True Majority: The Priorities Campaign, Setting the Priorities Straight

May 20, 2007 |

The True Majority Priorities campaign believes that America can solve, or start to seriously address, many of the most difficult problems We face. We can create a national budget that is responsive to domestic and international needs. And we can do it without raising taxes or creating new ones.

How? By insisting that Congress create sensible budget priorities. By reducing government waste and using the savings to strengthen American families and communities.

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The New Rulers of the World

By Bill Larson | May 20, 2007 |

Award-winning journalist, John Pilger, investigates the realities of globalization by taking a close look at Indonesia.

In order to examine the true effects of globalization, Pilger turns the spotlight on Indonesia, a country described by the World Bank as a model pupil until its globalized economy collapsed in 1998. The film examines the use of sweatshop factories by famous brand names, and asks some penetrating questions. Who are the real beneficiaries of the globalized economy? Who really rules the world now? Is it governments or a handful of huge companies? The Ford Motor Company alone is bigger than the economy of South Africa. Enormously rich men, like Bill Gates, have a wealth greater than all of Africa.

Pilger goes behind the hype of the new global economy and reveals that the divisions between the rich and poor have never been greater — two thirds of the world’s children live in poverty — and the gulf is widening like never before.

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“Frivolous Spending by the Clarksville Gas & Water Department? Community Forum”

By Terry McMoore | May 16, 2007 |

Dear Readers,

I received a phone call from a Ms. Rita Ewing who was so disturbed about the spending at the Clarksville Gas and Water Department that she and her church took it upon themselves to put together a public forum about their concerns.

Ms. Ewing is an elderly person who has chosen to remain quiet on a lot of issues but states in a phone conversation to me that enough is enough, and it is now time for herself and others to speak out on this issue.

She has already voiced her concerns to City Councilman James Doyle and has him on the forum agenda to speak.

Bring your Questions, Comments, and Grievances, This event is FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! «Read the rest of this article»

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Reflecting on Falwell’s passing

By David W. Shelton | May 15, 2007 |

I offer my sincere condolences to his family and those closest to Jerry Falwell. They have lost a father, friend, and pastor. To many, he was a leader, a voice, and a statesman. To many others, he was a target, a raspy voice of clashing cymbals, and despised. He was loved by many, hated by many. There is one thing everyone can agree on. He made an impact.

Falwell died today at the age of 73. This much we all know. I confess that I have some rather mixed emotions regarding his death. At first, many of us in the GLBT community have an immediate reaction of cheer and delight at his demise. But that’s all too easy isn’t it? «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics, Spirituality | 1 Comment »

Traffic enforcement cameras lead to increased accidents, injuries, and deaths

By Bill Larson | May 15, 2007 |

Red-light and speed enforcement cameras greatly increase the number of accidents.

Red-light Cameras cause an increase in rear-end & t-bone crashes. They also don’t stop people from running red-lights. “The most serious violations, those occurring more than 5 seconds into the red phase, did not drop in the three year period after the program began issuing tickets.”

Arkansas, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Texas, Utah and West Virginia have enacted laws banning speed cameras. Two other states dropped their use of speed cameras after they generated intense public outcry. If traffic enforcement cameras were such a good thing, would they do that?

Lets take a look at some scientific studies for a possible explanation: «Read the rest of this article»

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UNICEF: Battling Female Genital Mutilation in Ethiopia

May 14, 2007 |

Every year, three million girls and women are subjected to genital mutilation/cutting, a dangerous and potentially life-threatening procedure that causes unspeakable pain and suffering. This practice violates girls’ and women’s basic human rights, denying them of their physical and mental integrity, their right to freedom from violence and discrimination, and in the most extreme case, of their life.

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a global concern. Not only is it practiced among communities in Africa and the Middle East, but also in immigrant communities throughout the world. Moreover, recent data reveal that it occurs on a much larger scale than previously thought. It continues to be one of the most persistent, pervasive and silently endured human rights violations.

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Video: Tank Man

By Bill Larson | May 12, 2007 |

Tank Man, or the Unknown Rebel, is the nickname of an anonymous man who became internationally famous when he was videotaped and photographed during the Tiananmen Square protests on 5 June 1989. Several photographs were taken of the man, who is seen to stand in front of a column of Chinese Type 59 tanks, preventing their advance.

The still and motion photography of the man standing alone before a line of tanks reached international audiences practically overnight. It headlined hundreds of major newspapers and news magazines and was the lead story on countless news broadcasts around the world. In April 1998, the United States magazine TIME included the “Unknown Rebel” in its 100 most influential people of the 20th century.

* The text in this article is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Video is by the BBC

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Clarksville, TN considering red light cameras: Things the voters should consider

By Bill Larson | May 11, 2007 |

Clarksville, TN is considering installing red light cameras in its intersections. This is something which should be vehemently opposed by the public! While no doubt they will tout the safety benefits, it is more likely about the money they stand to gain.

Is this really as serious of a problem as they make it out to be, serious enough to warrant the public accepting the intrusion of traffic enforcement cameras into their daily lives? During the last year in the entire city of Clarksville there were 1,470 accidents at intersections throughout the city, there were an additional 1,274 citations issued for either running a red light or stop sign. There are over 85 intersections in Clarksville which have traffic signals.  The entire city averages averages approximately 4 accidents at intersections per day. At Riverside Drive alone, during the last year over 39 million vehicles passed through that intersection. 

Studies have shown that these red-light cameras actually increase, not decrease accidents, and that the accidents caused by people panic breaking to avoid a citations are more serious injury accidents. While most intersection accidents are property damage rather than injury.

Why is Clarksville interested in making the same mistakes? It’s about finding new ways to take your money. They will make protestations that they are doing this for safety, but studies have proven that these cameras increase accidents rather than decrease them.  Indeed when spoken to by telephone City Councilman Geno Grubbs was dismissive of the safety concerns regarding these cameras. So they must have other motivations. «Read the rest of this article»

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