Dealpolitik: Liberty Media Steps Up its Complex Dance with Sirius

John Malones Liberty Media is trying to get permission from the Federal Communications Commission to use its near majority ownership of Sirius XM Radio to take control of its board of directors. Since a tussle started in March, Sirius has opposed Liberty at the FCC and so far the FCC has rejected Liberty, basically because Liberty had not announced specific steps on its plans to effect the director election. Last week Liberty asked for reconsideration and announced some of those steps.

There is more to this dance than meets the eye. This is not about your normal struggle to control a company. Liberty has enough shares to effectively control Siriusonce the regulators give their blessing. And earlier this year, a standstill agreementwhich prohibited Liberty from trying to get more directors or otherwise control Siriusexpired.

Libertys move is probably the opening gambit in a process to harvest for Liberty shareholders the massive gain it has in its investment in Sirius. In return for loaning around half a billion dollars to Sirius when it was in dire straits during the global financial crisis, Liberty was given preferred stock convertible into 40% of the common stock of Sirius, as well as minority representation on the Sirius board.

Based on current market prices, Siriuss current market capitalization will be almost $12 billion when all those convertible securities are converted. If Liberty sold its shares now, that would be a lot of taxes to pay. And simply spinning off Sirius shares to Liberty shareholders would trigger even more taxesunless Liberty spent billions of dollars buying a lot more Sirius shares first.

But there are other transactionscomplex as they may bewhich could be used to separate Sirius from Liberty and even effect a sale of Sirius with no significant taxes. Although Sirius cannot be spun off in a tax efficient manner, Liberty could spin off its other businesses as a whole (think of it as New Liberty) and leave Sirius as pretty much the sole remaining asset of Old Liberty. And voila, Libertys shareholders have effectively received the Sirius shares without paying any taxes. And in one more wrinkle, it is possible that Sirius could be sold immediately thereafter without incurring tax as long as it was in a stock-for-stock merger. You may have read about this referred to as a Reverse Morris Trust transaction, named after an ancient tax case. Liberty has experience in this type of transaction as the DirecTV deal had some of these elements in it.

The problem is that these more complex transactions would require an extensive negotiation with the Sirius board. And because Liberty effectively controls Sirius (whether or not a majority of its directors are Liberty employees), Delaware law essentially requires Liberty to negotiate not with the full board, but with a committee of directors unrelated to Liberty.

So why is Liberty pushing so hard to get the FCC to let it grab a board majority? Because having control of a majority of the board could have significant practical implications even if Liberty couldnt cram a transaction down the boards throat. The whole dynamic of the negotiation can change once Malone has hands-on control of the company. Delaware law requires that independent directors still have the power to say no to a deal. But once Liberty has a majority of the board, it will have the power to control all other decisionsincluding what will happen if the independent directors cannot come to a deal with Liberty.

For example, the Liberty CFO appeared on CNBC last Friday and expressed support for current management. But then, in a very small shot across the bow, said that Liberty tends to make its weight known on issues relating to capital policy and that he expected Sirius to throw off a lot of cash in the future. That could be a sign that Liberty could decide to push for dividends or even a recapitalization if it does not get its way on a deal. As long as all shareholders are treated the same, Liberty could probably effect its will without the concurrence of those independent directorsonce it has a majority of the board.

At the moment it all seems to be about posturing. Liberty is trying to get itself into the best position it can to get what it will ultimately want, which is probably going to be a DirecTV type of transaction in which Liberty shareholders either receive the Liberty shares in Sirius or Sirius is sold in a tax efficient manner.

And the Sirius board has opposed Liberty so far apparently in an attempt to maximize its negotiating position.

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Dealpolitik: Liberty Media Steps Up its Complex Dance with Sirius

Pondexter leads Liberty over Dream

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) After the New York Liberty lost their first five games of the season, All-Star guard Cappie Pondexter found herself in totally unfamiliar territory.

''Being 0-5, I never experienced that before anywhere in any part of my career,'' Pondexter said. ''It was awful. I knew we had to turn things around.''

Pondexter scored 26 points to lead the Liberty to their second straight win, a 79-74 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night.

Pondexter took it upon herself to carry the Liberty to the victory, making clutch shots in the fourth quarter. Her driving goal with 8:29 left gave the Liberty the lead for good and her three-point play with 4:36 left pushed the lead to 70-66.

''We had to refocus the last couple of days after we lost five in a row,'' said Pondexter, who had nine points in the final period. ''It was just a case of me being aggressive. The important thing for us is to focus on what we need to do to win.''

Leilani Mitchell added 18 points in the victory.

''Of course, we knew we were a better team than 0-5,'' Mitchell said. ''But it's a long season and the league is so good. Any game could go either way. It was very frustrating to lose those five games, but we had to remain positive.''

Atlanta dropped to 2-4 after losing its second straight contest

Liberty head coach John Whisenant believes that the difference in his team is on the defensive end. Atlanta routed the Liberty 100-74 on May 25.

''We knew we had to defend better,'' Whisenant said. ''We surrendered 26 points less than when they hammered us. We struggled with our defense in the first five games, but we were better tonight. This is the way we have to play to be successful.''

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Pondexter leads Liberty over Dream

American Liberty Petroleum Corp. Provides Progress Update for Nevada-Based Cortez Operation

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

American Liberty Petroleum Corp. (OTCBB: OREO) (herein after "American Liberty" and/or "the Company") is pleased to provide a summary of the Company's recent progress on the Cortez Operation. The operation is located on the 3,840-acre Cortez lease in Gabbs Valley, Nye County, Nevada, and includes two wells: Cobble Cuesta 1-12 and Paradise 2-12.

In early May 2012, work resumed on the Paradise 2-12 well, including a fluid level test that indicated a 1920' fluid column in the well bore above the pump. Following the application of hot water and a new proprietary chemical formula treatment, the well produced additional fluid consisting of an oil/water mix. In total, approximately 29 barrels of crude was shipped to Foreland's Eagle Springs Refinery in neighboring White Pine County, representing the Company's second sale to Foreland. The BLM was also notified of the sale in order that the Company might secure "held by production" status on the Cortez lease.

The Company has continued to work with oil and gas consulting services firm Netherland, Sewell & Associates Inc. ("NSAI") to gather information toward determining next steps in the development of the Cortez operation. In particular, the Company is currently considering options that include:

1) Deepening the Cobble Cuesta 1-12 well

2) Deepening the Paradise 2-12 well

3) Drilling a new well based on information gained to date

4) Performing more seismic surveying prior to further exploration activities

NSAI is assisting the Company's assessment of all possible options by reviewing and evaluating the geological information currently available, and is providing American Liberty with their recommendations of the technical alternatives associated with each of the options, taking care to point out both the merits and potential challenges of each.

As of May 29, 2012, the Company had received an Authority For Expenditure (AFE) to re-enter the Cobble Cuesta 1-12 well, and an AFE to drill a new well in the Cortez lease. The AFEs act as budgetary documents that list the estimated expenses associated with the development activity in question: in the case of the well re-entry, an oil/gas well/re-enter with intermediate casing at 6000' and production casing at 8500', including perforate casing and frac; in the case of the new well, an oil/gas well with surface casing at 850', intermediate casing at 6000', and production casing at 8500', including perforate casing and frac.

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American Liberty Petroleum Corp. Provides Progress Update for Nevada-Based Cortez Operation

Sirius XM: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- One of my favorite quotes of all time comes from Sir Patrick Henry, who during a speech in 1775 said "Give me liberty or give me death." He said this in protest to what he felt was suppression or oppression of his beloved statesmen, and if Henry were a Wall Street analyst today, I suppose one can say he would be bullish on Liberty. I wonder how he would feel about the war being fought through the press between Liberty Media(LMCA) and Sirius XM(SIRI)?

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Sirius XM: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death

Maya Jasanoff wins Washington Book Prize for ‘Liberty’s Exiles’

Harvard history professor Maya Jasanoff won the George Washington Book Prize on Monday night for Libertys Exiles: American Loyalists in the Revolutionary World.

The annual award, which comes with $50,000, honors the previous years best book about Americas founding era. Libertys Exiles, published by Knopf, is the story of the losers in Americas struggle for independence: British loyalists who found themselves on the wrong side of history. Jasanoff describes how these exiles, who fled their lost colonies for Nova Scotia, West Africa and India, helped shape the future of the British Empire.

This is the second major honor for Libertys Exiles. In March, Jasanoff won the National Book Critics Circle Award for general nonfiction.

Adam Goodheart, director of Washington Colleges Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, which administers the prize, said, Jasanoff brings the past to life by putting readers in the shoes of these characters, from wealthy merchants to African American slaves.

James G. Basker, president of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, which funds the award, said, Libertys Exiles is a masterful combination of archival research and narrative storytelling. Jasanoff delivers brilliant insight into the lives and motives of the 60,000 loyalists who sought refuge around the world after independence, depicting the global impact of that mass exodus and providing a fresh and engaging perspective on the American Revolution.

A review in The Washington Post last year called Libertys Exiles an ambitious, empathetic and sometimes lyrical book.

The award ceremony Monday night at the George Washington museum at Mount Vernon also recognized two finalists: John Feas Was America Founded As a Christian Nation? (Westminster John Knox) and Benjamin H. Irvins Clothed in Robes of Sovereignty: The Continental Congress and the People Out of Doors (Oxford University).

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Maya Jasanoff wins Washington Book Prize for ‘Liberty’s Exiles’

USS Liberty Memorial Service Renews Calls of a Government Cover-Up

USS Liberty underway in the Chesapeake Bay on July 29, 1967, upon her return from the Mediterranean Sea.

Forty-five years ago, the USS Liberty was attacked in international waters by Israeli jet fighters and torpedo boats.

The attack killed 34 members of the crew, and wounded 174 more on board. Both U.S. and Israeli governments conducted inquiries about the incident, and decided the attack was a result of Israeli confusion about who the USS Liberty was.

Many veterans don't agree.

This Friday, a USS Liberty memorial service will be held at the graves of the Liberty victims at Arlington Cemetery, in part to remember, but also to accuse.

A Facebook page for the event asks supporters to sign a petition calling for a renewed investigation of the attack. The petition suggests a U.S. government cover up, noting that the U.S. initially dispatched aircraft to aid the wounded USS Liberty, but say they were later recalled.

The page also points supporters to reports on the incident from USS Liberty veterans, including a draft letter to Congress asking for a better investigation.

"They were ordered to be abandoned by two flights of Sixth Fleet rescue aircraft," alleges the letter. "Until these facts are acknowledged.... any attempt to honor those who were killed in service to the United States on the USS Liberty is incomplete."

This past Memorial Day, Sen. John McCain was heckled about the Liberty attack while speaking to a crowd in California. "What about the cover-up for Israel of the USS Liberty?!" the heckler shouted. He was promptly escorted out by Secret Service.

In 2004, documents on U.S. foreign policy during the USS Liberty incident were declassified and published in a trilogy. At the time, Harriet Schwar, editor of the trilogy, told the State Department her staff found no evidence the U.S. knew about Israel's orders to attack the USS Liberty.

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USS Liberty Memorial Service Renews Calls of a Government Cover-Up

Green Automotive to Join Forces with Liberty Electric Cars Limited

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Green Automotive Company (OTC:GACR) announced today that it has entered into detailed discussions with Liberty Electric Cars Limited (www.liberty-ecars.com), a UK-based developer of Electric Drive Trains, unique Battery Management Systems and provider of full support programs for all types of Electric vehicles. These discussions will lead to Liberty technology being used to convert conventional internal combustion engine driven vehicles into zero emission electric vehicles. Liberty, formed in 2006, was the first company in the world to successfully convert the Range Rover into a high speed pure electric 4x4 capable of 200 miles on a single charge and driven by 4 individual motors. The Liberty Electric Range Rover was hailed as the worlds best luxury EV in 2010 and provided the most telling example of the companys capabilities. Libertys expertise will serve as Green Automotives foundation for its expansion into the European Electric Vehicle market as well as provide the technology for the conversion activities planned for the North American market.

As I disclosed in several of our past public announcements, and in greater detail in our First Quarter March 31, 2012 Information and Disclosure Statement filed with OTCMarkets.com, said Fred Luke, President of Green Automotive Company, we have elected to not make the Companys primary business that of importing, performing the homologation, and then competing against a host of others now entering the market of retailing Electric Passenger Vehicles. Putting the last 2 years of import and homologation knowledge in the proper prospective, it is clear to us that our fastest and least expensive path to revenues from the Electric Vehicle (EV) will be to focus on the conversion of conventional internal combustion engine-driven vehicles of all types, particularly Mass-Transit and passenger vehicles which have already passed the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) tests, to make them into zero emission vehicles.

According to Mr. Luke, this move comes following disappointing test results during the homologation program and failing negotiations with Zotye for as to the Zotye Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). It was determined by management and our independent engineers, at Roush Industries, said Mr. Luke, that the Zotye SUV would struggle to pass the stringent crash tests required by the DOT, FMVSS and NIHSTA, without substantial expenditure and time. At which time the Company began seeking alternatives to replace the Zotye vehicles with automobiles that the Company could bring to market in a more expeditious and efficient manner.

On January 17, 2012 the Company announced that it signed a Letter of Intent pursuant to which it would join forces with Niyato Industries in an effort to accelerate the plans of both companies to bring domestically manufactured Electric Passenger Vehicles to the US market this year. However, Fords announcement that it would be rolling out its own line of EVs, beginning with the Focus and Fusion http://inhabitat.com/ford-announces-2012-ford-focus-electric-will-get-extra-2500-in-tax-credits-in-california/ made it very difficult for us to justify going any further with the Green Automotive-Niyato joint venture. In the process of due diligence on Niyato, the Companys management determined that it was not in its best interest to continue with Niyato as Niyato did not appear to have the immediate manufacturing facility for the proposed conversion of the vehicles it represented to have under contract to convert to EVs, nor did it have a prototype upon which to develop reasonable manufacturing costs, and it appeared to be under-capitalized to finance its plans, requiring the Green Automotive to provide the necessary capital.

Taking into consideration the costly and time consuming (24 to 36 months) efforts to move the Zotye Vehicles through the stringent import tests required by the DOT and NIHSTA, and the capital position of Niyato, negotiations with Niyato were put on hold and alternate solutions were sought.

The first of the Companys new partnership targets was Liberty Electric Cars Limited, a UK-based conversion and EV support company which currently designs, develops, manufactures and markets electric vehicle drive trains for use in its own converted vehicles and for sale to OEMs for incorporation into their production. Their focus is on larger platforms from 4x4 through to commercial vehicles, where they operate in a niche market with few competitors. Liberty Electric Cars Limited also supplies after sales support, training, and upgrades for electric vehicle users throughout Europe and Middle East.

Liberty, through its E-Tech division, is involved in a number of advanced research programs for developing next generation EV solutions, many in partnership with Tier 1 automotive manufacturers. The E-Tech engineering team can count over 2,500,000 miles of EV expertise, and were the first people to design and build a ground up electric truck. In addition, they own the UKs largest EV retail company, which has sold over 1400 electric vehicles and they supply, through their E-Care division, a comprehensive after-market EV support program throughout Europe for electric trucks and cars.

Their clients include such high profile names as UPS, Fed-ex, Navistar, Veolia, Tesco and many more.

In November 2010 Liberty entered and successfully completed the Royal Automobile Club's first annual "Future Car Challenge" where 2 Liberty Pure Electric Range Rovers drove from Brighton to London, with 5 people in each car including a film crew in one, ending with an exciting public display on Regent Street in the centre of London. In addition to Libertys expertise in engineering solutions for electric vehicles, and providing the most comprehensive after market program for electric cars and trucks, Liberty also offers a range of exciting electric transport solutions.

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Green Automotive to Join Forces with Liberty Electric Cars Limited

Dream-Liberty Preview

After losing their opening five games for the first time ever, the New York Liberty finally got in the win column their last time out behind a stifling defensive display.

They'll likely need to clamp down again with the Angel McCoughtry-led Atlanta Dream coming to town.

The Liberty look to make it two in a row Tuesday night against a Dream club trying to avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time in nearly a year.

Allowing an Eastern Conference-worst 85.5 points per game, New York (1-5) was outscored by an average of 17.4 during its winless start. It ended the skid with an 87-72 victory over Indiana in the back end of a home-and-home set Sunday.

Four-time WNBA All-Star Cappie Pondexter scored a season-high 25 points for the Liberty, who were blown out by the Fever 91-68 the night before.

"We were extra motivated, everybody was angry," Pondexter said. "We finally got a win under our belt. ... We're happy about it. Winning changes everything. (The win) feels awesome but it's a long season ahead of us. We just got to continue to keep going, staying positive with each other and just keep working.

"We made a lot of mistakes in our previous five games, where we knew we had the game and then lost it down the stretch. ... But (Sunday) we stuck together. I think that's a real positive."

New York held Indiana to 40.4 percent shooting and scored 27 points off 22 turnovers. The Liberty had forced an average of 12.8 turnovers during their losing streak.

"We got back to what gives us a chance to compete with anybody in the league, and that is our defense," coach John Whisenant said. "We had even distribution of our scoring. When we play defense harder, our offense is better."

The Liberty could be in for a tough test versus McCoughtry, whose 22.6 points per game rank second in the league.

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Dream-Liberty Preview

LIBERTY Dental Plan Introduces New Executive for Government Programs

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

LIBERTY Dental Plan (LIBERTY) is pleased to announced that Dave Meadows, a healthcare industry veteran, is joining the companys operations as Senior Vice President of Government Programs.

We are excited and honored to welcome Dave to our executive management, said Amir Neshat, CEO and founder of the Irvine-based dental benefits administrator. As LIBERTY continues to expand its business within the market of government sponsored plan we anticipate Daves knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our successfully delivering the highest quality of dental benefits to our members in government sponsored programs.

With over 19 years of specialized expertise in state health programs, Meadows will manage operations out of the greater Sacramento area by providing his experienced input on facilitating and developing public plans that will best serve populations for California and LIBERTYS national partners. His extensive career includes a term as Vice President of State Health Programs for Health Net, and time spent working directly for the California State Department as a Supervising Examiner responsible for financial regulation of contracting Health Care Service Plans. Meadows presently serves as a Board Member for the California Association of Dental Plans (CADP) and the California Department of Managed Health Cares Financial Solvency Standards Board.

Im thrilled to be joining such a dynamic company that has demonstrated its leadership in providing dental coverage to the government programs sector, said Meadows. Im excited about the opportunity we have to work on innovative, cost effective ways to continually improve the access and availability government program beneficiaries have to quality dental care.

About LIBERTY Dental Plan

LIBERTY Dental Plan specializes in commercial and government sponsored dental programs, providing services to managed care organizations, state governments, labor unions, large group employers, municipalities, and individuals. With a vast majority of its membership enrolled in government sponsored programs, LIBERTY is recognized as a specialist in administering dental care for Medicaid, SCHIP and Medicare beneficiaries. LIBERTY has a proven record of successfully increasing the utilization of quality dental care for multiple programs, ensuring that a larger portion of premiums are appropriated directly to care.

LIBERTY Dental Plan is also recognized as an industry leader in the area of Dental Disease Management. A member of The Care Continuum Alliance (carecontinuum.org), LIBERTY shares their commitment to promote high quality standards for and definitions of key components of wellness, disease, case management where appropriate, and care coordination programs as well as support services and materials.

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LIBERTY Dental Plan Introduces New Executive for Government Programs

Liberty 87, Fever 72

UpdatedJun 3, 2012 9:56 PM ET

The New York Liberty were fired up after a 23-point loss at Indiana the previous night gave them the longest winless start in franchise history.

Cappie Pondexter scored 25 points to lead the Liberty to an 87-72 victory over the Fever on Sunday night. Essence Carson had 16 points, Plenette Pierson added 14, Leilani Mitchell 13 and Kia Vaughn 10 for New York (1-5).

''We were extra motivated, everybody was angry,'' Pondexter said. ''We finally got a win under our belt. ... We're happy about it. Winning changes everything.''

The Liberty, who shot 44 percent (31 for 70), led by double digits from late in the second quarter until the Fever made a run down the stretch in the fourth.

After Vaughn's jumper with 6:20 to go put the Liberty ahead 75-58, matching its largest lead of the game, the Fever used a 12-2 run to pull within seven with 3:20 to go.

However, Pondexter scored nine points as the Liberty outscored the Fever 12-6 the rest of the way to seal the victory.

''I knew we weren't going to lose,'' Pondexter said. ''We made a lot of mistakes in our previous five games, where we knew we had the game and then lost it down the stretch. ... But today we stuck together. I think that's a real positive. ... I think any (opposing) team would have lost tonight.''

New York was 9 for 19 (47 percent) from beyond the arc and finished with 20 assists and 12 steals. After getting outscored by an average of 17.4 points in their first five games, the Liberty finished with their highest total of the season.

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Liberty 87, Fever 72

Pondexter leads Liberty past Fever for 1st win

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New York Liberty were fired up after a 23-point loss at Indiana the previous night gave them the longest winless start in franchise history.

Cappie Pondexter scored 25 points to lead the Liberty to an 87-72 victory over the Fever on Sunday night. Essence Carson had 16 points, Plenette Pierson added 14, Leilani Mitchell 13 and Kia Vaughn 10 for New York (1-5).

''We were extra motivated, everybody was angry,'' Pondexter said. ''We finally got a win under our belt. ... We're happy about it. Winning changes everything.''

The Liberty, who shot 44 percent (31 for 70), led by double digits from late in the second quarter until the Fever made a run down the stretch in the fourth.

After Vaughn's jumper with 6:20 to go put the Liberty ahead 75-58, matching its largest lead of the game, the Fever used a 12-2 run to pull within seven with 3:20 to go.

However, Pondexter scored nine points as the Liberty outscored the Fever 12-6 the rest of the way to seal the victory.

''I knew we weren't going to lose,'' Pondexter said. ''We made a lot of mistakes in our previous five games, where we knew we had the game and then lost it down the stretch. ... But today we stuck together. I think that's a real positive. ... I think any (opposing) team would have lost tonight.''

New York was 9 for 19 (47 percent) from beyond the arc and finished with 20 assists and 12 steals. After getting outscored by an average of 17.4 points in their first five games, the Liberty finished with their highest total of the season.

''We got back to what gives us a chance to compete with anybody in the league, and that is our defense,'' New York coach John Whisenant said. ''Everyone learned from last night. ... We had even distribution of our scoring. When we play defense harder, our offense is better.''

Tamika Catchings scored 19 points and Katie Douglas had 15 for the Fever (4-1). Briann January added 12 points and Shavonte Zellous 10.

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Pondexter leads Liberty past Fever for 1st win

Warner to Mount 'Liberty,' Show of Firsts

By RICKY CAMPBELL Register Citizen Staff

TORRINGTON Liberty, an upcoming musical at the Warner Theatre premiering on June 30, is a production of firsts and everyone involved isnt just content with that, but theyre rather excited.

Liberty will showcase the story of an immigrant girl coming from Paris, gathering outside influences ideals of what liberty is to them, and integrating their multiple thoughts into her own development. Its the first time the musical will see the light of day in its entirety, the first time its lead actress will be the focal point in her young career and its the first time Liberty will have the opportunity to push its cast and crew to their ultimate goal: a New York City stage.

On Thursday, cast and crew members of Liberty introduced themselves to Warner staffers, city officials and the public. After explaining the musicals premise, fine details and an opening, teasing number from its lead actress, Liberty cast members hit the stage for their first weekend of rehearsals.

The crew will spend their Thursdays through Saturdays leading up to the June 30 world premiere on the Torrington Main Street theatres stage, practicing their lines and developing their characters. When the show leaves the Warner Theatre after its final performance on July 12, the production, aiming for brighter lights and bigger venues, can look to Torrington as its jumping off point.

For some, it could be the initial catapult to a career under the lights.

For a first gig, this isnt too shabby, lead actress Madeline Brewer said with a smile Thursday following the warm welcome. Brewer, 20, graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York a week ago. Outside of her hometown theater in Pitman, New Jersey, Brewer said shes never landed the lead role.

On June 30, 2012, that will change for Brewer as she becomes the first actress to ever don the copper-turned-green wardrobe of Liberty an immigrant girl from France trying to make a life in 19th century America.

Liberty will hit the stage for the first time, creating a new draw, officials believe, for the different demographics of show-goers.

Youre building a relationship here and that relationship is with the Warner family, Warner Theatre Executive Director John Bonanni said to the group. When you leave, youre going to find yourself missing this place.

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Warner to Mount 'Liberty,' Show of Firsts

WNBA: Catchings, Fever cruise by winless Liberty

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Tamika Catchings scored 16 points to help the Indiana Fever defeat the New York Liberty 91-68 on Saturday night.

Roneeka Hodges scored 15 points, Jeanette Pohlen added 12 and Katie Douglas had 11 for Indiana (4-0). The Fever made 13 of 26 3-pointers while New York made 5 of 17. The Fever made 22 of 27 free throws and committed just 12 turnovers.

Indiana's reserves outscored New York's 52-18.

Plenette Pierson scored 24 points on 10-for-13 shooting for the Liberty (0-5). Cappie Pondexter, New York's leading scorer, finished with 13 points on 4-for-15 shooting. Pierson and Pondexter were the only Liberty players to score in double figures.

New York's past four losses have all been by double digits, by a combined 82 points. The teams play again Sunday at New York.

Indiana, which entered the game as the No. 2 scoring team in the league, shot 47 percent from the field.

The Fever shot just 6-for-19 from the field in the first quarter but made enough free throws to tie the score at 20 by the end of the period.

Indiana heated up in the second quarter making 10 of its 16 shots to take a 49-36 halftime lead. Catchings scored 14 points in the first half and Hodges scored eight off the bench in the second quarter. The Fever made 6-of-13 three-pointers in the first half.

New York cut Indiana's lead to nine points early in the third quarter before the Fever took control. A three-pointer by Shavonte Zellous pushed Indiana's lead to 60-45 and forced the Liberty to call a timeout.

Catchings disagreed with a foul call, then made contact with an official and was issued a technical foul. New York made all three free throws to cut Indiana's lead to 12.

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WNBA: Catchings, Fever cruise by winless Liberty

Fever-Liberty Preview

The Indiana Fever have matched the best start in franchise history.

The New York Liberty are off to their worst start, thanks in part to the Fever.

Indiana looks to set a club record by capitalizing on another matchup with the last-place Liberty and completing a sweep of a home-and-home set Sunday night at Prudential Center.

The Fever (4-0) are trying to prove they're contenders for a WNBA championship after falling to Atlanta in last season's Eastern Conference finals. They're certainly playing like contenders so far in 2012.

Indiana has tied its longest winning streak to open a season, achieved in both 2006 and 2007. Another meeting with New York (0-5) may be just what the Fever need to win a fifth straight.

They had little trouble with the Liberty on Saturday, rolling to a 91-68 home victory. Indiana made 13 of 26 3-pointers and nearly tripled New York in bench points, holding a 52-18 edge.

Indiana has lost its last two road games against the Liberty, including an 87-72 defeat Sept. 17 in Game 2 of the East semifinals. The Fever clinched the series with a victory at home two days later.

Tamika Catchings has totaled 11 points while shooting just 3 of 16 from the field the last two times the Fever have visited the Liberty, including a two-point effort in the playoff matchup.

The reigning WNBA MVP was much better at home against the Liberty on Saturday, scoring 14 of her 16 points in the first half. However, she was issued a technical after making contact with an official while arguing a foul call.

Averaging 19.8 points on the season, Catchings may be in for another strong performance since New York is being outscored by an average of 17.4 points during the worst start to a season in its franchise history.

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Fever-Liberty Preview

Liberty look to catch winning Fever

After the Liberty lost its opener, 78-73 to the Connecticut Sun in the Garden, coach John Whisenant said he liked his team. Judging by the way they have played, one must ask if the players like him.

The Liberty (0-4) is one of just three winless teams in the WNBA and the prospects for a first win are grim.

They play at the Indiana Fever (3-0), one of three undefeated teams, Saturday night (7 p.m, not on television). The teams then do it again Sunday night at the Prudential Center.

The Liberty have never opened a season 0-5. Worse, they have shown no signs of improving. After dropping the opener by five, the Liberty lost a rematch with the Sun in Connecticut by 15 (92-77). Then came an 18-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx, the defending WNBA champs. And the most recent loss was a 26-point blowout in Atlanta, 100-74, to the Dream.

No doubt the Liberty have played a brutally tough schedule. But this franchise, still searching for its first league title, has played tough schedules before.

This is Whisenants second season with the Liberty. The franchise believed one of the greatest players in womens basketball history Carol Blazejowski had taken the team as far as it could go. She was the GM from Day 1.

The Liberty went 19-15 last season and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The early part of the season was focused on learning Whisenants new systems. This season he incorporated some of former Knicks coach Mike DAntonis offense. But the Liberty is averaging just 71.5 points per game, third worst in the league. and they are dead last in point differantial (-16), allowing 87.5 points.

lenn.robbins@nypost.com

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Liberty look to catch winning Fever

Fever keep Liberty winless with rout

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Tamika Catchings scored 16 points to help the Indiana Fever defeat the New York Liberty 91-68 on Saturday night.

Roneeka Hodges scored 15 points, Jeanette Pohlen added 12 and Katie Douglas had 11 for Indiana (4-0). The Fever made 13 of 26 3-pointers while New York made 5 of 17. The Fever made 22 of 27 free throws and committed just 12 turnovers.

Indiana's reserves outscored New York's 52-18.

Plenette Pierson scored 24 points on 10-for-13 shooting for the Liberty (0-5). Cappie Pondexter, New York's leading scorer, finished with 13 points on 4-for-15 shooting. Pierson and Pondexter were the only Liberty players to score in double figures.

New York's past four losses have all been by double digits, by a combined 82 points. The teams play again Sunday at New York.

Indiana, which entered the game as the No. 2 scoring team in the league, shot 47 percent from the field.

The Fever shot just 6-for-19 from the field in the first quarter but made enough free throws to tie the score at 20 by the end of the period.

Indiana heated up in the second quarter making 10 of its 16 shots to take a 49-36 halftime lead. Catchings scored 14 points in the first half and Hodges scored eight off the bench in the second quarter. The Fever made 6 of 13 3-pointers in the first half.

New York cut Indiana's lead to nine points early in the third quarter before the Fever took control. A 3-pointer by Shavonte Zellous pushed Indiana's lead to 60-45 and forced the Liberty to call a timeout.

Catchings disagreed with a foul call, then made contact with an official and was issued a technical foul. New York made all three free throws to cut Indiana's lead to 12.

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Fever keep Liberty winless with rout

Liberty-Fever Preview

The Indiana Fever and New York Liberty have for the most part been regular participants in the Eastern Conference playoffs over the last several years.

While Indiana is hoping to finally realize its championship aspirations, New York likely needs to turn things around quickly if it plans to contend.

In a rematch of last season's conference semifinals, the unbeaten Fever look to match their best start in franchise history Saturday night against the visiting Liberty, who try to avoid opening 0-5 for the first time in the opener of this home-and-home set.

Coming off its seventh consecutive postseason appearance, Indiana (3-0) looks primed to make a deep run in 2012. Led by reigning league MVP Tamika Catchings, the Fever are enjoying their best start since winning their first four games in both 2006 and 2007.

"I want to win a championship," she said. "For me, every single game, every single practice is about trying to help this team get better and get closer to our final goal."

While Indiana has its sights set on winning it all, New York is just hoping to get in the win column.

After making the playoffs six of the last eight years, it's safe to say the Liberty have their work cut out. New York was blown out 100-74 at Atlanta on May 25, matching their 0-4 start from 2006 when they went a franchise-worst 11-23.

"To be honest, tonight might have been one of the worst performances of my career, but I am staying positive," said Cappie Pondexter, who scored a team-high 18 points. "I am upset inside and I need to do a personal assessment, but we have (a few) days off to come back with a new mindset."

The Fever split four regular-season matchups with the Liberty last season before knocking them out of the playoffs and ultimately falling to Atlanta in the conference finals. Indiana, though, posted its second win over the Dream this season Sunday by 78-62 score.

Catchings had a game-high 25 points to go along with 12 rebounds and Katie Douglas scored 16 for the Fever, who had to battle back from an early 11-point deficit. Although Indiana had little issue the rest of the way, Catchings knows her team needs to bring it from the opening tip.

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Liberty-Fever Preview

Liberty Silver Issues 650,000 Shares in Satisfaction of Contractual Obligation

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire -06/01/12)- Liberty Silver Corp. (LSL.TO)(LBSV) ("Liberty Silver" or the "Company") announces that it has issued 650,000 common shares in satisfaction of a previously disclosed contractual obligation. Further to its press release dated December 21, 2011 announcing the closing of an equity financing that included the issuance by the Company of 6,500,000 subscription receipts ("Subscription Receipts"), Liberty Silver granted to holders of Subscription Receipts certain U.S. registration rights whereby the Company agreed to issue one additional common share for each ten (10) Subscription Receipts in the event that the Company had not registered the securities underlying the Subscription Receipts by May 31, 2012.

About Liberty Silver Corp.

Liberty Silver Corp. is focused on exploring and developing mineral properties located in North America. A skilled, experienced, management team and board of directors with significant experience managing exploration, development and mining projects lead the Company. The Company is committed to creating value for its shareholders by advancing its current projects utilizing its mitigated risk approach to production, developing new resources on its current properties, and by acquiring new properties that have the potential to increase their resource base. The Trinity Silver project, located in Pershing County, Nevada is the Company's flagship project. Liberty Silver has the right to earn a joint venture interest in the 10,476 acre Trinity property from Renaissance Gold Inc. ("Renaissance") pursuant to the terms of an Earn-In Agreement. Renaissance acquired its rights to the Trinity property from Newmont USA Limited, a Delaware corporation, doing business in Nevada as Newmont Mining Corporation ("Newmont"), and the Company is indirectly subject to the rights and obligations of Renaissance under its agreement with Newmont.

This press release is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sales of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

Forward-Looking Statements

This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company's mineral properties, and the Company's financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with the activities of the Company; and other matters discussed in this news release. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Toronto Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

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Liberty Silver Issues 650,000 Shares in Satisfaction of Contractual Obligation

Liberty takeover of Sirius could cost Karmazin CEO job

It could be curtains for Karmazin.

John Malones Liberty Media told regulators yesterday it wants to take control of Sirius XM Radio which could put Liberty CEO Greg Maffei in perfect position to run the satellite broadcaster.

That means that Mel Karmazin, the current CEO of Sirius, who famously chafes at being a No. 2, could be headed out the door after more than seven years atop the New York-based company.

Karmazin was the second banana at Viacom but made it clear he didnt like working under chairman Sumner Redstone.

Karmazin, 68, could be tempted to walk after his contract expires Dec. 31 if Liberty is successful in its appeal to the Federal Communications Commission.

Christopher Peterson/BuzzFoto.co

John Malone of Liberty Media is pulling out all the stops in his latest bid to take over Sirius XM, which is run by Mel Karmazin (above), the longtime Gotham-based media boss.

Greg is sick of being a portfolio manager, said a source close to the Liberty Media boss, who oversees a host of companies including Starz, Live Nation, Barnes & Noble and Sirius XM Radio.

Liberty has praised Karmazins management ability and are not seen as aching to push him out but the question is: Will Mel want to stay?

Liberty did not return a call for comment. Sirius declined comment.

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Liberty takeover of Sirius could cost Karmazin CEO job