Sensors for Medicine and Science Changes Company Name to Senseonics

GERMANTOWN, MD--(Marketwire - Oct 16, 2012) - Sensors for Medicine and Science, Inc., a privately held medical device company focused on the development and commercialization of the first fully implantable, long-term continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, today announced its new company name, Senseonics.

"The new Senseonics name really captures the essence of what we're about and what makes us unique," said Tim Goodnow, PhD., President and Chief Executive Officer."The name combines sense (to detect), eon (long time) and -ics (suffix to denote body of knowledge) to signal our unequivocal focus on continuous glucose sensors designed for accurate, long-term wear by people with diabetes.Our first generation sensor, currently in clinical studies, is targeted to last for up to six months of continuous wear."

Along with its new name, the company also announced it has submitted its pivotal clinical study protocol to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the U.K. and the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (Bundesinstitut fr Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, BfArM) in Germany.

The pivotal study is titled PRECISE (Prospective, Multi-Center Evaluation of the Accuracy of a Novel Continuous Implanted Glucose Sensor), and its objective is to evaluate the accuracy of the Senseonics Continuous Glucose Monitoring system over 180 days.

The PRECISE study requires clinical participants with diabetes to use the glucose sensor in the arm and to wear the external receiver to obtain continuous glucose readings during the 180-day study duration. The study will also evaluate safety of the Senseonics CGM system usage during in-clinic and home wear.

"All the study investigators are very much looking forward to proceeding with this first large study of a long-term implantable glucose sensor," said primary investigator Dr. Roman Hovorka, University of Cambridge, UK."This has the potential to be an important technology to help our patients better manage their diabetes."

The PRECISE study will be conducted in three clinical sites in Germany and two in the U.K.Enrollment in the trial will include up to 50 subjects with diabetes. The trial builds upon previous clinical experience which demonstrated high accuracy performance for the first time for an implanted biosensor.

"The filing of the PRECISE pivotal study application represents an important milestone in the development of our glucose sensing system, and the study will allow us to gather clinical data for European regulatory approval," said Goodnow.A successful execution of the PRECISE study is expected to support an application for a CE mark in Europe.

About Senseonics Senseonics, Incorporated (formerly Sensors for Medicine and Science, Inc.) is developing the first fully implantable continuous glucose sensor designed for highly accurate, long-term sensor wear. The Senseonics Continuous Glucose Monitoring System includes a miniaturized sensor and receiver. Based on proprietary breakthrough fluorescence sensing technology, the sensor is inserted into the subcutaneous space under the skin and wirelessly transmits glucose levels to an external receiver.After insertion, the sensor functions noninvasively, automatically, and continuously. The system is intended to enable people with diabetes to confidently live their lives with ease.For more information on Senseonics, please visit http://www.senseonics.com.

About Diabetes Diabetes affects nearly 26 million people in the U.S. and an estimated 350 million worldwide. Monitoring of glucose levels is essential to managing the disease and avoiding its debilitating complications.Continuous glucose monitoring has the potential to further help diabetes patients examine how their glucose level reacts to insulin, exercise, food, and other factors. Studies have shown that CGM is effective at improving glucose control while minimizing severe hypoglycemia.Accurate continuous glucose monitors are also a key component of the promising artificial pancreas ongoing studies that could potentially offer additional freedom in the management of diabetes.

See the original post here:

Sensors for Medicine and Science Changes Company Name to Senseonics

Fake med student forged ID, university says

The University of Auckland's medical school says it is "reasonably sure" a fake medical student did not deal with hospital patients.

An investigation has been launched by the university to figure out how a student managed to pose as a medical student for two years.

The dean of the Medical and Health Sciences Faculty, John Fraser, said it was unclear whether the student got through the doors of Auckland Hospital.

"We understand that he assigned himself to a group, but whether he actually was there, on site, and engaged with the patients, we are reasonably sure that didn't occur," Professor Fraser told TVNZ.

The man also forged a student identification badge, which he was seen wearing.

The man, yet to be named, had even fooled his family into thinking he was training legitimately to be a doctor.

Starting out as a health science student and failing to get into medical school, he took part in second and third year medical studies and was involved in human cadaver dissection.

Prof Fraser said the man deceived everyone in the class and his fellow, legitimate, students were feeling betrayed and angry.

"We had a formal meeting with students yesterday, their reaction was not surprisingly hurt and upset and there was some degree of anger.

The university's medical programme head Warwick Bagg said the bogus student would be referred to the appropriate health services to help him.

Original post:

Fake med student forged ID, university says

Fake med student forged ID – university

The University of Auckland's medical school says it is "reasonably sure" a fake medical student did not deal with hospital patients.

An investigation has been launched by the university to figure out how a student managed to pose as a medical student for two years.

The dean of the Medical and Health Sciences Faculty, John Fraser, said it was unclear whether the student got through the doors of Auckland Hospital.

"We understand that he assigned himself to a group, but whether he actually was there, on site, and engaged with the patients, we are reasonably sure that didn't occur," Professor Fraser told TVNZ.

The man also forged a student identification badge, which he was seen wearing.

The man, yet to be named, had even fooled his family into thinking he was training legitimately to be a doctor.

Starting out as a health science student and failing to get into medical school, he took part in second and third year medical studies and was involved in human cadaver dissection.

Prof Fraser said the man deceived everyone in the class and his fellow, legitimate, students were feeling betrayed and angry.

"We had a formal meeting with students yesterday, their reaction was not surprisingly hurt and upset and there was some degree of anger.

The university's medical programme head Warwick Bagg said the bogus student would be referred to the appropriate health services to help him.

Visit link:

Fake med student forged ID - university

Cedar City pushing to establish osteopathic medical school

The Cedar City Office of Economic Development wants to establish a school of osteopathic medicine in that community.

It says it is beginning the groundwork to open the school in what it describes as a joint effort of community leaders, business leaders, educators, health professionals and interested residents and students.

The economic development office says it is consulting with Colorado-based Rocky Vista Universitys College of Osteopathic Medicine to help it establish a school. Rocky Vistas first class of physicians graduated in May 2012.

In the United States, there are two types of licensed physicians that practice medicine. Most physicians hold the M.D. or Doctor of Medicine degree. Osteopathic physicians hold the D.O. or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. The medical training for an M.D. and D.O. is virtually indistinguishable. D.O. physicians are licensed to practice medicine in all 50 states, with a large percentage going into primary care.

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Continued here:

Cedar City pushing to establish osteopathic medical school

UMass Medical School Building Earns LEED Silver

Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 10:49am

The Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School's Worcester campus has earned LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the first building in the school's history to achieve such status.

The ACC opened in June 2010, and after a detailed review of the building's design, construction and operational data, the Green Building Certification Institute verified the LEED Silver certification on Sept. 20. Built by the Medical School in collaboration with its clinical partner the UMass Memorial Medical Center, the 253,000-square-foot ACC is home to a mix of patient-care, clinical research and educational activities.

"We are pleased to have earned this important certification for the new building," said Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor in Medicine, executive deputy chancellor, provost, dean of the School of Medicine and professor of pediatrics and microbiology & physiological systems at UMass Medical School. "It is only fitting that facilities like the Ambulatory Care Center, that are designed to improve human health are respectful of the health of our environment."

LEED stands for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" and is a third-party certification system created by the USGBC for "green building" construction and renovation projects. It's regarded as the premier certification program for sustainable construction in the country.

To meet the high standards required for LEED Silver certification, numerous sustainable features were integrated into the ACC. For example, the building's design and orientation helps prevent solar heat gain, thereby lowering the need for mechanical cooling. The building has a white roof to diminish the "heat island effect" and reflect rather than absorb heat; a tight exterior building envelope with tinted, reflective, and insulated glass; and an east-west building orientation to minimize the number of south-facing windows.

Water use in the ACC is approximately 30-percent less than a conventional building because of automatic low-flow/low-flush plumbing fixtures. Electricity consumption is reduced by sophisticated controls for heating, cooling and lighting. A special "commissioning agent" was brought in to oversee the design and installation of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems to insure they were the most efficient possible given the use of the building, and are functioning as expected.

Payette of Boston was the architect for the ACC; Consigli Construction of Milford was the construction manager and general contractor.

See the original post here:

UMass Medical School Building Earns LEED Silver

Trespass notice issued to fake medical student

By Tom McRae

The University of Auckland medical school still can't rule out a man posing as a student didn't have direct contact with patients.

An investigation is underway and the man has been issued with a trespass notice after he went to great lengths to pose as a medical student for two years.

Watched closely by security, students today filed into their 8am lecture. Many are shocked at the deception by someone they thought was a fellow student.

[Theyre] not surprisingly very upset and hurt, and [there is] some degree of anger, says Medical and Health Sciences dean Professor John Fraser.

The imposter studied biomedical science in 2010 but failed to get into medical school. So for two years he faked it, continuing to attend classes.

He doesn't give a good explanation, says head of the universitys medical programme Dr Warwick Bagg. What we need to understand with this individual is he's in great distress. His family is in great distress and we're quite concerned for his wellbeing.

The man took part in dissecting dead bodies, and as a third-year student he was eligible to attend hospital site visits and interact with patients one-on-one.

Our investigations to date show that he has not had interaction with patients on the wards, says Dr Bagg.

But a student who wanted to remain anonymous says he did have access to confidential patient information while at the hospital. The class is also concerned he was able to carry out medical procedures on other students.

Read the original here:

Trespass notice issued to fake medical student

Fake student prompts medical school review

Auckland University's medical school is carefully reviewing its practices after a man pretended to be a medical student for two years.

The student failed to gain entry into the medical school in 2010 but has since attended classes and taken part in a number of school activities, including the study of human cadavers.

He was detected when a group assignment with his name on it was submitted which didn't match any name on the class list.

Professor John Fraser says the school has no evidence the students interacted with any patients, but they were still concerned he was able to pretend he was a student for two years.

"Obviously there are areas, particularly in the medical programme, where we do need to tighten up our procedures on entry and access," he told a media conference.

"This student went to some considerable length to hide the fact that he wasn't eligible, and although we are very, very concerned that he was able to get away with that, I would like to tell the public that our university operates on the highest possible standards."

Associate Professor Warwick Begg said the school's hospital partners had all been in touch trying to see if the fake student had any contact with patients.

"As far as we know we have not been able to find any evidence to date that he did interact with a patient."

Prof Fraser said the fake student's family weren't aware of his scam.

He said the fake student was in some distress, and they were concerned for his wellbeing.

Read the original:

Fake student prompts medical school review

Liberty man charged with burglarizing village apartment

Published: 8:57 AM - 10/16/12 Last updated: 8:59 AM - 10/16/12

LIBERTY- Authorities made a quick arrest after a reported burglary of an apartment on South Main Street in the village

Russell Jackson, 26, of Liberty, was charged on Thursday with felony burglary and misdemeanor petty larceny after police say Liberty officers and a state police K-9 unit found him with the stolen items within an hour of getting a description of the suspect.

He was arraigned and taken to the Sullivan County Jail on $25,000 bail.

Victor Whitman

Read more:

Liberty man charged with burglarizing village apartment

Liberty Global’s UPC Deploys Jungo Panorama to Enable Remote Management of Horizon Platform

AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

BBWF, 16-18 October 2012 Jungo, now part of Cisco, a leading provider of gateway and remote management solutions for home broadband service offerings, today announced that its Panorama remote management system has been successfully deployed by UPC in the Netherlands, a subsidiary of Liberty Global, the leading international cable operator, with the launch of the Horizon platform.

Highlights:

Supporting quotes:

Gerrit Goedkoop, Vice President Customer Care, Liberty Global

Jungos Panorama has shown to be a fantastic addition to the Horizon platform, enabling us to effectively manage the Horizon Gateway. He continued Panorama enables our customer support teams to identify real-life user issues in real time, and with the simplicity and effectiveness of the user interface resolve their issues in a faster and more effective way.

Eran Rom, Chief Executive Officer, Jungo, now part of Cisco

Panorama is a unique solution designed to manage the entire digital home. Liberty Global is a strategic partner for us and its selection of Jungo demonstrates that we are able to scale our solution to offer a whole home management to any operator, regardless of size or market.

About Jungo

Jungo, now part of Cisco, is a leading provider of software products and solutions that power residential broadband service offerings and connectivity solutions. Our residential broadband products enable 40 million of the worlds residential gateways. Our connected home, application framework and remote management solutions let service providers easily launch value-added broadband services and manage and monitor their delivery. Jungo's unique home broadband offerings enable service providers to accelerate the introduction of a variety of innovative, revenue generating digital home services, while enhancing their competitive edge and reducing operational costs.

Excerpt from:

Liberty Global’s UPC Deploys Jungo Panorama to Enable Remote Management of Horizon Platform

Liberty Media Corporation Announces Third Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Liberty Media Corporation (Nasdaq: LMCA, LMCB) will release its third quarter earnings on Tuesday, November 6th, at 11:45 a.m. (ET). Greg Maffei, Liberty Medias President and CEO, will host the call. During the call, Mr. Maffeiwill discuss the company's financial performance.

Please call Premiere Conferencing at (888) 602-6363 or (719) 325-2475 at least 10 minutes prior to the call. Callers will need to be on a touch-tone telephone to ask questions. The conference administrator will provide instructions on how to use the polling feature.

Replays of the conference call can be accessed through 1:45 p.m. (ET) on November 13th, by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 plus the passcode 5834108#.

In addition, the third quarter earnings conference call will be broadcast live via the Internet. All interested participants should visit the Liberty Media Corporation website at http://www.libertymedia.com/events to register for the webcast. Links to the press release and replays of the call will also be available on the Liberty Media website. The conference call and related materials will be archived on the website for one year.

About Liberty Media Corporation

Liberty Media (Nasdaq: LMCA, LMCB) owns interests in a broad range of media, communications and entertainment businesses, including its subsidiaries Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc. and TruePosition, Inc., its interests in Starz, LLC, SiriusXM, Live Nation Entertainment and Barnes & Noble, and minority equity investments in Time Warner Inc. and Viacom.

Read this article:

Liberty Media Corporation Announces Third Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call

Liberty Interactive Corporation Announces Third Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Liberty Interactive Corporation (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB, LVNTA, LVNTB) will release its third quarter earnings on Tuesday, November 6th at 11:00 a.m. (ET). Greg Maffei, Liberty Interactives President and CEO, will host the call. During the call, Mr. Maffeiwill discuss the company's financial performance.

Please call Premiere Conferencing at (888) 455-2265 or (719) 457-2703 at least 10 minutes prior to the call. Callers will need to be on a touch-tone telephone to ask questions. The conference administrator will provide instructions on how to use the polling feature.

Replays of the conference call can be accessed through 1:00 p.m. (ET) on November 13th, by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 plus the passcode 7834540#.

In addition, the third quarter earnings conference call will be broadcast live via the Internet. All interested participants should visit the Liberty Interactive Corporation website at http://www.libertyinteractive.com/events to register for the web cast. Links to the press release and replays of the call will also be available on the Liberty Interactive website. The conference call and related materials will be archived on the website for one year.

About Liberty Interactive Corporation

Liberty Interactive Corporation operates and owns interests in a broad range of digital commerce businesses. Those interests are currently attributed to two tracking stock groups: Liberty Interactive Group and Liberty Ventures Group. The Liberty Interactive Group (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB) is primarily focused on digital commerce and consists of Liberty Interactive Corporations subsidiaries Backcountry.com, Bodybuilding.com, Celebrate Interactive (including Evite and Liberty Advertising), CommerceHub, MotoSport, Provide Commerce, QVC, Right Start, and Liberty Interactive Corporations interests in HSN and Lockerz. The Liberty Ventures Group (Nasdaq: LVNTA, LVNTB) consists of Liberty Interactive Corporations non-consolidated assets, including interests in AOL, Expedia, Interval Leisure Group, Time Warner, Time Warner Cable, Tree.com (Lending Tree), TripAdvisor and various green energy investments.

See original here:

Liberty Interactive Corporation Announces Third Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call

Liberty Silver Closes Acquisition of Hi Ho Property to Expand Trinity Land Package

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct 16, 2012) - Liberty Silver Corp. (LSL.TO)(LBSV) ("Liberty Silver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its transaction with Primus Resources, L.C. and a second property owner (collectively, "Primus") to acquire approximately 100 acres located adjacent to the former Trinity Mine on the Company''s Trinity property in Nevada (the "Hi Ho Property"). The Hi Ho Property was the only acreage not controlled by Liberty Silver or its joint venture partner Renaissance Gold Inc. ("Renaissance") on the Trinity land package.

"We are extremely pleased to have completed the transaction with Primus and appreciate their continued confidence," stated Geoff Browne, Chairman and CEO of Liberty.

The Hi Ho Property completes the land package controlled by Liberty Silver and Renaissance. The joint venture comprises over 10,500 acres of contiguous land in a historic Nevada mining district, which includes the Trinity Mine and several other exploration targets. US Borax operated the Trinity Mine from 1988 to 1989, where it produced over 5 million ounces of silver. Operations at the mine were suspended when silver prices declined to less than $5/oz in the late 1980''s. Based upon the drilling results available to the Company from the US Borax drill programs on the Hi Ho Property, it is expected that the inclusion of the Hi Ho Property has the potential to substantially increase the estimated silver resource in the Trinity Mine pit area (please see the Company''s December 2011 NI 43 101 resource estimate).The Company is also currently evaluating the internal data in conjunction with its recent drilling and geophysical data to determine future drilling targets. The data will be used to update the Company''s current NI 43-101 report and will be utilized as part of the previously announced scoping study, which is being completed in connection with the Company''s proposal to put the Trinity Mine back into production.

Richard Bedell, President and CEO of Renaissance comments, "The addition of the Hi Ho Property completes the Trinity land package and significantly increases the size of the potential resource given its close proximity to the existing pit and the historic drilling and assay data that Liberty has analyzed. We are extremely pleased with the progress that Liberty has made on the exploration and development of Trinity. Their approach has been professional, and we are very comfortable with their entire team and the assessment of the property''s potential. Trinity is one of the marquee properties in our portfolio and we remain very confident in Liberty''s ability to advance the project.We are fully supportive of Liberty Silver''s management and its technical team."

In closing the Hi Ho Property transaction, Liberty Silver paid cash consideration of US$250,000 plus transaction expenses, issued 2,583,333 Liberty Silver common shares (the "Liberty Silver Shares") to Primus at a deemed value of US$1,860,000 (US$0.72 per share), and also granted Primus a 2% net smelter royalty on future production from the Hi Ho Property. In addition, pursuant to a registration rights agreement between Liberty Silver and Primus, Liberty Silver will pay Primus additional consideration as follows:

"We have closely monitored the progress that Liberty Silver has made since they began operations at Trinity last year," stated Jim Marin of Primus. "They have a strong on the ground team, excellent board and management, supported by first class engineering and permitting consultants. We are very excited to be part of the project and look forward to their future success."

"Liberty Silver is very pleased to have the vendors as significant shareholders and appreciate their recognition of the future potential of the combined properties," added Mr. Browne.

The total consideration for the acquisition of the Hi Ho Property is being applied to Liberty Silver''s expenditure commitment under its earn-in agreement with Renaissance, pursuant to the applicable area of interest provisions. With the addition of the Hi Ho Property payment, Liberty Silver has contributed in excess of 85% of its required US$5,000,000 expenditure commitment to earn a 70% interest in the Trinity project. Pursuant to the terms of its earn-in agreement with Renaissance, Liberty Silver has until March 29, 2016 to incur the balance of its expenditure commitment and, in addition, produce a bankable feasibility study the following year.

"We continue to achieve each milestone set forth by our team," concluded Mr. Browne. "This acquisition not only has the potential to increase our current resource and the potential economics to bring the Trinity Mine back into production, but also moves us very close to meeting our earn-in requirements. Although the past week has been challenging for the Company, the board and management of Liberty Silver remain fully committed to its future. Importantly and as previously stated, investors are reminded that they should only rely on official statements and releases issued by the Company for information regarding its activities."

About Liberty Silver Corp.

See the original post here:

Liberty Silver Closes Acquisition of Hi Ho Property to Expand Trinity Land Package

Friedman on Intolerance: A Critique

[Libertarian Papers (2010)]

The essence of libertarianism is its nonaggression principle. In order to determine whether some act or concept or institution is compatible with this philosophy, one may use this as a sort of litmus test. If you initiate violence against someone, you must pay the penalty for so doing, and are presumptively acting outside of libertarian law.

However, in the view of some commentators who really should know better, intolerance, not creating an uninvited border crossing, is the be-all and end-all of libertarianism. In this view, tolerance, while it may not be sufficient, is certainly a necessary condition. If you are not tolerant, you cannot be a libertarian. States Milton Friedman (1991, p. 17, material in brackets inserted by present author. See also Friedman and Friedman, 1998, p. 161) in this regard,

I regard the basic human value that underlies my own [political] beliefs as tolerance, based on humility. I have no right to coerce someone else, because I cannot be sure that I am right and he is wrong. Why do I regard tolerance as the foundation of my belief in freedom? How do we justify not initiating coercion? If I asked you what is the basic philosophy of a libertarian, I believe that most of you would say that a libertarian philosophy is based on the premise that you should not initiate force, that you may not initiate coercion. Why not? If we see someone doing something wrong, someone starting to sin [to use a theological term] let alone just make a simple mistake, how do we justify not initiating coercion? Are we not sinning if we don't stop him? How do I justify letting him sin? I believe that the answer is, can I be sure he's sinning? Can I be sure that I am right and he is wrong? That I know what sin is?

This relativistic, know-nothingism of Friedman's has been subjected to a withering rebuke by Kinsella (2009):

He was in favor of liberty and tolerance of differing views and behavior because we cannot know that the behavior we want to outlaw is really bad. In other words, the reason we should not censor dissenting ideas is not the standard libertarian idea that holding or speaking is not aggression, but because we can't be sure the ideas are wrong. This implies that if we could know for sure what is right and wrong, it might be okay to legislate morality, to outlaw immoral or "bad" actions.

And states Hoppe (1997, 23),

To maintain that no such thing as a rational ethic exists does not imply "tolerance" and "pluralism," as champions of positivism such as Milton Friedman falsely claim, and moral absolutism does not imply "intolerance" and "dictatorship." To the contrary, without absolute values "tolerance" and "pluralism" are just other arbitrary ideologies, and there is no reason to accept them rather than any others such as cannibalism and slavery. Only if absolute values, such as a human right of self-ownership exist, that is, only if "pluralism" or "tolerance" are not merely among a multitude of tolerable values, can pluralism and tolerance in fact be safeguarded.

Precisely. The strong implication, here, would appear to be that if we were vouchsafed such knowledge, then we would be justified in imposing our values on others. But this is hardly in keeping with the libertarian ethos.

Further, Friedman is guilty of tolerance, and humility with a vengeance. So much so it amounts to a stultifying skepticism. If it is reminiscent of anything, it is that of multiculturalism's claim that no society can possibly be better than any other. If no one can really know anything about anything, and are as humble as Milton Friedman claims to be, how can we even engage in political philosophy? Yet if there is anyone associated at least in the public mind with taking strong stances on issues, a host of them as it happens, it is Professor Friedman.

Read the rest here:

Friedman on Intolerance: A Critique

Libertarian NC gov candidate running for party

RALEIGH (AP) By literally running while running for office, Barbara Howe may have the race for best hook of North Carolina's political season sewn up.

The Libertarian candidate for governor has jogged in 5-kilometer increments through more than 90 of North Carolina's 100 counties as part of her campaign since kicking it off in May. The 59-year-old Oxford resident often contacts local media or stops by a diner or visitors' center to connect with voters. There, she shares her party's philosophy of a limited government that stays out of people's business.

"You can learn a lot by just listening," Howe said. "Almost all people want the same thing. They want to live their lives, they want to be able to provide for their families, they want to be able to educate their children, they want to enjoy their free time, and they don't want a lot of meddlesome rules and regulations telling them what to do."

She's run around the political block a few times, too. In her fourth bid for statewide office, Howe understands her lack of funds compared to Democratic nominee Walter Dalton and Republican Pat McCrory. She's irritated by being left out of live television debates, so the public doesn't have as much familiarity with her and her party.

It means Howe and other Libertarians are focused upon her getting at least 2 percent of the vote. The threshold is critical: Without it or a strong showing by Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson, state election officials will have to decertify the party. That means having to collect 100,000 signatures of registered voters by 2016 to return to the ballot an expensive endeavor.

Howe knows there's pressure on her.

"There are several measures of victory. First is to be the next governor, but secondly would be to ensure that the Libertarian Party (officially) continues to exist," Howe said in an interview.

Howe is a Libertarian Party veteran and former chairwoman who has survived the challenges of meeting some of the strictest ballot access laws in the country. Things improved for third parties when the Legislature approved a 2006 law lowering the election threshold from 10 percent of the vote to 2 percent to remain an official party.

Duke University professor Mike Munger ran in 2008 and tallied almost 3 percent of the vote, giving the Libertarians some breathing room to raise their voter registration to a record of more than 17,000. Munger didn't run in 2012 because of health issues. That opened the door again to Howe, who was Munger's campaign manager four years ago and ran for governor herself in 2000 and 2004.

Munger said Howe's candidacy is in some ways a deserved reward for years of hard work building the party. She's been a common sight for years in legislative committees and at party booths at the State Fair and other public events.

See the original post here:

Libertarian NC gov candidate running for party

Libertarian could take Romney votes

Published: Oct. 15, 2012 at 4:14 PM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- With a close presidential race at hand, some Republican advisers are worried about Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson, they said.

Johnson, former governor of New Mexico, drew little attention as a candidate for the Republican nomination, and ridicule for his pro-marijuana position and advocacy of a 43 percent cut in military spending, but is on the ballot in every state except Michigan and Oklahoma as the Libertarian Party's candidate. This is worrisome to some Republican operatives who fear his appeal could take slivers of votes, in tight races, away from Republican candidate Mitt Romney, The New York Times reported Monday.

Although national GOP chairman Reince Priebus called Johnson a "non-factor," but Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Robert Gleason said he did not intend to give Johnson an easy opening to play Ralph Nader, who took votes away from Democratic Party candidate Al Gore in 2000, in Pennsylvania this year.

Challenges to Johnson's candidacy by Republicans in Iowa and Pennsylvania were rejected in court, and Libertarians suspect his potential tipping of the vote was the reason Republican state officials in Michigan blocked Johnson's candidacy after his paperwork was filed three minutes after the deadline, the newspaper said.

Both sides agree Johnson's anti-government and anti-spending stances could appeal to the youth vote, to fiscal conservatives and to followers of former Republican candidate Ron Paul. Roger Stone, a former Nixon and Reagan aide who split from the Republican Party over frustration with its positions on social issues, said he is advising Johnson at no charge, and offered in an email last month, "Republican blood will run in the streets b4 [before] I am done."

Johnson said he has no problem being viewed as a spoiler in the November election he calls "a debate between Coke and Pepsi." He regards himself as Perrier, he said.

Continue reading here:

Libertarian could take Romney votes

Libertarian calls Mitt Romney 'wacky nuts' on immigration

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson possesses the potential to do to Mitt Romney next month what Nader did to Al Gore in 2000: siphon off just enough votes as a third-party candidate to swing an entire presidential election.

Charles Dharapak, Associated Press

Enlarge photo

Could Gary Johnson become the next Ralph Nader?

Johnson the Libertarian presidential candidate who will appear on the ballot in 48 states come Nov. 6 possesses the potential to do to Mitt Romney next month what Nader did to Al Gore in 2000: siphon off just enough votes as a third-party candidate to swing an entire presidential election. To that end, a front-page article in Mondays New York Times Spoiler Alert! G.O.P. Fighting Libertarians Spot on the Ballot examines multiple ways in which Johnson could directly affect the outcome of the presidential election.

Now campaigning as the Libertarian Partys presidential nominee, Mr. Johnson is still only a blip in the polls, Jim Rutenberg wrote for the Times. But he is on the ballot in every state except Michigan and Oklahoma, enjoys the support of a few small super PACs and is trying to tap into the same grass-roots enthusiasm that helped build Representative Ron Paul a big following. And with polls showing the race between President Obama and Mitt Romney to be tight, Mr. Johnsons once-fellow Republicans are no longer laughing. Both sides agree that Mr. Johnson, whose pro-marijuana legalization and antiwar stances may appeal to the youth vote and whose antigovernment, anti-spending proposals may appeal to conservative fiscal hawks and to supporters of Mr. Paul has the potential to draw from both Mr. Romney and Mr. Obama.

Johnson is the former two-term governor of New Mexico who spent most of 2011 running for president as a Republican. But to hear Johnson speak, he isn't overly fond of the GOP's nominee.

I mean Romney, in the second [GOP primary] debate, said that its a no brainer to build a fence across the border, Johnson said in a Q&A that Salon.com published Saturday. Youre talking about somebody right now without one molecule of brain based on his statement. Building a fence across the border would be wacky nuts! And here it is thats what he wants to do.

Within the past week, U.S. News & World Report covered Johnson campaigning on college campuses, and the Washington Post examined Johnsons campaign presence in the nations capitol.

Read the original post:

Libertarian calls Mitt Romney 'wacky nuts' on immigration

US, Japanese officials hold discussion on islands row

Beijing (China Daily/ANN) - Tokyo briefed Washington yesterday on its stance in the islands diplomatic standoff during high-level talks in Japan's capital as the country's month-long territorial row with China continues.

Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba met visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns in Tokyo yesterday.

Gemba sought Washington's understanding of Japan's position that no territorial dispute exists over the uninhabited islands, Kyodo News Agency reported.

Burns also said he endorsed the importance of the US-Japan alliance during the talks.

After arriving in Tokyo on Sunday, Burns also met Japanese Defence Minister Satoshi Morimoto and Shinzo Abe, leader of Japan's main opposition Liberal Democratic Party and former prime minister.

Abe, who is promising to help his party win the upcoming general election, told Burns that "there is no room for talk" on the East China Sea's Diaoyu Islands (known in Japan as Senkaku), Japan's Jiji Press News Agency reported.

Burns embarked on an eight-day trip on Saturday to Japan, South Korea, China, Myanmar and India, and the deputy secretary will visit China today and tomorrow.

Washington has affirmed that it does not have a position on the row, and it rejected a mediation role.

Yuan Peng, an expert on US studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said Washington is making unseen efforts to keep the situation from spiralling out of control, and its public gesture of "no mediation" has given it greater flexibility in coordinating both sides.

"For Washington, keeping the situation on track now doesn't hurt it and, in return, will be more in its interests from a strategic view," Yuan said.

Excerpt from:

US, Japanese officials hold discussion on islands row

Faroe Islands – Ireland preview: Giovanni Trapattoni's Boys in Green aim to bounce back from Germany defeat

Nielsen Naes, Bald'son, Faero, Just'sen Hannson, Benj'sen Samuelsen, Holst, Udsen Ed'son

Made up of mostly semi-professional footballers, the Faroe Islands have lost their opening two qualifiers in Group C, as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Germany and a narrow 2-1 loss to Sweden.

Manager Lars Olsen is likely to field a 4-2-3-1 formation against Ireland with 21-year-old Joan Simun Edmundsson leading attack. Olsen possesses a relatively youthful squad and will be relying heavily on the experience of his captain, the 34-year-old Frodi Benjaminsen, as well as that of Silkeborg attacking midfielder Christian Holst in midfield.

Ireland opened their World Cup qualification campaign with a late 2-1 victory over Kazakhstan before suffering a heavy home defeat to Germany on Friday October 12. The Irish squad will be keen to put the loss behind them with a positive performance and result in Torshavn.

Trapattoni will be able to call upon captain Robbie Keane after the LA Galaxy forward recovered from an Achilles problem, while Andy Keogh, who scored the consolation goal in the 1-6 loss to Germany is out of contention after suffering a concussion.

;

Giovanni Trapattoni's side face a crunch World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands on Tuesday night and you can watch all the action live through Goal.com.

; ;

See more here:

Faroe Islands - Ireland preview: Giovanni Trapattoni's Boys in Green aim to bounce back from Germany defeat

Jeffrey Epstein, Financier, Backs the Most Inspiring Youth Orchestra in the US Virgin Islands

NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most successful youth orchestras in the US Virgin Islands is called the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra. Based out of St. Thomas, the orchestra is a non-profit organization, designed to educate and inspire underprivileged students in the world of music.

The orchestra has just received critical funding from the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation. Known for supporting science research around the United States, the foundation also actively supports education and youth initiatives across the Virgin Islands.

The Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra has inspiring origins. It was established in 1981 by Judge Emeritus of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Verne A. Hodge, as a means to minimize the growing number of juvenile offenders appearing in his courtrooms. Concentrating on the magic that steel pan has always held for the youth of the Virgin Islands, Judge Hodge began an experimental after school program to inspire, educate and uplift students.

The program became so successful that today the orchestra serves more than 2500 students on St. Thomas and St. Croix. Many alumni now serve in professional orchestras around the world and the orchestra's flag flies proudly in front of the courthouse beside the US and Virgin Island flags.

The Rising Stars have also performed around the globe: from Lincoln Center in New York, to the Tournament of Roses Parade in California; in Japan, Taiwan, Chicago, Maryland, Washington, DC and of course, the Caribbean: Trinidad and the British Virgin Islands. They have also performed at the Reichhold Center with the Arturo Somohano Orchestra of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Symphony and the Red-I Reggae Band. Locally, the Orchestra plays at several annual carnivals and ongoing concerts.

"The Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra is a terrific example of how education in a field of interest can catapult a young person into excellence," Jeffrey Epstein remarked, who is the founder of the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation and a former member of the Trilateral Commission, the Council on Foreign Relations, the New York Academy of Science and a former Board Member of Rockefeller University.

Read the original:

Jeffrey Epstein, Financier, Backs the Most Inspiring Youth Orchestra in the US Virgin Islands