TresSugar

Answer to Crime? Keep People Off the Streets With Curfews?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:00:30 -0700

It's just like being a teenager, except your parents are the police! And instead of grounding, they can put you in jail! Curfews are popping up in tons of places, aimed at controlling crime. With goals similar to the police checkpoints in Washington DC, the newest towns getting an early bedtime: Helena, Arkansas and Hartford, Connecticut.

Sparked by violence, Helena, AR has implemented a 24-hour curfew in a troubled neighborhood, questioning all passers by. The city council voted unanimously to allow police to expand the program to any area of the city, despite ACLU claims that the police action is unconstitutional. The patrols have resulted in 32 arrests since they locked down the 10-block radius. The council acknowledges the hardship of the curfew but says those living in the city want the random and drug-fueled shootings to stop, regardless of what it takes.

To see what's happening in Hartford, and whether it actually works, read more.

Hartford, CT has a youth curfew scheduled to begin today, aimed at stopping gang violence. For one month, all juveniles have to be in by 9 p.m. After a parade Saturday left one dead, a 7-year-old shot in the head, and a 15-month-old shot in the leg, Hartford's mayor says, "we must do this because we cannot and will not tolerate innocent people, especially children, to be victims." The ACLU says the curfew blatantly violates the civil rights of minors.

With similar youth rules in Rochester, NY, and the rule's efficacy being questioned in Philadelphia, PA, (more crime happens right after school) is a curfew a good way to combat crime - or a crime against civil rights?

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Do Tell: What Was Your High School Curfew?

DearSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Ever since I read that happily married parents tend to be stricter parents, I've been polling all my friends about what their high school curfews were. From my very unscientific research, most everyone had a curfew of 11 p.m. or midnight once they got their driver's licenses, though lots of my friends were completely curfew-less by age 18. How about you? What was your curfew growing up? When did you no longer have a curfew? And what curfew would you give your teenager?

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Stable Couples Are Stricter Parents

DearSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Are your parents still living in wedded bliss? If so, then you may have them to blame for your early curfew on prom night. According to a fascinating piece of research recently published in the Wall Street Journal, parents in loving relationships often set more rigorous rules for their kids.

According to the story:

Parents who are involved in stable romantic relationships with spouses or partners tend more than other parents to set rules limiting teen dating behavior, such as curfews, minimum ages for dating, limits on places teens can go and explicit rules against sexual activity . . . While the reason isn't clear, the author suggests these parents may hold more conservative beliefs in general; many of the rules involved sexuality.

Of course, this isn't a hard and fast rule; maybe you had happily married parents who were also happy-go-lucky with dating rules. Keep in mind that the study, conducted by a professor at McDaniel College in Maryland, is pretty small: the survey sample involved just 169 parents and 102 teens.

But the conclusions make a lot of sense to me. I definitely had some friends in high school whose parents were very strict, and now that I think about it, those were also the parents who maintained happy marriages! What do you think? Does this ring true based on your own high school experience?

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Front Page: Curfew Violators Face Violence, Oil and Global Markets Dip, Supreme Court Back in Session

CitizenSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:58:48 -0700

Curfew Violators Face Violence:
Police in Kashmir have warned they will shoot any violators of a curfew imposed in Kashmir ahead of a huge, planned independence rally. Some Muslim protesters are ignoring the curfew to denounce Pakistani President Zardari who said the Islamic militants fighting Indian rule are "terrorists." Pakistan has previously supported anti-Indian militants and has fought two wars with India over Kashmir.

Oil and Global Markets Dip:
The price of oil has fallen to an eight-month low price of $90 a barrel. The drop in price reflects the concern over the financial crisis which could drive a drop in demand for oil. Meanwhile, European and Asian stocks slid at opening amid growing fears that the crisis is spreading as European governments hurry to prop up two of their own lenders.

Supreme Court Back in Session:
The Supreme Court begins a new term today with their first task a dispute over federal regulation of cigarettes and whether smokers can sue over allegedly deceptive advertising of "light" cigarettes. The justices had 2,000 appeals to wade through before selecting 10 to hear. The court's term begins by law on the first Monday in October.

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Front Page: Curfew After India Blasts, China Quake Toll 15,000, Attack in Spain Blamed on ETA, Bush in Israel

CitizenSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 06:58:35 -0700

Curfew After India Blasts: After a series of bomb blasts killed 63 and left 200 wounded yesterday authorities have imposed a curfew in the old city in Jaipur in western India. The blasts happened near historic monuments and the head of state police is calling it a terrorist attack. Police have detained a number of people for questioning, though no suspects or motives have yet been determined.

China Quake Toll 15,000: Nearly 15,000 people have died in the devastating earthquake that hit China according to media. Estimates say more than 25,000 are still trapped in the rubble two days after the 7.9 quake struck. Sichuan's Vice-Governor said preliminary figures suggested 14,463 people were dead, another 14,051 were missing, 25,788 were buried in the debris and 64,746 had been injured. One town, Yingxiu, was hit harder than expected - out of the town's population of 10,000, only 2,300 have been found alive.
Attack in Spain Blamed on ETA: A bomb exploded in Spain early today outside a police barracks killing one policeman and wounding four others. Local authorities have blamed the incident on the violent Basque separatist group ETA. A spokesman for the Socialist Party in the Basque region, said, "ETA has hurt us terribly this morning with this horrible attack. But the group is weaker than ever and we will win in the end."
Bush in Israel: President Bush arrived in Israel this morning. It's the first stop on a five-day, three-country Middle East tour marking the 60th anniversary of Israel’s founding as well as encouraging progress in peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians. Referring to Israel's democratic government Bush said, “what’s happened here is possible everywhere.”

Handle This: He's Out Almost All Night

DearSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Since your boyfriend is heading out for a night with a buddy, you decide to take advantage of having your shared apartment to yourself, assuming he won’t be home until 2 a.m. But when you wake up at a half past three and there’s still no sign of him, you’re concerned and call his cell phone. When he doesn't answer, you start to become a mix of worried and annoyed.

He rolls in just after four, and you’re still awake waiting for him. When you confront him about staying out so late, he starts getting defensive, and claims he shouldn’t have a “curfew.” His response just made you more angry, so how would you handle this?

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Front Page: US to Send $1 Billion to Georgia, New Orleans Residents to Return, North Korea Reassembling Nukes

CitizenSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:01:11 -0700

US to Send $1 Billion to Georgia:
The Bush administration is set to announce $1 billion in aid to help Georgia rebuild after its conflict with Russia last month. The package reflects an increase of support from the administration. In addition, Vice President Cheney has visited the region, and the aid and visit will probably increase tension with Russia.

New Orleans Residents to Return:
Mayor Ray Nagin has given New Orleans residents the go-ahead to return to their homes tomorrow - at their own risk. A curfew will still be in effect, and many homes are without electricity or working toilets. Nagin said, "It's my humble opinion that the city is still in a very, very vulnerable state." 800,000 people are still without power in the state.

North Korea Reassembling Nukes:
North Korea has begun to reassemble its main nuclear facility saying the US has delayed its removal from the list of terror sponsors. In response, Washington has reiterated its condition that North Korea commit to a plan verifying the accounting of the nuclear program submitted in June. The US is talking to North Korean officials to "look for solutions."

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Front Page: Gustav Spares New Orleans, Thailand Declares Emergency, McCain Raises $47 Million

CitizenSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:56:08 -0700

Gustav Spares New Orleans:
Hurricane Gustav, thought Sunday to exceed the strength of Katrina, largely spared New Orleans. The city's improved levee system and mandatory evacuation order and curfew helped keep damages low. The storm was responsible for eight deaths in the US and 94 people in the Caribbean. Residents are expected to be able to return in the next few days.

Thailand Declares Emergency:
Thailand's Prime Minister has declared a state of emergency today to try to restore order after overnight clashes between protesters and government supporters left one dead and 43 injured. Though the prime minister wants to end the violence "softly," the military has power to suspend civil liberties, ban public gathering, and bar the media from reporting news that "causes panic."
McCain Raises $47 Million:
John McCain raised $47 million in the month of August, more than double his previous best month. $10 million in donations have come in since he announced Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. The amount comes close to Barack Obama's take for July at $51 million. At the end of the convention, the Republican campaign will get $84 million in public financing.

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This Week With DearSugar

DearSugar — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Ever heard of the A-spot? If not, you might be surprised by what it stands for!
Are you into reading romance novels?
Do you believe in relationship karma?
What do pregnancy dreams mean?
Insecure Indy needs to know if her boyfriend is trying to tell her something by buying an apartment without her. What do you think?
Why do you think people still engage in unsafe sex?
What did summer camp mean to you?
If you meet someone new this weekend, check out my tips on how to avoid the phone obsession while you wait for his call!
Do you think it's a good idea or a bad idea to merge all your money after getting married?
Be honest - do you ever lie about your age?
Do you know everything there is to know about pregnancy tests? Take this quiz and find out!
What should you do with the ring after a broken engagement?
What was your curfew growing up?
Is your significant other set in his mother's ways?

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Giggle Links

GiggleSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700

The five dumbest things you could buy on SkyMall. - SkyMall
Some people didn't find this prank very funny. - Fly Derrie-air.
OMG. Live webcam showing lion and her cubs! - ATVS
Floppy Drive plays Imperial March. - Stupid Videos
This douche just scored his date an earlier curfew. - College Humor
Fast-food loving a-hole continues to dhdufyfbejdnmxckxioehbfjs across the country. - eBaum's World
Remember the mud-fearing piglet? We now have video footage! - CNN
Captain Gullible is here solely for his friends' amusement. - Break