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Category Archives: Freedom

McGraw exults in creative 'Freedom'

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Tim McGraw

Two Lanes of Freedom

(Big Machine)

Veteran country star Tim McGraw resolutely refers to independence and the highway in the title of his new album, Two Lanes of Freedom, his first since leaving Curb Records, his label for two decades. The title cut flaunts that freedom by employing world-music instruments, harmonies and rhythms to communicate just how creatively liberated he feels.

But McGraw's always pushed at the boundaries of country music. Here he balances experimental arrangements with hat tips to contemporary country the hit Truck Yeah follows the current trend of matching rural signifiers with pounding rock, while One of Those Nights nicely weaves in slice-of-life sentiments, a common McGraw theme.

Elsewhere, he succeeds at broadening his sound with hip-hop, bluegrass and piano pop. He also bridges the generations on Highway Don't Care, assisted by Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, which says even freedom needs an anchor in true love.

Michael McCall, Associated Press

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McGraw exults in creative 'Freedom'

Freedom Specialty Insurance Company® Named Antonio C. Albanese VP of Surety

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Freedom Specialty named Antonio (Tony) C. Albanese vice president of Surety, a new product line for Freedom. Mr. Albanese will be responsible for building and managing Freedoms surety bond business in the U.S. He will report to Mr. Craig Landi, senior vice president of Freedom Specialty Insurance Company, based in New York City.

I am looking forward to building the Surety Division at Freedom, Mr. Albanese said. Freedom, with the backing of Nationwide Insurance, brings the financial strength, name brand recognition, talent and innovative culture that are optimal for building a premiere surety operation.

Mr. Landi commented on the appointment, stating, Tonys skills and reputation in the surety bond market are invaluable. With his leadership qualities, expertise and long-standing relationships, Tony will develop a strong, successful surety operation at Freedom Specialty. We look forward to working with Tony as we continue to diversify and expand our product offerings.

Tony entered the surety industry upon graduating from college. He has spent 28 years in various roles within the surety operation of insurance companies, ranging from working in the field office to corporate headquarters. Most recently, he was with Torus, where he built its domestic and international surety operations. Prior to Torus, Tony led Selective Insurance Companys surety operation. Tonys experience extends beyond surety into reinsurance, flood business and managing agency networks.

Tony received a BA in economics from Drew University and an MBA in finance from New York Universitys Leonard N. Stern School of Business and holds AFSB and ARe designations. He also participates in various committees for the Surety & Fidelity Associate of America (SFAA) and serves as the vice chairman of the executive committee of the New Jersey chapter of the NYU Stern Alumni group.

About Freedom Specialty

Freedom Specialty Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Scottsdale Insurance Company, represents a wealth of experience in specialty liability insurance, and provides specialized expertise, dynamic problem-solving, and decisive responsiveness to the needs of their clients. Backed by Nationwide Insurance and an A.M. Best Rating of A+ (Superior), FSC XV, the companys financial strength and stability allow it to serve as a vanguard in specialty liability lines. Visit freedomspecialtyins.com to learn more, or call Craig Landi at 212-329-6901.

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Freedom Specialty Insurance Company® Named Antonio C. Albanese VP of Surety

Idris Elba hits the carpet for TIFF Premier of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom | BlackTree TV – Video

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Idris Elba hits the carpet for TIFF Premier of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom | BlackTree TV
Jasmin Simpkins catches up with Idris Elba on the World Premier of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom at the Toronto International Film Festival. Mandela: Long Wa...

By: blacktreemedia

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Idris Elba hits the carpet for TIFF Premier of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom | BlackTree TV - Video

Freedom Flotilla completes sacred mission

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Freedom Flotilla completes sacred mission

September 13th

Evading the Indonesian navy, two tiny boats met near the Australia-Indonesia border to ceremonially reconnect the indigenous peoples of Australia and West Papua. The ceremony was the pinnacle of a 5000km journey beginning in Lake Eyre, in which sacred water and ashes were carried and presented to West Papuan leaders.

While the Freedom Flotillas flagship thePogsailed towards West Papua, the world watched its progress via a live satellite tracker onboard the vessel, providing a much needed distraction for the clandestine ceremony to take place in an undisclosed location off the south coast of Papua.

The cultural exchange of Indigenous elders was held in secret, due to threats made by Indonesian government ministers and military officials who had stated that the navy and air-force would take measures against the peaceful protest, and had not ruled out the use of lethal force. Soon to be Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had also stated that Indonesia may do whatever it wishes to stop the peaceful protest.

During the momentous ceremony Arabunna Elder Uncle Kevin Buzzacott presented the sacred water from the mound springs of Lake Eyre, along with ashes from the Aboriginal Tent Embassies around the country, to senior West Papuan leaders. The exchange was intended to reunite the cultures of the two indigenous peoples, whose lands where once joined before being separated at the end of the last ice age, and as a symbol of support for the West Papuans 50 year long struggle for freedom and justice under Indonesian military occupation.

Earlier this year, Uncle Kevin Buzzacott called out to all people to join him on this journey to West Papua.We have a responsibility to care for our brothers and sisters from across the water. We must bring the water and the fire, the love and the music to heal the country and move in solidarity.

Returning from the historic event Uncle Kevin Buzzacott said we came in peace, not like those other politicians who are coming selling arms to the Indonesian military, like the Americans who just last month sold them Apache attack choppers, those are to be used against West Papuans, and they know it.

We made that dream that weve been building with Jacob Rumbiak since 2000, we made it happen, he added.

Jacob Rumbiak said, the spirit of the movement is still alive. Our people face many challenges for their freedom but they still show us today the determination and imagination to continue the struggle.

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Freedom Flotilla completes sacred mission

US Economic Freedom Is At Lowest Point Since 2000 [MAP]

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Over the past year, the United States has experienced a decline in the levels of monetary, business, labor and fiscal freedom.

Higher government spending, poor policy choices and a trend towards cronyism have eroded the economic freedoms and discouraged entrepreneurial growth, said the report.

Hong Kong is the region that allows its citizens the greatest economic freedoms, according to the report. Hong Kong had the highest score on the Economic Freedom Index -- 89.3, 0.6 points lower than in 2012.

Hong Kongs very efficient regulatory system, transparent legal framework and low levels of corruption have made for a sophisticated and resilient economy.

Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland were all among the top 5 countries in this list.

The countries that afforded the least economic freedoms to their people were North Korea, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and Eritrea.

The world average was a score of 58.2.

Heres an interactive map of all 185 countries featured on the Economic Freedom Index, color-coded by their scores. Click on any country to see how it scored overall on the Economic Freedom Index, and how it scored on specific categories like "fiscal freedom," "business freedom," "property rights," and so on:

Data parsed by FindTheBest.

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US Economic Freedom Is At Lowest Point Since 2000 [MAP]

The Tigrex’s Roar – Monster Hunter Freedom Unite Walkthrough [Gameplay/Commentary] – Ep.36 – Video

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The Tigrex #39;s Roar - Monster Hunter Freedom Unite Walkthrough [Gameplay/Commentary] - Ep.36
Remember to leave a like and a comment if you enjoyed the video - I #39;d really appreciate it :)! Time to bow some Tigrex! My Twitter - https://twitter.com/MHSk...

By: MonsterHunterSketch

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The Tigrex's Roar - Monster Hunter Freedom Unite Walkthrough [Gameplay/Commentary] - Ep.36 - Video

Snowden nominated for EU's freedom of thought prize

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Published: Sept. 11, 2013 at 3:18 PM

BRUSSELS, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Members of the European Parliament believe fugitive U.S. secrets leaker Edward Snowden should be honored for his freedom of thought, an official said Wednesday.

Christian Engstrom, a member of the Swedish Pirate Party that was one of the groups that nominated Snowden, said Snowden should receive the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought because of his "heroic" actions in revealing the U.S.'s extensive intelligence-gathering operations, RIA Novosti reported.

The former U.S. National Security Agency contractor is "paying a heavy personal price," Engstrom said in a personal blog. "Governments that dare to offer him asylum are threatened with dire consequences by the U.S. government."

He noted it was "a painful irony" Snowden had been granted asylum in Russia, "a country with democratic problems and authoritarian tendencies."

Alexander Sidyakin, a member of the Russian parliament's lower house, proposed Snowden for the prize in July.

The European United Left/Nordic Green Left also nominated Snowden. "Whistle-blowers cannot be treated like criminals. They must have our protection," the group said on its website in June.

The Sakharov Prize is given to individuals or organizations for their work in the defense of human rights and freedom of thought. Past recipients include former South African president Nelson Mandela, Chinese dissident Hu Jia and Reporters Without Borders.

A monetary award of $66,471 accompanies the prize.

The winner will be named in October.

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Snowden nominated for EU's freedom of thought prize

Golden Gate Fields notes: Cost of Freedom reaches million-dollar mark in style

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Barbara D. Livingston

Cost of Freedom, now 10, won the Grade 1 Ancient Title in 2008.

Trainer Genaro Vallejo may have gone against the grain when he put down $12,500 to claim the 10-year-old Cost of Freedom at Golden Gate Fields on April 6 for Battle Born Racing and Nick Ferrara.

The Cees Tizzy gelding won his second straight race that day but went to the sidelines for 11 weeks before a last-place finish for $16,000 at Pleasanton on June 29. That was followed by a fifth-place finish as the even-money favorite under Russell Baze in an $8,000 turf sprint at Santa Rosa.

Cost of Freedom was less than $800 away from becoming a million-dollar earner before those two races and was $291 away when he took on four rivals in a $10,000 claimer at Golden Gate Fields on Friday.

If he could beat one horse, he would become a millionaire, but he did better than that. He won the race and got to pose in the winners circle as a millionaire.

That was awesome, said Vallejo about reaching the milestone with a victory.

Cost of Freedom won the Grade 1 Ancient Title in 2008, and after his two lackluster tries, some people wondered if maybe he should be retired. But Vallejo figured Cost of Freedom needed a shot on Golden Gates Tapeta surface to regain his form.

Hes a synthetic horse, Vallejo said. In that turf race, he got hit by a rock early, and Russell just kept him safe after that.

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Golden Gate Fields notes: Cost of Freedom reaches million-dollar mark in style

Football: Freedom-Woodbridge works its way toward challenging Battlefield

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Battlefield and Freedom-Woodbridge first opened their doors on the same day in 2004.

But thats where the similarities between the schools end at least where football is concerned.

Video

Bishop McNamara's lineman dominates the trenches in memory of his grandfather.

911 Remembrance, Syrian crisis, NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy returns in Soyuz, Fukushima victim search and more.

When Battlefield (1-1) won the Div. 6 state title in 2010, the Eagles were busy going 1-9. In fact, the team has never won more than four games in a season.

But those were your older brothers Eagles.

Heading into Thursdays matchup with the Bobcats, Freedom is undefeated 2-0 after back-to-back victories over Osbourn Park and Osbourn.

Its definitely not the Freedom team of old, and they deserve a lot of credit for what theyre doing there, Battlefield Coach Mark Cox said.

All that senior running back Mike Gibson has done is shoulder the brunt of Freedoms offense. Gibson rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles season-opener victory at Osbourn Park. He added a workmanlike output of 66 yards on 24 carries against Osbourn Friday.

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Football: Freedom-Woodbridge works its way toward challenging Battlefield

FREEDOM ENERGY – Elaborates on the Air Quality Evaluation

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FORT WAYNE, IN, September 11, 2013 (Accesswire) -- Freedom Energy Holdings, Inc. (FDMF) today wanted to elaborate on the earlier announcement that FISHBECK, THOMPSON, CARR & HUBER, INC. (FTCH) completed an air quality evaluation that has been submitted to the Air Quality Division of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

In the previous release it was stated "According to the evaluation, the pilot process is eligible for an exemption from Michigan air permitting requirements pursuant to Michigan's pilot processes exemption (Michigan Air Pollution Control Rule 336.1283(1)(a)). The emissions from the exempt pilot process were also calculated as part of the evaluation and it was determined that none of the exclusions from air permit exemptions listed in Rule 336.1278 apply to the process equipment."

In plain words the "ELAS" project does not have any air quality issues and therefore qualifies under the Michigan environmental regulations for an exemption. Final approval has been requested from the Michigan DEQ and the approval is anticipated any day. Current regulation regarding the processing of asphalt shingles does not cover the new and groundbreaking technology involved with "ELAS". Thus far the only "approved" processing is grinding for use in asphalt road paving. "ELAS" will expand the market for recycled asphalt shingles, therefore eliminating the bottleneck that currently exists.

The process of working with the DEQ has been a very good learning experience. We have found the staff to be very cooperative and thorough. The strict process to gain approval is a result of the early efforts to "recycle" asphalt shingles; only to find the shingles easier to collect than to recycle. The foundational work from this process has set the stage for a more rapid expansion and national rollout once the pilot plant is up and operational. Strategic negotiations are ongoing with interested parties for licensing and expansion plans.

"ELAS" is a patent pending process that utilizes the patent pending technology SR-139. Construction of the first plant has begun and if all goes as planned, we hope to be in production by early fall. The opportunities are great and once we have perfected the mechanical engineering and worked out any bugs in the first plant, we plan to offer the technology and process on a commercialized basis.

I look forward to bringing updates regarding this opportunity in the very near future.

ABOUT FISHBECK, THOMPSON, CARR & HUBER, INC

FISHBECK, THOMPSON, CARR & HUBER, INC. Serving clients since 1956, FTCH is a full service civil engineering, environmental, architectural/engineering and construction management firm with over 330 employees. With offices in Michigan and Ohio, FTCH is one of the Top 500 Design Firms in the U.S. as ranked in Engineering News-Record. More information about FTC&H can be found at http://www.ftch.com

ABOUT FREEDOM ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC:

Freedom Energy Holdings, Inc. (FDMF.PK) is a publicly traded company that specializes in the identification and development of technologies with commercial applications in the energy industry sector. Research has shown a completely new product SR-139 to be effective at breaking down asphalt shingles allowing the extraction and recovery of hydrocarbons. The company's original primary focus was the commercial development of its proprietary, heavy oil technology. KC 9000(R), a breakthrough technology, provides an effective system to enable heavy oil deposits to flow at ambient temperatures.

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FREEDOM ENERGY – Elaborates on the Air Quality Evaluation

Radical Danish Imam rethinks opposition to Mohammed cartoons and backs freedom of expression – Video

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Radical Danish Imam rethinks opposition to Mohammed cartoons and backs freedom of expression
Seven and a half years after the worldwide Danish cartoons crisis, Ahmed Akkari, a former Imam, now says the drawings were justified as free expression.

By: JewishNewsOne

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Radical Danish Imam rethinks opposition to Mohammed cartoons and backs freedom of expression - Video


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