Voluntaryism

Senator Menendez Calls for More Dead Bodies

"There are no vital national interests at stake in Syria. None. Not Iran, not Israel and not oil. Yes, we can watch from the sidelines and let the Iranians and Syrians form their own politics. This is what the U.S. did with Mexico and Canada. Did the U.S. relish interference from Spain, France, Great Britain and Russia into its affairs? How brainless is it to act as if the refugee crisis is an independent reason for intervening, when it is an outcome of the war itself, encouraged every step of the way by the U.S.? And why must the U.S. rectify this tragedy? What good is a 'freedom' that marches us off to wars willy-nilly or grabs our wealth to do what it wills?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSenator Menendez Calls for More Dead Bodies

Parents patrol immigrant suburbs to deter Stockholm youth from rioting

"Parents and volunteers have been patrolling the streets of Stockholm’s immigrant-heavy suburbs to help quell riots that have raged for almost a week, serving as a successful deterrent to troublemakers and winning praise from police. 'They have helped a lot in reducing the unrest,' Stockholm police spokeswoman Karin Solberg told Swedish news agency TT. Sweden has since the 1980s had a network of volunteers called 'Nightwalkers', usually made up of parents who walk the streets of their own suburbs in groups on weekend nights, talking to youngsters and simply making their presence known." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingParents patrol immigrant suburbs to deter Stockholm youth from rioting

As Thieves Troll Spanish Farmland, Villagers Begin Patrols

"Police officials say they have seen a steady rise in the crime rate in rural areas since 2009. Just about everything is a target. Three hundred onions one night. A rubber irrigation hose the next. In Albelda, thieves have taken diesel fuel, nail guns, electric clippers — even shampoo and soap that workers use. Elsewhere in Spain, particularly in coastal regions like Valencia where there is a lot of farming, villagers are organizing themselves into patrols, too. It is not a trend that police officials like much. But they understand it. In many areas, there are too few officers to cover acres and acres of farmland. And yet there are few useful alternatives to a watchful eye." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAs Thieves Troll Spanish Farmland, Villagers Begin Patrols

New Hampshire city suing ‘Robin Hood’ for paying parking meters of strangers

"The six 'Robin Hooders' named in the suit troll downtown Keene — often tracking parking enforcement officers — in search of cars parked at expired meters. When they find one, they pay the meter and slip notes under the windshield wiper of the vehicle that says: 'Your meter expired; however, we saved you from the king’s tariffs, Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Please consider paying it forward.' The note includes an address where people can send donations for the effort. The city claims in the lawsuit that the 'Robin Hooders' are causing the city’s three parking enforcement officers so much anxiety and distress that they’ve considered leaving their jobs." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew Hampshire city suing ‘Robin Hood’ for paying parking meters of strangers

Dale Brown of Detroit-based Threat Management Center is On-Point

"In February of 2012 a write-up to http://CopBlock.org titled, 'Frustrated, Detroit Residents Compete with Police' included a picture of Dale Brown, founder of the Threat Management Center. In early 2013 when Pete Eyre visited Detroit as part of the http://copblock.org/tour he reached-out to Brown, who graciously welcomed Eyre at his facility." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDale Brown of Detroit-based Threat Management Center is On-Point

Detroit Threatens To Remove Community-Provided Bus Stop Benches

"Some people from the Detroit Enterprise Academy think that bus patrons - especially older folks - shouldn't have to stand and wait at the city's bus stops, so they put together a voluntary force to do something about it. They build benches from reclaimed wood, fancy them up a bit, and place them at bus stops where resting spots are much needed. The benches built by the crew seat six people, and they also have bookcases in the bottom, filled with books. DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation) officials have said the placement of benches has not followed protocol, and therefore the benches are not approved and must be removed." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDetroit Threatens To Remove Community-Provided Bus Stop Benches

DIY Law Enforcement in Cash-Strapped Oregon County

"This year, Josephine County slashed its public safety budget from $20 million to less than $9 million. As a result, the county was forced to release 39 prisoners. Only three sheriffs patrol Josephine County, an area larger than Rhode Island, and those sheriffs only respond to life-threatening calls. The self-reliant folks who live in Josephine County aren't likely to raise their own taxes any time soon, but lots of citizens are willing to do their part to deter criminal activity. Sam Nichols and the other members of Citizens Against Crime strap on guns, turn on flashing lights mounted on their vehicles and keep an eye out for suspicious activity." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDIY Law Enforcement in Cash-Strapped Oregon County

Fr33 Aid Abandons Non-Profit Tax Status in Favor of Bitcoin

"Many organizations seek non-profit recognition from the IRS in an attempt to protect themselves from asset confiscation. In April 2012, Fr33 Aid applied for this privileged status, but since then the process has been nothing but a bureaucratic nightmare. Today Fr33 Aid announced they have abandoned their IRS application and adopted bitcoin as their primary financial instrument. Fr33 Aid Treasurer, Teresa Warmke said: 'Now that there are ways for us to do banking without government involvement, we decided fulfilling (IRS demands) would not be a responsible way for Fr33 Aid to spend its money nor for our volunteers to spend their time.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFr33 Aid Abandons Non-Profit Tax Status in Favor of Bitcoin

Mexican vigilantes seize town, arrest police

"Hundreds of armed vigilantes have taken control of a town on a major highway in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero, arresting local police officers and searching homes after a vigilante leader was killed. Members of the area's self-described 'community police' say more than 1,500 members of the force were stopping traffic Wednesday at improvised checkpoints in the town of Tierra Colorado, which sits on the highway connecting Mexico City to Acapulco. They arrested 12 police and the former director of public security in the town after a leader of the state's vigilante movement was slain on Monday." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMexican vigilantes seize town, arrest police