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Most Shocking Headlines of 2008: Eliot Spitzer’s Fall From Grace

CitizenSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:01:22 -0800

Former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer won CitizenSugar readers' pick for favorite political scandal, and it's easy to see why: His fall from grace tale is the stuff of Law and Order plotlines. In March, details emerged that suggested Spitzer spent tens of thousands of dollars on the NY call-girl service Emperors Club VIP, some putting the figure as high as $80,000. Days later he admitted to his part in the ring - turning him from just another governor to a media sensation. Here's a look back at the scandalous story. Source

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New York Weighs Tax on Non-Diet Soda

LibertySugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:01:00 -0800

Tough times have hit state governments, and as a result New York's Gov. Paterson plans to put his state's budget on a diet by cutting funding of education and health care. But he's also hoping lean measures can raise money - the governor wants to tax non-diet soda, that he claims will bring in $404 million for the state.

Other revenue-raising ideas include: requiring new license plates, reinstating sales tax on clothing purchases, and requiring Indian retailers to collect taxes on sales to non-Indians. Paterson has to get creative if he wants to reduce the $12.5 billion state budget deficit.

If New York is going to tax soda, should it just go all the way and tax regular and diet?

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SNL Mocks NY Governor's Blindness - Does It Cross the Line?

LibertySugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:00:44 -0800

Being the butt of an SNL parody usually means a politician has secured national recognition, but NY Governor David Paterson was none too pleased when the show mocked his blindness this weekend. In the sketch, the New York governor is lambasted for his past drug use, extramarital affair, and the fact that he's legally blind. Paterson, who said he can take a joke, reacted to the sketch today calling it:

A "third-grade depiction of people and the way they look" that could lead others to believe that "disability goes hand in hand with an inability to run a government or business. I run the place I work in, so I don't have to be worried about being discriminated against."

Do you agree with Gov. Paterson that such a depiction could lead to discrimination of the blind?

Another Senator Kennedy? Caroline Could Get Hillary's Seat

LibertySugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:30:49 -0800

While I'm dying to know who's your favorite woman in power of 2008, a well-known female might soon jump from prominent to powerful. Rumor has it that New York Governor David Paterson has talked to Caroline Kennedy about filling Hillary Clinton's Senate seat.

Caroline wouldn't be the first Kennedy to fill that seat - her uncle Robert F. Kennedy served as the senator from New York.

Until recently, Caroline typically shunned public attention. But this year we saw her run Barack Obama's VP selection team, and she appeared with her uncle Teddy at an Obama rally while the candidate was still fighting a bitter primary battle with Hillary Clinton. Would you like to see another Senator Kennedy?

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Binghamton Gunman Kills At Least 12 People and Himself

CitizenSugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:35:51 -0700

A gunman at the American Civic Association building in Binghamton, NY, killed 12 or 13 people, before taking his own life today. Citizenship classes were scheduled for the day. Details are still coming out, but it appears the man was a young male.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

New York governor David Paterson held a press conference recently, saying: "I speak for all of New York when I offer my prayers for the victims and families of this tragedy." Our thoughts go out to them, too.

Front Page: FDA Makes Way For Human Stem Cell Therapy

CitizenSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 06:25:25 -0800

The FDA has authorized the world's first tests of human embryonic stem cell therapy, marking a political shift. A California biotechnology company will begin a clinical trial using stem cells to regrow nerve tissue in patients with spinal cord injury.- Reuters
Two-term Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand will be the next senator from New York, as multiple sources say Gov. David Paterson has chosen her to replace Hillary Clinton. - CNN
The classical music played by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriella Montero, and clarinetist Anthony McGill at the inauguration was prerecorded, not live. - AP

Israel's government has assemble a team responsible for defending Israel against any charges of war crimes stemming from the Gaza offensive. A UN human rights expert called for an independent investigation Thursday. - Voice of America
Pro-life advocates rallied outside the Supreme Court yesterday during the March for Life, an event which has taken place every year since 1974, the year following Roe v. Wade. - LA Times

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Governor Eliot Spitzer Resigns!

CitizenSugar — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:48:55 -0700

In an announcement moments ago in New York City, Eliot Spitzer resigned saying, "In the past few days I've begun to atone for my private failings," adding, "from those to who much is given, much is expected." He continued, "I sincerely apologize . . . I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the public's work," concluding, "I am resigning the office of governor . . . effective Monday, March 17. . . thank the public once again for the privilege of service."

In the two days since the story of Spitzer's connection to a prostitution ring broke, details have emerged that suggest, according to law enforcement officials, that Spitzer had spent tens of thousands of dollars on the call-girl service Emperors Club VIP, some putting the figure as high as $80,000.

David Paterson, New York's Lieutenant Governor, will take over. He is legally blind and will be New York State's first African-American governor. When asked for lessons these characteristics had taught him, Paterson replied, "You never get to any level of leadership where your race is not a factor. You don't want to be the first; you want to be the first of many."

To see the actual resignation, read more.

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Seven Years Later: The World Remembers September 11, 2001

CitizenSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:50:22 -0700

Just last week, construction workers erected the first steel column on the site where the north tower once stood. Building a museum and memorial on the former World Trade Center site, and despite setbacks, it's set to be completed on the tenth anniversary, in 2011.

The beams of the memorial will carry the signatures of tens of thousands of people. A project taking the beams to 25 states culminates in New York, with signings being held today and tomorrow, and a collection of notes of hope to be preserved in the new museum.

Michael Bloomberg spoke to the delays in an op-ed in yesterday's Wall Street Journal saying:

We will now push the Port Authority to make two concrete commitments. Most important, the memorial must be completed by the 10th anniversary. No more excuses, no more delays. New York Gov. David Paterson and I are in complete agreement on this subject, and it's time for the PA to formally commit to the same goal. . . realizing our vision, without further delay, of Lower Manhattan as a global financial center, a dynamic family neighborhood, and a peaceful and inspiring place of reflection and remembrance.

How will you mark the day of quiet reflection?

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