DearSugar and Shattered Sharon need your help. She's having a hard time putting her breakup behind her, and could use some inspirational words of wisdom from anyone that's experienced a broken heart.
Dear Sugar,
My boyfriend of over three years broke up with me a month and a half ago because he said he didn't love me anymore. While I heard what he said, I'm still stuck at point A. I know I need to move on, but instead, I'm holding out hope. I think about him constantly. I go out and have a fun time, but he's always there in the back of my head and it's affecting my day-to-day life.
We've talked since and he told me that while he cares for me a lot, he wouldn't be true to himself if he stayed in the relationship. I still have unanswered questions in my head: How could he just not love me anymore? Was our relationship a sham from the beginning? Is there someone else? I don't want to be sad anymore, but I just don't know how to move on. Do you have any tips for mending a broken heart? — Shattered Sharon
Change may come to America in the form of new standards in civil rights. On Friday, the US Supreme Court decided that it would hear two cases, one dealing with work discrimination and the other with voting discrimination. Depending on how the court rules later this year, these cases could change the landscape of US civil rights law.
The first case involves Connecticut firefighters who say that even though they scored highest on the exam, they were not given promotions because they were white. Instead, the test was scrapped after no minorities qualified, and the promotions were given to African Americans. The white firefighters have lost their legal battles so far, as lower courts ruled that federal law forbids exams that have a disproportional impact on minorities.
The other law in question, a provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, requires 16 mostly southern states to get federal clearance before making a change to their local voting rules. A lower court ruled last Spring that Congress was reasonable to determine that voting discrimination still persists, thus upholding the clearance requirement.
The election of the first African American president has sent a strong signal that national race relations have changed in the US, but organizations like the NAACP point out that a lot of work remains. Do you think it's time for the Supreme Court to strike down laws that help promote minority working and voting rights?
This feline is pretty damned smooth. He's trapped on the roof. What is he going to do? Jump? Start mewling and call in the firefighters? Just watch this hep cat go. . .
Nevermind that "all you got" is pretty awful. It's the effort that counts, right? I have no idea why Lola Perazzo, performing the "Thriller" dance on the awesome '80s talent show "Stairway to Stardom," didn't make it big. It wasn't for lack of trying! (And a note to all you American Apparel addicts out there — this is where AA's love of Spandex came from. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.)
While Karl Rove and the Bush Administration came under fire for governing in constant-campaign mode, it looks like the shrewd Obama campaign will use some of its tactics to help rule. In hopes of selling a $775 billion stimulus plan to Congress, the Obama team has turned to polling and focus group data. Expect to hear poll-tested language, including "recovery" (not "recession") and "investment" (not "infrastructure"), during Obama's term.
Bloombergreports that public polling by presidents is nothing new. Bill Clinton polled policy details, while George W. Bush tended to poll the presentation only.
Of course, messaging is an important way to pass legislation (for example it's much easier to push a "rescue" plan than a "bailout"); but, focus group feedback probably shouldn't replace in-depth policy research or be used to manipulate the public. Then again, polls and focus groups might be the best way to listen to what the people want!
Temperley London
Ally Capellino
APC