Bradley Manning Defense Presentation (Full Video)

by | Dec 5, 2012 | 3 comments

On the evening of December 3, the Bradley Manning Support Network sponsored a presentation by Manning’s attorney David Coombs. Coombs played down the media’s role in covering the military tribunal, yet acknowledged the more humane treatment that positive press coverage resulted in after Manning was removed from harsh conditions in Quantico, Virginia and moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. See the full hour video embedded below, featuring Emma Cape, Michael Ratner, and David Coombs. A detailed writeup is available from the Dissenter.

Rick Van Wickler, Compassionate Jail Superintendent, and Drug War Opponent

by | Dec 4, 2012 | 0 comments

Rick Van Wickler is the superintendent of the Cheshire Department of Corrections, which operates the county jail, aka the Keene Spiritual Retreat. Rick has for years been speaking out against the insane “War on Drugs”, which is really just a war on our friends and family. Here’s his recent appearance as part of the Beyond Bars “Safekeepers” campaign, where he explains his path to finding compassion for the people he is tasked with keeping in a cage, many of whom don’t belong in jail, but are forced there by an inhumane system. Van Wickler brings a level of humanity to an operation where it’s normally hard to find. I really appreciate that we have him running the Cheshire jail, rather than some sadist, as is frequently the case in other “Departments of Correction”:

US Senate Votes To Restrict Indefinite Detention of Americans

by | Dec 2, 2012 | 0 comments

The United States Senate has passed an amendment to Section 1021 of the NDAA that in theory would forbid the President from ordering the indefinite military detention of American citizens.  The amendment is far from perfect as the Federalist Society overviews in an excellent blog.

Being a lifelong New Hampshire resident, I find it particularly embarrassing that our own Senator Kelly Ayotte (R) (who talks a good game about our “Live Free or Die” motto) voted against this.  How can one “Live Free” when they’re subjected to indefinite military detention, on American soil, without access to the court system?

If someone proposed something like the NDAA for white men in 1950s, a visit to HUAC would have been called for.  The NKVD did this stuff, not us.  It is absolutely “Un-American” to deny the accused the right of access to the court system.

Please consider contacting Senator Ayotte to convey your thoughts about stripping Article III and the 5th Amendment from the US Constitution.

Thank you Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D) for voting for this.

KPD’s Chief Ken Meola Called Out on WKBK’s Talkback

by | Dec 1, 2012 | 4 comments

Some local liberty activists and other concerned locals made an appearance this morning on WKBK‘s “Talkback” as Keene Police Chief Ken Meola was interviewed by former city councilor Cynthia Georgina and current city councilor James Duffy.

Audio of the interview and following calls is here.

During the series of calls, Meola defends the BEARCAT’s alleged use in rescue situations and its militaristic olive green color. He refuses to paint it pink in support of breast cancer research, or even red to be more obvious as an alleged “rescue” vehicle. Cop Block‘s Pete Eyre calls with a challenging question about the contradiction in KPD’s mission statment which is to ostensibly “protect” people, but yet they must first violate those same people in order to get the money to “protect” them. Pete’s question is so challenging in fact, that the only response the hosts can muster is to ignore his question, hang up, then busy out the phones for the remainder of the hour!

Additionally, Meola explains that he refuses to speak with me because he doesn’t like my behavior and the “attacks” on his officers that I “allow” on Free Keene. He claims that the radio was an inappropriate place for me to ask him about this, and I would agree, however I’ve asked him in person and via email, and he refuses to even acknowledge my presence! Of course, I’m not alone in this rude treatment by a so-called “public servant”. He also ignores independent newsman Dave Ridley in this video taken outside a Keene city council meeting.

So, Ken, let me see if I’ve got this straight: (more…)