Monthly Archives: January 2013

Liberty considers expanding school security despite cost

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By By Leonard Sparks

Published: 2:00 AM - 01/10/13

LIBERTY Libertys school board is looking at expanding the school resource officers hours from two days to five days in the wake of the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., last month. The board decided Tuesday to move its next safety committee meeting from next month to next week and to task the committee to craft terms for an agreement with the Village of Liberty, whose police department now has an SRO in the schools two days each week. The added days could raise district spending by an estimated $62,000. But the additional cost was outweighed by board members concerns for students and staff. Obviously we cant make schools fortresses, board President Dan Parkhurst said. But we still have a responsibility to do what we can to protect our children. The shooting deaths of 20 children and six staff members at Newtowns Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14 have not only sparked an outcry among gun-control advocates, but also forced school districts around the country to re-examine the strength of their security measures. Districts in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties increased police patrols of schools in the days following the shooting. Since then a number of districts have announced partnerships with local police to maintain an increased presence. In Liberty the police department once assigned an SRO to the schools five days a week, but had to cut back after the loss of federal funding, police Chief Scott Kinne said. An extra officer was deployed to the schools between the shooting and Christmas break, he said. The district would be required to cover 70 percent of the salary and benefits for any officer assigned to the schools full time, Kinne said. Village officials would also need to the support the idea, which could require hiring an extra police officer for patrol, he said. This is obviously something were not going to fix overnight, but I think its something we need to look at over the long term, Kinne said. lsparks@th-record.com

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Liberty considers expanding school security despite cost

Liberty Media Corp. Announces When-Issued Trading and Trading Symbol Information in Connection with Upcoming Spin-Off

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

Liberty Media Corporation (Nasdaq:LMCA and LMCB) (Liberty) has been advised by Nasdaq that, in connection with Libertys upcoming spin-off (the Spin-Off) of its wholly owned subsidiary Liberty Spinco, Inc. (Spinco) (which, following the Spin-Off, will hold the businesses, assets and liabilities of Liberty not associated with Starz, LLC), shares of Spincos Series A and Series B common stock will trade on a when-issued basis on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbols LMCAV and LMCBV, respectively, on January 10, 2013 and January 11, 2013. Shares of Spinco common stock are expected to be issued in the Spin-Off, which will be effected through the distribution (the Distribution) of shares of Spinco common stock to holders of record of Liberty common stock at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 10, 2013. However, because Nasdaq has established January 14, 2013 as the ex-dividend date for the Distribution, and as a result of related due bill trading procedures, persons acquiring shares of Liberty common stock in the market through January 11, 2013 will still receive shares of Spinco common stock in the Distribution. Liberty expects to complete the Distribution at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 11, 2013. The issuance of Spinco shares and the completion of the Spin-Off are subject to certain conditions.

If the Spin-Off is completed, it is expected that Spincos Series A and Series B common stock will trade in the regular way on the Nasdaq Global Select Market as follows:

Shortly prior to the Spin-Off, Liberty will change its name to Starz and Spinco will change its name to Liberty Media Corporation. As a result of these name changes and Spincos use of the LMCA and LMCB trading symbols as described above, following the spin-off, Starzs Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock will begin trading under the new symbols STRZA and STRZB, respectively, on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on January 14, 2013. Prior to such time, however, Libertys Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock will continue to trade under the symbols LMCA and LMCB, respectively.

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.

This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about the completion of our pending separation from Starz LLC, the trading of our respective stocks, and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including our ability to complete the separation as planned and reported. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Liberty Media expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Liberty Media's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of Liberty Media, including the most recent Forms 10-Q and 10-K, for additional information about Liberty Media and about the risks and uncertainties related to Liberty Media's business which may affect the statements made in this press release.

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Liberty Media Corp. Announces When-Issued Trading and Trading Symbol Information in Connection with Upcoming Spin-Off

Liberty University Offers Highlights of the Largest Christian University in the Nation

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LYNCHBURG, Va., Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Liberty University, the largest Christian university in the nation and the world, is pleased to present some highlights of their private non-profit university. There's always something going on at Liberty. Nearly every major offers an academic organization, and the opportunities to volunteer, join a club or get involved with social causes are numerous.

Campus Recreation offers something for everyone, keeping students moving with a variety of recreational activities, from paintball to horseback riding, whitewater rafting trips and waterskiing to chess and video game tournaments. Liberty also offers a wide selection of intramural sports and club sports, including hockey, tae kwon do, beach volleyball, skiing and snowboarding, gymnastics, wrestling, and more.

Student Activities provides nearly 80 events throughout the school year, including concerts, movie nights, trail races, trips, and major events like Coffeehouse and Block Party. They also oversee several different facilities that provide students with the best in outdoor recreation.

The Center for Mulicultural Enrichment aims to promote an understanding of the Western tradition and the diverse elements of American cultural history; contribute to a knowledge and understanding of other cultures; and encourage a commitment to the Christian life, one of personal integrity, sensitivity to the needs of others, social responsibility and active communication of the Christian faith.

"Liberty hosts some of the world's best-known Christian speakers from all walks of life every semester and our vibrant spiritual life programs are based on a solid doctrinal statement that truly sets us apart from other schools," said Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr."Our code of conduct teaches discipline and promotes a lifestyle of Biblical morality but is well-balanced to allow students the freedom to enjoy their college experience."

Most importantly, Liberty University's greatest asset is its students and their school spirit, enthusiasm, strong character and motivation. For more information on Liberty University, or to schedule a visit, visit http://www.liberty.edu.

About Liberty University:

Liberty University is the largest private non-profit university in the nation, the largest university in Virginia, and the largest Christian university in the world. Liberty was founded in 1971 by the late Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr., with a vision to train Champions for Christ as a world class university. An accredited institution, Liberty now offers 253 unique programs of study.

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Liberty University Offers Highlights of the Largest Christian University in the Nation

THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIBERTY – Animated Lesson In Libertarian Ideals | #libertyNEVERsleeps – Video

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THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIBERTY - Animated Lesson In Libertarian Ideals | #libertyNEVERsleeps
AN ANIMATED INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIBERTY This simple yet attractive and intelligent introduction to libertarian ideas, was created by ISIL Director Ken Schoolland (derived from the epilogue to Ken #39;s free market fable The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible) and the late Kerry Pearson (original creator of the flash adaptation). More Info here: http://www.isil.org

By: libertyneversleeps

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THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIBERTY - Animated Lesson In Libertarian Ideals | #libertyNEVERsleeps - Video

How Would Libertarians Deal with Lead Poisoning? – Video

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How Would Libertarians Deal with Lead Poisoning?
After an amazing interview with Kevin Drum on the link between lead and crime and then taking a call from a Libertarian, Sam wonders how a Libertarian would deal with lead poisoning... This clip from the Majority Report, live MF at 12 noon EST and via daily podcast at Majority.FM

By: SamSeder

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How Would Libertarians Deal with Lead Poisoning? - Video

Phil Ricci pushing effort to organize Libertarian Party in Genesee County

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The time might be right for a third party to try to make a difference in Genesee County politics, the way Phil Ricci sees it, so he along with a small group of like-minded residents are working getting the Libertarian Party established locally.

The process involves signing up members for the committee, holding a convention and finding a candidate or two to run for local offices.

"I think this has been coming for a long time," Ricci said. "There's a growing interest in the breakdown of the two-party system. People see either Republican or Democrat and they just don't fit in. I think what the ideology of Libertarian stands for is vastly misunderstood. More people have what I believe are libertarian beliefs and are looking for viable options to the two-party system. They want less intrusive government and people in government who are responsible financial stewards."

Rather than trying get candidates elected to national and state offices, Ricci thinks any viable third-party effort needs to start at the local level where it's easier to build an organization.

And localism fits well with the basic Libertarian tenant of less intrusive government.

"Here's the big thing -- I'm tired of people far away telling people here, where we live, what's best for us," said Ricci, who ran for Batavia City Council in 2009 and is currently a member of the Batavia City School District Board of Education.

"We control were we live, and we do that as an individual, so why does our government, which has no real local connection, even think about telling us what we should do for our local community? We need local ideas, local vision, to fix local issues."

At a minimum, Ricci would like to have Genesee County Libertarians well enough organized by late summer to run at least one candidate for city council, perhaps a candidate or two in village or town elections and maybe the county legislature.

"Our first goal is to allow people who support individual liberty to have a viable choice at the local level," Ricci said.

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Phil Ricci pushing effort to organize Libertarian Party in Genesee County

Dear Glenn Beck, Please Don’t Call Yourself A ‘Libertarian’

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On Tuesday afternoon, it was announced that Glenn Beck plans to relaunch The Blaze as a global libertarian news network because he now identifies himself as a libertarian like Penn Jillette and wants to appeal to liberty-lovers who are disenchanted with the GOP and particularly partisan news outlets.

In keeping with the last time I addressed Becks so-called libertarianism, below is yet another open letter to the conservative commentator.

Dear Mr. Beck:

Congratulations on your slow move towards libertarianism. We are glad for your newfound support for legal marijuana, gay marriage, and your backing down from Bush-era hawkishness.

But many of us libertarians prefer to say thanks but no thanks to your attempt to become the libertarian leader of a so-called global news network.

As Ive written before, you make it really hard for people who believe in limited government to be taken seriously. In the past, youve only given the media more reason to dismiss a largely intellectual movement as being just a bunch of tinfoil hat-wearing, overly aggressive crazy people.

Youre free to call yourself whatever you want. But that doesnt mean we should accept you. While we agree with you on some of the big picture government spends way too much money it doesnt have, and is far too intrusive into our daily lives many of us dislike your rhetoric and your chalkboard-and-puppets conspiracy version of history.

Look, we libertarians try to operate as a big tent. And Im happy when non-libertarians like yourself aspire and draw towards it. The Atlantics Jeffrey Goldberg recently pondered whether he is a libertarian, and thats a welcome step forward for the movement. But when you or (the far, far worse) Alex Jones label yourselves libertarian, it is most certainly not a progression for us who already feel marginalized by the political process and much of the media.

Heres just one example of how you take any semblance of a potentially rational discussion and elevate it to cuckoo land:

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Dear Glenn Beck, Please Don’t Call Yourself A ‘Libertarian’

Glenn Beck Relaunching TheBlaze as a Global Libertarian News Network

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LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Glenn Beck plans to relaunch his media company TheBlaze as a libertarian news network, opening three foreign bureaus and relocating to bigger offices in New York City, he said on Tuesday.

The former Fox News host-turned-media entrepreneur announced the shift in his company's focus on his online television program. He said TheBlaze's refined political stance can fill the vacuum left by cable news networks' "far right far left" polarity, according to a broadcast of the show on TheBlaze's paywalled subscription site.

"We're not going to play in that crazy space as a network," he said, standing between a split screen playing clips of MSNBC's Chris Matthews and Fox News's Sean Hannity. "I consider myself a libertarian."

Over the next two months, TheBlaze will open bureaus in three foreign cities that are "important to America," though Beck did not identify their locations.

TheBlaze did not immediately respond to emailed requests from TheWrap for comment.

He said he will also debut a 30-minute nightly newsmagazine show called "For the Record," which he said would be his own version of ABC's "Nightline."

He said the show would be the "most expensive show on the network, including mine."

Beck also said he plans to hire investigative journalists and produce documentaries for the network, which the Dish network announced it would carry last September.

"We are currently looking for our own Woodwards and Bernsteins," he said. "Maybe they don't exist anymore, and - if that's the case - I don't really care. We'll grow our own."

In July, Beck consolidated his then-three disparate media properties under the name TheBlaze, combining his subscription online TV service GBTV, small business sales network Marketplace and his Huffington Post-style news site, TheBlaze.com.

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Glenn Beck Relaunching TheBlaze as a Global Libertarian News Network

Scottish News: Islands council 'faces challenges'

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Jan 10 2013

Shetland Islands Council faces difficult financial decisions in its efforts to continue delivering high-quality services, a report has found.

The Accounts Commission report revealed that while the local authority has made significant progress in addressing problems, it faces major challenges in the future.

The follow-up report was carried out by the Controller of Audit after previous reviews highlighted concerns about working relationships and governance at the council, and the management of finances.

The Commission welcomed the council's progress, particularly improved relations among councillors and between councillors and officers, and the significant improvements in how it manages finances and information.

However, it warned that careful consideration of options and costings would be required if services for islanders are to be delivered sustainably in the future.

Progress at the council was aided by local government elections in May last year, after which the council appointed a new political leader and convener, and welcomed 13 new councillors.

The Commission found that the new leader and the convener have been working well together and, with other members, are setting a clear direction for the council.

Accounts Commission chair John Baillie, said: "This is a very positive report.

"There has been a real desire to tackle long-standing problems at Shetland Islands Council. I am pleased that this has led to improvements in the way the council is run.

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Scottish News: Islands council 'faces challenges'

Vietnamese Complain As Chinese 3G Comes to Disputed Spratly Islands

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3g-vietnam-china In the ongoing dispute over the Spratly Islands claimed by China and Vietnam, the latest development is that China is opening up 3G services on the islands, not only to Chinese soldiers but also for the countrys fishermen. The development will be yet another drop of lemon in the souring of Sino-Vietnamese relations in the past year. The Vietnamese government even voiced its complaint on nguyentandung.org, the Vietnamese Prime Minister's website. The island disputes recently ignited with anti-China protests in May 2011 after Chinese patrol boats attacked two Vietnamese oil exploration ships near the Spratly Islands. Chinese soldiers and fishermen will now be able to text message, call, and chat online with family back home over the new 3G network. This upgrade to 3G from regular cellular coverage (started in 2011) and the recent 3G network in the disputed Paracel Islands in July 2012 signals a more permanent Chinese presence on the rocky outposts. Amid Chinas escalating 3G and infrastructure support for the islands, and other points of contention between the two neighbors, my question is this: Have Vietnamese telcos provided 3G to Vietnamese citizens living on those same islands? If not, Vietnam is falling behind in the race for an administrative claim over the islands. Vietnam has had cellular coverage on the Spratly Islands since 2006 but word on the street is there's no 3G yet. This news comes just a couple of weeks after a Chinese computer game was banned in Vietnam for showing the contested islands as being Chinese in the in-game maps. The Spratly Islands are claimed by six different countries in total, including Brunei, the Peoples Republic of China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. (Source: China Starts Providing 3G on Spratly Islands) The post Vietnamese Complain As Chinese 3G Comes to Disputed Spratly Islands appeared first on Tech in Asia.

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Vietnamese Complain As Chinese 3G Comes to Disputed Spratly Islands

Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Day

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The Northern Mariana Islands, officially called the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), celebrates its Commonwealth Day today. This holiday commemorates the recognition of the Island's full commonwealth status on November 3, 1986, in its relationship with the United States of America.

The Commonwealth has a total land area of 179 square miles in 15 islands. The island's population is around 54,000, around 90% of which lives on the island of Saipan, the country's capital. The population of the island has been decreasing due to the recession, declining tourists, and the closing of some garment companies which employed some local residents. Saipan is located in Western Micronesia; together with Guam, they compose the Mariana Islands.

The official languages of the Northern Mariana Islands are English, Chamorro, and Carolinian although Japanese and Korean languages are widely spoken. The main religion is Roman Catholic.

The commonwealth's economy depends mostly on Japanese tourists and earnings from the garment manufacturing sector. The economy is also dependent on the government of the United States for development assistance and subsidies to the Commonwealth.

We congratulate the people and government of the Northern Mariana Islands led by Their Excellencies, United States of America President Barack H. Obama, Governor Benigno R. Fitial, Lt. Governor Eloy S. Inos, Department of Labor Secretary Gil M. San Nicolas, and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Melvin Faisao, on the occasion of its National Day. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!

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Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Day

FACTBOX-Soccer-African Nations Cup finalists Cape Verde Islands

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Jan 9 (Reuters) - Factbox on African Nations Cup finalists Cape Verde Islands ahead of this year's tournament in South Africa from Jan. 19 to Feb. 10:

Previous appearances in African Nations Cup finals: none

FIFA world ranking Dec. 2012: 69th

Coach: Lucio Antunes has won himself near-mythical status in his homeland for guiding the Cape Verdians to the Nations Cup. The 46-year-old worked his way up through the federation ranks as a coach of the national youth teams before being appointed in 2010 to take over the senior side. He previously won the national championship with Academica Sal.

Key players:

Heldon (Maritimo). Age: 24 Pos: Forward

Scorer of vital goals in the qualifying competition which ensured the island archipelago's progress to the Nations Cup finals. He moved to Portugal in 2007 and worked his way up through the amateur ranks to sign for Maritimo in 2010. He played and scored for the Madeira-based club in the Europa League this season.

Ryan Mendes (Lille). Age: 23 Pos: Forward

Pacey player who likes to run at defenders and has made a successful transition to Ligue 1 with former champions Lille from Le Havre this season. He was regarded as one of the best players in Ligue 2 over the last three seasons after Le Havre spotted him as an 18-year-old participating in a youth tournament.

Fernando Varela (FC Vaslui). Age: 25 Pos: Defender

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FACTBOX-Soccer-African Nations Cup finalists Cape Verde Islands

Islands council 'faces challenges'

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Islands council 'faces challenges'

Shetland Islands Council faces difficult financial decisions in its efforts to continue delivering high-quality services, a report has found.

The Accounts Commission report revealed that while the local authority has made significant progress in addressing problems, it faces major challenges in the future.

The follow-up report was carried out by the Controller of Audit after previous reviews highlighted concerns about working relationships and governance at the council, and the management of finances.

The Commission welcomed the council's progress, particularly improved relations among councillors and between councillors and officers, and the significant improvements in how it manages finances and information.

However, it warned that careful consideration of options and costings would be required if services for islanders are to be delivered sustainably in the future.

Progress at the council was aided by local government elections in May last year, after which the council appointed a new political leader and convener, and welcomed 13 new councillors.

The Commission found that the new leader and the convener have been working well together and, with other members, are setting a clear direction for the council.

Accounts Commission chair John Baillie, said: "This is a very positive report.

"There has been a real desire to tackle long-standing problems at Shetland Islands Council. I am pleased that this has led to improvements in the way the council is run.

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Islands council 'faces challenges'