The Union Leader has an article today about how four young adults let the air out of twenty-seven school buses, not causing damage to any property, but resulting in the cancellation of school for an entire school district. They’re all facing felony charges which could result in 3 1/2 to 7 years in state prison, a lifetime firearm possession ban, voting restrictions in 12-18 states, diminished job opportunities, and a general stigma of being a “felon.”
What do you think about this?
My personal opinion matches the first comment on the article:
felony charges for what amounted to zero damage and as much time out of school as a snow day?
She traveled the world as the daughter of diplomats and went on to practice law in South Africa and California, but Carla Gericke’s life changed when she heard the call of the Free State Movement for like-minded people to flock to N.H. and promote greater liberty and less government. She helped organize two recent Porcupine Festivals – the Free State equivalent of an Old Home Day – even earning the title “The Quill Queen” (note quill crown, left), and was just chosen as the movement’s new leader. In this exclusive interview, we found her not to be at all prickly. (more…)
Over the past several weeks I have been working to create a local TV news show on Cheshire TV, the Keene based cable-access station. Several activists and myself have been working to learn all the roles and responsibilities required to put on a quality programing. Many of the key roles are filled though I am open to more people coming on board as well as finding alternates so the principles can have a week off at times.
The vision I have for Free Keene TV is one of a polished and professional news broadcast. The show ought to be flexible and capable of being altered to spend more time on important topics with news being the priority. The show ought to also offer a variety of topics and cover a wide swath of community concerns.
Currently, I am working on creating polished graphics and audio components to increase the production quality. We have spent considerable time working on getting the lighting to meet a certain standard as well. The show is scripted entirely including the anchor reading from a teleprompter, the only exception being interviews and freestyle punditry.
I have more openings for all types of roles and if you are interesting in helping either in front of or behind the camera, send me a message through the forum, facebook or shoot me an email at jjschless @ yahoo.com.
As you may recall, last summer, talented activist and Free Keene blogger Meg McLain was arrested with me, Wes, and Rich Paul for standing in front of the Keene police cruisers as they attempted to kidnap Keene native Heika Courser for enjoying a beer in the park on a Sunday afternoon. Some video of the original arrests are here.
Now, nearly a year later, the matter is coming to a jury trial. Meg faces charges including “Obstructing Government Administration” and the old standby, “Disorderly Conduct”. Come out at 9am to Cheshire Superior Court and see it for yourself. Here’s the facebook event.
For standing in front of a police car, she faces as much as two years in jail.
A commenter on the article regarding the Weare, NH Police protest responded to the claims that Free Staters are trying to “force” their way on others:
I’m surprised at the number of people who think liberty can be “forced” on anyone. How could anyone object to being left alone? Could it really be an objection to the idea of having to leave other people alone? So the real question is, what kind of people feel threatened by not being able to meddle in other people’s lives?
– Bob Robertson, Manchester
Amen, Bob. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Unless someone is harming another person or that persons property, leave them alone.
Since my economic views are pretty mainstream– I’m no Murray Rothbard, or Robert Murphy (or even Milton Friedman, really)– I get the impression that much of my writing would feel a bit out of place here. Thus the separate blog.
(No, I don’t intend to leave Free Keene any time soon. I’ll keep posting Keene-oriented blogs here.)
Thanks to NHMagazine.com’s Rick Broussard for 
