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Barack Obama Takes Pennsylvania

CitizenSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:34:00 -0800

The night is still early, but NBC is saying Barack Obama has started off with a lead in the Electoral College by winning Pennsylvania. Both parties targeted the so-called "Keystone State" as crucial to winning the race, along with large Eastern and Midwestern states like Florida and Missouri.

It's projected that Obama also won Massachusetts, New Jersey, and his home state of Illinois.

Source

Who's Watching Obama's 30-Minute TV Special Tonight?

LibertySugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:45:00 -0700

Update: The whole video of the presentation can be found below.

Tonight at 8 p.m. most networks in America will become Obama TV. The campaign has purchased a half-hour block of airtime on NBC, CBS, FOX, and Univision, to air Barack Obama: American Stories, during which he will make a closing argument for his candidacy. It will include a live segment from Florida, where Barack will lay out his plans for specific problems raised by voters.

While it could seal the deal by drumming up enthusiasm and turnout, the hefty price tag may make the appeal look like overkill. Perhaps the historical precedent for primetime appeals softens the feeling of extravagance.

Plus, two demographics — voters in the crucial states of Florida and Pennsylvania — will surely be tuning in at a high rate. The start of the World Series game five, between the Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays, has been postponed from 8:20 to 8:37 p.m., so Fox can carry Obama's address. The special will be shown after the game on the West Coast. If you're tuning in, share your reactions here!

To see the whole video,

Before and After: RJ Thornburg's Getaway Bathroom

casasugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:30:41 -0700

Self-declared "anti-decorator" RJ Thornburg, one of our Designer Spotlights, brought his design talent and a lot of flea market finds to his Pennsylvania 1860s farmhouse weekend retreat, which was in need of major renovation. Before then, though, the bathroom was decorated in typical Pennsylvania country style — lots of florals, dark tones, knick-knacks, and (gasp!) a toilet seat cover. Thornburg transformed it into a relaxing, light-filled escape with clean, white walls, a classic, freestanding tub, and lots of artwork. And, he turned the small alcove area into a lounge by setting a comfy cushion there.
To see the transformation,

Pep-Rally for Brains Over Brawn? Academic Trading Cards!

CitizenSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:15:10 -0700

Blah, blah, sports, blah. Not a popular sentiment, I realize — I mean they're fun to watch and all (I hear) but I'd rather know the names of the leaders of Zimbabwe than whether the World Series has happened yet. I just get concerned over the culture of idolizing athletes — because when has a touchdown ever cured cancer?

That's why I'm particularly excited over Penn State's new line of academic trading cards. Just like baseball cards (or the media heroes cards), the glossy collectables tout the top faculty members. According to the university president, "We have many great faculty, and they are surely worthy of the accolades our society often lavishes on athletes, coaches, and celebrities in the entertainment world." Hear, hear!

To take a peek at what they look like and whose featured,

Gimme a Shot of Jesus: Belly Up to the Bar With Your Bible?

CitizenSugar — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 07:00:13 -0700

If you're on your couch right now recovering from last night and wondering whether you should hit church or give your thanks over a Sunday brunch Bloody Mary instead, your prayers have been answered. The Phyrst Church in State College, PA, part of Penn State’s Christian Student Fellowship, is taking their message to the Phyrst Bar to preach the word. That's right. Church in a bar.

“We’re taking it to them, just like Jesus did in his time,” said Buzz Roberts, a minister with CSF. Seconding this is a Penn State student: “It’s about hearing a message and getting to congregate.” The relationship between God and alcohol didn’t start out on calm seas, however. The CSF contacted several area bars and few were keen to allow religious services to be held inside their establishments, until they reached the Phyrst Bar. “All I wanted was an hour on Sunday nights to share the word and they were cool with it,” said Pastor Kingshipp, also of the CSF.

The services are relaxed, offering a sermon, singing, and even a shot of Stoli. So far nearly 50 students and locals attend, and the church hopes the good times will continue to roll. What do you think? Is this a perfect shake-up of fellowship and the word, or does it stir you up?

Source

Before and After: A Victorian Rebirth

casasugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:15:11 -0700

Years of neglect, a house fire, and a tree fallen through the chimney left this elegant 1902 Pennsylvania Victorian, which was featured on This Old House, in dire shape. Many would knock it down instead of facing the difficult task of restoration, but the owners decided to hire a local contractor who knew the house's history, as well as landscapers and a mason, to get it back in shape. To see it restored to its former glory,

Will Impounding Johns' Cars Put Prostitution to Bed?

LibertySugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Looking to punish demand, and not just supply, Easton, PA, is considering a law that would allow police to seize the cars of anyone seeking a prostitute. Any vehicle used to solicit or patronize sexual services would be subject to impounding. If a john gets convicted of soliciting a prostitute, the city could sell his car.Since officials usually target the workers, it's somewhat refreshing to see equivalent attention paid to the customer criminals. Even so, I'm not sure any law will help end the timeless sale of sex. Will this measure put the issue of prostitution to bed? Source

Will Impounding Johns' Cars Put Prostitution to Bed?

Yay! This will send the right message, and people will think twice before soliciting sex.

Nay. This extreme reaction does not fit the crime.

Maybe. But I don't think it would really deter someone looking for sex.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Family Battles Poor Children of Panama for Man's Fortune

LibertySugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:30:43 -0700

An undercover child benefactor originally from Pennsylvania, has sparked an international legal battle from the grave. Wilson C. Lucom left a small amount of his fortune to his family, while leaving the rest of his tens of millions of dollars to a foundation he secretly created for the poor children of Panama.

Those who knew Lucom probably never saw this coming. While alive he funded anti-communist causes, and authored political commentaries, which often advocated solving the world's problems by dropping nuclear bombs.

Now, Lucom's widow, who was granted $20,000 a month in the will, wants the last testament of her mysteriously child friendly husband thrown out. The case is currently in front of Panama's Supreme Court, and the legal battle (which includes 20 law firms!), will decide the fate of Panama's largest charitable donation in history. Who do you want to win?

Source

President Bush Awards Medal of Honor to Ross McGinnis

CitizenSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:00:39 -0700

This morning President Bush presented the nation's highest military award to a young soldier who was killed in Iraq when he threw himself on a hand grenade tossed into a Humvee and saved the four other soldiers with him in the vehicle.

Ross McGinnis of Pennsylvania was only 19 years old when he gave his life to save his fellow soldiers.

Bush said, "the Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military distinction. It's given for valor beyond anything that duty could require or a superior could command."

McGinnis' parents accepted the award. He is to be the fourth soldier to receive the Medal of Honor, for actions while serving in Iraq. McGinnis enlisted on his 17th birthday. US Army Maj. Gen. David H. Huntoon Jr. said, "He chose this path because he was a good man and an honorable man. His generosity of spirit shines bright. We salute his honor and inspiration and we remember his brilliant example of selfless service."

Source

Boy Sells Bike For Clinton While She Soars in Swing States

LibertySugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:15:31 -0700

The news out of the Clinton campaign regarding the candidate's finances hasn't been good lately. Even though she has raised an astonishing $200 million so far, Hillary is $19.4 million in debt.

But she has found a diamond, or at least $422, in the rough of bad money news — an 11-year-old Kentucky boy sold his bike and video games and donated the proceeds to her campaign.

Hillary's young fan Dalton Hatfield shared his motivation to give with the New York Times:

I saw that her funds were running low. I just saw so much that I did not need such as like my video games, and I thought, "What can I do with them?"

Dalton agrees with Clinton's position on the war, the economy, and health care.

Despite her lack of cash, Hillary may have a new incentive to fight on. To see why,