American Road Show

By Christine Anne Piesyk | June 26, 2007 |

I’ve been on the road in America. Covered 1440 miles of it by Greyhound bus in three days, a “milk run” that snaked through dozens of small towns, by acres of farmland, and through the crumbling parts of cities on routes that buses and trains always take. Not usually the upscale parts of town. Not the places with nearby airports and extensive shuttle services.

I’m on the road in America, landing first at a rural college with small enrollment and lots of land, a place where creativity is nurtured, differing opinions are expected, and everyone is asked to think “outside the box.” It where, when I mentioned writing for an “alternative news site” and my participation in peace and anti-war activities, I was gifted with a burst of applause.

I’ve been talking to Americans as I ride the bus across a fair-sized chunk of America It’s been an adventure. It always is. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure | No Comments

Stray bullet from Wal-Mart shooting kills beloved coach

By David W. Shelton | June 26, 2007 |

How will our community respond to this tragedy?

The Leaf-Chronicle released information from “a friend of the family” that identified the victim of yesterday’s shooting. Northwest High School coach Willard Ross was gunned down today while shopping at the fireworks stand. People in two vehicles exchanged gunfire in the Fort Campbell Blvd. Wal-Mart parking lot. A bullet reportedly struck the beloved coach and teacher, killing him.

So far, there has not been any official report from the Clarksville Police Department regarding the incident. Police had blocked several cars from leaving the parking lot, and has obtained at least partial license plate numbers of the vehicles involved in the gunfight. «Read the rest of this article»

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Your House, A TV, And Two Billion People

By Debbie Boen | June 25, 2007 |

Al Gore rocks.

On July 7, more than 2 billion people will join together to watch the Live Earth concerts and demonstrate to our leaders that the time has come to solve the climate crisis.   NBC will be televising Live Earth and even more extensive coverage will be available on MSN. 

More than 4,000 people have scheduled Live Earth House Parties in over 80 countries.

Live Earth is only 12 days away.  Schedule your own house party or search for one near you.  

To host a party:   http://joinliveearth.org/gore

To find a party close to you:  http://www.friendsofliveearth.org/page/event/search_simple

Sections: Issues, Politics | No Comments

Nashville Peace and Justice Center

By Debbie Boen | June 25, 2007 |

The Nashville Peace and Justice Center is a community-based coalition of organizations and individuals working to promote equity and to create a peaceful, just, and sustainable society through reflection, education, and non-violent action.

Peace & Justice E-Blast
For the week of June 23 - July 1, 2007

Peace actions to end the Iraq War

Joyce Kisner — Monday Night Vigils on Any Corner (every Monday)

Every Monday - 6:00 p.m.
ORIGINAL CORNER: 14th and Eastland in East Nashville
SECOND CORNER: At the Wendy’s on West End Avenue , across from Centennial Park

There is no end date set for these vigils. Please join Joyce and others at the corner of 14th and Eastland in East Nashville every Monday night at 6:00 p.m. — or at that same time at ANY corner that works for you. Wouldn’t it be cool if throughout Nashville on Monday nights at 6:00 p.m. a growing number of vigils were happening on corners all around the city? Hey, why not throughout the state… even the country! To post a new corner address on the NPJC E-blast in the near future, send an email to Tamara, tamara@nashvillepeacejustice.org. «Read the rest of this article»

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Judge Orders 45 Children Removed From Chad Youth Enrichment Center After Second Death.

By Terry McMoore | June 25, 2007 |

From The Philadelphia Enquirer

The Chad Youth Enhancement Center of Montgomery County TN., a non-custodial placement, 50-bed residential treatment center for youth who have a significant history of emotional and behavioral problems has been informed by Philadelphia, Pa. officials to prepare for the immediate removal and relocation of 45 children from their facility following the recent death of Omega Leach III the second death at this facility in little less than two years.

They have frozen their admission process to Chad pending further investigation, as so ordered by Kevin Dougherty, administrative judge of Philadelphia Family Court. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 1 Comment »

Lawyer Hired by Family of Dead Teen at Chad Youth Enrichment Center

By Terry McMoore | June 24, 2007 |

Omega Leach III‎ became the second youth, in little less than two years, to die at the Chad Youth Enrichment Center located in Clarksville-Montgomery County, TN.

The Family has hired lawyer, Edith Pearce, who has appeared on numerous talk shows, represented numerous clients, while also winning many cases of personal injury to the tune of several multi-million dollar awards.

Jim McDevitt, a private investigator from Philadelphia, Pa who is among the team hired by the attorney representing the family of Mr. Leach, was in Clarksville, TN recently. Mr. McDevitt, along with a dozen other organizations investigating the Chad Youth Enrichment Center, spoke with this writer and I was surprised to learn that Omega Leach III, may have suffered a severe brain injury during this ordeal, which has been omitted thus far and is contrary to the reports of this child dying of an apparent heart attack while being subdued by staff members of the Chad Youth Enrichment Center.

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America’s airlines: organized chaos

By David W. Shelton | June 24, 2007 |

Air travel in the 21st century has become something of a bad joke. After all, how many of us can tell stories of eternal layovers in America’s finest airports? In The Terminal, Tom Hanks plays a character that was stranded in an airport for several months. How many of us have felt the same way from time to time? I sure have.
 
My job requires a fair amount of travel, which I usually enjoy. But when it comes to air travel, I often have a sharp pain behind my eyes from the anticipation brought on by the organized chaos that is otherwise known as our nation’s airline system. Since the horrific events of September 1, 2001, we’ve been met with every security shortfall one could imagine.
 

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business | 2 Comments

Pale Face

By Debbie Boen | June 23, 2007 |

I knew the cat was still on our property by the almost empty food bowl that I put out each night.  For weeks I had sightings of him, usually at night.  

“Your friend is out there meowing,” David told me one evening.  The cat greeted me and let me pet him; he couldn’t turn around quick enough to get another pet.  His bones stuck out from being so skinny.  A noise startled him and he took off and hid. «Read the rest of this article»

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