Freedom from Religion Foundation threatens suit against Union Co.

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by WCNC.com Staff

WCNC.com

Posted on May 6, 2013 at 12:47 PM

Updated yesterday at 12:50 PM

UNIONCOUNTY, N.C. -- Union County leaders could soon be facing a lawsuit over how they start County Commission meetings.

A group called The Freedom from Religion Foundation is warning the county to drop the opening prayer or face a lawsuit.

It's a topic Rowan County leaders are familiar with. The County Commission has been sued by the ACLU over its Christian prayers before meetings.

The Wisconsin-based nonprofit foundation set their sights on Union County in February after receiving complaints from a local resident. FFRF says Union County leaders never responded to their initial letter demanding the commissioners end the practice of opening their meetings with prayer.

Union County board Chair Jerry Simpson told the Charlotte Observer that commissioners take turns offering the invocation, or they designate someone to do it for them, such as a local pastor. Spirituality, he says, is a part of the lives of a huge majority of county residents, and they appreciate that commissioners make prayer part of their meeting.

Commissioner Jonathan Thomas says Union County residents knew his valuesand those of his fellow commissioners when they voted them into office.

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Freedom from Religion Foundation threatens suit against Union Co.

NZ: 'Media Freedom Worrier' Stirs Lively Response

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NZ: 'Media Freedom Worrier' Stirs Lively Responses to Press Threats Speech

http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/nz-media-freedom-worrier-stirs-lively-responses-press-threats-speech-8281

Anna Magavu

AUCKLAND (Pacific Media Centre / Pacific Media Watch): Media commentators, media freedom advocates, journalists and academics welcomed New Zealand's inaugural UNESCO World Press Freedom Day speech with searching questions and lively debate.

Professor Mark Pearson, author of The Journalist's Guide to Media Law, had voiced concern at the high levels of digital surveillance facing journalists today and he urged journalists to adopt a new ethical model of reporting for social good.

Dr Pearson, professor of journalism and social media at Griffith University in Australia and the Australian correspondent for Reporters Without Borders, delivered the inaugural WPFD lecture on Friday, May 3, organised by AUTs Pacific Media Centre.

He said the lack of press freedom in the Asia-Pacific region was well documented with media in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Fiji needing government licences to operate, and journalists in Malaysia facing 53-year-old internal security laws under which they could be detained for long periods for prejudicing national security.

But Dr Pearson added his concerns were not limited to these cases, and that his major worry was the ever-increasing government regulation of media and social media everywhere, including the anti-terror laws introduced all over the world since 9/11, modelled on the US Patriot Act.

These laws typically give intelligence agencies unprecedented powers to monitor the communications of all citizens. There is also an inordinate level of surveillance, logging and tracking technologies in use in the private sector often held in computer clouds or multinational corporate servers in jurisdictions subject to search and seizure powers of foreign governments Dr Pearson said.

This had disturbing implications for journalists protection of their confidential sources, especially if these sources were government or corporate whistleblowers, he added.

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NZ: 'Media Freedom Worrier' Stirs Lively Response

Freedom of information expansion delayed

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UPEI has its own freedom of information system, says Justice Minister Janice Sherry, and may not need to be included under legislation. (CBC)

P.E.I. municipalities and post-secondary schools won't be included under the province's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act any time soon, says Justice Minister Janice Sherry.

In January, Sherry said she was thinking about adding municipalities, the university and colleges to the act. Charlottetown, Summerside and Cornwall all told CBC News they had no serious objections.

UPEI has an administrator who handles freedom of information requests, but if that person denies the request there's no recourse.

The issue has taken on a new urgency for some, as the university struggles with how to deal with a $9 million deficit that will affect students, staff and faculty.

"The faculty association membership would be very interested in knowing what the salary of the university president is, what the salary of senior administrators is," said UPEI faculty association president Betty Jeffery.

"That information would be available if freedom of information Legislation applied to the university sector."

Sherry said since UPEI has its own system it may not have to be included under the act. P.E.I. and New Brunswick are alone amongst Canadian provinces in not including post-secondary institutions under freedom of information laws.

As for municipalities, Sherry said there is more work to be done.

"There is a duty to consult and to get feedback and that's exactly what the department is in the process of doing," she said.

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Freedom of information expansion delayed

Michele Bachmann May Face Lawsuit Over 'Religious Freedom in The Military' Campaign

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Rep. Michelle Bachmann, R- Minn., is facing a possible lawsuit for fundraising off of claims that the military was persecuting practicing Christian soldiers.

A series of media reports that allege thePentagon could startcourt-martialingsoldiers for their Christian faith has been debunked by the fact-checking websitePolitiFactand eventhe Pentagon itself.

But that didn't stop Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., from sending out a fundraising email Monday asking supporters to sign a "Protect Religious Freedom in the Military Pledge," along with a plea for donations to her campaign so she can "have the funds necessary to continue fighting for religious liberty and our troops."

[PHOTOS: Christians Around the World Celebrate Good Friday]

Now, the man at the center of the court-martial allegations, Mikey Weinstein, says he may sue Bachmann for "propagating complete and utter lies."

It was Weinstein, a former Reagan administration lawyer and founder of the civil rights advocacy group Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), who allegedly influenced the Pentagon to punish Christians who pushed their faith on other members of the military, according to media reports. Weinstein met privately with Pentagon officials to discuss religious issues in the military in April.

In her pledge, Bachmann calls Weinstein "radical" and "anti-Christian."

"We are caucusing with our legal counsel to consider the most expeditious course of action we can take in a federal court to stop these bald-faced lies," Weinstein tells Whispers of Bachmann's email and pledge. Bachmann's office did not respond to multiple requests for comment. "About 96 percent of our members [at MRFF] are Protestant or Roman Catholic... of our unpaid volunteers, at least well over 80 percent are Christian... I say [to Bachmann]: Tell it to the judge."

[READ: Campaign Finance Issues Plague Bachmann Campaign]

Josh Glasstetter, research director at the progressive People For the American Way, which was founded in the early 1980s to counteract the rhetoric of televangelists, says he also believes Bachmann's petition is misleading.

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Michele Bachmann May Face Lawsuit Over 'Religious Freedom in The Military' Campaign

Cyborg 009, Ten Grand #1, The Movement #1, Age of Ultron #7, FCBD, more! Unboxing Wednesdays 131 – Video

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Cyborg 009, Ten Grand #1, The Movement #1, Age of Ultron #7, FCBD, more! Unboxing Wednesdays 131
Unboxing our weekly shipment of comic books and other merchandise on sale Wednesday April 24th, 2013. Highlights include Ten Grand #1, The Movement #1, Age o...

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Cyborg 009, Ten Grand #1, The Movement #1, Age of Ultron #7, FCBD, more! Unboxing Wednesdays 131 - Video

Illawarra beaches free of sewage: water plant

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May 8, 2013, 4:07 a.m.

SydneyWater has rejected suggestions untreated sewage is being discharged onto Illawarra beaches during wet weather events.

During heavy rain, the region's stormwater and wastewater goes through a treatment process involving de-gritting, screening, disinfecting and dechlorination, to remove solids and kill bacteria.

But because of the excessive flows, about 5-10 per cent bypasses the later stages of treatment, including biological processes where bacteria is used to "feed" on the organic material.

MORE: Calls for answers on sewage discharge

Wollongong Water Recycling Plant manager Stewart Ramsay said the partly treated flows had the appearance of drinking water, were heavily diluted by rainfall, and met the requirements of the plant's Environment Protection Authority licence.

The process was described as a "bypass" in line with licensing requirements, but the term was outdated.

"The term bypass, I think it conjures up thoughts of no treatment, but it's just a terminology we use," Mr Ramsay said. "Unfortunately we're stuck with that term."

Treatment processes in the Illawarra came under scrutiny during heavy rain last month when Sydney Water announced a bypass at Bombo Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The government's Beachwatch monitoring service advised swimmers to avoid Bombo and Kiama beaches for the following 24 hours due to pollution.

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Illawarra beaches free of sewage: water plant

Beaches open Sat. for summer

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Ray-catchers and sun worshippers, alert: Rhode Island's beaches are starting to open for business.

After renovation prompted by superstorm Sandy, four state beaches in South County will be open on weekends, starting this Saturday.

The Department of Environmental Management says Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler, East Matunuck and Misquamicut State beaches will be open weekends weather permitting, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., from May 11 until Memorial Day.

"Our world-class, state-of-the-art beach facilities are among the state's major tourist attractions and generate billions of dollars for the local and state economy every year," said DEM director Janet Coit in a news release. The department has just completed months of major repairs and cleanup, Coit said, because of Sandy.

The full schedule of state parks and beach schedules are as follows:

Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler, East Matunuck, Misquamicut: Open weekends starting May 11; daily from Memorial day Lincoln Woods State Park: Open daily starting May 11 Goddard Memorial State Park: Sat-Sun starting May 18; daily from Memorial Day Burlingame Picnic Area, Pulaski Park, George Washington Campground, Fort Adams State Park: Daily starting May 25

The daily beach parking fee for Rhode Islanders is $10 weekdays, $14 weekends and holidays; with a season pass for $60. Those prices double for non-residents. For seniors from Rhode Island, weekday parking is $5, weekends/holidays $7; those prices double for seniors who are not residents. The prices are based on the license plate of the car driving in.

Season passes will be on sale starting May 11, weekends only, at Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler, East Matunuck and Misquamicut State Beaches. The State Parks Office in Johnston does not sell season passes.

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Beaches open Sat. for summer

KPMG Appoints Doug Gates as Global and U.S. Head of Aerospace & Defense Practice

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NEW YORK, May 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, has appointed Doug Gates, an eight-year veteran of the firm, to head its Global and U.S. Aerospace & Defense practice.

In his new role, Gates will be responsible for setting the strategic priorities and growth agenda for KPMG's Global and U.S. Aerospace & Defense practice. He will drive strategy and client services and broaden KPMG relationships with senior aerospace and defense executives, and will act as the lead engagement partner on several large client engagements. He will also help drive the creation of market-recognized thought leadership and industry knowledge for the aerospace and defense sector. Gates, based out of Atlanta, succeeds Marty Phillips, who has been appointed as the firm's Global and U.S. Head of Management Consulting for Diversified Industrials.

"KPMG has a long history of serving aerospace and defense companies, and Doug's appointment demonstrates our continued commitment to this key industry sector, especially as companies seek help navigating the complex business challenges in this environment," said Jeff Dobbs, global sector chair of KPMG's Diversified Industrials practice, which includes aerospace and defense. "He is a recognized leader in serving A&D businesses, and we're confident that his vision, industry knowledge and leadership will help further strengthen and build this practice."

Gates brings more 30 years of experience both in consulting and industry positions, including 20 years at a major A&D company. At KPMG, he has helped clients develop and implement large-scale operational improvement projects, including lean business process transformation, enterprise organizational redesign, manufacturing plant closure/consolidation, global working capital optimization and business process outsourcing and shared services strategies.

"Aerospace and defense companies are challenged to meet the pressures of decreasing government defense budgets, increased globalization and competition, and a highly complex regulatory environment," said Doug Gates, global and U.S. head of KPMG's Aerospace & Defense practice. "We at KPMG look forward to offering insights and services that assist A&D executives in growing and optimizing their businesses, managing risk and helping them to address these significant challenges."

Gates received a Masters of Business Administration from Pepperdine University and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Economics and Political Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

About KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG International's member firms have 152,000 professionals, including more than 8,600 partners, in 156 countries.

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KPMG Appoints Doug Gates as Global and U.S. Head of Aerospace & Defense Practice

Shoreline Aerospace Moving to Strategic Airside Location at Ft. Lauderdale International Airport

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Ft. Lauderdale, FL, May 7, 2013 - Shoreline Aerospace, a global provider of supplies and MRO support services for commercial and military jets, announced today that it will be moving its expanding business to a strategic airside location at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Along with office space, the new facility includes a 60,000 square foot warehouse and a 6-acre apron with ramp access. The new location will enable Shoreline Aerospace togreatly increase its inventory support and continue building its MRO services to accommodate South Floridas most active airport.

Weve found that our growing business and the gap in services for regional, narrow and wide-body jets at FLL offered a unique and synergistic opportunity to be first-in-market at this location, commented Adrian Green, Managing Partner at Shoreline Aerospace. Due to the size and opportune local of our new facility, carriers at FLL will be able to take advantage of our inventory, AOG services, line maintenance and heavy checks as soon as mid-June. Shoreline Aerospace will be moving now through June 13 in a phased approach to ensure minimal business interruptions for its customers.

Classified as a Major Hub by the U. S. Federal Aviation Administration, FLL is one of the fastest growing airports in the United States and ranked as one of the worlds 50 busiest airports. There are over 30 commercial airlines, 8 cargo carriers, and several charter operators at FLL that produced traffic of over 19.5 million domestic passengers and over 3.6 million international passengers in 2012.

Added Green, In the coming year, Shoreline Aerospace will be making important announcements as our business strategy unfolds. This move is the beginning of a new phase for Shoreline and we are poised to be strong, value-based partner to the carriers at FLL.

Shoreline Aerospace will be exhibiting at AP&M Europe in London, 7-9 May, 2013. Visit the Shoreline team at Stand F16.

About Shoreline Aerospace

Shoreline Aerospace is a diversified aerospace company providing material and inventory support, supply chain management, purchasing and sourcing, repair management to the commercial and military aerospace markets.

We service clients throughout the world by maintaining and constantly updating extensive inventories for Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Lockheed, Douglas, and other aircraft. For more information please visit: http://www.shorelinearospace.com.

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Shoreline Aerospace Moving to Strategic Airside Location at Ft. Lauderdale International Airport

Will LMI Aerospace Beat These Analyst Estimates?

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LMI Aerospace (Nasdaq: LMIA) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 10. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict LMI Aerospace's revenues will expand 61.6% and EPS will contract -19.5%.

The average estimate for revenue is $107.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.33.

Revenue details Last quarter, LMI Aerospace logged revenue of $71.9 million. GAAP reported sales were 11% higher than the prior-year quarter's $65.0 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details Last quarter, non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.38. GAAP EPS of $0.08 for Q4 were 77% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.35 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Recent performance For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 22.6%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 10.0%, 320 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.3%, 500 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $477.3 million. The average EPS estimate is $2.03.

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Will LMI Aerospace Beat These Analyst Estimates?

Minister Paradis Applauds Canadian Aerospace Ingenuity

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OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 7, 2013) - Today, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency, issued the following statement on NGC Aerospace:

"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish to congratulate Sherbrooke-based NGC Aerospace on its role in the launch of the European Space Agency's latest satellite. The satellite will not only gather important information on the health of our planet but also showcase Canadian expertise in aerospace and space technologies on the global stage.

"NGC Aerospace's innovative contribution will increase the reliability and efficiency of the satellite. This ingenuity represents a quantum leap in aerospace technology.

"Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the Canadian economy, helping position our country as a leader in cutting-edge technology and innovation. That is why, through Economic Action Plan 2013, we are helping these companies access the capital and the research and development services they need to grow, compete and create high-quality jobs.

"Our government has always been a strong supporter of Canada's aerospace and space sectors, and we remain committed to setting the conditions for continued success locally, nationally and internationally."

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Minister Paradis Applauds Canadian Aerospace Ingenuity