State GOP $2 million in debt

The Republican Party of Minnesota is $2 million in debt heading into an expensive election year, including more than $700,000 owed to lawyers in last year's gubernatorial recount.

GOP officials released the new financial information Friday, disclosing previously unreported debts, credit card bills, and fees from the recount far greater than anyone expected.

Party leaders decided to release the report, including what they called "ugly" information, in an effort to rebuild trust among voters, activists and contributors. The new information showed a party burning through cash far faster than it was taking it in as the former chairman did not disclose mountains of debt to party leaders.

Republicans said that they found no immediate evidence of criminal wrongdoing, but that they could not rule it out. "The people in the Republican Party need to know where we stand, warts and all," said Jeff Johnson, a Republican National Committee member who led the review of party finances. "There are some warts in here."

Also Friday, the party's secretary-treasurer, David Sturrock, resigned, saying in a letter to activists that the party needs someone in that position who does not live 160 miles from party headquarters and who has "significant financial management experience."

Sturrock also said secretary-treasurers "need to be informed more fully. ... I was neither consulted nor informed about ... 2010 recount costs. Also, the unreported obligations identified by the current financial review were not known to me."

It was another in a series of resignations by party leaders. Former chairman Tony Sutton resigned early this month amid mounting pressure about party finances. He would not comment in detail Friday, but released a statement saying he doesn't regret spending money to win control of the Legislature for the first time in 40 years.

Businessman Mike Vekich, who helped the GOP dig through expenses, said they discovered $415,211 in debt that had never been reported. In addition, the party owes $100,000 in refunds to contributors and in checks that had been reported as paid but had not been sent to vendors.

Vekich and Johnson also discovered $18,000 in credit card debt and $200,000 in bank lines of credit that are tapped out. They are still trying to learn more details about the credit card expenses.

The GOP owes money to more than 60 entities, including thousands of dollars to local political consultants, its health insurance provider and even $797 to Kieran's Irish Pub.

All told, the party owes $1.28 million, records show. That doesn't include $717,000 in unpaid legal fees amassed during the gubernatorial recount between Republican Tom Emmer and Democrat Mark Dayton. Party officials say it remains unclear whether they are legally obligated to pay the recount debt, but lawyers who represented Emmer and the GOP insist the party is liable for the bills.

The latest financial information does not include a request to repay a $75,000 contribution by Tom Petters, imprisoned on a conviction of orchestrating a $3.65 billion Ponzi-type scheme. Those representing Petters' receivership are asking that the money be returned.

Republicans released the information a day before party activists meet Saturday to select a new party chairman, who will have to pivot and focus on digging the party out of debt. The activists will convene in St. Cloud to elect the chairman and settle on a path forward, which could include a more detailed, forensic audit of party finances.

State GOP leaders are already working with federal election officials to correct campaign finance reports dating to 2009, which could result in steep fines.

The mounting financial pressures come as the party must find a way to wage campaigns to hold control of the Legislature, defeat President Obama and find a credible candidate to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

"We are committed to ensuring that the Republican Party of Minnesota is accountable for its actions and is more transparent with its information," said Kelly Fenton, deputy party chairwoman.

Johnson would not say whether he thought Sutton, unanimously re-elected GOP chairman a year ago, had misled party officials about the GOP's financial health. "I am not going to go there," he said.

The debt includes $120,000 remaining on a $170,000 fine levied by the Federal Election Commission from reporting discrepancies when Sutton was party treasurer.

Republican executive committee members said they had been fighting with Sutton for months over the release of party financial information. They said they were not able to get some documents they needed until after Sutton resigned.

Before Sutton left, "we knew we were being lied to," said executive committee member Pat Anderson, former state auditor. Sutton was "running wild" with party finances and "hiding bills not only from the executive committee, but regulatory agencies, even the treasurer." Sutton said he would not respond to Anderson's allegations.

Johnson said he expects that everyone owed money by the GOP will eventually be paid, but he couldn't say when.

The new finance revelations cap what has been one of the most traumatic months in the history of the state GOP. Soon after Sutton left, Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch resigned her leadership post after admitting she had an improper relationship with a Senate staffer.

Republicans are not the only ones facing debt. The DFL Party started the year with about $725,000 in red ink. DFL Chair Ken Martin said the party has paid down more than $500,000. "I anticipate that we will be completely out of debt by the middle of next year, for sure by the end of 2012," he said.

Baird Helgeson ? 651-222-1288

Source: http://www.startribune.com/politics/136461988.html

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N.Korea rallies for successor, no mention of nuclear arms (Reuters)

SEOUL (Reuters) ? North Korea in a policy-setting message for New Year called on its people to rally behind anointed successor Kim Jong-un by becoming "human shields" but made no mention of its nuclear arms program, the key source of regional security concern during his deceased father's reign.

The North's three main state newspapers said in "a joint editorial" published Sunday that Kim Jong-un has legitimacy to carry on the revolutionary battle initiated by his grandfather Kim Il-sung and developed by his father Kim Jong-il, who died two weeks ago of a heart attack.

"Kim Jong-un, the supreme leader of our Party and our people, is the banner of victory and glory of Songun Korea and the eternal center of its unity," the joint editorial carried by the North's state KCNA news agency said.

"The dear respected Kim Jong-un is precisely the great Kim Jong-il. The whole Party, the entire army and all the people should possess a firm conviction that they will become human bulwarks and human shields in defending Kim Jong-un unto death."

The joint editorial assailed the South Korean government for pursuing confrontation and war maneuvers despite efforts by the North to reopen dialogue, and it repeated its demand for the withdrawal of the U.S. military from the South.

But conspicuously absent from the 5,000-word New Year editorial was any mention of its nuclear arms program.

Momentum was building in diplomatic contacts between the North and the United States before the announcement of Kim Jong-il's death on December 19, raising expectations that the two sides may be closer to reaching a compromise to restart stalled talks aimed at ending the North's nuclear program.

Those talks stalled in 2008 when Pyongyang balked at intrusive inspections of its nuclear sites under a 2005 deal by six countries including the United States and South Korea to give the impoverished North aid in return for disarmament.

Last week, in a fiery message that marked the first communication with the outside world since Kim Jong-il's death, the North's National Defense Commission, which is seen as the apex of power, declared it would not deal with the current government in the South.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak had angered Pyongyang by cutting off aid to the destitute neighbor when he took office in 2008 demanding nuclear disarmament and economic reform as preconditions to reopen food assistance and political engagement.

Tensions on the divided peninsula had reached a new peak in 2010 when the North launched an artillery barrage into a South Korean island killing civilians. The North was also blamed for a torpedo attack against a South Korean navy ship killing 46.

The North's state media said Saturday that Kim Jong-un has been officially appointed supreme commander of its 1.2-million strong military, two days after the official mourning for the dead leader ended in a move seen as a rush to solidify succession and boost the junior Kim's grip on power.

Kim Jong-un was named a four-star general and given the vice-chairmanship of the ruling party's Central Military Commission by his father in 2010.

Experts believe the untested new leader, who had only been groomed for rule since 2009, will rule with the aid of a close coterie that includes his uncle and key power-broker, Jang Song-thaek, at least in the early stages of the leadership transition.

Jang, husband of Kim Jong-il's younger sister, Kim Kyong-hui, stood behind his nephew in Wednesday's mass funeral parade, escorting the hearse carrying Kim's body. [ID:nL3E7NR51W]

Despite Pyongyang's determination to project an unbroken line from Kim Jong-un's iron-fisted predecessors, which began with his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, there have been questions among outsiders about his capacity to lead the country.

North and South Korea are technically still at war under a truce ending the 1950-53 Korean War.

(Reporting by Jack Kim and Sung-won Shim)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/asia/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120101/wl_nm/us_korea_north

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Seaworthy Ahoy to New Year Near Bluegreen Resort, Grande Villas at World Golf Village

Boca Raton, Fl (PRWEB) December 29, 2011

Bluegreen Vacations, a leading provider of Colorful Places to Play, today announced its St. Augustine, Fla., resort, Grande Villas at World Golf Village, is a prime location for owners to stay while attending the New Year?s Black Raven Cruise, Dec. 31.

Owners who are looking for a boisterous way to ring in the New Year can make their way to St. Augustine?s Municipal Marina for a 10:45 p.m. departure onboard the Black Raven Pirate Ship. Aboard the ship, Bluegreen owners can enjoy drinks from the fully-licensed bar as well as sing and dance along with the pirate crew. Ship goers should be prepared as sword fights and canon fire are known to break out at any time while on board. In addition to live entertainment, food and a champagne toast are provided to welcome the New Year. Although most Bluegreen events welcome the entire family, the New Years? Black Raven Cruise is strictly for adults only.

Owners will cherish their New Year?s vacation experience at the Grande Villas at World Golf Village. This year-round golfer?s Mecca offers two championship 18-hole courses designed by legendary golf pros Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. There?s plenty to do for non-golfers, as well. Owners can practice their backhand on the tennis courts, shoot some hoop on the basketball court, perfect their spike at the volleyball net and then cool down in the heated pool. Additionally, restaurants, shopping, an IMAX? theater and the World Golf Hall of Fame? are just a short walk away. Highlighting the golf experience is the PGA TOUR STOP, the largest golf shop in the U.S.

?Owners wanting to ring in the New Year with a bang will not want to miss out on this lawless vacation experience,? said Vesko Ivanov, General Manager of Grand Villas at World Golf Village. ?Our Bluegreen travel guides can help with arranging tickets, priced at just $50.?

ABOUT BLUEGREEN CORPORATION
Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, Bluegreen Corporation (NYSE:BXG) is a leading timeshare sales, marketing and resort management company. Bluegreen Resorts manages, markets and sells the Bluegreen Vacation Club, a flexible, points-based, deeded vacation ownership plan with more than 160,000 owners, over 59 owned or managed resorts, and access to more than 4,000 resorts worldwide. Bluegreen also offers a portfolio of comprehensive, turnkey, fee-based service resort management, financial services, and sales and marketing on behalf of third parties. For more information, visit http://www.bluegreenonline.com. See what Bluegreen owners are saying on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

###

Source: http://www.findata.co.nz/News/13985219/Seaworthy_Ahoy_to_New_Year_Near_Bluegreen_Resort_Grande_Villas_at_World_Golf_Village.htm

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Apple lead designer Jonathan Ive knighted for the New Year, how's your 2012 looking?

Apple Senior VP Jonathan (or Jony) Ive has been credited with fueling the company's resurgence alongside Steve Jobs with products like the iMac, iPhone and iPad, and for these successes has been made a Knight Commander of the British Empire as a part of the New Year's Honour's List. Aside from having a much better NYE celebration than yours, he'll be tapped on the shoulders by the Queen's sword (we'll see if he can make it through the ceremony without suggesting some tweaks for better balance and usability -- you can see his passion above as he eats an invisible sandwich pontificates about new iMacs) and that will forever be Sir Jony to you, commoner. It's a bump up from his previous title of Commander of the British Empire, and a full circle, as he noted benefiting from a "wonderful tradition in the UK of designing and making" in a statement.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Apple lead designer Jonathan Ive knighted for the New Year, how's your 2012 looking? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/qm4_Pkl3eIg/

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All-Star pitcher Bailey joins Red Sox in multi-trade (Reuters)

(Reuters) ? The Boston Red Sox acquired All-Star pitcher Andrew Bailey and outfielder Ryan Sweeney from the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday in exchange for outfielder Josh Reddick and two minor league prospects, the teams said.

Bailey, a two-time All-Star, converted 24 of 26 save opportunities for Oakland last season to rank as the second-most successful closer in the American League (AL).

The 27-year-old, the AL Rookie of the Year in 2009, posted a 3.24 ERA in 42 relief appearances with the A's in 2011, compiling 41 strikeouts.

"I love the Bay Area, but if you're going to get traded, I can't think of a better situation for myself and my family to be in," Bailey, who lives in Connecticut in the offseason, told Boston's website (http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/).

"It's a big market, a big team, and I'm excited about the opportunity to win over there."

In exchange for Bailey and Sweeney, Oakland have acquired Reddick along with minor league pitcher Raul Alcantara and first baseman Miles Head.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Julian Linden)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20111228/sp_nm/us_baseball_redsox_bailey

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Appeals court: Ark. can't stop desegregation funds (AP)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. ? Arkansas cannot cut off millions of dollars in funding for desegregation programs in Little Rock-area school districts until the state asks a federal judge for permission to do so, an appeals court ruled Wednesday.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision comes after U.S. District Judge Brian Miller ordered an end to most of the payments, calling them counterproductive. He accused the districts of delaying desegregation to keep getting state money.

The appeals court ruled that Miller decided to end the payments without the state specifically asking him to do so. The court said the state must ask, in a separate court action, before a judge could make such a ruling.

A spokesman for Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Wednesday that no decision has been made about whether the state would file such a request.

Arkansas is required by a 1989 settlement to fund magnet schools, transfers between districts and other programs to support desegregation and keep a racial balance in the North Little Rock, Pulaski County and Little Rock school districts. Those costs currently add up to about $38 million a year, according to the appeals court's ruling.

State lawmakers have long wanted to end the desegregation program funding, though the districts say they're still necessary.

Battles over school desegregation in Little Rock date back to 1957, when nine black teenagers needed the protection of federal troops to integrate Central High School. Little Rock sued the state and its two neighboring districts in 1982, and two years later a judge agreed that the districts hadn't done enough to help the city schools desegregate.

Miller issued his order to end the payments earlier this year, after hearings about whether two of the three school districts in question ? North Little Rock and Pulaski County ? should be declared unitary, or substantially desegregated.

"That came kind of out of the blue," Stephen Jones, the lead attorney for the North Little Rock district, said Wednesday about Miller's ruling.

Miller wrote that the payments should end in order to avoid "an absurd outcome in which the districts are rewarded with extra money from the state if they fail to comply with their desegregation plans and they face having their funds cut by the state if they act in good faith and comply."

But the appeals court said Miller did not make "specific findings of fact" to support his decision.

Miller, who referred to himself as "a middle aged black judge," instead wrote: "After reading the briefs, the transcripts from the various hearings, and the scores of exhibits filed herein, it is very easy to conclude that few if any of the participants in this case have any clue how to effectively educate underprivileged black children."

The appeals court also reversed Miller's decision to deny the North Little Rock district's request to be declared unitary. Miller had denied the request in part because he said the district offered only anecdotal examples of its efforts to recruit black teachers.

The 8th Circuit disagreed, noting that more than 16 percent of the district's educators are black, compared to 9 percent statewide.

Miller didn't return a phone message left at his chambers Wednesday. But he removed himself from the desegregation case earlier this year, saying he could no longer make unbiased decisions after the state took over his hometown's school district in eastern Arkansas.

Jones, the North Little Rock district's lawyer, said he was pleased with the appeals court's decision to deem the district unitary.

"In a sense, it's anticlimactic because I don't think it really changes how we're going to conduct our day-to-day business," he said.

Another federal judge had previously declared the Little Rock district unitary, but Miller refused to declare the Pulaski County district entirely unitary in his May order. The appeals court upheld that part of Miller's ruling, which found the Pulaski County School District lacking in nine areas in which it had to make changes to be considered desegregated.

Wednesday's opinion notes that Miller found the Pulaski County district "has given very little thought, and even less effort to complying with its desegregation plan. Complying with its plan obligations seems to have been an afterthought."

The appeals court "found no reason to disagree" with Miller's conclusion.

The Pulaski County Special School District's lead attorney, Sam Jones, declined to comment Wednesday.

The Little Rock district's lead lawyer, Chris Heller, praised the appeals court's ruling, adding that part of Miller's decision in May "concerned issues that had not been presented to the district court."

McDaniel said in a statement that Arkansas is moving toward ending the legal action surrounding the decades-old desegregation case and in turn, "taking the courts out of the classrooms" in the county.

___

Follow Jeannie Nuss at http://twitter.com/jeannienuss

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/crime/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111229/ap_on_re_us/us_little_rock_desegregation

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Danny Trejo is a 'Bad A--' Epic Beard Man

Thomas Busco, better known to the world as "Epic Beard Man" or Tom Slick, or Vietnam Tom, gained fame after he turned up in a YouTube video taken while he was riding an Oakland bus.

Busco is shown getting into an altercation with another man, while wearing a shirt that says "I AM A MOTHERF-----." As Busco tries to walk away, the other man continues hurling taunts, and a fist. Busco, beats the other guy to the ground, and gets off the bus. The vid goes viral and he is dubbed "Epic Beard Man."

Epic Beard Man's epic-ness has just become more epic with a Hollywood feature starring Danny Trejo as the Epic Beard Man character.

The film called "Bad Ass" appears to be based on the viral video, and Busco.

Check out the trailer.

Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45800063/ns/today-entertainment/

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