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‘Sick From Freedom’ by Jim Downs, About Freed Slaves

The Freedom Hall Civic Center auditorium was a full house Saturday as thousands of Jehovahs Witnesses from Western North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, parts of Kentucky and West Virginia piled inside for their annual convention.

This years convention started Friday afternoon, kicking off the events theme of Safeguard Your Heart!

Zack Self, program overseer for the convention, said the talks focused on the figurative heart.

It has a lot more to do with your emotions, the actions, the things that make you do what you do, Self said. The idea is that you identify the influences, the risks, the threats, the opportunities and then see if you cant help to be more successful in your spiritual life, as well as your other life.

The audience was attentive as speakers took the podium to discuss topics of the heart and then assimilating those topics to scripture. While participants moved freely throughout the auditorium, many sat and listened with their Bibles and notepads in their laps.

Some of the topics discussed Saturday ranged from showing generosity, forgiving one another freely and listening to those who love you from the heart.

Jehovahs Witnesses make trips annually to big conventions like this one and they view it to be a peaceful place to gather with people who share their faith.

We see each other maybe once a year at these conventions and its like a big reunion, he said. If you appreciate spiritual things, this is a gift. Its peaceful, its relaxing, its comforting, its reassuring because you have other folks who care like you do. Families feel comfortable, children feel comfortable together, so its a spiritual haven.

Self said by Saturday the convention had brought in around 3,500 people and they anticipate to have had around 3,800 when it closes this afternoon.

Late Saturday morning, people made their way to the Freedom Hall pool to observe the baptism and ordination of seven members. Jehovahs Witnesses believe baptism not only confirms spiritual beliefs, but also ordains believers as ministers who will help spread the word of Jehovah and his son, Jesus Christ.

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Witnesses at Freedom Hall for convention

FREEDOM MEANS different things to different people. To some, it may mean democracy and free and honest elections. To others, it may mean respect for human rights and the rule of law. And to some others, freedom from hunger and want.

On Tuesday, june 12, we mark the 114th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence. And still the question haunts us all: what, dear readers, does FREEDOM mean to you?

We ask you now to answer the question Ano ang Kalayaan para sa iyo? with a single photograph you believe captures best the essence of freedom. Even better, you might please send it to us so we can share it online.

Is Freedom the flying of flags and the rituals held every year on June 12 at the Rizal Park in Manila and at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite? Or is it, more than the ceremonies of state, some things we have and want to find at school, work, and home, in our daily lives?

Grab your camera or phone and freeze-frame the image of Freedom in your mind! Other than the speeches, the pomp, and the routine, capture the day with a photo that speaks a thousand more thoughts about Freedom!

Your photo need not focus on the parades alone. Neither does it have to be shot in the Philippines only, or on June 12 itself. For all we know, you may be in Afghanistan or Angola or Arroceros in Manila, and thats all right. All we ask is that you take the photo yourself, and express yourself in it.

Heres how you can contribute your photos:

Starting June 11, Monday, you may post Freedom photos on your favorite online image hosting services (Twitpic, Instagram, Flickr, Tumblr, etc.) and share them with us, so we can share them with our fellow readers. You may share them through Twitter.com by using the #anoangkalayaan hashtag and well take it from there.

We ask that you place your watermark, if any, on the lower right corner of your image for uniformitys sake. Also please make sure that the watermark does not in any way diminish the beauty and message of your photo. If possible, ensure that your uploads are at least 900 pixels wide so it can be viewed better in larger screens.

We will upload the most compelling photos on the PCIJ institutional blog, http://www.pcij.or/blog, with full credit to their authors. We will begin sharing your photos on Tuesday, June 12, Independence Day.

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Ano ang Kalayaan para sa iyo? Shoot, post a pic for Freedom!

Photo by Kyle Kurlick // Buy this photo

Nancy Webster bows her head in prayer during the rally. Attendees say the health care mandate is not only an attack on employers but on their freedom to say no to something they believe is wrong.

Few Downtown Memphis workers stopped for the lunchtime rally on Friday.

But that didn't dampen the zeal of the approximately 150 people who took part in the Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally at Civic Center Plaza on North Main.

The gathering, one of 160 events in other U.S. cities, was in protest of the Affordable Care Act's Health and Human Services Mandate which requires faith-based employers like schools and hospitals to provide contraceptives and other forms of reproductive care.

"This campaign is about stirring the whole community in a grass-roots effort to mobilize people to stand up for the freedom of religion," said organizer Kent Pruett.

Attendees say the mandate was not just an attack on employers but on their freedom to say no to something they believe is wrong.

"It's an infringement upon the freedom of conscience and as far as I'm concerned the freedom of conscience is the big thing," said Stan Schulz of Germantown. "That pertains not only to health and human services, that pertains to abortions, where you can send your children to school, where you go to church, where you can hold rallies like this. It pertains to many different things."

The First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a state religion, prohibits laws that inhibit the free exercise of religion and guarantees the right to free speech.

And while we often hear about free speech, it is worth noting that freedom of religion is mentioned first in the First Amendment, said speaker Paul Houghland, the Family Action Council of Tennessee's director of community relations for Shelby County and West Tennessee.

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Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally protests health care mandate

Hundreds of South Floridians braved heat and afternoon downpours Friday to attend "Stand Up for Religious Freedom" rallies, part of a nationwide protest against a health-care mandate that would require birth control coverage.

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'Religious freedom' ralliers protest health-care mandate

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One of the many controversial cartoons drawn by Aseem Trivedi. Photo: Aseem Trivedi

"65 years since your independence," a new battle for freedom is under way in India according to a YouTube video uploaded by an Indian member of Anonymous, the global "hacktivist" movement.

With popular websites like Vimeo.com blocked across India by court order, the video calls for action: "Fight for your rights. Fight for India." Over the past several weeks, the group has launched distributed denial-of-service attacks against websites belonging to internet service providers, government departments, India's Supreme Court, and two political parties.

Street protests are being planned for today in as many as 18 cities to protest laws and other government actions that a growing number of Indian internet users believe have violated their right to free expression and privacy online.

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A lively national internet freedom movement has grown rapidly across India since the beginning of this year.

The most colourful highlight so far was a seven-day Gandhian hunger strike, otherwise known as a "freedom fast," held in early May on a New Delhi pavement by political cartoonist Aseem Trivedi and activist-journalist Alok Dixit. Trivedi's website was shut down this year in response to a police complaint by a Mumbai-based advocate who alleged that some of Trivedi's works "ridicule the Indian Parliament, the national emblem, and the national flag."

Escalating political and legal battles over internet regulation in India are the latest front in a global struggle for online freedom not only in countries like China and Iran where the internet is heavily censored and monitored by autocratic regimes, but also in democracies where the political motivations for control are much more complicated.

Democratically elected governments all over the world are failing to find the right balance between demands from constituents to fight crime, control hate speech, keep children safe, and protect intellectual property, and their duty to ensure and respect all citizens' rights to free expression and privacy. Popular online movements many of them globally interconnected are arising in response to these failures.

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India's struggle for online freedom

The United States and the Philippines on Friday called for freedom of navigation in the tense South China Sea as the White House offered a robust show of support for President Benigno Aquino.

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Obama backs Philippines on sea freedom

June 7, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom FLORENCE, KY- Offense was not much of a factor for the second straight night thanks to the pitching of the Freedom's Daniel DeSimone and the Rascals' Preston Vancil. Florence, however, scratched enough runs off of River City's pitching staff, taking the second game of the series, 2-1.

For the second game in a row, pitching and defense commanded the game, as the runs were very limited. Florence's Daniel DeSimone made his third start of the year and first start at home. He was very good, as he allowed just one run on four hits in five innings of work.

The Freedom scored first when CF Cole Miles led off the bottom of the 1st inning with a single. Miles then stole 2nd and came around to score on a single by RF Peter Fatse. The one run he allowed came in the top of the 4th inning when DH Jason Patton scored on a double by 3B Josh Workman.

Manager Fran Riordan wanted to get his bullpen some work after not calling to them once the night before. After only tossing 55 pitches, DeSimone was taken out as RHP Matt Kline entered the ballgame to start the bottom of the 6th. Kline tossed two scoreless innings, striking out two and giving up just one hit. River City's Preston Vancil, a righty that pitched for the freedom from 2009-2011, had a good outing as well, allowing just one run on five hits in seven innings.

Submarine RHP Nick Kennedy entered the game in the 8th. With the game tied at 1-1, Kennedy got a quick two outs as Peter Fatse reached first as he bounced into a fielder's choice. Fatse then stole 2nd as 1B Eddie Rodriguez was at bat. On a 1-0 count, Rodriguez swung at a high fastball and popped it straight up. All the infielders came rushing towards the pitcher's mound to catch the popup, but the ball ended up falling the turf as no one took charge. Running on the pitch, Fatse came all the way around to score as Rodriguez was credited with an RBI-single.

Closer Jorge Marban entered the game in the top of the 9th and earned his 4th save of the season as punched out two in the inning. Brennan Flick, who pitched a scoreless 8th, came away with the victory, while the losing pitcher was River City's Nick Kennedy.

The Freedom go for the sweep against the Rascals tomorrow night at 7:05 pm, as Maxx Catapano (1-0) will face River City's Chandler Barnard(0-0) at the Home of the Florence Freedom.

Discuss this story on the Frontier League message board... Digg this story Add to Del.icio.us

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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Freedom Takes Second of Three from Rascals in Pitcher's Duel

A dog looks at a sea turtle returning to the Mediterranean Sea after it was set free by the Israeli Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in the coastal town of Palmachim, south of Tel Aviv.

Excerpt from:

Escort to freedom

Narconon Freedom Center in Michigan is seeking additional certification to improve service. To this end they have started working with the nationally recognized Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).Albion, MI (PRWEB) June 08, 2012 Narconon Freedom Center in Michigan, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, is seeking additional certification to improve the ...

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Narconon Freedom Center In Michigan Seeks Additional Certification With CARF

BEIJING, China - Suddenly the guard posts came down and the hired toughs who manned them melted away, restoring an air of freedom this week to a village that authorities turned into a prison to keep blind activist Chen Guangcheng under house arrest for nearly two years.

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Lights off, cameras down, guards gone: Freedom returns to village of Chinese blind activist

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Freedom honour for Lord Laird

By Katherine Evangelista INQUIRER.net

Senator Gringo Honasan

MANILA, Philippines Despite the Senates failure to pass the Peoples Ownership of Government Information (POGI) bill (formerly called the Freedom of Information bill) before adjourning for sine die on Wednesday, Senator Gregorio Honasan II remained confident that the bill will be taken up when session resumes in July.

During the Kapihan sa Senado media forum, Honasan, who is the chairman of the committee on public information and mass media, said that he is happy with the pace of the passing of the bill which is in the period of interpellation in the Senate while they await the House version.

I hope when session resumes after SONA (State-of-the-Nation Address) in July, or the last Monday of July, [we will be able to deliberate on it]. Im confident that we will do this as expeditiously as possible, he said.

Honasan said that Senator Allan Peter Cayetano will also deliver his co-sponsorship speech for the POGI bill.

The bill has been pending in the Senate for several months after they had to wait for the Malacaang version of the measure, Honasan said.

The Senator explained that the bill was probably not given enough attention and priority by Malacaang.

In fact this has never been certified as urgent so thats what we are asking for: to identify the national priorities so we would know [what to tackle first], Honasan told reporters.

Nevertheless, Honasan said that they have received the Palace version and has consolidated their amendments with the Senates version.

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Freedom of Information bill to be taken up in July — Honasan

Freedom-South Ridings dizzying season of firsts might have been done in by an odd play at third Wednesday night in a 3-2 loss to Kellam in the Virginia AAA baseball quarterfinals at Old Dominion University in Norfolk.

The Eagles had the potential tying run on third with one out in the top of the sixth, and Coach Jason Treon was about to send senior pinch runner Nick Plesce home on a one-out sacrifice fly to left. But Treon touched Plesce, an interference call that resulted in an automatic out that ended the inning.

It would have been bang-bang at the plate, Treon said. Nick went back to tag right away. I got a little too close communication-wise and got tangled up.

Freedom, the first Loudoun County team to advance to the state tournament, went down in order in the seventh.

We have a group of seven seniors who should be proud of themselves for helping put our program on the map, said Treon, whose team won the Cedar Run District regular season and tournament championships in its first year of AAA competition.

The Eagles (18-8) won nine straight games before ending their season with consecutive losses, to Hylton in the Northwest Region final and then to Kellam, a team they out-hit, 7-3.

Freedom took a 1-0 lead on the Eastern Region champions in the top of the first on an RBI double by junior Colin Dean. The Eagles squandered a leadoff double by senior Matt Malacane in the top of the fourth when he was retired at third on a sacrifice bunt, but they got another double by Malacane with one out in the sixth. Junior Zach Newell then walked and junior Kevin Dean singled to make it 3-2.

Kellam (25-2) advanced to face James River (19-7) in a state semifinal at 7 p.m. Friday at Westfield. Lake Braddock (24-3) and Hylton (21-4) will meet in a semifinal at 3 p.m. Friday.

The championship is at 3 p.m. Saturday at Westfield.

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Virginia AAA baseball tournament: Freedom-South Riding falls to Kellam after unusual interference call

Israel has always touted a national respect for freedom of religion in a region where religious intolerance runs high. But ever since its founding, the Jewish state has nonetheless sanctioned discrimination – against Jews.

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Israel moves to improve religious freedom – for Jews

CHICAGO —The Freedom to Read Foundation ( FTRF ), via its Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund , has announced eight $1,000 grants to libraries, schools and other organizations in support of Banned Books Week events.

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Freedom to Read Foundation announces eight Judith Krug Fund grants for Banned Books Week events

Washington-based Freedom House think tank warned on Wednesday of rising antidemocratic tendencies in Hungary and Ukraine that have the potential to take root elsewhere in the region.

Negative developments in Hungary and Ukraine are at the forefront of an antidemocratic trend in Central and Eastern Europe that raises serious questions about the durability of the European Unions young democracies, Freedom House said in the Nations in Transit 2012 report.

According to the report, Ukraine, which saw a brief democratic opening after the Orange Revolution in 2004, has suffered significant decline in an alarmingly short period of time.

Under the Yanukovych government, Ukraines Nations in Transit ratings worsened in five categories year on year, with a steep decline in judicial framework and independence and an overall democracy score that is rapidly approaching its preOrange Revolution level, the report said.

Freedom House warned that the negative trend in Ukraine, along with a steep decline of the overall democracy score in a number of EU aspirants in the Balkans, may jeopardize the prospects for widening the circle of democratic states in Europe.

The details of the report will be released later on Wednesday at the Legatum Institute in London, and on June 7 in Brussels in cooperation with the German Marshall Fund.

Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world, and advocates for democracy and human rights.

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Freedom House Blasts Hungary, Ukraine for Poor Democracy

SALEM -- Salem Hills High senior Emily Hedelius won first place in the Freedom Festival Speech contest sponsored by the Freedom Festival. Her speech, entitled "Called to Service," pays homage to sacrifices and acts of service that many early revolutionists made for our country. This service, she says, is required to repair the apathetic and entitled nature of many of America's youth.

With first place, Hedelius also won a prize of a $750 scholarship and will give her speech in front of an estimated 3,000 people at the Patriotic Fireside at UVU's UCCU Center at 7 p.m. July 1.

Hedelius first posted her speech on YouTube according to contest rules. Then on May 5, the six finalists performed their speeches in front of a panel of judges. After some time deliberating, Hedelius was informed that she ranked in first place.

"The United States was founded on principles of selfless service for the greater good, even if it meant that one's own life was in jeopardy," said Hedelius in the award-winning speech.

One of the heroes she spoke of was Sgt. Richard Kirkland, who was a Confederate soldier during the Civil War. After a battle on Marye's Heights, there were 8,000 wounded Union soldiers suffering on the battlefield. Kirkland requested permission to help the dying men, and though he was denied, he bravely chose to go anyway at the risk of his own life. He later earned the nickname, "The Angel of Marye's Heights" by both the Confederate and Union soldiers.

"I picked the topic, because I've always loved the story of Sgt. Richard Kirkland, and I saw the quote by Abraham Lincoln in Mr. Welton's classroom. I took those two and wrote a speech about it," Hedelius said.

Hedelius's speech also highlighted the efforts of Clara Barton, the wartime nurse who founded the American Red Cross in the 1800s and Betsy Ross, who sewed the first American flag in 1776 despite personal struggles that could have prevented her from serving. These acts of service for the nation impacted Hedelius greatly.

"Since I have learned about how much people have sacrificed for our flag, it troubles me to see how people now are so unwilling to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance," she said.

Hedelius goes on to express her anguish about the resistance against the recent bill to have the Pledge recited every day in Utah schools. Hedelius was shocked at the response that people might feel offended by the Pledge; she sees it as an opportunity to restore patriotism among the youth, many of whom she claims had fallen into a "pit of ingratitude and apathy."

Service, Hedelius believes, is the best way to for American citizens to "repair damages" and "regain grounds lost from apathy."

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Salem student wins Freedom Festival Speech contest

Freedom High School will host a golf tournament at June 11 at Shadow Lakes Golf Course in Brentwood.

The event starts at 9 a.m. and costs $110 per golfer or $400 for a foursome. Lunch, range balls and a gift bag are included. All profits benefit the Freedom Athletics Program.

Freedom is also preparing for its youth tennis camps for elementary, junior high and high school students, which runs Fridays through Sundays from June 18 to July 12. Sessions for kids in grades one through eight are held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Sessions for high schoolers run from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m.

The camp costs $40 per week. Participants must bring four unopened containers of tennis balls. Registration forms are available at Freedom High School, 1050 Neroly Road in Oakley. For more information, visit http://www.libertyunion.schoolwires.net/freedom/ or call 925-625-5900, ext. 3044.

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Freedom hosts golf, tennis

Freedom High School's 459-member class of 2012 graduated tonight at Lehigh University's Stabler Arena in Bethlehem.

The valedictorian was Alexa S. Curto, daughter of Carl and Karen Curto, of Bethlehem Township. Alexa plans to attend Johns Hopkins University.

Tonight's student speakers were Paul Skersis, son of Victor and Mary Skersis, of Bethlehem, and senior class President John Buchner, son of Thomas and Diane Buchner, of Bethlehem Township. Paul plans to attend Lehigh University in the fall. John will attend the University of Pittsburgh.

The faculty chosen speaker was Courtney Barrow, daughter of Thomas and Audrey Barrow, of Bethlehem Township. Courtney will be attending Penn State University.

Here is a list of the Freedom 2012 graduates:

Crystal Abreu Daphne Abreu Teshanna Kiyona Adams Haroon Ahmad Charles J. Alercia Tyler Richard Alicea Nicole Elizabeth Allen Okezie Justin Alozie Alexa Britton Alpaugh Karina Daliz Anaya Hailey Noelle Anderegg Chelsea Irene Andreadis Diana Marie Andujar NTashia Ariel Arzola-Dorsey Jordan Eric Asteak Taylor Jean Autenrieth Tiana Lynette Baker David Barylski Courtney Lynn Barrow Victoria Kay Bast Dedrea K. Becker Joshua Rui Melo-Becker Ryan Christopher Bell Jorge Armando Berberena Jennifer Christine Betzler Uriel Bibiano Adam T. Bieniek Sarah Elizabeth Bilheimer Cameron Blake Joseph Anthony Bonavita Victoria Darlene Bonners Erik Peter Bornako Janine Marie Boye Jack Phineas Boylan Julie Michelle Boylan Lisa Nicole Brinker Ayana Marie Brown Sydney Shanelle Brown Kirk Douglas Bryant John Thomas Buchner Frank Joseph Bucsi Robert Earl Buller Kayla Nicole Burgess Trasonya Janell Burton Erika G. Bustos Brendan Carl Buttillo Carol Ann Byrnes Sasha Estyvalis Calderon Kayree Adara Cannon Alayla Cantres Molly Elizabeth Capuano Jose Miguel Caraballo Amanda Catherine Ann Carman Nicole Danielle Caronia Matthew Robert Carraghan Carlos Manuel Carvalho Daniela F. Carvalho Harrison Clark Case Jason-Tadd Bernardo Catelo Valeria Jackeline Ceron Jordan Marie Chandler Kory Raynard Cherry Anthony Joseph Chiz Jacqueline June Clarke Sad Monique Cole Robyn Marie Collette Angelene Noelle Colon Edwin J. Colon Jessiel R. Colon Joel Lee Coln Reynaldo Coln Kristina Renee Conaway William Robert Cook III Abigail Frances Cooke Quentin Thomas Cornelius David Philip Corvino Mariely Cosme Resto Dalilah Janese Cotto Jahad Tariq Crowell Alexis Danielle Cruz Christian A. Cruz Samuel Alexander Cruz Yaritza E. Cruz Daniel James Csakai Bryan K. Cuadra Shannon Kiyoko Curran Alexa S. Curto Steven Joseph DAprile Sean Kenneth Dahlinger Keith Richard Davies Cal Stephan Davis Cody Jack Davis Abigail E. Deely Kyle Deon Dees Angel Luis DeJesus Jr. Rotceh Marie DeJesus-Mndez Leo Patrick Delima Lauren DeLorenzo Joseph DeMarco Caitlyn Marie Denson John Daniel Saldajeno DePadua Derek John Detweiler Angie Elisa Diaz Francisco J. Diaz Brianna Chanel Dickey Brandon Dilts Jarrod Michael Dilts Jonathan Tyler Dobyan Cheyna Tatiana Dodson Alison Marie Dody Krystal Nicole Domin Isaac Dones-Medina Kelsey Barbara Dorrity Shanice Adrian Dowridge Leslie A. Duarte Joseph Darrill Dupree Demira Shannon Dwyer Alicia Joyce Eckhoff Eric Thomas Edmonds Kellee Rie Edmund Robert Joseph Edwards Zachary Thomas Ehret Ashley Amanda Eichlin Alexis Chantee Elicier Kaitlyn Elizabeth Eller Eddie Clayton Elliott II Hassan Elsayed Alexander Joon Erney Juwan Evander Ernst Ali Erkon Eser Terrence James Etheridge Elizabeth Charlotte Evans Lexy Marie Evans

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Freedom High School graduates class of 2012