About: David W. Shelton

Posts by David W. Shelton are copyright (c)2006, 2007, 2008 by the author. All rights reserved. David W. Shelton is a writer, speaker and activist in Clarksville, and serves on the Clarksville Human Relations Commission. His passions include film and complete equality for all people, and he has worked in various capacities to work toward this goal. He is currently an illustrator, graphic designer, trainer, and is the owner of Imagine Media Solutions. He is an Adobe® Certified Instructor in Photoshop®.


Web Site: http://www.skippingtothepiccolo.com/

Email: dwshelton@att.net

David W. Shelton's Articles:

Fans hail at Twilight’s first gleaming

By David W. Shelton | November 23, 2008 |
 

Twilight, the new film based on the popular book series by Stephanie Meyer, is a film that’s made primarily for three groups of people: Fans of the books, teen girls and gay boys. It’s dark, broody, overly emotional, and broody. Yes, I said ‘broody’ twice. Trust me, it’s no accident.

Since I haven’t read the book and I’m not a teen girl, I guess I’ll have to confess that I’m squarely in the third category of the intended target of the film. It’s a pity I didn’t like the film nearly as much as my partner, but I guess it’s more his kind of movie. Yes, plenty of girls and young women will drag their dates and boyfriends into the movie, but this is unquestionably a vampire-boy-chick-flick. Think Interview with the Vampire without Tom Cruise’s Lestat and throw in the “I’m not afraid to be close to a bloodthirsty predator” emo girl, and you’ve got Twilight.

What makes the film work is that it, like Troy, recognizes its target audience, and knows what they want: love story that has the sap oozing through each frame of the film, all-too-beautiful male stars who stir the hearts, plenty of unrequited passion, and enough tension to keep their interest. Throw in a few shirtless men and a good fight scene where one baddy vamp fights the good-guy vamp over the girl, and you have a fan-pleasing masterpiece. It’s too bad the rest of the audience isn’t all that interested. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments
 

Bolt: barking up the right tree

By David W. Shelton | November 22, 2008 |
 



Walt Disney’s Bolt fills the need for a fun family film over the Thanksgiving holiday perfectly, and manages to provide solid entertainment for young and old. Imagine a film that’s a mix of The Truman Show (1998), Underdog (2007), and a little bit of Cats & Dogs (2001), and you pretty much have the plot for this new pound of pixelated puppy pleasure.

Bolt, directed by the dual team of Byron Howard and Chris Williams, tells the story of the title pooch who lives in a world where he actually believes that he is a super-powered dog with a constantly endangered master named Penny (Miley Cyrus), a girl whose father is kidnapped by the deliciously evil Dr. Calico (love those evil kitty references, especially when they’re voiced by Malcolm McDowell).

In true Disney style, all of the animals can talk when they’re not around humans, so Bolt ( voiced by John Travolta) is able to share verbal jabs with his feline nemeses (who are in on the act — they love to taunt their co-star, even though it’s all a TV show). «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Opinion | No Comments
 

APSU Ethics Assoc. Professor to address Clarksville Human Relations Commission

By David W. Shelton | November 19, 2008 |
 

Dr. Jordy Rocheleau will share a presentation to the Clarksville Human Relations Commission on “The Concept of Human Rights and Some Implications for the US Today.” Dr. Rochealeau is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Austin Peay State University and will deliver his lecture during the regular meeting of the Clarksville Human Relations Commission this Thursday at 6:00 PM in the Building & Codes meeting room on Spring Street.

After discussing the what Dr. Rocheleau calls “the idea of human rights,” he will discuss some of the implications of a serious commitment to human rights for issues regarding the treatment of prisoners of war, and obligations to assist those in humanitarian crises. He will also address US immigration policy.

Dr. Rocheleau will also take questions on the topic. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Events, News | No Comments
 

Anarchist group disrupts Michigan church

By David W. Shelton | November 18, 2008 |
 

An anarchist gay activist group disrupts a Michigan church service - shocking gays and Christians across the country



When news of a violent disruption by a militant gay activist group at a former Assemblies of God church in Lansing first emerged, I was skeptical to accept it at face value. Like any volatile situation, it’s necessary to ask whether or not such an event is worth mentioning, and even more, if it’s at all relevant to those of us in Tennessee. Lastly, I have to face some pretty nasty realities, especially the reality that some activist groups just aren’t doing anyone any good.

According to a press release from Mount Hope Church in Lansing, MI, it all started last Sunday morning during the 11:30 AM services. During which, “…the people of Mount Hope Church were  shocked by an unwelcome violent demonstration by a homosexual/transgender anarchist group  based in Chicago, IL. The group threw fliers at churchgoers and shouted sentiments such as, “It’s  okay to be gay” and “Jesus was a homo” during a Sunday morning service. The Eaton County  Sheriff’s office was called and the illegal demonstration ceased.”

The church’s website provides a direct link to their press release, which goes on to say that “Mount Hope churchgoers were unclear as to what the purpose of the demonstration was. One churchgoer commented on the “lack of civility” in the demonstration and said, “There must be a better way for this group to advance their perceived cause.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, Opinion | No Comments
 

Quantum of Solace misses the mark

By David W. Shelton | November 15, 2008 |
 

Daniel Craig returns as Bond in Quantum of Solace, the 22nd film of the long-running British film series, once again proving his ability to carry the weight of a role that’s already been played by nearly half a dozen other actors. Casino Royale (2006) successfully — and triumphantly — rebooted the tired Bond series with critics and audiences alike comparing Craig to Sean Connery, whom many consider to be the best of all of the Bonds. It’s a pity that Solace never fully emerges from Casino’s very long shadow.

Clearly, Craig’s performance as the womanizing sexist bastard who happens to be the world’s ultimate assassin is turning heads, with some critics even daring to commit the ultimate blasphemy by suggesting that Craig’s bond even outshines Connery’s.

This is not to say that Solace is a great film. In fact, even though it’s nearly non-stop action from start to finish, there’s very little time for the audience to breathe. Solace begins mere minutes after the events of Casino Royale, so if you haven’t refreshed your memory by watching Royale lately, you’re likely to be both confused and bewildered by the opening sequence of the film, if not the film itself. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, News, Opinion | No Comments
 

Gay marriage: race isn’t a scapegoat

By David W. Shelton | November 12, 2008 |
 

Three anti-gay marriage amendments were passed in this year’s election, and some gay activists are pointing fingers at the black community while ignoring their own failure to educate the very groups who would later vote against them.




This year’s election was indeed a bittersweet moment for those of us who supported President-Elect Obama and also gay marriage. While Obama was elected to be the 44th president of the United States, all three of the proposed constitutional amendments in Florida, Arizona, and California passed, even with slim margins.

I am keenly aware of what these election results actually mean. For me, there are two things: First, that voters were willing to write discrimination into their states’ constitution. Second, that gay marriage supporters spent a lot of money and time in trying to reach the wrong people.

One of the most frustrating consistencies in the gay marriage debate is in just how little discussion really occurs. No one really talks about their views on same-sex nuptials, unless they know they’re in safe territory to voice their opinion. Pastors tell their flock that gay marriage will lead to the downfall of society, and nearly everyone in their congregation will nod their heads and “amen” without ever once questioning whether such an absurd statement is actually true. On the flip side, pro-gay activists and politicians will opine on their positive views on gay marriage to their own crowds, whether they’re in campaign rallies or poetry readings. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | 9 Comments
 

Election 2008: Hope vs. Fear

By David W. Shelton | November 1, 2008 |
 

As the campaign for the 2008 Presidential election comes to a close, the entire country (if not the world) holds their breath to see who will emerge victorious. While the usual independent candidates pepper ballots in all fifty states, the race is clearly between Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Arizona Senator John McCain.

This race isn’t really between Obama and McCain, though. More than any other time in recent history, this election is a referendum on ideas. It’s an election between worldviews and beliefs. While it’s true that all major elections have a certain flavor of mudslinging and catchphrases that run the gamut, one party’s campaign strategy actually attempted to imply the other as un-American and associated with terrorism. Finally, it’s an election between marketing strategies.

This election of ideas can best be summed down into a battle — not between good and evil — but between hope and fear. Unfortunately, as we’ve seen with bitter emails and sanctified drivel from far-right groups, it’s obvious that some would like to have the “good versus evil” image stick to this year’s election. Thankfully, many American voters have seen through the schtick and looked at the issues to make their choice. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, News, Opinion, Politics | No Comments
 

More Obama citizenship silliness

By David W. Shelton | October 30, 2008 |
 

I don’t know what it is about this whole Obama birth certificate and citizenship question. I’ve gotten a few emails regarding my post which discussed the fact that the Berg lawsuit was thrown out of court (since then, a similar suit was rejected in Seattle).

None of the emails were particularly impressive. Some were even from attorneys. However, not a single letter was able to boil down a very simple reality in this whole mess: Obama has run in and won several elections, including at least one (two if he wins next week) at the federal level. Throughout all of these elections, isn’t it possible that someone asked for a copy of the valid birth certificate or proof of citizenship? «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | 2 Comments
 

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