With this week’s timeslot for the AKPF #1 program hijacked by opposition forces, the Cheshire TV audience is subjected currently to a dissenting video production known as The STOP FREE KEENE!!! Show. Featuring some new content and a variety of older Free Keene and assorted videos with disclaimers and warnings attached, this new show marks new territory for the opposition to Free Keene group and the affiliated co-chapter, Monadnock Community Coalition Corporation.
While skimming down the front page of the Union Leader’s website this morning, I had to do a double take to ensure that I was not mistaken in what I was seeing displayed there. It was surprising to discover that a respected statewide periodical would permit such a crass poll question as the site today so prominently displays. With seemingly no circumstantially associated content to support it, a multiple-choice poll asks, “Which type of driver would you most enjoy Tasing?”
The options presented describe different stereotypes of motor vehicle operators, some more potentially dangerous than others. Trying to get a sampling of which types of drivers most annoy others on the road can certainly be done in a tasteful and mature manner, but the presentation of the question as posed is designed specifically to provoke individuals lacking in civility and class, who resort to fantasizing violence against those with whom they have disagreements. (more…)
Through their actions, the key members of SFK!!! prove the anger in their hearts – what kind of person could feel good about such destruction of community artwork?
Some STOP FREE KEENE!!! members believe that threats, violence, and protest will somehow stop the flow of activists to Keene and NH at large. However, all they are accomplishing is attracting more movers and sparking new activism.
Free Keene is about love and peace. “STOP FREE KEENE!!!” is about anger. Peace is the way.
The freedom-fearing folks of “STOP FREE KEENE!!!” have apparently started an anonymous blog site. The site claims on its “Get Involved” page, “we believe in transparency”, yet readers have no idea who is writing the articles.
Another important difference is that FK’s bloggers are willing to talk with people who disagree in real life and online, whereas many of SFK’s members thus far have shown an unwillingness to communicate with their neighbors. Their blog’s comments are moderated, meaning each comment must be approved by the site admins. (EDIT/UPDATE: They appear to have changed their moderation settings to either allow all comments or allow all after one approval, as I am now able to post without pre-moderation.)
In contrast, the Disqus commenting system we have here at Free Keene allows anyone to post, though there is a moderation system which at times on its own will hold up certain posts. Those auto-moderated posts are usually approved, provided they are not spam, racism, or advocating violence. People masquerading as others are also not welcome to comment at FK. However, anyone can post here with anonymity and by default comments are not moderated.
In real life at the recent “STOP FREE KEENE!!!” silent protest, I am told there was a middle-aged man (not a liberty activist) who came up and attempted to talk to SFK’s Joshua Erickson, (one of the administrators of their facebook group, a self-described socialist) and inquire of him about their protest. Josh apparently refused to speak to the man, but Free Keene blogger, James “Robin Hood” Cleaveland was more than happy to talk to the gentleman when he inquired, and they had a great conversation. (Some of which you can hear in the background of the video from the event.)
To SFK’s credit, they did have an awesome turnout at their event. Unlike their predecessor, the long-defunct “Keene Matters” blog from 2007, SFK actually has a real-life presence. Too bad not even the heads of the organization will talk to anybody about their ideas, whatever those are. So much for transparency.
One more interesting thing in the realm of transparency, some of SFK’s members have bragged about their facebook group having over 1,000 members. (more…)
Yesterday, during a successful “People’s BBQ” event put on by Robin Hood of Keene, in which at least a dozen hungry people were fed delicious pasta and tacos, twenty angry locals came out to hold signs for about 45 minutes. Many of the signs were in protest of Free Keene and its founder, me, Ian Freeman.
Robin Hooder Garret Ean attempted to converse with the protesters, as did others, including non-activists and people from outside the area. However, the group exhibited childish, cult-like behavior and refused to speak.
If of course, they were to actually talk to the people they hate, they might find out that we’re not so different after all and may discover that their fellow “STOP FREE KEENE!!!” group members have been lying or spreading misinformation about the liberty activists. Thus, it’s critical to stay silent to avoid any possible cognitive dissonance or revealing of ignorance.
Regardless, what an amazing success for Robin Hood! You know you’re doing something right when a mob of people comes out to protest! I love the critics! Thank you guys for spending so much time and effort validating what we do here at FK. Keep up the great work and see you soon!
Another exemplary installment of the AKPF #1 series this week features more quality content from the 2014 New Hampshire Liberty Forum. Opening with a well produced interview compilation captured by recent Chicago-area transplant Rob Mathias, we get insight into the passions and motivations of various activists around New Hampshire and beyond. The segment is followed up by a freshly cut edition of the Nashua duck vigil held on the morning of Sunday, February 23. Finishing out the show are excerpts from a public declaration by Garret Ean at the DPRK Central sub-Committee hearing on a proposal to increase AKPF rates, fees, and fines by hefty portions. Another locally produced CheshireTV program, Black Sheep Rising, discusses the increase proposals, as well as reactive response in a portion of their most recent episode.
1. 00:10 Declaration of the people (Liberty Forum compilation)
2. 15:46 Nashua Lost Ducks Candlelight Vigil Memorial Service
3. 27:20 Questioning the parking commissioner on proposed increases against DPRK civilians (taxation/penalization/criminalization/victimization)