Josh Shaw controversy at USC poses early test for Steve Sarkisian

Steve Sarkisian tried to smile, but it didn't come easy, the sweat beading on his forehead as he cooked in a campus patio chair while wearing a USC hoodie on a warm August afternoon.

"And it's only Tuesday," Sarkisian said with a grin.

There were still four days until Sarkisian's debut as USC's football coach, yet his honeymoon was over. His team had yet to take the stage, yet all eyes were upon him. The 2014 opening kickoff was in his hands, and that sucker was slippery.

What do you do when one of your team captains and best defensive players shows up with two badly sprained ankles and claims the injury occurred when he jumped off a balcony to save his nephew from drowning . . . then you receive information that it might not be the truth?

What do you do when you are so enamored with the original story you trumpet it on your team's website and shower him with public praise . . . and a day later make him unavailable for interviews while worrying he made everyone look like fools?

The issue here is about Josh Shaw, a respected senior cornerback who is facing serious questions about the veracity of his weekend account explaining his injuries.

But an equally big story is Sarkisian, because, if his hero crumbles, he's going to have to clean up the mess. The coach could have to make his first big decision before ever calling his first big play.

How do you discipline a player who possibly could have compromised the integrity of a program that is still recovering from integrity-attacking NCAA probation? How do you bench a player who has already sidelined himself with injuries? And does it matter that this cornerback might be your most important line of defense in the quarterback-strong Pac-12 Conference?

Welcome home, Sark. Don't let the door hit you in the face on the way in.

"There's a moral compass we have to operate with, that we represent this university with," Sarkisian said Tuesday afternoon, touching the USC logo on the front of his hoodie. "Every decision we make, this has to come first, and when it doesn't and we make a mistake, there's punishment that goes along with it."

Sarkisian wouldn't discuss the Shaw controversy during this interview because the situation was still fluid. But he had already made one smart move by admitting during a news conference earlier Tuesday that he'd received phone calls contradicting Shaw's story. This shows Sarkisian's willingness to publicly tackle even the most embarrassing of issues. Now Trojans fans are waiting to see what he does when the truth hits.

"[Character] is a huge deal around here, especially because we're just coming off probation," he said. "What I always try to ask myself, was a player's mistake an indication of their character or was it out of line for them? Is this truly who this person is, or did he make a mistake that he's regretful for?"

By all accounts, Shaw, a Palmdale native, has been a character guy, even in the way he transferred to USC from Florida two years ago to help his ailing father run his landscape business. He once spent five days building homes in Haiti with teammates. He was one of the players who showed up to support Sarkisian last winter at his first news conference. He gave a stirring speech at the USC student-athlete commencement ceremonies this spring.

"I often remind myself, I'm here to develop these guys, and we shouldn't let one incident define us," Sarkisian said. "Some incidents are obviously more severe than others and they deserve punishment more than others."

This is a tricky situation, one that could set the tone for the Sarkisian era before it even begins. If there is any purposeful dishonesty here, folks are wondering how Sarkisian will react in comparison to his predecessor Lane Kiffin. Remember, he is replacing a coach who never really seemed bothered by illegally switched jerseys and purposely deflated footballs.

"This is probably the most high-profile university program in the country, our players are going to make some mistakes, and how we deal with those guys, people are going to be critical one way or another," Sarkisian said. "When you come to USC, you have to understand the water that you're swimming in."

It gets deep, quick.

Follow Bill Plaschke on Twitter @billplaschke

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Josh Shaw controversy at USC poses early test for Steve Sarkisian

Steve Sarkisian tried to smile, but it didn't come easy, the sweat beading on his forehead as he cooked in a campus patio chair while wearing a USC hoodie on a warm August afternoon.

"And it's only Tuesday," Sarkisian said with a grin.

There were still four days until Sarkisian's debut as USC's football coach, yet his honeymoon was over. His team had yet to take the stage, yet all eyes were upon him. The 2014 opening kickoff was in his hands, and that sucker was slippery.

What do you do when one of your team captains and best defensive players shows up with two badly sprained ankles and claims the injury occurred when he jumped off a balcony to save his nephew from drowning . . . then you receive information that it might not be the truth?

What do you do when you are so enamored with the original story you trumpet it on your team's website and shower him with public praise . . . and a day later make him unavailable for interviews while worrying he made everyone look like fools?

The issue here is about Josh Shaw, a respected senior cornerback who is facing serious questions about the veracity of his weekend account explaining his injuries.

But an equally big story is Sarkisian, because, if his hero crumbles, he's going to have to clean up the mess. The coach could have to make his first big decision before ever calling his first big play.

How do you discipline a player who possibly could have compromised the integrity of a program that is still recovering from integrity-attacking NCAA probation? How do you bench a player who has already sidelined himself with injuries? And does it matter that this cornerback might be your most important line of defense in the quarterback-strong Pac-12 Conference?

Welcome home, Sark. Don't let the door hit you in the face on the way in.

"There's a moral compass we have to operate with, that we represent this university with," Sarkisian said Tuesday afternoon, touching the USC logo on the front of his hoodie. "Every decision we make, this has to come first, and when it doesn't and we make a mistake, there's punishment that goes along with it."

Sarkisian wouldn't discuss the Shaw controversy during this interview because the situation was still fluid. But he had already made one smart move by admitting during a news conference earlier Tuesday that he'd received phone calls contradicting Shaw's story. This shows Sarkisian's willingness to publicly tackle even the most embarrassing of issues. Now Trojans fans are waiting to see what he does when the truth hits.

"[Character] is a huge deal around here, especially because we're just coming off probation," he said. "What I always try to ask myself, was a player's mistake an indication of their character or was it out of line for them? Is this truly who this person is, or did he make a mistake that he's regretful for?"

By all accounts, Shaw, a Palmdale native, has been a character guy, even in the way he transferred to USC from Florida two years ago to help his ailing father run his landscape business. He once spent five days building homes in Haiti with teammates. He was one of the players who showed up to support Sarkisian last winter at his first news conference. He gave a stirring speech at the USC student-athlete commencement ceremonies this spring.

"I often remind myself, I'm here to develop these guys, and we shouldn't let one incident define us," Sarkisian said. "Some incidents are obviously more severe than others and they deserve punishment more than others."

This is a tricky situation, one that could set the tone for the Sarkisian era before it even begins. If there is any purposeful dishonesty here, folks are wondering how Sarkisian will react in comparison to his predecessor Lane Kiffin. Remember, he is replacing a coach who never really seemed bothered by illegally switched jerseys and purposely deflated footballs.

"This is probably the most high-profile university program in the country, our players are going to make some mistakes, and how we deal with those guys, people are going to be critical one way or another," Sarkisian said. "When you come to USC, you have to understand the water that you're swimming in."

It gets deep, quick.

Follow Bill Plaschke on Twitter @billplaschke

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Josh Shaw controversy at USC poses early test for Steve Sarkisian

Steve Sarkisian tried to smile, but it didn't come easy, the sweat beading on his forehead as he cooked in a campus patio chair while wearing a USC hoodie on a warm August afternoon.

"And it's only Tuesday," Sarkisian said with a grin.

There were still four days until Sarkisian's debut as USC's football coach, yet his honeymoon was over. His team had yet to take the stage, yet all eyes were upon him. The 2014 opening kickoff was in his hands, and that sucker was slippery.

What do you do when one of your team captains and best defensive players shows up with two badly sprained ankles and claims the injury occurred when he jumped off a balcony to save his nephew from drowning . . . then you receive information that it might not be the truth?

What do you do when you are so enamored with the original story you trumpet it on your team's website and shower him with public praise . . . and a day later make him unavailable for interviews while worrying he made everyone look like fools?

The issue here is about Josh Shaw, a respected senior cornerback who is facing serious questions about the veracity of his weekend account explaining his injuries.

But an equally big story is Sarkisian, because, if his hero crumbles, he's going to have to clean up the mess. The coach could have to make his first big decision before ever calling his first big play.

How do you discipline a player who possibly could have compromised the integrity of a program that is still recovering from integrity-attacking NCAA probation? How do you bench a player who has already sidelined himself with injuries? And does it matter that this cornerback might be your most important line of defense in the quarterback-strong Pac-12 Conference?

Welcome home, Sark. Don't let the door hit you in the face on the way in.

"There's a moral compass we have to operate with, that we represent this university with," Sarkisian said Tuesday afternoon, touching the USC logo on the front of his hoodie. "Every decision we make, this has to come first, and when it doesn't and we make a mistake, there's punishment that goes along with it."

Sarkisian wouldn't discuss the Shaw controversy during this interview because the situation was still fluid. But he had already made one smart move by admitting during a news conference earlier Tuesday that he'd received phone calls contradicting Shaw's story. This shows Sarkisian's willingness to publicly tackle even the most embarrassing of issues. Now Trojans fans are waiting to see what he does when the truth hits.

"[Character] is a huge deal around here, especially because we're just coming off probation," he said. "What I always try to ask myself, was a player's mistake an indication of their character or was it out of line for them? Is this truly who this person is, or did he make a mistake that he's regretful for?"

By all accounts, Shaw, a Palmdale native, has been a character guy, even in the way he transferred to USC from Florida two years ago to help his ailing father run his landscape business. He once spent five days building homes in Haiti with teammates. He was one of the players who showed up to support Sarkisian last winter at his first news conference. He gave a stirring speech at the USC student-athlete commencement ceremonies this spring.

"I often remind myself, I'm here to develop these guys, and we shouldn't let one incident define us," Sarkisian said. "Some incidents are obviously more severe than others and they deserve punishment more than others."

This is a tricky situation, one that could set the tone for the Sarkisian era before it even begins. If there is any purposeful dishonesty here, folks are wondering how Sarkisian will react in comparison to his predecessor Lane Kiffin. Remember, he is replacing a coach who never really seemed bothered by illegally switched jerseys and purposely deflated footballs.

"This is probably the most high-profile university program in the country, our players are going to make some mistakes, and how we deal with those guys, people are going to be critical one way or another," Sarkisian said. "When you come to USC, you have to understand the water that you're swimming in."

It gets deep, quick.

Follow Bill Plaschke on Twitter @billplaschke

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Court hears arguments on voters having to prove citizenship

One day before Arizona's primary election, the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver heard arguments Monday on the constitutionality of voters having to prove citizenship through a passport or birth certificate before they can register to vote.

Arizona and Kansas have both passed laws requiring voters to prove citizenship before they can register. That is stricter than federal law, which requires a voter simply to affirm U.S. citizenship in writing.

On Tuesday, Arizona voters who have not proved their citizenship to the state's satisfaction will be able to cast ballots only for U.S. Congress — not for governor or any other state offices. Kansas held such a two-tier primary earlier this month.

"The Founding Fathers didn't want that," said Kansas Atty. Gen. Kris Kobach, who argued the case for both states. "They are using the federal form as a lever to displace the state's power," he said in an interview after the hearing.

Supporters contend such laws prevent voter fraud. Opponents maintain that the real motivation is to make it more difficult for minorities and the poor to vote.

The case hinges on "a narrow but important issue," said Dan Tokaji, an Ohio State University expert on election law and voting rights. "It's important because if Arizona and Kansas win, we could see a lot more states trying to make it more difficult to register."

Manipulating voter registration has an unsavory history, Tokaji said.

"If you look at the history of voting rights in this country, registration has often been used and manipulated ... to prevent certain groups of people from voting, most notoriously blacks in the South before the [1965] Voting Rights Act," he said.

But Richard Hasen, a professor of law and political science at UC Irvine, calls noncitizen voting "not a phantom problem," as Democrats often describe it. "But the number of noncitizens registered and voting is small....  The question is, how large a problem is it, and is it worth taking the risk of disenfranchising voters" who can't easily prove citizenship.

The case before the 10th Circuit comes from Wichita, where U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren ruled this year that the federal Election Assistance Commission must amend federal voting registration forms to conform with state rules.

The commission had rejected the states' request, noting that it had no commissioners because of Congress' political gridlock. Melgren ordered the commission to decide, then overruled its decision.

One of the three appellate judges hearing the appeal, Carlos Lucero, appeared hesitant about forcing a commissioner-less commission to act.

"Where in the record do we find sub-delegation?" he asked. Could a court clerk render judicial decisions if there were no judges on the bench, Lucero wondered.

Judge Jerome Holmes asked whether the matter was really a constitutional question. He told Kobach that no one was telling states they could not impose voter restrictions.

Lucero seemed irritated that what he sees as a wholly political issue had landed in his court. "All of a sudden the courts are asked to step into inherently political questions and make political decisions," he said.

Kobach has asked that the matter be fast-tracked because of the November general election.

But Arizona elections officials say they have little hope that the issue will be settled before November's midterm election. Even if the 10th Circuit renders its decision before then, its ruling almost certainly will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Pima County Chief Deputy Recorder Chris Roads said he was concerned that confusion surrounding the citizenship requirement may further alienate the electorate as voter registration drives intensify.

The proof of citizenship aspect of voting in Arizona hasn't been settled by the courts for about a decade, which has led to rule changes in nearly every election, Roads said.

Some voter drives persuade people to register by telling them that all they have to do is show up and cast a ballot, he said. When it turns out to be more complicated, "It just ends up alienating that voter."

In practical terms, however, Kansas and Arizona registration limits have had little effect.

For Kansas' Aug. 5 primary, just 180 voters had registered as "federal only" out of 1.76 million registered voters, Kobach said, and only one person in that "federal only" group actually cast a ballot.

In Arizona, fewer than 1,000 of its more than 3.2 million voters had registered for a federal ballot because they could not meet the state's requirement, Secretary of State Ken Bennett said.

State efforts to tighten voting requirements have picked up steam since the 2010 midterm election, when Republicans boosted their clout in several statehouses. More than 20 states have adopted voter restrictions in the last few years, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, a policy and law institute at New York University.

Voting rights and access to the polls became a new front in the partisan fight between Democrats and Republicans after the fiercely disputed 2000 presidential campaign, in which an effective tie in Florida led to a decisive U.S. Supreme Court decision that put Republican George W. Bush in the White House.

cindy.carcamo@latimes.com

mark.barabak@latimes.com

@thecindycarcamo

@markzbarabak

Carcamo reported from Tucson, Deam from Denver and Barabak from San Francisco.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

9:38 p.m.: The story was updated throughout with new details and information.

The story was originally posted at 3:18 p.m.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Court hears arguments on voters having to prove citizenship

One day before Arizona's primary election, the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver heard arguments Monday on the constitutionality of voters having to prove citizenship through a passport or birth certificate before they can register to vote.

Arizona and Kansas have both passed laws requiring voters to prove citizenship before they can register. That is stricter than federal law, which requires a voter simply to affirm U.S. citizenship in writing.

On Tuesday, Arizona voters who have not proved their citizenship to the state's satisfaction will be able to cast ballots only for U.S. Congress — not for governor or any other state offices. Kansas held such a two-tier primary earlier this month.

"The Founding Fathers didn't want that," said Kansas Atty. Gen. Kris Kobach, who argued the case for both states. "They are using the federal form as a lever to displace the state's power," he said in an interview after the hearing.

Supporters contend such laws prevent voter fraud. Opponents maintain that the real motivation is to make it more difficult for minorities and the poor to vote.

The case hinges on "a narrow but important issue," said Dan Tokaji, an Ohio State University expert on election law and voting rights. "It's important because if Arizona and Kansas win, we could see a lot more states trying to make it more difficult to register."

Manipulating voter registration has an unsavory history, Tokaji said.

"If you look at the history of voting rights in this country, registration has often been used and manipulated ... to prevent certain groups of people from voting, most notoriously blacks in the South before the [1965] Voting Rights Act," he said.

But Richard Hasen, a professor of law and political science at UC Irvine, calls noncitizen voting "not a phantom problem," as Democrats often describe it. "But the number of noncitizens registered and voting is small....  The question is, how large a problem is it, and is it worth taking the risk of disenfranchising voters" who can't easily prove citizenship.

The case before the 10th Circuit comes from Wichita, where U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren ruled this year that the federal Election Assistance Commission must amend federal voting registration forms to conform with state rules.

The commission had rejected the states' request, noting that it had no commissioners because of Congress' political gridlock. Melgren ordered the commission to decide, then overruled its decision.

One of the three appellate judges hearing the appeal, Carlos Lucero, appeared hesitant about forcing a commissioner-less commission to act.

"Where in the record do we find sub-delegation?" he asked. Could a court clerk render judicial decisions if there were no judges on the bench, Lucero wondered.

Judge Jerome Holmes asked whether the matter was really a constitutional question. He told Kobach that no one was telling states they could not impose voter restrictions.

Lucero seemed irritated that what he sees as a wholly political issue had landed in his court. "All of a sudden the courts are asked to step into inherently political questions and make political decisions," he said.

Kobach has asked that the matter be fast-tracked because of the November general election.

But Arizona elections officials say they have little hope that the issue will be settled before November's midterm election. Even if the 10th Circuit renders its decision before then, its ruling almost certainly will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Pima County Chief Deputy Recorder Chris Roads said he was concerned that confusion surrounding the citizenship requirement may further alienate the electorate as voter registration drives intensify.

The proof of citizenship aspect of voting in Arizona hasn't been settled by the courts for about a decade, which has led to rule changes in nearly every election, Roads said.

Some voter drives persuade people to register by telling them that all they have to do is show up and cast a ballot, he said. When it turns out to be more complicated, "It just ends up alienating that voter."

In practical terms, however, Kansas and Arizona registration limits have had little effect.

For Kansas' Aug. 5 primary, just 180 voters had registered as "federal only" out of 1.76 million registered voters, Kobach said, and only one person in that "federal only" group actually cast a ballot.

In Arizona, fewer than 1,000 of its more than 3.2 million voters had registered for a federal ballot because they could not meet the state's requirement, Secretary of State Ken Bennett said.

State efforts to tighten voting requirements have picked up steam since the 2010 midterm election, when Republicans boosted their clout in several statehouses. More than 20 states have adopted voter restrictions in the last few years, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, a policy and law institute at New York University.

Voting rights and access to the polls became a new front in the partisan fight between Democrats and Republicans after the fiercely disputed 2000 presidential campaign, in which an effective tie in Florida led to a decisive U.S. Supreme Court decision that put Republican George W. Bush in the White House.

cindy.carcamo@latimes.com

mark.barabak@latimes.com

@thecindycarcamo

@markzbarabak

Carcamo reported from Tucson, Deam from Denver and Barabak from San Francisco.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

9:38 p.m.: The story was updated throughout with new details and information.

The story was originally posted at 3:18 p.m.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Court hears arguments on voters having to prove citizenship

One day before Arizona's primary election, the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver heard arguments Monday on the constitutionality of voters having to prove citizenship through a passport or birth certificate before they can register to vote.

Arizona and Kansas have both passed laws requiring voters to prove citizenship before they can register. That is stricter than federal law, which requires a voter simply to affirm U.S. citizenship in writing.

On Tuesday, Arizona voters who have not proved their citizenship to the state's satisfaction will be able to cast ballots only for U.S. Congress — not for governor or any other state offices. Kansas held such a two-tier primary earlier this month.

"The Founding Fathers didn't want that," said Kansas Atty. Gen. Kris Kobach, who argued the case for both states. "They are using the federal form as a lever to displace the state's power," he said in an interview after the hearing.

Supporters contend such laws prevent voter fraud. Opponents maintain that the real motivation is to make it more difficult for minorities and the poor to vote.

The case hinges on "a narrow but important issue," said Dan Tokaji, an Ohio State University expert on election law and voting rights. "It's important because if Arizona and Kansas win, we could see a lot more states trying to make it more difficult to register."

Manipulating voter registration has an unsavory history, Tokaji said.

"If you look at the history of voting rights in this country, registration has often been used and manipulated ... to prevent certain groups of people from voting, most notoriously blacks in the South before the [1965] Voting Rights Act," he said.

But Richard Hasen, a professor of law and political science at UC Irvine, calls noncitizen voting "not a phantom problem," as Democrats often describe it. "But the number of noncitizens registered and voting is small....  The question is, how large a problem is it, and is it worth taking the risk of disenfranchising voters" who can't easily prove citizenship.

The case before the 10th Circuit comes from Wichita, where U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren ruled this year that the federal Election Assistance Commission must amend federal voting registration forms to conform with state rules.

The commission had rejected the states' request, noting that it had no commissioners because of Congress' political gridlock. Melgren ordered the commission to decide, then overruled its decision.

One of the three appellate judges hearing the appeal, Carlos Lucero, appeared hesitant about forcing a commissioner-less commission to act.

"Where in the record do we find sub-delegation?" he asked. Could a court clerk render judicial decisions if there were no judges on the bench, Lucero wondered.

Judge Jerome Holmes asked whether the matter was really a constitutional question. He told Kobach that no one was telling states they could not impose voter restrictions.

Lucero seemed irritated that what he sees as a wholly political issue had landed in his court. "All of a sudden the courts are asked to step into inherently political questions and make political decisions," he said.

Kobach has asked that the matter be fast-tracked because of the November general election.

But Arizona elections officials say they have little hope that the issue will be settled before November's midterm election. Even if the 10th Circuit renders its decision before then, its ruling almost certainly will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Pima County Chief Deputy Recorder Chris Roads said he was concerned that confusion surrounding the citizenship requirement may further alienate the electorate as voter registration drives intensify.

The proof of citizenship aspect of voting in Arizona hasn't been settled by the courts for about a decade, which has led to rule changes in nearly every election, Roads said.

Some voter drives persuade people to register by telling them that all they have to do is show up and cast a ballot, he said. When it turns out to be more complicated, "It just ends up alienating that voter."

In practical terms, however, Kansas and Arizona registration limits have had little effect.

For Kansas' Aug. 5 primary, just 180 voters had registered as "federal only" out of 1.76 million registered voters, Kobach said, and only one person in that "federal only" group actually cast a ballot.

In Arizona, fewer than 1,000 of its more than 3.2 million voters had registered for a federal ballot because they could not meet the state's requirement, Secretary of State Ken Bennett said.

State efforts to tighten voting requirements have picked up steam since the 2010 midterm election, when Republicans boosted their clout in several statehouses. More than 20 states have adopted voter restrictions in the last few years, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, a policy and law institute at New York University.

Voting rights and access to the polls became a new front in the partisan fight between Democrats and Republicans after the fiercely disputed 2000 presidential campaign, in which an effective tie in Florida led to a decisive U.S. Supreme Court decision that put Republican George W. Bush in the White House.

cindy.carcamo@latimes.com

mark.barabak@latimes.com

@thecindycarcamo

@markzbarabak

Carcamo reported from Tucson, Deam from Denver and Barabak from San Francisco.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

9:38 p.m.: The story was updated throughout with new details and information.

The story was originally posted at 3:18 p.m.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Live bravely, and with passion': Town remembers James Foley

For nearly 21 months after James Foley's capture in Syria in late 2012, his family held out hope for his safe return, keeping faith that they would never see a day like Sunday, with a Mass in his memory.

After all, the courageous photojournalist seemed to have nine lives as he reported from the most dangerous conflict zones around the world, his parents recalled last week. Once before, he had made it home safely: from Libya after being held in captivity there for 44 days.

But Foley's brutal killing by Islamic State militants in a beheading that was released on video last week brought his family, friends and neighbors together here in his hometown for a Roman Catholic Mass of healing, hope and peace.

As the close-knit parish tried to come to terms with what happened, the central theme of Sunday's service was forgiveness — even for Foley's captors.

Every seat was filled for the Sunday afternoon service at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Rochester. Foley's parents, Diane and John Foley, sat side by side in one of the first pews. Many parishioners stood, filling the long side aisles to the candlelit altar.

On their way in, mourners passed large black-and-white photographs of the journalist, wearing his ever-present sunglasses and training his camera on war-torn streets of Libya and Syria. Some people clutched cards bearing his image above the Prayer of St. Francis.

In his homily, the bishop of Manchester, the Most Rev. Peter A. Libasci, urged mourners to focus on the verses: "Lord make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon."

Libasci asked the congregation to remember that Foley lived his life in St. Francis' example.

Some mourners wept as Libasci emphasized the prayer's final lines: "It is in pardoning that we are pardoned and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

Libasci noted that many close to Foley may be doubting their faith at this moment. He urged them to remember Foley's "gifts to the world" as a journalist and spoke of his death as a sacrifice to that mission.

"In a special way today, we are challenged to be mindful of needs of others," Libasci said. "We are challenged to be true to our faith, especially when most challenged to doubt. We are challenged to see the world through a different lens. To hear the world's voice as the voices of individuals, people, children, mothers, fathers. We are challenged to hear the cries that are a world away."

Foley's desire to shed light on the suffering of war-torn regions should inspire others to "live bravely, and with passion, the life of a true child of God," he said.

"Jim went back again [to Syria] so that we might open our eyes," Libasci said. He prayed for peace for Foley and "this fragile world."

Offering words of comfort to Foley's mother and father, Libasci reminded them of the blessings they received at James Foley's baptism, and how the priest had prayed at that time that they would "see hope of eternal life shine on this child."

"Rarely do we recall those words, but I bring them to mind for you, as they are more poignant and prophetic," he said.

Mourners sang "Amazing Grace" and the communion hymn "How Great Thou Art."

Then Diane and John Foley stood briefly at the front of the church and thanked the members of the congregation for their support and prayers.

"Thank you for loving Jim," Diane Foley said. Everyone in the audience rose and met them with sustained applause.

At the end of the service, the congregation also prayed for the remaining hostages in the region, including Foley's fellow captive Steven Sotloff — who was threatened on the video of Foley's slaying — and "those in unjust captivity around the world." They also prayed for Foley's "legacy of love" to continue.

Earlier Sunday, the British ambassador to the United States told NBC's "Meet the Press" that intelligence officials were closing in on the identity of the militant with the British accent who killed Foley. "We're not in a position to say exactly who this is," Peter Westmacott said. "I think we are close."

Foley's family and friends plan a more formal funeral on his birthday, Oct. 18, in part to give his friends from around the world the opportunity to attend. Foley's parents spoke at length to reporters during a news conference last week, but declined interviews Sunday. None of his friends or family members gave formal remarks during the traditional Catholic Mass.

Mourners waited in a long line after the service to speak with Diane and John Foley, who greeted them with smiles and hugs.

"They've been a profile in courage," said James Page, a family friend from Deerfield, N.H. "I think his family could probably forgive the killer, which is hard to believe, but I think they're that sort of people. If it meant forgiveness to bring people together, they would be the first ones to do that."

Kassandra Belcher of Milton, who cut James Foley's hair throughout his life, said the service had reflected the spirit of a "very faithful, prayerful, community-oriented" family and helped begin the healing process.

"A lot of us have been reading from the Bible and just trying to get our strength to go on as a community," Belcher said.

At times, Foley's father seemed to be the one comforting those who came to greet him. "Jimmy is free now," John Foley told one couple with a smile. "He's at peace."

Twitter: @MaeveReston

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

9:06 p.m.: This post was updated throughout, including adding comments from the British ambassador.

This post was originally published at 3:03 p.m.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Live bravely, and with passion': Town remembers James Foley

For nearly 21 months after James Foley's capture in Syria in late 2012, his family held out hope for his safe return, keeping faith that they would never see a day like Sunday, with a Mass in his memory.

After all, the courageous photojournalist seemed to have nine lives as he reported from the most dangerous conflict zones around the world, his parents recalled last week. Once before, he had made it home safely: from Libya after being held in captivity there for 44 days.

But Foley's brutal killing by Islamic State militants in a beheading that was released on video last week brought his family, friends and neighbors together here in his hometown for a Roman Catholic Mass of healing, hope and peace.

As the close-knit parish tried to come to terms with what happened, the central theme of Sunday's service was forgiveness — even for Foley's captors.

Every seat was filled for the Sunday afternoon service at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Rochester. Foley's parents, Diane and John Foley, sat side by side in one of the first pews. Many parishioners stood, filling the long side aisles to the candlelit altar.

On their way in, mourners passed large black-and-white photographs of the journalist, wearing his ever-present sunglasses and training his camera on war-torn streets of Libya and Syria. Some people clutched cards bearing his image above the Prayer of St. Francis.

In his homily, the bishop of Manchester, the Most Rev. Peter A. Libasci, urged mourners to focus on the verses: "Lord make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon."

Libasci asked the congregation to remember that Foley lived his life in St. Francis' example.

Some mourners wept as Libasci emphasized the prayer's final lines: "It is in pardoning that we are pardoned and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

Libasci noted that many close to Foley may be doubting their faith at this moment. He urged them to remember Foley's "gifts to the world" as a journalist and spoke of his death as a sacrifice to that mission.

"In a special way today, we are challenged to be mindful of needs of others," Libasci said. "We are challenged to be true to our faith, especially when most challenged to doubt. We are challenged to see the world through a different lens. To hear the world's voice as the voices of individuals, people, children, mothers, fathers. We are challenged to hear the cries that are a world away."

Foley's desire to shed light on the suffering of war-torn regions should inspire others to "live bravely, and with passion, the life of a true child of God," he said.

"Jim went back again [to Syria] so that we might open our eyes," Libasci said. He prayed for peace for Foley and "this fragile world."

Offering words of comfort to Foley's mother and father, Libasci reminded them of the blessings they received at James Foley's baptism, and how the priest had prayed at that time that they would "see hope of eternal life shine on this child."

"Rarely do we recall those words, but I bring them to mind for you, as they are more poignant and prophetic," he said.

Mourners sang "Amazing Grace" and the communion hymn "How Great Thou Art."

Then Diane and John Foley stood briefly at the front of the church and thanked the members of the congregation for their support and prayers.

"Thank you for loving Jim," Diane Foley said. Everyone in the audience rose and met them with sustained applause.

At the end of the service, the congregation also prayed for the remaining hostages in the region, including Foley's fellow captive Steven Sotloff — who was threatened on the video of Foley's slaying — and "those in unjust captivity around the world." They also prayed for Foley's "legacy of love" to continue.

Earlier Sunday, the British ambassador to the United States told NBC's "Meet the Press" that intelligence officials were closing in on the identity of the militant with the British accent who killed Foley. "We're not in a position to say exactly who this is," Peter Westmacott said. "I think we are close."

Foley's family and friends plan a more formal funeral on his birthday, Oct. 18, in part to give his friends from around the world the opportunity to attend. Foley's parents spoke at length to reporters during a news conference last week, but declined interviews Sunday. None of his friends or family members gave formal remarks during the traditional Catholic Mass.

Mourners waited in a long line after the service to speak with Diane and John Foley, who greeted them with smiles and hugs.

"They've been a profile in courage," said James Page, a family friend from Deerfield, N.H. "I think his family could probably forgive the killer, which is hard to believe, but I think they're that sort of people. If it meant forgiveness to bring people together, they would be the first ones to do that."

Kassandra Belcher of Milton, who cut James Foley's hair throughout his life, said the service had reflected the spirit of a "very faithful, prayerful, community-oriented" family and helped begin the healing process.

"A lot of us have been reading from the Bible and just trying to get our strength to go on as a community," Belcher said.

At times, Foley's father seemed to be the one comforting those who came to greet him. "Jimmy is free now," John Foley told one couple with a smile. "He's at peace."

Twitter: @MaeveReston

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

9:06 p.m.: This post was updated throughout, including adding comments from the British ambassador.

This post was originally published at 3:03 p.m.

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aecom overseeing infrastructure projects 'from concept to completion'

For years, Aecom Technology Corp. focused on engineering and design work for projects as diverse as a new financial district in Saudi Arabia in 2008 and a high-speed rail link from Hong Kong to mainland China in 2009.

But customers now want companies that can provide one-stop shopping for infrastructure projects, and the Los Angeles firm has been remaking itself in response, Aecom Chief Executive Michael S. Burke said.

As an example, Burke cited an upcoming project in downtown L.A.'s South Park area that will feature an $80-million, 40-story residential high-rise near Staples Center.

"Rather than just engineering or being a contractor," Burke said, "we will design it, construct it. We've put the capital up to finance it, and we will be a part owner in the building," with L.A. developer firm Mack Urban. Work is scheduled to begin this year.

Aecom's goal, Burke said, is to become "the premier, fully integrated infrastructure firm in the world," able to handle major projects "from concept to completion."

The company is already a global powerhouse. It has 45,000 employees in 150 countries and generates about 60% of its business in Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

In the U.S., Aecom has been involved in an array of projects. It was a consultant on the $17-billion 2nd Avenue subway project in New York.

Locally, Burke said, Aecom is also providing design, construction and financing services for a new high-rise condo, hotel and nightclub project in Los Angeles called Sunset Towers.

In the Middle East, the company managed development of the Saadiyat Island cultural district in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

In 2012, Aecom developed the master plan for the London Summer Olympics.

Aecom is also a rarity, a Fortune 500 company that intends to remain in Los Angeles.

"There is a great pool of talent here, and Los Angeles is the gateway to the Pacific," Burke said.

Its history dates to 1980, when it was formed as Ashland Technology, then a subsidiary of Ashland Oil Inc. It became an independent company in 1990.

Aecom went public in May 2007, selling 20 million shares at $20 each and raising $400 million.

In 2010, Aecom bought New York giant Tishman Construction Corp., the company that was managing construction of the new One World Trade Center in New York.

The latest

Aecom said last month it would acquire URS Corp. of San Francisco in a $6-billion deal, including assumption of about $2 billion in debt, that would make it the largest publicly traded company in Los Angeles.

When the deal closes, Aecom and URS will be the second-biggest engineering and construction firm in the U.S. behind Fluor Corp., with 95,000 workers and $19 billion in annual revenue.

Aecom also is buying Hunt Construction Group, a major builder of stadiums, airports and healthcare facilities.

Accomplishments

Aecom is overseeing the planning of the complex for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The company is working on the design and management of a 42,000-seat stadium for the 2018 World Cup in Moscow.

Also on Aecom's list is the design for stadiums in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

Challenges

To maintain growth, Burke said, "we're continuing to go after the larger, more complex public/private partnerships."

"A critical part of the program is looking at our core clients and selling as many services as we can in an integrated fashion to them," he said.

There are questions about how quickly Aecom can move in managing the huge company it will become when the acquisition of URS is complete.

Andrew J. Wittmann, an analyst with Robert W. Baird & Co., said that "95,000 people is really an unprecedented size" in the engineering and construction sector, asking, "How do you get your arms around structuring this organization and managing some of this?"

Analysts

Of the nine analysts that cover Aecom, two have it rated as a strong buy, one rates it a buy and six suggest holding the stock.

Andrew Obin, a research analyst for Bank of America-Merrill Lynch, said Aecom was "one of the best risk-rewards" in the engineering and construction sector.

ron.white@latimes.com

Twitter: @RonWLATimes

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Couple wins $2.4 million from fabled Las Vegas slot machine

A New Hampshire couple won a $2.4-million jackpot at a vaunted Las Vegas slot machine, ending a 20-year run in which many contestants tried and failed to coax a giant payout from the recalcitrant machine.

Walter and Linda Misco of Chester, N.H., played for five minutes Friday night before inserting a $100 bill into the "Lion's Share" slot machine at the MGM Grand and hitting the jackpot.

The game, which is the last progressive slot machine left on the casino's floor, had tempted players since the 1990s with its ever-increasing jackpot. The casino said it was the most popular slot machine on the floor. 

"I had seen a story about the machine online and my wife and I walked by the machine when we arrived," Walter Misco, 66 and retired, said at a news conference after the win. "She said, 'You have to play this machine and win on this machine.' So I was just following orders from the boss."

With "Lion's Share" finally having paid out, casino officials are considering allowing the Misco family to take the machine back to New Hampshire.

Contact Matt at matt.hansen2@latimes.com or @mtthnsn.

Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times

12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More