TresSugar

What's Up With Not Wearing Your Wedding Ring?

DearSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

I'm sure you all noticed - if not that night, by now after seeing all the coverage - that Michelle Obama was not wearing her wedding ring on inauguration night. Since she wore that enormous diamond sparkler on her left middle finger, her wedding band might have been too much, but its absence sure has people talking!

Leaving the symbolic token of marriage at home doesn't necessarily mean anything, but what's your take on giving the ring a rest every once in a while? Would/do you ever do it, or are you the type to wear your rings all the time, no matter the occasion?

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Front Page: Barack Obama Retakes the Oath of Office

LibertySugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:56:53 -0800

President Obama has retaken the oath of office out of an abundance of caution. Chief Justice John Roberts administered a do-over, after words were misplaced on Tuesday. - AP
Caroline Kennedy has withdrawn herself from the race for Hillary Clinton's senate seat. - ABC News
Now that all of their soldiers have been pulled out of Gaza, Israelis are split over the success of the war. - London Times

Two men involved in the tainted-milk scandal, which killed six infants and sickened hundreds, have received a death sentence in China. -Voice of America
Not-yet-confirmed treasury secretary Timothy Geithner said today that strong dollar is in the US interest. He also said that President Obama believes China is manipulating its currency. - Reuters

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Front Page: Obama Dances His Way to First Day in Office

LibertySugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:00:28 -0800

Volunteers, fundraisers, and friends celebrated the inauguration of President Obama last night at numerous inaugural balls. - LA Times
President Obama will tackle the economy and the Iraq war on day one of his presidency. He will meet with his economic team and US military commanders. - International Herald Tribune
The US stock market dropped yesterday, as the Dow Jones had its worse inauguration day decline.- Bloomberg

President Obama has requested the suspension of all military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay, only hours after becoming president. He will now have the opportunity to review the tribunals. - BBC News
Israel will investigate claims that white phosphorous was used during its Gaza offensive. International groups allege that Israel used the weapon, which illuminates targets or creates smoke screens while having the potential to cause serious burns. - AP

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Comparing Bush and Obama's Speeches With Word Clouds

LibertySugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:00:09 -0800

While most of us processed Barack Obama's inauguration speech by assessing our emotional or intellectual reactions, you could also evaluate the speech's place in history by taking a close look at its "word cloud." Words like "nation," "common" and "people" revealed Obama's intention to make a wide appeal, while words like "new" and "forward" look like substitutes for his campaign buzzword "change."

When comparing Bush's 2005 speech (the bottom image here) with Obama's, it's obvious that Obama didn't favor any word as much as Bush favored "freedom." Read Write Web also generated world clouds for Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Abraham Lincoln's inaugural speeches. Bill Clinton went heavy on the words "new" and "century," while "government" dominated Reagan's speech. In Lincoln's first inaugural, the most prominent word was "war."

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Inauguration Uh-Ohs: Food Fights, Drunk VPs, and Fire

LibertySugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:30:28 -0800

President Obama has gone out of his way to echo Lincoln throughout the presidential transition, right down to his inauguration lunch where food the 16th president "would have enjoyed" was served. But not even Abe Lincoln's inauguration went smoothly. What could possibly go wrong? Let's look at what has at inaugurations past.

Andrew Jackson, the president of the people, was followed back to the White House by 20,000 well-wishers looking for ice cream, cake, and lemonade. It turned into a mob that nearly destroyed the White House and forced Jackson to exit through a back door.
A food fight broke out during Lincoln's inaugural supper.
Andrew Johnson, Lincoln's vice president, had come down with a bug on inauguration day, so he drank some whiskey to perk himself up. And then he drank some more! People held their heads in embarrassment while he rambled, drunk, through his speech.

To see the rest, read more.

Someone forgot to turn on the heat at Ulysses S. Grant's inaugural ball. People tripped over one another while dancing in their overcoats, and canaries - brought in to chirp for song - froze to death.
At JFK's inauguration, a lectern caught on fire during the invocation. Then Vice President Lyndon Johnson tripped on the words of his oath, saying "without any mental reservation whatever."
Poet Robert Frost mistakenly dedicated his poem not to John F. Kennedy but to John Findlay. Who? He was a Harvard professor.

So far so good today, but a long night - 10 inaugural balls - awaits the Obamas tonight.

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The National Mall Becomes a Sea of Humans and Hope

CitizenSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:30:09 -0800

While only ex-presidents, first daughters, and powerful lawmakers got the front-row view of Barack Obama's inauguration today, I watched the events on the jumbotron in the shadow of the Washington Monument. In the minutes leading up to noon, the millions of people gathered, citizens of the country and the world, stood on the freezing lawn anxious to witness history.

There were resounding cheers for Bill and Hillary Clinton, and even more for Sasha and Malia. Around me the bright mood dimmed a bit during Rick Warren introduction and more during George W. Bush's. But soon my neighbors' faces filled with expressions of suspense right before Obama was sworn in, hope during the speech, and relief once the transfer of power was complete.

On the way out, the human gridlock tested everyone's goodwill, but luckily I managed to get out safely, walking on eerily car-free highways and past countless Obamabilia vendors. Now it's time to sit back and enjoy the parade!

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Senator Ted Kennedy Taken to the Hospital

CitizenSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:34:47 -0800

The mood of the inauguration celebration dimmed this afternoon, as Senator Ted Kennedy had a seizure during the inauguration luncheon, according to reports. The Senator, who is fighting a brain tumor, apparently remained conscious and able to communicate.

Sen. Robert Byrd, the oldest member of the Senate, had to leave too, apparently because he was so upset after witnessing Kennedy's convulsions. We hope they both recover soon.

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Do Tell: What Does Inauguration Day Mean to You?

DearSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:00:00 -0800

I know today, Inauguration day, means something different to all of us, but it'll most likely be a day we'll all remember for the rest of our lives. It's been a long journey to get here, but now that history has been made, share your feelings about this exciting day with all of us below. No matter what emotions are pumping through your veins, you're not alone!

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Barack Obama Sworn in as President!

CitizenSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:04:54 -0800

The eyes of the world tuned in to watch as Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president this morning just after 12 p.m. EST. Following his oath of office, Obama delivered a touching but frank address that highlighted the challenges the nation faces - particularly the economy - and America's pledge to work with other nations.

Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. . . . For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise healthcare's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

If you missed the address or want a closer read, you can see a full transcript of the speech here. What did you think of Obama's speech?

To see more pictures from the historic ceremony and morning, read more.

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America has witnessed 55 inaugural speeches (43 presidents, plus a dozen two-termers). Test your knowledge of past speeches with our quiz!

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Who's Watching the Inauguration of Barack Obama?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:00:58 -0800

Today America will introduce its 44th President! At noon, Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office to Barack Obama who will swear to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. While 240,000 people have tickets, as many as 4 million will watch Obama become president via jumbotron, along with many more around the US.

And of course - there will be a speech! Considering the opportunity to set the tone of his administration, and the fact that so many people have come to the capitol to witness his inauguration, Obama must be feeling pressure to deliver a moving address. Regardless of the words, the marking of democracy in action and new energy in leadership will likely give Americans inspiration in these tough times.

Will you be watching? You can tune in for live video from Ustream TV and CNN. Tell me if you think Obama lives up to the high expectations!

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