While visiting the 21st annual Extravaganja festival in Amherst, Massachusetts, I had the chance to meet a long-time advocate for a peace declaration in the war on drugs. Jack Cole is one of the founding members of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition who worked in undercover narcotics for a great portion of his police career. Though he had known for years while working in the field that he was actively harming communities by perpetuating an unnecessary war, it was some time before he decided to make speaking out against the war a major part of his life. Since doing so, he has found it difficult to, in good conscience, not continue to work hard to maintain the momentum LEAP has been building in opposition to prohibition policy.
In this interview, Jack overviews the surprising success LEAP has had since its formation in March 2002. Now spanning 86 countries, LEAP is beginning to have even more active duty criminal justice officials, as early on their public membership was almost exclusively retired individuals. Jack also gets into how the drug war is greatly decreasing the effectiveness of more imperative criminal justice functions because of the ease of fishing in the drug war.
Many thanks to Jack Cole and his fellow spokesmen for LEAP, who undertake the important task of disseminating unpopular truths. See the 13-minute interview embedded below.
Just got off the phone with their business division earlier. Residential customers should already be receiving bandwidth boosts and wideband speed packages are now available, with speeds up to 50mbps down and 5mbps up. Further detail here. Rumor also has it that Verizon will have 4G in Keene by the end of 2012.
During my involvement with representing Jason Talley, I was fortunate to have been anonymously contacted by several people whom were well versed in the law. These people were invaluable to helping me help Jason escape imprisonment on what he believed to be corrupt court orders.
I recently heard from a law enforcement officer about an awesome judge in Carroll County who calls the jail on the weekends on her own accord simply because she wants to make sure defendants do not get held just because the court is closed. She legally doesn’t have to do that. I think she probably does it because she is a good person who uses her authority to protect individual liberty. I’ve never met this judge, but she sounds awesome.
In my humble opinion, Scott Frye, a New Hampshire State Trooper assigned to the Executive Protection detail, deserves some serious recognition for doing what I personally think is heroic.
The injured driver continually called out and pleaded not to let him burn. His legs were trapped under the dashboard, police said.Police said Frye climbed through the front windshield of the burning vehicle and freed the man’s legs. Knight helped Frye pull the man to safety.
I’ve been around numerous vehicle fires before, so I know for a fact that TFC Frye risked his own safety to save this guy’s life. Some of these fires are so hot that even being within ten feet of the vehicle can become unbearable.
Please call or mail NH State Police Director Colonel Robert Quinn‘s office and ask that Trooper Frye be properly recognized for risking his own safety to protect a stranger’s life.
(603) 223-8813
Department of Safety Division of State Police 33 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03305
Friday April 27, 2012 at approximately 2:15PM, I parked my vehicle on Main Street and ran into the bank. Less than five minutes later, I exited the bank to find a parking ticket on my windshield.
Today, Cecelia and I went to the Keene Police Department where I stated my desire to contest the ticket. As the vehicle is registered under the name of another individual, I was told that I am not allowed to contest the ticket. According to the woman behind the counter and the officer she sent out to speak with me, my three options were: Ask my father to take time away from work to contest a parking ticket that is not his responsibility and that he would not be able to make an argument for because it stems from a situation he knows nothing about, let them coerce my dad into paying them with threats of stealing the vehicle, or pay the ticket.
“There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Today, May 1, 2012 at 9:30am I signed a plea deal. Attached below are scanned copies of the terms. The long and short of it is that I will be going to jail for 60-115 days, starting May 7th at 4:20pm. Even though it will be a tough experience, I feel a sense of relief because I have certainty whereas I had none before.
I was facing 4 trials, with charges collectively totaling about 9 years in jail. Even if I were found not guilty by a jury in each case, I would still serve about 80 days jail time in fines. This is essentially a time-saver. It’s like a bully is forcing me to choose between the unattractive options of being kicked in the shins today or being knocked out sometime in the next year. By signing the plea deal, I’m mitigating my potential exposure to further harm.
Hindsight is 20/20, and while I’ve taken note of my mistakes, I don’t regret my actions because they were always totally peaceful. No one is alleging that I have harmed anybody or damaged any property. The past year in Keene has been an invaluable learning experience, and I’d prefer to take a hit for living free than to allow paralyzing fear to cause inaction.
While visiting the 21st annual Extravaganja festival in Amherst, Massachusetts, I had the chance to meet a long-time advocate for a peace declaration in the war on drugs. Jack Cole is one of the founding members of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition who worked in undercover narcotics for a great portion of his police career. Though he had known for years while working in the field that he was actively harming communities by perpetuating an unnecessary war, it was some time before he decided to make speaking out against the war a major part of his life. Since doing so, he has found it difficult to, in good conscience, not continue to work hard to maintain the momentum LEAP has been building in opposition to prohibition policy.
