School Board Denies Military Veterans Access to Keene High

by | Jul 12, 2012 | 18 comments

Despite appeals court decisions that make it clear that schools must allow counter-recruiters in if they allow military recruiters, the Keene school board decided not to allow veterans to set up a counter-recruiting table at Keene high school. Their excuse is that representatives from colleges and workplaces are able to also reach out to students and therefore they are exposed to other post-high-school options. Of course, none of those other people will be providing information specifically counter to the lies and misinformation given by the recruiters. Also, it’s worth noting that the recruiters are there several times per year, and other viewpoints either not allowed at all, or barely. See the entire interaction between me and the school board from the clip below, courtesy of Cheshire TV. After the video, you’ll find the Keene Sentinel’s report on the meeting which focused primarily on the counter-recruiting situation. Thanks to Sentinel reporter Kaitlin Mulhere for the excellent article.

The next step in this saga will be taken by NH Peace Action, as they will be reaching out to the NHCLU regarding suing the school board to allow veterans to be on-campus as often as the military recruiters. Stay tuned here for the latest.


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Profiles from Occupy NATO

by | Jun 29, 2012 | 0 comments

Presenting three interviews with occupiers from across the nation at the Chicago NATO summit protests, the weekend of May 18.

Gregory Lucero of Occupy SLC. Gregory was interrogated in his home by the FBI one week before his trip East.

A Mystery Man from Manhattan, NY.

Zach Vorhies from Oakland was on the streets ready to film whatever may have occurred. With protection from sound attacks, poison gas, and blunt force, he even had the benefit of keeping both hands free with a helmet-mounted camera.

Earlier coverage of the Chicago NATO protests from Free Concord available here. 

Occupy NH on Trial

by | Jun 28, 2012 | 0 comments

From freeconcord.org:

While many porcupines were occupied in the northern nether-reaches of the state at the 2012 Porcupine Freedom Festival, the collective trial of the five arrested and over a dozen cited for curfew violations at the eviction of the Occupy New Hampshire encampment occured in Manchester on June 22. Like the Chalking 8 trials, there is no ruling at this point as Judge William Lyons issued homework to the defense and prosecution requesting essays in support of their respective positions. Arnie Alpert, who was present for the eviction as well as the trial reports from his blog, Inzane Times. Readers of Free Concord may recognize some familiar faces among the photos published on the Inzane Times blog.

http://inzanetimes.wordpress.com/2012/06/23/notes-from-an-occupy-trial-could-a-curfew-violation-be-ruled-a-constitutionally-protected-revolutionary-act/

Proud Parent of a Soldier

by | Jun 26, 2012 | 0 comments

Yesterday on my way home from work, I saw a sticker on the back of a green minivan that stated: Proud Parent of a Soldier. As I drove behind this vehicle for several miles, I wondered if this parent actually understood just what message he or she was sending. My mind kept seeing dead Afghani, Iraqi, Pakistani, etc…men, women and children lying dead in the streets and in hospitals. My mind also went to the pictures of American soldiers gleefully urinating on dead Afghanis, the horrid Wikileaks video of the helicopter crew excitedly gunning down men, the torture and sexual abuse of Abu Ghraib, the burning of Korans. I know that I am not the only one who interprets nationalistic messages this way.

However, let me be clear. I once was a member of the US military and I once interpreted these nationalistic messages with visions of the American flag, the bald eagle, Stars & Stripes, the pledge of allegiance, and the list goes on and on! I would hear the national anthem and tears would come to my eyes. What glorious difference enlightenment brings!

After realizing I was just a dupe and a guinea pig to the sick, power hungry politicians, my viewpoint changed dramatically. I see how nationalistic tendencies destroy people and families, hell, the entire social system; and not just “American” people and families. The sole purpose of the military should be to protect the people, not to engage in endless wars for profit and population control, i.e. defense, not offense. I hope that more and more people start to see the way I do now, not like I used to.

As I write this, we are only one week away from the ultimate in nationalistic holidays (at least for the US), “Independence Day” aka the 4th of July. This is a day to indulge in the orgiastic displays of flags and stars and stripes, of fireworks, hot dogs, apple pie. Parents will put American flag shirts on themselves and their kids. Parties with grilled hamburgers and hot dogs will be had poolside in much of the US. And on this “independence day” I will be thinking of Bradley Manning, the innocent dead civilians of the hundreds of wars fought throughout time, and true freedom from government oppression.

Do mankind a favor and disassociate yourself from the indoctrination of nationalism and join me for Anarchy Day! See Kal Molinet’s site: www.liberateRVA.com he was my inspiration for this! Wear black and display signs of peace for one and all to see!  I know there will be pushback, but keep your thoughts positive and love one and all, especially those that “hate” you! Peace and Love to All!