Dr. Samuel Malave planted three churches and has been a pastor for 28 years. He is a Chaplain for the Haines City Police Department and has been the President of LIFE UNIVERSITY since 2010. He’s had numerous radio and TV programs in New York and Florida.

He received a Doctorate Degree in Pastoral Psychology from Carolina Christian University and received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Windsor College. Dr. Samuel Malave trains pastors and leaders in various areas such as Leadership, Church Growth, Administration, Finances, Creationism Vs. Evolution, Biblical Preaching (The Art of Public Speaking), Revivalist and many more topics. He is 52 years of age and speaks English and Spanish.

As a child Maia spent much of her time living in the world of nature, communicating with animals, plants, insects and the earth. Being highly sensitive she felt the emotional and physical well being of the humans and animals around her.

When a dear friend was challenged with a health problem Maia had an intimate understanding and sense of what this was like. Apart from viewing the physical body she was able to feel the emotions that were stored and see how they contributed to the physical challenges.She literally felt the discomfort, which propelled her into a journey of self discovery to understand what she was feeling. She also came to realize that she could receive information from people and animals from all parts of the planet, without having previously met them or having them in her presence.

The desire to understand these gifts and the responsibilities involved, perhaps inspired her great interest over the years in holistic wellness, in particular how to nourish the body, mind and spirit.

During these formative years, Maia adopted wild horses and burros and utilized her communication abilities and principles of nature and energy to work with them in a manner of comfort, cooperation and mutual respect with great success. Her mother would often look out the window with amazement to see her ride by on one of the new arrivals.

As a teenager, Maia was particularly moved by the books, The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale, and Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill.. At sixteen she began an experiment working with a young horse and herself. The goal was to take her horse from the back yard to the national championships utilizing The Power of Positive Thinking as a guide.

This goal might seem unrealistic and impossible, especially with the fact that at the time Maia had very little experience showing or training horses. She had only been to the national championships once herself, but she was very determined and wanted to see if this could really work. Maia was diligent in changing her manner of thinking and her use of energy in thinking about the goal, and in working with her horse in her training and preparation.

The following year, at seventeen, Norman Vincent Peale’s then tattered book traveled with her throughout all the preparation to their first championship, and ultimately to the national championships in Kentucky where she succeeded in surprising her parents and the audience with the success of an unknown horse, and an unknown rider/trainer. This achievement and the determination behind this accomplishment continue to be an inspiration and some of the same principles help her clients accomplish their goals and fulfill their dreams today!

Maia chose the field of holistic nutrition to deepen her understanding about the power of humans to create environments and lives that not only nurture themselves, but also align with the highest good for all life. Maia was awarded a Ph.D. in holistic nutrition in 1996. Having completed her formal education in holistic nutrition, Maia felt passionate about sharing what she had learned. In addition to carrying on her animal communication practice, she devoted six years to counseling teenagers from various backgrounds instilling the unlimited potential of humans to experience the fulfillment and satisfaction of achieving their goals. Maia came to understand that fulfillment in life is generated primarily by an attitude or manner of relating with oneself. This primary relation serves as the foundation for well-being, contentment and relations with others, and the environment.

With Maia's sincere desire to make a difference and her joy in encouraging others to their success she discovered her own sense of purpose and realized her talent as a mentor and coach in life. In addition to her work in communication with animals, Maia, has twelve years of life mentoring experience. She delights in working with clients to build lifestyles of balance, including the essential elements for fulfillment, giving rise to passion for life itself. Maia lived in the Galapagos Islands, Andes Mountains and The Amazon rain forest for two and a half years, from 1999 to 2002. In the Amazon she had the opportunity to live in a remote region with a tribe of nearly extinct indigenous peoples. During this time in South America she enjoyed communicating with the native peoples, amazing creatures, and the plants of these regions.

Maia is a talented artist, as well as a writer. Maia has three new books. Maia encourages clients to listen to the life around them, including plants, animals, insects and the earth. She believes that we all have the gifts to listen, to live naturally with ease and grace, and she empowers clients with how to do this.

Kathleen Gomez began her political career working for President Jimmy Carter's re-election campaign. She went on to work at the Democratic National Headquarters in Washington and was the Administrator for the Democratic National Convention which first nominated Bill Clinton for President. She has worked for several members of Congress including Jim Mattox of Texas and Congresswomen Pat Schroeder of Colorado. She has also worked for a national trade association and was a community activist and organizer for issues involving the New York City public school system. Kathleen moved from Manhattan back to her home town in Arizona, where she helped her father get elected Mayor. She holds a degree in International Service from American University in Washington, DC.

Kathleen also was the co-host on SHADOW POLITICS (on the BBS Radio Network every Sunday at 4:00pm PST / 7:00pm Eastern on Station 1) along side Democratic Senator Michael D. Brown of the District of Columbia. SHADOW POLITICS is a grass roots talk show giving a voice to the voiceless. For more than 200 years the people of the Nation's Capital have ironically been excluded from the national political conversation. With no voting member of either house of Congress, Washingtonians have lacked the representation they need to be equal and to have their voices heard. SHADOW POLITICS will provide a platform for them, as well as the millions of others nationwide who feel politically disenfranchised and disconnected, to be included in a national dialog .

Currently, Kathleen is the CEO/Founder of a new project called 'Candidates Platform' which provides a virtual 24/7 political platform that is affordable and easy to use for all candidates and free to the voter! 'Candidates Platform' gives a place for the common person who wants to get involved to connect their campaign with the voter. It offers a simple easy to use interface where a candidate can interact with their constituents, link all other social media, post videos and schedules and hear back from the voter. We also provide technical support for any questions or problems the candidate may encounter.

Knowing where to find information about local candidates without having to seek a vast number of websites and news sources is key to keeping the voter engaged. That is why the mission of the Candidates Platform is to provide a virtual 24-hour platform where the voter can become knowledgeable on where candidates stand on the issues.     

Kathleen strongly believes that while national elections are very important, smaller elections down the ballet are just as vital to the continued strength of a nation. Due to this belief our service and information is free to the voter, providing the means for a better-educated and more knowledgeable voting base. Take a look at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2052224993/1696116936?token=be010573.

Kathleen is also a consultant for 'Statehood; No Other Way'. This is a nationwide campaign to get the word out about the disenfranchisement of the citizens of our Nation’s Capital. It is the start of a new movement to finally fulfill the promise of democracy for the residents of the District of Columbia by making DC the 51st state of the union, New Columbia. It recognizes that only through statehood will the citizens of our Nation’s Capital finally be equal members of the democracy that they have served, paid for and died to defend for more than 200 years.

The Community Center for Aging in Place (CCAIP) has one major goal in mind: upgrading services available to Southwestern Pennsylvania seniors. Suzanne Caplan who serves as the Founder and CEO of CCAIP comes to this position with a rich array of experience. The author of 13 books on business techniques, she has created and presented seminars throughout the US and the UK. Suzanne has also worked to educate and encourage older entrepreneurs and to implement strategies that will help to make small businesses more efficient.

Molly McCord, M.A., is a bestselling author and modern spiritual teacher with no religious affiliations. Her debut memoir, The Art of Trapeze: One Woman's Journey of Soaring, Surrendering, and Awakening, hit #1 in 2 Amazon categories within 3 days. She is published in The Thought That Changed My Life Forever alongside such luminaries as Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, Dr. Joe Dispenza, and Dr. Bernie Siegel.

The Art of Trapeze is Book One in McCord’s The Awakening Consciousness Series. The second book, The Modern Heroine's Journey of Consciousness, connects The Art of Trapeze with Joseph Campbell's archetypal hero's journey, the essential stages of spiritual growth, and life as a modern woman. Book Three in the series, The Unlimited Sparks of a Bonfire is scheduled to be released Summer 2014.

James Valenti
Internationally Acclaimed Tenor

Internationally Acclaimed Tenor, James Valenti has a voice of Italianate luster and is part of the long-standing tradition of great Italian tenors. The sought after 6’5 tenor, has built a global reputation for his elegant musicianship, commanding stage presence and ardent vocal style.

At age 25, Valenti made his professional debut at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma where he played Rodolfo in the Franco Zeffirelli production of “La Boheme.” Since his debut, he has scored one triumphal role after another and has had the opportunity to perform in many of the most celebrated citadels of Opera in the world including Teatro alla Scala Milan, Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House London, Opera National de Paris, Sydney Opera House, Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich, Salzburg Festival, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera and Opernhaus Zürich. He has showcased his vocal ability and acting versatility in a variety of roles such as Rudolpho Valentino in “Dream of Valentino,” Don Carlo in “Don Carlo,” Alfredo Germont in “La Traviata,” Duke of Mantua in “Rigoletto,” Lt. Pinkerton in “Madama Butterfly,” Maurizio in “Adriana Lecouvreur,” Edgardo in “Lucia di Lammermoor,” Werther in “Werther,” Romeo in “Romeo et Juliette” and Doctor Faust in “Faust.” Valenti has also had the pleasure of working alongside some of the greatest opera voices and maestros in the industry including Anna Netrebko, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Thomas Hampson, Simon Keenlyside, Bryn Terfel, Placido Domingo, Leo Nucci, Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, Maestro Antonio Pappano, Maestro Daniele Gatti and Maestro Carlo Rizzi to name a few. Valenti has recorded with fellow opera star, Angela Gheorghiu at Abbey Road Studios in London for her “Tribute to Maria Callas” CD on Virgin/EMI.

Valenti has received a number of accolades in his young career including the New York City Opera’s Outstanding Debut Artist Award in 2008, the Maria Callas Debut Artist Award in 2009 and the Richard Tucker Award in 2010.

In July, Valenti took on the challenging title role in Verdi’s “Don Carlos” at the Caramoor Festival which The New York Times noted his “dark-centered, expressive tenor.” Recently, Valenti performed as a guest soloist during Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at New York City’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Currently, Valenti is expanding his musical repertoire and preparing for a number of exciting roles for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Valenti is scheduled to perform as Cavaradossi in “Tosca,” Don Jose in “Carmen” and will be making his triumphant return to the Metropolitan Opera as he performs in “Madama Butterfly” in April 2014.

When Valenti is not performing, he gives his time to many organizations close to his heart such as Children International (which he is currently a celebrity ambassador), UNICEF, Greenpeace, PBS and NPR. Valenti always makes time in between his rigorous performance schedule to give back to young emerging artists and has given master classes at University of Texas, University of Arizona, Northwestern and University of Minnesota.

Malcolm Huckaby is a College Basketball Analyst for ESPN.  Huckaby played college basketball at Boston College.  Huckaby went on to play in the NBA for the Miami Heat, as well as professionally in Europe.

Forbes has called Leigh Steinberg "the greatest sports agent in history."  Steinberg's career as a sports agent has spanned over 40 years.  Steinberg's client list has included Steve Young, Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Howie Long, Mark Brunell, Dusty Baker, Lennox Lewis, and many more!

Tom ‘Kaypacha’ Lescher has more than 35 years of experience as an astrologer and spiritual practitioner. His approach to healing spirit, mind, and body through emotional release and Kundalini yoga utilizes astrology as a healing art.

In addition to personal readings, he brings astrology to everyone through international lectures, experiential workshops, writing and teaching.

He is the author of The Pele Report, a weekly astrological YouTube forecast and numerous magazine and online articles. Using yoga, meditation and nature for self-renewal, and natural law as his guide, his work brings balance, love, and joy to others and the planet.

On Cosmic Love, Kaypacha will share his insight on the ‘Big Event’ in April and 2014 -- the ‘Cardinal Grand Cross’ astrology -- as it effects psychology, spirituality and intensified personal and planetary testing with extraordinary paradigm shift potential.

If you are interested in conscious evolution as relates to ‘cosmic weather’, you’ll appreciate Kaypacha’s insight into quantum shift dynamics in April and 2014.

On Sunday, May 18, 2014 – Professor Julian Vasquez Heilig will be back to start Part 1 of a Series of discussions on "Teach for America".

Julian Vasquez Heilig is an award-winning researcher and teacher. He is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Policy and Planning and African and African Diaspora Studies (by courtesy) at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a Faculty Affiliate of the Center for Mexican American Studies and the Warfield Center for African and African American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Since 2007, he has served as an Associate Director for the University Council of Education Administration (UCEA).

In addition to educational accomplishments, Julian Vasquez Heilig has held a variety of research and practitioner positions in organizations from Boston to Beijing. These experiences have provided formative professional perspectives to bridge research, theory, and practice.

His current research includes quantitatively and qualitatively examining how high-stakes testing and accountability-based reforms and market reforms impact urban minority students. Julian’s research interests also include issues of access, diversity, and equity in higher education.

His work has been cited by the New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, USAToday, Education Week, Huffington Post and other print and electronic media outlets. He has also appeared on local and national radio and TV including PBS, NBC, NBCLatino, NPR, Univision, and MSNBC.

He obtained his Ph.D. in Education Administration and Policy Analysis and a Masters in Sociology from Stanford University. He also holds a Masters of Higher Education and a Bachelor’s of History and Psychology from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.

He blogs at Cloaking Inequity, consisistently rated one of the top 50 education websites in the world by Teach100.

Contact him at:

Julian Vasquez Heilig, Ph.D. ▪ Associate Professor, Educational Policy and Planning ▪ The University of Texas at Austin College of Education Department of Educational Administration George I. Sanchez Building (SZB) 374D 1912 Speedway D5400 Austin, TX 78712-1604 Tel: (512) 471-7551 email: jvh@alumni.stanford.edu

After completing a Masters Degree in English at the University of Chicago in 1996, Laura spent two years in the corporate world. Just before her return to graduate school, her dream to become an English professor came to a sudden halt. She suffered a brain injury and could no longer read without debilitating migraine headaches. Unable to read print, Laura tapped into her ability to “read” in other ways. She began to feel people’s energy fields and used her heightened intuition to access the mental, emotional, and spiritual patterns affecting their physical health. A professional Medical Intuitive since October 2001, Laura has helped people move through cancer, Lyme Disease, brain injuries, sudden changes, Ascension symptoms, past life factors and kundalini energy.

In addition to teaching Reiki Certification Classes for novices and Master Teachers, Laura works as a Medical Intuitive Consultant, energy healer, tarot reader, artist and Life Coach. Laura primarily focuses on helping healers, entrepreneurs, artists and writers embrace their gifts and bring these into the world in balanced ways. By allowing true strengths to shine through, clients find their business and finances naturally expand. Laura also provides Soul Readings, Intuitive Life Path Assessments and general intuitive guidance for career, relationships, schooling, and creative projects.

Author of hundreds of articles on natural healing and awakening, Laura also wrote the book, “If I Only Had a Brain Injury: A TBI Survivor and Life Coach’s Guide to Chronic Fatigue, Concussion, Lyme Disease, Migraine or Other “Medical Mystery.” Responding to client demand, she then wrote the popular “Lazy Raw Foodist’s Guide” to help people navigate complexities of a raw food diet. In 2009, she released her first novel called, “Schizandra and the Gates of Mu.” Interviews of Laura have appeared in Yoga Journal (under her maiden name of Derbenwick), mind-energy.net, Inside Scoop Live, Dynamic Transformations, and Reader Views. She has spoken at medical, health and spiritual events across the U.S.

Laura spends her free time painting, organic gardening, listening to sacred chants, traveling, reading and writing. After many years on the West Coast, and in Chicago and Madison, WI, she now lives in artsy, eco-friendly Goshen, Indiana.

https://laurabruno.wordpress.com/books/

I have learned from my own life, and from working with others, that everything does and will change in time - experiences, beliefs,emotions, relationships. Life is fluid and evolving, and since evolution is a constant, so are our opportunities for growth,enhancement, and learning.

As a channeler for voices from spirit rather than the body, my direct experience is that spirit exists, and that we can each find more of our spirit within ourselves as human beings. As we do so, we increase our energies of peace and love which positively transforms us as individuals and the world.

I daily surrender to not knowing, and not 'believing'. For anything firmly believed can always evolve, or be challenged. The battle over opinions and points of view among people is the root cause of our conflicts in the past and now. I do not seek to engage in the war over 'right' and 'wrong' which simply reinforces our separation. Instead, my focus is on a more compassionate heart in my experience of life, and the growth of more loving people on our planet. I therefore know that I have to constantly nurture the love in myself where and whenever possible.

My journey as a channeler began in 1998. I heard the voice of 'Zachary' first, and he explained he was part of a greater collective of 88 spirit guides. I was a spiritual and self-development explorer at that time and in the following years I had almost daily conversations with Zachary and the collective. I never expected to use my skills as a channeler and intuitive as a career, but by 2006 it had become my full time vocation. In 2007, Zapharia and Ziadora, stepped forward to join Zachary as the 3 public spokespeople for the collective.

In the past 7 and a half years, I have worked with over 1700 people worldwide in personal sessions, led seminars and retreats in 10 different countries, delivered online video broadcasts and hosted 2 spiritual radio shows. Writings are a significant component of my work and my monthly energy forecasts which highlight the energetic opportunities and challenges each month has become a stable of my offerings.

Being a messenger from the field of collective intelligence as a vocation has been an incredible experience on so many levels. Through working with people from so many places in the world who are engaged in a seemingly infinite number of paths, I have been lucky enough to constantly see the universal love and openness that links us all. Whoever we are and whatever is our life experience, the truth of a loving and open heart is always present when we can calm and return ourselves to centre.

My simple wish with every area of my work, is that it may help people to better remember who they are and how to find more balance in life.

When we remember that we are of spirit as much as we are of the Earth, new possibilities are born, and no feeling or thought we may have becomes judged, or seen as a barrier. It all simply 'is'. Part of the tapestry of you to discover. And in that allowing, with no fight, we can become one with ourselves and others once more.

JB Campbell was born in Chicago in 1946, grew up in Oakbrook, Illinois, then the polo capital of the world.  Graduated from Carmel HS in California. Raced cars in Australia and England for two years. Three years of college, mostly at the University of Nevada, Reno.  Operated the School of Slide Control to train racing drivers and others the technique of slide control.  Commercial (oilfield) diver in Texas and Louisiana for two years.

Campbell was in the British South Africa Police in Rhodesia in the early '70s and was a Section Officer in Support Unit, the anti-terrorist group. He was the first American in the BSAP since 1923.  Campbell started the modern militia movement in 1989 with his book, The New American Man - A Call to Arms. The militia movement lasted until '95 with the state-sponsored destruction of the OKC federal building. The State Department considers him a "mercenary." The FBI considers him a problem. The Secret Service considers him a terrorist.

Campbell couldn't care less.

Campbell makes his living as a drilling supervisor, mainly in southern California.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN DEFENSE PARTY

Recent history has shown that America is a presidential dictatorship, abetted by a cowardly Congress and graced by a corrupt Supreme Court.  It has masqueraded as a democracy and as a republic and as a nation guided by “the rule of law.”  But the law is only for us, the people, to obey and be controlled.  The lawmakers and law enforcers make and enforce the law on the orders of our deadly enemies.  The law is a weapon in the hands of our enemies.  We are actually under the law of the gun.

There are two political philosophies in America.  One philosophy is that government is necessary and as such deserves to be voted on and validated periodically.  This philosophy includes the idea that government is a necessary evil and needs to be tamed by electing “good new people” to keep it under control due to the naturally corrupting nature of government.  But as we all can see, with untold trillions of dollars of government debt to the private Federal Reserve, Communist China and others, the government is out of control and has been for a hundred years.  The government lies us into war after war and has slaughtered millions of people just in the last twenty years and produced a million US casualties out of two and a half million troops who were in the two Moslem wars.  The government has lied us into a fraudulent version of socialist medicine which has already caused millions to lose their hard-earned health insurance policies with nothing to replace them.  This new attempt at socialist medicine was planned to be run by the IRS, which can’t even run itself without committing major crimes. 

All of this and much more were made possible by a hundred years of voting.  I say one hundred years because that is exactly how long it’s been since our elected representatives voted to make the Federal Reserve Act into “law.”  This criminal act mmediately led to a century of ghastly war that is ongoing.

At last count, there were about 150 million registered voters.  About 127 million of them voted in the 2012 election.  There are about 207 million Americans who are eligible to vote and of them about 80 million did not vote in that election.  Many of the voters vote out of habit or resignation with the excuse that the lesser of two evils would be better to have power over us than the greater of two evils.  Once in office, however, the lesser of two evils always becomes the great evil. 

The other philosophy is that the government is our main and most dangerous enemy and must not be supported in any way, especially by voting.  Those 80 million non-voters make up our base, whatever the actual reasons they did not vote may be.   At least they didn’t contribute to the corruption by voting.  A non-voting political party dedicated to the shutting down of the suicidal and catastrophic federal system would give Americans an actual means to unlatch the homicidal parasites from our veins and bank accounts.  All government is life-destroying cancer but nothing compares with the US federal government for fraud, theft, waste, spying and mass murder.  A non-voting party would formalize the idea that federalism must be outlawed.  

The issue would become Government or No Government, one or the other, because we can easily see where constitutional government has put us.  The new party wouldn't put people in federal office because we want to do away with the federal government and you can't do that as a part of government.  The political climate in America is ripe for radical change.  The Neo-Cons who took control of the Bush and Obama administrations have brought only chaos and hardship to America and mass death and misery to the peoples of the world.  The Neo-Cons have plotted to rule the world for decades but once in power demonstrated only ineptitude and failure at everything other than destruction.

The American Defense Party would replace the Constitution with Articles of Confederation – a modern version of the original.   There would be no central government to enforce the private central bank, both of which would be abolished forever.  The one legitimate function of the remaining Treasury Department – appropriated by the Confederation – would be to create and distribute debt-free currency (Kennedy’s 1963 US Note).  That would be one of the first  principles of the party platform.

The party would eliminate the web of control used by the central federal government to destroy us and others through relentless totalitarian laws, regulations and executive orders.  The warlords of Washington must be put out of business permanently.  The war industry and all its satellites would be outlawed by the Confederation.  The Confederation itself would be a voluntary one – any states not wishing to join would be free not to.

Why have a party if there's no one to vote for?  For a sense of identity and camaraderie and communications and organization and a common declaration and agreement of purpose.  And for organized defense against aggression.  Party members would be supported and defended by fellow members if attacked.  A position on subversion and treachery can be given once our traditional enemies inevitably react the way they always do.The party would face a lot of danger and violence.  That in itself would justify its existence and its advertised purpose of self-defense.

The party would stand for everything that's healthy and against all the brutality and corruption in government.  America lost all its good jobs because of the federal government.  So if someone were to say, "But what will we do without a federal government?" the answer would be, "We'll prosper."  We have lost our basic right to privacy to the federal government and that right there is reason enough to abolish it forever.  No central government was the whole idea behind the American Revolution.  The central government has announced its plans to arrest us and assassinate us, totrap us in a non-functioning socialist medical system that would only destroy our health, run by the most notorious financial terrorists in US history, the IRS, and I don't need to go on.  So, no, we don't need a central government and probably can't survive much longer with the one we have.  

It must be dismantled and prohibited forever.  This can be done by a strong, well-armed  political party when its numbers approach those of the militia movement of the 1990s. The party would be very militant; it would have to be to survive.  When it gets to the size, say, of the militia movement of the '90s, it would be strong enough to overthrow the federal government, which was never the declared goal of the militia.  A militant political party that large wouldn't really need violence - it could issue an ultimatum.  But there would be violence along the way to this massive size, and the violence would attract tough people to the party.

The party would be concerned with national defense against treason and be against all military aggression, sabotage and espionage, which would mean the end of the deadly, tax-supported military industry.  Everything the federal government does would end, such as foreign aid, protecting Monsanto and the deadly AMA.  Everything, because one thing the federal government doesn't do now is supply our currency, the only thing it should be doing.

Max Geller is a 2nd year law student at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachussetts.  He is also one of the senior members of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) - an advocacy group for the rights of the Palestinians.  Recently, their group was suspended, meaning they could no longer meet, hold activities or receive funding on Northeastern Univeristy Campus. 

Over the years, Max has witnessed what he believes is a deliberate targetting of the SJP organization and members leading up to and including this latest development.  The story might have remained buried and unnoticed but the issue has turned into something more - the right to Freedom of Speech, and Northeastern SJP has received mainstream and alternative media coverage, support from activist groups nationwide as well as the American Civil Liberties Union which may take legal action against Northeastern University on behalf of SJP.

Below is Max's articulate and documented response to Northeastern University's suspension of his group.  It is suggested that if you read the news stories following this story that you compare Max's response to what the news may be reporting inaccurately with or without intended bias:

Via Email
March 14, 2014

Emily Hardman Director of Student Programming & Communications Office for Student Affairs Northeastern University

Re: Appeal of March 7, 2013 Suspension of Students for Justice in Palestine

Dear Ms. Hardman,
 
We received the attached suspension notice from Jason Campbell-Foster. On behalf of Students for Justice in Palestine, we are writing in response to this suspension notice. As discussed in detail below, we contest the assertions made by the University in the suspension notice. Please consider this letter our appeal of the suspension of our group, which we intend to supplement once we have seen all of the evidence on which the University is relying. Given the severity of the punishment, we believe we should be provided with due process, including access to the factual allegations against us and a proper hearing.

BACKGROUND
On April 8, 2013, an invited panel of active duty Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers spoke at  Northeastern. SJP conducted a walk-out at the beginning of this event,  after which the event continued as scheduled. We did not disrupt the event.  The following day, the University attempted to cancel an event planned by SJP as a “direct result” of our April 8, 2013 walk-out, according to Stephanie Pierce. After a hearing, SJP was found responsible for a violation of the demonstration policy – specifically, a failure to give 7-day notice of a demonstration. SJP was sanctioned, and placed on probation for alleged violations of the policy relating to the April 8, 2013 IDF panel event until December 31, 2013. We disputed these allegations at our hearing and in our subsequent written appeal. On May 3, 2013, we were advised of the penalties and conditions to which SJP would be subjected. We were informed that, in order toreturn to good standing with the University, among other conditions, we would need to create and submit a civility statement in coordination with the Political Action Council. We submitted our civility statement on December 31, 2013.  Unfortunately, the Political Action Council did not convene between the day our sanctions were issued and the day we submitted thisstatement. After we submitted the statement, on February 12, 2014, Associate Dean Jose asked SJP to revise the statement, saying he “Would like to receive something back…before Spring Break.”  (See attached email from Dean. Jose). While we made several efforts to connect with Mr. Jose after February 12th, as detailed below, we were unable to talk with him. At no point were we told that February 28th was a "deadline” after which we would be in violation of a rule or policy.

Since the day our sanctions were issued last May, the Political Action Council has met exactly once. The attendance record from the February 27th, 2014 meeting of the Council reflects that two SJP members were present.Given that we submitted the civility statement and attended this meeting, we understood that SJP started the Spring 2014 semester in good standing with the University and that the probation ended December 31, 2013 as indicated in communications with University officials. On February 23, 2014, mock “eviction notices” were distributed at student dormitories on campus. On February 25, 2014, NUPD officers began to contact SJP members by cell phone, arrive unannounced at their homes, and interrogate them about the distribution of the mock notices. Last week, the University suspended SJP, and informed us of this by a notice dated March 7, 2014 (see attached). In the week and a half between the police interrogations and the issuance of the suspension notice, SJP was never notified or formally charged with involvement in the distribution of the mock eviction notices. SJP has not been granted a hearing or any other opportunity to formally contest any of the allegations made in the suspension notice.

RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST SJP IN SUSPENSION NOTICE

As stated above, we contest the assertions that the University made about us in its suspension notice (attached). Directly below, we have highlighted and responded to some of the most glaring inaccuracies contained in the notice.  However, this list is not exhaustive, and our appeal letter is no substitute for a formal public hearing, an opportunity to challenge the evidence the University cites, and a formal opportunity to respond to all allegations. This is not a complete rebuttal, but merely a sampling of particularly egregious inaccuracies and omissions contained in the suspension notice.

1 and 2. The University incorrectly alleges that SJP failed to “reach out” to Mr. Jose, and that SJP failed to submit a civility statement with “significant revisions” before the February 28th “deadline” 

On October 28th, 2013 SJP members met with Mr. Jose and discussed the submission of the civility statement before the end of the year. SJP submitted our civility statement on December 31, 2013. As stated above, we had no opportunity to attend a Political Action Council meeting  before this date because no such meeting had been convened. We met with Mr. Jose on February 12,  2014. He sent an email on February 13 detailing broad changes he wanted “to see added” to our submitted statement, and that he “Would like to receive something back…before Spring Break.”  (See attached email from Mr.Jose).  We made several efforts to contact Mr. Jose after February 12 both in person (on March 3 & 4) and by phone (March 6), as SJP members’ phone and voicemail records show, but he indicated that he was busy, and we were unable to reach him before Spring Break,. SJP acted in good faith by submitting a civility statement outlining our group’s intentions, attending Political Action Council meetings, meeting with Mr. Jose, and attempting to reach him to further discuss the matter before Spring Break. It is disingenuous of the university to state in the Suspension Notice that we failed to meet a “deadline” when we made significant efforts to respond to Mr. Jose in the short timeframe his email suggested.  It is also significant that the NUPD began interrogating SJP members on February 25, 2014, mere days before the beginning of Spring Break when Mr. Jose asked that we send him a revised civility statement. The interrogations diverted our attention from revising the civility statement, and required our immediate response given the legitimate fears of legal and academic consequences for targeted students.

3. The University alleges that SJP is responsible for sliding mock eviction flyers under doors in residence halls; a charge which SJP disputes.

SJP disputes the charge that we violated University policy in connection with mock eviction notices that were slid under student's doors.  Before receiving the March 7 suspension notice, SJP was never notified or formally charged with involvement in the distribution of mock eviction notices. SJP has not been granted a hearing or any other opportunity to formally contest this allegation, nor has the University provided us with the evidence on which they have based this charge.

4. The University incorrectly asserts that SJP has not been regularly attending meetings of the Political Action Council.

As stated above, since the day our sanctions were issued last May, the Political Action Council has met exactly once. The attendance record from that one meeting on February 27th, 2014 reflects that two SJP members were present. Additionally, in our meeting with Bob Jose on February 12th we discussed SJP’s past participation in the Council meetings and the new plan for having the Council convene only once per semester. This demonstrates that SJP has in fact been consistently participating in the Council meetings, as Dean Jose remembered our participation in these sessions and never mentioned that we had not met our obligation with regard to the Council.

5. The University falsely accuses SJP of acts of vandalism that allegedly occurred on the Northeastern University campus in 2012. In the suspension notice, SJP is accused of “Vandalism of university property by placing stickers on variousstructures in April 2012.”

The March 2014 suspension notice is the first time that SJP has been informed of any accusation that we allegedly engaged in such behavior. SJP had nothing to do with this alleged vandalism. There are many individuals within and beyond our campus community who engage in pro-Palestine speech and expression, and not all of these individuals are SJP members. SJP must be provided a full demonstration of the evidence used to justify our  suspension, and a fair, public, and meaningful opportunity to contest any such evidence.

6. The University incorrectly alleges that SJP failed to comply with cancellation of an April 2013 event.  In the suspension notice, the University claims that SJP is charged with “Failure to comply with event planning and contract policies in preparation of an event with a guest speaker in April 2013,” referring to the planned lecture by Dr. Salman Abu Sitta.

The suspension notice is inaccurate. In our sanction letter, dated May 3, 2013, the University found us “NOT RESPONSIBLE” for the charge, “Failure to comply with cancellation of event as requested.” This part of the sanction letter refers to the same April 2013 event as the March 2014 suspension notice. It is unclear why, in March 2014, the University is justifying the suspension of SJP based partly on an alleged violation for which the University already found us “NOT RESPONSIBLE.”

7. The University incorrectly alleges that SJP disrupted another student event on April 8, 2013. SJP was found responsible for violating the university demonstration policy by not providing one week advance notice.

There was no finding that SJP was responsible for any disruption. In fact, SJP did not disrupt that event.  It went forward and no one was prevented from speaking. 

CONCERNS REGARDING DISPARATE TREATMENT

Several aspects of the suspension notice, and other University communications and actions, suggest that the school has singled out SJP and its members for interrogation, sanction, and suspension due to our pro-Palestinian political beliefs. Some individual students may also have  been targeted for their real or perceived religion, race, or ethnicity. To treat students r student groups differently on these bases is illegal, violates school policy, and is inconsistent with maintaining diversity, academic freedom, and a free exchange of ideas on campus.

1. Northeastern University SJP is the only group ever to be suspended and banned from Northeastern’s campus for peaceful expressive activity, to our knowledge.

2. No other university has suspended an SJP chapter for alleged mock eviction actions, even though both individual students and student groups participate in such actions on many U.S.campuses.

3. It is unprecedented tosuspend a student group for alleged rule violations, particularly without a fair process to review and contest charges and evidence.

4. School policies regarding posting fliers are routinely flouted and ignored by other students and student groups, and we are unaware of any sanctions pursued against others who do this. It appears that flier distribution is only interrogated by the NUPD or subject to discipline when the content of the flier includes pro-Palestinian speech.  Examples of tacitly accepted fliers on campus include athletic team boosters, postings for music and drama events, fraternity advertisements, and menus from local businesses.

CONCLUSION
The suspension notice relies primarily on charges for which SJP was found not responsible, or matters about which SJP has never had the chance to defend itself. That we are being suspended for rule violations, for which we have not been given the proper opportunity to respond, represents a fatal flaw in the process that has led to our suspension. The banning of SJP represents a draconian repression of our speech rights and belies the University’s commitment to academic freedom.

ABOUT STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE...

Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) is a college student activism organization in the United States and Canada that promotes the liberation and self-determination of Palestinian people. The goals of the organization are to strengthen the student movement for Pro-Palestinian causes. The organization actively supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.  As of 2010 SJP had more than 80 chapters at American universities.

Please visit Students for Justice in Palestine Nebraska University Chapter:

https://www.facebook.com/nusjp

DR. HELEN CALDICOTT is the single most articulate and passionate advocate of citizen action to remedy the nuclear and environmental crises, Dr Helen Caldicott, has devoted the last forty two years to an international campaign to educate the public about the medical hazards of the nuclear age and the necessary changes in human behavior to stop environmental destruction.

Born in Melbourne, Australia in 1938, Dr Caldicott received her medical degree from the University of Adelaide Medical School in 1961. She founded the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital in 1975 and subsequently was an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and on the staff of the Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Boston, Mass., until 1980 when she resigned to work full time on the prevention of nuclear war.

In 1971, Dr Caldicott played a major role in Australia’s opposition to French atmospheric nuclear testing in the Pacific; in 1975 she worked with the Australian trade unions to educate their members about the medical dangers of the nuclear fuel cycle, with particular reference to uranium mining.  While living in the United States from 1977 to 1986, she played a major role in re-invigorating as President, Physicians for Social Responsibility, an organization of 23,000 doctors committed to educating their colleagues about the dangers of nuclear power, nuclear weapons and nuclear war. On trips abroad she helped start similar medical organizations in many other countries. The international umbrella group (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985. She also founded the Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament (WAND) in the US in 1980.

Returning to Australia in 1987, Dr Caldicott ran for Federal Parliament as an independent. Defeating Charles Blunt, leader of the National Party, through preferential voting she ultimately lost the election by 600 votes out of 70,000 cast.

She moved back to the United States in 1995, where she lectured at the New School for Social Research on the Media, Global Politics and the Environment; hosted a weekly radio talk show on WBAI (Pacifica)in New York; and was  the Founding President of the STAR (Standing for Truth About Radiation) Foundation on Long Island.

Dr Caldicott has received many prizes and awards for her work, including the Lannan Foundation’s 2003 Prize for Cultural Freedom and twenty one  honorary doctoral degrees. She was personally nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Linus Pauling – himself a Nobel Laureate. The Smithsonian has named Dr Caldicott as one of the most influential women of the 20th Century. She has written for numerous publications and has authored seven books, Nuclear Madness (1978 and 1994 WW Norton), Missile Envy (1984 William Morrow, 1985 Bantam, 1986 Bantam) , If You Love This Planet: A Plan to Heal the Earth (1992, W.W. Norton);  A Desperate Passion: An Autobiography (1996, W.W. Norton; published as A Passionate Life in Australia by Random House);The New Nuclear Danger: George Bush’s Military Industrial Complex (2001, The New Press in the US, UK and UK; Scribe Publishing in Australia and New Zealand; Lemniscaat Publishers in The Netherlands; and Hugendubel Verlag in Germany); Nuclear Power is Not the Answer (2006, The New Press in the US, UK and UK; Melbourne University Press in Australia)  War In Heaven (The New Press 2007);  revised and updated If You Love This Planet (March 2009); and Loving This Planet (The New Press; 2013).

She also has been the subject of several films, including Eight Minutes to Midnight, nominated for an Academy Award in 1981, If You Love This Planet, which won the Academy Award for best documentary in 1982, and Helen’s War: Portrait of a Dissident, recipient of the Australian Film Institute Awards for Best Direction (Documentary) 2004, and the Sydney Film Festival Dendy Award for Best Documentary in 2004.

Dr Caldicott currently divides her time between Australia and the US where she lectures widely. In year 2001, she founded the US-based Nuclear Policy Research Institute (NPRI), which became  Beyond Nuclear. Currently, Dr Caldicott is President of The Helen Caldicott Foundation/NuclearFreePlanet.org, which  initiates symposiums and other educational projects  to inform the public and the media  of the dangers of nuclear power and weapons.

The mission of the Foundation is education to action, and the promotion of a nuclear-energy and weapons-free, renewable energy powered, world.  The Foundation’s  most recent symposium, co-sponsored by Physicians for Social Responsibility was held at the New York Academy of Medicine in March 2013, 2013.  It was entitled The Medical and Environmental Consequences of Fukushima helencaldicottfoundation.org

A book – Crisis Without E nd — emanating from the conference proceedings and edited by Dr. Caldicott will be published by The New Press in the Spring of 2014.

From 2010 to 2013  Dr Caldicott hosted a weekly radio show If You Love This Planet which aired on many community and other public radio stations internationally.  From 2007 to 2009 she was  also a member  of the International Scientific Advisory Board convened by  José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the then Prime Minister of Spain.

Elizabeth holds two undergraduate degrees from Loyola Marymount University in Biology and History and a Doctorate in Dentistry from University of the Pacific in San Francisco.  She is Board Certified in the State of California.  Upon Graduation and successful completion of the California State Board Exam, Dr Elizabeth practiced dentistry in San Francisco before moving to Southern California.  There, she practiced in Huntington Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Westwood.

Today, Dr. Elizabeth is an inspirational speaker, author, talk-show host, guest expert and brand ambassador.

Over the past several years, Dr Elizabeth has been a keynote speaker at manyprestigious international conferences such as BRAVEHEART Woman’s Conference, THE WIN, (Women’s Information Network) Conference, THE FESTIVAL OF GODDESSES (for three consecutive years,) NAFE (National Association for Female Executives) and THE RAW SPIRIT FESTIVAL. She has also spoken at THE CONSCIOUS LIFE EXPO in Los Angeles and THE BEST OF RAW FESTIVAL in Sedona.

Dr Elizabeth has been a guest expert on many shows such as Good Morning America, The Home and Family Show, The Loral Langemeier Show, “Authentic You TV” and “The Quick Fix” with Bradley Quick.

Dr Elizabeth is the host and creator of “Skinny Dipping in the Fountain of Youth with Dr Elizabeth”. This television show airs on EmpowerMe.TV starting in 2014. Based on her book of the same name, Dr Elizabeth and her guests share their secrets to being Radiant, Youthful, Beautiful and Sexy at EVERY Age with her viewers.

Dr Elizabeth is also the host, producer and creator of the international radio show, “The Dr Elizabeth Show” airing each Wednesday at 3:00pm PST on The Awakening Zone Network.

Dr Elizabeth created “World Luminaries”, interviews with today’s great teachers. In this series, she conducted interviews with notable inspirational teachers such as Dr. Michael Beckwith (Agape International Spiritual Center, the movie “The Secret”), Mark Victor Hansen (co-author and co-creator of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series), Millard Fuller (founder of Habitat for Humanity) and others.

As co-host of the nationally syndicated television program, she hosted her own medical segments called “Ask Dr. Elizabeth”.  In these segments, Dr. Elizabeth spoke of the body, mind & Spirit connection and answered viewers questions on health and wellbeing. She was also an executive producer for the show.

Dr Elizabeth also offers coaching services. These include her “Skinny Dipping in the Fountain of Youth” Lifestyle Makeover Teleseminars. In addition, she offers one on one private coaching sessions over the phone, via skype or in person.

Dr Elizabeth has studied intuitive intelligence and energy healing for the past 5 years with world-renowned clairvoyant teacher, Vicki Reiner. She incorporates the principles of intuition, clairvoyance and healing in her lectures and coaching sessions. She firmly believes in the body-mind-spirit connection and the power of the body-mind to heal itself when properly nourished and detoxed, mentally, physically, emotionally and heart-fully.

In addition to speaking tours, Dr Elizabeth offers seminars. These presentations include content from her book and lectures, experiential exercises, guided meditations, dance, music and movement. She is a huge proponent of making learning exciting; therefore, her seminars are always uplifting, inspiring and fun!

Whether on stage or in front of the camera, Dr Elizabeth lights up any platform with her youthful enthusiasm, contagious spirit and generosity of the heart. She is a walking talking embodiment of her message that you can be undeniably radiant, youthful, beautiful and sexy at EVERY age.

She is the author of the book “Skinny Dipping in the Fountain of YOUTH!”

Rev. Madalyn Suozzo began perceiving the human energy field at age 15 when she began sensing images, colors, sounds, feelings and stories inside people's bodies.  She lectures on the physics of the psyche, the connections between the seen and unseen worlds, where body mechanics and self-awareness meet. She has teaches a powerful awareness training, both nationally and in Canada and her work has been mentioned in three books on healing.

Anthony W. Orlando is a Lecturer in the College of Business and Economics at California State University, Los Angeles. He is an op-ed columnist for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Hazleton Standard-Speaker. He serves as the Managing Partner of the Orlando Investment Group, LP.

His latest book, Letter to the One Percent, is exactly what it sounds like: a letter to the richest one percent of American households. It is a call to action, a plea for compassion, and a manifesto for the future. It tells the story of their extraordinary success – and how the other 99 percent of Americans missed out. Kirkus Reviews hails it as a “powerful, compact primer on American economics.” Reese Schonfeld, the founding President and CEO of CNN, says it “should be read by every one of us.”

Orlando received his bachelor’s degree in economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a master’s in economic history from the London School of Economics and Political Science. His expertise includes macroeconomics, finance, American politics and foreign policy, economic and political history, and the history and operation of the movie and TV industries.

Orlando has co-authored articles on real estate history and the recent housing bubble in the Wharton Real Estate Review and the World Financial Research. His current research investigates the role of the financial system and credit supply in the business cycle, from a theoretical, empirical, and historical perspective. He also serves as a financial consultant and researcher for various institutions, where his work ranges from advising government officials to high-profile lawsuits stemming from the recent financial crisis.

Orlando has also authored several screenplays in various stages of development in Hollywood, including Homestead, the true story of the bloodiest labor battle in American history; The Forty-Niners, which follows various characters during the Gold Rush of 1849; and The Street, a no-holds-barred view inside Wall Street. He has worked with multiple production companies, including Fierce Entertainment and Big Cat Productions, as well as Universal Studios and the movie investment firm PalmStar Media Capital.

Orlando co-founded the Wharton Politics & Business Association, for which he served as President. He also led the Wharton Undergraduate Consulting Club and the Wharton Undergraduate Finance Club and served as Executive Vice President in the Wharton Accounting Society. Due to his success leading these organizations, he was invited to deliver an address at the annual Wharton Undergraduate Leadership Forum. He has also spoken to large college crowds about topics ranging from macroeconomics to health care reform to energy efficiency, alongside such dignitaries as Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell, Harvard Business School Professor Regina E. Herzlinger, and UC Berkeley Professor Jacob S. Hacker.

Orlando has appeared on television, both as an interviewee and a political commentator, beginning when he published Life Is Not a Dress Rehearsal: The Spiritual Journey of a Teenage Traveler at the age of 17. He has worked as a financial consultant at Oliver Wyman Financial Services, an advertising copywriter at WorldNow, a researcher in business history, a teaching assistant in macroeconomics, and the assistant to the purchasing manager of a defense contractor. He is also a member of Mensa International and the World Economics Association and a trustee of the philanthropic Orlando Foundation.

As a client of the prestigious Leigh Bureau, Orlando is a skilled and engaging public speaker who can address a wide range of issues, from politics and macroeconomics to the world of high finance and the art of storytelling. With a youthful vibrance, he breathes new life into the greatest challenges of our time.

Greg Smith is the Senior Writer and Lead College Football Writer for BlackSportsOnline.com. You can find him on Twitter @GregSmithBSO

2014 marks Waltz's 10th year as the television play-by-play voice of the Marlins on Fox Sports Florida's Emmy Award Winning coverage. This is his 20th consecutive year covering Major League Baseball. As well, since 2012 Rich has served as one of the voices of Fox's National Saturday Baseball coverage.

Last season, Waltz was one of the primary voices of the World Baseball Classic for MLB Network and MLB International. In March of 2009 Waltz also called games in the WBC, including two of the biggest upsets in International Baseball history as the Netherlands twice stunned the Dominican Republic.

Waltz's baseball experience includes MLB Network's coverage of Thursday Night Baseball, ESPN, ESPN Radio, and FX. Prior to joining FOX Sports Florida, Waltz served as the fill-in announcer and pregame host for the Seattle Mariners television and radio networks. In 2000, he served as the fill-in voice of the Toronto Blue Jays on CBC across Canada. His minor league stops included Spokane, Wichita, and Las Vegas.

This past Winter Waltz called College Basketball for CBS Sports Network, the Pac-12 Network, and Fox Sports Net. His College Basketball also spans every major conference for the ACC Network, Fox Sports, ESPN, ESPN Regional and Turner Sports. From 2010 through 2012 Rich was the voice for the ACC Football Game of the Week and SEC Saturday Night Football for Fox Sports Net.

From 1997-2002, Waltz called College Football for ESPN, ESPN Radio and ABC in the Big Ten, SEC and ACC conferences; including many Bowl and Championship Games. Waltz's ESPN assignments also included: Major League Baseball, NCAA Basketball, Arena Football, NCAA College Softball World Series, Little League World Series Regional Finals, and Major League Soccer. His football experience also includes NFL Europe for Fox, Pac-10 Football for FSN and NFL Preseason games for the Seattle Seahawks. As well, Waltz has called ATP and WTA Tennis events for Tennis Channel and IMG.

In 2006, Waltz helped create and organize the Fox Sports Fantasy Auction, which in eight years has raised more than $615,000 for the Marlins Foundation. In 2008, he was honored by the Marlins with their Community Service Award.

Raised in Martinez, Calif., Rich was a starting infielder on two championship teams at the University of California-Davis. Waltz resides in both South Florida and Issaquah, WA with his wife and two daughters.