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Al Gore Says Thanks, but No Thanks to Climate Czar Role

LibertySugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:30:39 -0800

Word on the street is that Barack Obama plans to create a "climate czar" position to lead his administration's climate change and energy policies. But Al Gore, the most likely candidate, has already said that he doesn't want the job.

Perhaps Al Gore either didn't want to fill out that cumbersome questionnaire Obama is passing out to potential appointees, or saw the position as a demotion from vice president. Then again maybe he thinks he can get more done outside of government. Whatever the reason, Al Gore's disinterest may clear the way for another candidate — California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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The Lakers Star-Studded Front Row Kicks Off NBA Season

Molly — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:00:24 -0700

The LA Lakers helped kick off the NBA season last night with their celebrity cheering section out in full force. David Beckham was front and center as usual to support his fellow professional athletes, but this time without his pint-size fans, while longtime Lakers lovers Leonardo DiCaprio and Kevin Connolly enjoyed a guys night out. Denzel Washington and his wife joked around with Governor Schwarzenegger, while Tobey Maguire watched intently. The Lakers handily defeated the Portland Trailblazers to start off a season that they and all their star fans hope is full of wins like that one.

To see a lot more photos including Jack Nicholson, Tobey Maguire, and Adam Levine, just

Speakers Who Inspire: Maria Shriver, Jennifer Lopez, and More

SavvySugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:00:42 -0700

What started out as a small government initiative for working women is now an event attended by thousands and draws only the most inspirational voices to speak. The 2008 Women's Conference was held in Long Beach, CA yesterday, hosted by Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The all-day conference drew a crowd of 14,000 international women from various professional walks of life and 60 speakers aiming to "empower and inspire women to become architects of change." The agenda covered all the bases with discussions about how to live an authentic life, how to step forward with confidence, starting your own business, managing your financial life, and many, many, more. Check out who was on stage — hit start slideshow to begin.

Jennifer Gets Personal to Inspire Other Women

Molly — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:30:56 -0700

Jennifer Lopez was joined by heavy-hitters like California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the richest man in America Warren Buffett at the 2008 Women's Conference in Long Beach today. She made a speech at the event and despite her big smile, opened up about some painful lessons she's learned in her personal life. Jennifer said, "I have been in relationships that can make you doubt who you are and what you are capable of, and doubt what you deserve. It took me a bit little longer to get it right." Whomever she's referring to, it's clear that she's ready to inspire others with the happiness she's found in her newly-renewed marriage.

To see more from the event just

Flashback: Schwarzenegger vs. Bear

GiggleSugar — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Back before he governated the state of California, Arnold starred in B-movie gems like Hercules in New York. If you can't figure it out from the title, it's a classic coming-of-age story that combines Greek mythology and professional wrestling. In this clip, Herc takes on a ~~man in a~~ bear ~~suit~~. I so can't wait to Netflix this.

States, Provinces to Cap and Trade Sans Federal Governments

LibertySugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Seven western US states and four Canadian provinces have agreed to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 15 percent before 2020. Proud of the Western Climate Initiative, Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger asserted:

We’re sending a strong message to our federal governments that states and provinces are moving forward in the absence of federal action, and we’re setting the stage for national programs that are just as aggressive.

So how will Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec curb climate change? To find out,

Christian Bale's Bright Weekend

PopSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:00:47 -0700

Christian Bale spent a low-key weekend around the neighborhood with his girls. On Saturday he and Sibi had their own celebrity sighting when they ran into Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver at the Brentwood Country Mart in LA. Sunday, Christian played the perfect doting dad to Emmeline, who looked too precious in her Small Paul blue robe as they strolled down the street holding hands, and yesterday Christian and Sibi were spotted at a garden party together. The Dark Knight continues to hold its own, but it looks like Christian would rather spend the weekend being a family man than thinking about those box office stats.

To see more of Christian and his ladies, just

Schwarzenegger Terminates Full Salaries of State Employees

SavvySugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:02:27 -0700

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a man of his word this week. His threat to significantly cut the salaries of 200,000 state employees if lawmakers failed to produce a budget turned into reality when he signed an executive order reducing their pay to $6.55 an hour. The Governor's order also eliminates more than 20,000 state jobs, saying the state can't pay its bills without a budget.

Today, I am exercising my executive authority to avoid a full-blown crisis and keep our state moving forward. This is not an action I take lightly, but we do not have a budget, and as governor, I have a responsibility to make sure our state has enough money to pay its bills.

Needless to say, state employees facing enormous pay cuts are not happy about the situation. Karen Bass, the speaker of the State Assembly, shows her solidarity with the workforce: "It is an unwise and unfortunate move to cause economic strife to public servants and their families who are working hard and playing by the rules."

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Schwarzenegger Vetoes Climate Change Curriculum Bill

LibertySugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:03:50 -0700

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill last week that would have required all future science textbooks to discuss climate change as a distinct subject. High school science material already includes the sometimes-controversial topic in the weather unit.

Governor Schwarzenegger explained that he supports teaching climate change in schools, but does not think state lawmakers should dictate specific curriculum.

While the general scientific consensus regarding climate change gets a meaningful boost from official backing, I appreciate Schwarzenegger's skepticism of legislating educational material. And as Schwarzenegger pointed out, state agencies are currently developing a K-12 environmental curriculum.

California has taken some official steps in addressing climate change; for example, new cars will soon be required to display a global warming score. Do you think the possibility for climate change curriculum offers another responsible response to the crisis, or should education be free from all mandates, even if honorable?

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Schwarzenegger's Wage Threat: A State Employee's Reaction

SavvySugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:00:51 -0700

As California Democrats and Republicans struggle to find a satisfactory compromise and seal the deal on a new and overdue state budget, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's frustration has risen to the point of making threats. He's considering an executive order that would reduce 200,000 state employees' salaries to the $6.55 per hour federal minimum wage, which CitizenSugar points out is $1.45 less than the state's minimum wage.

A good friend of mine happens to be a hard-working California state employee, so I asked him for his thoughts on the governor's threat and how it would affect him should the order go through this week.

SavvySugar: How would something like this affect the public sector?

State Employee: I think it is a fair assumption that state employees do not jump into the public sector expecting some great financial windfall as a result. No, most people are doing it for a sense of security. Every month you are going to get your paycheck and you are going to get it on the first or the 30th and that's it. Likewise, you are going to have not just financial security, but job security. In general terms a concept such as the one which Arnold is proposing would overthrow one big benefit of being a public sector employee.

See his thoughts on the concept of Arnold's threat and how he'd personally be affected when you