28 Sep 2012

Tips for Creating Championship Teams in Business

By Ginny Grimsley

Great coaches take into consideration an athlete's talent and heart when they're building a team, but they consider group dynamics, too, says entrepreneur J. Allan McCarthy.

"It's not just a matter of getting the fastest, strongest and smartest players on your side," says McCarthy, an international scaling expert and author of Beyond Genius, Innovation & Luck: The 'Rocket Science' of Building High-Performance Corporations (www.mccarthyandaffiliates.com).

"If you're building a championship team, you're gauging how the individual athletes fit together; how their personalities, talents, drive and abilities will mesh to meet the team's goals. It's exactly what you need to do to build a winning corporate team. As Michael Jordan, put it, 'Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.' "

In the 2011 film Moneyball, Coach Billy Beane picks his players based on analysis and evidence, says McCarthy, who has worked with hundreds of companies. He doesn't ever just "go with his gut."

McCarthy provides key points for building a successful, effective team:

· Lead with a team, not a group: A team of leaders behaves very differently than a group of leaders. Many companies don't know the difference. "It comes down to clear goals, interdependencies and rules of engagement," McCarthy says, Every corporation claims to hire only the best and the brightest but it is evident that getting the best and brightest to function as a team can be a challenge.

· Know your goals: McCarthy cites Bill Gates - "Teams should be able to act with the same unity of purpose and focus as a well-motivated individual." Many big-name CEOs like to say their talent runs free with innovative ideas. "It makes for compelling literature," McCarthy says. But would that work on the football field? Corporations need their personnel to think out-of-the-box but also act in a prescriptive culture - to work within a system in order to achieve common objectives.

· Not everyone can be the coach - or the quarterback: The problem with executives is that they all want to lead and none want to follow, McCarthy says. A team made up of executives is like a group of thoroughbred stallions confined to a small space called an organization -- plenty of kicking, biting and discord. Thoroughbreds don't naturally work well as a team. Better to define responsibilities that build a "foxhole mentality," wherein one person has the gun, the other the bullets, McCarthy says. It's in the best interests of both for each to succeed.

· The strongest teams are adept at resolving conflict: Hiring the best and the brightest should create a diverse, competent group ? but inevitably these stallions generate friction that can sabotage company progress. So, sensitize team members to the early warning signs: know-it-all attitudes, multi-tasking during team meetings, exhibiting dominant behavior, not responding in a timely fashion or engaging in avoidance. Agree, as a team, on how to mutually manage and minimize counterproductive behaviors as they surface.

· Create individual and team agreements: Here is where the "rubber meets the road" - it's the final stage of planning who will do what for team objectives, as well as a collective agreement on team rules and interdependencies. Ask individuals to openly commit to what they will do, and how the team is to function. The public declaration stresses employee obligation and collaborative management.

"We live in a 21st-century economy where speed and efficiency is a top priority, and that often means a 'shoot first, ask questions later' mentality," McCarthy says. "But you get the team that you plan for, not necessarily what you pay for. If time is money, then I'd invest it in creating and building a championship team."

About J. Allan McCarthy

J. Allan McCarthy, principal of J.A. McCarthy & Affiliates, has more than 20 years of experience across 15 industries and more than 200 companies. He is a scaling expert who helps organizations determine how to best align strategy, structure and workforce capabilities. He earned his master's of management from Golden Gate University, a Stanford University AEA MBA refresher, and has worked with many international companies, including Cisco Systems, Raychem Corporation, SAP Inc., Redback Networks, BEA Systems and Ericsson.

28 Sep 2012

Niabi Zoo's Pints for Pachyderms is Sold Out

By Rick Martin

Coal Valley, IL - September 27, 2012 - Niabi Zoo announced today that its Pints for Pachyderms beer and wine tasting event has sold out.

The event, which is scheduled to take place Friday, September 28th, has no more tickets available. Advance ticket sales were very strong, and in order to ensure an enjoyable event for those already with tickets, no more tickets will be available for purchase.

"We're amazed with how well tickets have sold for this event, especially since it's only our second year hosting it," said Zoo Director Marc Heinzman. "While we're sorry that we will have to limit how many people can come to this incredible event, we want to make sure that we're able to provide the best experience possible to everyone who already has purchased tickets. We only have so much
beer, wine, and food for everyone to enjoy."

According to Heinzman, over 750 tickets have been sold. In 2011, the first year for the event, about 550 people attended Pints for Pachyderms. Niabi Zoo hopes to plan an even larger event next year so that more people can come and enjoy this one of a kind event.

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28 Sep 2012

Gov. Branstad announces Iowa school districts receive Teacher Incentive Funding

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad announced today that the Central Decatur Community School District and the Saydel Community School District won a grant in partnership with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) from the U. S. Department of Education's 2012 Teacher Incentive Fund.

The goal of the project is to create a new teacher leadership and compensation structure in each district to help boost student achievement. This will be done by putting in place NIET's Teacher Advancement Program (TAP), which creates mentor and master teacher roles that provide more support for classroom teachers to help them improve instructional strategies. As part of the project, the districts will make it possible for teachers who specialize in science, technology, engineering and math to seek more training at local universities. Helping principals become more effective also is a focus of the project.

The grant provides $2.3 million for the first two years, with the possibility of nearly $9.6 million total over five years depending upon annual congressional appropriations.

"This is an outstanding opportunity to implement a new teacher leadership and compensation structure, which will better support teachers in the classroom as they work to raise student achievement," said Branstad. "I would like to thank the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching and the Central Decatur and Saydel school districts for working together to win this grant. Their superintendents, school boards, teachers' associations and others did an extraordinary job of moving this application forward in a short time frame. Graceland University and Grand View University also deserve to be commended for their support for the grant application. So does the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Advisory Council."

"The creation of mentor and master teacher roles will give teachers new career options in these two districts," Branstad added. "We cannot continue the one-size-fits-all approach toward the teaching profession, which limits professional opportunities."

The Central Decatur and Saydel superintendents said the grant will better support work already under way in their districts.

"We are excited to have this opportunity. The core concepts of the Teacher Advancement Program align with the work we have done and conversations we already have had as a district. We feel this will help provide more structure and better consistency to sustain and improve student achievement," said Chris Coffelt, Central Decatur superintendent. Coffelt added that the grant will offer teachers multiple career paths, and will help the district have more success retaining and attracting great teachers.

"I believe the grant has the power to be transformational. It is such a great opportunity to improve teaching to increase student learning," said Saydel Superintendent Brad Buck.

Buck said Saydel teachers work extraordinarily hard now, but the additional support will help them accelerate student achievement.

"In line with Governor Branstad's and Education Director Jason Glass's reform blueprint, this will open up new career opportunities in our district with the designation of mentor and master teacher roles," said Buck. Master teachers will spend 100 percent of their day providing staff with instructional coaching and analyzing student achievement data, among other duties, he said.

"This is an exciting new day for the teaching profession in Iowa," said Glass. "This is the first federal grant of its kind ever awarded to the state and a marked change from the one-size-fits-all profession that has come to limit career opportunities for teachers. We are incredibly proud of these two districts and their innovative spirit, and we look for them to lead the way in this exciting new era of the teaching profession."

The grant won by Central Decatur and Saydel is one of 35 grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Education to "improve pay structures, reward great teachers and principals, and provide greater professional opportunities to teachers in high-poverty schools." For more information: http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-boosts-district-led-efforts-recognize-and-reward-great-t

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28 Sep 2012

Grassley Presses for Answers About Alleged FBI Prostitution Case

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley is pressing FBI Director Robert Mueller for information about taxpayer dollars possibly being spent on prostitutes for an FBI agent and several cooperating witnesses in the Philippines.

Grassley's questions come after a motion outlining the allegations was filed in a California federal district court. The motion alleges that an undercover agent "invited [the cooperating individuals] to . . . brothels in and around Manila in order to reward them for their efforts and encourage them to continue looking for weapons. [The undercover agent] ordered prostitutes, and paid for himself and others to have sex with the prostitutes." The motion also provides correspondence from the Justice Department which confirms that the undercover FBI agent made reimbursement requests totaling $14,500 in expenses incurred by the undercover agent at clubs in the Philippines. In addition, the motion claims that many of the prostitutes at one of the brothels the FBI agent frequented were likely minors.

Grassley said that U.S. federal law enforcement personnel must be beyond reproach and that this type of behavior cannot be condoned by FBI leadership. Grassley has requested the FBI to provide responses to questions, a briefing and documents by October 10, 2012, regarding this situation.

The text of the letter to Mueller is below. A signed copy of the letter can be found here.

September 27, 2012

Via Electronic Transmission

The Honorable Robert S. Mueller, III

Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation

U.S. Department of Justice

J. Edgar Hoover Building

935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20535

Dear Director Mueller:

Recently, I became aware of disturbing allegations regarding an undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent in the Philippines. A motion filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California last week alleges that the undercover FBI agent spent thousands of taxpayer dollars on prostitutes in the Philippines for himself and three other individuals cooperating with the FBI.[1] If true, this story raises serious questions about the behavior of this agent and the FBI's knowledge of this matter.

The motion alleges that the undercover agent and another FBI agent, both based out of West Covina, California, were in the Philippines as part of a weapons-trafficking investigation. The undercover agent was reportedly posing as a weapons broker for Mexican drug cartels.[2] According to the motion: "On several occasions, the undercover agent invited [the cooperating individuals] to . . . brothels in and around Manila in order to reward them for their efforts and encourage them to continue looking for weapons. [The undercover agent] ordered prostitutes, and paid for himself and others to have sex with the prostitutes."[3] It is unclear whether the second FBI agent was ever also present.

The motion attaches a declaration from a federal public defender investigator, who traveled to the Philippines in May 2012 to interview witnesses.[4] The motion also provides correspondence from Justice Department trial attorneys dated August 23, 2012, which confirms that the undercover FBI agent did indeed make "several requests for reimbursement . . . for the time period November 15, 2010 to September 27, 2011 that may relate to expenses incurred by the undercover agent at clubs in the Philippines" when the three individuals cooperating with the FBI were present.[5] The requested reimbursements total $14,500. The Justice Department's correspondence is attached to this letter.

The motion claims that many of the prostitutes at one of the brothels the FBI agent frequented were likely minors. It attaches documentation that on May 5, 2012, the Philippine government raided the brothel and rescued 60 victims of human trafficking, 20 of whom were minors.[6] The aforementioned letter from Justice Department trial attorneys acknowledges that the undercover FBI agent submitted a request for reimbursement based on expenses at the brothel on September 26 and 27, 2011.[7] The motion also identifies at least four other dates on which discovery produced by the government indicates the FBI agent visited the brothel.[8]

In light of this information, I ask that you provide a briefing to my staff on this issue as soon as possible. I also request that you come prepared to answer the following questions:

1) Of the $14,500 requested by the undercover agent for reimbursement, how much was the agent actually reimbursed by the FBI?

2) Was the undercover FBI agent the case agent for this weapons-trafficking investigation? If not, did the case agent authorize the expenses at the brothels in this undercover operation?

3) Did any other U.S. law enforcement or embassy personnel visit these brothels with the undercover FBI agent? Please list each agency, the number of employees involved, each individual's role, and whether they were a recipient of the services for which reimbursement was requested of the FBI.

4) Was any of the activity for which reimbursement was requested recorded by wire or video surveillance? If so, which activity? Please provide all recordings.

5) What other U.S. law enforcement or embassy personnel participated in the Philippines in the overall weapons-trafficking investigation? Please list each agency, the number of employees involved, and their role.

6) Was the first-line supervisor of the undercover FBI agent and/or case agent aware of the undercover agent's visits to brothels? What other supervisors were informed?

7) When and how did FBI headquarters become aware of these allegations against this FBI agent working in the Philippines?

8) What actions were taken by FBI headquarters to investigate these allegations?

9) Has discipline been proposed for any FBI employees (agents or other personnel) in connection with this? If so, please describe the circumstances and procedural standing of the proposed discipline.

10) When did FBI supervisors become aware that minors may have been involved at these brothels?

11) Did the U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) running the undercover operation receive notification of and/or authorize the undercover activity at the brothels?

12) Was the USAO running the undercover operation provided notes or other materials (e.g. 302's) regarding the events in question? If so, please provide these documents.

13) Is the FBI aware of any other instances of similar behavior occurring by other agents stationed around the world? If so, please describe them.

14) How many FBI employees (agents or other personnel) have been disciplined in the last eight years, including those terminated or voluntarily separated from the FBI, for soliciting, hiring, procuring the services of, or other inappropriate behavior involving prostitutes? Include all instances in which the FBI's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) reviewed allegations that FBI agents were involved with prostitutes, including a detailed summary of the allegations, the findings of investigation, the pay grade and rank of the employee, the proposed punishment (administrative or otherwise), the location where the incident(s) occurred, and whether the employee is still employed by the FBI.

15) How many FBI employees (agents or other personnel) have been terminated by the FBI following an investigation or allegations of inappropriate involvement with prostitutes?

16) How many FBI employees (agents or other personnel) remain employed by the FBI following an investigation or allegations of inappropriate involvement with prostitutes?

Finally, please also provide the following documents:

17) Any case notes or briefing plan regarding the undercover activity, including how the undercover activity was monitored or details on surveillance by agents in the brothels.

18) All emails pertaining to FBI becoming aware of any of the above allegations.

19) All emails demonstrating the FBI's response to the above allegations.

Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter. I would appreciate receiving your response to this matter by October 10, 2012. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact my staff at (202) 224-5225.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley
Ranking Member

Attachment

cc: The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Attorney General of the United States

U.S. Department of Justice

The Honorable Michael E. Horowitz

Inspector General

U.S. Department of Justice

[1] Motion to Dismiss Indictment Because of Outrageous Government Conduct, United States v. Syjuco, Case No. CR 12-37-RGK (C.D. Cal., Sept. 17, 2012).

2 Id. at 4.

3 Id. at 10-11.

4 Id. at 50-55 (Declaration of Richard Goff (Sept. 14, 2012)).

5 Id. at 114-115 (Letter on behalf of Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer to John Littrell, et al. (Aug. 23, 2012), at 1) (Attachment 1).

6 Id. at 116-127, Exhibit F (Recommendation for Prosecution, National Bureau of Investigation, Republic of the Philippines (May 7, 2012)).

7 Id. at 113-115, Exhibit E (Letter on behalf of Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer to John Littrell, et al. (Aug. 23, 2012), at 1).

8 Id. at 11. The dates are October 5, 2010; November 16, 2010; February 22, 2011; and September 23, 2011.

[1] Motion to Dismiss Indictment Because of Outrageous Government Conduct, United States v. Syjuco, Case No. CR 12-37-RGK (C.D. Cal., Sept. 17, 2012).

[2] Id. at 4.

[3] Id. at 10-11.

[4] Id. at 50-55 (Declaration of Richard Goff (Sept. 14, 2012)).

[5] Id. at 114-115 (Letter on behalf of Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer to John Littrell, et al. (Aug. 23, 2012), at 1) (Attachment 1).

[6] Id. at 116-127, Exhibit F (Recommendation for Prosecution, National Bureau of Investigation, Republic of the Philippines (May 7, 2012)).

[7] Id. at 113-115, Exhibit E (Letter on behalf of Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer to John Littrell, et al. (Aug. 23, 2012), at 1).

[8] Id. at 11. The dates are October 5, 2010; November 16, 2010; February 22, 2011; and September 23, 2011.

28 Sep 2012

Seniors and Seasonal Flu

By Craig Cooper

Get In The Fight Against Flu

By Ann O'Donnell, D.O.

Genesis Health Group

Occasionally we may forget where the car keys are, or call a grandchild by a child's name, but we usually don't forget something that is free!

Flu shots won't cost you a dime out of your own pocket if you receive Medicare benefits. You can take advantage of the benefit, and protect your health, by getting a seasonal flu vaccination each year. This may be your first vaccine, your tenth or many more than that, but remember that you need it every year.

If you receive Medicare benefits, all you have to do is to show up and present your card. At Genesis flu shot clinics, and at most of the other businesses and organizations providing flu shots, your Medicare claim will be filed for you.

It is especially important if you are 65 or older that you be protected against seasonal influenza. As we age, our immune system weakens, making us more susceptible to the potentially dangerous, and sometimes fatal, complications of influenza. A frequent complication is pneumonia, so it also is a good idea to ask your physician about a pneumococcal vaccination.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that 90 percent of all seasonal flu-related deaths in the U.S. each year occur in people 65 or older. The CDC also says that more than 60 percent of the flu-related hospitalizations also occur in people 65 or older.

Every year the vaccine is modified to reflect the strains that have been prominent in the world in the previous year. Usually the vaccine will protect against at least three different strains of the influenza virus. That is why one shot does not cover you for longer than one flu season. The best way to help prevent the spread of the virus is with good hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding public contact with people who are sick. A flu vaccination is your best "additional" insurance against developing the flu.

If you get the flu, seek medical attention, especially if you have other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, COPD or heart disease. You'll likely know you have the flu from the fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and extreme fatigue. Influenza is a respiratory illness, not gastrointestinal. A doctor may suggest antiviral medication if you are just beginning to have the symptoms. Antivirals are more effective when the flu is diagnosed early. If you have had the disease for several days, the antiviral may have limited effectiveness. Fluids, rest and time are the key components to treatment. Like it or not, we can not hurry "Father Time."

You may have heard of herd immunity. That is the concept that if the people around you have been vaccinated, you will be protected even if you haven't been vaccinated. This doctor's advice would be to not take the risk. If more people think that way, we will be looking at an outbreak of the flu in epidemic proportions. Get vaccinated!

Genesis is doing its part to create an umbrella of flu protection over the region. Last year, the health system vaccinated about 35,000 people, including 9,400 elementary school children, who received free flu shots from the Flu-Free Quad Cities program.

No excuses. It's free if you have Medicare and you'll not only protect yourself, but your family, friends and loved ones around you.

Dr. Ann O'Donnell, D.O. is medical director of Genesis Hospice and the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.

28 Sep 2012

Morthland to Host CUB Event

By Rep. Rich Morthland

Moline, IL...State Representative Rich Morthland (R-Cordova) and the Citizen's Utility Board will host a free phone bill analysis program Tuesday October 2, from 1pm - 3pm at the Moline Public Library, 3210 Forty First Street, Moline, IL. One on one sessions with CUB staff will last approximately 10 minutes each. The event is free and open to the public.

"I encourage anyone who wants to see if they are eligible to save money on their monthly phone bill to attend this program," said Morthland. "Staff from the Citizen's Utility Board will analyze your phone bill, look at your past phone usage and see if you can save any money by reducing your services or using a different carrier." Attendees must bring a copy of their phone bill to be analyzed.

"To date, CUB has helped Illinois residents save over $9 million on their phone bills," said Sarah Moskowitz of the Citizen's Utility Board. "It is CUB's mission to be an advocate for Illinois citizens. This starts by helping Illinoisans become wise consumers."

Registration is not required for this event, but it is recommended. To register please call Rep. Morthland at (309) 762-3008. "In today's tough economy it pays to be a smart consumer," said Morthland. "I anticipate many residents of the 71^st District attend this program and start saving money. The last time we sponsored one of these events, it was very helpful."

Visit: www.morthland.ilhousegop.org

Rich Morthland is on Facebook.com/rich.morthland

28 Sep 2012

To Build Credibility, There's Nothing Like A Book

By Rick Martin

How to Create Yours with a Minimal Investment of Time, Money
By: Michael Levin

How do you build trust with clients when people have lost their faith in the markets - and advisors, too?

And how do you stand out from the pack when investors can go online and find dozens or even hundreds of advisors from whom to choose, not to mention the Fidelitys and ScottTrades of the world?

For more and more financial advisors, financial planners, and owners of financial services firms, the answer is writing a book.

When you're an author, you're the authority.

But how are you supposed to write a book when you're jammed with taking care of your current clients and prospecting for more?

A process of 10 simple steps involving a minimal investment of your time and money can make you a published author in a matter of weeks. Your book will be full of your own thoughts and ideas, and convey just the tone you want. Best yet, you never have to sit down to write a word.

Keep in mind, you aren't going into the book business ? you're using your own book to build your business. It doesn't matter if you don't sell a single copy. The idea is to demonstrate to prospective clients that you are the most trustworthy, knowledgeable authority in your field. That going it alone is not a great strategy. And that the value you provide far outstrips anything they could get from a website or from your competition.

You already know far more about your field than you could easily fit into a 150-175 page book (the best size book for today's shortened attention spans). People need to realize just how much you know about your specific area. They need to know that you have a plan and a process for protecting and growing their hard-earned money. That's something only a book can do - not a white paper, not a website, and certainly not a 140-character tweet!

So how do you write a book without bringing in a ghostwriter?

· Step 1. Define your market niche. Who do you want to reach? Who can make you the most money? Don't think about writing a best-selling book - think about a best-earning book. Your niche will make you rich. So who's at the heart of your target audience?

· Step 2. What's the biggest problem they face? Are they retirees, afraid of outliving their money? Are they parents trying to fund their children's education? What keeps them up at night?

· Step 3. Ask yourself how you've solved this problem for other clients in the past. Break down your solution into a multi-step process. Each step in your process is going to be a separate chapter in your book.

· Step 4. Hire a college or grad student in journalism from a local school ? see some clips first, before you make an agreement ? to interview you for an hour a day on each step in your process. Tell the person all the war stories, facts and figures, successful client engagements, everything that relates to each specific chapter of the book. Pay the student $250-300 per chapter for the interviewing and writing.

· Step 5. Fact check the completed manuscript and have it professionally proofread. You can find proofreaders online.

· Step 6. Have a cover designed for your book on a website like 99Designs.com, which aggregates graphic design work for a remarkably low fee. You can get a great cover for less than $300.

· Step 7. Upload the book to Kindle Direct - have someone tech-savvy in your office follow the fairly straightforward process. Within hours, you'll have a book that's available on Amazon as a download for the Kindle.

· Step 8. Offer the book as a free PDF download to people who visit your website in exchange for contact information.

· Step 9. Use Amazon's CreateSpace program to get physical books printed, which you can use as leave-behinds with prospects and as a way of getting lucrative and valuable speaking engagements.

· Step 10. Throw yourself a book launch party - put it in the local news media - and invite current clients to come and bring friends. Sign books, create amazing new credibility for yourself, .and laugh all the way to the bank!

About Michael Levin: New York Times best-selling author Michael Levin runs www.BusinessGhost.com, which specializes in ghostwriting books for financial services professionals.

28 Sep 2012

If Re-Elected, Obama Should End FCC Threat To Restrict TV News, Press

By Ginny Grimsley

By: Corydon B. Dunham

Corydon Dunham is a former TV network executive and general counsel, and author of , "Government Control of News."

On Tuesday, President Obama spent much of his address to the United Nations General Assembly discussing free speech in an era of global instant communication.

"I know that not all countries in this body share this particular understanding of the protection of free speech," he said.

Meanwhile, under his administration the FCC is holding a plan for a new balance, diversity and localism rule that would enable the U.S. government to suppress television news and restrict speech.

The new rule is similar to the old Fairness Doctrine, which the FCC and courts revoked in 1987 when they found it was against the public interest. FCC investigations had deterred and suppressed television news, restricted speech, and prevented criticism of incumbent administrations.

As my book reveals, the new localism rule would have similar results or worse. One new member of the FCC staff who helped draft the localism rule has written that freedom of speech and press is not his "objective," and that free speech "is warped to protect global corporations and block rules that would promote democratic governance." He also concludes the new localism rule could be used to take away licenses in place of the "misnamed Fairness Doctrine."

Another wrote that television is a "powerful source of homogenization and pabulum," and recommended using burdensome FCC regulations to "hasten the demise of broadcasting" (later reworded.) That writer applauded a rule which would make broadcasting local events more difficult so "local viewers are less likely to watch the local broadcasters."

A special report recommended in June 2011 that the localism proceeding be ended because of its destructive burdens. Over opposition from other commissioners, the FCC chairman appointed by President Obama continued it and, after the November election, the FCC could move to adopt it.

The Chief of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, a fellow law professor of President Obama, has long urged that the government should take control of news to achieve its political and social purposes. Another former law professor, since appointed by President Obama to the Supreme Court, wrote an article also urging the government to manage news, saying this would be constitutional if news coverage were not "ideal" at a particular time, and government was changing news to that end.

The great historian Gordon S. Wood writes, "Remember that the United States has always been to ourselves and to the world primarily an idea." Ending this country's free press and free speech traditions would certainly destroy that idea.

About Corydon B. Dunham

Corydon B. Dunham is a Harvard Law School graduate. His Government Control of News study was initiated at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Smithsonian Institute, and expanded and developed for the Corydon B. Dunham Fellowship for the First Amendment at Harvard Law School and the Dunham Open Forum for First Amendment Values at Bowdoin College. Dunham was an executive at NBC from 1965 to 1990. He oversaw legal and government matters and broadcast standards. He was on the board of directors of the National Television Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Corporate Counsel Association, and American Arbitration Association among other posts.

28 Sep 2012

Downtown Davenport this week: Sept 27-Oct 3

By Downtown Davenport Partnership

Hello!

Although the summer season may be over, there's still plenty of things to see and do downtown! Matthew West, a Dove Award nominee, headlines at the Adler Theatre Saturday. On Tuesday at the Adler, a performance of In the Mood will celebrate the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, and other icons of the 1940's.

Stop by Bucktown during Final Friday for opening night of the 2012 Living Proof Exhibit, which includes more than 100 pieces of art from cancer survivors. This inspiring event will feature performances by Ellis Kell, ComedySportz, and more.

Described by Music Connection as "bohemian, intriguing, and introspective," John Common is an act worth checking out Friday at River Music Experience. Tonight, another highly recommended eclectic band, Paper Bird, will take the stage. Other great programming this week includes The Curtis Hawkins Band, Todd Clouser's A Love Electric, Community Drum Circle, QC Rock Academy, Blues Cafe, and more.

Fall is here, and that means it's time for the Pumpkin Ale Tapping at Great River Brewery. Join the brewers on Saturday to enjoy this seasonal favorite. You won't want to miss seeing the ale flowing from giant pumpkins! Brew fans should mark their calendar for next week's "Suds!" beer tasting event at German American Heritage Center, too.

Tonight, the Figge is hosting its opening reception for the Posting Beauty in African American Culture Exhibit. Check out the Curator Lecture on this great exhibit this weekend, too. Participate in one of the museum's upcoming figure drawing, watercolor, and tapestry weaving classes, too. There will be a fun Pastel Landscape Workshop and Arts Lovers Book Club this week, as well.

Rhythm City is featuring one more evening of their popular It's A Mystery Dinner Theater on Saturday! Reserve your seat today and plan to enjoy free music from Lee Blackmon both Friday and Saturday at the casino, too. Don't forget to pay a visit to the Freight House Farmers Market this week while you're here!

See you downtown!

This Week's Events: September 27 - October 3

Thursday, September 27

$2,800 Bank It Blackjack Tournament

Where: Rhythm City Casino

Time: Registration 5 p.m. Tournament 6 p.m.

Price: $20 entry fee

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