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”:

When Drunken Bros Attack: Meet Tim

by | Dec 4, 2012 | 6 comments

If I were a busybody, I might assert that there needs to be a crackdown on the drug-addled maniacs that occasionally interject disorder into the harmony of Keene’s otherwise pleasant populous. As Keene Cop Block has been operating consistently since autumn began, something I had discovered quickly was that KPD does not pose the greatest threat to recording equipment on Friday and Saturday nights. Drunken commoners have the least concern for other’s personal property. Though not always through malevolence, some young people find it gratifying to shout praise of their alma mater while holding a Cop Blocker’s videocamera inches away from their face.

gobra_001Once in a blue moon, you come across someone as disoriented and insecure as a friend we made last week, Tim. Tim considers himself to be the king of the alphabros. He had the most violent reaction to cameras of any druggie that the crew has come across. From his perspective, he may have felt infringed upon. Despite the fact that he had approached a group of videographers as his friends walked away, he had concerns about cameras being in his face. When I approached the group after seeing him stepping towards fellow filmer James in the way that a great ape squares off with its opponent, he then spoke as though he took preference for my clothes and hair. “Look at this afro mutherfucker…with a videocamera.” He began counting people, “One, two…,” and at “three”, he pounces towards me like a tranquilized animal. (more…)

The Free State Project Envelope Stuffing and Future

by | Dec 3, 2012 | 0 comments

Dec. 1st, 2012 Free State Project participants gather at a community center to strategize and take part in some activism. Chris Lopez, Carla Gericke and Paul Best give a run down on the days activities.

Don’t forget to register for 2013 Liberty Forum! Early bird pricing is in effect for a limited time. Visit: http://freestateproject.org/libertyforum

Also if you wish to learn more about the Free State Project please visit their website: http://freestateproject.org/

Man Pays Ransom with Pennies, Demonstrates Disdain for Legitimized Theft

by | Nov 28, 2012 | 4 comments

This post was originally published to copblock.org on Nov. 26th, 2012. It’s shared here both due to the actions depicted (and the ideas that motivated the actions) and because those who created the video have spent time in the ‘shire.

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Taxes are theft. Think about it – do you want to hand over coin that you earned to a stranger simply because such an action is demanded?

Much like the ransom note that you might receive from someone wearing a badge, it’s not due to a sense of gratefulness that you might acquiesce but because of the implicit threat. The “or else” ramifications.

It was that rationale that caused North Carolina resident and Carolinas Cop Block founder Clyde Voluntaryist to pay the property tax fee associated with his vehicle. But instead of just cutting a check for the total amount, he first stopped by his bank, where he picked-up the total – in pennies.

If you find yourself with a ransom note for possessing a plant someone claims is “illicit” or for a vehicle “infraction” or any number of other victimless actions, consider sitting the time. By doing so, you won’t help to finance your local organized criminal gang, and in fact, will lessen their resources.

If you can’t sit the time, offer to donate the same amount to a charity or cause that you support.

If you’re told that’s not permissible, and you decide to pay the bribe to prevent future harassment, doing so with pennies is a low-risk way to demonstrate that you do not support their institution based on coercion.

Just imagine if 10% of ransom notes were paid as such…

If taxation without consent is not robbery, then any band of robbers have only to declare themselves a government, and all their robberies are legalized.
-Lysander Spooner

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UPDATE: 2012.11.28