Monthly Archives: July 2012

Freedom Days in full swing in downtown Provo

Posted: July 3, 2012 at 2:16 am

PROVO -- With the Freedom Festival in full swing, part of Provo's Center Street has been closed to traffic to host the annual Freedom Days. With roughly 100 vendor booths, carnival rides and live music, the street festival is set to provide endless entertainment for visitors from all around.

Food vendors offer a plethora of dining options while booths sell goods including sunglasses, local art, jewelry, tie-dye clothing and much more. Jerry Foote and his wife Cindy drove up from Kanab with their pioneer-wagon style booth to sell J.C.'s Chuck Wagon Soda, offering six flavors of refreshing drinks.

"On the first two days, it's about normal like you're seeing now," said Jerry Foote. "On the Fourth of July, you can't even get yourself on the walkways, there's so many people. It's a lot of fun."

Skylar and Heather Thomas of American Fork came down Monday evening with their six children to enjoy the festival.

"It's a great family event, everyone here is always in a great mood," said Heather Thomas as the family sat down to enjoy some snow cones. "There's just a lot of great things here to take in, and for the kids it helps the holiday have some meat to it, so that it's not just all about barbecues."

Freedom Days continues Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

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Internet activists draft Declaration of Internet Freedom

Posted: at 2:15 am

Internet advocates announced the Declaration of Internet Freedom on July 2, 2012.

Activist groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Free Press and Access Now banned together and announced Monday the writing of the Declaration of Internet Freedom. The organizations say the document is "a set of principles providing a positive vision to preserve the Internet as a platform for speech, innovation and creativity."

SOPA, PIPA today: Internet on strike! SOPA opera: the Internet dukes it out with Congress SOPA and PIPA Internet blackout aftermath, staggering numbers

Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International and Mozilla have all pledged their support for the declaration.

The full text of the Declaration of Internet Freedom reads:

PREAMBLE

We believe that a free and open Internet can bring about a better world. To keep the Internet free and open, we call on communities, industries and countries to recognize these principles. We believe that they will help to bring about more creativity, more innovation and more open societies.

We are joining an international movement to defend our freedoms because we believe that they are worth fighting for.

Let's discuss these principles - agree or disagree with them, debate them, translate them, make them your own and broaden the discussion with your community - as only the Internet can make possible.

Join us in keeping the Internet free and open.

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Internet activists draft Declaration of Internet Freedom

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ATK Announces Independent Assessment Team for Liberty

Posted: at 2:15 am

SALT LAKE CITY, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --ATK (ATK) and the Liberty program announced an independent assessment team and their first tasking to advise the company on development of its commercial human certification plan for the Liberty system, which includes the launch vehicle, upper stage, abort system, composite spacecraft, ground and mission operations, crew and passenger training and a test flight crew.

The FAA is authorized by Congress to regulate commercial human spaceflight. Over the next few years, the FAA will use a phased approach to regulating the crew and passenger safety of the emerging commercial human spaceflight industry. In the meantime, and in the absence of specific government human certification standards, the developers themselves must look to NASA and International Partner human spaceflight best practices and lessons learned to develop their own design and operations criteria. Developing the Liberty-specific commercial human certification plan early in the program ensures the system will be designed from the outset to ensure flight crew and passenger safety.

Liberty's independent assessment team is led by Bryan O'Connor with team members Ken Bowersox, Kevin Leclaire and Alain Souchier. This team brings former space shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) commanders together with experts in NASA Safety and Mission Assurance, commercial space business and cryogenic engine development.

"As we build Liberty using streamlined and affordablecommercial approaches, we intend tomaintain asteady emphasis on crew safety, which is why we brought together top talent for the Liberty independent assessment team," said Kent Rominger, ATK vice president and program manager for Liberty. "We have one of the best teams whose background and expertise will ensure Liberty is safe and reliable for our commercial customers."

Leading the Liberty independent assessment team, O'Connor brings a strong background in flight test, program management, safety and mission assurance (SM&A). As a former two-time shuttle astronaut and United States Marine Corps test pilot he has served in various high-profile positions over his career including assistant program manager for the Marine AV-8 Harrier and NASA Space Shuttle Programs, NASA's first chairman of the Space Flight Safety Panel that was established to support return-to-flight design re-certification. During O'Connor's tenure at NASA Headquarters he served as director of the Space Station Redesign Team, Space Shuttle Program director, and later as the chief of Safety and Mission Assurance where he was responsible for the safety, reliability, maintainability and quality assurance of all NASA programs.

"I am looking forward to working with ATK on their commercial human certification plan for Liberty," said O'Connor. "It is extremely important to get this plan right. Fortunately, they have a head start because all of Liberty's subsystems were originally designed to be human-rated."

Bowersox is also a former navy test pilot and shuttle astronaut with four shuttle missions and one ISS mission, which included Russia Soyuz training and a return via the Soyuz capsule. He served as the Expedition-6 crew commander for over five months aboard the International Space Station. During his tenure at NASA he held a variety of assignments, notably chief of the Astronaut Office Safety Branch and chairman of the Spaceflight Safety Panel. Bowersox will oversee crew training and the commercial human certification plan for the Liberty program.

Leclaire brings extensive experience in starting and developing space-related companies. He has provided management consulting services to clients involved in the space, satellite and technology sectors and was previously a senior associate at the preeminent venture capital firm that focused on space-related companies. Leclaire will oversee the business aspects of the Liberty program with a focus on ensuring a solid business case without compromising crew safety.

Souchier was the program manager for the design of the stage propulsion systems on the Ariane 5 central core, the technical manager over the engineering department that developed the Vulcain Ariane 5 cryogenic engine and the stage associated propulsion systems, and Snecma's future programs director. During his 30-year career, he has been honored with a bronze and silver medal from the French space agency (CNET). Souchier will ensure all aspects of the Vulcain 2 engine upgrades for air start will be effectively implemented.

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Liberty Star Receives Updated ZTEM, South Block Big Chunk, Alaska

Posted: at 2:15 am

TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. (Liberty Star or the Company) (LBSR: OTCBB) is pleased to announce that the Company has received updated, geophysical ZTEM electromagnetic imagery of the south block of its Big Chunk Super Project (BCSP) in southeastern Alaska.

GEOTECH LTD. Airborne Geophysical Surveys delivered the updated data comprising:

Comments James Briscoe, Liberty Stars CEO and Chief Geologist, ZTEM technology has improved since 2009 when the processed survey was first presented to us. We applaud and appreciate Geotechs efforts to deliver to us an updated detailed view of our south block. We will use this information to draw detailed plans for drilling at the Big Chunk as soon as possible.

James A. Briscoe James A. Briscoe, Professional Geologist, AZ CA CEO/Chief Geologist Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.

Read Your Invitation and RSVP to Briscoes Whirlwind Trip, July 5-18 http://www.libertystaruranium.com/ja-briscoe-whirlwind-trip/

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Liberty Star Receives Updated ZTEM, South Block Big Chunk, Alaska

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NRA goes ahead, makes Joe Coors’ day

Posted: at 2:13 am

UPDATE: Congressman Ed Perlmutters campaign weighs in.

The National Rifle Association has endorsed congressional candidate Joe Coors, saying the Golden Republican is committed to protecting our Second Amendment freedoms and hunting heritage.

The endorsement is from the NRAs political victory fund, which does not automatically endorse the Republican in the race, said spokesman Andrew Arulanandam. In Colorado in 2010, the group endorsed two Democratic incumbents, Reps. John Salazar of Manassa, and Betsy Markey of Fort Collins, over their GOP challengers, Scott Tipton and Cory Gardner, respectively. Arulanandam said the incumbents had strong 2nd Amendment records.

The NRA doesnt share that opinion of Coors opponent, Democrat Ed Perlmutter, who is seeking his fourth term in the 7th Congressional District.

Joe Coors is a strong supporter of national concealed carry, the Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act, and legislation to help open access to public lands to sportsmen, the NRA said in its release. In contrast, his opponent voted against the Sportsmens Heritage Act of 2012 and the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act. In addition, Congressman Perlumutter supports the reauthorization of the Clinton Gun Ban and refused to sign both the Heller and McDonald amicus briefs.

Coors zinged Perlmutter at the news.

My opponent seems to think that taking guns away from the good guys will keep the bad guys from getting them, Coors said. I know the difference and I will act accordingly as your congressman from the 7th District. Unlike my opponent, I trust Colorados gun owners and will work in Congress to ensure that they enjoy the freedom the Second Amendment guarantees, not less.

Perlmutters campaign said he has a strong record of supporting the 2nd Amendment, back to his days in the state Senate.

What we share is support for the 2nd Amendment and law abiding citizens and sportsmens rights to lawfully buy firearms, the campaign said in a statement.

What Joe Coors and the NRA apparently dont share, is Eds belief that cop-killer assault weapons should be restricted and there should be background checks so people with mental illnesses cant buy guns, which is what could have prevented some of the terrible gun-related school and church killings in our state and country and why law enforcement endorses Ed.

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NRA goes ahead, makes Joe Coors’ day

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Internet cartoonist's charity fundraiser turns into free speech debate

Posted: at 2:13 am

The Oatmeal

This cheeky response to a legal threat began a successful charity fundraiser, but it also led to convoluted drama.

By Rosa Golijan

Most of the time, I avoid calling legal fights "bizarre" or "unbelievable," but both terms seem applicable towhat is going on between cartoonist Matthew "The Oatmeal" Inman and attorney Charles Carreon.

In less than a month,a lawsuit threat was turned into a highly successful charity fundraiser which then became a legal drama so twisted that a crowd-sourcing website, two charities, one hundred individuals listed as "John Doe," and even the California state attorney general found themselves involved.

But why does all this matter to you?

Because freedom of speech is on the line as it often is whenever someone's Internet activity leads to a legal mess.

Wait! How'd we get to this point?Even though many people don't recognize his name, 29-year-oldMatthew "The Oatmeal" Inman is a popular cartoonist. You've probably seen plenty of his work such as "10 Words You Need To Stop Misspelling,""What It's Like To Own An Apple Product," or "Cat vs Internet" in yourFacebookfeed, on Twitter, or on your favorite blog at some point. It's almost impossible to avoid Inman online.

As we explained when we intially begain covering the Carreon vs. Inman drama, the popularity of Inman's work often prompts websites to repost it without asking or crediting him. More often than not, these websites will even profit from this practice.

About a year ago, Inman got fed up with a website called FunnyJunk which had become particularly prone tore-hosting and monetizing his work. Hewrote a blog postdeclaring that FunnyJunk had "practically stolen [his] entire website."The website's owner respondedby claiming that Inman was threatening to sue him and removing any content which referenced "The Oatmeal."

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Swedish Skin Care's Razor Burn Freedom for Women Wins Members' Choice Award at ICMAD's 2012 CITY Awards

Posted: July 2, 2012 at 11:13 am

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Swedish Skin Care's RAZOR BURN FREEDOM for Women won in its category at the prestigious Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers & Distributors (ICMAD) seventh annual Cosmetic Innovators of the Year (CITY) Awards. The award was announced at the ICMAD CITY Awards Ceremony in New York on June 20.

Swedish Skin Care's Razor Burn Freedom for Women was one of 15 entries under the Members' Choice: Bath, Body & Hair category. A panel of industry experts voted on beauty brands in 14 categories based on innovative products, packaging, and advertising/marketing concepts from 2011. http://www.icmad.org/innovators/index.asp?cid=19

"We are elated to receive this validation," explained Swedish Skin Care CEO Bengt Johansson. "We created Razor Burn Freedom for Women because nothing else on the market effectively helped women with post hair-removal skin symptoms, such as razor burn, ingrown hair and skin irritation. All of our research and testing was worth it. Users and industry experts agree - it works."

"This product is amazing! I have never seen anything like it in my 30+ years in the beauty industry," explained Jazz Moreno, beauty products distributor and owner of JAZZ-Z Beauty Products.

"This Awards program showcases the growth that cosmetic and personal care products have made over the years," stated Pam Busiek, ICMAD president and CEO. "Innovative products such as Swedish Skin Care's Razor Burn Freedom provide the public with the quality and choice they deserve."

About RAZOR BURN FREEDOM for Women Doctor developed in Sweden, this patented, triple-action formula is (the company believes) the first treatment of its kind formulated exclusively for women and their specific post hair-removal skin needs. The product is not limited to razor burn symptoms. Formulated without paraben and fragrances, it produces great results after waxing, electrolysis, threading, tweezing, and laser hair removal.

Razor Burn Freedom for Women is offered in a 3.38 fl oz /100 ml pump spray bottle for $30. This and Swedish Skin Care's other products are available at http://www.SwedishSkinCare.com and include a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. info@SwedishSkinCare.com, 888.658.7546 (SKIN).

Swedish Skin Care also offers products for anti aging and dry skin.

Media contact: Jason Sherman, http://www.shermancm.com, Public Relations Firm, 888.658.7546

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

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Swedish Skin Care's Razor Burn Freedom for Women Wins Members' Choice Award at ICMAD's 2012 CITY Awards

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Freedom to agree with me

Posted: at 11:13 am

What has Mohamed Nazri Tan Sri Abdul Aziz got to say about this? Nazri, can we hear from you, please? You are a product of MCKK. As an Old Boy of MCKK you are supposed to be liberal and a defender of free speech. Are you going to keep quiet and allow your Umno brethren to whack Jalil and demand his resignation/sacking? This is your opportunity to prove that a MCKK education has not been wasted on you, Nazri.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

The pro-Umno website, The Unspinners, published this article today:

Ketua Pengarang NST/BH patut letak jawatan!

Ketua Pengarang Kumpulan NST/BH, Dato Jalil Abdul Hamid telah sabotaj persediaan pilihanraya Perdana Menteri merangkap Pengerusi BN dan Presiden UMNO, Dato Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak dan sepatutnya dipecat di atas pengkhianatan ini.

Sabotaj ini dilakukan dengan melaporkan kenyataan bekas Ketua Pengarah Perkhidmatan Awam (KPPA) Dato Abu Bakar Abdullah seolah beliau dianiaya dipecat dari jawatan dan membantu menimbulkan salahfaham dan keresahan dikalangan kakitangan awam.

READ MORE HERE: http://theunspinners.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/ketua-pengarang-nstbh-patut-letak.html

Jalil Abdul Hamid, the Chief Editor of NST, the Umno-owned mainstream newspaper, was the chap who interviewed me just before New Years Day of 2012. The interview, which was published on 1st January 2012, attracted quite a bit of controversy, as expected, just like my TV3 interview did about a year earlier.

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Rights to free speech upheld

Posted: at 11:12 am

Published: Mon, July 2, 2012 @ 12:07 a.m.

By Peter H. Milliken

milliken@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

A state appeals court has deemed unconstitutional an Ohio law that it says infringed on First Amendment rights.

A state law that requires a public-employee labor union to give the employer at least 10 days advance written notice of its intent to picket imposes an unconstitutional infringement on free speech rights, the Youngstown-based 7th District Court of Appeals has ruled.

The ruling arose from peaceful informational picketing by the Mahoning County Education Association of Developmental Disabilities outside a Nov. 5, 2007, public meeting of the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Austintown, while the union was in negotiations for a new contract with the board.

The union represents teachers, teaching assistants, therapists, nurses, workshop specialists and secretaries employed by the board. The pickets carried signs saying Settle now, and MEADD deserves a fair contract.

The union appealed to the 7th District Court after the State Employment Relations Board and Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court upheld an unfair labor practice complaint by the DD board concerning the picketing.

A three-judge appellate court panel ruled unanimously on Thursday that the 10-day notice requirement is not necessary to serve a compelling government interest and is not narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.

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Free speech, even for liars

Posted: at 11:12 am

Xavier Alvarez, a former member of the Three Valleys Municipal Water District governing board in eastern Los Angeles County, won an important victory in the Supreme Court on Thursday. But he probably won't want to frame the leading opinion and hang it on his wall.

"Lying was his habit," begins JusticeAnthony M. Kennedy's opinion. "Xavier Alvarez, the respondent here, lied when he said that he played hockey for the Detroit Red Wings and that he once married a starlet from Mexico. But when he lied in announcing he held the congressional Medal of Honor, respondent ventured onto new ground; for that lie violates a federal criminal statute, the Stolen Valor Act of 2005."

Nevertheless, despite Alvarez's almost comic mendacity, the court overturned his conviction, ruling 6 to 3 that the Stolen Valor Act which makes it a crime to falsely claim military honors violated the 1st Amendment. It was the correct decision.

Congress' justification for the Stolen Valor Act was to prevent damage to the reputation and meaning of military medals; it was inspired by legitimate solicitude for war heroes. But no one seriously believes people will think less of the Medal of Honor because someone pretends to possess one. If anything, anger over such a fraud reinforces the esteem in which the decoration is held.

And a lie like Alvarez's has a short shelf life. (A list of actual Medal of Honor winners is only a Google search away.) As Kennedy pointed out: "The facts of this case indicate that the dynamics of free speech, of counterspeech, of refutation, can overcome the lie." Alvarez, for instance, was ridiculed online and in the media for his lie.

Kennedy also questioned the broad sweep of the law, which, he noted, would have criminalized Alvarez's lie not just at a public meeting but even if he made it in a "personal, whispered conversation" in his own home. What's more, it does so entirely without regard to whether the lie was made for the purpose of material gain.

Although the court has refused to protect false statements in cases of libel and fraud, it has recognized that "some false statements are inevitable if there is to be an open and vigorous expression of views" in public and private conversation.

Unfortunately, Kennedy's eloquent opinion was joined only by Chief Justice John G. RobertsJr.and Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor. Justices Stephen G. Breyer and Elena Kagan concurred in the result but wrote a separate, more grudging opinion that held out the possibility that Congress could enact a "more finely tailored statute" to deal with false statements about military honors. Before rushing to act on that suggestion, Congress should make sure that liars like Alvarez are actually deriving financial benefit from their phony war stories, and that the offense can't be dealt with under existing law.

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Free speech, even for liars

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