by Ian | Oct 15, 2009 |
Perhaps you’ve heard of the “thin blue line”? Besides being a gang symbol that the police use to identify one another in public when they are off duty or in different areas, it’s also describes the “brotherhood” of being a cop. Cops protect other cops. When one of them is under attack for doing something awful, you can watch as the thin blue line closes up to protect the one that is in danger. It happens again and again across America and the world. Only the cops who are caught red-handed doing the most egregious things are the ones unable to be effectively protected by their system. 99% of them get away with their crimes with their department spokespeople making excuses and brushing their abuses under the rug. It doesn’t matter in many cases that there are witnesses or even video of the officer’s alleged transgressions.
Looks like there may be a thin red line here in Keene. I went today to talk to John MacLean, the city manager. 
I wanted to ask him what the city’s policy was about employees who steal. He said he couldn’t do anything unless I complained to the police. As I’d mentioned in an earlier post, I’d rather forgive Ron Leslie, the thief in this case, and the captain of the EMS B squad. I was just curious what the city people would do about a naughty employee, and I wasn’t expecting much.
Turns out the situation is worse than I thought. (more…)
by Ian | Oct 15, 2009 |
From the Keene Sentinel:
My name is Jenna, I’m 18 and am from the Keene area.
I stand with my fellow “stoners” at 4:20 when I can on my days off from work. I read the paper and keep up with the media on this topic every day.
As to the article in the Sept. 30 paper, “Weeding out lawbreakers:” I was appalled as to what some of the residents feel should happen to us protesters, such as one resident called for the police to use tear gas, riot batons and Tasers on us. (more…)
by Ian | Oct 10, 2009 |
Mark your calendar for 11a-12p, this Saturday 10/17. Last week there was only one call to WKBK’s Talkback about Kurt Hoffman’s imprisoning for 180 days. I called this week, asked what they thought of Burke spending $15,000 to put a man in a cell who just wanted Burke to use the word, “please”, and didn’t get answer from the show’s hosts. (The hosts are Keene city councilors.)
So, let’s be heard and focus on the third hour of the show, 11a-12p. This will give late risers the ability to sleep in and still participate. Get calling info on this thread about how to listen to and call WKBK’s Talkback.
Also, in concert with this we are going to retool the weekly chat session. It used to start at 9am, but that has proven to be quite unpopular as only a handful of people will just pop in and out throughout the three hour show. The chat has been basically dead for months. So, we’re going to reschedule the weekly chat for Saturdays from 11a-12p in the Free Keene chat room. This tightened window should bring more people into the chat at the same time. Please join in to help strategize our calls about Kurt.
by Ian | Oct 9, 2009 |
Thanks to Brian Anderson at the Keene Equinox (Keene State College’s campus newspaper) for this story:
At 4:19 p.m. a one minute contdown excites a crowd in Central Square at Keene. A man in a shirt reading “4:20 everyday at 4:20” paraphrases Thomas Jefferson and yells, “I hope for the day when people don’t fear their government, but the government fears it’s people.”
As 4:20 p.m. arrives, cars passing by honk and yell out their support.
This has been the typical scene at Central Square for the last two weeks, as protestors have shown up in large numbers to protest the country’s drug laws by smoking marijuana in public.
Keene residents Noah Wood and Rich Paul started the movement after the TEA party in Central Square two weeks ago.
“We thought, what better way to protest drug laws then to smoke pot,” Wood said. “Then we thought, why not come back tomorrow? Then it kind of evolved from there.” (more…)
by Ian | Oct 8, 2009 |
Join us for a candlelight vigil for imprisoned liberty activist Kurt Hoffman this Sunday 10/11 at 7pm in Keene’s Central Square. Details on this forum thread.
As an aside – has anyone made any Free Kurt Hoffman graphics for facebook profiles and such? I haven’t seen any yet.
