TresSugar

Obama Deserves Bush's Silence, but Canada Doesn't

CitizenSugar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:30:23 -0700

President Bush got back in the speech saddle this week, telling an invitation-only crowd in Canada that he doesn't plan on attacking his successor because Obama deserves his silence.

Apparently content with letting Cheney do the criticizing, Bush said:

There's plenty of critics in the arena, I think it's time for the ex-president to tap dance off the stage and let the current president have a go at solving the world's problems. If he wants my help and I agree with him, I'll give it.

Bush said that Obama can "pick up the phone and call" if he wants Bush's advice. Though I doubt Bush is waiting by his phone. Instead, he will be writing a book about the 12 toughest decisions he made as president.

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Americans Heart Canada the Most - What's Your Favorite Country?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:00:54 -0800

Nine in 10 Americans have a favorable opinion of Canada, making the northern neighbor America's most favored nation! According to a new Gallup Poll only 6 percent of Yankees hold an unfavorable view of Canucks. Judging from President Obama's warm reception last week in Ontario, the friendly feeling is mutual. Check out which other countries fill out the top-five list of Americans' favorite countries! Source

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"O" Canada - Obama Receives Warm Welcome Up North

LibertySugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:30:44 -0800

It may be chilly in Canada, but President Obama's welcome was anything but. Chants of "Yes we can!" seem to follow the US president everywhere he goes, even on his first trip abroad!

Obama will stay north of the border for only a few hours. During his meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Obama likely discussed trade, Afghanistan, the financial crisis, and the environment. Harper told his American guest: "It’s a great honor to have you here on your first visit. We really appreciate it."

To see more photos of Obama, and the Canadians who appreciate him, read more.

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Bush to Speak in Canada - Would You Pay to Listen?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:01:16 -0800

Former president Bush has come back on the radar, but this time north of the border. The retired leader will deliver his first public appearance since leaving office in Calgary, Canada on March 17. Bush has taken life pretty easy since Jan. 20, hanging around the ranch to focus on what he calls his "new domestic agenda."

The upcoming private event, billed as "A conversation with George W. Bush" will highlight his "eight momentous years in the Oval Office." Bush will also discuss “the challenges facing the world in the 21st century."

The group sponsoring the event reportedly paid Bill Clinton $150,000 for a speech in 2006. Do you think Bush's speeches will be as lucrative? Would you pay to hear what he had to say?

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Polygamist Leader Calls His Arrest Religious Prosecution

LibertySugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:30:06 -0800

The leader of a polygamous community in Canada says authorities are engaging in religious persecution by charging him with practicing polygamy.

Winston Blackmore claims there are tens of thousands of polygamists across Canada, but that his religious sect is being targeted and authorities are disregarding his right to religious freedom. He told the media: "This is not about polygamy, to us this is about religious persecution.

Authorities arrested both Blackmore, 52, and another man with polygamous factions in British Columbia. Blackmore is charged with marrying 20 women (that's a lot more than anyone on Big Love!) and Oler is accused of marrying two women. The case will be the first test of Canada's polygamy laws.

Photo courtesy of HBO

Front Page: US Unemployment Rate Jumps to 6.7%

CitizenSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:00:10 -0800

The US jobless rate spiked to 6.7 percent in November, marking the 11th straight month of job loss and the greatest since 1974.- New York Times
Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper successfully suspended Parliament yesterday, avoiding his ousting by the opposition party. In an unprecedented move, Governor General Michaelle Jean, Queen Elizabeth's representative to Canada, agreed to shut down Parliament until Jan. 26. - Reuters

OJ Simpson faces six years to life in prison for his felony kidnapping, armed robbery, and conspiracy convictions. He will be sentenced today in Nevada, and prosecutors have recommended an 18-year sentence. - Reuters
Armed robbers dressed in drag stole $102 million worth of jewels in Paris yesterday from the Harry Winston store. - BBC News

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Obese Air Travelers in Canada Have Right to Free Seat

LibertySugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:30:34 -0800

As a tall woman, I am relieved when the seat next to me on a flight ends up empty, since the space I paid for is painfully too small. As of today, obese people flying Canadian airlines officially have a right to that extra seat, at no extra cost.

The Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear airline objections to the Canadian Transportation Agency's regulation that states that people "functionally disabled by obesity" do not have to pay for an extra seat.

Earlier this year the agency implemented the nondiscrimination "one-person-one-fare" policy because those with severe disabilities had limited traveling opportunities due to the doubled price of travel. Do you think the decision is a blow against discrimination, or the beginning of a slippery slope for troubled airlines?

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Phone Jammers Cut Annoying Chatter and Police Life Lines

LibertySugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:30:00 -0800

Can you hear me now? Probably not, if someone around you has a cell phone jammer, devices that block reception within 10 meters. The discreet gadgets are gaining popularity among theater and restaurant owners, subway riders, and others trying to silence annoying people who talk on the their cell phones in public.

Last month, Canadian police were caught in a jam on a dark highway, when they pulled over suspects carrying a jammer that rendered their radios silent. Luckily, they seized the device, and soon an official warning went out to all Canadian police. In the US first-time offenders can be fined up to $11,000. In addition, the jamming party can be charged with theft, as the airways belong to the companies that purchased them.

The idea of anyone, especially police, entering a dead zone frightens me, but I understand the frustration with obnoxious cell phone chatting. Maybe more countries can start passing cell phone bans, similar to those seen (and not heard) on France's railway or Austria's public transit, while keeping the jammers away from the bad guys.

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States, Provinces to Cap and Trade Sans Federal Governments

LibertySugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Seven western US states and four Canadian provinces have agreed to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 15 percent before 2020. Proud of the Western Climate Initiative, Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger asserted:

We’re sending a strong message to our federal governments that states and provinces are moving forward in the absence of federal action, and we’re setting the stage for national programs that are just as aggressive.

So how will Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec curb climate change? To find out, read more.

The states and provinces will set a mandatory cap on greenhouse gas beginning in 2012. The cap will get smaller every year. All sectors of the economies, from transportation to housing to electricity, will be expected to cut and pay for emissions. Industries, however, will receive allowances for their emissions. One allowance will cover every metric ton of emitted heat-trapping gas, and allowances can be traded on a secondary market.

Are you happy to see the states coming up with climate change alliances, or would it be better if there was a united national plan?

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Total Solar Eclipse Passes Canada, Russia, Welcomes Olympics in China

LibertySugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:15:11 -0700

Canada, Russia, and China saw a total solar eclipse today. The moon passed directly between Earth and the sun, revealing the breathtaking outer atmosphere of the sun, which is made up of super-heated gases. Other locations saw a partial eclipse. The Chinese consider eclipses bad luck; in ancient times they believed that a dragon or dog was swallowing the sun. But the Chinese media dubbed this one the "Olympic eclipse" and broadcasted the astrological event live on national television. Thousands of people watched the eclipse the old-fashioned way, too, by going outside. In Novosibirsk, Russia, 10,000 tourists came to the city to witness it, securing hotels months before. We cannot usually see the outer-atmosphere of the sun, called the corona, because the sun's light is too bright. Check out these stunning pictures of one of nature's most beautiful phenomenas.

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