Why I Support “Free Keene”

You know….  as I read all the insults and hatred that is directed at both myself and fellow Free Keene contributors, I can’t help but think the vast majority of you making these rude remarks haven’t the slightest clue as to what exactly this blog is about.  I think this because I’m fairly sure that if people really knew the logic behind things here that we would be supported, joined, and encouraged.

I think this because at one time I vehemently disagreed with Ian Freeman’s (the owner of this website) view of how a society can function without institutionalized violence.  Not only do I now agree with him, I volunteer to help him by writing for his blog.

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Locals Form FK Opposition Facebook Group, Plan Protest

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
-Mahatma Gandhi

After finally showing up at this week’s city council meeting to protest liberty activists, locals who oppose FK’s “methods” have formed a facebook group and planned a protest for Monday August 23rd at 5pm at Central Square.

Exactly what methods they oppose are not made clear. FK supports all peaceful methods of achieving a voluntary society including civil disobedience and noncooperation, media creation, outreach, and political action. Do they oppose all of these? Discussions are occurring on their facebook group and also the Free Keene Forum.

I’d like to thank opposition group founder Annie Callaway for encouraging her participants to join the Free Keene Forum. More conversation between us is a good thing. The FK Forum is a tolerant place where we only prohibit violence and racism. We shall see if their facebook group is as tolerant as our forum. The last facebook group that was formed to oppose FK kicked out anyone they could identify as being associated with Free Keene. However, that group was formed by someone else, not Annie. I welcome the discussion.

Talkback: Liberty Activists Call in 2010-08-14

Radio TowerLiberty-minded people called “Talkback” on WKBK last week to discuss KPD’s targeting of liberty activists, police brutality (during this call, they hit the dump machine on something this local supporter said – who knows what it was), and the futility of trying to change federal government. A local paranoiac calls suggesting that “he” (one of us, presumably) is making money off of all this. Not sure to whom he is referring. Other locals call to express anger and confusion regarding liberty activists.

Grab the archive.

Please join us for our weekly chat and calling sessions on Saturday mornings from 9a-12p. If you’re in the Keene area you can tune in to WKBK 1290 AM or 104.1 FM. The Talkback discussion thread is here on the Free Keene Forum.

My Apology to James Callaway

James,

I apologize for invading your personal space yesterday outside city hall. I should have worked to deescalate the situation, and instead my actions contributed to exactly the opposite. I certainly could have responded differently, and I have learned from this experience. I apologize for my aggressive behavior towards you.

I do not feel I owe you a new cup, as it was a closed container that was put in my face,  and I truly felt threatened. However, I would invite you to sit down and talk about the issues related to Free Keene and the Liberty Activism going on. If you want to do this on camera, I think this would make great footage, and would be happy to film this in front of your coffee shop. Of course your videographer would be welcome to set up as well. This would be great advertising to the people that agree with and support your viewpoint, and I’ll even buy the drinks.

I think this would go a long way to help you understand some of the changes that are happening in Keene and around the state. There is a tremendous amount of  mis-information about the liberty activists, our views, and activism. I would like to explain what we are all about, and how the freedom message naturally works to bring people together.

So James if you would like to set that up on camera or off, please let me know with a private message to me in the forum. I’m glad you joined, and look forward to speaking with you about this.

Sam Dodson