Monthly Archives: April 2012

'Freedom Writers' teacher gives motivational lecture at USU

Posted: April 27, 2012 at 11:12 am

Before Long Beach public school teacher Erin Gruwell gave a lecture at Utah State University on Wednesday, she middle and high school students in the audience to stand so everyone could pay homage to them.

After hundreds of USU students, faculty and community members gave a standing ovation, Gruwell said she sees a little bit of her own students when she looks at the students from Cache Valleys school districts.

I could probably hold a mirror up, and the issues that face students even right here in Logan are very similar to what the Freedom Writers went through, even though you might not have gang violence and riots, Gruwell said.

The Freedom Writers a play on the civil rights activists the Freedom Riders was the pen name for Gruwells students at Woodrow Wilson High School, located in an area of Southern California riddled with strong gang and violence activity.

By having them write journal entries and share their troubled life experiences, Gruwells teaching style became a national success story. She graduated all of the students in her class and many of them went on to college. Soon, the story caught the attention of nightly newscasts; then it turned into a book, The Freedom Writers Diary, and later, a motion picture adaptation of the book starring actress Hillary Swank.

To capitalize on her successful curriculum, Gruwell founded the Freedom Writers Foundation, which trains and supports teachers of at-risk middle and high school students through a pedagogical framework patterned after her teachings.

At USU on Wednesday, Gruwell announced that a scholarship from the Freedom Writers Foundation had been awarded to Emmie Staker, an English and ESL teacher at Mountain Crest High School.

Staker was one of 5,000 nationwide who applied for the scholarship and now will have a chance to join Gruwell in Long Beach to receive teacher training.

I just started screaming, Staker said in an interview after the lecture, when she learned she had won the scholarship at a USU dinner earlier in the evening with Gruwell. Many of Stakers students also attended Wednesdays lecture.

Gruwells hour-long talk touched on her decision to become a teacher and the evolution of her curriculum. Gruwell peppered her lecture with stories of her students and where they came from.

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'Freedom Writers' teacher gives motivational lecture at USU

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Freedom Academy plans meet resistance

Posted: at 11:12 am

PROVO -- Expansion of a charter school in northwest Provo has pitted the school and its legislative protection against the city and the neighborhood.

Freedom Academy, a K-8 charter school at 1190 W. 900 North, has state approval for a plan to add a high school to its site. Administrators say they are fulfilling parent's wishes to have their children continue at the academy. But residents and city officials are worried the school's growth will destroy the neighborhood that already has given up a lot for the academy.

Safety, parking, traffic and neighborhood preservation are the top concerns, say Brent Hall, the River Grove neighborhood chairman and Mayor John Curtis.

"We're fighting for our neighborhood," Hall said. "Neighborhoods are threatened in Provo. If we let this happen the neighborhood will be gone."

"I feel I need to protect these families that have a hard time articulating their concerns," Curtis said. "I've got to protect these neighbors. This has been pushed to the edge of acceptability. It's a horrendous situation."

Freedom Academy director Lynne Herring said, "Freedom is a member of this neighborhood. We have no desire to foul our own nest."

She added that misinformation and rumor about the school's plans have run rampant.

Ken Parkinson, chairman of the school's governing board, met with Curtis on April 5 to discuss the issues with expansion. At the time they informed the mayor of other possibilities. Since then, the board decided on the expansion provided they are able to negotiate an acceptable contract with their builder, finish the ninth-grade building in time to start school in the fall and create safety and traffic plans to address any issues.

In a letter drafted this week to Curtis, Parkinson said, "We understand that you plan to oppose that, but we would nevertheless like to attempt to explain our position and learn from you and your staff what can be done to mitigate your concerns."

That's about all Curtis can do, because state laws implemented in 2005 gives charter schools the ability to build anywhere they want with few restrictions in either a county or municipality.

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Freedom Academy plans meet resistance

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Liberty Council reboots airport hangar construction bidding

Posted: at 11:12 am

The Liberty City Council unanimously voted at its April 24 special meeting to unravel the requests for proposals and to re-bid the construction of two 10-unit hangars at Liberty Municipal Airport, a project that comports with broader plans to expand the local economy by attracting new business and creating jobs.

The council April 10 ratified the Liberty Community Development Corporations acceptance of the proposal that Beaumont-based Bruces General Construction Inc. submitted, which included storage walls and insulation as well as walls that would handle a 150 mph wind load.

The city accepted proposals rather than sealed bids because the former would allow the city to negotiate with prospective contractors, which was precisely what happened in this situation.

The Liberty firm was the low bidder until the citys staff changed the wind load from 130 mph to 150 mph and added storage walls and insulation to the the request. The change in the citys request flipped the ranking of the bidders, and the Beaumont company came in lower than the Liberty company.

Bruces $610,000 proposal came in under the $655,832 proposal that Liberty-based Pelco Construction submitted for the same type of structure; nevertheless Pelco President Matt Harris told the council that the difference was attributable to his firms submission of an engineered, stamped foundation that would withstand 150 mph, as the building would; the foundation needs to match the buildings windload.

The council unanimously voted to request new proposals, in the process providing detailed engineered plans instead of two-page generalized requests that gave the bidders the latitude to come in with their own proposals on how to best construct the hangars.

The councils rationale was that if engineered plans were submitted, which would include a certified foundation, then the proposals would compare apples to apples, a term council used on several points in the deliberations.

Harris spoke about the importance of hiring a city-based firm that would employ more city residents and pay taxes to the City of Liberty, Liberty County and the Liberty Independent School District.

He had two other key grievances. First, Bruces had the flexibility to lower its price, consistent with the sealed proposal process. Second, when the citys staff requested the submission of new estimates based on additional wind load capacities, insulation and storage, that information was requested verbally rather than in an engineered drawing that would have pinned down each competitor to a precise price for a precise product.

They adjusted their base bid, where it was lower than ours. ... I dont feel like its ethical to allow contractors to change the bid after the public opening, Harris said.

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Liberty Council reboots airport hangar construction bidding

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Liberty Mutual says profits up 26 percent for first quarter of 2012

Posted: at 11:12 am

Brown plans to publicly release six years worth of returns later this week, his campaign said in a letter to Warren this morning that put pressure on the leading Democratic challenger to do the same. In that letter, Browns campaign manager, Jim Barnett, said the senator will make his returns available for inspection on Friday.

By early afternoon, Warren announced that she would release four years worth of returns, drawing criticism from Barnett who attacked Warrens refusal to release all six years, questioning whether she has something to hide.

It doesnt take a Harvard Law degree to see through Elizabeth Warrens game of cat and mouse and know she has something to hide, Barnett wrote in an email. Whether she is concealing other big corporate clients like Travelers Insurance, which paid her enormous sums to fight against victims of asbestos poisoning, covering up sketchy financial transactions, or simply masking that she may take advantage of tax breaks she criticizes others for, Warrens nuanced refusal to disclose the tax years 2006 and 2007 exposes her hypocrisy when it comes to transparency in government.

Warrens campaign challenged Brown to make his returns available Wednesday, saying a Friday release amounts to a typical Washington game of releasing bad news when there is traditionally little news coverage.

Elizabeth thinks we should be more straightforward and make both returns available tomorrow, her campaign said.

Barnett said the campaign chose Friday because Brown would be in Washington until late Thursday. He said the date could be moved to Monday if Warren prefers.

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Liberty Mutual says profits up 26 percent for first quarter of 2012

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Liberty Mutual Insurance Reports First Quarter 2012 Results

Posted: at 11:11 am

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Liberty Mutual Holding Company Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively LMHC or the Company) today reported net income attributable to LMHC of $459 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $95 million over the same period in 2011.

Our first quarter results highlight the progress we have made in terms of core profitability and continued growth, said David H. Long, President and CEO of Liberty Mutual Insurance. Our net income of $459 million was up 26% in the quarter reflecting an accelerating commercial lines price trend, excellent non-catastrophe personal lines results, and fewer international catastrophes. Our growth was strong where we targeted, with increases of 12% internationally and 9% in domestic personal lines, while U.S. commercial lines contracted an acceptable 1%. These results, plus our acquisition of KIT Finance Insurance in Russia, have provided an encouraging start to the year.

First Quarter Highlights

Financial Condition as of March 31, 2012

Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

March 31,

Pre-tax operating income (PTOI) before catastrophes, net incurred losses attributable to prior years and LP and LLC income

Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest

1 Catastrophes include all current and prior accident year catastrophe losses incurred excluding losses related to the Companys external reinsurance assumed lines (assumed voluntary reinsurance and reinsurance assumed through Lloyds Syndicate 4472) except for the 2011 Australia floods, Cyclone Yasi, Japan earthquake and tsunami, New Zealand earthquakes, Hurricane Irene, Thailand floods and the tornadoes and other severe storms in the U.S. Catastrophe losses, where applicable, include the impact of accelerated earned catastrophe premiums and earned reinstatement premiums.

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Liberty Mutual Insurance Reports First Quarter 2012 Results

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B.o.B. 'Out of My Mind': Nicki Minaj Assists Rapper With Crazy Rhymes on New Track

Posted: at 11:11 am

Getty Images | FilmMagic

The Atlanta rhymer commences the song with his southern-dipped flow. "I'm outta my fucking mind, out of my fucking my mind," he spits. "I'm outta my fucking mind, gee golly, oh my/ I was doing fine once upon a time/ Until my brain left and didn't say bye."

Nicki shows up in her usual animated style. "You know I graduated summa cum laude/ That's why they thinkin' I'm Illuminati," Minaj delivers. "And matter fact let's kiss and make up, I'll help you escape from my blue Ducati."

Besides the Queens-bred MC, Taylor Swift, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Morgan Freeman, among others, join B.o.B. on his sophomore release.

Check the Strange Clouds tracklist below.

1. "Bombs Away," feat. Morgan Freeman 2. "Ray Bands" 3. "So Hard to Breathe" 4. "Both of Us," feat. Taylor Swift 5. "Strange Clouds," feat. Lil Wayne 6. "So Good" 7. "Play for Keeps" 8. "Arena," feat. Chris Brown and T.I. 9. "Out of My Mind," feat. Nicki Minaj 10. "Never Let You Go," feat. Ryan Tedder 11. "Chandelier," Lauriana Mae 12. "Circles" 13. "Just a Sign," feat. Playboy Tre 14. "Castles," feat. Trey Songz 15. "Where Are You (B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray)"

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B.o.B. 'Out of My Mind': Nicki Minaj Assists Rapper With Crazy Rhymes on New Track

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NFL Draft Nightmare Scenario: In Which Vontaze Burfict Is Selected 2nd Overall

Posted: at 11:11 am

By Jon Bois - Featured Contributor

The Washington Redskins say they're 99.9 percent likely to select Robert Griffin III in the NFL Draft. But what if they don't? In this horror story, we imagine how the draft will unfold if the Redskins draft the unimaginable.

(This is satire. If you want HARD-HITTING ANALYSIS, check out our final 2012 NFL mock draft.)

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Apr 26, 2012 - It appears likely that on Thursday night, the Washington Redskins will use their second overall pick to select Robert Griffin III. I use the word "likely" because of the following, which was tweeted by the official Redskins account Wednesday:

Mike Shanahan calls it 99.9 percent that Robert Griffin III is Redskins' pick at No. 2. "Nothing is 100 percent," he said.

Today, we journey into the realm of the remaining 0.1 percent. It is a nightmarish, horrifying realm. It is a realm in which the second overall pick, for which the Redskins paid a fortune in future draft picks, is spent on .... Vontaze Burfict.

The 2012 NFL Draft is only minutes away. There is a lively air of anticipation in the music hall as the late arrivals find their seats. Serious debates, laughter, microphone checks, and clinks of champagne glasses all bounce off the staggered walls of the grand auditorium.

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ACLU: Marine's free speech rights violated

Posted: at 11:10 am

LOS ANGELES, April 26 (UPI) -- The American Civil Liberties Union said a U.S. Marine's constitutional rights were violated when he was discharged for criticizing President Obama on Facebook.

Sgt. Gary Stein, 26, on his Facebook page called Obama a coward and an enemy and promised never to salute him or follow any of his orders he considered illegal. The military's administrative separation board said Stein, a nine-year veteran who served in Iraq, made disparaging comments that were detrimental to good order and violated military law.

The board demoted Stein to lance corporal and gave him an other-than-honorable discharge, making him ineligible for many federal benefits, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Civilian lawyers said they will fight to have Stein reinstated to the military, the newspaper said.

"I don't believe Sgt. Stein did anything other than engage in political speech," said the ACLU's David Loy. "Since the days of Valley Forge, I seriously doubt that there haven't been members of the armed forces who haven't complained about their government."

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Viewpoints: College protests stepped beyond free speech

Posted: at 11:10 am

Americans protect freedom of speech more vigorously than any other Western democracy. We also have a venerable tradition of respecting academic freedom at colleges and universities.

Sometimes the heat and passion of political protests obscures the essence of these principles, however, as a recent episode at our campus, the University of California, Davis, illustrates. Briefly, protesters repeatedly obstructed access to a bank branch in our student union complex. The bank had leased the space to serve the campus community under an agreement that would have generated $2 million or more to the campus for student services over 10 years. Ultimately, citing the protesters' conduct, the bank closed the branch.

During the course of the blockades, campus police identified 11 students and one faculty member who participated in the obstructive protests. This information was referred to the Yolo County District Attorney; the bank also provided evidence. Today, these individuals are expected to appear in court for arraignment on misdemeanor charges. Under the state penal code, it is a misdemeanor to willfully obstruct public walkways and places or intentionally interfere with a lawful business.

In a letter to the campus administration, the Davis Faculty Association, an organization whose membership comprises a very small fraction of professors at UC Davis, appealed to campus leaders to seek dismissal of these charges because of "the political content of the U.S. Bank blockade." The DFA argued that protesters obstructing access to the bank believed they were defending the UC system against privatization, and thus should not be subject to criminal sanction.

That even a few faculty members at one of the nation's top universities would misunderstand the basics of freedom of speech and academic freedom in this way suggests the need to use this episode as a "teachable moment."

The important starting point in our First Amendment analysis is that a blockade is not constitutionally protected speech. It is conduct that government has always had the legitimate authority to proscribe because it so obviously obstructs the liberty and lawful pursuits of others.

To cite just one example, the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which prohibits anyone from physically obstructing access to reproductive health services, has been upheld repeatedly against constitutional challenge.

One critical reason blockades can be prohibited is that they are employed to coerce behavior, not change minds. They are thus antithetical to the values on which freedom of speech and academic freedom are grounded a commitment to the power of ideas rather than the use of force to change the way that people act.

Indeed, if obstruction or disruption were protected expressive activity, it could be used to silence other speakers. The California Supreme Court explained the problem in an important free speech case, In Re Kay: "(T)he state retains a legitimate concern in ensuring that some individuals' unruly assertion of their rights of free expression does not imperil other citizen's rights of free association and discussion. Freedom of everyone to talk at once can destroy the right of anyone effectively to talk at all."

The argument that a public university should pick and choose whether obstruction should be permitted or not based on the political content of any particular blockade is also a dubious proposition. Treating one political topic or perspective more favorably than another constitutes subject-matter or viewpoint discrimination which almost always violates the First Amendment. Moreover, a university engaging in such discrimination demonstrates that it is no longer committed to open inquiry and the free exchange of ideas. The university instead morphs into a political institution committed to particular perspectives so much so that it excuses violations of law in support of its own political positions.

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Lawsuit filed over Facebook free speech

Posted: at 11:10 am

April 26, 2012 (GRIFFITH, Ill.) (WLS) -- The issue at the center of a lawsuit involving students who were expelled for writing comments on Facebook interpreted as death threats is whether those posts should be protected as free speech.

It all started with three teenage girls having a conversation on Facebook.

"When we made those comments we didn't think ahead," said Sabrina Munsie of Griffith Middle School.

"I didn't mean anything that I said," Kennedy Fortier said. "I was just joking around."

According to a police report filed by Griffith Middle School, the girls, including Fortier and Munsie, were joking about killing all the ugly people.

One comment says, "OMG, before I die, I wanna kill 20 people. Another reads, "If I killed with a knife, I'd fill a tub with acid and put the body in there and nothing would be left."

One of the people mentioned at the beginning of the thread was fellow student, Courtney Tinsley.

"I felt really hurt and upset, and I started to cry," Tinsley said.

"Bullying is getting people shot and killed in schools," Courtney Tinsley's father, Timothy said. "We just don't know what to do. We want this to stop."

Within hours Fortier, Munsie and the third girl involved in the online conversation had been suspended.

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