Morehouse School of Medicine Mourns the Loss of Senator Arlen Specter

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ATLANTA, Oct. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former U. S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA). Senator Specter was a consummate champion of justice and worked tirelessly throughout his career to reduce health and healthcare inequities. He also worked diligently to ensure that there were opportunities for individuals from minority communities and disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue a career in the health professions.

Morehouse School of Medicine President, John E. Maupin, Jr., D.D.S., said, "We very much appreciated Senator Specter's leadership in working with his Senate colleagues to support federal initiatives that enhanced health profession training opportunities for minority students and strengthened the research infrastructure of centers of emerging excellence like Morehouse School of Medicine. He will be sorely missed. The entire Morehouse School of Medicine family extends our deepest sympathy to his family."

During his time in the United States Senate, Specter played a key role in providing federal funding for Morehouse School of Medicine's National Center for Primary Care, a nationally renowned center advancing the value of primary care health services. As chairman of the Senate Health Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Specter was instrumental in bringing attention to identified shortfalls in the National Institute of Health's (NIH) efforts to investigate the causes and cures of ethnic based health disparities. His efforts led to the introduction and ultimate passage of legislation that created the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) at NIH.

About Morehouse School of MedicineMorehouse School of Medicine is one the nation's most widely recognized community-based medical schools. The institution's mission places special emphasis on primary care training; development of model community-based health services and the conduct of research and translation of discovery to benefit vulnerable populations and ultimately eliminate health inequities.

The School offers doctoral programs in medicine and biomedical research; and Master of Science degree programs in public health and clinical investigation. It also sponsors graduate training (residency) programs in family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, public health and preventive medicine, and general surgery.

Morehouse School of Medicine annually ranks as one of the top U.S. medical schools in the percentage of graduates practicing primary care specialties. The School ranks # 1 in the first-ever study of all U.S. medical schools in the area of social mission. Such recognition underscores the vital role that MSM plays in the nation's health care system.

Morehouse School of Medicine is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is also a member of the Atlanta University Center Consortium, the world's oldest and largest association of historically black colleges and universities. For more information about Morehouse School of Medicine, visit us online at http://www.msm.edu.

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Morehouse School of Medicine Mourns the Loss of Senator Arlen Specter

Dr. Taft Bhuket Elected Alameda County Medical Center's Chief of Medical Staff

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OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oakland Gastroenterologist Taft Bhuket, MD, has been elected Alameda County Medical Center's (ACMC) Chief of Medical Staff for 2012-14. In this position, he is responsible for leading the medical staff, whose primary purpose is to oversee and improve issues related to the quality of patient care and safety at ACMC.

"It is my honor to serve as Chief of Staff for Alameda County Medical Center," said Dr. Bhuket. "These next few years will be an exciting and challenging time for both our medical center and for American healthcare in general. I look forward to collaborating with the medical staff and ACMC's leadership as we plan for and respond to this dynamic healthcare environment."

The newly-installed ACMC Medical Staff Officers for 2012-2014 include Lyn Berry, MD, immediate past Chief of Medical Staff; Joe Walker, MD, Vice Chief of Staff; and Michelle "Mickye" Adams, MD, Secretary/Treasurer. Members at large include Swapnil Shah, MD; Pat Twomey, MD; David English, MD; Arlen Ho, MD; Suzie Bruch, MD; and Jackie Bolds, MD.

Dr. Bhuket has practiced at ACMC since 2008, when he was named Chief of Gastroenterology and Director of the Endoscopy Unit. His professional interests are clinical education, systems improvements and operations, and expansion of access to care. Under his leadership, there has been a marked expansion and operational streamlining of GI services, including significant reductions in endoscopy wait times, the launch of the hepatitis C clinic, and the development of the ACMC Colorectal Cancer Screening Program. Dr. Bhuket is a two-time winner of the Department of Medicine's "Teacher of the Year" award and was selected into the prestigious California Healthcare Foundation Leadership Fellowship Program for 2011-13. His scholarly interests are colorectal cancer screening, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, and complications of liver disease.

Dr. Bhuket earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Austin. He went on to complete both medical school and an internal medicine residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas. He subsequently completed a fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Michigan Medical School where he served as Chief GI Fellow. Dr. Bhuket is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in both Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A high-resolution photo of Dr. Bhuket is available upon request.

Alameda County Medical Center is a nationally recognized public healthcare system with more than 2,800 employees, 500 physicians, and 475 accredited beds. ACMC provides comprehensive, high quality medical treatment and compassionate care to all residents of Alameda County. The integrated system of hospitals, clinics, and health services is staffed by healthcare professionals who are responsive to the diverse cultural needs of our community. ACMC fosters a learning environment with a wide range of educational programs and activities including medical research and education for students, interns and residents as well as continuing medical education for medical, nursing and other staff. ACMC operates six facilities: Highland Hospital in Oakland, John George Psychiatric Pavilion in San Leandro, Fairmont Hospital in San Leandro and three community-based wellness centers. The system provides a range of services from family and women's health to pediatrics, oncology and orthopedics.

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Dr. Taft Bhuket Elected Alameda County Medical Center's Chief of Medical Staff

Lupus Research Institute awards $1 million to University of Massachusetts Medical School faculty

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Public release date: 16-Oct-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jim Fessenden james.fessenden@umassmed.edu 508-856-2000 University of Massachusetts Medical School

WORCESTER, MA The Lupus Research Institute (LRI) has named University of Massachusetts Medical School Professor of Medicine Ann Marshak-Rothstein, MD, one of two recipients of the first LRI Distinguished Innovator Awards. Created to provide outstanding scientists with support to conduct novel research into the fundamental causes of lupus, the $1 million Distinguished Innovator Award was established to address the current lack of treatments for lupus and aims to provide new directions toward a cure or prevention.

"Support from the LRI will enable us to extend our analysis of the cell components recognized by toll-like receptors in mice models to toll-like receptor activation in human cell populations, and allow us to identify those patients most likely to respond to therapies directed at blocking specific toll-like receptors," said Dr. Marshak-Rothstein.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic and often disabling autoimmune disease in which the human immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, health tissues. As a result, no two cases of lupus are alike. Symptoms may affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs. Some people develop kidney problems, for example, while others suffer from premature heart disease, strokes or lung inflammation. There is no known cause or cure for lupus and no new treatments have been approved for the disease in 50 years, and the treatments currently available can often be toxic and more damaging than the disease itself. Estimates indicate that more than 1.5 million Americans have lupus.

Marshak-Rothstein's research group was the first to propose that toll-like receptors (TLR) a class of proteins that play a key role in the innate immune system could have a primary role in lupus by turning on the immune system to attack the body. Because TLR proteins are essential in fighting any infection, how the body loses control over their activity is a fundamental question in immunology. Finding the causes of lupus, the prototype for autoimmune disease research, could have broad implications across a wide range of illnesses affecting millions. Recent studies found that one TLR, TLR7, has a harmful role, while another, TLR9, has the opposite effect helping to protect against lupus.

Building on this work, Marshak-Rothstein is developing a highly innovative experimental approach to pinpoint which specific TLR is mainly to blame for causing lupus in humans. This experimental approach also promises to reveal new targets for therapies that could prevent or arrest lupus.

"Members of the toll-like receptor gene family have been clearly implicated in the development of systemic autoimmune diseases such as lupus," said Marshak-Rothstein. "These studies will further provide a high throughput system for testing TLR-based inhibitors and thereby identify appropriate TLR-based therapeutic targets."

The LRI received applications for the Distinguished Innovator Awards the first privately funded $1 million grants for lupus research from many of the world's most renowned scientists as well as rising young investigators with great promise for contributing their talent to uncovering the causes of lupus. Rigorous peer-review was conducted by a team of LRI's scientific advisors and 12 of the world's leading lupus experts.

"We were enormously impressed by the quality of the submissions," noted world-leading immunologist Dr. William Paul, LRI Scientific Advisory Board Chairman and National Academy of Sciences member. "With these Distinguished Innovator Awards and existing annual Novel Research Grants, the LRI continues to pursue a strategy of funding the most innovative and novel research that has had unprecedented success in driving new answers in a complex disease state. Their work over the past decade has provided the basis for this transformative research initiative to look for the fundamental causes of lupus that can drive to a cure and the means to prevent lupus."

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Lupus Research Institute awards $1 million to University of Massachusetts Medical School faculty

Carnegie Institution and UMass Medical School granted broad US Patent related to RNA interference

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Public release date: 16-Oct-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Tina McDowell tmcdowell@carnegiescience.edu 202-929-1120 Carnegie Institution

Washington, D.C.The Carnegie Institution for Science and the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) have been granted United States Patent 8,283,329, entitled, "Genetic inhibition of double-stranded RNA." The patent, issued on October 9, 2012, is broadly directed to the use of RNA interference (RNAi) to inhibit expression of a target gene in animal cells, including mammalian cells.

The process by which RNA, the cellular material responsible for the transmission of genetic information, can silence a targeted gene within a living cell was discovered in 1998 by Carnegie's Andrew Fire, (now a professor at Stanford University) and Craig C. Mello, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Blais University Chair in Molecular Medicine and distinguished professor of molecular medicine and cell & developmental biology at UMass Medical School. The duo received the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology and/or Medicine for this work.

Already a powerful research tool used to isolate and identify genes and their function in the laboratory, RNAi holds the promise of shutting down disease-causing genes in humans and has broad implications for the development of new treatments and drugs for a range of diseases, including cancer. Researchers around the globeincluding UMass Medical School and the Carnegie Institutionare investigating novel methods for synthesizing and delivering RNAi molecules able to turn off disease-causing genes to human cells. According to the patent, the double-stranded RNA (ds-RNA) responsible for the RNAi process may be either synthesized by the animal cell, or otherwise provided to the cell, in an amount sufficient to inhibit expression of the target gene.

The single-stranded RNA molecule is commonly known for its role in shuttling the genetic code contained in DNA from the cell's nucleus to its ribosomes where proteins are made, and for making sure that the proteins are correctly constructed to perform their functions in living organisms. In RNAi, the first strand of double-stranded RNA molecule has the ribonucleotide sequence that matches the nucleotide sequence in the targeted gene (also called sense); the second strand of RNA has a complementary sequence to that in the target gene (called antisense). When introduced to an organism, the double stranded RNA degrades a specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which disrupts the message-carrying process and inactivates the gene, essentially halting the progression of an invading viral infection or, for example, tumor growth.

"We are very pleased that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued this broad patent for the groundbreaking work of Dr. Mello and Dr. Fire," said James P. McNamara, Executive Director of the Office of Technology Management of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. "RNA interference is a tremendously promising tool with enormous potential for treating disease. Our hope is to see the further advancement of the RNAi field toward novel therapies in the public interest."

"We are very pleased that the patent office has granted a patent of the present scope for such a fundamental advance," said Richard A. Meserve, president of the Carnegie Institution. "The research exemplifies what Andrew Carnegie sought to accomplishto benefit humankind."

The current patent is the most recent of several patents resulting from this work.

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Carnegie Institution and UMass Medical School granted broad US Patent related to RNA interference

Liberty, Pendleton haven't met expectations this season

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A season ago, Liberty went into its Week 8 de facto region championship game with Pendleton in the midst of one of the best seasons in school history.

Things are a bit different for both teams this year as they prepare for their showdown at Cunningham Stadium on Friday.

Sitting on the playoff bubble in Region 1-AA, Liberty (4-4, 2-3) has adopted a win-or-go-home mentality the last few weeks. Meanwhile, Pendleton (5-3, 2-2), a preseason region favorite riddled with injuries, is already out of the mix for the region championship and is looking to stay under the radar as the postseason approaches.

Liberty coach Kyle Stewart can understand some fans' disappointment as the Red Devils were coming off a 9-3 season that included a playoff victory. Yet, while his team hasn't quite taken the next step in the rebuilding process, Liberty is a far cry from the 4-46 record it carried from 2007 to 2010.

"It's easy to look at past results and say it'll be duplicated," Stewart said. "But this is a different team."

And it's a lot harder to sneak up on teams after last season.

After suffering significant losses to graduation last year, Liberty dropped three league games in a row to Landrum, Blacksburg and Chesnee, the latter two of which will be playing for the region crown Friday.

But something changed last week against Crescent, this year's surprise team in the region. Up 14-7 at halftime, Stewart and his staff reminded their team that its season was on the line.

"A lot of what we do is mental," Stewart said. "At halftime we had a little spark of emotion and got what we needed."

Liberty forced five turnovers Colby Gibson and Payton Dameron returned interceptions for touchdowns and scored 27 unanswered points in the second half of the 41-7 rout.

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Liberty, Pendleton haven't met expectations this season

Liberty Safe and Security Products, Inc. Warns of Residential Security Containers with Unauthorized UL Marks

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PAYSON, Utah, Oct. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Liberty Safe and Security Products, Inc. is notifying consumers and distributors that the Residential Security Containers / Personal Safes identified below have not been evaluated for compliance to the appropriate Standards by UL and bear an unauthorized UL mark.

Name of product: Residential Security Container / Personal Safes Models: LH05, LH08, LH12 Manufacturer: Liberty Safe and Security Products, Inc. Date of Manufacture: January 2008 to July 2012

The Product bears the following UL mark:

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121017/LA95394-a)

Photos of the Product:

LH05 LH08 LH12

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121017/LA95394-b)

Sold at: The product is sold at over 400 locations across the country through website at: http://www.libertysafe.com.

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Liberty Safe and Security Products, Inc. Warns of Residential Security Containers with Unauthorized UL Marks

Western Alliance and Western Liberty Bancorp provide update on merger

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Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) and Western Liberty Bancorp (WLBC), referred to herein as Western Alliance and Western Liberty, announced that Western Alliance has received regulatory approvals to proceed with the merger of Western Liberty with and into Western Alliance, with Western Alliance surviving. Western Alliance and Western Liberty intend to consummate the merger as soon as practicable following the satisfaction of all closing conditions, including the receipt of stockholder approval by Western Liberty. The merger is to be voted on by Western Liberty's stockholders at a special meeting of Western Liberty stockholders scheduled for 10:00 a.m., local time, on October 17, 2012 at Western Liberty's principal executive offices at 8363 W. Sunset Road, Suite 350, Las Vegas, NV 89113.

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Western Alliance and Western Liberty Bancorp provide update on merger

Western Alliance Bancorporation and Western Liberty Bancorp Announce Receipt of Regulatory Approvals

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PHOENIX & LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) and Western Liberty Bancorp (WLBC), referred to herein as Western Alliance and Western Liberty, announced today that Western Alliance has received regulatory approvals to proceed with the merger of Western Liberty with and into Western Alliance, with Western Alliance surviving. Western Alliance and Western Liberty intend to consummate the merger as soon as practicable following the satisfaction of all closing conditions, including the receipt of stockholder approval by Western Liberty. The merger is to be voted on by Western Libertys stockholders at a special meeting of Western Liberty stockholders scheduled for 10:00 a.m., local time, on October 17, 2012 at Western Libertys principal executive offices at 8363 W. Sunset Road, Suite 350, Las Vegas, NV 89113.

About Western Alliance Bancorporation

With $7.2 billion in assets, Western Alliance Bancorporation is the parent company of Bank of Nevada, Western Alliance Bank doing business as Alliance Bank of Arizona and First Independent Bank, Torrey Pines Bank, and Shine Investment Advisory Services. These dynamic organizations provide a broad array of deposit and credit services to clients in Nevada, Arizona and California, and investment services in Colorado. Staffed with experienced financial professionals, these organizations deliver a broader product array and larger credit capacity than community banks, yet are empowered to be more responsive to customers' needs than larger institutions. Additional investor information can be accessed on the Investor Relations page of the company's website, http://www.westernalliancebancorp.com.

About Western Liberty Bancorp

With $199 million in assets, Western Liberty Bancorp is a Nevada bank holding company which conducts operations through Service1st Bank of Nevada, its wholly owned banking subsidiary, and Las Vegas Sunset Properties. Service1st Bank operates as a traditional community bank and provides a full range of deposit, lending and other banking services to locally owned businesses, professional firms, individuals and other customers from its headquarters and two retail banking facilities located in the greater Las Vegas area. Services provided include basic commercial and consumer depository services, commercial working capital and equipment loans, commercial real estate loans, and other traditional commercial banking services. Primarily all of the banks business is generated in the Nevada market.

Additional Information

This communication is being made in respect of the proposed merger involving Western Alliance and Western Liberty.

In connection with the proposed merger with Western Liberty, Western Alliance filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, that included a proxy statement of Western Liberty that also constitutes a prospectus of Western Alliance. Western Liberty mailed the proxy statement/prospectus to its stockholders. Investors and security holders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus, including a supplement thereto, regarding the proposed merger because it contains important information. You may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus, including the supplement, and other related documents filed by Western Alliance and Western Liberty with the SEC at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. The proxy statement/prospectus and the other documents may also be obtained for free by accessing Western Alliances website at http://www.westernalliancebancorp.com under the tab Investor Relations and then under the heading Financial Documents or by accessing Western Libertys website at http://www.westernlibertybank.com under the tab Investor Relations and then under the heading Financial Information.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Western Liberty Bancorp Announce Receipt of Regulatory Approvals

Liberty Mutual Insurance Schedules Third Quarter 2012 Earnings Conference Call

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BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Liberty Mutual Holding Company Inc., the parent corporation of the Liberty Mutual Insurance group of entities (the Company), is scheduled to review its third quarter financial results on October 30, 2012. At 11:00 a.m. EDT that day, David Long, Liberty Mutual Insurance President and CEO, will host a conference call to discuss the Companys financial results.

The earnings release, financial results and other supplemental information will be available on the website http://www.libertymutual.com/investors prior to the call.

To listen to the call and participate in the Q&A, please dial 8008572190, providing the pass code Liberty when prompted. A replay will be available until 5:00 p.m. on November 6, 2012 at 866-351-2782.

For further information, please contact Alison Erbig, Vice President and Director, Investor Relations, at 617-574-6655 or email investor_relations@libertymutual.com.

About Liberty Mutual Insurance

"Helping people live safer, more secure lives" since 1912, Boston-based Liberty Mutual Insurance is a diversified global insurer and the third largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on 2011 direct premiums written as reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Liberty Mutual Insurance also ranks 84th on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2011 revenue. As of December 31, 2011, Liberty Mutual Insurance had $117.1 billion in consolidated assets, $99.3 billion in consolidated liabilities, and $34.7 billion in annual consolidated revenue.

Liberty Mutual Insurance offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, property, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, reinsurance and surety. Liberty Mutual Insurance (www.libertymutualinsurance.com) employs over 45,000 people in more than 900 offices throughout the world.

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Liberty Mutual Insurance Schedules Third Quarter 2012 Earnings Conference Call

Libertarianism not likely to yield third party

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A few months ago during the primaries, there was a lot of talk about Ron Paul and the Libertarian ideology. It seemed that it had finally made its way to the table and was being talked about more especially on college campuses.

Libertarianism started to be seen as a fresh ideology and many young voters welcomed it as new and revolutionary. However, it has historical roots and has played historical roles, especially in Europe. Many people seemed surprised because the mini-wave of Libertarianism had just come.

Though having common ground with both parties may seem like an advantage to gain momentum for their movement, it could actually be a double-edged sword. I think it was very bold to think that Libertarianism could take the lead in American politics because of this.

Some voters and commentators even began to speculate whether the Libertarians have started to gain traction in becoming a mainstream party in opposition to the two major parties, and some have even theorized that eventually there will be a slight Libertarian shift in the Republican platform.

Though the Libertarians have some views branded as radical, much of the modern Libertarian ideology is actually simply just a mix between the ideologies of American conservatives and liberals as well.

Libertarians distance themselves on some key issues, but the core beliefs explain this blend and why it has not seemed to gain serious traction as a strong third party in opposition to the Democrats and Republicans, who many seem to think are the only two parties that exist.

Jon Stewart may be more of a comedian than a reporter, but I think that he hit the nail right on the head when he said on his program that the Libertarians seem to be the friendship bracelet of the two major parties in Washington.

When the Libertarians insist that privatization of public programs and institutions are the best way to run them, they gain praise from the conservatives. They also gain praise from conservatives when they support states rights and smaller government.

Liberals like the social and foreign policy views of Libertarians. Many left-leaning minds find many of the Libertarian anti-war and anti-interventionism beliefs to be favorable and also find many Libertarians views of gay marriage and the war on drugs favorable. The Libertarian views tend to lean to the left both of these social matters.

But conservatives dont like what the conservatives like about the Libertarians and vice-versa. Who knows? Politics is like the weather. But it is unlikely in my opinion that Libertarianism will start to gain serious momentum as a juggernaut political party in the U.S. anytime soon.

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Libertarianism not likely to yield third party

The libertarian/marijuana conspiracy to swing the election

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The term perfect storm is so overused as to be a pathetic cliche but alas, in politics, it is about the best phrase to describe Colorado in the upcoming election. The state could decide the outcome. And if it comes down to that, it will likely be messy, for we are watching an epic convergence of factors that seem poised to make the square state 2012s version of Florida in 2000.

Here in the center of the Intermountain West, we have polls showing a nail-bitingly close race between the Democratic and Republican nominees for president. We have a chief election official, Secretary of State Scott Gessler, who has tried both to engage in mass voter purges and to block the mailing of ballots to eligible voters, all while openly saying a good election is one in which Republicans win. On the ballot, we also have a headline-grabbing ballot initiative about marijuana legalization and a popular former two-term governor of a neighboring state, Gary Johnson, running a Libertarian Party presidential candidacy.

The armchair pundits in Washington and New York typically write off these latter two factors as forces destined to aid the presidents reelection campaign. The conventional wisdom is rooted in oversimplified cartoons and caricatures of voter preferences. Essentially, the idea is that the marijuana measure will bring out liberal, Obama-loving hippies, yuppies and crunchies from Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins, while the libertarian candidates campaign will siphon conservative votes that would otherwise go to Mitt Romney, thus making Johnson the Republican version of Ralph Nader, as the New York Times predictably projects. But that kind of hackneyed red-versus-blue story line so prevalent in the national media echo chamber ignores how these forces are playing out on the ground.

The marijuana ballot measure, for instance, is defying conventional Democrat/Republican and liberal/conservative narratives, effectively scrambling the political establishments of both parties. In the last month, Colorados Democratic Party elite, led by Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (D), have repositioned themselves as committed drug warriors proudly leading the charge against the ballot measure to end the costly war on weed (this is particularly stunning for Hickenlooper, considering his famous career as a drug pusher). Meanwhile, former Colorado Republican congressman Tom Tancredo and a group of fellow GOPers made headlines recently when they wholeheartedly endorsed the measure. Put this together with the libertarian streak in Colorados Republican politics, and it becomes clear that the pot initiative could boost voting in ways that dont correspond to traditional red-versus-blue turnout models and stereotypes.

This is particularly true considering the intersection of the pot initiative and the Johnson campaign. Despite the punditocracys narratives to the contrary, the former New Mexico governor has already been taking as much or more support away from Obama in Colorado as he has been from Romney, according to polls. And Johnsons anti-Obama effect could be come much more pronounced in the next few weeks, thanks to how his supporters are deftly leveraging all hoopla around the marijuana initiative to sharpen their candidates appeal and message to disaffected Democrats.

This message is not just word-of-mouth anymore; it has been elevated to the big leagues by a new voter outreach campaign. Indeed, a new automated telephone call focused on the pot measure and playing to liberal disappointment is right now hitting Democratic households in Colorado. Heres what the message says (you can listen to the full audio below):

Hello fellow Democrat. Like you I was thrilled to vote for Barack Obama in 2008. In 2008, candidate Obama promised not to use the Justice Department to prosecute medical marijuana in states where it was legal. But the real Obama did just that, more than doubling prosecutions, putting people in prisons and shutting down medical marijuana facilities in Colorado. Thats not the change you wanted on health freedom. But you can still be a force for hope and change by voting for Gary Johnson.

Officially funded by the Libertas Institute, the message is accurate in its factual broad strokes. Candidate Obama did explicitly promise to restrain the Justice Department from prosecuting medical marijuana offenses in medical marijuana states, and President Obama has nonetheless overseen an intense Justice Department crackdown on medical marijuana in those states, directly contradicting his pledge.

Though the national media has made the unilateral decision to ignore the massive and destructive Drug War, Johnson and his supporters clearly see the issue as a perfect opening for maximum local and by virtue of the Electoral College, national impact. They can make a full-throated libertarian case against the Drug War in a state whose politics are uniquely aligned to convert that argument into an election-winning game-changer for the Republican presidential nominee.

Is this a brilliant GOP conspiracy theory? In other words, is the libertarian candidate deliberately trying to help Romney, as Obama partisans will no doubt grouse? Almost certainly not, as Johnson is no fan of Romney, to say the least. He has run a consistently honest and principled campaign that has been equal and equally harsh in its criticism of both parties. For that, despite being on most state ballots, he has been mercilessly shut out of the national debate by Americas bipartisan Political-Media-Industrial Complex. But apparently not shut out enough to potentially shift the outcome of the entire 2012 election.

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The libertarian/marijuana conspiracy to swing the election

Japan Navy video: Armada flexes muscles amid islands dispute – Video

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12-10-2012 02:13 A graceful yet compellingly powerful Japanese armada has embellished the country's Sagami Bay, showcasing the latest firepower of seabound warfare. The tri-annual fleet review conducted special military maneuvers with more than 8000 troops spread over 36 vessels. Boasting an advanced Aegis radar system, new conventionally powered submarines and high-speed hovercrafts, the navy launched rockets and flares to enhance its overall display of power. READ MORE: RT LIVE Subscribe to RT! Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Google+ RT (Russia Today) is a global news network broadcasting from Moscow and Washington studios. RT is the first news channel to break the 500 million YouTube views benchmark.

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Faroe Islands 1-4 Rep of Ireland

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The Republic of Ireland scored four second-half goals to seal a vital win over the Faroe Islands in Torshavn.

The pressure was on Giovanni Trapattoni after the hammering by Germany, but the Irish have six points from three games.

After a blank first half, Marc Wilson's 25-yard shot and a header by his Stoke team-mate Jon Walters made it 2-0.

Arnbjorn Hansen got the Faroes back into contention but the Republic netted again with a Pol Johannes Justinussen own-goal and a Darren O'Dea header.

Veteran boss Trapattoni had insisted he would not resign as manager of the Republic but, according to the Irish media, the 73-year-old needed a victory over the Group C minnows to stay in his job.

The Irish certainly made a strong start and should have scored when Aiden McGeady crossed from the right, but Keith Andrews headed wide from a great position in front of goal.

As the half wore on, though, the small band of travelling supporters sitting to the right of Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney were growing impatient.

However, the visitors' nerves were settled in the first minute of the second half, when Wilson let fly to put the Irish ahead.

It took a slight deflection off the head of full-back Jonas Naes before flying past helpless Faroes keeper Gunnar Nielsen and into the top corner for Wilson's maiden senior international goal.

That settled the Republic, who began to play with confidence, and they increased their lead within seven minutes.

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Faroe Islands 1-4 Rep of Ireland

Private Islands Within Reach

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Owning a private island is overrated and its actually a lot of work or so weve heard from our many island-owning friends. You have to deal with theastronomical taxes, the development, the upkeep its a full-time job (that island owners simply pay other people to do, of course). But visiting a private island? Its as great as everyone says and we know from experience. Weve stayed on some gorgeous private islands in our travels, in equally gorgeous hotels and resorts. Here aresix of our favorites:

#1: Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic

The pool at Cayo Levantado features a swim-up bar as well as poolside drink service.

The details: The D.R.s only luxury resort set on its own island, the Gran Bahia Cayo Levantado offers a relaxing atmosphere for couples and families. There are scenic beaches andbeautiful pools, and we love the details in the rooms: Four-poster beds, private Jacuzzi tubs, and island-inspired artwork give them a romantic vibe.

How to get there: From the Samana airport, its a 45-minute cab ride to the Bahia ferry station. From there, its a 10- to 15-minute ferry ride to Cayo Levantado. In lieu of the ferry, you can also hire a private pangaboat to take you from Samana. We never said getting to a private island is easy, but its certainly worth the flight (and drive and boat ride)!

#2: Paradise Point Resort and Spa, San Diego

Quaint, Balinese-inspired gazebos dot the resort's 44 acres.

The details: This 462-room property near Sea World has sprawling grounds, activities such as tennis, a putting green, water sports, and basketball galore,five pools, a spa, and bonfire pits for roasting smores after dark. But perhaps the highlight of this private island retreat is that it sits on a tranquil, mile-long beach.

How to get there: In Mission Bay, Paradise Point is connected to the mainland by Ingraham Street so reaching the resort is easy enough, and takes just about a 15-minute car ride from downtown San Diego.

#3: Fowl Cay Resort, Bahamas

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Private Islands Within Reach

China media: Islands row and shooting

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17 October 2012 Last updated at 00:46 ET

Newspapers report the latest moves in the China-Japan islands row, as well as the fatal shooting of a Chinese fishermen by South Korean coast guards.

China Daily says "tension lingers" as US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns arrived in Beijing "as Tokyo launched a global propaganda blitz to support its claims over the islands that belong to China".

Meanwhile the Global Times, citing the Asahi newspaper in Japan, says a US-Japan military drill simulating the recapture of an island would be held in November.

The Global Times says: "Analysts said Washington has been attempting to use high-level official visits to persuade the two countries to seek a way out of the islands dispute, but at the same time is highlighting its regional interests through the joint military drill."

A People's Daily commentary says Japan "has been acting shamelessly" in the row. The article is promoted on the paper's website as a front-page top story. China Daily's editorial says Japan's lobbying "can't hide truth".

Shanghai Daily and Guangzhou's Southern Metropolis Daily report the Defence Ministry has said that its navy vessels' "routine training and navigation in the waters is justified and legitimate".

The ministry's comment was in reply to reports from Tokyo said Japan had dispatched surveillance aircraft to follow a fleet of seven Chinese naval vessels on Tuesday morning as the flotilla sailed through waters 49km (30 miles) south of Japan's Yonaguni island and 200km from the disputed islands.

The Global Times and the Beijing Times lead with the shooting in the Yellow Sea as China protested to South Korea over the fisherman's death.

The Global Times' bilingual editorial says: "When a South Korean coastal policeman was stabbed to death by a Chinese crew last December, nationalistic emotion boiled over in Seoul. Local media outlets were full of strongly-worded calls for tough measures against China. This nationalistic emotional outburst was surely the background of the tragedy of yesterday."

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China media: Islands row and shooting

UPDATE 1-Soccer-Faroe Islands 1 Ireland 4 – W. Cup qualifier result

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Oct 16 (Reuters) - Faroe Islands 1 Ireland 4 - World Cup qualifying Group C result.

In Torshavn

Scorers:

Faroe Islands: Arnbiorn Hansen 68

Ireland: Marc Wilson 47, Jon Walters 52, Pol Johannus Justinussen 73og, Darren O'Dea 89

Faroe Islands: 1-Gunnar Nielsen, 2-Jonas Naes, 3-Pol Justinussen, 4-Odmar Faero (14-Erling Jacobsen, 61), 5-Rogvi Baldvinsson, 6-Hallur Hansson, 7-Frodi Benjaminsen, 8-Simun Samuelsen, 10-Christian Holst, 9-Daniel Udsen (17-Arnbiorn Hansen, 61), 11-Joan Edmundsson (12-Hjalgrim Elttor, 80)

Ireland: 1-Keiren Westwood, 2-Seamus Coleman, 4-John O'Shea, 5-Darren O'Dea, 18-Marc Wilson, 21-Robbie Brady (9-Simon Cox, 46), 6-James McCarthy, 8-Keith Andrews (15-David Meyler, 90+1), 7-Aiden McGeady, 13-Jon Walters, 10-Robbie Keane (14-Shane Long, 80)

Referee: Lorenc Jemini (Albania)

(Editing by Tom Pilcher)

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UPDATE 1-Soccer-Faroe Islands 1 Ireland 4 - W. Cup qualifier result

Seattle Genetics Announces Initiation of Phase II Trial of ADCETRIS® as Front-line Therapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma …

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BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (SGEN) today announced the initiation of a phase II clinical trial evaluating ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) as a front-line therapy for patients age 60 or older with newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). The trial is designed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of ADCETRIS as a monotherapy for older HL patients who have received no prior treatment. Seattle Genetics is the leader in the field of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and ADCETRIS is an ADC directed to CD30 for relapsed HL and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL).

The current standard of care for the treatment of front-line HL is a combination of multiple chemotherapeutic agents and has not changed in more than three decades. Some older HL patients are not able to tolerate the significant side effects associated with these regimens, and there is a significant need to identify effective and tolerable treatment options for these patients, said Thomas C. Reynolds, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer at Seattle Genetics. We believe the response rate associated with single-agent use of ADCETRIS in the relapsed HL setting supports the evaluation of single-agent ADCETRIS in older patients who have received no prior therapy.

The phase II single-arm, open-label clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of ADCETRIS as front-line monotherapy in patients age 60 or older with HL. The trial is enrolling patients who are newly diagnosed and have received no prior HL treatment. The primary endpoint of the trial is to assess the objective response rate (ORR), with key secondary endpoints of safety and tolerability, duration of response, complete remission (CR) rate and progression-free survival (PFS). The study is expected to enroll up to 20 patients at multiple centers in the United States.

More information about the trial, including enrolling centers, will be available by visiting http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About ADCETRIS

ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) is an ADC comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seattle Genetics proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-expressing tumor cells.

ADCETRIS received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for two indications: (1) the treatment of patients with HL after failure of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not ASCT candidates, and (2) the treatment of patients with sALCL after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. The indications for ADCETRIS are based on response rate. There are no data available demonstrating improvement in patient-reported outcomes or survival with ADCETRIS.

ADCETRIS is not approved for use outside the United States. The marketing authorization application for ADCETRIS in relapsed or refractory HL and sALCL, filed by Takeda Global Research & Development Centre (Europe), was accepted for review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in June 2011. In July 2012, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the EMA issued a positive opinion for the conditional approval of ADCETRIS, supporting an approval decision in the European Union.

Seattle Genetics and Millennium are jointly developing ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seattle Genetics has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and the Takeda Group has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seattle Genetics and the Takeda Group are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where the Takeda Group will be solely responsible for development costs.

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Seattle Genetics Announces Initiation of Phase II Trial of ADCETRIS® as Front-line Therapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma ...

Report: Canadian Health Care System "Unsustainable" As Is

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CALGARY, Oct. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - In a report released today by The School of Public Policy, authors Herb Emery, David Still and Tom Cottrell show that even with modest increases in health spending due to population aging, Canadian Medicare under the current pay-as-you-go funding model for Canadian is unsustainable.

This model sees government allocate current tax revenues to cover current health costs, with nothing put aside for projected rising health-care costs arising from the aging baby boom generation. The authors calculate that these implicit liabilities for pay-as-you-go Medicare effectively double the level of indebtedness of the provincial and Territorial governments.

It's not the size of the health care liabilities that is the only problem. Who will pay for them is the bigger issue. "The pay-as-you-go model has become like a Ponzi scheme, where those who got in early enough make out nicely, while those who arrive late stand to suffer a serious financial blow if they agree to pay the taxes required to pay for Medicare," the authors write.

The authors quantify the effective doubling of lifetime taxes paid for the same levels of health care services between boomers and grandchildren of the boomers. Given the tax increases and pension benefit reductions the baby boomers have imposed on younger generations of Canadians, boomers are counting on "do as I say, not as I do" policy to ensure that they will have access to necessary medical services. To sustain Medicare, the federal and provincial governments will need to shift the burden of paying for baby boomer health care bills off of the bank accounts of their children and grandchildren.

One option that the authors identify is a pre-funding model where people are charged today for future health-care liabilities. Unfortunately, the window has already closed on this option, as the authors contend that future liabilities have already become too great and it is too late to collect sufficient taxes from baby-boomers now aged 45 to 65.

The only way to sustain Medicare at this point is for governments to focus on health promotion and reforms to health service provision that will reduce overall health-care costs. Examples include encouraging home care for the elderly and palliative care; reducing the prevalence and severity of chronic disease in the population; and changing how chronic diseases are managed to reduce reliance on doctors and hospitals.

It was ten years ago that they were proposed by the Romanow Commission, the Kirby Commission and the "Mazankowski Report". The failure to act on the recommendations of these commissions intended to ensure the sustainability of publicly funded health care in Canada may have been the biggest mistake the baby boomers have made to date that will cost them dearly in their "Golden Years".

The report can be found at http://www.policyschool.ucalgary.ca/publications

Video with caption: "Video: CAN WE AVOID A SICK FISCAL FUTURE? THE NON-SUSTAINABILITY OF HEALTH CARE SPENDING WITH AN AGING POPULATION ". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20121017_C7965_VIDEO_EN_19534.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20121017_C7965_PHOTO_EN_19534.jpg&clientName=The%20School%20of%20Public%20Policy%20%2D%20University%20of%20Calgary&caption=Video%3A%20CAN%20WE%20AVOID%20A%20SICK%20FISCAL%20FUTURE%3F%20THE%20NON%2DSUSTAINABILITY%20OF%20HEALTH%20CARE%20SPENDING%20WITH%20AN%20AGING%20POPULATION%20&title=THE%20SCHOOL%20OF%20PUBLIC%20POLICY%20%2D%20UNIVERSITY%20OF%20CALGARY&headline=Report%3A%20Canadian%20Health%20Care%20System%20%26quot%3BUnsustainable%26quot%3B%20As%20Is

SOURCE: The School of Public Policy - University of Calgary

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Report: Canadian Health Care System "Unsustainable" As Is