of the story I thought might interest you:

Beck Johnson had a business plan, his startup funding a dream of opening an ice cream stand, but first he needed a variance from the Sunapee Zoning Board to open in a residential zone. He admits being a bit “freaked out” before his presentation, but ultimately got the go-ahead. That was Oct. 27, 2009 – four months shy of Beck’s 10th birthday.

Ah yes.  Not even a ten year old selling ice cream on his parents property is immune from the bureaucratic red tape involved in using said property as if it actually belonged to his parents.

Let us not forget the repercussions of not begging permission to use one’s own property as they see fit: violence.  Being “freaked out” when you’re about to deal with people who have no problem using violence when you don’t comply with their dictates is perfectly understandable.

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Voluntaryist and Statist Compromise

Those of us who wish the violent monopoly known as the state would disappear are not going to see our goal met for what I believe is an extended amount of time.

Question: Would you as someone who believes in liberty (or as someone who agrees with the state) be willing to make the following compromise:

The state will be unable to enforce “crimes” against someone unless there is a bona fide complaining victim who was harmed or endangered.  The punishment for endangering or harming someone will be twice that is currently is.

The state would still be allowed to use violence to enforce coercive taxation.

I’m curious to your thoughts/opinions.

Getting Away With Murder

On New Year’s Day 2009 the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police in Oakland, CA summarily executed made a mistake and accidentally shot Oscar Grant while he was laying face down on the ground during his arrest.  The trial for the police officer who blasted his brains out came to a close yesterday.

I predict that the officer will be found not-guilty of everything…  and this is why: “Mehserle, 28, testified last week that he shot Grant after he mistakenly drew his handgun instead of an electric Taser gun on his belt.”  (article here)  I predict that the prosecution was unable to prove criminal intent on the officer’s part.  I also predict some racially charged riots in the greater San Fransisco, CA area to follow.

The actual footage of the murder mistake is below.  Your predictions?

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