http://www.citizensugar.com/ Breaking News, Together. en http://www.citizensugar.com/2654491 <p>A Russian professor who's been predicting the end of the US for years is starting to get attention. His argument? Immigration, the economy, moral degradation (whaa?) will trigger a civil war and the eventual breakup of the US. Oh, and he says <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123051100709638419.html?mod=googlenews_wsj" target="_blank">there's a 45-55 percent chance this will happen by next year</a>.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/16/162306/01_2008/2cd0ab1485fb28e7_russian_end.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="430" width="550"></span> </p> <p>Maybe his timing is dubious, but the argument that's been disregarded for years in Russia is starting to be taken seriously. At least if you consider the state-run Russian media, where it's been getting considerable coverage, serious. </p> <p>So if the US is breaking up, where will we live? To find out, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2654491">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2654491#comment Economy Russia United States Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:00:29 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2654491 http://www.citizensugar.com/2645076 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/2/22911/52_2008/0f649be35da59cb0_Stalin.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarger" height="400" width="283"></span>Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin was <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE4BR17620081228" target="_blank">voted Russia's third most popular historical figure</a> in a nationwide poll that ended this weekend. Stalin's notable superlative comes despite the famine and purges (which included sending people to labor camps and millions of deaths) that marked his dictatorship.</p> <p>The "Name of Russia" contest was run by the Rossiya state television channel for about six months and closed Sunday night with a final vote from the Internet or cell phones. It drew more than 50 million votes out of the nation's 143 million citizens. </p> <p>Stalin was General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee from 1922 until his death in 1953. Millions of Soviets died from famine during forced collectivization, were executed as "enemies of the people" or died in hard labor camps during his rule. </p> <p><span style='font-size:10px !important;'><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></span></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2645076#comment Headline Joseph Stalin Russia Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:01:26 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2645076 http://www.citizensugar.com/2493222 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/46_2008/030df02cc1e2ceb7_83658393.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center xlarger" height="271" width="400"></span></p> <ul> <li>Iran announced today that it tested a new surface-to-surface air missile, adding that it is ready to defend itself against an attack. — <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4AB1WG20081112?feedType=RSS&amp;feedName=topNews" target="_blank">Reuters</a></li> <li>John McCain will go to Georgia tomorrow to push for Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, who is stuck in a tight race there with a Democratic challenger. Three Senate races, in Georgia, Minnesota, and Alaska, have yet to be called. If they go Democrat, the party will significantly widen its majority in Senate. — <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-11-11-senate-races_N.htm?csp=DailyBriefing" target="_blank">USA Today</a></li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/46_2008/f0bb9c581bc8b46c_Wednesday_Front_Page" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li>Lobbyists will be restricted from participating in President-elect Barack Obama's transition to the White House. Under self-imposed ethics restrictions, Obama will not allow lobbyists to work in areas in which they have worked for clients in the last year.— <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/us/politics/12obama.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=" target="_blank"> New York Times</a></li> <li>The US and Russia will begin talks on nuclear proliferation tomorrow, working toward a new treaty to replace the expiring Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). The Bush administration also is planning to minimize Russian objections to a US missile defense program in Europe. — <a href="http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/world/2008/11/12/D94DDQJ80_eu_us_russia_arms_talks/index.html" target="_blank">Associated Press</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2493222#comment Barack Obama Front Page Iran John McCain Lobbyists Russia Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2493222 http://www.citizensugar.com/2473272 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/45_2008/95592c5f5532170c_83499407.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center xlarger" height="255" width="400"></span></p> <ul> <li>The US unemployment reached a 14-year high of 6.5 percent today. About 240,000 nonfarm jobs were lost in October alone. So far this year 1.2 million US jobs have been lost.— <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&amp;sid=ahUhUD7lCy7s&amp;refer=home" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a></li> <li>The still being recounted Minnesota Senate race between Al Franken and Senator Norm Coleman came within a margin of 236 votes at the end of Thursday. — <a href="http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/34024274.html" target="_blank"> Minneapolis Star Tribune</a></li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/45_2008/5d1cb8ab37dca7ec_Friday_Front_Page" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li>Georgia's claims that it acted in defense against Russian aggression last summer are being called into question. — <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/world/europe/07georgia.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=" target="_blank">New York Times</a></li> <li>Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi started "suntan-gate" yesterday when he called Barack Obama "young, handsome, and tanned." When asked if the comment might have been misunderstood as undiplomatic or even racist, the Prime Minister told his opponents to get a sense of humor.— <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7715016.stm" target="_blank"> BBC News</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2473272#comment Al Franken Front Page Georgia Italy Jobs Norm Coleman Russia Silvio Berlusconi Unemployment Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2473272 http://www.citizensugar.com/2470611 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/45_2008/c44b82da066d4bc0_83008867.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center xlarger" height="267" width="400"></span></p> <ul> <li>Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is taking steps to allow Vladimir Putin to return as president in 2009. According to Russian sources, Medvedev may push for changes to the constitution so former President Putin can return to power. — <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081106/wl_nm/us_russia_medvedev_putin" target="_blank"> Reuters </a></li> <li>US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has traveled to the Middle East. Today she is in Israel to participate in peace talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials. — <a href="http://voanews.com/english/2008-11-06-voa17.cfm" target="_blank"> Voice of America</a></li> <li>Rebels in the Congo have taken over more villages, as they extend their control in the eastern region of the embattled country. — <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7710467.stm" target="_blank">BBC News</a></li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/45_2008/3860f2985a61b387_Thursday_Front_Page" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li>Democrats picked up another seat in the Senate, as Democrat Jeff Merkley defeated five-term incumbent Republican Gordon Smith of Oregon. — <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/05/jeff-merkley-declared-win_n_141667.html" target="_blank"> Huffington Post</a></li> <li>The Bradley effect, the theory that people lie to pollsters or to themselves about voting for a black candidate, did not exist on Tuesday. Experts now say there is no point in continuing the discussion about how closeted racists impact polling. — <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/us/politics/06poll.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=" target="_blank">New York Times</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2470611#comment Condoleezza Rice Congo Front Page Middle East Race Russia Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2470611 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2469390 <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/11/05/russia.missiles/index.html?iref=24hours">Russia Slams US, Threatens Missile Deployment</a> Just hours after US President-elect Barack Obama delivered his victory speech, Russia's leader delivered a scathing rebuke of U.S. policy and reminded Obama of some of the major foreign policy challenges he will face in office. In his first state-of-the-nation speech since taking office earlier this year, President Dmitry Medvedev warned that Russian missiles will be deployed against the planned US missile shield in eastern Europe. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/2469390#comment aside Russia Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:25:40 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2469390 http://www.citizensugar.com/2340497 <p>A rogue Russian nuclear scientist working with a Middle Eastern government to develop a nuclear weapon sounds like a plot from <b>24</b>, but it could be reality. The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/world/10nuke.html?ref=europe<br /> ">New York Times reports</a> that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency are investigating allegations that a Russian nuclear scientist helped Iran conduct complex experiments, in order to help Iran eventually detonate a nuclear weapon. The agency believes that the scientist was not working on behalf of the Russian government.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/41_2008/73849900.xxlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center xxlarge" height="334" width="500"></span><br /> European and American officials say the new document allegedly showing the Russian's assistance adds to existing evidence that Iran has conducted nuclear experiments. Iran says the document is a forgery, and that it has not conducted experiments related to nuclear weapons. </p> <p>After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russians got paid to assist Iran in building atomic weapons. Hopefully countries with nuclear weapons can find effective ways of securing valuable and dangerous information held inside the minds of scientists. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2340497#comment Iran Military Russia Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2340497 http://www.citizensugar.com/2318175 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/41_2008/83163095.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="214" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>Fed Cuts Interest Rate:</b><br /> In an effort to shore up the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Financial-Meltdown.html" target="_blank">global market slide</a>, the Federal Reserve and six other major banks worldwid cut interest rates. The Fed downgraded from 2 percent to 1.5 percent. Banks in the UK, China, and Canada followed suit after <a href="http://business.theage.com.au/business/global-stock-markets-slump-for-fifth-day-20081008-4wu8.html" target="_blank">five days</a> of tumbling stocks. The Fed's action will reduce borrowing costs immediately to US borrowers whose home-equity loans are tied to the prime interest rate.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/41_2008/Wednesday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Judge Orders 17 Freed From Gitmo:</b><br /> A federal judge ordered the Bush administration to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/washington/08detain.html?ref=asia" target="_blank">free 17 Guantanamo Bay detainees</a> by the end of the week, the first such order in seven years of disputes over the detentions. The 17 men have been held since 2002 and are members of a western Chinese minority. The judge says, “I think the moment has arrived for the court to shine the light of constitutionality on the reasons for detention."</li> <li><b>Russia Begins Georgia Pull-Out:</b><br /> Russia says its <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7658385.stm" target="_blank">troops are leaving</a> the so-called "buffer zone" around South Ossetia and five of the six checkpoints have been dismantled. Under a ceasefire deal, Moscow has to pull troops out of other areas around South Ossetia by Friday, though they will keep 8,000 troops in areas they've recognized as independent states. The move is part of the deal brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in August.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2318175#comment Courts Economy Front Page Georgia Guantanamo Bay Invasion Russia Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:58:30 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2318175 http://www.citizensugar.com/2150094 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/40_2008/Stalin-Impersonator.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="250" height="396"></span>Jamil Ziyadaliev is <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/world/europe/01stalin.html?ref=europe" target="_blank">a professional Stalin impersonator in Georgia</a>. Hosts of weddings and other events pay him to dress up as the Soviet dictator. But he also sports the costume on days off, and I don't blame him. Thanks to Stalin similarities, Jamil receives free meals, car repairs, and passages through Russian checkpoints. </p> <p>The most fascinating aspect of Jamil's unlikely career choice is that it reveals the unlikely respect many Georgians have for native son Stalin. A cult of Stalin persists in Georgia, a country of 4.6 million that has troubles with modern Russia. One Georgian historian explains: "Every Georgian knows Stalin came from here. He may have given his execution orders in Russian, but he did so with a heavy Georgian accent." </p> <p>To find out what the Georgian government is doing to combat Russian love, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2150094">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2150094#comment Georgia Headline Joseph Stalin Russia Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2150094 http://www.citizensugar.com/2020562 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/CA31877.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="379" width="550"></span></p> <ul> <li><b>Russia</b>: <a href="http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/russians-react-to-putins-08-remark/" target="_blank"> What do Russian blog readers think about Georgia and the US? Translated reactions to Putin's assertion that the US orchestrated recent war between Russian and Georgia to help John McCain.</a> — The Lede</li> <li><b>Obama</b>: <a href="http://www.236.com/news/2008/09/15/tumblring_giant_obama_supporte_8942.php" target="_blank"> How is the average Obama supporter going to become more aggressive this week? Outraged Obama supporters are ready to tumblr.</a> — 23/6</li> <li><b>Oil</b>: <a href="http://donklephant.com/2008/09/15/china-sucks-us-dry/" target="_blank"> Every drop of arctic or offshore oil will go directly to world market? China says drill baby drill!</a> — Donklephant</li> <li><b>POW</b>: <a href="http://townhall.com/blog/g/931a14f3-45b2-4c70-9ec9-866bb95f8411" target="_blank"> Will it get some play? In independent ad, fellow POW says McCain should not be near red button.</a> — Townhall</li> <li><b>Economy</b>: <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13448.html" target="_blank"> What do candidates think? McCain and Obama split on strength of economy.</a> — Politico</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2020562#comment Briefing Book George W Bush Georgia Russia Vladimir Putin Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2020562 http://www.citizensugar.com/1994599 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1994599"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1994599',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1994599');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/37_2008/82271204_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="366" width="250"></span>Sarah Palin echoed John McCain's tough talk toward Russia, when she <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5778018&amp;page=1" target="_blank">told Charlie Gibson</a> that she favors putting Georgia in NATO, even though membership would mean the possibility of war with Russia. Last month, <a href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iApDvNIgETnddU6K53XyVU4PBP4A" target="_blank">McCain said</a>: "I would move forward at the right time with the application for membership in NATO by Georgia. As you know, through the NATO membership, that if a member nation is attacked, it is viewed as an attack on all."</p> <p>Obama also called for partnership between NATO and Georgia in August: "I have consistently called for deepening relations between Georgia and transatlantic institutions, including a membership action plan (MAP) for NATO, and we must continue to press for that deeper relationship." Membership in <a href="http://www.nato.int/issues/map/index.html" target="_blank">NATO's MAP</a> can last for decades, and before full membership in NATO is awarded, territorial disputes with Russia would have to be worked out. This Summer, NATO deferred even MAP membership for Georgia.</p> <p>Thinking about how a candidate's casual comment on the possibility of war with Russia <a href="http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/30353" target="_blank">plays out in Russia</a> or other countries makes me a little nervous, but then again everyone in the race seems to have Georgia and a NATO relationship on their minds. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1994599" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Should the US Push For Georgia to Join NATO? </label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes! America needs to stop appeasing Russia. Put Georgia on the fast track to NATO! </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> A NATO partnership would help stability, but the talk of full membership must slow down. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> No! Admitting Georgia to NATO would be seen as a hostile provocation to Russia.</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="1994599" /> <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/1994599#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama Citizen Poll Georgia John McCain NATO Russia Sarah Palin Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:45:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1994599 http://www.citizensugar.com/1982362 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/37_2008/82211907.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="392" width="300"></span>As <a href="http://www.economist.com/world/americas/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12209136" target="_blank">Russian bombers flew</a> to Hugo Chavez's Venezuela yesterday, Vladimir Putin said it was the US, not Russia, that wants to <a href="http://mnweekly.ru/world/20080904/55345104.html" target="_blank">resurrect Cold War tensions</a>. He also accused US leaders of amplifying the conflict in Georgia to help Republican nominee John McCain.</p> <p>Putin warned the West against starting a European arms race. The US has <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1530655" >plans to install missile defense shields</a> near the Russian border. Putin<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSLB25447920080911?feedType=RSS&amp;feedName=topNews&amp;rpc=22&amp;sp=true" target="_blank"> told reporters gathered at his retreat</a>:<br /> <blockquote> Today there are no ideological contradictions, there is no basis for a Cold War. There is no basis for mutual animosity. . . . Russia has no imperialist ambitions. There is no more Soviet threat but they are trying to resurrect it.</p></blockquote> <p>Putin defended <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/georgia" >Russia's aggressive response</a> to Georgia's attempt to retake South Ossetia saying, "What did you expect us to do? Respond with a catapult? ... We punched the aggressor in the face."</p> <p>Are you reassured or troubled by Putin's Cold War conversation?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1982362#comment George W Bush Headline Russia Vladimir Putin Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:00:45 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1982362 http://www.citizensugar.com/1969633 <p>The average life expectancy of a Russian man is only 60 years old. That may have something to do with the fact that 60 percent of Russian males smoke cigarettes. In addition, the number of women smokers has doubled since the end of communism. The country's population will drop 21 million people between 2000 and 2025. And thanks to no taxes, packs of cigarettes go for 25 cents in Russia.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/37_2008/81808894.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="363" width="550"></span><br /> But you won't see many antismoking ads in Russia. When a sizable portion of the population <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/world/europe/10smoking.html?_r=1&amp;ref=europe&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">would not favor cigarette regulation</a>, the government shies away from curbing smoking. History has taught Russian leaders that if they try to get the people to kick their vices, the withdrawal symptoms will include protests and unrest. During cigarette shortages of the 1980s, there were smoker uprisings in the streets of major cities, and Mikhail Gorbachev begged international cigarette makers to send an emergency supply.</p> <p>The country's current chief health inspector is aware of the problem. He's called on foreign tobacco companies to stop "nicotine genocide" and he may have smokers pay more for insurance, according to the <b>New York Times</b>. While it could help to deter current smokers with higher pack prices and insurance costs, hopefully Russia will do something to help stop the next generation from picking up the habit. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1969633#comment Health Russia Smoking Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1969633 http://www.citizensugar.com/1950038 <p>While it's never won awards for being kinder and gentler entertainment (though it does have two Emmys) now <b>South Park</b> is on the run in Russia. Prosecutors are <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/story//nm/20080908/en_nm/russia_southpark_dc" target="_blank">looking to ban the "extremist" cartoon</a> after viewer complaints. Filing suit against the network showing the cartoon, the spokesman says, "<b>South Park</b> is just one of many cartoons that need to be banned from open broadcast . . . as it insults the feelings of religious believers and incites religious and national hatred."</p> <p><center><object width="425" height="344"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/idR_Jz6Zp6M&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/idR_Jz6Zp6M&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center></p> <p>The episode in question? The 1999 episode called "Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics" that shows the cast singing Christmas Carols. The spokesman goes on to say, "It's one thing if they are on cable TV and viewers pay money and make a conscious choice. But young children should not be able to turn on the TV after school and watch this. They need to be defended." </p> <p>In 2006, Russia passed a law extending the definition of extremism to include "the abasement of national dignity" and "inciting religious and national hatred." Does <b>South Park</b> do this — or is it all in good fun?</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1950038#comment culture Freedom of Speech Headline Russia South Park World of Faith Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:30:38 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1950038 http://www.citizensugar.com/1912700 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/36_2008/y2kw9t1a.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="227" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>US to Send $1 Billion to Georgia:</b><br /> The Bush administration is <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/world/europe/04cheney.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">set to announce</a> $1 billion in aid to help Georgia rebuild after its conflict with Russia last month. The package reflects an increase of support from the administration. In addition, Vice President Cheney has visited the region, and the aid and visit will probably increase tension with Russia.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/36_2008/Wednesday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>New Orleans Residents to Return:</b><br /> Mayor Ray Nagin has given New Orleans residents the go-ahead to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Gustav.html" target="_blank">return to their homes</a> tomorrow — at their own risk. A curfew will still be in effect, and many homes are without electricity or working toilets. Nagin said, "It's my humble opinion that the city is still in a very, very vulnerable state." 800,000 people are still without power in the state.</li> <p><br clear=all></p> <li><b>North Korea Reassembling Nukes:</b><br /> North Korea has begun to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Koreas-Nuclear.html?ref=world" target="_blank">reassemble its main nuclear facility</a> saying the US has delayed its removal from the list of terror sponsors. In response, Washington has reiterated its condition that North Korea commit to a plan verifying the accounting of the nuclear program submitted in June. The US is talking to North Korean officials to "look for solutions."</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1912700#comment Front Page Georgia Hurricane Gustav Invasion North Korea Nuclear Weapons Russia Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:01:11 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1912700 http://www.citizensugar.com/1907384 <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1907387?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/36_2008/putin.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="432" width="300"></a></span>Pictures of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have surfaced, showing that even a wild beast can't overcome the defiant Russian leader. Putin saved a television crew and a group of scientists from a rare Ussuri tiger that escaped, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2008/sep/01/russia?gusrc=rss&amp;feed=worldnews" target="_blank">while he visited a national park</a> to learn how the scientists monitor the endangered animals. </p> <p>Yesterday Britain urged the EU to stop talks between itself and Russia about building a closer relationship. Britain's PM Gordon Brown went as far to say that Russia's membership in the G8 should be suspended. Attention to forging a stronger East-West relationship began in 1997, but leaders in Russia want a more expansive cooperation agreement. Putin says he's not too concerned with EU threats, since European self-interest will keep the countries from acting rashly toward Russia.</p> <p>Apparently the US and Russia can agree on one thing — saving the world's remaining 400 Ussuri tigers, "the biggest cat(s) on the planet," <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iuU2jWkrOp_IYKTpyc0mqXbYXrngD92TTFB00" target="_blank"> according to Putin</a>. Putin has praised the US for its efforts in saving the cats. </p> <p>Do you have any hope that the West can save good relations with Russia? </p> <p><p><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-29682 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#66BB50'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 active" href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1907387?page=0,0,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/36_2008/82611807.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-69133 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#66BB50'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1907387?page=0,1,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/36_2008/82611852.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-7024 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#66BB50'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1907387?page=0,2,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/36_2008/82611945.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-2637 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#66BB50'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1907387?page=0,3,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/36_2008/82611793.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div></p><br clear="all"><br /> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1907384#comment G8 Gordon Brown Russia Vladimir Putin Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:00:18 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1907384 http://www.citizensugar.com/1898606 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/35_2008/82578647_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="300"></span> <ul> <li><b>Obama Speaks Tonight:</b><br /> After his <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1898022" >surprise appearance</a> on stage with VP nominee Joe Biden last night, Obama is set to deliver his nomination acceptance speech at Invesco Field in front of 75,000 people tonight. On the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-mlkaug28,0,4936011.story" target="_blank">45th anniversary</a> of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, it's <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/28/dnc.day/" target="_blank">scheduled to start</a> at 8 p.m. EST. John McCain may announce his VP pick shortly after.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/35_2008/Thursday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="200"></span> <li><b>New Orleans May Evacuate:</b><br /> City officials have begun preliminary measures to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Gustavs-Threat.html" target="_blank">evacuate the city</a> of New Orleans as Hurricane Gustav threatens the coast on the eve of Hurricane Katrina's third anniversary. Gov. Bobby Jindal has declared a state of emergency and has put 3,000 National Guard troops on standby.</li> <p><br clear=all></p> <li><b>EU Considers Sanctions:</b><br /> The EU is <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7585580.stm" target="_blank">considering sanctions</a> and more against Russia over the crisis in Georgia. France has called an emergency summit on Monday to reassess relations with Russia after Moscow refused to pull out all of their troops. Meanwhile, Georgia's foreign minister says that <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVc2A8yfl3ShmGgBVISqr_aKCQ-gD92R98PO1" target="_blank">ethnic cleansing</a> in South Ossetia is nearly complete.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1898606#comment 2008 Democratic National Convention Barack Obama Front Page Georgia Hurricane Gustav Invasion New Orleans Russia Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:01:31 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1898606 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1888033 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/23/russia-wants-control-of-k_n_120807.html">Russia Wants Control Of Key Georgia City Despite Pullout Claims</a> Thousands of Georgians angry at the presence of Russian troops on the outskirts of the strategic Black Sea port of Poti took to the streets Saturday waving Georgian flags and urging the Russians to leave. The protest came as a top Russian general said his country's forces would keep patrolling Poti even though it lies outside the areas where Russia claims it has the right to station soldiers in Georgia. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1888033#comment aside Georgia Invasion Russia Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:50:22 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1888033 http://www.citizensugar.com/1883361 <p>The conflict between Georgia and Russia presents a complex set of questions for the international community. While Western officials try to figure out how exactly Russia's two-headed government shares power, human rights workers are searching for the truth about atrocities that may or may not have been committed.<br /> <span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1883341?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/82495891_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="367" width="550"></a></span><br /> Prime Minister Vladimir Putin undoubtedly holds the power in Russia, but diplomatic protocol <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/21/washington/21diplo.html?adxnnl=1&amp;ref=world&amp;adxnnlx=1219341585-bhPhtVP0FOx2inb4sRC2bw" target="_blank">obliges European and American officials to negotiate</a> with President Dmitri Medvedev, who appears much more accommodating than Putin. The good-cop-bad-cop routine makes it unclear if Russia will follow the cease fire agreement, signed by President Medvedev, leaving the rest of the world unsure of how to react to Russia.<br /> <p><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-62775 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 active" href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1883341?page=0,0,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/82495891.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="A Georgian woman waits for bread as it&#039;s distributed outside a church." title="A Georgian woman waits for bread as it&#039;s distributed outside a church." class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-50294 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1883341?page=0,1,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/82242002.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="At a meeting with refugees Putin described Georgia&#039;s actions as &quot;complete genocide.&quot;" title="At a meeting with refugees Putin described Georgia&#039;s actions as &quot;complete genocide.&quot;" class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-37704 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1883341?page=0,2,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/82503403.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Rosa Indjgia who lost her husband Meira during the Senaki bombing." title="Rosa Indjgia who lost her husband Meira during the Senaki bombing." class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-80626 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1883341?page=0,3,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/82248755.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="The two heads attend a conference in the Central command point of the Russian military forces." title="The two heads attend a conference in the Central command point of the Russian military forces." class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-58553 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1883341?page=0,4,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/82503477.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Senaki claimed three civilian deaths following Russian bombing of the nearby military base on August 8." title="Senaki claimed three civilian deaths following Russian bombing of the nearby military base on August 8." class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div></p><br clear="all"></p> <p>Meanwhile Russia and Georgia have <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7572969.stm" target="_blank">spread the confrontation and confusion to courts</a>. To find out how the neighbors trade accusations of human rights violations, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1883361">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1883361#comment Dmitri Medvedev Georgia Human Rights Russia Vladimir Putin Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:30:22 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1883361 http://www.citizensugar.com/1876628 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/34_2008/82390389.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="300"></span> <ul> <li><b>Shawn Johnson Grabs Gold:</b><br /> After three silver place finishes, US Gymnast Shawn Johnson finally <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/sports/olympics/20gymnastics.html?_r=1&amp;hp&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">won a gold medal</a> for her balance beam routine in the last day of gymnastics competition. Johnson's coach is from Beijing, and her medal in his hometown meant the world. She said, “I really feel like I made him proud.” US teammate Nastia Liukin took silver.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/34_2008/Tuesday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="200"></span> <li><b>Russian Forces Detain Georgian Soldiers:</b><br /> Russian soldiers <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/world/europe/20georgia.html?ref=europe" target="_blank">held 21 Georgian soldiers</a> at a Black Sea port today, taking them bound and blindfolded to a military base, allegedly to protect against looters. The incident shows further evidence that Russia is continuing military activity in Georgia despite saying troops will withdraw. Indeed Russian forces are continuing to dig into position along the highway into Tblisi.</li> <li><b>Algeria Bombing Kills 43:</b><br /> A bombing in Algeria at a paramilitary training school <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-algeria-attack.html" target="_blank">killed 43 and left 38 wounded</a> in one of the worst attacks in years. In recent months, the mountainous areas east of Algiers have been hit by numerous attacks by al Qaeda's north Africa unit, though there have been no claims of responsibility for this deadly attack.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1876628#comment 2008 Olympics Algeria Bombings Front Page Georgia Invasion Russia Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:53:25 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1876628 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1875543 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/18/energy-imperialism-is-the_n_119653.html">Energy Imperialism? Is the Georgian Conflict All About Oil?</a> Could the Kremlin's latest bid for energy dominance boomerang and finally wake up the West? The prevailing wisdom says Russia's military incursion into Georgia was really all about "energy imperialism." The Kremlin doesn't like any challenges to its energy hegemony, which Georgia's part of the BTC pipeline clearly represents. And Russia's strong response, the thinking goes, basically ends any Western hopes of getting other Central Asian countries to stand up to Moscow with pipeline projects of their own. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1875543#comment aside Georgia Invasion Oil Russia Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:37:41 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1875543 http://www.citizensugar.com/1869415 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82307271.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="300"></span>Russians were told yesterday morning that the true nature of the conflict in South Ossetia is this: it's a plot hatched by Vice President Dick Cheney <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4535173.ece" target="_blank">to make sure Barack Obama isn't elected</a> president. Is Cheney creating a Cold War 2.0?</p> <p>This revelation, that the conflict is orchestrated to wing Obama, was first announced on the radio and has been getting wide play. A senior political analyst close to Putin and Medvedev says, “George Bush's Administration is promoting interests of candidate John McCain. Defeated by Barak Obama on all fronts, McCain has one last card to play yet — the creation of a virtual Cold War with Russia . . . Bush himself did not want a war in South Ossetia but his Republican Party did not leave him any choice.”</p> <p>The notion has reinvigorated Cold War-era talk like this from a former ambassador to the EU:<br /> <blockquote>The West has spent a lot of time, energy and money to teach Georgia the tricks of the trade . . . to make the country look like a democracy. We and many other nations see through this deceit. We understand that the seditious tactics of the so-called color revolutions are a real threat to international law and the source of global legal nihilism.</p></blockquote> <p>To see where this idea came from, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1869415">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1869415#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama Cold War Dick Cheney Georgia Headline Invasion Russia Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:00:57 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1869415 http://www.citizensugar.com/1869201 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82359861.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="225"></span> <ul> <li><b>Gold and Gold for US:</b><br /> US Gymnasts Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1869752" >won gold and silver</a> in the women's all-around competition. Liukin held back tears until she was atop the winner's podium and the national anthem played. She said, "standing on the podium and hearing `Olympic champion' next to my name was a dream come true." She's the second US gymnast to win the title in a row. Meanwhile, Michael Phelps <a href="http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080815/D92IM9EO0.html" target="_blank">continues on his quest</a> to grab gold in all of his events, winning the 200m individual medley. Find more pictures of the events below.</li> <li><b>Bystanders Lift Bus Off Trapped Woman:</b><br /> Dozens of onlookers acted quickly to <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/15/national/main4352314.shtml" target="_blank">lift a 5-ton bus off of a pregnant woman</a> trapped underneath. The woman was seven months pregnant at the time of the accident. Despite the crowd's quick action, the baby was saved, though the woman was not. The baby is still in critical condition.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/Friday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="200"></span> <li><b>Diplomatic Efforts For Georgia:</b><br /> US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Georgia <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/16/world/europe/16georgia.html?_r=1&amp;ref=europe&amp;oref=login" target="_blank">as part of diplomatic efforts</a> aimed at easing the crisis. Russia still has control of the Georgian town of Gori, and Bush <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7563452.stm" target="_blank">has condemned</a> "bullying" by Russia. Russia in turn is concerned whether the aid being offered by the US is military or humanitarian in nature.</li> </ul> <p><br><br /> <p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-25242 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1869188?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82357802.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-39311 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1869188?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82358367.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-31471 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1869188?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82358568.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-43353 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1869188?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82358757.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-82462 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1869188?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82358878.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div></p><br clear=all></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1869201#comment 2008 Olympics Accident children Front Page Georgia Invasion Michael Phelps Russia Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:59:42 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1869201 http://www.citizensugar.com/1867630 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1867630"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1867630',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1867630');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p>During the presidential campaign season, it seems like almost everything could have an impact on the election. While leaders <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1865562" >assess the long-term impact of the conflict</a> in Georgia, pundits want to know right now how the complex event will impact the election in November. So far, the media has chalked up Russia's aggression <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/media-russia-mccain/" target="_blank">as an advantage for John McCain</a>. </p> <p><center> <div style='width:455px' id="spi_tabs_container"> <div id="spi_tabs_top"> <div id="spi_tabs_topL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_topR"></div> </div> <div class="panel chatter_chatter fbceleb " > <center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://images.teamsugar.com/static/js/swfobject.js"></script> <p style=margin:0px;padding:0px id="player_1867618"><a href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">Get Flash</a> to see this player.</p> <script type="text/javascript"> var so1867618 = new SWFObject('/static/flash/mediaplayer.swf','mpl','400','300','7'); so1867618.addParam('allowfullscreen','true'); so1867618.addVariable("file",'1867618.flv'); so1867618.addVariable('height', 328); so1867618.addVariable('image','/media/cooked/thumbs/1867618.jpg'); so1867618.addVariable('width','400'); so1867618.addVariable('logo','/static/imgs/watermark/geeksugar.png'); so1867618.write('player_1867618'); </script> </center> </div> <div id="spi_tabs_bot"> <div id="spi_tabs_botL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_botR"></div> </div> </div></center></p> <p>McCain has stressed his perceived edge in foreign policy experience, using <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/13/america/McCain-Russia.php" target="_blank">stronger language against Russia</a> than President Bush, and maintaining that the US must reevaluate relations with Russia. While Obama fully condemned Russia's actions, he <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/13/america/NA-POL-US-Elections.php" target="_blank">also called for restraint from both</a> Russia and Georgia. </p> <p>As shown in the video above, the media thinks McCain's stiff approach to diplomacy will come out looking better thanks to the conflict in Georgia. Do you agree? </p> <p><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/media-russia-mccain/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1867630" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Play Pundit: Does Georgia Conflict Help Obama or McCain?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Barack Obama. America doesn't want to tough talk its way into more wars.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> John McCain. This hits his tough-talking national security sweet spot.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Neither. The politics will stay in the region. Voters care more about other 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="1867630" /> <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/1867630#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama Citizen Poll Georgia John McCain Russia Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:45:35 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1867630 http://www.citizensugar.com/1865562 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/33_2008/82291415.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="380"></span>The conflict between Russia and Georgia will likely have long-term consequences for the US. Former US Ambassador to Romania Jim Rosapepe thinks the US response to the Russian invasion will either provide hope or despair to supporters of democracy around the world. Reflecting on his time in the region, Rosapepe <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.russia12aug12,0,981005.story" http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.russia12aug12,0,981005.story" target="_blank"> wrote in an op-ed</a>:<br /> <blockquote>Romanians would tell us: Wait till Russia is back. When its economy rebounds and its political leadership regains self-confidence, watch out. This week, our Romanian friends are thinking, though they are too diplomatic to say it: We told you so.</p></blockquote> <p>I spoke with the former Ambassador yesterday, and asked him to discuss America's past missteps in the region, as well as how the US should move forward. Here's what he shared with me. </p> <p><b>What could the US have done differently after the fall of the USSR?</b> The US could have provided more economic aid to the former USSR, just like we helped the economies of Western European right after World War Two with the Marshall Plan. </p> <p><b>What should the US do now?</b> The US needs to stay focused and consistent in sending the message to democrats in Georgia and around the world that the US supports them and democratic values. The US should not abandon faith in what America stands for. </p> <p>To find out what the Ambassador thinks about the priorities of everyday Americans, as well as his thoughts on Russia's future, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1865562">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1865562#comment Exclusive Georgia Russia Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:00:40 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1865562 http://www.citizensugar.com/1864083 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82279136.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="300"></span> <ul> <li><b>Phelps Breaks Gold Record: </b><br /> US swimmer Michael Phelps has <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/swimming/7557675.stm" target="_blank">broken the record</a> for most Olympic gold won by scoring his 10th and 11th in a double victory in races today. A win in the 200m butterfly gave him his 4th gold for these Olympics, keeping him on track to take home eight golds for these games. The most golds ever won prior to Phelps was nine.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/Wednesday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="200"></span> <li><b>Russian Convoy Violates Truce:</b><br /> A Russian military convoy has <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1044179/Russia-flouts-ceasefire-tanks-roll-Georgian-city.html" target="_blank">moved deep into Georgia</a> today in violation of a new truce agreement. Georgia's soldiers have retreated following the truce and the new movement by the Russians surprised the few remaining. The new movement came 12 hours after the cease-fire plan supposed to end the fighting that has uprooted an estimated 100,000 people.</li> <p><br clear=all></p> <li><b>Contractors Cost US $85 Billion:</b><br /> Between 2003 and 2007 the US government <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7557995.stm" target="_blank">spent $85 billion</a> on contractors to support the Iraq war. The figure is likely to top $100 billion by the end of 2008, according to a review by the Congressional Budget Office. There are currently 190,000 employed on a one-to-one ratio with military personnel. Contractors have been used in Iraq at a much larger scale than in any other major conflict.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1864083#comment 2008 Olympics Front Page Georgia Invasion Iraq War Michael Phelps Private Contractors Russia War in Iraq Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:00:50 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1864083 http://www.citizensugar.com/1861690 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/82269456.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="300"></span> <ul> <li><b>Russia Orders Halt to Fighting:</b><br /> Russian President Dmitri Medvedev announced today that he's <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/world/europe/13georgia.html?_r=1&amp;ref=europe&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">ordered a halt to the military action</a> in Georgia. He did not say whether the troops are pulling out and was clear that Russian forces are still authorized to fire on enemies. Medvedev said that Russia had achieved its military goals during the five days of intense fighting. Georgia claims that <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/12/georgia.russia.war/index.html" target="_blank">raids are still ongoing</a> despite the official halt.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/Tuesday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="200"></span> <li><b>More Women in Government:</b><br /> A study has found that the number of women in state government leadership positions is on the rise. The number of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Women-in-Government.html" target="_blank">women leaders almost matches their representation</a> in the general population in six states. The study's author adds, ''the most important thing is the fact that in 36 of the states, women are doing better than they were in 1997, and by better I mean as a comparison of the percentage of women in leadership posts compared with the percentage of women in the state."</li> <li><b>Israel Proposes Deal:</b><br /> Israel has <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7555990.stm" target="_blank">offered up a peace deal</a> to the Palestinians which would annex 7.3 percent of the West Bank while keeping the largest settlements. The Palestinians would be given in return, 5.4 percent of the West Bank. The Palestinians have not formally received the offer but call it totally unacceptable. About 500,000 Israelis live among 2.5 million Palestinians in land that was occupied by Israel in the 1967 war. The two sides have been in US-sponsored peace talks since November.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1861690#comment Front Page Georgia Invasion Israel Palestine Peace Russia West Bank Women Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:01:52 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1861690 http://www.citizensugar.com/1860582 <p>While Russian tanks and rockets <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/12/world/europe/12georgia.html?pagewanted=1&amp;hp" target="_blank">roll into Georgia</a>, Russian hackers have infiltrated the country's civic websites, disabling Georgia's presidential and defense ministry sites, along with other ".ge" domains. These cyber attacks, as well as <a href="http://aidworkerdaily.com/2008/08/11/it-still-very-difficult-to-get-a-call-anywhere-around-the-country-right-now-npr/" target="_blank">bombing of Georgia's telecom infrastructure</a>, indicate that information is under assault in Georgia.<br /> <span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1860568?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/33_2008/82253155.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="382" width="550"></a></span><br /> Cyber attacks originating in Russia have <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=1533" target="_blank"> previously been launched against Estonia and Lithuania</a>. Georgia has responded to the latest assault by <a href="http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/08/civilge-the-geo.html" target="_blank">moving crucial websites to other hosts</a>. Estonia has agreed to support the Georgian Foreign Ministry site, while Georgia has <a href="http://georgiamfa.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank">relocated the information flow regarding the conflict</a> to the Google platform Blogspot. Estonia has also <a href="http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/30935" target="_blank">sent cyber defense experts</a> to Georgia.</p> <p>Do strategic attacks on news and government websites make you think twice about relying on the Internet for all your information?</p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-872 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1860568?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/33_2008/82252344.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-56001 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1860568?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/33_2008/82254589.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-19739 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1860568?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/33_2008/82256926.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-99399 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1860568?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/33_2008/82257096.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-42456 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1860568?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/33_2008/82259523.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div></p><br clear=all></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1860582#comment Georgia Headline Russia Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:00:19 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1860582 http://www.citizensugar.com/1855406 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/32_2008/82229298.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="300"></span>Continuing the <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1852896" >invasion begun yesterday</a>, Russia has dispatched hundreds of tanks and troops into the province of South Ossetia today, escalating the conflict. Georgian towns have been bombed through air strikes <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/09/1500-reported-dead-as-rus_n_117891.html" target="_blank">leaving hundreds of civilians dead</a> and wounded.</p> <p>Georgia launched a significant offensive maneuver yesterday aimed at retaking control of breakaway province of South Ossetia. Russia has close ties to the province and providing them peacekeepers. They responded by sending in convoys of tanks and military aircraft. Georgia is an ally of the US. </p> <p>Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that about 1,500 people have been killed, and the death toll is rising.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1855406#comment Georgia Headline Invasion Russia Sat, 09 Aug 2008 09:01:26 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1855406 http://www.citizensugar.com/1852896 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/32_2008/20080808_062118_GeorgiaInvasion_400.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="350"></span>Georgia's president has announced that his country is <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/08/georgia.ossetia/index.html" target="_blank">being attacked by Russian tanks</a> and planes. "Russian troops invaded Georgia. . . all day today they've been bombing Georgia from numerous warplanes and specifically targeting (the) civilian population, and we have scores of wounded and dead among (the) civilian population all around the country."</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/32_2008/82212429.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="350"></span>Georgian troops have <a href="http://www.twincities.com/national/ci_10137741?source=rss" target="_blank">launched a military offensive</a> in hopes to regain control over the breakaway province of South Ossetia, which sparked a furious response from Russia who sent a convoy of tanks into the area. The fighting is the worst outbreak of unrest since the province assumed more-or-less independence in 1992.<br /> <br><br /> It appears that <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2523131/Russia-invades-South-Ossetia-as-conflict-with-Georgia-escalates.html" target="_blank">two Russian planes have been shot down</a> by Georgian forces and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has warned the attack with inspire retaliation. Russian aircraft have attacked a military base near the Georgian capital of Tblisi.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/32_2008/georgia-map_787491a.gif" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="150"></span>So far 15 people have been killed and an unknown number wounded. The situation marks the first time Russian troops have acted on foreign soil since the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1852896#comment Georgia Headline Invasion Russia Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:08:30 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1852896 http://www.citizensugar.com/1846553 <p>Russian athletes may be systematically doping, according to the International Olympic Committee's drug chief. Speaking about the suspensions of seven top Russian athletes, Olympic drug czar Arne Ljungqvist said that <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080805150403.hqs95ycf&amp;show_article=1" target="_blank">he believes the cheating was organized</a>, not planned in isolation by the individuals, and that the athletes in question should rightly face the World Anti-Doping Agency's four-year ban. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/32_2008/82179566.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="254" width="550"></span><br /> Meanwhile, winners of Olympics past have 'fessed up to their steroid transgressions. Today <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/olympics/wires/08/05/2080.ap.as.oly.ioc.notebook/" target="_blank">the IOC praised sprinter Michael Johnson for returning his Sydney 2000 gold medal</a> for the 4 x 400 relay, after a teammate confessed to doping. Perhaps when the cheating victors get to bask in the medal ceremonies and media attention at the games, it doesn't mean much when their disgrace plays out in a few lines, eight years later. While watching the games, do you suspect that the best athletes may have a few drugs to help them out? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1846553#comment 2008 Olympics Michael Johnson Russia Steroids Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:00:47 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1846553 http://www.citizensugar.com/slideshow/1835141 <a href="/slideshow/1835141?page=0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/82145180.xlarge_0.jpg" alt="Total Solar Eclipse Passes Canada, Russia, Welcomes Olympics in China" title="Total Solar Eclipse Passes Canada, Russia, Welcomes Olympics in China" class="image xlarge inline left" /></a>Canada, Russia, and China saw a total solar eclipse today. The moon passed directly between Earth and the sun, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7536438.stm">revealing the breathtaking outer atmosphere of the sun</a>, which is made up of super-heated gases. Other locations saw a partial eclipse. The Chinese consider eclipses bad luck; in ancient times they believed that a dragon or dog was swallowing the sun. But the Chinese media dubbed this one the "Olympic eclipse" and broadcasted the astrological event live on national television. Thousands of people watched the eclipse the old-fashioned way, too, by going outside. In Novosibirsk, Russia, 10,000 tourists came to the city to witness it, <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article4432137.ece">securing hotels months before</a>. We cannot usually see the outer-atmosphere of the sun, called the corona, because the sun's light is too bright. Check out these stunning pictures of one of nature's most beautiful phenomenas. <div id='pager' style='margin:25px auto;text-align:center;margin:8px; '><a href="/slideshow/1835141?page=0">Start Slideshow</a></div> http://www.citizensugar.com/slideshow/1835141#comment Canada China Headline Russia Solar Eclipse Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:15:11 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1835141 http://www.citizensugar.com/1764871 <p>The beauty of the Internet is getting to say exactly what you want in a public forum, right?(Well that and stalking ex-boyfriends and shopping at work, but I digress.) The ability to speak one's mind in bytes and blips has <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSL0757687320080707?feedType=RSS&amp;feedName=internetNews&amp;rpc=22&amp;sp=true" target="_blank">landed one blogger with a jail sentence</a> for extremism. A Russian man who called the local police “scum” and calling for the clean-up of the force he blogged that the police should be burned in the town square twice a day. For this posting, was convicted of “inciting hatred or enmity” and given a one-year suspended sentence.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/28_2008/80632262.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="366" width="550"></span></p> <p>Free speech activists said the ruling is creating a dangerous precedent: “This was an absolutely unjustified verdict ... This verdict means it will be impossible to make rude comments about anybody.” News of the sentence permeated Russian blogs yesterday leading some to say, "I don't know now if I should be writing here or not." For his part, new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said he prizes free speech and that Russia should use a light touch when policing the Internet. That's not the case in Iran. To see what's happening there, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1764871">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1764871#comment Bloggers Blogs Death Penalty Free Speech Headline Iran Prisons Russia Technology Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:00:42 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1764871 http://www.citizensugar.com/1757166 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/27_2008/81807645.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="400"></span>Russian President Dmitri A. Medvedev is in no mood to listen to US criticism about the state of human rights or democracy in Russia. This week he said that the US was "essentially in a depression" and thus in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/world/europe/03medvedev.html?_r=1&amp;ref=world&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">no shape to tell other countries what to do</a>. </p> <p>During an interview with foreign journalists, one reporter asked the president about John McCain's <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1587317" >proposal to expel Russia from the G8</a> for its record on democracy. Medvedev offered a lesson in international relations: "The Group of 8 exists not because someone likes or dislikes it, but because objectively, they are the biggest world economies and the most serious players from the foreign policy point of view." Little more than a decade after communism fell and left Russia in economic shambles, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121502347645223553.html?mod=googlenews_wsj" target="_blank">lucrative oil exports</a> have made Russia economically, and geopolitically, confident.</p> <p>Gas-station-side prayer vigils across America, <a href="http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200807/NAT20080703a.html" target="_blank">organized by the Prayer at the Pump movement</a>, might be giving Medvedev the evidence he needs to make such statements. For more on God and gas, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1757166">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1757166#comment Dmitri Medvedev G8 Gas Prices John McCain Oil Russia United States Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:00:30 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1757166 http://www.citizensugar.com/1740550 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/80521040.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="250"></span>A current diplomatic showdown between the US and its motherland involves $4.7 million of unpaid fines US diplomats owe for refusing to pay London's traffic congestion charge. </p> <p>So what are the <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&amp;sid=a3cDydBnKq2g&amp;refer=uk" target="_blank">transatlantic positions</a>? The US calls the £8 per day charge to enter the city a tax. Therefore, tax-exempt foreign service officers need not pay. The UK sees the charge as service fee, not a tax. In 2006, London's mayor called the US ambassador a "chiseling little crook" for evading the charge. Other countries share the US position, and Russia and Japan owe millions too, according to <b>Bloomberg</b>.</p> <p>London also has to swallow the pain of more serious diplomatic offenses. In 2007, 20 serious crimes (think assault, drinking and driving, or robbery), attributed to foreign diplomats, went unpunished thanks to diplomatic immunity. </p> <p>I wonder if the US will try to get foreign diplomats headed below 60th street to pay the <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1519784" >New York City congestion charge</a> that goes into effect next March! Should the diplomats pay up like everyone else in London?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyiages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1740550#comment Diplomatic Immunity Japan London New York City Russia United Kingdom Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:10 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1740550 http://www.citizensugar.com/1720029 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/25_2008/80355211.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="400"></span>Britain saw £9.7 billion in new business last year, thanks to its role as the world's biggest arms exporter. The country's Minster for Trade and Investment boasted that the achievement highlights that the UK has "some of the world's most technologically sophisticated companies." Britain beat out the US, who was the five-time defending defense champion, as well as Russia. </p> <p>One British citizen <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4161341.ece" target="_blank">offered his two pence</a> on the <b>London Times</b> website: "It is a sorry state of affairs that a country that sent its own troops into Iraq on the premise of removing 'weapons of mass destruction' is the largest exporter of those weapons around the world." Do <i>you</i> see any hypocrisy?</p> <p>Meanwhile, Barack Obama seems content on letting Britain win the weapon crown from now on. In a video for the <a href="http://www.caucus4priorities.org/" target="_blank">Caucus4Priorities</a>, Obama <a href="http://www.macsmind.com/wordpress/2008/06/08/obama-wants-to-protect-america/" target="_blank">says he will slow the development of new combat systems</a> and will not weaponize space. Obama explains that as president he would set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons; America would lead the way by not developing any new nukes itself. Obama says his sole priority for defense spending would be protecting Americans, not defense contractors.</p> <p>Do you think Obama's attitude toward defense will protect or endanger America? Is he brilliant or naive? </p> <p>To see a very pacifistic Obama explain his views, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1720029">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1720029#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama Headline National Security Nuclear Weapons Russia United Kingdom Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:45:21 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1720029 http://www.citizensugar.com/1713437 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/25_2008/2527945.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="325"></span>Landlocked by Communist rule for years, Russians were denied life's many pleasures, especially travel. But now as the middle class grows strong, they have money to spend and are taking it to the beaches of Turkey.</p> <p>A mini-industry has popped up on the Turkish coast that has begun to cater to the whims of Russian tourists. The <b>New York Times</b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/world/europe/15russians.html?_r=1&amp;ref=europe&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank"> explored this trend</a> in an article on one popular resort, Kremlin Palace Hotel, which they described as "Las-Vegas-does-Moscow by-the-shore extravaganza." This picture looks every bit as . . . glitzy as it sounds!</p> <p>But what's more important is what traveling abroad illuminates about the new Russia. Between 1995 and 2006, the number of Russians traveling abroad grew from 2.6 to 7.1 million — a 4.5 million increase — according to the Russian government. </p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-51042 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1713507?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/25_2008/79161554.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-49592 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1713507?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/25_2008/79161553.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-59099 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1713507?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/25_2008/75934266.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-18055 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1713507?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/25_2008/53189741.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-55059 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1713507?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/25_2008/2527929.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div></p><br clear=all></p> <p>Under Soviet rule, citizens were held back by bureaucratic passport lines that, even if approved, required classes on proper behavior and avoiding foreign influence. Those who were not in the government's good grace stood little chance of leaving, and even those that were and gained approval required chaperons across borders. While restrictions eased in the post-Soviet era, few Russians could afford to go anywhere.</p> <p>Vladimir Putin, the former president and current prime minister, is largely credited for Russian's newfound normalcy, prosperity, and ability to travel. Though Russian's are spreading their post-Communist wings, one famous face has joined up. To see how, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1713437">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1713437#comment Check This Communism