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Michelle Obama Action Figure - Love It or Leave It?

TresSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Michelle Obama has been turned into an action figure just in time for the holidays! Starting Nov. 20, you can purchase a first lady action figure for the low, low price of $12.99.

Michelle comes in three different sleeveless outfits, but I think my favorite is the Narciso Rodriguez dress she wore on election night. It translates well to plastic.

The White House has "no comment" on the action figures, but what do you think about them?

Supreme Court Pick Brings Back Affirmative Action Debate

TresSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:00:00 -0700

“Affirmative action standards are a bad way to pick one of the nine most influential jurists in the US."

Such is the reaction of affirmative-action opponent Richard Epstein to President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. Epstein and other critics believe that the president wants to chose "a daughter of Puerto Rican parents raised in Bronx public housing projects to become the nation's first Hispanic justice," instead of an accomplished jurist. What they seem to forget is that Sotomayor has more experience on the bench than any nominee in the last 100 years, was a criminal prosecutor, and graduated with honors from Princeton and Yale.

Sotomayor herself doesn't seem blind to her ethnicity. She's (now infamously) quoted as saying: "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life." In this quote, Sotomayor invokes an argument for affirmative action: diversity is desirable.

The Obama administration has neutralized the affirmative action meme by being clear about one thing: Sotomayor's impressive accomplishments and exceptional legal mind were a prerequisite for her nomination. Her background is just a bonus.

The assumption that affirmative action gives minorities an "unfair" advantage often means they need to work twice as hard to earn respect. Do you think the solution is getting rid of affirmative action, or trying to change people's attitudes?

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South Africa's Affirmative Action Not Affirmed by All

LibertySugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:00:22 -0700

South Africa's aggressive affirmative action policy, which requires companies to give preferential hiring treatment to the country's 90 percent black population, colored community, Indians, and women has garnered both success and criticism.

South Africans growing up in destitute conditions perpetuated by apartheid have found financial security and professional fulfillment through increased opportunities. Some companies recruit the marginalized groups in high school and give them extra academic assistance and help through university.

Unfortunately affirmative action, along with instability, has caused 20 percent of the South Africa's white population to leave the country. And when not paired with training, a lack of necessary skills possessed by those receiving preferential hiring practices bothers both supporters and opponents of affirmative action. To find out how, read more.

Supporters tell BBC that the current policy is just a quick, elusive solution if not paired with significant training - when a someone is hired without training, he can easily be fired for lack of qualifications making affirmative action powerless. As for white workers, they feel as if the policy pushes them out and replaces them with someone of the "right color."

South Africa's unemployment rate is 40 percent. Because the program extends to over 90 percent of the population the extra advantage may be a little diluted. But the success stories suggest that when given a chance at training and a position, victims of past injustices can change their destinies.

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Toy Box: Watchmen Action Figures Hit Shelves

LilSugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:00:56 -0700

While parents flock to theaters to see the very adult-oriented flick Watchmen, action figures like this Watchmen Movie Figure Wave 1 ($17) are jumping on and off shelves.

Most young children won't be exposed to the Watchmen film (it's rated R and, according to Buzz, quite graphic), but the appeal of the toys is understandable. This one in particular has a grandiose Mr. Incredible look to it. Do you ever buy your children toys from movies or books they haven't seen or read?

Three States Consider Banning Affirmative Action: Right Move?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:45:47 -0700

With one comment John McCain made Sunday that he supports an Arizona initiative that would ban hiring practices that favor one group over another McCain has brought attention to similar calls in two other states. He said that the initiative gives "the people of Arizona the opportunity to end preferential treatment based on race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin by state or local governments."

Arizona, Colorado, and Nebraska are all considering ballot initiatives that ban affirmative action hiring practices. Sunday's comment combined with one 10 years ago where McCain called affirmative action "divisive" shows the anti-affirmative-action campaign is gaining steam toward their ultimate goal of getting "either the Supreme Court or the Congress to get the policy changed at the national level."

The crux of the argument being debated in the initiatives is whether it's a ban on discrimination or an attack on programs that help women and minorities. Which do you think it is?

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Have You Participated in Class Action Settlements?

SavvySugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:30:50 -0700

It seems there's a class action lawsuit happening at any given moment. Recent cases involving credit reporting and cosmetics have shown that settlement terms from class action suits are favorable to the consumer, but have you ever made a claim to participate?

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Clarence Thomas Says Affirmative Action Is Unconstitutional

CitizenSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:00:16 -0700

The Constitution is colorblind according to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and not just of the red/green variety. Addressing leaders of historically black colleges yesterday, Thomas said, "Just from a constitutional standpoint, I think we're going to run into problems if we say the Constitution says we can consider race sometimes."

He added that African-Americans are better served by programs that don't consider race, than affirmative action. It "has become this mantra and there almost has become this secular religiosity about it. I think it almost trumps thinking." In his autobiography My Grandfather's Son he told with resentment that he felt he was admitted to Yale because of his race, and imposed the most rigorous course load he could just to prove his real worth.

Thomas has voted on the court to outlaw the use of race in college admissions and in determining public school enrollment, and said yesterday, "My suggestion would be to stop the buzz words and to focus more on the practical effect of what we're doing. . . I can tell you when you have fudge words, it leaves a lot of room for mischief. People have a tendency to read their personal opinions into fudge words. You want, when it comes to the issue of race, absolute words."

Are Thomas' words absolute enough for you? Is he right?

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Reminder: Claim Your Free Credit Monitoring Services

SavvySugar — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:00:34 -0700

TransUnion's class action case was settled at the beginning of Summer, and now that the season has come and gone, your chance to get free credit monitoring services is almost up, too. The settlement's terms include most consumers - if you had any open lines of credit (including credit cards and loans) from Jan. 1, 1987, until May 28, 2008, you are eligible to receive free 24-hour credit monitoring from TransUnion for either six or nine months.

You have until Sept. 24 to register for TransUnion's Basic or Enhanced service. For more information or to file a claim, visit the settlement's website or call 866-416-3470.

Cosmetics Class Action Suit: Free Products Up to $25

SavvySugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:00:04 -0700

In a matter of a few months, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Filene's, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue will be giving away $175 million in free cosmetics including makeup and fragrances. This isn't a gesture of generosity but the terms of a class action settlement.

According to The Boston Globe, the department stores and cosmetics companies "conspired to sell products at the manufacturers' suggested price only - never at a discount. It also alleged that special promotions were coordinated in a way that ensured there would be no competition among stores."

The giveaway is projected to begin in January 2009, and consumers can get up to $25 in free merchandise after signing a form stating they purchased products at the particular store between May 29, 1994 and July 16, 2003. No receipt or proof of purchase is necessary and you'll have to get your goods on a first-come, first-served basis. Find a list of product lines available in the giveaway and additional settlement details at the settlement's official website.

Will you be showing up to receive free stuff at the beauty counters?

Source

TransUnion Class Action Suit: Free Credit Monitoring Eligibility

SavvySugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:37:34 -0700

TransUnion, one of the three national credit bureaus, has settled a class action lawsuit with winning terms for credit holding consumers. If you had any open lines of credit from January 1, 1987 until May 28, 2008 you are eligible to receive free 24-hour credit monitoring from TransUnion for up to nine months. Find out what the free service includes and how to file a claim when you read more.

According to CNN, you can choose between TransUnion's Basic and Enhanced services. The Basic (valued at $59.75) comes with six months unlimited access to TransUnion credit reports and your TransUnion credit score, and with this option you're also eligible to receive cash from the settlement fund. The Enhanced (valued at $115.50) doesn't allow you to receive any cash payment, but it comes with nine months unlimited access and provides additional services like your insurance score and a mortgage simulator service.

While the vast majority of creditors rely on the FICO score and not the TransUnion credit score, it can't hurt to be updated on changes in your credit report. For more information or to file a claim, visit the settlement's website or call 866-416-3470.