http://www.citizensugar.com/ Breaking News, Together. en http://www.citizensugar.com/2560194 <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.change.org/ideas" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/49_2008/329878d5b3e58574_Picture_13.png" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarger" width="279" height="372"></a></span>At <a href="http://www.change.org/ideas" target="_blank">change.org</a> you can submit your ideas for the Obama Administration, as well as comment and vote on other submissions. On Inauguration Day, the top-10 ideas for change will be presented to President Obama. Right now citizens are discussing ideas such as a <a href="http://www.change.org/ideas/view/a_do_not_mail_registry_to_stop_junk_mail" target="_blank">Do Not Mail Registry to Stop Junk Mail</a>, <a href="http://www.change.org/ideas/view/single-payer_health_insurance_for_all_americans" target="_blank">Single-Payer Health Insurance for All Americans</a>, <a href="http://www.change.org/ideas/view/vegan_school_lunch_options" target="_blank">Vegan School Lunch Options</a>, and <a href="http://www.change.org/ideas/view/end_the_phony_war_on_terror" target="_blank">End the Phony War on Terror</a>.</p> <p>But some users think change.org is out to censor.org. Those who posted popular suggestions for a <a href="http://www.topratedbutcensored911idea.com/votes.html" target="_blank">new investigation into 9/11</a> or those who suggested abolishing the Federal Reserve claim they got an email saying that their topic had been removed because it "lies outside the scope of the Ideas for Change in America project, which is focused on identifying solutions that we believe can, through a grassroots lobbying effort, receive serious consideration from the Obama administration and/or Congress." If the group censors controversial ideas and handpicks its own top 10, can the result really be called a citizen-generated agenda?</p> <p>Of course, you can always <a href="http://change.gov/page/s/ofthepeople" target="_blank"> tell Obama your idea directly through his official website</a> (change.gov <i>not</i> change.org) — but no commenter feedback promised there! </p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2560194#comment Barack Obama September 11 Where I'm Clicking Now Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:30:33 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2560194 http://www.citizensugar.com/2480171 <p>Now that the brutal — in both length and ferocity — election season is over, it's time to mend some broken fences. While <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2448570" >making up with friends and family</a> wasn't what you were most excited for post-election, there already seems to be less tension in the air and fewer heated political arguments during casual conversation. There's nothing wrong with a little healthy debate amongst friends, but there's also something to be said for putting any name-calling behind us. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/16245/45_2008/714e3a06dc810d06_48to52.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="399" width="550"></span></p> <p>Now, there's a website to do just that. <a href="http://www.zefrank.com/from52to48withlove/" target="_blank">From 52 to 48 With Love</a> is a collection of photos and notes sent in by readers with the message that whomever you voted for, we are all Americans, and the only way this nation is going to get back on the right path is if we all work together. Sure, it's a little cheesy, but mostly it's heart-warming and funny to see Americans from all walks of life put forth the same message of unity. Do you have something you want to say to your friends across the aisle?</p> <p><a href="http://www.zefrank.com/from52to48withlove/" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2480171#comment 2008 Presidential Election From 52 to 48 With Love Where I'm Clicking Now Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:30:44 -0800 Molly http://www.citizensugar.com/2480171 http://www.citizensugar.com/2427294 <p>Citizen Rob Simpson set out on a mission: to find out what else the US <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jgoxLmzTJsYV-GnL0bRiU2Ve0CkQD94314180" target="_blank">could have purchased</a> for the $1 trillion dollars the war will probably cost. As with superhumanly large numbers, most recently and famously, the <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2078508" >$700 billion bailout</a>, it's helpful to put the number in concrete terms. That's <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jgoxLmzTJsYV-GnL0bRiU2Ve0CkQD94314180" target="_blank">what Simpson did</a> with his new book <b>What We Could Have Done With the Money</b>. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/44_2008/34e60d7768c58258_82742247.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="377" width="550"></span></p> <p>The book's <a href="http://www.whatwecouldhavedonewiththemoney.com/" target="_blank">corresponding website</a> has a ticker on it, calculating how much money has been spent since you've been looking at the site. I had it up for a bit this morning and presto, $25 million gone. Here's the entertaining (like a haunted house is entertaining) part of the website: you can "shop" with a $1 trillion dollar credit card. Anything from sports teams to Air Force One is up for sale — and if you choose the plane, the site asks you, "quantity"? The cost of the plane is only $325 million. I tried and bought every NFL franchise, Dracula's castle, and a theme park and didn't even come close. </p> <p>To see what else $1 trillion buys, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2427294">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2427294#comment Iraq War WhatWeCouldHaveDoneWithTheMoney Where I'm Clicking Now Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:00:04 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2427294 http://www.citizensugar.com/2424401 <p><b>The Economist</b> polled the world to find out who would win the US election if the result depended on a global electoral college. The <a href="http://www.economist.com/Vote2008/" target="_blank">results so far</a>: Obama would win 9,103 votes to McCain's 163. The poll gives every country a minimum of three votes, and then allocates additional votes based on the proportion of the world's 6.5 billion voting population located in each country.<br /> <span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.economist.com/Vote2008/" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/43_2008/722726b4f7cc2ff7_Picture_19.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image outline preview" height="356" width="550"></a></span><br /> The methodology becomes less than scientific after that, as those visiting the website to vote make up the sample. Once a country has more than 10 votes, the results get added to the map. As of now, Afghanistan and Iran are strong Obama countries, while Iraq's 43 electoral votes seem secure in the McCain column. Macedonia is the only country in Europe leaning McCain right now, in addition to a few countries in Africa.</p> <p>The fact that the world is painted solid blue hints that the international media must have painted Obama in a positive light. It also provides evidence that a President Obama could <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2406568" >help make the American brand internationally popular again</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.economist.com/Vote2008/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2424401#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama John McCain maps Where I'm Clicking Now Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:00:15 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2424401 http://www.citizensugar.com/2400595 <p>With the electoral map looking like it might be wearing a dramatic shade of blue this Fall, I have to wonder who these trendsetters are. Not the independents or moderates, but those defying voting history and voting for the other party's candidate. </p> <p><center><object width="425" height="344"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GBLnwMbYmUw&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GBLnwMbYmUw&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center></p> <p>Conservatives For Change interviews Republicans who have not fallen in line, but have chosen their candidate with thought and, in many cases, reservation. Of course, that candidate is Barack Obama, but who's counting. Besides <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1882656" >everyone</a>?</p> <p>Is this too touchy feely? The explanation you've been waiting for? Anyone here voting for a candidate they never imagined?</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2400595#comment Conservatives For Change Where I'm Clicking Now Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:40 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2400595 http://www.citizensugar.com/2394323 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-2394323"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/2394323',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-2394323');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p>A new online donation-tracking tool on the RNC website has people making wagers as to its effectiveness. The simple setup is supposed to track small donors, any amount up to $200. With controversy over the provenance of some of <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/id/162403" target="_blank">Obama's small donations</a>, the tool appears to be pointed right at that. But is it a great addition to transparency, or a campaign gimmick? </p> <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://net.gop.com/RNCDonors/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/43_2008/f06a90a82330696e_Picture_1.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="266" width="550"></a></span></p> <p>A spokeswoman for the Center for Responsive Politics gives it a mixed review. "As a transparency tool it is pretty dull. As a political tactic it is a bit sharper because the other side has done nothing of the sort and has not even responded to watchdog calls to say more about their small donors." Though the piece nods that "it's a step beyond what the Obama camp has been willing to do," (a campaign whose average contribution is $86) it continues, blasting the tool saying, "By putting out something so incomplete and, in the end, relatively useless, they have undercut their own criticisms of Barack Obama.</p> <p>It is very simple and doesn't allow for searching by location or workplace, key details the GOP have access to and important if you have a common name. There are other tools out there that allow for that, <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/863799" >Fundrace</a>, and <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/index.php" target="_blank">OpenSecrets</a>. Though I will say the RNC tool is the only one that accurately returned results on my donations. So what do you think?</p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/2394323" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>The RNC Small Donor Look Up Tool: Gimmick or Great?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Gimmick. It's too simple to even be useful, and obviously just politically motivated. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Great! It fills an incredibly necessary void — and why isn't the DNC doing it too? </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Other. I'll tell you what I think in the comments. </label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="2394323" /> <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/2394323#comment 2008 Presidential Election Citizen Poll Fundrace Where I'm Clicking Now Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:00:59 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2394323 http://www.citizensugar.com/2390535 <p>We've been soaking in a <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/ad-rageous" >bathtub full of political ads</a> for so long, my fingers are beyond pruney. Though there's great talk of who has how much money to spend on making the suckers, it's not until you can see the true data behind of the ad campaigns compared side by side that you can get a real fix on it. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/advertising/index.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/43_2008/d031bd0db6b07530_Picture_3.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image outline preview" height="217" width="550"></a></span></p> <p>Ever the masters of the interactive graphic, the <b>Times</b> has maps that let you pit the groups with money side by side to see how much was spent, and where ads were bought. The McCain vs. Obama number is interesting ($90,415,962 to broadcast 57 television ads compared to Obama's $145,064,338 to broadcast 86 television ads) but I was most struck by the DNC vs. RNC as shown in the maps above: $436,015 to $10,080,774. That's a discrepancy. Most of the RNC dough as you can see is pretty geographically targeted.</p> <p>There are more fun features to play with, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2390535">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2390535#comment 2008 Presidential Election Ad-rageous New York Times Where I'm Clicking Now Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:00:05 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2390535 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/1995272 <p>Where in the world is Carmen San Diego? If you search for her using the <a href="http://www.publicprofiler.org/worldnames/Default.aspx" target="_blank">World Names Profiler</a> map, apparently "Sandiego" is mostly found in France. I saved this little gem for the weekend because you'll want lots of time to play with it. Just plug in your last name and see where most of your kinfolk live, instantly. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.publicprofiler.org/worldnames/Main.aspx" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/37_2008/Picture_1_5.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image outline preview" height="293" width="550"></a></span></p> <p>This map is for "Smith," which isn't as worldwide as the Witness Protection Program might like you to think. . . I've heard, anyway. Now go search for your own name, it's fun and easy! Where is your family tree planted?</p> <p><a href="http://www.publicprofiler.org/worldnames/Main.aspx" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1995272#comment maps names Where I'm Clicking Now Sun, 14 Sep 2008 07:00:43 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1995272 http://www.citizensugar.com/1932325 <p>Now that it's all done but sweeping up the balloons, the <b>New York Times</b>, ever the data-doyenne, has a different way of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/09/04/us/politics/20080905_WORDS_GRAPHIC.html" target="_blank">looking at who said what</a> these conventions. Bubbles of varying sizes show the amount of times per 25,000 words uttered, that certain phrases were used. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/09/04/us/politics/20080905_WORDS_GRAPHIC.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/36_2008/Picture_3_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="384" width="550"></a></span></p> <p>Interestingly, the "opponent's name" count varies pretty wildly — the Democrats used McCain's name 78 times to the Republican's use of Obama a mere 25 times. Up there for both parties? "Change" and "God." While the Republicans were twice as godly, and the Democrats three times as change-y, it seems like both have see the benefit to grabbing both traditional and forward-thinking tropes. </p> <p>The graph also let's you see <i>who</i> said what — Obama used McCain's name 3.5 times more, and McCain grabbed the "change" mantel from Obama just over half as often. Watching the two conventions, do any of the results surprise you? What do you make of the disparity between use of the opponent's name?</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/09/04/us/politics/20080905_WORDS_GRAPHIC.html" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1932325#comment 2008 Democratic National Convention 2008 Republican National Convention New York Times Where I'm Clicking Now Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:00:24 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1932325 http://www.citizensugar.com/1882654 <p>I love when creativity and politics come crashing together, and when there's $3,000 at stake — as well as a chance to influence the next president's thoughts on the climate — well, I might just be hitting the "record" button myself. The video service Vimeo (kind of YouTube-y but cuter) is running a <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/climatematters" target="_blank">Climate Matters contest</a>, aimed at opening an eco-dialogue via video. </p> <p><center><object width="299" height="275"><br /> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1519380&amp;server=www.vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=00ADEF&amp;fullscreen=1" /> <embed src="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1519380&amp;server=www.vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=00ADEF&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="299" height="275"></embed></object></center></p> <p>Any time between now and Sept. 22, you can make a video like the one above with an environmental message for leaders in Washington DC. This one advocates for the <a href="http://casasugar.com/1842197" >EatTheView</a> organization, showing how one citizen planted a garden in front of his own White House and its strength is in its adorable simplicity. The top 10 videos in the contest will be distributed to lawmakers in Washington, and the winning video will be broadcast on national TV along with a $3,000 prize. </p> <p>Like the <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1115155" >Obama in 30 Seconds</a> contest, technology has democratized the political discourse in important, charming, and creative ways, and I'm happy to see it. Maybe Liberty and I will have to put together a little video entry of our own. Would you?</p> <p><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/climatematters" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1882654#comment Eco The Daily Planet Vimeo Where I'm Clicking Now Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:25 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1882654 http://www.citizensugar.com/1882656 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/34_2008/Picture_5.png" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="257" width="345"></span>Now that the conventions are finally (!!!) upon us, it's time to start paying attention to the end game, the big Nov. 4. With the presidency pegged on who grabs the majority of the electoral votes (the magic 270), the website <a href="http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/" target="_blank">FiveThirtyEight</a> is one-stop shopping for all the data you'll need to suss out the horse race. </p> <p>Calling themselves "Electoral Projections Done Right," and named for the number of electors in the electoral college, the mission of the site is to:<br /> <blockquote>Accumulate and analyze polling and political data in way that is informed, accurate and attractive. Most narrowly, to give you the best possible objective assessment of the likely outcome of upcoming elections.</p></blockquote> <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/34_2008/Picture_6_0.png" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="60" width="436"></a></span></p> <p>To see how it stands out, the incredible thoroughness of its methods, and whether it has a crystal ball, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1882656">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1882656#comment 2008 Presidential Election Electoral College FiveThirtyEight Voting Bloc Where I'm Clicking Now Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1882656 http://www.citizensugar.com/1884431 <p>A new Internet video uses powerful imagery to inspire the millennial generation to vote. "Citizen's Cry" brings viewers 80 years into a bleak-looking future, in an attempt to emphasize to America's youth what could happen if they stay home this election. "Citizen's Cry," directed by Corey Rosen, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0741941/" target="_blank">who's worked on</a> <b>Star Wars</b> and <b> Pirates of the Caribbean</b>, hopes young people will realize that their silence could be heard far into the future.</p> <p><center><object width="425" height="344"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/o4kg514DcTA&amp;color1=11645361&amp;color2=13619151&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/o4kg514DcTA&amp;color1=11645361&amp;color2=13619151&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center></p> <p>The video claims to be bipartisan, but it definitely suggests that having the wrong leaders in power will lead to the downfall of America. The viewer is left to decide which leaders will usher in hard times for later generations, and which can save them. Do you think the message of urgency will inspire youth, or does it fall flat by trying too hard?</p> <p><a href="http://www.mobilizethevote2008.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1884431#comment 2008 Presidential Election Where I'm Clicking Now Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:20 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1884431 http://www.citizensugar.com/1864834 <p>In the story about <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1857453" >children mining gold</a> in Africa, lots of you were interested in making sure your baubles and bling had no part of the sad practice of exploiting children to extract the precious metal. I am not afraid to be servicey so I found this brand that answers that accessory predicament. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/gold.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="170" width="472"></span></p> <p>It's called Love, Earth and it's <a href="http://www.loveearthinfo.com/home.html" target="_blank">a pilot project</a> that's a collaboration of companies in the jewelry supply chain. Not just committed to protecting kids, the brand produces pieces that can be traced back to the ecologically-sustainable mine it cam from. Since every single gold ring made produces 20 tons of mining waste, and the processing makes thousands of gallons of cyanide, they've gone ultraresponsible and transparent, allowing you to track the entire history of the piece. </p> <p>Want to know where to find the line? You may be surprised. . . To find out, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1864834">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1864834#comment Africa Child Abuse children Gold Wal-Mart Where I'm Clicking Now Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:30:59 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1864834 http://www.citizensugar.com/1859746 <p>Think you could still get an A in Geography class, no problem? Try your hand at <a href="http://www.rethinkingschools.org/just_fun/games/mapgame.html" target="_blank">this quiz</a>. It's a drag-and-drop fill in the blank country map and it's deceptively challenging.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.rethinkingschools.org/just_fun/games/mapgame.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/33_2008/Picture%201_2.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="274" width="550"></a></span></p> <p>Though there's no punishment (or eraser needed) if you foul up, the big red "X" and buzzer will let all know you don't know your Yemen from your Oman. Give it a go! I'm warning you though, those smaller countries can be slippery little suckers. </p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1859746#comment maps Where I'm Clicking Now Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:29 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1859746 http://www.citizensugar.com/1854029 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/32_2008/stk100416cor.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="350"></span>In the ultimate combination of the "everyone knows where I am-ness" of Twitter and everyone's favorite topics, <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/gas" >gas prices</a> and fuel economy, <a href="http://www.fuelly.com/" target="_blank">Fuelly</a> has just launched to help you manage the ins and outs of your gas tank. </p> <p>The streamlined application lets you create an account and track how much you're spending on gas, how good your m.p.g. rating is — and compare yourself with other users. The site works a trick on an iPhone, letting you track right from the pump, and it has <a href="http://www.fuelly.com/tips/" target="_blank">handy tips to conserve</a> fuel without changing much at all. Like if you're idling for more than 10 seconds (ahem, drive-thru), it's better to park and hit the counter. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.fuelly.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/32_2008/Picture%201_0.png" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="103" width="163"></a></span>Fuelly might just be the next best way to keep up with the Joneses <i>and</i> keep track of your Benjamins.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><br clear=all></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1854029#comment Fuelly Gas Where I'm Clicking Now Sat, 09 Aug 2008 10:00:15 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1854029 http://www.citizensugar.com/1848413 <p>Oh maps, how I love thee. A little treasure trove of info at every glance — and these maps have treasure of the gold, silver, and bronze variety. The <b>New York Times</b> is breaking it down for the big Games with <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/08/04/sports/olympics/20080804_MEDALCOUNT_MAP.html" target="_blank">this interactive map</a> that lets you search all the way back to 1896, to see which countries bagged the most hardware — the bigger the dot that represents the country, the more medals won.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/32_2008/Picture%202_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="284" width="550"></span></p> <p>Click through and track the trends — and since <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1826764" >66 percent of you</a> said it's not important for the US to win the most, you'll be secure with the fact that in 1936 Germany bested the US. That's the other cool feature, you can see the results looking like a map, or arranged in order of dominance. Gold medal for this map to my friends at the <b>Times</b>!</p> <p>To see how the 1984 (Mary Lou Retton!) medal count compares to 2004, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1848413">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1848413#comment 2008 Olympics maps New York Times Where I'm Clicking Now Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:21 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1848413 http://www.citizensugar.com/1836493 <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.changingthepresent.org/" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/logo_site_ig_sf_sm_v1.gif" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="66" width="153"></a></span>This website is a gift in more ways than one. What happens when you have to buy a gift for the person who's ungiftable? Give them the present of changing someone's life. <a href="http://www.changingthepresent.org/" target="_blank">ChangingThePresent</a> rounds up nonprofit organization from all categories — like hunger, disaster relief, education, and human rights — and ties them with a neat bow. Earlier this week we looked at the rampant hunger in Haiti that's <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1822069" >making dirt a diet staple</a>, and played the FreeRice game — in your comments you wanted more ways to help. This site is stuffed full of them! And it turns your donation into the perfect present like this: for $24 you can <a href="http://www.changingthepresent.org/gift/24659/educate_young_girls" target="_blank">give a girl in Afghanistan</a> the gift of food for her family so she can go to school. Each gift comes with an explanation of the situation you're about to help:</p> <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.changingthepresent.org/gift/24659/educate_young_girls" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/Picture%203.preview_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="146" width="550"></a></span></p> <p><b>Problem</b></p> <p>Today, there are 115 million school-aged children who are out of school all around the world. Two out of every three of these children are girls. In a country like Afghanistan, poor families cannot afford to buy the clothing or the books children need to go to school. Many girls are pulled out of school because of traditional attitudes that value a girl’s work in the household. These families rely on their daughters to make ends meet.</p> <p><b>The Gift</b></p> <p>Your gift will provide take-home food rations to girls in school for six months to help ease the economic burden on parents. This will help convince parents to keep their daughters in school and free them from their household chores. This gives girls, who otherwise may stay at home, the chance to learn. </p> <p>That sounds like an unbelievable gift for everyone involved. </p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1836493#comment Change the Present Charity Where I'm Clicking Now Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1836493 http://www.citizensugar.com/1830558 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/74897535.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="300"></span>The year is 1967. John McCain is promoted to lieutenant commander in the Navy and deploys to Vietnam, where he's shot down by a North Vietnamese missile. What was Barack Obama up to? He was surprisingly close, at least geographically. That's the year the 8-year-old tike moved with his mother and stepfather to Indonesia. By 1987, Obama had moved to Chicago and met Reverend Wright, while McCain was a year into his first term in the US Senate, leading up to his work on issues like the bipartisan McCain-Feingold Act passing in 2001, the year Sasha Obama was born. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/Picture%204.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="250"></span>Want to see the candidate's lives line up side-by-side in a timeline of event that leads them to the present, where we find them both vying to be "all that they thought they could be?" The <b>New York Times</b> has an interactive feature that lets you click through each candidate's life, complete with pictures, video, and links to <b>Times</b> coverage. The timelines are current up through key events this year, and besides letting you compare the two, it's got some groovy pictures of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/12/29/us/politics/20071229_OBAMA_TIMELINE.html" target="_blank">Obama in his college years</a> and a striking pic of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/02/03/us/politics/20080203_MCCAIN_TIMELINE.html" target="_blank">McCain graduating</a> from the Naval Academy. </p> <p>How do you think their lives match up? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1830558#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama John McCain New York Times Where I'm Clicking Now Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:15:31 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1830558 http://www.citizensugar.com/1825506 <p>The US might be a melting pot, but don't get out that fondue fork just yet — the government knows your ethnic background, where you live, and has <a href="http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/geo/courses/geo200/usa_maps.html" target="_blank">plotted it on a map</a>. This one shows the big overview categories, but what if you're Scots-Irish? They've got a map for that, too. German? upper Midwest all the way. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/Picture%201_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="401" width="550"></span></p> <p>That wacky census — they <a href="http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en" target="_blank">know so much</a>! Data released Monday shows that <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2008-07-28-cohabitation-census_N.htm" target="_blank">opposite-sex couples</a> who live together has grown from 1 million to 6.4 million in the last 30 years. Shacking up makes up 10 percent of all boy-girl couples, which they know because they were impertinent enough to ask. Cheeky census. I'm strangely excited for the next count, if for no other reason than to find out more goods like this, and where my British-Danish brethren are hanging out. </p> <p>What's your background? Does your US kin match up with a map?</p> <p>To see another map that shows where ethnic minorities aren't, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1825506">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1825506#comment Census maps Race United States Where I'm Clicking Now Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:19:47 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1825506 http://www.citizensugar.com/1825311 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/31_2008/74583647.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left outline preview" width="300"></span>I've always thought that gender is more of a sliding scale than a binary choice — you're not just one or the other, but that everyone falls somewhere in the spectrum between fairy princesses and Hulk Hogan. It's a snips, snails, and puppydog tails day in the news — gender, and our perception of it, is hot.</p> <ul> <li>Ever wanted to know what gender your computer thinks you are? With a tiny click you can <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10002041-2.html" target="_blank">find out what your browser history says</a> about your skirt or pant-wearing habits (gross generalization, noted.) Using data from the web demographic wizard Quantcast, the tricky program will <a href="http://www2.mikeonads.com/2008/07/13/using-your-browser-url-history-estimate-gender/" target="_blank">analyze you</a> in a second. Perhaps proving my sliding scale theory (apologies to the scientific theory) I scored 50 percent male and 50 percent female. How about you?</li> </ul> <p>Really who wouldn't want a tutu and a wand? To see what else is happening in the world of gender (hint: Third-Sex toilets and naked parades!) </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1825311">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1825311#comment 2008 Olympics Check This Gender Identity Thailand Where I'm Clicking Now Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:45:12 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1825311 http://www.citizensugar.com/1814280 <p>Barack Obama has a very active Flickr account, complete with a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/barackobamadotcom/" target="_blank">detailed profile</a> (his interests include: basketball, writing, loafing with the kids). The pictures mostly come from the campaign trail, but they're much more candid than those you'll find in the news or on the <a href="http://www.barackobama.com/photos/" target="_blank">candidate's website photo page</a>. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/yeswecanflikr.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image outline center preview" height="400"></a></span></p> <p>Overall, the photostream is very extensive. Tons of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/sets/" target="_blank">house party fundraising events or shots of the candidate hobnobbing with regular folk</a> get posted regularly. John McCain has a Flickr account, too. But it only has 95 photos compared to Obama's 21,382, last time I checked. McCain doesn't have a fun profile, either. Come on! The people want to know McCain's favorite movies, stars, and directors! </p> <p>A Flickr account sounds like a great way to document all the excitement surrounding a candidacy. Do you think the Obama camp's fuller embrace of new media technologies gives him an advantage over John McCain? (In case you're wondering, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hillaryclinton" target="_blank">Hillary Clinton has a Flickr photostream</a>, too, which even includes <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hillaryclinton/sets/72157594531994629/" target="_blank">family photos</a>!)</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1814280#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama Flickr Where I'm Clicking Now Sun, 27 Jul 2008 10:00:58 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1814280 http://www.citizensugar.com/1805020 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/30_2008/Picture%201.png" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="277" width="368"></span>Wanna know a fabulous secret? I'm running for president! I know, you were all so sick of Obama and McCain. Well, thankfully my grassroots, underground campaign has really taken off and people are taking notice of my potential. </p> <p>Oh, OK it's a personalize-it email-forward fake newscast, but it's fun! Fill it out with your friend's name and <a href="http://www.news3online.com/spread.php" target="_blank">they'll get an email </a> with the very convincing tale of their very own dark horse candidacy. Watch for the older gal with the personalized, ultimate-fan tattoo toward the end. Whoa.</p> <p>To see the news report featuring me, the surprise candidate sweeping the nation, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1805020">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1805020#comment 2008 Presidential Election Email Forwards Lighten Up Technology Where I'm Clicking Now Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:10 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1805020 http://www.citizensugar.com/1793065 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/2/22911/29_2008/Picture%201_1.png" alt="" title="" class="image right outline preview" width="356"></span>The <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/2008+Olympics" >2008 Summer Olympics</a> don't begin for another 21 days, but anticipation and intrigue are already heating up. What to do if you can't make it to the Games in person?</p> <p>BBC Sport has <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/7493757.stm" target="_blank">created an interactive map of Beijing</a> that lets you in on all the excitement by allowing you to peruse the 37 Olympic venues and local landmarks (like the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square). It also showcases articles from journalists on BBC Sport's Olympics blog and Twitter updates from BBC Sports' journalists in China. Right now the site is more of a preview of the Olympic village, but once the games begin it will offer a timely account of what's happening. </p> <p>If you hover over any icon a pop-up window will appear with more information and pictures of what the site looks like from the ground. Need more Olympic data? NBC also has a fancy site with <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/" target="_blank">a countdown, blogs, profiles</a> and eventually, results. </p> <p>We're pretty excited for the Olympics around here, whether because of or despite the controversy — and here's a trivia question that popped up while we were checking out this map: we all know rhythmic gymnastics with its crazy ribbons and balls routines — but what do they call the <i>other</i> kind of gymnastics? You know, the flipping around kind? You can find the answer on the map if you don't already know — TeamSugar exercise ball gift on your profile page to the first person who answers correctly in the comments! Perfect 10.0!</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1793065#comment 2008 Olympics Olympics Where I'm Clicking Now Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:30:27 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1793065 http://www.citizensugar.com/1779671 <p>Odd though it may be, I harbor a minor obsession with Wal-Mart. I've read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wal-Mart-Effect-Powerful-Works-Transforming/dp/0143038788/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1215804250&amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank">this book</a> which presents a pretty even-handed look at the somewhat stunning practices that Wally World (as my mother calls it) has pioneered to make them the retailing giant they are. Some of them, like making individual stores return cardboard boxes to the distributors or pay for them are pleasingly green in their business savviness. Save the planet, be cheap. Hey, if it works right? </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/28_2008/Picture%202_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="259" width="550"></span></p> <p>And I've seen <a href="http://www.walmartmovie.com/" target="_blank">this movie</a>, which paints the more heartbreaking human consequences of the drive to dominate the retail landscape — and that's where <a href="http://projects.flowingdata.com/walmart/" target="_blank">this riveting map from Flow Data</a> comes in. I do so adore a map! This animated stunner starts in 1968 with the birth of the first store in Arkansas and grows progressively greener with every "rolled-back" price until Wal-Mart rules the entire world squashing everyone and everything in its path. More or less. </p> <p>In other Wal-Mart related news, the store has recently <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/5879616.html" target="_blank">pulled a controversial comic book</a> from shelves, after complaints that it was racist. Maybe they don't have black hearts after all?</p> <p><a href="http://projects.flowingdata.com/walmart/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1779671#comment maps Wal-Mart Where I'm Clicking Now Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:30:08 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1779671 http://www.citizensugar.com/1767549 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/28_2008/Picture%201_4.png" alt="" title="" class="image right outline preview" width="250"></span>I can't decide which of these tote 'em ups is cooler. The <b>New York Times</b> has <a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/07/07/us/politics/0707-nat-webCAUCUS.jpg" target="_blank">a graphic analysis</a> of the top 200 search terms used on both of the candidates' websites — and with abortion topping Barack Obama's and health care heading McCain's it makes me think perhaps web-searchers are using the sites to get info on the opponent? The lists seem a weirdly counter to what one might expect from ardent supporters, but maybe I'm nuts?</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/28_2008/Picture%204_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left outline preview" width="250"></span>Speaking of Congress (I kid, I kid) this is remarkably addictive and enlightening too — it's called <a href="http://www.capitolwords.org/" target="_blank">CapitolWords</a>, and it uses the Congressional record to figure out the most-used word on any given day. It's a little slice of the American consciousness that's eerie. From June 16 to June 20 it reads, "tax, health, oil, housing, oil." Well, it looks like they're talking about the right things at least? Try it out, but I'm warning you it's tough to stop.</p> <p>To see the full <b>New York Times</b> graph of the percentage of search terms used on each of the candidate's sites </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1767549">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1767549#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama CapitolWords Congress John McCain Technology Where I'm Clicking Now Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1767549 http://www.citizensugar.com/1707789 <p>Scoot over Obama Girl, Britain's House of Lords debuted five new YouTube videos this week hoping to <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hQKP_GH8D7XjtJ-ADWiuRMS5EfEwD9194VHG0" target="_blank">spruce up its image</a> as a sleepy haven for elderly, monocled chaps.</p> <p><center><object width="425" height="344"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NtqWwCIhW4E&amp;hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NtqWwCIhW4E&amp;hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center></p> <p>The quick clips will air on YouTube's <a href="http://uk.youtube.com/ukparliament" target="_blank">Parliament channel</a>, which has been offering virtual tours of the Parliament building. The new videos try to soften the upper house by making it more accessible to youthful viewers.</p> <p>The Lord Speaker Baroness Hayman (see! Baronesses! They're just like us!) said, "The videos we have placed on the YouTube channel reflect the diversity and expertise in the House of Lords and its relevance to young people, and we hope that they will help to combat some of the outdated stereotypes of members of the upper house." To see what's in the videos and find out what other high-tech tricks they're up to, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1707789">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1707789#comment House of Lords Technology United Kingdom Where I'm Clicking Now Youtube Sun, 15 Jun 2008 10:00:36 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1707789 http://www.citizensugar.com/1707822 <p>In a stellar hybrid of <b>New York</b> magazine's Approval Matrix and the fascinating <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1599201" >Political Compass</a>, this week's fun tidbit from <b>Vanity Fair</b> shows the big blogs <a href="http://www.vfdaily.com/culture/2008/blogopticon/index.html" target="_blank">on a spectrum</a> from news to opinion and scurrilous to earnest. Who doesn't want to see where <a href="http://www.politico.com/" target="_blank">Politico</a> stacks up against <a href="http://www.radaronline.com" target="_blank">Radar</a>, and <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/" target="_blank">Michelle Malkin</a> against <a href="http://firedoglake.com/" target="_blank">FireDogLake</a>?</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/24_2008/Picture-1.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center outline preview" height="356" width="494"></span></p> <p>With rollover pics popping up fairly pointed descriptions of the blogs, it does <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/ontheweb/blogs/daily/2008/06/blogopticon.html" target="_blank">fairly point out</a> that the Huffington Post is shamelessly pro-Obama and that Drudge has an unfailing reach with his Republican-friendly headlines and ugly step-sister graphics. Go check it out and <a href="http://www.vfdaily.com/culture/2008/blogopticon/index.html" target="_blank">see if you agree</a> with their rankings! Should Arianna Huffington and Michelle Malkin be next-door neighbors? Where do you think CitizenSugar would fall on the spectrum?</p> <p><a href="http://www.vfdaily.com/culture/2008/blogopticon/index.html" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1707822#comment Blogs Political Compass Vanity Fair Where I'm Clicking Now Sun, 15 Jun 2008 07:00:24 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1707822 http://www.citizensugar.com/1692606 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-1692606"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1692606',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1692606');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/2/22911/23_2008/davlogocorner_button.png" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="221" width="190"></span>The rest of the world may not be able to cast their vote in the upcoming presidential election, but they still have messages for US voters about how the choice will affect their families and home countries. Indie American satellite network Link TV created a mini video site called <a href="http://www.linktv.org/dearamericanvoter/videos/" target="_blank">Dear American Voter</a> that lets people from all over the globe create and send video messages to those of us who can fill a ballot. </p> <p>The ploys range from sarcastic to serious and span the political spectrum. In one of the site's promo videos (see below) a handful of non-US citizens say they wish they had a voice in the election — one woman from Australia even suggests she should be able to vote for the US president. Clearly it's critical to keep the conversation open, but do you think a message from across the world could swing your vote?</p> <p><center><object width="400" height="370"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.linktv.org/embed_dav/104"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.linktv.org/embed_dav/104" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="370"></embed></object></center></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1692606" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Could a Message From Across the World Swing Your Vote?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yay! It's important to hear perspectives from all over the world. I might be persuaded. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Nay! It's important to hear other perspectives, but I wouldn't change my vote.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Something else. See comment below.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1692606" /> <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/1692606#comment 2008 Presidential Election Citizen Poll Foreign Policy International Poll Where I'm Clicking Now Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1692606 http://www.citizensugar.com/1689360 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/23_2008/Picture%202_0.png" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="130" width="179"></span>I'll admit, in my youth I abused TV courtroom dramas. Hey, I was young, it was summertime, and the talkshow/reality TV circuit was in its nascent stages. That's why to this day I can recite the whole opening to <b>The People's Court</b>. You know, "both parties have agreed to dismiss their court cases and have their disputes settled here, in our forum, <i>The People's Court</i>.<br /> <span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.peoplescourtraw.com/index.php" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/23_2008/Picture%201_2.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="262" width="550"></a></span><br /> You can imagine <a href="http://www.peoplescourtraw.com/index.php" target="_blank">my excitement</a> about this: People's Court Raw. It takes the court concept and smashes it into YouTube, letting bickering parties upload videos of their side of the argument, and letting the Internet community decide who wins. This is why the Internet was invented — so we can all be Judge Wapner. It's so brilliant, it just might work. </p> <p>Cases on the docket now and open for voting: "Why do we need 4,000 giant dog beds?" and "Do you think it's OK if guys show emotion and cry?" That's it folks, you won't hear another peep from me today, I'm going to being playing bailiff on this site. </p> <p>Would you submit a case for adjudication by a jury of your Internet peers? What question would you like settled? Is it even worth it without <a href="http://www.geocities.com/ianofrhs/dougllewelyn.jpg" target="_blank">Doug Llewelyn</a> asking the tough questions in the lobby?</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1689360#comment Courts culture Laws People's Court Raw Technology Where I'm Clicking Now Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:15:14 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1689360 http://www.citizensugar.com/1635321 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/20_2008/Picture%203_2.png" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="400"></span>You know it's the weekend when <b>Radar</b> comes out <a href="http://www.radaronline.com/quiz/2008/05/john_mccain_or_indiana_jones_quiz_01.php" target="_blank">with another</a> smoking quiz. With the impending release of the new Indy flick, it's time to answer the age-old question: Indiana Jones or John McCain? It's <b>Temple of Doom</b> hard — don't get cocky — though I imagine actually having seen an Indiana Jones movie would help considerably. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/20_2008/Picture%204_1.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="350"></span>OK, Indiana Jones I know not. Obviously. I don't know my <b>Lost Ark</b> from my <b>Covenant</b> as is sorely evident in my score. Plus who knew how similar Mac and Jones actually are!?</p> <p>Given the politics/popcorn flick crossover, I strong-armed <a href="http://teamsugar.com/user/buzzsugar" >Buzz</a> into taking the quiz too. I'm telling you, it was those pesky both/neither questions! Put our heads together and we had a pretty decent score. To see how she fared, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1635321">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1635321#comment Indiana Jones John McCain Radar Where I'm Clicking Now Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:43 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1635321 http://www.citizensugar.com/1632953 <p>Carrotmob, a new <a href="http://www.carrotmob.org/" target="_blank">environmental nonprofit</a>, ditches the guilt sticks for the, you guessed it . . . carrots. Accepting that profit is a corporation's raison d’être, the founder wants to create irresistible economic incentives for environmental responsibility.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/20_2008/75287923.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="367" width="550"></span><br /> According to its <a href="http://www.carrotmob.org/welcome.html" target="_blank">website</a>:<br /> <blockquote>Companies will do what we want, not because of negative pressure, or morality, or a boycott, or a petition...there are enough sticks out there. We need a big juicy carrot. They will do what we say because they won't be able to resist the profits.</p></blockquote> <p> So, what are the logistics? Carrotmob plans to create a "mob" of consumers who will endorse certain environmentally friendly products, rewarding eco-friendly behavior with a beefy bottom line. To see how companies can win over the mob, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1632953">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1632953#comment Carrotmob Democrats Eco Where I'm Clicking Now Fri, 16 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1632953 http://www.citizensugar.com/1626527 <p>Got your passport and itchy feet in search of a vacation destination? Consider this first. It's not a scared-straight story on global warming I promise — it's a traveler's perspective on how the world's climate and it's info served up like a gorgeous guidebook — and, I'll admit, food for thought. ProTraveller put together this <a href="http://www.otbeach.com/news/news--3/20-cities%2C-islands-%26-countries-threatened-by-global-warming--494.html" target="_blank">list of 20 places</a> that are ripe to change dramatically if the world heats up — and it's a where's where of dream vacations.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/20_2008/74919351.preview.jpg" alt="" title=""class="image preview" height="359" width="550"></span></p> <p>Here's part of <a href="http://www.otbeach.com/news/news--3/20-cities%2C-islands-%26-countries-threatened-by-global-warming--494.html" target="_blank">their list</a>, and some info that caught my eye:</p> <ul> <li> <li>Great Barrier Reef, <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/australia" >Australia</a></li> <li>Virgin Islands, Caribbean</li> <li>Cook Islands, Pacific Ocean</li> <li>Galapagos Islands, Pacific Ocean (pictured here)</li> <li>Belize Barrier Reef, Belize</li> <li>Red Sea Reefs, Egypt</li> <li>Tokyo, <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/japan" >Japan</a> — This major international city is in some serious danger; its temperatures have been rising five times faster than the average global warming rate around the world.</li> <li><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/london" >London</a>, United Kingdom — Scientists say that the city could be underwater as early as within the next one hundred years.</li> <li><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/new+york" >New York City</a>, USA</li> <li><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/new+orleans" >New Orleans</a>, USA</li> <li>Jakarta, Indonesia — The capital city of Indonesia has already experienced serious flooding last year, which many believe was a direct result of the climate change affecting the world. With more than twenty million people living in its metropolitan area, Jakarta is a city that has a lot to lose if the global warming issue continues unabated.</li> </ul> <p>With Britain already having its <a href="http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/05/13/britain_having_warmest_may_since_1772/2042/" target="_blank">warmest May</a> since 1772 and <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/myanmar" >alarming weather</a> becoming a mainstay, it's nice to be reminded of the beauty we need to take care of — sans PowerPoint. (Sorry <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tags/Al+gore" >Al</a>.)<br /> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1626527#comment Eco Global Warming ProTraveller The Daily Planet Where I'm Clicking Now Wed, 14 May 2008 03:00:18 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1626527 http://www.citizensugar.com/1626422 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/20_2008/Picture%201.png" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="327" width="510"></span>While we wait for the results out of West Virginia, go check out these maps. I cannot stress enough how geeky rad these pixilated hot-spot <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/5/11/21221/5044/7/511546" target="_blank">vote maps</a> from the Daily Kos are. And there's a million of 'em. Watch the colors shift over time, election by election. And it's all Dems baby. On the map, "red represents Clinton votes, green represents Edwards votes, and blue represents Obama votes." Hmm. The whole thing looks pretty red to me. . . ? Check back here for results as soon as they're called!<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/20_2008/Picture%202_0.png" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="255" width="515"></span><br /> <a href="http://www.http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/5/11/21221/5044/7/511546" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1626422#comment Awaiting Results West Virginia Where I'm Clicking Now Tue, 13 May 2008 16:25:00 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1626422 http://www.citizensugar.com/1623945 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/20_2008/Picture%206.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="194" width="550"></span><br /> People have been chatting on <a href="http://twitter.com/" target="_blank">Twitter</a> about what will happen if Barack Obama becomes president. Jason Kottke <a href="http://www.kottke.org/08/05/when-obama-wins-microsite" target="_blank">collected</a> the best hypotheses, and put them all<a href="http://kottke.org/when-obama-wins/" target="_blank"> here</a>. When you get to the site, just keep refreshing to see a stream of Obama-maniac dreams. Some of my favorites? When Obama wins:</p> <ul> <li>God will literally Bless America.</li> <li>iPhones will have cut-and-paste.</li> <li>Starbucks will stop referring to their smalls as talls.</li> <li>We will all shower in beer and soap will be replaced by bacon.</li> </ul> <p>Are you convinced that an Obama victory will be magical? Fill in the blank for yourself. When Obama wins . . . </p> <p><a href="http://kottke.org/when-obama-wins/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1623945#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama Where I'm Clicking Now Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:11 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1623945 http://www.citizensugar.com/1619486 <p>I hopped on this <b>Radar</b> article immediately, hoping it would have a little info on Skull and Bones, the secret Yale organization that allegedly both George W. and Kerry belong to (as well as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Skull_and_Bones_members" target="_blank">8 million</a> other important men) and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0192614/" target="_blank">the subject of</a> that seminal Joshua Jackson flick, <b>The Skulls</b> — it doesn't but I realized that little club is child's play.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/19_2008/78278044.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="409" width="550"></span><br /> This story is <a href="http://www.radaronline.com/features/2008/05/secret_societies_bohemian_grove_masons_trilateral_commission.php" target="_blank">about the biggies</a> — those exclusive closed societies that secretly rule the world. The Bohemian Grove, the men-only <b>Lord of the Flies</b> meets a steakhouse where allegedly Arnold Schwarzenegger was cherry-picked to run for governor. The Masons, are my favorite because their motto speaks to my highly obsessive nature: "Ordo ab Chao" (Order Out of Chaos) the Trilateral Commission allows chicks, and the Bilderberg Group — the group tons of conspiracy theorists think actually runs all of the world's governments.</p> <p>Check it out. Do you think the legends about these groups are true? Do they have the power that everyone thinks they do?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1619486#comment Radar Secret Societies Skull and Bones Where I'm Clicking Now Sat, 10 May 2008 11:00:03 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1619486 http://www.citizensugar.com/1599201 <p>Political Compass doesn't tell you what political party you should vote for; instead, it gauges your ideology. The website explains:</p> <blockquote><p>The old one-dimensional categories of "right" and "left," established for the seating arrangement of the French National Assembly of 1789, are overly simplistic for today's complex political landscape.</p></blockquote> <p>And now you can compare where you fall, with the Presidential candidates and other politicians. Interestingly enough, most US politicians fall in the same box.<br /> <br><br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/18_2008/usprimaries_2008.png" alt="" title="" class="image outline center preview" height="340"></span></p> <p>While I've heard some complaints about bias in the academic-developed questions around the Sugar HQ, I haven't heard <i>too</i> many complaints about the end results. Take <a href="http://politicalcompass.org/" target="_blank">the test</a> and tell me what you think. Do you match up with your favorite politician? And, to see where historical figures fall on the political compass </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1599201">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1599201#comment Political Compass Where I'm Clicking Now Sat, 03 May 2008 13:00:50 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1599201 http://www.citizensugar.com/1579448 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/17_2008/Picture%203_0_0.png" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="200" width="350"></span>These quizzes are my new favorite weekend treat. And I'm actually getting better at them! Or perhaps I'm a ringer in the category, "Snarky Things Politicians Have Sniped at Each Other 101." All I'm going to say is Barack Obama seems gentle on the outside, but I swear I kept picking McCain and I'll be darned Mr. Hope wasn't getting in there with a few choice words of his own. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/17_2008/Picture%202_1.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="187" width="350"></span>Go <a href="http://www.radaronline.com/quiz/2008/04/toughest_quotes_barack_obama_hillary_clinton_john_mccain.php" target="_blank">try your luck</a>, but I'm telling ya — I was on fire this week. Check out this score! You won't have to "follow me to the gates of hell," (eh? Remember that one?) but close! </p> <p><a href="http://www.radaronline.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1579448#comment 2008 Presidential Election Radar Where I'm Clicking Now Sat, 26 Apr 2008 07:00:32 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1579448 http://www.citizensugar.com/1563229 <p>On my high school quiz team, I was the go-to gal for answers to any and all questions about former Miss Americas. Would that I were making that up for dramatic effect, but alas, it's true. That's why when I found this <a href="http://www.radaronline.com/quiz/2008/04/first_ladies_or_beauty_contestants_michelle_obama_hillary_cl.php" target="_blank">new quiz</a> from the <b>Radar</b> masterminds — telling the difference between aspiring first ladies and beauty pageant contestants — I mean the <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1514917" >Barack vs. Jesus</a> quiz was not a fair fight, but this one! This is my event!</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/16_2008/Picture%203.png" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="233" width="446"></span></p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/16_2008/Picture%201.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="136" width="280"></span>Or, uh, not. The proof of my utterly embarrassing performance. But in my defense! Anyone would put Adlai Stevenson's wife with a book about an Egghead. Come on! Take it for yourself and see if you can steal my tiara and/or tasteful pearls.</p> <p><a href="http://www.radaronline.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1563229#comment 2008 Presidential Election First Ladies Radar Where I'm Clicking Now Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:46:30 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1563229 http://www.citizensugar.com/1550795 <p>If hearing about Angola's "<a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1505127" >Miss Landmine Survivor</a>" contest didn't teach you enough about the civil war-surviving country, just check out an interpretation of its flag! <br></p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/16_2008/Picture%2048.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image outline preview" height="255" width="550"></span></p> <p>Virango has a bunch of <a href="http://virango.com/content/flags-world" target="_blank">other flags</a> used as social commentary. Believe it or not, flags can offer a quick snapshot of a country's crises. Do you find the flags funny, or too close to truth to get a laugh? </p> <p>As an extra bonus, to see what the American flag represents, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1550795">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1550795#comment Flags Lighten Up Where I'm Clicking Now Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:00:14 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1550795 http://www.citizensugar.com/1533371 <p>I'd admit, I have a huge soft spot when it comes to the military, but I also love the addition of the sign language into this notion: it's called the <a href="http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/index.php" target="_blank">Gratitude Campaign</a>. The aim is to give people a universal language by which they can thank members of the armed services — if they're too shy or uncomfortable to do so.</p> <p><center><object width="425" height="355"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B9O9rQdDJhM&amp;hl=en"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B9O9rQdDJhM&amp;hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></center></p> <p>I think this is such a great idea. And yes, perhaps the video is a little heavy-handed, but maybe we're too cynical about too darn much nowadays. I don't care if it's sappy, I like it. And I love how they say, "Keep the ribbon on your car, but thank the people right in front of you." </p> <p>Would you use the sign to say thank you? How do you say it?</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1533371#comment Gratitude Campaign Military Where I'm Clicking Now Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:00:50 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1533371 http://www.citizensugar.com/1531421 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/14_2008/Picture%2039.png" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="120" width="346"></span>Cell Phones For Soldiers is <a href="http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/index.html" target="_blank">making it easy</a> for American soldiers overseas to call home. The premise? Anyone can send a used cell phone into the organization, and the phone is then sold to a recycling center. The proceeds are used to buy calling cards for people in the armed forces.</p> <p>So how can you participate? Download a <i>free</i> postage-paid shipping label and mail in an old phone that's sure to be sitting around your house. They accept any make, model, and condition of cell phones, chargers, batteries, accessories, BlackBerries, PDAs, and pagers. Also, if you place an order on Amazon, the company includes prepaid mailers with their shipments! Thanks <a href="http://teamsugar.com/user/Bellasugar" > Bella</a> for the heads up! Click <a href="http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/shippingLabel_generic.html" target="_blank">here</a> for complete instructions on how to send a phone. </p> <p>The program was started in April 2004 by 13-year-old Brittany Bergquist and her 12-year-old brother Robbie. Since then, the patriotic pair have issued thousands of prepaid calling cards to soldiers. I love ideas that are so simple, but have the potential to make such a meaningful difference!</p> <p><a href="http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1531421#comment Cell Phone for Soldiers Military Where I'm Clicking Now Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:00:22 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1531421 http://www.citizensugar.com/1509182 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/19/193328/13_2008/19740580-19740585-large.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="400"></span>That "Britney in her panties" <b> Rolling Stone</b> <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/britneyspears/articles/story/6478020/behind_the_cover_britney_spears" target="_blank">cover</a> might have gotten a lot of attention, but I know the mag can rock more than just an alluring pop tart. This compilation of all of<a href="<br /> http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/19741092/rolling_stones_political_covers"> its political covers</a> is music to my history fanatic ears. I love looking back at contemporary representations of important events. What better way to roll through history than to peruse <b>Rolling Stone</b>'s hot archive of political covers?</p> <p>Most of the covers are a bit more creative than the magazine's <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1099670" >latest radio-active</a> Barack Obama-as-super-hero cover. A January 1974 issue featured a cartoonish President Nixon violating Lady Liberty. Yikes! </p> <p>Check out the art work accompanying stories about the Vietnam War, the Watergate conspiracy, presidential children, Jimmy Carter and much more. The entertaining history lesson is worth the clicks! </p> <p><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1509182#comment Barack Obama Jimmy Carter Rolling Stone Vietnam Watergate Where I'm Clicking Now Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:00:32 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1509182 http://www.citizensugar.com/1500739 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104169/13_2008/Picture%201.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="174" width="550"></span>I love almost anything <b>New York</b> magazine writes, so when they round up all of their<a href="http://nymag.com/news/politics/2008/electopedia/" target="_blank"> election coverage</a>, make it easy to find, and give it funny headings like: "Hairstyle and Its Evolution" and "Best Debate Smackdown," I'm set for hours of reading. They're calling it Electopedia, and I'm proclaiming it fantabagreat. Seriously, "Angriest Public Moment"? Now that's what I call election coverage.</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1500739#comment 2008 Presidential Election New York Magazine Where I'm Clicking Now Wed, 26 Mar 2008 03:00:53 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1500739 http://www.citizensugar.com/1141505 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/19/193328/13_2008/Picture%201_0.png" alt="" title="" class="image outline left preview" height="516" width="209"></span>The <b>New York Times</b> has gathered e-mails, journal entries, and web postings from six US soldiers who have died in Iraq since 2007. In an instant these sons, brothers, fathers, and friends were lost. Their accessible and honest <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/us/25dead.web.html?pagewanted=1&amp;ei=5070&amp;en=25e6c3781b2238e2&amp;ex=1207108800&amp;emc=eta-1" target="_blank">writings</a> reveal personal truths, as well as broad realities of the war. The six soldiers become more than a statistic.</p> <p>Initially, I hesitated to read this story. I thought the emotions would be too overwhelming. But then I realized that I had a duty to listen. Their entries are messages of hope, gloom, terror, adventure, boredom, fear, politics, and loss. No newspaper or TV exposé can provide the same raw understanding.</p> <p>On May 26, 2007, Sgt. Ryan M. Wood expressed frustration with Americans for ignoring the war while happily obsessing over fast food and Britney Spears. He wrote: "This world has serious problems and it’s time for America to start addressing them." Perhaps we can start paying attention by reading the insights of those on the front line, the reflections of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1141505#comment Iraq War Military Where I'm Clicking Now Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:00:44 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1141505 http://www.citizensugar.com/1135076 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104169/12_2008/Picture%203_0.png" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="126" width="338"></span>Hold on to your hats, this is a nerdy one! <a href="http://politics.gocrosscampus.com" target="_blank">GoCrossPoliticalBash08</a> is part of the game phenomenon GoCrossCampus or GXC. It's an online a variation on board games like Risk, and has <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/technology/21ivygame.html?_r=1&amp;scp=1&amp;sq=gocrosscampus&amp;st=nyt&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">spawned quite a following</a> on college campuses. That's pretty nerdy, but it gets better: in the political version of the game, players (anyone with an .edu email address can play) are battling a virtual version of the presidential campaign. Who are the big two candidates? Ron Paul and Stephen Colbert.<br /> <br><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104169/12_2008/Picture%204.png" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="237" width="275"></span>Want in? Here's how to play:<br /> <blockquote>The rules of GXC are relatively simple. Every player is allocated a number of armies each day and must coordinate attacks, troop movements and defensive maneuvers with teammates. Players can move their armies once each day, and the game software calculates the result of clashes with an algorithm that gives a slight edge to defenders.</p></blockquote> <p>And forget talk of superdelegates. Currently Texas is controlled by Ron Paul and 99 armies and California is controlled by Stephen Colbert and his 277 armies. I don't know but they might be onto something. Never mind the Electoral College, this might be the most powerful display of true democracy in the whole campaign. </p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1135076#comment 2008 Presidential Election GXC Ron Paul Stephen Colbert Where I'm Clicking Now Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:00:28 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1135076 http://www.citizensugar.com/1132718 <p>As the blog <a href="http://www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com" target="_blank">Stuff White People Like</a> gets increasingly popular, it's also fielding more criticism. Some people are less than enthused about being linked to characterizations based on race.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/19/193328/12_2008/Picture%2038_1.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image outline preview" height="137" width="550"></span><br /> Some <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5633758.html" target="_blank">speculate</a> that the site's popularity is a reflection of America's obsession with race. I tend to think that most people are narcissistic and love hearing accurate descriptions of their lives repeated in a funny way. Example:<br /> <blockquote>Though many would have you believe that white people come of age at Summer Camp, it’s simply not the truth. Immediately following graduation but prior to renovating a house, white people take their first step from childhood to maturity by hosting a successful dinner party.</p></blockquote> <p>Race has always been a controversial, and successful source of comedy. Are you offended or amused by a blog that finds humor by making generalizations about "white people"?</p> <p>P.S. Have some more controversy with your Friday happy hour — check out <a href="http://whitewhine.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">White Whine</a>. <br><br /> <a href="http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1132718#comment Race Where I'm Clicking Now Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:00:23 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1132718 http://www.citizensugar.com/1129789 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/19/193328/12_2008/Picture%2035.png" alt="" title="" class="image outline left preview" height="324" width="247"></span><b>Vanity Fair</b> has gathered up all the articles written about Iraq, post-evasion, and put them in one place. The 43 articles can be found on their <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/04/bush_archive200804" target="_blank">Mission Unaccomplished</a> page. </p> <p>Some of the historical reads include: The War They Wanted, The Lies They Needed <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2006/07/yellowcake200607" target="_blank">July 2006</a>; The Simple Life: White House Edition, <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/10/wolcott200710" target="_blank">October 2007</a>, and To Live and Die in Iraq; <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2005/08/wolcott200508" target="_blank">August 2005</a>.</p> <p>For good measure, they also threw in the insightful 2000 profile of then-Governor George W. Bush: <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2000/10/bush200010" target="_blank">The Accidental Candidate</a>. I suggest you check out all the articles. Enjoy.</p> <p><a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1129789#comment Vanity Fair Where I'm Clicking Now Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:00:58 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1129789 http://www.citizensugar.com/1124131 <p>So if "power is the ultimate aphrodisiac," the list of <a href="http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/overall.tt" target="_blank">Congressional Power Rankings</a> at Congress.org lets us know who's carrying the biggest stick.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104169/12_2008/Picture%201_13.png" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="101" width="337"></span><br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104169/12_2008/Picture%202_4.png" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="50" width="337"></span><br /> Poor scandal-plagued Larry Craig ranked second from the bottom. His troubles may have hampered his reputation, but it hasn't stopped him from <a href="http://wonkette.com/360913/an-exciting-opportunity-to-be-larry-craigs-summer-intern" target="_blank">looking for an intern</a>.</p> <p>Thinking about applying, or do you think you'd shoot a little higher on the list of influence? Where do your representatives and senators land on the list?</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1124131#comment Congress Larry Craig Where I'm Clicking Now Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:01:00 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1124131 http://www.citizensugar.com/1118584 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104169/11_2008/Picture%203_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="88" width="550"></span>I know we're enthusiastic about a lot of things around here, but I can really not overstate how gonzo fun, crazy entertaining, educational, and wildly sexy this website is. SexyPolitics.com has a whole bunch of<a href="http://www.sexypolitics.com/" target="_blank"> really hard quizzes</a>, from general US knowledge, presidential candidates, issues — and that's all well and good. But!! When you get questions right . . . people get naked!!! </p> <p>OK, they insist the site is safe for work, so not totally naked, (plus you can choose to "skip the strip" if the quizzes themselves are hot enough for you.)</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104169/11_2008/Picture%206_0.png" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="250" width="115"></span>Pick the hot guy dressed as George Washington and answer enough right — he'll take his wig off! Don't knock it till you try it, we were squealing with delight. And this we totally agree with:</p> <blockquote><p> We believe sexy is being informed. Sexy is clear and simple. Sexy is understanding why global events often have local impacts. We think a political news story is sexy when it simplifies a misunderstood concept or illuminates a trend that should be followed. When a person is sexy, they inspire those around them. When a movement is sexy, it makes others jump on board. </p></blockquote> <p>Go on, go