With all the controversy in Keene surrounding young people in Central Square, those who have been observing have likely noticed the usual political tactic of lumping individuals into groups. This is a typical and thoughtless approach. It makes it easy to dismiss people and their opinions, because they can be seen as just one of the group. It has (and continues to) happened with liberty-minded people being called “Free Staters” and “Free Keeners” even if they aren’t one, the other, or both. Now it’s happening with some of the teens and young adults hanging out in Central Square. Just call them “Juggalos” and then one can just dismiss them all as troublemakers, when in reality only a few of them might actually be. I mean, the FBI recently called the Juggalos a nationwide gang, so they must all be criminals, right?
This is the mindset of people who haven’t bothered to try to talk to any of the people they don’t understand. I used to be this way myself. I considered all the government people to be evil, but then I realized they are just human beings who for the most part think they are doing good. Many don’t realize that they are supporting a violent monopoly and are blind to the horribly destructive ends of the system in which they work. Having one-on-one conversations with some of them helped me see them as fellow humans instead of heartless bureaucrats.
I get it. It’s easy to categorize people into groups. It’s also lazy. Most of the Juggalos that I have met are good, young folks. Smoking weed is not a crime against other human beings and nor is enjoying the common. Oh, and guess who helped pick up the park as part of Kleen Keene? Some of the Juggalos. Seems the real issue with Central Square is that some teens do things that some adults don’t appreciate, like using profanity. These conflicts have lived on for generations and no law will make them go away. Older folks should remember what it was like when they were younger and then try to connect with the people on the Square rather than just write them all off as a “problem”.
Hello FK readers, it’s that time of year again…A time for foliage, cider, pumpkins, and of course, FREE KEENE FEST! This Sunday from 12-4pm on Railroad Square there will be festivities aplenty! Vendors of unique variety, live music, and a food drive to benefit the local shelters/food pantries. If you would like to sell something, please bring a table and join us. Or just come on downtown to listen to some great music and see agorism at it’s best! Hope to see you all there!
This festival has been happening for several years, with minimal interference. I sincerely hope to see it become yet another success. I also strongly urge everyone to bring over a non-perishable food item, such as a canned good or anything that does not go bad quickly. There will be a table with boxes labeled for this specifically. Thank you in advance!
Yes, it is a crime to feed people in public in Orlando. Heroic civil disobedients continue to return to a public park where each time they attempt to feed homeless people and other hungry folks, the local bicycle gang rides in and kidnaps the servers. Here are multiple videos of the various abductions over the last two weeks, courtesy Orlando Copwatch. Orlando’s John Kurtz will be at Porcfest next week along with other Orlando activists: (It’s also worth noting that I don’t agree with the chant heard in these videos of, “Food is a right, not a privilege”. Food is neither. It’s a product that should be able to be sold or given away in whatever non-fraudulent way the people who have it want. It would be more accurate to say that the ability to give away or sell food is a right, not a privilege. That said, one need not agree with the liberty viewpoint to do attention-worthy civil disobedience. These activists are courageous to continue going back and getting arrested again and again.)
In case you missed it, Meg posted earlier today here on the blog, but likely because she is modest, didn’t make a big deal out of the fact that there is a fundraiser going on to help her get home to the Shire from Florida. See, US Airways screwed her over and reneged on their offer to get her home, and she doesn’t have enough cash to get back. Can you help? We’re already halfway to the goal, and any money that is raised over and above the cost of travel will be donated to WeWontFly.com!
UPDATE: Apparently Meg had the money fronted by WeWontFly‘s George Donnelly – thanks George. Every dollar raised will go to pay him back and beyond that will benefit WeWontFly.com
Heika reports that the Hundred Nights Shelter is having a yard sale Saturday, October 2nd from 8-2 on Emerald Street in the old City Tire lot across from the Center at Keene. They do not receive any government funding and rely solely on donations. The donations have been getting scarce as of late. So the yard sale is a fundraiser to help with these costs. I encourage everyone to please take a few minutes and look through your things for anything that may be donated to sell in the yard sale. The only things not accepted at this time are clothing and large pieces of furniture. Books, dvds, videos, video games, kitchenware, board games, toys, etc would be great! Please send Heika an email at h_courser at yahoo.com or post to the forum thread if you have anything you are willing to part with to help this shelter. I will do my best to accommodate your schedule to pick things up from you throughout the week. Also, on Saturday, I will have a separate table to accept sleeping bags, tents, tarps, winter jackets, and any cash donations. So stop on by, donate items, buy something, or give the change in your pocket! Everything is greatly appreciated!
With all the controversy in Keene surrounding young people in Central Square, those who have been observing have likely noticed the usual political tactic of lumping individuals into groups. This is a typical and thoughtless approach. It makes it easy to dismiss people and their opinions, because they can be seen as just one of the group. It has (and continues to) happened with liberty-minded people being called “Free Staters” and “Free Keeners” even if they aren’t one, the other, or both. Now it’s happening with some of the teens and young adults hanging out in Central Square. Just call them “Juggalos” and then one can just dismiss them all as troublemakers, when in reality only a few of them might actually be. I mean, the FBI recently called the Juggalos a nationwide gang, so they must all be criminals, right?
In case you missed it, Meg 
