by Ian | Feb 8, 2012 |
UPDATE – Nov 2018 – Due to LENCO’s takedowns and their likely unauthorized use of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”, this video is gone from YouTube. However, it has been now uploaded to LBRY.IO and will be protected by the blockchain. Watch it here after you download the free LBRY.io app.
As you saw in my last post, LENCO, the manufacturer of the BEARCAT pulled their militaristic, violence-fetishizing promo video down from their youtube channel, but not before someone ripped it down to MP4. Now the folks at Copblock have uploaded it to their channel and word is other people are uploading it to their channels. Here’s the video again, for those who haven’t seen it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tx-oRkQnr0
by Ian | Feb 8, 2012 |
Sign the online petition to keep Keene Bearcat-free!
Isn’t it interesting that LENCO decided to pull the video offline this week? Do you think they’ve ever experienced pushback from a community like they have from Keene? They REALLY don’t want the city council to see this.
Luckily, it appears a helpful individual had the forethought to rip the video before they could pull it. So, perhaps you know someone who would like to upload this video to Youtube, Metacafe, or Liveleak? Here it is in MP4 form.
This is the video LENCO doesn’t want you or the city council to see. If you find a link to it on a video sharing site like the above-mentioned, please let me know so I can post it here.
UPDATE: Copblock has uploaded a copy to their Youtube.
by Ian | Feb 8, 2012 |
Sign the online petition to keep Keene Bearcat-free!
LENCO’s head salesman, Jim Massery admitted on the phone today that he didn’t think it should be shown to the council as it’s intended to market to the police.
Of course, that’s the point. LENCO is not marketing the BEARCAT to police as a rescue vehicle, as the council has been told. The councilors should see how this monstrosity is being promoted. If you haven’t, please watch the video that the city attorney doesn’t want you or the city commission to see. (Also, note that LENCO changed the permissions on their video to make it so it is not searchable and also so it can’t be embedded on other websites…like this one.) Then come out on Thursday evening and speak out against it. It’s our chance to reverse the deal and say, “Thanks but no tanks!”
LENCO’s head of sales also said he’d be attending the Keene committee meeting, which tells me LENCO doesn’t quite think they have this sale in-the-bag.
by Ian | Feb 7, 2012 |
Kudos to Keene police’s chief Ken Meola for being able to admit he was wrong. In a letter to the FOP committee and city boss John MacLean, Meola states (see the letter on page 27 of this PDF):
Since implementation, the following observations/feedback has been noted:
– Numerous mechanical difficulties have arisen with the machines and they continue to present.
– The public is finding the technology difficult to operate.
– The technology is not conducive to customers of the downtown businesses.
– Downtown merchants have reported constant complaints about the new kiosks and have reported down-turns in business as a result. (more…)
by Ian | Feb 7, 2012 |
There has rightfully been much ado regarding the BEARCAT attack vehicle in Keene recently, but all along, there’s another serious issue facing the people in this region. The money-hungry gang at the Keene Police Department have convinced the city council to install two parking kiosks downtown as a test. According to the police chief, Ken Meola, they are all about raising revenue. They estimate another $100,000 per year just for the parking division! I bet they can hire another enforcer with that money – doesn’t everyone want to see more parking enforcers on the street? Is there a way for me to paint those words with more sarcasm?
As you might imagine, many people in Keene do not want these parking meters, but they should speak for themselves. The Keene Sentinel recently published a letter from Luann Udell that outlines some great reasons the city council should say no to these awful meters. (Of course, ALL the meters should go, but that’s another issue entirely.) Here’s Luann’s letter:
Parking kiosks are a problem
To whomever makes parking meter purchase decisions:
I am not enjoying the new parking meter system in downtown Keene. And if we can judge by the unusually high number of empty parking spaces in that area lately, I have a lot of company.
I’ve had to wait in line at the kiosks, even when I simply need six minutes to run an errand. (more…)
