Clarksville, TN in the News of the Weird

By Bill Larson | June 26, 2006 |

Clarksville, Tennessee made an appearance in Chuck Shephard’s News of the Weird column, a weekly syndicated newspaper column founded 1988 that is one of the most read weird-news features in the United States

In the June 25, 2006 edition of his column is the section, “Honesty Is the Best Policy?” which referenced the April arrest of one Jonifer Jackson age 20 in Clarksville for reckless endangerment. The humor is in his explanation for committing his offense. «Read the rest of this article»

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Beachaven Vineyard and Winery: Jazz on the Lawn schedule

By Bill Larson | June 25, 2006 |

The Beachaven concerts on the lawn start at 6:30 pm and continue until 9:30 pm. Because seating is first come first serve, it pays to arrive around 5pm for the best parking and viewing spots. Both admission and parking are free. As a sign of your appreciation it is encouraged that you purchase a bottle of Beachaven wine to enjoy as you listen to the music. They offer the concerts as a way to promote the winery. Jazz on the lawn is a great way for a family to spend a summer evening!

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Montgomery County Democratic Party To Meet

By Christine Anne Piesyk | June 25, 2006 |

The Montgomery County Democratic Party will meet at the Smith-Trahern Mansion in downtown Clarksville on Tuesday, June 27, at 7 p.m. The meetings are always held on the last Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the same location.

The Democratic Party is committed to keeping our nation safe and expanding opportunity for every American. That commitment is reflected in an agenda that emphasizes the security of our nation, strong economic growth, affordable health care for all Americans, retirement security, honest government, and civil rights.

To learn more about the Montgomery County Democratic Party’s commitment to security, opportunity, and responsibility,  Visit their website at: http://clarksvilletndemocrats.homestead.com/

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Statement from Clarksville Human Relations Commission on the murder of Juan Julian Vasquez

By David W. Shelton | June 24, 2006 |

On behalf of all of us with the Clarksville Human Relations Commission, we are deeply saddened and shocked at the death of Mr. Juan Julian Vasquez and his son, Thomas. Mr. Vasquez was vice-chair of the CHRC and served with dignity, honor, and great pride.
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Senate Approves Whistleblower Rights Breakthrough

By Bill Larson | June 23, 2006 |

I am posting this here, due to the large number of civil service employees in our community. I feel that it directly affect them, and their constitutional rights. Whistleblowing should be encouraged and protected, Whistleblowers should have nothing to fear. Sadly this is not the case, and has been made worse by the recent Supreme Court decision.

Legislation Added to Defense Bill Would Restore Free Speech Rights Canceled by Supreme Court for Federal Government Workers on the Job.

WASHINGTON - June 23 - (Press release) - The Senate yesterday acted quickly to plug a government accountability loophole created less than one month ago, when the Supreme Court’s Garcetti v. Ceballos decision canceled constitutional free speech rights for government workers carrying out their job duties. Senate bill S. 494, which includes that reform amidst a general overhaul of the Whistleblower Protection Act, was agreed to by unanimous consent as an amendment to the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act, passed 96-0 last evening. For the last three Congresses, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) approved similar legislation, but until yesterday Senate leaders had refused to permit a floor vote. «Read the rest of this article»

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More warrantless spying, this time financial records

By Bill Larson | June 23, 2006 |

The goal of terrorism is to force the target to change their way of life. To take away those things a society treasures. Before the Bush administration, we dealt with terrorism as what it is, a criminal matter. By calling this a war, by using that as an excuse for stealing our nations civil liberties, to bypass our legal and constitutional safeguards on our right to privacy, Bush has given the terrorists victory before we even got started. Before one American soldier died in this conflict, we the citizens of this nation had already lost. «Read the rest of this article»

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My Review of The Graduate at the Roxy

By Bill Larson | June 22, 2006 |

The Graduate is playing at the Roxy Regional Theatre. I went and saw it last Saturday night, here is my review of the performance.

Many of you have seen the movie which starred Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, and Katherine Ross. Many more have heard the song Mrs Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel which is based on snippets of music which appeared in the movie.

The song was not completed for the film; only snippets are heard as incidental music. When the film and the music became popular, Paul Simon put the snippets together into a complete song which rose to the top of the charts in 1968 knocking The Beatles’ White Album off the number one spot.

The movie was adapted into a play in the year 2000. The play was critically acclaimed during it’s run both in London’s West End and on Broadway. «Read the rest of this article»

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We need a common vision for our town

By Bill Larson | June 20, 2006 |

I attended the special session of the Clarksville Tennessee city council tonight. I was interested in hearing the councils debate over the creation of a Sports Authority. It was easily approved. Since it was one of the first items which was dealt with, I could have gone ahead and left. I decided to stay.

I learned several things this evening, from the way the sessions are handled, to the specific interests of several council members. I also saw confirmed, the fact that there are many different views of what Clarksville, TN should be, should become. This is something I feel the city government needs take long hard to look into. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | 2 Comments