TresSugar

Blagojevich to Reality TV - Yay or Nay?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00:48 -0700

Rod Blagojevich has a new job everybody! Since the whole (alleged) attempt to sell President Obama's Senate seat didn't really work out, Rod has made a deal to star in NBC's new reality show I'm a Celebrity. . . Get Me Out of Here. It's all pending court approval, of course.

The show, which is a big hit in the UK, features 10 celebrities who compete to raise money for their favorite charities. Blagojevich needs the court approval to travel to Costa Rica for filming.

Jury Duty: Do You Want to Get Picked For a Trial?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:00:05 -0700

So, every time I get called for jury duty, I secretly want to be chosen. The first time, I was so excited. Right out of college and nothing to do at my empty job, I was game - at least for the three days I'd get paid. I sat in the jury room all morning, listening to name after name be called. By noon, 20 or so of us sat there, uncalled for. "Just go," we were told.

The next time was two years ago, and I had become jaded enough to cringe at my summons. But once I made it to the courtroom, I totally wanted to be selected. And, I was! For a 17-year-old trip-and-fall case that settled before the trial began. "Never again," I said.

Yesterday I went down to San Francisco's courthouse and was gripped upon hearing I was there for a criminal case. In the moment, I was all "me, me, pick me." I answered a questionnaire (how do you feel about gun possession? not great) and now fear I made myself ripe for the picking. Maybe talking about it here will get me out!

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Should Spain Move Forward With Indicting the "Bush Six?"

CitizenSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:00:26 -0700

Top officials from the Bush administration might not want to travel to Spain any time soon.

A high-level Spanish court has moved toward indicting six former officials, including former Attorney General Roberto Gonzales, for authorizing the torture of five Spanish citizens at Guantanamo Bay prison.

Every country has a right to enforce international law, and this case involves the alleged torture of Spanish citizens. In fact, countries party to 1984 Convention Against Torture (which includes the US and Spain) are obliged to investigate torture cases, especially when a citizen has been abused.

Still, some say the Spanish court is intruding into American affairs. What do you think?

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Should NASA Name Space Station Room After Colbert?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:30:55 -0700

I'm no rocket scientist, but I do know that if you start an open naming contest, fans of Stephen Colbert will quickly beam the comedian to first place. That's what happened to NASA when it decided to ask the public for suggestions on what to name a room in the space station, now called Node 3.

"Colbert" won the contest, but NASA still has the option to reject the write in winner. Tonight, a real-life scientist will go on the Colbert Report to share NASA's decision.

What does Stephen think NASA should do? He said: "Certainly I hope NASA does the right thing. Just kidding. I hope they name it after me."

Glenn Beck's Tactics: Dangerous, Delusional, or Dead On?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:30:01 -0700

By now we all know that Glenn Beck is a little extreme in his rhetoric. Well yesterday he took his impersonation of President Obama to the next level. The Fox News host imitated the president by pouring "gasoline" on an "average American." The manic metaphor was supposed to explain that Barack Obama is setting the American public on fire by apologizing to the "Frenchy French," sort of bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia, hinting toward a change in Cuban policy, taking on immigration, and pushing through his budget. Beck said Obama was "spending money that leads only to slavery."

Take a look, it gets extra intense toward the end, and tell me what you make of it?

Would You Read Meghan McCain's Book?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:00:42 -0700

Who knew Meghan McCain's columns on the Daily Beast were really just practice for her upcoming book? The 24-year-old daughter of John McCain has scored a six-figure book deal.

Meghan's already a published author. She penned a children's book about her father's life last year. And she was a blogette during the presidential campaign.

Meghan's been offering her perspective on a range of topics, including how the Republican Party can become relevant again and the never-ending criticism of women's bodies in the media. Will you read her latest musings?

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HBO Documentary About Obama - Too Soon or Bring It On?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:00:01 -0700

President Obama is a big fan of HBO, and apparently the feeling's mutual.

Sony Pictures has acquired the rights to distribute HBO's documentary By the People: The Election of Barack Obama. The film will play in US theaters, while also being distributed internationally.

The documentary, which follows Obama from the announcement of his candidacy to his inauguration, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the campaign. It includes interviews with campaign staff and aides. I'm sure some 2012 presidential contenders will be watching!

I loved Journeys with George, which chronicled Bush's 2000 campaign, but I have a feeling this one will have less of a home video feel to it. Will you watch?

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Obama: US Not a Christian, Jewish, or Muslim Nation - Agree?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:30:51 -0700

American citizens enjoy both freedom of and freedom from religion. The Constitution forbids a religious requirement for holding office, but also guarantees citizens the freedom to practice their chosen religions. Speaking in Turkey, a predominately Muslim country that works hard to remain secular, President Obama highlighted America's secular strengths. He said yesterday:

I’ve said before that one of the great strengths of the United States is – although as I mentioned we have a very large Christian population – we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation, or a Jewish nation, or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.

Obama praised the idea of a secular country, "respectful of religious freedom, respectful of rule of law, respectful of freedom, upholding these values and being willing to stand up for them in the international stage."

Bush Sees No Post-Power Legacy Bump - How Do You Feel?

CitizenSugar — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 08:00:10 -0700

President Bush said recently that Barack Obama deserved his silence. But that doesn't mean Bush deserves America's approval. Both George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are viewed unfavorably by 63 percent of Americans, a rate that mirrors their low approval ratings during their final years in power.

In fact, Bush's 35 percent approval rating isn't too far off from his all-time low of 32 percent. Bush hasn't been able to regain positive approval ratings since around July 2005, and his time out of the spotlight hasn't helped. At 30 percent, Cheney's current approval rating is even lower than all those figures.

It looks like not even Will Ferrell's Broadway show about Bush could conjure up some feelings of nostalgia in Bush's critics.

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Should Psychologists Treat Patients For Being Gay?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:00:37 -0700

Reading through Slate this week, I came across a challenging piece about treating homosexuality with therapy. According to a new study, one-in-six mental health professionals have tried to change their patients' sexual orientation.

BMC Psychiatry, which published the study, found the results troubling because treating homosexuality as a mental illness can be dangerous. But the Slate piece sees the issue as more complex than this. Personal feelings of sexuality can vary, and perhaps a therapist is in a best position to decide whether to intervene, or not intervene, on an individual basis.

If a person wants to change their sexual orientation in order to fit in with his or her faith, family, or society, should a therapist help?

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