Retaining the monopoly on “justice”, the government’s courts have a way of interrupting one’s life with their arbitrary demands. In civil court, unlike criminal, the burden of proof is not upon the state, and one is obligated to defend themselves or face a default judgement without any input from the defendant. While on vacation in Montana, I had to take time out of my travels to entertain the city of Keene’s court jester with a response to his lawsuit filed against myself and others for having filled expired parking meters in downtown Keene. In this quick update from Bozeman, Montana, I submit my homework to the court via certified mail.
The next obligation placed upon those alleged to be associated with Robin Hood of Keene is a physical appearance in Cheshire county superior court on Tuesday, June 11 at 2:30. See the original ludicrous lawsuit paperwork here, and my required response penned in legalese here.
Rich Paul bravely faced down 100 years in prison to stand up for principle and attempt to hasten the demise of the insane war on drugs. Yesterday, Rich was sentenced to one year in county jail, many more suspended in prison, a three year probation, and fines.
At the sentencing hearing the court heard well-researched and passionate speeches from defense attorney Kim Kossick, Rich’s parents, and Rich himself:
You can see raw video below of Kim and Rich’s parents’ speeches as well as a ridiculous beginning portion where judge John C. Kissinger enters the court and immediately threatens the audience regarding cameras. (more…)
Back in October 2012, I was arrested for recording video in the town hall of Palmer, MA. The arrest was clearly illegal, but that didn’t stop Palmer Police officer Raymond Tenczar from putting handcuffs on me, then putting me in a cage. After all, the legal council for the town had told them they could and they’d even posted hastily-printed signs on the building that morning that prohibited recording. They didn’t want a repeat of 2011, where CopBlock‘s Pete Eyre and I walked all around the building, recording and asking the bureaucrats tough questions. (We were there to view a tax sale and support our friend Jay Noone who was having his home stolen by the people calling themselves the “Town of Palmer”.)
Their plan would have worked if it weren’t for those pesky liberty activists and the ACLU of Massachusetts!
Not only did Palmer district court eventually dismiss the “disorderly conduct” charges “with prejudice” (meaning they can’t bring them back against me), but the town bureaucrats paid out $5,000 as a settlement.
Takeaways from the experience:
1. Just because bureaucrats print a sign saying you can’t do something, doesn’t mean you can’t do that thing. They are liars.
2. Don’t stop recording. Be polite about it, but stand your ground. (more…)
It’s that time of year again when the great and wise city planners of our lives bring out the new year’s budget. It of course is an increase from the previous year. It always is. It doesn’t matter where you live. And that is the nature of any successful parasite. They feed and then subsequently grow larger. Until either the hosts dies or finds a way to remove the parasite. Either way the end is often messy and unpleasant.
This year in Keene the city manager, Prince John, has proposed a budget increase of a whopping 3.37% and the wise city planners will most likely swallow that pill without any fight whatsoever. After all, these people have a plan for a majestic city on the hill and it requires Your money to see it through. How do they get away with this year after year? Easy. No one cares. At least no one cares until it is too late. These meetings are painfully boring and ripe with legalese. The only people who really ever attend these events are the lobbyists seeking handouts from the city. Out of a population of 23,000 only around 20 people showed up to this event. 6 of them were activists. This is how they get away with it year after year.
Rich Paul has become a martyr for the legal marijuana movement, risking a life in prison rather than accept that something he loves should be a crime.
As Harry Cheadle of Vice reported earlier, the New Hampshire libertarian was arrested on four charges of selling marijuana and one of selling LSD last year. Paul refused to bargain with the FBI or accept a plea bargain — even when offered a deal with no jail time — and when his trial came Paul tried in vain to convince the jury not to convict him.
At his sentencing on Friday, Paul faces a maximum of 100 years in prison, even if he is likely to get far less.
While his story has been held up as a paragon of ludicrous drug laws, the 40-year-old claims that he’s really being targeted because of his membership in a libertarian political group.
What do manatees and parking enforcers have in common? Who almost killed Conan and why? And what on earth does Shaunna have against dolphins? Find out in this week’s exciting installment of BSR.
Retaining the monopoly on “justice”, the government’s courts have a way of interrupting one’s life with their arbitrary demands. In civil court, unlike criminal, the burden of proof is not upon the state, and one is obligated to defend themselves or face a default judgement without any input from the defendant. While on vacation in Montana, I had to take time out of my travels to entertain the city of Keene’s court jester with a response to his lawsuit filed against myself and others for having filled expired parking meters in downtown Keene. In this quick update from Bozeman, Montana, I submit my homework to the court via certified mail.
