U.S. casualties in Iraq hit 3,000

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 31, 2006 |

The FreeThinkers for Peace and Civil Liberties held a Peace Vigil Sunday at Patriot’s Park in Clarksville to mark another milestone in the Iraq War: 3,000 troops lost over the duration of the war.

Coming on the last day of 2006, the 3,000th death marks a sad ending to a grim year of loss, and sets a tragic baseline from which to start the New Year.

Large signs placed facing both north and southbound traffic asked the question: “3,000 dead; how many more have to die?” They also cited statistics that included the number of non-fatal injuries (45,000+) and the high incidence of mental health issues including post-traumatic stress that according to government reports affect about 25% of returning soldiers, a number some local psychologists and therapists feel is grossly understated. Iraq civilian casualties are estimated to be between 52,000 and 57,000. (Statistics from icasualties.org)

The vigil was organized by FreeThinkers founder, artist and activist Debbie Boen and activist/writer Christine Piesyk. Boen was saddened and frustrated by today’s milestone number, which has been relatively unheralded, unnoticed in the bustle of the holiday season. «Read the rest of this article»

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Clarksville Citizens Take Their Fight to The Mayor & The Clarksville Board of Zoning Appeals

By Terry McMoore | December 31, 2006 |

At a recent community meeting the citizens of Clarksville, TN voted and confirmed that they will take their plea before the Clarksville Board of Zoning Appeals on January 3, 2007, 100 - Spring Street Clarksville TN @ 8: 30 A.M., to stop the Salvation Army from placing a homeless shelter and possible alcohol and drug rehabilitation center next to Byrns - Darden Elementary School.

The Montgomery County Parents & Teachers Organization (PTO) along with local School Board members and several County Commissioners will present evidence, petitions and signed affidavits. We all agreed that this possible shelter would not only pose a safety risk to the students of Byrns - Darden Elementary School, but would cause irreparable damage to the community as a whole. «Read the rest of this article»

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Iraq casualties approach 3000; vigil planned

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 30, 2006 |

FreeThinkers for Peace and Civil Liberties will hold a Peace Vigil Sunday, December 31, at 3 p.m. at Patriot’s Park on Fort Campbell Blvd., in Clarksville

Just before Christmas, the number of soldiers killed in Iraq stood at 2950. In just a week that number has creeped up daily, hitting 2997 this morning. The “3000″ number is another landmark number arriving  just as we are about to usher in the New Year, and another year of combat on foreign soil that is claiming too many lives. The grim “3000″ number hovers as we move into another year of failed Bush foreign policies, a growing insurgency in Iraq, and increasing American discontent with the war effort.

As 2006 draws to a close, the Vigil, which includes a prayer service and readings, acknowledges the Iraq War fatalities, which are edging close to the 3000 mark as the New Year approaches.  That number does not include Afghanistan fatalities, or death incurred by military forces of other nations, nor does it reflect the tens of thousands of physical injuries and psychological trauma affecting U.S. troops in Iraq.

The public is welcome to attend this event.

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Rethinking the “New Year’s Resolution”

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 28, 2006 |

“What’s your resolution, Grandma?”

I fielded that question years ago, when my grandchildren were much younger, having already abandoned the concept of an annual commitment I may or may not be able to keep. There’s got to be a better way, I told myself, as the issue grew into discussion that grew into a process of life planning I’ve kept for years.

I don’t resolve to complete anything. I plan. I dream. I explore. I follow the sage advice of a wonderful teacher from my adolescence who, when questioned about how she knew “so much about everything,” replied, “Each year I pick a subject about which I know nothing, or am curious about, or that simply appeals to me, and I use my spare time to learn more about it. I may love the subject, or hate it, but I won’t really know until I immerse myself in it and see where it takes me.”

That was my beginning. And in that beginning, I studied horticulture — extending the one-year study to three when I fell in love with plants. I dabbled in interior design. I learned to crochet. I studied children’s special education law. I explored poetry and discovered pre-Raphaelite art. I went back to college. My lists are almost 40 years long now. «Read the rest of this article»

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Community to Hold Emergency Forum to Discuss Homeless Shelter Near Elementary School

By Terry McMoore | December 27, 2006 |

The Urban Resource Center will host a Community Forum - Friday December 29, 2006 at the New Providence Hill Outreach Community Center, 207 Oak St. Clarksville, TN from 7: 00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

We will gather to discuss the recent move by the Clarksville Salvation Army to open a homeless shelter on the same property as the Byrns-Darden Elementary School. «Read the rest of this article»

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

By Bill Larson | December 25, 2006 |

From all of us at Clarksville Online to you and all of yours. We wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and hope that your next year is better than the last.

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THE POUR HOUSE CAFE

By Larry Dunlap | December 22, 2006 |

My friend, Leonard had cornered me at The Pour House Café and asked for my help in writing a song.

“Ok, Leonard,” I said, “just what kind of song are you writing?”

“A protest song, I want to write a protest song.”

I hesitated, but knew I had to ask. “What are you protesting, Leonard?”

“Indoor toilets, that’s what, indoor toilets!”

«Read the rest of this article»

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Rev. Moreland honored for lifetime achievement

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 19, 2006 |

Rev. Charles Moreland of Clarksville was presented with the Montgomery County Democratic Party’s Lifetime Achievement Award Tuesday evening (Dec. 19) during the MCDP’s annual holiday reception at the Smith-Trahern mansion. The award recognized Rev. Moreland’s years of commitment and service to the party and to the community at large. Senator Rosalind Kurita made the presentation on behalf of the MCDP.

Rev. Moreland, a retired military chaplain and Methodist minister, “has worked tirelessly and enthusiastically” in support of the party, in addition to the many community services and activities he is involved in, Kurita said. The announcement drew a wave of applause for the well-known minister.

Betsy Ignacio was presented with the Major Nathaniel Carter Volunteer of the Year Award for her “dedicated” ongoing work on behalf of the party and its candidates.

MCDP Chairman Keith Amaral hosted the brief awards ceremony, acknowledging gains the party made across the country in the recent elections, urging MCDP members to “keep the momentum going” with an eye to the 2008 elections. «Read the rest of this article»

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