While a lot of people here and in the free software community in general know
me for my work on and in support of free software (ie CEO of ThinkPenguin
here) I have another life as a liberty activist and as a co-host of a few
major syndicated radio programs (Free Talk Live airs on 200 radio stations
for instance and multiple satellites around the world). I also co-host Call
to Freedom. It's been a great way to get the message of free software out
there and issues of privacy- but one thing these shows don't target are the
technically minded. Unfortunately we don't have a major "Linux" show where
the hosts are freedom-conscious (yes I know there are a few free software
shows- but they are haphazard and small).
So with that I've been working on setting up a proper TV studio, getting
sponsors, and so on. It's not done so don't freak out! It's also not
specifically a free software or GNU/Linux show. It's just openly biased in
that direction. Initially it'll be an online-only stream although we will
probably end up on a handful of radio stations in due time.
The first mini test episode in our half-finished studio (still with a lot of
kinks to be worked out) has been published (was broadcast live online, and
no, not via YouTube, but direct, but only a few people tuned in given it was
unannounced). Fortunately there was a recording made so check it out:
http://www.freedomdecrypted.com/public_html/index.php/2018/06/13/first-post/
I know some of you are aware of my activism in New Hampshire and of an arrest
for filming an unconscionable and suspiciousness police checkpoint in
Manchester, New Hampshire so I thought I'd provide an update. Yes- it was
near a year ago- but "justice" is slow and one gets punished regardless of
"winning". In any event I did "win" both the criminal case (faced up to a
year in prison) and the violation-level offense.
Actually there are a number of other criminal and violation charges against
myself and others that have occurred as a result of peaceful activism and/or
police accountability work I've partaken in. We're not talking civil
disobedience here- but rather police abusing people's rights.
In one case an officer violated another fellow activist's rights whom was
performing police accountability work on the city street. He was merely
filming from a distance what was occurring during a routine stop of a car by
police. He was assaulted by an officer and pushed to a distance in which he
could no longer properly film the police's actions. All the while others whom
were without cameras were permitted to pass freely near the stopped vehicle.
A half dozen or so officers were then called to intimidate him despite being
fully cooperative and moving as the officer illegally demanded. No arrest was
made. Later he filed a complaint against the officer who has assaulted him
and forced him to move. In retaliation the officer preceded to counter the
complaint and make an arrest for filing a false complaint! Mind you the
incident is on video. Fortunately the best civil rights attorney in New
England took up the case and it set off a chain reaction that resulted in an
investigation of not one but multiple officers. The police routinely abuse
people and few are in a position to fight back. This time we won- and
multiple officers were fired thanks to the efforts of myself and a fellow
activist.
You can read about it here:
http://www.unionleader.com/public-safety/two-more-manchester-police-officers-fired-mayor-commends-chief-for-taking-action-20180411
To be clear I'm a peaceful activist and I do not make bigoted statements,
curse at police, or otherwise interfere thereof in "legitimate" police
activities.
You can read about some of the activism here (I won the criminal and
violation part of the case that could have resulted in me spending up to a
year in prison- and no I did not actually violate the law as crossing the
street is not a crime and somewhat surprisingly neither did I violate the
criminal part, the catch all disorderly conduct statute doesn't apply despite
being so broad to encompass every situation):
https://freekeene.com/2017/04/28/video-cop-blocker-arrested-for-crossing-street-at-dui-checkpoint-in-manchester/
Robert Call (LibreCMC's lead developer) runs for mayor:
https://freekeene.com/2017/09/12/keene-mayoral-debate-set-for-sept-27/
I challenged two parking tickets and won:
https://freekeene.com/2018/05/25/local-business-owner-challenges-parking-tickets-wins-thanks-to-new-keene-judge/
But there actually is a lot more non-police-accountability activism I am
involved in. I regularly speak at the state house on important civil rights
and tyrannical government bills that get proposed (do you really want to give
the government the power to enter your home without a warrant or even the
suspicion of a crime? because the US supreme court has said this is OK! and
without actions at state houses we would not be protected in NH from
warranetless entry by government goods like is the case in a lot of other
states). I've filmed numerous protests from 4/20 rallies (pro-marijuana) to
pro gun protests at out of stater in-state anti-gun protests to criminal
cases (driving without a license/license plate) to state house hearings (we
got bills passed into law that have eliminated regulations on crypto currency
businesses, marijuana decriminalization bills, and many others).
