Haunting History at Dunbar Cave

By Christine Anne Piesyk | October 2, 2007 |

Haunting History Nighttime Cave Tours returns to Dunbar Caves October 26-27 for two nights of storytelling, underground tours and and a glimpse of Clarksville and cave history. Young performers from the across the city have been busy creating and rehearsing vignettes of Clarksville and Cave history. The event is “family friendly” and not intended to frighten children, though children under age three are not allowed on the tour.

Roxy School of the Arts students will perform dramatizations in the softly illuminated but still shadowy expanses of the underground caverns. Cast members include Elizabeth Coleman, Ally Campbell, Della Coleman, Daynann Carmona, Joanna Patmore, Hannah Carmona, Angela Scott, Aaron Juvera and Hannah Kitterman (all pictured above) and Kari Muller, Humberto Figueroa Jr., and Director Ellie Ellis (not pictured). «Read the rest of this article»

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Gay Rights Bills: passed, gutted, or held

By David W. Shelton | October 2, 2007 |

A few months ago, I wrote that there were three major bills that would create fairness and equality for all Americans, including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. Since then, one of them has passed both the House and the Senate, another has been watered down, and the third has yet to see any action.

First, I want to thank all of the 237 Congress members and 60 Senators (of course, Foot-Tappin’ Larry Craig wasn’t one of them) who voted for the bill. It cleared both houses with healthy majorities, and is now on the way to President Bush’s desk. Alas, Bush has threatened to veto the bill. As expected, neither Bob Corker nor Lamar Alexander voted for the bill.

This bill, if signed, will provide Federal assistance to local and state jurisdictions who are unable or unwilling to investigate and prosecute hate crimes (think Mississippi Burning) and reaffirms sexual orientation as a protected class, while adding gender identity to the list. «Read the rest of this article»

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A Talking Points Primer On Title VI

By Turner McCullough Jr. | October 2, 2007 |

Whenever local public officials are asked about Title VI, invariably they respond that they don’t know anything about it. They say they must check with the city or county attorney or some other ‘unavailable’ person. They are aware Title VI requirements exist, but are not versed in the details of those requirements and regulations. This should not be.

As we are now 43 years into the Civil Rights Act of 1964 being the law of the land, perhaps a brief primer is in order.

“Simple justice requires that public funds to which all taxpayers of all races contribute not be spent in any fashion which encourages, entrenches, subsidizes or results in racial discrimination.” — President John F. Kennedy, in his message calling for the enactment of Title VI, 1963.

On August 3, 1964, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. Federal regulations and rules were formulated to effect its compliance and enforcement. «Read the rest of this article»

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