An Oversight Hearing on the Planning and Conduct of the War in Iraq

By Bill Larson | September 26, 2006 |

The Democratic Policy Committee held hearings on Monday September 25th on the Planning and Conduct of the War in Iraq. Witnesses included Major General John R.S. Batiste, U.S. Army (Retired); Major General Paul D. Eaton, U.S. Army (Retired); and Colonel Thomas X. Hammes, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired). «Read the rest of this article»

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Video: Independent media in a time of war

By Bill Larson | September 25, 2006 |

Part scathing critique, part call to action, “Independent Media In A Time Of War” is a hard-hitting new documentary by the Hudson Mohawk Independent Media Center (http://www.hm.indymedia.org/). This film is composed of a speech given by Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now! illustrated by clips of mainstream media juxtaposed with rare footage from independent reporters in Iraq. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Issues, Politics | No Comments

Christianity & Homosexuality: CONTINUED

By David W. Shelton | September 24, 2006 |

A few weeks ago, I began a series on my blog and right here at Clarksville Online on Christianity & Homosexuality. There are a total of six passages in the Bible that are used as “clobber” verses for the GLBT community, and the series deals with each of them individually.

So many of us who either know gay or lesbian people, or who are gay, know the kind of religious verbal violence that is hurled at an alarming rate. This series is an effort to take a step back from our pet theologies and look at their literary, historical, and original language contexts. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics, Spirituality | No Comments

9/11 Conspiracy Theories

By Bill Larson | September 24, 2006 |

I frequently review the top 100 videos on both Google video, and Youtube, looking for interesting materials to share with the readers of this website. I look at the dross, so that you don’t have to.

Since September 11th there have been those who say that what we actually saw, may not have been what we thought. Videos on this subject have been in the top 100 videos on Google video for a long time. Well after a new one recently appeared in to the top 100 videos, I felt that perhaps we should all take a look. I make no judgments on the content of these videos. I don’t advocate for them or against them, consider this simply an exercise in constructive reasoning.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | No Comments

I am a liberal, and proud of it.

By Bill Larson | September 22, 2006 |

In the Leaf Chronicle the Clarksville, TN newspaper today was a editorial “Bush has proved to be lawless, reckless: Centrists who support Jefferson’s values are starting to gain strength” by David Broder. Of course this brought the Republican wingnuts out of the woodwork, and they immediately launched into their tactic of attacking anyone who dares to disagree with them.

Some tasty quotes, “lock-stepping with the liberal press”, “The anti-American crowd”, “fools”, “Typical liberal lies and drivel”. They have been drinking the Republican’s kool-aid for too long. Of course, I felt the need to respond. So here goes…. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | 4 Comments

Honor or expectation?

By Christine Anne Piesyk | September 21, 2006 |

Having just read a Leaf Chronicle story on the recent accreditation of the Clarksville Montgomery School System by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, apparently the second such district to be so “honored,” I am appalled that until now the system has apparently not met the most basic academic standards for accreditation. I am equally appalled that, according to this story, most of the state’s other school districts are seemingly too inadequate, too substandard, to be accredited. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Issues | No Comments

The Roxy Regional Theatre Needs Your Help

By Bill Larson | September 20, 2006 |

Since 1983, Clarksvillians have called the Roxy Regional Theatre, their hometown theatre. This season, more than 45,000 area residents have been touched by the live performances at the Roxy Some 25,000 students have attended their morning performances while others have taken advantage of their pay-what-you-can preview showings which allow everyone, regardless of economic backgrounds, the opportunity to enjoy live theatre. Some have joined one of their Saturday afternoon matinees which are targeted towards senior citizens and parents with children looking for wholesome family activities. Many others have enjoyed one of the 212 scheduled evening events in either their Mainstage or the smaller Otherspace theatre this season. «Read the rest of this article»

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What’s next? Where will the discrimination end?

By Michael Covington | September 19, 2006 |

My life is not that different than yours. I get up (usually quite some time after the alarm has gone off); grab a quick shower and a bite to eat before dashing off to work or school (usually unbelievably late). I work in customer service for a major cell phone corporation as an extension of the management team and take escalations from customers all day.

Overall, I enjoy my job. I come home, eat dinner, watch my DVR recorded TV shows (The West Wing, The Simpsons, and Eureka), read a chapter or two from a book, and fall asleep until the next day. I truly hope that my “gay lifestyle” is not offending anyone reading this quite yet. I have a townhouse near the hospital, a loving partner (Whom I don’t see enough of as I’d like.), and a kitchen table that has more paperwork than the IRS director’s desk. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, Politics | No Comments