Topic: Issues

“Dignity and Justice” marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities

December 3, 2008 |

Today, December 3, is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

“Dignity and justice for all of us” is the theme of this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities, as well as for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In the United States, we are fortunate to have the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed in 1990, and the recently passed Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA), which restores much of the original meaning and intent of the ADA that has been watered down over the years, and which will take effect on January 1, 2009.  Even so, there is still much work to be done to ensure equal rights for people with disabilities, and to overcome attitudes and stigmas that still exist today, both in the U.S. and in other countries around the world, especially those without such legislation as the ADA. «Read the rest of this article»

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Councils okays $32 million in marina debt

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 2, 2008 |

In a special session Monday night, the City Council approved an amendment to the city’s capital project budget, giving the okay to $32 million in new debt and $39 million in re-structured debt for development of Mayor Johnny Piper’s proposed marina, water park and other Fairgrounds “development.” The debt package would extend loans through 2027.

In fact, the “done deal” marina has spurred boats sales, or the illusion and suggestion of boat sales, including the collage of watercraft already on display in a Riverside Drive dealer’s lot and another boat display/storage area strategically poised on the concrete slab that once housed the Fairground Pavilion. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, Issues, News, Opinion | 2 Comments

“Casualty notification” imposters target Fort Campbell families

October 31, 2008 |

FORT CAMPBELL, KY–  On Thursday, October 30, a military family member reported two men pretending to be a casualty notification officer and chaplain visited her home and falsely notified her that her deployed Soldier had been killed.

The man impersonating the notification officer was wearing a Class A “dress green” uniform and the other was wearing civilian clergy attire.

There have been a few incidents of this nature in the past two months involving family members living off post, but Thursday’s incident occurred on post. The spouse did not allow the pair into her home and when they left contacted the Family Readiness Support Assistant and Rear Detachment Commander to confirm the information. The command let her know her spouse is still alive and worked to put him in contact with her as soon as possible. Military police were notified and a police report was taken at the scene. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, News | 6 Comments

Clarksville campaigning hits political low

By Christine Anne Piesyk | October 26, 2008 |

Politics got ugly in Clarksville Saturday, October 25, as at least one McCain/Palin campaigner chose to take the low road, politicking curbside at Veteran’s Plaza Election near the Election Commission office where hundreds of people arrived to vote between 8 a.m. and noon.

One male Caucasian McCain/Palin campaigner donned an Obama Halloween mask, of and by itself not a big deal, but then attached a hand-printed cardboard “Hamas for Obama” sign perpetrating a lie and creating an implication of terrorist ties to presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. On the flip side of the sign are the words “Honk for Socialism NoBama.”

Debating the issues, building an case for a candidate rooted in facts, is one thing. This kind of ill-informed misinformation and dis-information starts with the word “stupid,” meanders into “childish,” and continues with “dangerous” and “malicious.” Where it ends remains a question mark. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, News, Opinion, Politics | 2 Comments

Americans United advises Houses of Worship to refrain from “pulpit politicking”

By Christine Anne Piesyk | October 21, 2008 |

Church-State watchdog group sends 100,000 letters to religious leaders nationwide

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is advising houses of worship nationwide to respect federal tax law and stay out of partisan politics.

Americans United announced today that 100,000 letters have been mailed to clergy and lay leaders reminding them that federal tax law prohibits tax-exempt entities, including houses of worship, from endorsing candidates.

“Houses of worship are supposed to tend to spiritual needs and do charitable work, not act as political action committees,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “Our letter reminds religious leaders about what the law requires, why it makes sense and how it could affect them.” «Read the rest of this article»

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Ray Boltz to headline ‘God and Gays’ event in Nashville

By David W. Shelton | October 21, 2008 |

Ray Boltz, who came out as a gay man publicly a couple of weeks ago, will perform at a pro-gay Christian conference in Nashville on Saturday, October 25. The concert is a part of the “Our Family Matters” conference, which is sponsored by Holy Trinity Christian Church, one of several LGBT- (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) affirming churches in the Nashville area.

The concert is part of a series of events beginning on Wednesday, October 22nd, all to be held at the 2nd Presbyterian Church, 3511 Belmont Blvd., in Nashville. The church says on its website that it welcomes anyone to join them in their journey of faith, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, economic or family status, ethnic background, mental or physical abilities.

Boltz will perform as the headlining event of the conference. The event’s website lists a brief biography of the world-reknown Gospel singer: «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events, Issues, Spirituality | No Comments

The Final Presidential Debate: The thumpin’ that wasn’t

By Turner McCullough Jr. | October 16, 2008 |

As early voting opened in Tennessee to heavy turnouts, Senator McCain’s promised thumping of Senator Obama didn’t materialize. Groups gathered at both local Republican and Democratic party headquarters to watch the debate, discuss their preferences and hear the candidates present their proposals.

The final candidates debate of the 2008 presidential election season was a much anticipated showcase of America’s choices for leadership for the next four years. The debate’s focus was to be on domestic policy, with the recent upheaval in the financial markets to be a focal point. The level of negative ads has increased to  near crescendo as McCain’s campaign unleashed new charges and the Obama campaign refuted falsehoods and returned the fire to McCain. The debate was supposed to offer a clear demonstration of McCain’s superiority to Obama. Sadly, for McCain, the smear adhesive didn’t stick.

Viewers were treated to a consistent presentation of proposals and ideas from Obama as he responded to  McCain’s attempts to hang negatives.

Obama noted that McCain’s own campaign said publicly last week that, “if we keep on talking about the economic crisis, we lose, so we need to change the subject.” Such was the tone for the course of the evening. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, Education, Events, Issues, News, Politics | No Comments

Clothesline Project bears witness to sexual, domestic violence

October 13, 2008 |

Austin Peay State University will advocate those who have been affected by acts of sexual violence with the Clothesline Project. The event is open to the public and takes place at 8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Morgan University Center Plaza.

The Clothesline Project is an international event that bears witness to the effects of sexual violence in the community. The project gives its participants the opportunity to print T-shirts in honor of men and women who are survivors of sexual and domestic violence. These shirts will be displayed on a clothesline to raise awareness of the impact violence has on the community.

The Clothesline Project (CLP) originated on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in 1990, and was designed to address the issue of violence against women. Women affected by violence express their emotions by decorating a shirt. They then hang the shirt on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony to the problem of violence against women. Locally the Clothesline Project has also been displayed at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Library. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Education, Events, Issues, News | No Comments