Nashville Kurdish Gang Suffers Major Disruption, Denies Police Label

By Turner McCullough Jr. | July 1, 2007 |

The recent rash of weekend violence that has hit Clarksville has many talking about a rise in gang activity. Interim Clarksville Police Chief Al Ansley, in an effort to allay fears has said that the last three shooting incidents are not related and that Monday’s shooting of former NWHS coach Willard Ross specifically is not gang related. This declaration has been met with skepticism by some within the community.

Some commentators on The Leaf Chronicle’s story chat site have expressed serious concerns that the recent rash of violence is directly related to current gang presence. Many opine that not enough is being done to combat the menace. The following story from Nashville details a police action to address a gang problem in that city.

The Nashville City Paper reported on Thursday, June 28th, of a police department operation that resulted in the arrest of four major figures in the Kurdish Pride Gang (KPG). Apparently these individuals have an extensive history with Nashville law enforcement. Nashville police officials do not deny that KPG is viewed as a gang operation and menace to the city. For more details, go to the City Paper’s article.

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Live Free or Die Hard: It’s big, loud, and fun

By David W. Shelton | July 1, 2007 |

When the original Die Hard was released back in 1988, I was seventeen, and thanks to Tennessee’s antiquated obscenity law, I had to sneak into the theatre to see it. I was already weary of these action heroes who were invulnerable and one-liners which were peppered amidst the frequent explosions that were common in Reagan-era films of that genre.

Willis’ John McClane was a refreshing twist of the action hero who was as vulnerable as he was heroic. The one-liners weren’t bad puns, and “the” classic line from that film (Yippe-ki-yay, motherf***er), became an instant addition to the vocabulary of teenagers and adults everywhere.

Now, 19 years and three movies later, Willis again dons the NYPD badge that made him a hero. Of course, during that time, Die Hard became the epitome of action films. It would be used in pitch after pitch for movies ever since. “Die Hard on a boat” became Stephen Segal’s Under Siege. “Die Hard on a plane” became Air Force One for Harrison Ford. «Read the rest of this article»

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Photo Gallery: Lighting up the Cumberland

By David W. Shelton | July 1, 2007 |

Every year, residents in Stewart County gather in Cumberland City, Tennessee to celebrate Independence Day on the last Saturday of June. We’re proud to present exclusive photos from this year’s event, which is a glimpse of Southern life in small-town Tennessee.

All photos by David W. Shelton

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