http://www.citizensugar.com/ Breaking News, Together. en http://www.citizensugar.com/2636888 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/52_2008/e1438d4fe5f37319_82544814.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="367" width="550"></span></p> <ul> <li>The Minnesota Canvasing Board is prepared to award the final bundle of recounted votes, with Democrat Al Franken clinging to a narrow lead. But there's still no telling when the Senate race will actually be finished. — <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/23/al-franken-recount-lead-f_n_153050.html" target="_blank">AP</a></li> <li> In the West African country of Guinea, a previously unknown military group said they seized power and suspended the constitution in the hours following the death of authoritarian President Lansana Conté. — <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/24/world/africa/24guinea.html?hp" target="_blank">New York Times</a></li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/50_2008/79b5ef44b2ba9342_Tuesday_Front_Page" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li> Hillary Clinton formally took the $13.2 million loan she made to her presidential campaign off the books, helping ease her campaign debt and pave the way for her Senate confirmation as secretary of state. — <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&amp;sid=a33YvqB4RHSM&amp;refer=worldwide" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a></li> <li>The state of California could be broke in two months, unless a budget deal is met. — <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9582CHG0&amp;show_article=1" target="_blank">AP</a></li> </ul> <p><span style='font-size:10px !important;'><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></span> </p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2636888#comment Al Franken Congress Front Page Minnesota Senate Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:40:25 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2636888 http://www.citizensugar.com/2634811 <p>The intuitive trend in America to move to where the land is open and the climate warm has hit a road bump. Thanks to the housing crisis, which makes the idea of taking on a new mortgage scary and risky, people are <a href="http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/2008/12/22/D9580P380_population_states/" target="_blank">staying put</a>.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/52_2008/f3bd610a9af219ab_83602109.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="345" width="550"></span><br /> The population slowdown specifically hit the western and southern states, which had seen huge growth and migration over the last decade. While this trend could mean less traffic and more space for those already living there, it could also lead to less political influence. Based on current projections, California might lose a seat in Congress for the first time ever following the 2010 Census. </p> <p>Still, a population slow down in the South and West doesn't mean other regions are growing faster. In 2008, Utah was the fastest growing state, followed by Arizona, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina. And Michigan and Rhode Island actually lost population. </p> <p>Have tough times made you shelve any plans for moving?</p> <p><span style='font-size:10px !important;'><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></span> </p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2634811#comment Arizona California Congress Michigan Nevada North Carolina Rhode Island South Texas Utah West Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:00:23 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2634811 http://www.citizensugar.com/2633677 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/52_2008/582266c37b2b78be_83306764.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarger" height="400" width="266"></span>Out of the 21 banks that received at least $1 billion in government money, none would answer four simple questions posed by the Associated Press: How much has been spent? What was it spent on? How much is being held in savings, and what's the plan for the rest?</p> <p>When asked, a spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase, which received $25 billion in taxpayer money, <a href="http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081222/D957QL7O0.html" target="_blank">said</a>: "We've not given any accounting of, 'Here's how we're doing it.' We have not disclosed that to the public. We're declining to." The $700 billion given to the Treasury Department to buy stock in banks is intended to encourage banks to lend money. Yet lawmakers put in no mechanism or consequences to make sure that happens. </p> <p>Meanwhile, the AP <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/22/bailedout-executives-got-_n_152773.html" target="_blank">also reports</a> that the 116 banks that have received a bailout spent $1.6 billion on top-tier executive compensation in 2007. So while their banks faced impending collapse and a need for billions in bailouts, the leaders of the banks received millions in salaries. And now — they won't even tell us where our money is going! I think some executives, and lawmakers who let the bailout go through without any strings, have some explaining to do.</p> <p><span style='font-size:10px !important;'><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></span> </p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2633677#comment Bailout Check This Congress Economy Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:00:29 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2633677 http://www.citizensugar.com/2627356 <p>After <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/slideshow/2591433" >authorizing billions of dollars</a> in bailout cash that can't seem to save the US economy and <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2566413" >lambasting CEOs</a> for their perks and salaries, Congress has decided to <a href="http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/with-economy-in-shambles-congress-gets-a-raise-2008-12-17.html" target="_blank">give itself a raise</a>. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/51_2008/b9a6e99b8e246b50_83980158.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="320" width="270"></span>While many Americans deal with salary freezes, or no salary at all, members of Congress will get a $4,700 pay increase, which will cost taxpayers $2.5 million extra.</p> <p>To be fair, the 2.8 percent increase is automatic, and only half of the cost-of-living adjustment given for Social Security. Since taxpayers would probably never give Congress a raise, do you think keeping the salary out of politics by making the increase automatic is best, or should Congress's compensation be based on performance and the economy just like everyone else's?</p> <p><span style='font-size:10px !important;'><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></span></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2627356#comment Congress Economy Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:30:02 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2627356 http://www.citizensugar.com/2571396 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/49_2008/42d41456344c2f9e_Caroline-Kennedy.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarger" width="361" height="400"></span>While I'm dying to know <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2568657" >who's your favorite woman in power of 2008</a>, a well-known female might soon jump from prominent to powerful. Rumor has it that New York Governor David Paterson has talked to Caroline Kennedy <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/05/caroline-kennedy-clinton_n_148671.html" target="_blank">about filling Hillary Clinton's Senate seat</a>.</p> <p>Caroline wouldn't be the first Kennedy to fill that seat — her uncle Robert F. Kennedy served as the senator from New York.</p> <p>Until recently, Caroline typically shunned public attention. But this year we saw her <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1687401" >run Barack Obama's VP selection team</a>, and she <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/994110" >appeared with her uncle Teddy</a> at an Obama rally while the candidate was still fighting a bitter primary battle with Hillary Clinton. Would you like to see another Senator Kennedy? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2571396#comment Caroline Kennedy Congress David Paterson Hillary Clinton New York Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:30:49 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2571396 http://www.citizensugar.com/2566413 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/49_2008/cdb5a03ff47eb9a4_83912023.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" width="550" height="367"></span></p> <ul> <li>The CEOs of the Big Three automakers are back on Capitol Hill today asking for a bailout. This time they are joined by the chiefs of the United Auto Workers union.</a> — <a href="http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/live-blog-the-automakers-plead/?hp" target="_blank">New York Times</a></li> <li>A federal judge has banned Bratz dolls just in time for Christmas, ordering MGA to immediately stop manufacturing the dolls. The judge's ruling came after a jury determined that the creator of Bratz developed the doll while working at Mattel.</a> — <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/04/news/companies/bratz_dolls.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008120406" target="_blank">CNN</a></li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/49_2008/60c4245a0ba3c37e_Thursday_Front_Page" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" width="240" height="179"></span> <li>Kenya's prime minister has called on fellow African governments to oust Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe. — <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7764883.stm" target="_blank">BBC News</a></li> <li>Officials from China and the US met today for high-level talks regarding the global economic crisis. China said it would continue its currency reform but also told the US to get its economy in order. — <a href="http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/business/2008/12/04/D94RVA781_as_china_us_talks/index.html" target="_blank">AP</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2566413#comment Big Three Congress Economy Front Page Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:00:29 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2566413 http://www.citizensugar.com/2556822 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/49_2008/6d8e5f17ebcc7ab4_Ludacris_TI_Campaign_for_Martin.xxlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center xxlarge" width="500" height="315"></span></p> <ul> <li>Today Georgians go to the polls to vote in the runoff for their US Senate seat. If Democratic challenger Jim Martin beats Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss, the Democrats will be one seat away from a 60-seat supermajority. — <a href="http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/12/02/georgia_senate_runoff.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab" target="_blank">Atlanta Journal</a></li> <li>After declaring a fiscal emergency in California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged lawmakers to "get off of their rigid ideologies" and work toward solving the state's financial crisis. The Governor warned that California could run out of cash in two months. — <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-budget2-2008dec02,0,280439.story" target="_blank">LA Times</a></li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/49_2008/5f8776222affeac8_Tuesday_Front_Page" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" width="240" height="179"></span> <li>India's foreign minister has demanded that Pakistan arrest and turn over about 20 people wanted under Indian law as fugitives. Indian officials maintain that the planners of the recent attacks are at large in Pakistan and have demanded Pakistan take action. — <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/world/asia/03mumbai.html?_r=1&amp;hp" target="_blank">New York Times</a> <li> <li>A cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, caused by contaminated drinking water, has killed nearly 500 people. — <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7760088.stm" target="_blank">BBC News</a></li> <li> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2556822#comment Congress Democrats Front Page Georgia Senate Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:00:19 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2556822 http://www.citizensugar.com/2513789 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/47_2008/8cd199ede37b0ee8_83567720.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center xlarger" height="293" width="400"></span></p> <ul> <li>Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens has officially lost his reelection bid, bringing the Democrats only two seats away from a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority. Stevens was the longest serving Republican ever to serve in the Senate, and his recent federal corruption conviction led to his fall from power. — <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/us/politics/19cong.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=" target="_blank">New York Times</a></li> <li>China's president Hu Jinato visited Cuba yesterday bringing hope of Chinese aid to the island and closer trade ties. Hu also visited ailing former president Fidel Castro. — <a href=http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=081118235814.8vcppc3a&amp;show_article=1">AFP</a></li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/47_2008/d96e954aea8e8481_Wednesday_Front_Page" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li>In a new audio message al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri attacks Barack Obama going as far as using a racial epithet implying that Obama does the bidding of whites. The leader wants to convince Muslims and Arabs that Obama does not represent change. — <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/19/al-qaeda-no-2-calls-obama_n_144827.html" target="_blank">AP</a></li> <li>Ashley Dupre, the prostitute who brought down former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has sat down with Diane Sawyer. Her interview will air on Friday's <b>20/20</b> at 10 pm EST/PST. — <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=6280407&amp;page=1" target="_blank">ABC News</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2513789#comment Alaska Congress Front Page Republicans Ted Stevens Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:00:55 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2513789 http://www.citizensugar.com/2512218 <p>Joe Lieberman used up another one of his political lives, after Senate Democrats <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/18/lieberman-keeps-committee_n_144625.html" target="_blank">voted today to let him keep his chairmanship</a> of the Homeland Security Committee. The 2004 Democratic VP nominee, turned defeated primary candidate, turned independent senator <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1879924" >delivered some hard punches</a> against Barack Obama during the presidential campaign, on behalf of his Republican friend John McCain.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/47_2008/7d5350cb3efc1a0c_Lieberman.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="393" width="550"></span><br /> Instead of truly punishing Lieberman by <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2471806" >stripping him of the crucial post</a>, the Democratic caucus, including newly elected senators, voted to remove him from chair of the less-important Environmental Public Works Committee, a symbolic gesture.</p> <p>The 42-13 vote for Lieberman today proved that independence from the party won't cost you power. Do you think the decision to keep Lieberman in power was a signal of a postpartisan era to come, or a rejection of the American people who voted for change? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2512218#comment Congress Democrats Headline Joe Lieberman Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:30:28 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2512218 http://www.citizensugar.com/slideshow/2494837 <a href="/slideshow/2494837?page=0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/46_2008/dc6e7398c9085585_med423093.xlarge.jpg" alt="More Than Motown: US Fundamentals That Need Rescuing" title="More Than Motown: US Fundamentals That Need Rescuing" class="image xlarge inline left" height="240" width="320" /></a>Politicians have been hyping up the need to "Save Detroit" lately, <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2488151">calling for a US automaker-specific rescue package</a> to the tune of $50 billion. It looks like Motown will soon receive more taxpayer money, albeit <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aE7Q8aIszDHE&refer=home">with strings attached</a>. Since the government is so keen on rescuing America lately, I've created a few alternative bailout plans that might help more Americans. <br clear=all> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com">Source</a><div id='pager' style='margin:25px auto;text-align:center;margin:8px; '><a href="/slideshow/2494837?page=0">Start Slideshow</a></div> http://www.citizensugar.com/slideshow/2494837#comment Congress Economy Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:00:12 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2494837 http://www.citizensugar.com/2494036 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/46_2008/3689d9b87fd8f9a5_Mark-Foley.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="320" width="297"></span> <ul> <li><b>Sex</b>: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/12/former-congressman-mark-f_n_143196.html" target="_blank"> Why did he send those explicit IMs to underage pages? Ex Congressman Mark Foley breaks silence on sex scandal. </a> — Huffington Post</li> <li><b>White House</b>: <a href="http://donklephant.com/2008/11/12/why-rahm/" target="_blank"> Why Rahm? Because Obama doesn't want his transition to be like Bill Clinton's disastrous one.</a> — Donklephant</li> <li><b>Alaska</b>: <a href="http://www.236.com/news/2008/11/12/alaska_welcomes_back_prodigal_10204.php" target="_blank"> Just like she left it? Alaska welcomes back prodigal governor, in comic book form.</a> — 23/6</li> <li><b>Gay Marriage</b>: <a href="http://sfist.com/2008/11/11/photo_du_jour_270.php" target="_blank"> What would Jesus do? Gay marriage supporter points out Jesus had two daddies.</a> — SFist</li> <li><b>Bailout</b>: <a href="http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/11/paulson_government_wont_buy_tr.php" target="_blank"> Change of course? Secretary Paulson says bailout program won't purchase troubled assets as planned.</a> — Talking Points Memo</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2494036#comment Briefing Book Congress Mark Foley Sex Offenders Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:00:47 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2494036 http://www.citizensugar.com/2468366 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/45_2008/937eb2d0c27a6a7c_83566523.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center xlarger" height="255" width="360"></span> <ul> <li>Kenya has declared Thursday a public holiday to celebrate the election of Barack Obama to the US presidency. Obama's father was from Kenya, and his victory has prompted jubilation across the country. — <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7710394.stm" target="_blank"> BBC News</a></li> <li>After a heated, divisive campaign, fueled by a record $73 million in spending, California voters appear to be backing Proposition 8, which would change the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage. With more than half the vote counted, the measure was piling up huge margins in the Central Valley but losing in every Bay Area county but one. — <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/04/MNCC13QR90.DTL&amp;type=politics" target="_blank"> San Francisco Chronicle</a></li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/45_2008/e09ee92aa2e208c2_Wednesday_Front_Page" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li>The senate race in Minnesota seems headed for a recount. Republican Sen. Norm Coleman finished ahead of Democrat Al Franken early Wednesday in the final vote count, but his 571-vote margin falls within the state's mandatory recount law. — <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gMpTmr96V5hKIfyHT4Av4jsVQgrQD948RH301" target="_blank">Associated Press</a></li> <li>With the Democrats celebrating a Barack Obama presidency, as well as an increase in their majority control of Congress, the attention now turns to the hard part: legislating. — <a href="http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=6182035&amp;page=1" target="_blank"> ABC News</a></li> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2468366#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama Congress Front Page Same-Sex Marriage Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2468366 http://www.citizensugar.com/2466090 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/45_2008/74a3a8dbac9cf764_Congress.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="195" width="550"></span></p> <ul> <li><b>Congress</b>: <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96547571" target="_blank"> Will Democrats get to 60 in the Senate? Congressional races to watch.</a> — NPR</li> <li><b>Voting</b>: <a href="http://www.236.com/news/2008/11/04/electoral_chaos_watch_updated_10028.php" target="_blank"> Electoral chaos!!! Check in for (humorous) updates.</a> — 23/6</li> <li><b>TV</b>: <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15213.html" target="_blank"> Ready for election night gizmos? The networks are ready to wow you.</a> — Politico</li> <li><b>Exit Polls</b>: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/04/exit-polls-2008-see-the-f_n_140986.html" target="_blank">What do you need to know when predictions begin? Rule number one is do not trust exit poll data.</a> — Huffington Post</li> <li><b>Love</b>: <a href="http://dearsugar.com/2463402" >Would it be a deal breaker if he didn't vote? Share your opinion.</a> — DearSugar</li> <p><lI><b>Kids</b>: <a href="http://londonist.com/2008/11/under_pressure.php" target="_blank">Valuable municipal program? Kids with anger problems in London are to be given foot massages in order to help them curb their aggression.</a> — Londonist</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2466090#comment 2008 Presidential Election Briefing Book Congress Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2466090 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2384592 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/18/spending-surge-on-financi_n_135790.html">Spending Surge On Financial System Pushing Deficit Towards $1 Trillion</a> Congressional leaders and both presidential candidates are proposing billions of dollars in tax breaks and other measures to stoke economic growth, a surge in spending that could send the federal deficit soaring toward $1 trillion this year, creating the deepest well of red ink since the end of World War II. Congress could consider additional spending as soon as next month, potentially digging the nation's hole even deeper. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2384592#comment aside Congress Economy Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:45:41 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2384592 http://www.citizensugar.com/2370193 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/42_2008/Bush-Signing-Statements.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="210" width="300"></span>After signing two bills into law this week, President Bush said that he could <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/15/washington/15signing.html?ref=washington" target="_blank">bypass numerous parts of the laws</a>. In a signing statement Bush said a military authorization act and a measure giving inspectors general greater independence from the White House unlawfully constrained the president's constitutional powers. </p> <p>So which parts will Bush ignore?</p> <ul> <li>A section forbidding money from being used "to exercise United States control of the oil resources of Iraq."</li> <li>A section requiring negotiations for an agreement by which Iraq would share some of the costs of the American military operation.</li> <li>Two sections strengthening legal protections against political interference with internal watchdog officials at executive agencies.</li> <p>The past 42 presidents have issued 600 signing statements <i>combined</i> while Bush himself has put out 1,100. Legal scholars assert that Bush's <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/04/30/bush_challenges_hundreds_of_laws/" target="_blank">disobedience contradicts the rule of law</a>, and the separations of power between Congress and the president. Do you think the next president will follow Bush's signing statements, or go even further by following his example of issuing many more signing statements?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2370193#comment Congress Constitution George W Bush Headline Law Signing Statements Veto Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:00:39 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2370193 http://www.citizensugar.com/2181448 <p><b>Update:</b> Here's <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE1r_DuYH2j4rBy8JqBaVQ40MiOQD93J6A400" target="_blank">how each representative voted</a> on the bill, by state.<br /> <b>Update II:</b> In a speech from the Rose Garden, President Bush noted the effect of the Bailout Bill will "take some time." He's <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/10/03/bush-warns-that-financial-rescue-will-take-some-time/?mod=googlenews_wsj" target="_blank">expected to sign it</a> this afternoon.</p> <p>The US House has passed the new version of the financial Bailout Bill. In a vote of 263-171, with 91 Republicans voting "Yea" and 172 Democrats in favor, the changes in the bill <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2179180" >put forward by the Senate</a> combined with the news that the US job sector lost 159,000 jobs in the month of September lent a real sense of urgency to the vote. The bill needed a vote of 218 to pass, and it well surpassed that threshold. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/83103877.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="399" width="550"></span></p> <p>What happens next? The bills will be reconciled with each other, both the Senate and House versions, and then it's sent to the president for his signature. It's unsure whether he will receive the bill today. President Bush is set to speak at 1:55 p.m. EST, and is expected to thank Congress for passing the bill. Are you as thankful? Was this the right move? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2181448#comment Congress Economy Headline Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:33:28 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2181448 http://www.citizensugar.com/2179180 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/83090963.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="214" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>House Set to Vote on Bailout:</b><br /> The US House is debating the Bailout Bill this morning, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7649822.stm" target="_blank">preparing for a vote</a> expected later today. The version they're considering is <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2156519" >heftier version</a> approved by the Senate earlier this week. Speaker Pelosi said of the pending vote, "We're not going to take a bill to the floor that doesn't have the votes. I'm optimistic that we will take a bill to the floor." The <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2119940" >House rejected</a> the first Bailout plan on Monday.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/Friday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Fact-Checking and Debate Quotes:</b><br /> The morning after the Vice Presidential Debate, analysis is running high. If you're looking to make analysis of your own, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Debate-Fact-Check.html" target="_blank">individual facts</a> from the debate have now been checked, along with <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hSdA2VVx_nahx3rkHndmI4maAFaAD93IPEF00" target="_blank">full quotes</a> from the transcripts, so you can make up your own mind. If you missed the excitement, check out <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2174875" >our reactions</a> to the debate and the <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2170633" >live-comments</a>.</li> <li><b>Fewer People Entering US Illegally:</b><br /> A report released today shows that fewer people are trying to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/03/us/03immig.html?ref=us" target="_blank">enter the US illegally</a>, and that over the past year there has been no growth in the number of illegal immigrants in residence. For the first time in almost 10 years, the number of people entering illegally was lower than those coming in through legal channels. Experts think the loss of low-wage jobs in the American economy and tighter borders could be the cause.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2179180#comment Congress Debates Economy Front Page Illegal Immigration Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:00:32 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2179180 http://www.citizensugar.com/2166107 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/83011327.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="216" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>India Nuclear Deal Approved: </b><br /> In addition to passing the <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2156519" >Bailout Bill</a> last night which caused the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7647662.stm" target="_blank">European markets</a> to rise, the US Senate voted 86-13 to <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7645522.stm" target="_blank">approve a nuclear deal</a> with India. The vote moves to end a 30-year ban on nuclear trade with India. The deal gives India access to civilian nuclear technology which critics say will expand its nuclear industry without having to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/Thursday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Suicide Bombers Strike End of Ramadan:</b><br /> In Baghdad as Muslims marked the close of Ramadan, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/03/world/middleeast/03iraq.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=login" target="_blank">suicide bombers attacked</a> two Shi'ite mosques during morning prayers, killing at least 20 people. The attacks were part of a second wave of violence this week culminating in the Id al-Fitr feast. No one has claimed responsibility but some in the crowd believe Sunni extremists were to blame.</li> <p><br clear=all></p> <li><b>Vice Presidential Debate Tonight:</b><br /> Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Joe Biden face off in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/01/debate.veeps/index.html" target="_blank">their only debate</a> tonight in St. Louis, MO. The event starts at 9 p.m. ET and <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2143266" >will be moderated</a> by PBS's Gwen Ifill. The debate has been <a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/the-vp-debate-what-to-watch-for/" target="_blank">much anticipated</a> and we'll be gearing up for it today, as well as here tonight live-commenting during the debate.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2166107#comment 2008 Presidential Election Congress Debates Front Page India Iraq Joe Biden Nuclear Energy Ramadan Sarah Palin Suicide Bombing Vice President Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:56:41 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2166107 http://www.citizensugar.com/2156519 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/83080235.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="320" width="240"></span>The Senate has <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/business/02bailout.html?hp" target="_blank">passed their version</a> of the Bailout Bill with a vote of 74-25. McCain, Obama, and Biden all voted "yes." The Senate burned the midnight oil tonight, voting on a new version of the Bailout that failed the House earlier this week. The version they considered is <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14161.html" target="_blank">much beefier</a> than the original. The main differences between the bill that failed the House and the one the Senate considered are as follows:</p> <ul> <li>Raises the FDIC Cap to $250,000.</li> <li>Tax breaks for individuals.</li> <li>Tax breaks for business included spending on alternative energy.</li> </ul> <p>To see what else the bill will do, <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/01/congress.bailout/" target="_blank">according to</a> the Senate Banking Committee and what's next, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2156519">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2156519#comment Congress Economy Headline Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:24:12 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2156519 http://www.citizensugar.com/2141609 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/83063102.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="213" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>Senate to Vote on Bailout:</b><br /> Senate leaders have <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/business/02bailout.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">scheduled a vote</a> today on the $700 billion bailout proposal after adding tax breaks and a higher insured bank deposits limit in an attempt to win House approval and send the bill to President Bush by the end of the week. Senator Harry Reid said, “It has been determined, in our judgment, this is the best thing to move forward," when he announced the unexpected move.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/Wednesday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Chinese Gymnasts Win Age Fight:</b><br /> International gymnastics officials closed a five week investigation in to the ages of the Chinese gymnasts competing at the Beijing Olympics, ruling that documentation rules that the gymnasts <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-OLY-GYM-Underage-Chinese.html?hp" target="_blank">were old enough</a> to compete. The scrutiny has not yet cleared gymnasts who won the team bronze in Sydney eight years ago saying, "The FIG does not consider the explanations and evidence provided to date in regards to these athletes as satisfactory.''</li> <li><b>Spain Arrests 121 For Child Porn:</b><br /> In what's described as Spain's <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7645626.stm" target="_blank">largest operation</a> against child internet porn, Spain's authorities say they have arrested 121 people and millions of images. Police say two of those arrested were using their own children to make pornography. The sting involved 800 officers, 210 searches, and 347 hard drives seized. The raids bring the number of people arrest for child porn in Spain in the past five years to 1,200. </li> </ul> <p><a href=http://www.gettyimages.com">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2141609#comment 2008 Olympics children China Congress Economy Front Page Pornography Spain Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:53:42 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2141609 http://www.citizensugar.com/2128362 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/83060956.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="202" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>Bush Implores Congress:</b><br /> Speaking this morning at the White House, President Bush <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/09/30/special/b055045D45.DTL&amp;type=politics" target="_blank">said</a> that the economic damage will be "painful and lasting" if a bailout bill is not passed by Congress. The House is not scheduled to meet again until Thursday but lawmakers are <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ioHc80xKMiATnqCpK0cDKJzk_nPQD93H0V300" target="_blank">looking for a new deal</a> following the failure of the bill yesterday and the worst <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/business/30markets.html?ref=us" target="_blank">single-day drop</a> of the stock market in 20 years.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/Tuesday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Pirate Shoot-Out:</b><br /> Somali pirates who seized a Ukrainian ship for a $20 million ransom last week have been involved in a <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7643561.stm" target="_blank">shoot-out at sea</a> among themselves. The pirates dispute the report saying, "This is propaganda being spread by some people who are not aware of our situation. We are united in punishing those who abuse Somali waters." A spokesman for the Seafarers' Association warned negotiators to pull back so the pirates can cool off.</li> <li><b>More Than 140 Dead in Temple Stampede:</b><br /> At least 147 have died and 55 injured at a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-us-india-stampede.html?_r=1&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">stampede at an Indian temple</a> as the faithful gathered for one of the year's most important religious festivals. With witnesses saying that the crowd was trying to pass through too narrow of a passage in the climb, another says, "People were falling over one another. Many ran but were trampled under the feet of thousands." A similar situation happened at a Hindu temple last month.</li> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2128362#comment Congress Economy Front Page George W Bush India Pirates Somalia World of Faith Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:55:38 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2128362 http://www.citizensugar.com/2119940 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/83052762.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarger" height="400" width="236"></span> The House <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/business/30bailout.html?hp" target="_blank">failed to pass</a> the historic $700 billion Wall Street bailout this afternoon causing the Dow to crash a historic 780 points, and <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D93GHTUO3&amp;show_article=1" target="_blank"> making President Bush</a> "very disappointed." A <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/ref/washington/ROLLCALL.html?currentChamber=house&amp;currentSession=2&amp;currentCongress=110&amp;currentRoll=674" target="_blank"> roll call</a> of the votes shows that 133 House Republicans voted no, while 65 voted yes. As for the Democrats, 140 voted yes, and 95 voted no. Thirty out of 38 House members in tight reelection races <a href="http://gawker.com/5056519/this-is-your-fault-voters" target="_blank">voted against the bailout</a>.</p> <p>After taking <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/14088.html" target="_blank">credit for the bill</a> before it failed, the McCain camp had tough words for Obama this afternoon. Firing off the first statement, McCain <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2119176" >said</a>: "Barack Obama failed to lead, phoned it in, attacked John McCain, and refused to even say if he supported the final bill."</p> <p>As for Obama, he <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/14085.html" target="_blank">blamed the deregulatory climate</a> supported by John McCain. His <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/14091.html" target="_blank">campaign released a statement saying</a> this is a "moment of national crisis" and criticizing "the angry and hyperpartisan statement released by the McCain campaign."</p> <p>Speaker Pelosi will <a href="http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/29/ok-we-are-a-banana-republic/" target="_blank">most likely call for a new vote</a>, but if it doesn't pass — Wall Street might have to wait until the US has a new president. As the stock market certainly falls, the <a href="http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=cqmidday-000002966069" target="_blank">next step toward a solution is uncertain</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2119940#comment Congress Economy Headline Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:17:15 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2119940 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2119176 <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/14087.html">McCain Blames Obama For Bailout Defeat</a> Shortly after the bailout vote, a statement from the campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) blamed the loss on "the Democratic leadership: Senators Obama and Reid, Speaker Pelosi, and others. . . Their partisan attacks were an effort to gain political advantage during a national economic crisis. By doing so, they put at risk the homes, livelihoods and savings of millions of American families. Barack Obama failed to lead, phoned it in, attacked John McCain, and refused to even say if he supported the final bill." http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2119176#comment aside Congress Economy John McCain Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:25:00 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2119176 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2118215 <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080929/ap_on_bi_ge/financial_meltdown;_ylt=AvEcFL88OQRoZb0aYWE_aPGs0NUE">House Defeats $700 Billion Financial Markets Bailout</a> The House on Monday defeated a $700 billion emergency rescue package, ignoring urgent pleas from President Bush and bipartisan congressional leaders to quickly bail out the staggering financial industry. Stocks plummeting on Wall Street even before the 228-205 vote to reject the bill was announced on the House floor. When the critical vote was tallied, too few members of the House were willing to support the unpopular measure with elections just five weeks away. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2118215#comment aside Congress Economy Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:20:16 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2118215 http://www.citizensugar.com/2116099 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/83046169.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="215" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>Bailout Goes to House Vote:</b><br /> The US House <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7641733.stm" target="_blank">will vote</a> on the Wall Street bailout bill today. President Bush <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iWyWZIs2HNGqbYln7hoAeU_MGnHwD93GCOKO0" target="_blank">spoke this morning</a> urging the House to pass the measure. He said, "I'm confident that this rescue plan, along with other measures taken by the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve, will begin to restore strength and stability to America's financial system and overall economy." Both candidates <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/28/AR2008092802212.html?hpid=topnews" target="_blank">cautiously support</a> the measure.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/Monday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Abducted Tourists Freed:</b><br /> A group of Italian and German hostages, abducted 10 days ago in Egypt, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7641656.stm" target="_blank">have been freed</a> and are on their way to a military base in Cairo. No ransom was paid though the German government had been negotiating with them. Few details are known about the conditions of their release, though the Egyptian defense minister said half of the captors had been "eliminated."</li> <li><b>Floods Kill 41 in Vietnam:</b><br /> Typhoon Hagupit has triggered flooding in Vietnam killing 41 and injuring 60 more according to disaster officials. The typhoon made landfall last week and has caused <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/29/world/asia/29vietnam.html?ref=asia" target="_blank">severe landslides</a> in mountainous provinces. The damages so far have been estimated at $60 million. An additional typhoon in Taiwan has killed two and injured 58 as well as forcing the closing of schools and the financial market.</li> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2116099#comment Abduction Congress Economy Egypt Floods Front Page Vietnam Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:00:34 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2116099 http://www.citizensugar.com/2110037 <p>As closely as we've all been following the economic, um, situation, it's complicated enough that just when you think you've got a handle on it, you come up short. That's why I was delighted when <a href="http://teamsugar.com/user/NurseDeAnna" >Nurse DeAnna</a> sent this video my way explaining the roots of the problem — that stretch all the way back to the Carter administration and the Community Reinvestment Act.</p> <p><center><object width="425" height="344"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H5tZc8oH--o&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H5tZc8oH--o&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center></p> <p>Now don't let the length of the video scare you off, it flies by — and sound not necessary, though the music is pretty good. It's a pretty Spurlocky breakdown of the whole history of the mortgage business complete with facts, figures, and encouragement to Google the details for yourself. The video plants a good deal of the end-blame square in Obama's lap, and since it's a compelling, though a not unpartisan look at the crisis, I'd love to know what you think. Does the video succeed in explaining it? Did you learn stuff — or are you fired up?</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2110037#comment Congress Economy Where I'm Clicking Now Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:00:05 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2110037 http://www.citizensugar.com/2097374 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/39_2008/jackjohnson.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="416" width="260"></span>The US House of Representatives is asking President Bush to <a href="http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/2008/09/26/D93EJPE08_pardon_request/index.html?source=refresh" target="_blank">issue a posthumous pardon</a> of professional boxer, and one of the first celebrity athletes, Jack Johnson. When Jack Johnson became the first-ever black heavyweight boxing champion in 1908, many in the country went looking for "The Great White Hope" — a white boxer who could defeat Johnson. </p> <p>In 1910, undefeated champion James J. Jeffries came out of retirement to fight Johnson, saying: "I am going into this fight for the sole purpose of proving that a white man is better than a Negro." Johnson won the fight, garnering the $225,000 prize, and race riots broke out across the country. </p> <p>After trying to convict him for relations with a white woman who <a href="http://afroamhistory.about.com/od/jackjohnson/p/bio_johnson_j.htm" target="_blank">went on to become his wife</a>, in 1920 a federal court convicted Johnson of violating the Mann Act, which prohibited transporting women across state lines for immoral purposes. He spent a year in a federal penitentiary. </p> <p>The House resolution states: "He was a victim of the times and we need to set the record straight — clear his name — and recognize him for his groundbreaking contribution to the sport of boxing." If it passes the House, the Senate will vote on a similar resolution sponsored by John McCain.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2097374#comment Boxing Congress Jack Johnson John McCain Sports Sat, 27 Sep 2008 07:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2097374 http://www.citizensugar.com/2093216 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/39_2008/83016479.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="208" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>Bailout Plan Hits Stalemate:</b><br /> Negotiations over the plan to <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7636943.stm" target="_blank">rescue Wall Street</a> have ended in a "shouting match," with Republican members of Congress blocking the government plan after discussion with President Bush. Bush just gave a short statement outlining how the legislative process isn't pretty. Both sides are resuming talks later today with Nancy Pelosi saying there will be an agreement because, "it has to happen."</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/39_2008/Friday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Debate Remains Doubtful:</b><br /> The first debate between McCain and Obama <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Candidates-Debate.html" target="_blank">appears doubtful</a> as negotiations over the economy continue in Washington. Obama says he plans to travel to the University of Mississippi where the debate is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET. McCain says "I'm very hopeful that we'll get enough of an agreement tomorrow so we can make this debate." McCain is returning to Capitol Hill today.</li> <li><b>Terror Suspects Held on Plane:</b><br /> Two terror suspects have been <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7637226.stm" target="_blank">arrested in Germany</a> on a plane preparing to take off. The two Somali men had been under surveillance for months and were said to have been "possibly planning attacks" having left suicide notes behind in their apartments saying they wished to die in a "holy war." The plane was eventually allowed to take off following the arrests and a luggage search.</li> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2093216#comment 2008 Presidential Election Congress Debates Economy Front Page Germany Terrorists Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:51:49 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2093216 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2086038 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/25/fundamental-agreement-rea_n_129292.html">Lawmakers: Financial Bailout Agreement Reached</a> Warned that time was running short to bolster the distressed economy, congressional Republicans and Democrats reported agreement in principle Thursday on a $700 billion bailout of the financial industry, and said they would present it to the Bush administration in hopes of a vote within days. Emerging from a two-hour negotiating session, Sen. Chris Dodd, D-CT, said, "We are very confident that we can act expeditiously." http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2086038#comment aside Congress Economy Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:55:42 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2086038 http://www.citizensugar.com/2060053 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-2060053"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/2060053',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-2060053');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/39_2008/82916309_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="204" width="350"></span>President <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/26808715/" target="_blank">Bush's bailout plan</a>, possibly the largest in US history, calls for <a href="http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2008/09/why-you-should-hate-treasury-bailout.html" target="_blank">unregulated and unprecedented powers</a> for one man: Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson. Paulson could spend, without oversight, up to $700 billion to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/opinion/22krugman.html?hp" target="_blank">purchase toxic securities</a> from financial firms.</p> <p>Congressional Democrats and Republicans have reservations, and both John McCain and Barack Obama want more oversight than Bush proposed. House Republicans <a href="http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/house-conservatives-want-changes-to-bailout-plan-2008-09-22.html" target="_blank">called an emergency meeting</a> this afternoon to finalize their alternative to Bush's plan. Their biggest concerns include more protections for taxpayers such as returning profits from the bailout program to the Treasury.</p> <p>Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy said: "We will do something this week — but if we learned anything from right after 9/11, it's that the biggest mistake is to pass anything they ask for just because it's an emergency." Democrats want more <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13676.html" target="_blank">specific homeowner relief</a>, Treasury accountability to Congress, and limits on corporate executive compensation. Despite these hesitations, the Bush Administration warns that markets could be devastated if Congress doesn't reach an agreement quickly. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/2060053" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Does Emergency Legislation Make You Nervous? </label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes! Not so fast! They're trying to scare Congress and Americans into submission. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> No. Get moving! Congressional political posturing is not needed during this urgent time.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Either way Americans are screwed. Let's just get this over with. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other. I'll tell you in the comments. </label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="2060053" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/2060053#comment Citizen Poll Congress Economy George W Bush Hank Paulson Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:45:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2060053 http://www.citizensugar.com/2055783 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/39_2008/82909586.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="222" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>Congress May Add Stimulus:</b><br /> Congress is likely to raise the cost of the $700 billion rescue deal by <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/congress-may-seek-add-stimulus/story.aspx?guid=%7BC107DC6D-03B6-4287-AD0D-5FD67819FC86%7D&amp;dist=msr_25" target="_blank">adding more economic stimulus</a> for taxpayers, according to Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Barney Frank. The cost of the current plan could reach $1 trillion. Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ioHc80xKMiATnqCpK0cDKJzk_nPQD93BP4O80" target="_blank">urged caution</a> this morning and praised Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson as "the right man."</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/39_2008/Monday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>South Africa's Mbeki Resigns:</b><br /> South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/world/africa/22mbeki.html?ref=africa" target="_blank">resigned yesterday</a> after his political party demanded that he step down. He gave a brief speech saying, “I would like to say that gloom and despondency have never defeated adversity. Trying times need courage and resilience.” Mbeki has been <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7628672.stm" target="_blank">temporarily replaced</a> by Kgalema Motlanthe.</li> <p><br clear=all></p> <li><b>Militants Kidnap 155 in Afghanistan:</b><br /> Three buses carrying Afghan laborers were <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hvWEqwq3CrRvaQCmt21MfoYhjZJQD93BOK980" target="_blank">stopped by militants</a> and all 155 people on board were kidnapped. No one has yet claimed responsibility and the Interior Ministry spokesman says, "What demand might they have from the government? They are poor and innocent laborers who are traveling far distances for work." Though kidnappings and ransoms are routine in Afghanistan, this instance is the first time militants have attempted to abduct and hold such a large group. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2055783#comment Abduction Afghanistan Congress Economy Front Page South Africa Thabo Mbeki the Taliban Mon, 22 Sep 2008 07:00:38 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2055783 http://www.citizensugar.com/2031223 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/38_2008/82852615.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="214" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>Chinese Milk Toll Rises:</b><br /> Twenty-two brands of Chinese baby formula have been found to contain toxic levels of melamine. The tainted milk has <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7620253.stm" target="_blank">sickened 6,200 babies</a> and killed three, the toll five times higher than previously announced. Those diagnosed with "acute kidney failure" numbers 158, and the Chinese health minister says they will all receive free health care. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/38_2008/Wednesday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Embassy Attack Kills 16:</b><br /> An attack by Islamist militants on the <a href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gm9E9d1ltPQSUVgHQ6LbKOJAU7-w" target="_blank">US Embassy in Yemen</a> has left 16 people dead. The second strike on the highly secured compound in six months, a group called Jihad in Yemen has claimed responsibility. Fierce gunfire erupted after a suicide bomber detonated a car at the entrance. The embassy spokesman said, "We are very aware that there is a continuing threat here and we are continuously reevaluating our security status."</p> <li><b>House Passes Offshore Drilling:</b><br /> The US House of Representatives passed legislation this morning that <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSN1533340920080917" target="_blank">lifts the ban</a> on offshore drilling and opens much of the coastline to exploration. The vote was 236-189 in favor of the plan which gives individual states the option to explore between 50 and 100 miles from their shores, and completely opens areas 100 miles out.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2031223#comment China Congress Embassy Front Page Offshore Drilling Suicide Bombing Tainted Drugs Yemen Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:00:40 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2031223 http://www.citizensugar.com/1968503 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/37_2008/73909601.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="229" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>Tree-Sitters Climb Down:</b><br /> After a 21-month occupation, four remaining tree-sitters in an oak grove on the UC Berkeley campus, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Treesitter-Standoff.html" target="_blank">climbed down and into police custody</a>. School officials had cut off food and water supplies Monday and were prepared to remove the activists using force. The tree-sitters were trying to stop the construction of a $125 million sports center which threatened 42 trees on campus.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/37_2008/Wednesday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Quake Shakes Iran:</b><br /> A 6.1 magnitude earthquake has <a href="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LA218124.htm" target="_blank">hit southern Iran</a> near the site of a large Iranian oil refinery, injuring 22 and killing three. Officials fear the quake damaged older parts in the refinery. Iran is the world's fourth largest oil exporter, the refinery struck processes 320,000 barrels a day.</li> <p><br clear=all></p> <li><b>More Calling Suicide Hotline:</b><br /> More Americans are calling the government's suicide hotline, 47,000 of them in the last month alone. The line receives a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Suicide-Hot-Line.html" target="_blank">10 percent increase every month</a>, which the staff attributes to more people knowing about it, than an increase in the suicidal. In 2005, the last year of the data, there were more than 32,600 suicide deaths.</li> <li><b>US Deficit at $438 Billion:</b><br /> The US budget deficit is set <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7607872.stm" target="_blank">to reach $438 billion</a> in 2009 according to Congressional Budget Office estimates. The figure doesn't take into account government costs associated with taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The previous record for deficit was $413 billion in 2004. Last year's deficit was $161 billion.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1968503#comment Activists Berkeley Congress Earthquake Eco Economy Front Page Iran Suicide The Daily Planet Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:00:28 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1968503 http://www.citizensugar.com/1949548 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/37_2008/82656397.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="306" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>Cheney Gives Palin Nod:</b><br /> From the man who may know best, Cheney says <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Cheney-Palin.html" target="_blank">Sarah Palin has no restrictions</a> from being a great vice president. In Italy today, Cheney told reporters that he ''loved'' Palin's speech to the convention, especially tickled by her joke about the difference between hockey moms and pit bulls being a coat of lipstick. He said, ''I thought her appearance at the convention was superb." He went on to add, ''There's no reason why Sarah Palin can't be a successful vice president in a McCain administration.''</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/37_2008/Monday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Fannie and Freddie Takeover:</b><br /> The US government takeover of mortgage giants Frannie Mae and Freddie Mac <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/business/worldbusiness/09markets.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">caused stocks to rally</a> in Europe and Asia. A provision in the bailout plan where the Treasury buys Fannie and Freddie securities in the open market has economists optimistic saying, "it means the US is serious about fixing the problems in the market.”</li> <p><br clear=all></p> <li><b>Cairo Rockslide Death Toll:</b><br /> With reports saying hundreds more could still be buried and 47 left dead, a <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7603690.stm" target="_blank">rock slide has decimated</a> a Cairo shanty town. Eight boulders barreled down from high in the Muquattam hills and rescuers are criticizing authorities for delays in sending heavy machinery. Some are using their bare hands to search for survivors. One survivor says, "We saw a boulder coming down on us, on our houses, on the children, our belongings, and our neighbours and they pulled them out dead. Just as you see, no one has done anything to help since yesterday."</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1949548#comment 2008 Presidential Election Congress Dick Cheney Egypt Fannie Mae Freddie Mac Front Page Housing Crisis Rockslide Sarah Palin Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:00:01 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1949548 http://www.citizensugar.com/1880351 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/34_2008/74895074.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="200"></span><b>Update:</b> Sadly, it seems earlier reports are now true. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D92MA7LO0&amp;show_article=1" target="_blank">has died</a> after suffering a brain aneurysm. It was previously and widely reported that she had passed away and reports proved conflicting.</p> <p>Tubbs Jones, 58, was the first African-American woman to represent Ohio in Congress. She has served five terms in Congress and was thought able to easily win a sixth in November. </p> <p>She garnered attention earlier this year, firmly supporting Hillary Clinton's bid for the Democratic nomination for president. Tubbs Jones drew some criticism for her support of Clinton instead of Barack Obama, though she has a legacy of staunch support for many African-American candidates. </p> <p>We will update as more information becomes available.<br /> <br clear=all><br /> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1880351#comment Congress Deaths Headline Stephanie Tubbs Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:30:01 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1880351 http://www.citizensugar.com/1878636 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/72357290.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="450"></span>Congress is on track to pass the least amount of public laws than any other Congress in the two decades of record keeping. So far, the 110th Congress has 294 laws to its name. On the other hand, the House and Senate <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121910897089651793.html?mod=hpp_us_pageone" target="_blank">have passed 1,900 <i>symbolic</i> resolutions</a>. </p> <p>It may not have ended the war in Iraq, but this year Congress has:</p> <ul> <li>Recognized the Idaho Potato Commission's 70th Anniversary</li> <li>Recognized soil as an essential natural resource</li> <li>Designated May 5-9 as National Substitute Teacher Recognition Week</li> <li>Set July 28 as the Day of the American Cowboy</li> </ul> <p>Shoot! I missed the Day of the American Cowboy. The <b>Wall Street Journal</b> reports that Congress spends one-quarter of its workweek debating and passing such symbolic measures. Congressional Democrats, emphasizing the quality over the quantity of actual legislation, point out that since 2007 they have enacted the largest expansion in college aid in 60 years, increased the minimum wage for the first time in 10 years, increased unemployment benefits, and implemented the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.</p> <p>Do you think the Democratic Congress should have a chance to further prove itself with a President on its side, or is it time to symbolically kick these lawmakers to the curb in November?</p> <p><a href="http://www.legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1878636#comment Congress Headline Law Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:00:57 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1878636 http://www.citizensugar.com/1848133 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/32_2008/TEMP-Image_1_35.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="400"></span>Are gas prices driving volunteers away? Some charities say yes, and they want Congress to help. US corporate drivers get a tax deduction of 58.5 cents per gallon, while those driving their cars for charity only deduct 14 cents. When charities pay volunteers the corporate rate, the altruistic drivers must declare the reimbursement as taxable income. If all that doesn't sound right to you, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/us/06charity.html?_r=1&amp;oref" target="_blank">100 charities and four senators agree</a>.</p> <p>Charities that rely on volunteer drivers, for example to take the elderly to medical appointments or the grocery store, <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1751423" >cannot sustain high gas prices</a>. So a group of 100 charities, like the American Red Cross and Catholic Charities, got together and wrote a letter to Congress to ask lawmakers to address the problem. Today, four senators announced their plan to raise the deduction to 70 percent of the corporate rate, and eliminate the tax on reimbursements above that rate. Since a $1,000 charitable donation is tax deductible for $1,000, it seems only fair that those donating their time and gas get a break, too. </p> <p>Have you changed your charitable participation because of gas prices? Should charities get special consideration?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1848133#comment Charity Congress Gas Prices Headline Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:30:54 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1848133 http://www.citizensugar.com/1838743 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1838743"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1838743',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1838743');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/81956709.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="240"></span>Dragging his feet this weekend, Barack Obama changed his tune on offshore drilling. Obama said he would be willing to support drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, in exchange for a comprehensive alternative energy plan which would include <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/us/politics/03OBAMA.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ending oil company tax breaks, and extending tax credits</a> to those searching for alternative fuels. </p> <p>Explaining his shift, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/02/campaign.wrap/?iref=hpmostpop" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Obama said</a>: "What I will not do, and this has always been my position, is to support a plan that suggests this drilling is the answer to our energy problems. If we've got a plan on the table that I think meets the goals that America has to set and there are some things in there that I don't like, then obviously that's something that I would consider because that's the nature of how we govern in a democracy."</p> <p>Since <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1785414" rel="nofollow">the majority of you said you opposed offshore drilling</a> last time I asked, I'm curious if Obama's plan sounds more appealing to you. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1838743" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Does Obama&#039;s Shift on Offshore Drilling Make You Shift Too?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> No! "Compromises" only help the entrenched interests, aka the oil companies. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Yes! If we want energy independence the political parties have to work together.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Yes! Obama's plan is different because it would encourage alternative energy. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> No. I've always thought America should take advantage of all its oil resources. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="4" class="form-radio" /> Other. I'll tell you in the comments.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1838743" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/1838743#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama Citizen Poll Congress Offshore Drilling Oil Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:00:20 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1838743 http://www.citizensugar.com/1838622 <p>The first female Speaker of the House has just released a book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Know-Your-Power-Americas-Daughters/dp/0385525869" target="_blank">Know Your Power: A Message to American Daughters</a>, in which she encourages America women to make their voices heard. Making her voice heard on the new-book-media tour, Pelosi <a href="http://i1.democracynow.org/2008/7/30/house_speaker_nancy_pelosi_defends_her" target="_blank">appeared on The View</a> last week to explain that impeachment was off the table because there is no evidence that Bush committed a crime and in this week's <b>Time</b>, readers <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1828320,00.html" target="_blank">asked Pelosi</a> ten questions. Here's what the eleven-term Congresswomen from San Francisco had to say about the topics on Americans' minds. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/81170472.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="367" width="550"></span></p> <p><b>Why have you taken impeachment off the table as an option for President George W. Bush?</b> I took it off the table a long time ago. You can't talk about impeachment unless you have the facts, and you can't have the facts unless you have cooperation from the Administration. I think the Republicans would like nothing better than for us to focus on impeachment and take our eye off the ball of a progressive economic agenda.</p> <p><b>Why do the Democrats insist on blocking oil-drilling when we need the price of oil to drop? </b> Even if they drilled every place [in America], it would not have any impact on the price of oil now. You can't increase domestic supply only by drilling. You have to invest in renewable-energy resources. That's all longer term.</p> <p>To find out if Speaker Pelosi ever votes against her party, and what she thinks about challenger Cindy Sheehan and accusations that her party controls a "do-nothing" Congress, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1838622">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1838622#comment Congress Know Your Power Nancy Pelosi On the Newsstand Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:00:15 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1838622 http://www.citizensugar.com/1831541 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1831541"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1831541',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1831541');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p>As part of Congress's whirlwind-meets-marathon pace (like voting on <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/07/31/so_many_bills_so_little_time_on_the_hill/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">10 amendments in one minute</a> at a pace of six seconds per) in order to finish up before the end of session, votes have been fast and furious. The votes aren't on trivial matters either: Whether people should be allowed to <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/75835906.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="300"></span>register to vote on election days and if Massachusetts can allow out-of-state gay couples to marry are on the agenda. Part of the voting frenzy included a key apology.</p> <p>The House voted Tuesday to <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gQfZv7F8c9hdd5CVurA3dUGMq6pQD927Q66O0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">apologize to black Americans</a> for wrongs committed under slavery and Jim Crow laws. The resolution was fronted by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), the only white lawmaker representing a mostly black district (who's also facing a black challenger in a primary next week.) It's not the first time Congress has apologized — they've said sorry to Japanese-Americans for their treatment in WW II and native Hawaiians for the overthrow of their King, but this the first national apology for slavery.</p> <p>Five states have issued apologies, but Congressional efforts have stalled previously because they've included reparations. The Cohen resolution says that Africans forced into slavery "were brutalized, humiliated, dehumanized and subjected to the indignity of being stripped of their names and heritage." The move is largely symbolic, and given that reparations weren't mentioned, some think <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/31/race.usa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the apology is meaningless</a>. "If you don't follow the apology with action, talk is cheap. Talk is less expensive than reparations."</p> <p>Should Congress have apologized? Are reparations necessary for it to be meaningful?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1831541" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Does Congress&#039;s Apology For Jim Crow and Slavery Matter?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Of course it matters! It's a step in the right direction, and they were right to vote yes.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> It's just talk. It's a nice sentiment, but it means nothing to those who were "brutalized."</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> It doesn't matter and it's not necessary. They should spend the time on important issues.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other. I'll tell you in the comments.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1831541" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/1831541#comment Citizen Poll Congress Jim Crow Poll Race Slavery Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:45:35 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1831541 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1830732 <a href="http://www.townhall.com/news/us/2008/07/31/house_considers_ban_on_killing_horses_for_food">Off the Table? House Considers Ban on Killing Horses For Food</a> One menu item could soon disappear from foreign dinner tables: meat from slaughtered American horses. Animal rights advocates are urging lawmakers to pass a bill banning the slaughter of US horses for consumption abroad, arguing the practice is inhumane. Opponents of the proposal say it would actually increase cruelty in the form of abandonment, abuse and neglect. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1830732#comment Animals aside Congress Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:09:53 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1830732 http://www.citizensugar.com/1826804 <p>Feeling guilty about that autographed box set of the third season of <b>Lost</b> you just scored on eBay? Think you can hide it and no one will know? Well thanks to the<a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hs5zArRJP0FhzvfKNXi60I95LyqQD9285DN80" target="_blank"> big housing bailout bill</a> signed by Bush (to "little fanfare") the quietness could be because of this little <a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/media/hidden-tax-traps-housing-rescue/" target="_blank">sneaky addition</a> buried deep inside:<br /> <blockquote>Your merchant bank will now be required to send a report to IRS and to you with your total annual gross payment card receipts. In other words, IRS will get your total merchant credit card gross receipts for the year.</p></blockquote> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/76340314.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="327" width="550"></span></p> <p>Did you catch that trick? Shopping is no longer sacred. As FreedomWorks Chairman Dick Armey <a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/newsroom/press_template.php?press_id=2571" target="_blank">commented</a>:<br /> <blockquote>This is a provision with astonishing reach . . . Not only does it affect nearly every credit card transaction in America, such as Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express, but the bill specifically targets payment systems like eBay's PayPal, Amazon, and Google Checkout that are used by many small online businesses. The privacy implications for America's small businesses are breathtaking.</p></blockquote> <p>Why is the government snooping on your shopping cart? To find out, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1826804">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1826804#comment Civil Liberties Congress Headline Housing Crisis IRS taxes Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:00:56 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1826804 http://www.citizensugar.com/1826215 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/75934788%282%29.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="450"></span>What's that noise coming from the Capitol's basement? Why, it's Karl Rove! </p> <p>Well not exactly, but it could be soon! The House Judiciary Committee just voted along party lines to hold "Bush's Brain" in contempt of Congress, <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/07/rove-in-contemp.html" target="_blank">setting up a full House vote</a>. The contempt charges stem from Karl's refusal to show up <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1785700" > (claiming executive privileged)</a> to a July 10 hearing on the <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/21/60minutes/main3859830.shtml" target="_blank">allegedly politically motivated federal corruption charges</a> that landed former (and popular) Democratic Alabama Governor Don Siegelman in prison.</p> <p>If the entire House passes a contempt citation, the case goes to the federal attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeffery Taylor. Bush-appointed Taylor could recuse himself from the case and appoint a special prosecutor or refuse to prosecute. </p> <p>If prosecution doesn't go anywhere, Congress does have <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12235541" target="_blank">its own "inherent power of contempt,"</a> which requires it to stop all other work and hold its own trial. If that happens, and Karl Rove is found guilty, he would be imprisoned in the basement of the Capitol. He could be joined by ex-White House counsel Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolton, who are facing contempt charges, too. Do you think they'll fight over who gets the top bunk?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1826215#comment Congress Crime Headline Karl Rove Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:45:24 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1826215 http://www.citizensugar.com/1823883 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/53509754_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="330"></span>A new report released by the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative states that consequences of climate change extend beyond environmental, and into issues of human rights, race, and class. The research group says that climate change is especially harmful to African Americans, and low-income individuals.</