Welcome to Footnotes & Frontlines (formerly “Kicking and SCREAMING”)

Hello all!

I’m Carter F. Smith. I’m giving this space a fresh start and a fresh name:

Footnotes & Frontlines

That name reflects exactly what this blog has always been: a place where historical context (“footnotes”) and on-the-ground experience (“frontlines”) intersect.

What This Blog Was

Some of you may remember me from Kicking and SCREAMING, where I wrote about technology, learning tools, and “dragging folks into the 21st century.” That work helped some of us better engage with new media, educational tools, and digital thinking.

But over time, I found my focus shifting—not away from tech, but toward deeper questions around crime, history, justice, leadership, and how systems evolve across centuries. I needed a space that reflected that shift.

What Footnotes & Frontlines Will Be

From here forward, expect posts that:

Bridge past and present: exploring lessons from historical crime and the reality of modern justice. Reflect my background: 22 years in Army CID, university teaching, and ongoing field research. Include eclectic topics: military security, gangs, cyber investigations, historical piracy, education, and even the occasional policy reflection. Offer thoughtful perspective—minimal preaching, more clarity and curiosity.

How to Navigate

Posts: Expect a mix of short reads and deep dives—case studies, reflections, updates on new books or projects, historical curiosities, and justice-policy commentary.

Categories: Look for labels such as History, Security, Justice, Teaching, Books, or Reflections.

Engagement: Commenting will be open, but civil—no echo chamber here. I’d rather hear informed questions and real-world perspectives.

Why It Matters

In a world filled with headlines, hot takes, and political positioning, this space isn’t about being loud—it’s about being thoughtful. Whether you’re here for a historical deep dive or want to understand how street-level experience intersects with policy and education, Footnotes & Frontlines is for you.

Thank you for staying with me. I look forward to sharing books-in-progress, case stories from my teaching and research, and occasional commentary rooted in both footnotes and frontlines.

Onward!

Carter F. Smith

Here’s the first post to test rebuild of the site.