PopSugar

Sarah Sets New World Record For 100 Meter Dash!

PetSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:00:03 -0700

Cheetahs have long been hailed as the zippiest land mammal but just how speedy can these big cats go? Naturally, it's likely that cheetahs run as fast in the wild but Sarah, the pretty feline pictured here, set a new record for a recent race in Ohio. See the "course" and learn how her physical feline characteristics helped her reach a top finish time when starting this slideshow.

View Slideshow ›

Take Your President-Elect-to-Work Day! Obama Tours Factory

LibertySugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:00:08 -0800

Bringing back memories of life on the campaign trail, Barack Obama emerged from his stints in Chicago, Hawaii, and Washington, to meet with factory workers in Ohio. Obama toured a wind turbine factory, and also held a townhall meeting with the workers to discuss the economy and job creation.

By heading to the Ohio factory, Obama was looking for more than a photo op. He wants Congress too pass a two-year economic stimulus plan to address the crisis. He told the workers: “We’re looking to create good jobs that pay well and won’t be shipped overseas.” As for how, yesterday the House of Representatives unveiled its $825 billion economic recovery plan, which would include $550 billion in spending and $275 for business and family tax cuts.

Considering the high unemployment rate, and news today that Circuit City's closure will cost 30,000 more jobs, let's hope Obama has some good ideas.

View 5 Photos ›

Source

Front Page: Taiwan Arrests Its Former Leader

CitizenSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:00:06 -0800

The ex-president of Taiwan was detained by his country's police on charges of corruption and money laundering today. The defiant Chen Shui-bian raised his handcuffed hands above his head while shouting “Long live Taiwanese independence."- New York Times
In his White House meeting with Barack Obama, President Bush indicated that he would support another economic stimulus package, which includes aid to the auto industry, if the Democrats stopped opposing the Colombian free-trade agreement. - International Herald Tribune
Somalian pirates captured a Philippines chemical tanker, carrying 23 crew members, marking the 83rd hijack in Somalian waters this year. - Associated Press

After the Mars Lander ran out of batteries last week thanks to a dust storm, NASA announced that the mission has ended. - CNN
The surrogate grandmother in Ohio that gave birth to her triplet grandchildren last month, told Good Morning America that she is feeling fine, and was happy to serve as his daughter's surrogate at the age of 56. - Associated Press

Voting Case: Supreme Court Rules Against Ohio GOP

LibertySugar — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:00:24 -0700

The Supreme Court dealt a blow to a Republican Ohio strategy this past Friday. The Court threw out Ohio Republicans' request for Ohio's secretary of state to provide county elections boards with the names of newly registered voters whose voter registration forms do not match DMV records exactly.

The Supreme Court overturned a lower court decision to require the state to set up a chaotic system that would make it easier for officials to challenge prospective voters with mismatched info. Thus, the Supreme Court decreased the likelihood that as many as 660,000 newly registered voters would be disenfranchised on election day. And guess who one of those voter could have been - Joe the Plumber! His name is misspelled in Ohio state records!

The case reveals that whether we like it or not, voting procedures can be favored or despised by either political party. It would seem that far before elections, Americans could agree on fair, nonpartisan, rules for voting, and then be content with competing for each vote based on the issues and the candidates. Yet, in American politics, every advantage, even trying to challenge or change the rules, is pursued.

Source

Voting Starts Today in OH - What's Your Registration Status?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:51:05 -0700

While election day is still 35 days out (who's counting?) today marks the day Ohio residents can start casting their ballots. The opening of the flood gates comes just a day after Ohio courts ruled that new voters can register and cast an absentee ballot on the same day. Both candidates have been in the state, raising a little Buckeye and enthusiasm for their campaigns ahead of bringing on the vote. If you're holding a ballot in your hand and you're still not sure, Google has a rad (yep, I said it. Rad.) tool to help you search quotes from the candidates by subject. Go play and learn!

Ohio isn't the only state allowing early voting. States like IA, VA, NV, NM, and NC, all allow early and absentee voting. For some, the question isn't when to vote, it's are they registered - for a bunch of reasons. In Houston, some groups are calling for an extended deadline following Hurricane Ike - lots of voters are more worried about where to sleep, than if they're registered.

Are you similarly concerned about the deadline to register, and whether you are or not? You're in luck! The deadline is quickly approaching - check out the list from Rock the Vote to see when your state falls. Saturday, October 4 has deadlines for RI, SC, and WA. Put it on your list of things to do! Think you might be registered but want to check? VotePoke will tell you.

Source

Crackdown on Tickling: Will Rules For Priests Stop Abuse?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:00:21 -0700

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has released the most comprehensive list of rules to date addressing behavior between priests and children. Among other changes is the requirement of those who have contact with kids to get background checks. Victim advocates support the new rules but realize they're not a panacea. Specific rules also address conduct and communication through touch.

On the list of appropriate touches: side hugs, pats on the head, holding hands during prayers. Inappropriate moves include bear hugs, kissing, lap-sitting, and tickling.

The sexual abuse scandals have haunted the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI has been including apology outreach as part of nearly every official trip, from Boston to Australia.

The new rules are similar to those teachers already have to abide by, with rising teacher/student scandals causing states to crackdown as well. Should religious figures be considered in the same realm as secular adult/child relationships? Will outlining what's appropriate stop abuse, or is it just a bunch of words?

Source

Jury Awards $11 Million Payout to Neighborhood Denied Water

CitizenSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:00:32 -0700

Imagine one family with 10 children sharing two tubs of water between them on bath night. Imagine a neighborhood where residents either pay for private wells to be dug, haul water from cisterns, or collect rain water to be able to drink, cook, and bathe.

In your mental image, what year is this happening? What country is this taking place?

Did you say Columbus, OH, up until 2003? No!? Oh, yes, it's true - and the 67 plaintiffs denied public water service from 1956 up until five years ago have just been awarded $15,000 to $300,000 after civil rights attorneys sued and won a discrimination case in which residents of a mostly black neighborhood were denied public water service. The award totals $11 million.

The residents of the Coal Run neighborhood went without public water for decades. One resident says, "As a child, I thought it was normal because everyone done it in my neighborhood. But I realized as an adult it was wrong." The money will compensate the plaintiffs for pain and suffering as well as monetary losses. To see the defense's argument, read more.

The defense that the plaintiffs were offered water years ago but refused services and that the case was a chance for out-of-town lawyers to make money from what they knew would be a generous cash settlement. And because many county residents - including commissioners, judges, and other local officials - are also not tied into the public water system, race played no part in the lack of services.

The Ohio Attorney General says, "this decision speaks firmly about the importance of treating citizens with equal respect, regardless of race."

Source

Will There Be a Madame Vice President Not Named Hillary?

LibertySugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Three women, none named Hillary Clinton, are on Politico's short list of potential Barack Obama running mates. They include: Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill.

They all bring red state credentials, have avoided focusing on gender during their campaigns, and are not considered polarizing figures by Republicans in their home states.

For some background info on each potential running mate, read more.

From the article:

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius: Sebelius, who won the governorship two times with a Republican runningmate, knows how to win over Republicans. She also has some serious swing state cred - her father was a two-term governor in Ohio.
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano: Napolitano is an extremely politically savvy former federal prosecutor. She has managed to address controversial issues like immigration, while protecting her popularity.
Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill: McCaskill probably is a long shot, considering she is a Senator like Obama, but she has proven her ability to appeal to rural Missourian voters. Her populist flavor may help Obama appeal to voters that were inclined to vote for Clinton.

As obnoxious as it is, I'm not convinced the Democrats are willing to place their bets on a "two firsts" ticket. But, maybe Barack will appeal to Hillary's base by tapping a well qualified and otherwise strategically useful woman for the VP spot. Should these demographics be considered at all when choosing a Vice Presidential candidate?

Source

Boy Sells Bike For Clinton While She Soars in Swing States

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A new poll shows that Clinton is stronger than Obama in the swing states. Clinton significantly beats John McCain in Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, while Obama trails McCain in two of the three swing states.

Does the new poll give Hillary a persuasive reason to fight on, or is it more proof that she should get out and let Obama increase his support in these regions? Are you inspired by young Dalton's enthusiasm or bummed that he sold his possessions to make a minimal dent in Hillary's debt?

Source

Your Lawn a Pain in the Grass? Can a Green Yard Be "Green"?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 09:00:41 -0700

You might think a lawn a la Mother Nature is more ecologically friendly than a plastic patch of grass. After all, it’s natural and biodegradable - so of course it’s greener (on both sides of the fence). But even that may now be debatable.

Turn the sprinkler on these numbers: the average American lawn takes about 21,600 gallons of H20 to maintain every year. This water drain especially sucks in arid regions (Arizona, New Mexico and Texas) where sod and the necessary water just disappear into the sand beneath.

Another eco-bruise is gas-powered mowers. A 2001 study by Stockholm University revealed that one hour of mowing has the same smog output of driving 93 miles. (!!!) Most lawn mowers don't have a catalytic converter, which would reduce their smog output by 20 percent.

But real lawns aren’t all bad news. According to a 2005 NASA survey, the United States has roughly 40 million acres of manicured lawns, which act as huge carbon sponges soaking up about 13.2 million pounds of carbon dioxide each year. (Though the study’s authors also speculate that figure is negated by the effort to maintain them.)

Think the eco-answer is just not using your lawn mower? Not unless you want to see jail time. In Canton, OH residents might face a fine of up to $250 and up to 30 days in prison if they let their lawns grow eight inches or higher. The reason for the crackdown? The city is trying to create stricter enforcement - with the climbing number of foreclosures, empty lots are decreasing neighboring property values.

Is keeping your lawn they way you'd like (short, long, or fake) none of the neighbor's business? Have you changed your grassy ways?

Source