TresSugar

Briefing Book! Bay Area to Become Electric Car Mecca

LibertySugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:30:24 -0800

Energy: Electric car capital of the world? Plans in the works to coat the entire Bay Area with electric-vehicle charging stations by 2012. - SFist
Money: The new public financing system? Barack Obama raised $500 million online during the campaign. - Donklephant
Cheney: How happy should you be about the Cheney indictment. Not that happy if you want something to come from it. - 23/6
Clinton: Would Hillary bring her old-guard foreign policy advisers to the State Department? A look at how they would mesh with Obama. - Talking Points Memo

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Front Page: Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee Arrive Home

TresSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:00:07 -0700

Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee arrived home in California this morning, accompanied by former President Bill Clinton. - CNN
A man who opened fire in a Pennsylvania gym last night, killing four, apparently kept a website chronicling his years of rejection by women. - AP
President Obama has unveiled a $2.4 billion grant program for electric cars. - MSNBC
An Iranian lawmaker said today that the three captured Americans arrested for illegally entering from Iraq are "definitely" spies. -LA Times
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Kenya today spreading a message of free trade and the rule of law. - NY Times

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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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Is Google Searching For Public Policy Answers?

LibertySugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:15:55 -0700

Google wants to get the US economy running on clean energy. This week Google's nonprofit announced a plan to cut the use of fossil fuels in the US before 2030. For $4.4 trillion "Clean Energy 2030" would help end the use of coal and oil to generate electricity. The plan would allow for the use of natural gas and nuclear power, and also calls for cutting oil use in cars by 40 percent. By 2030, however, the net savings would top $1 trillion.

Google's climate and energy technology manager explained the company's motivation:

We can build whole new industries and create millions of new jobs. We can cut energy costs, both at the gas pump and at home. We can improve our national security. And we can put a big dent in climate change. With strong leadership we could be moving forward on an aggressive but realistic timeline and an approach that offsets costs with real economic gains.

Google asserts that the US will have to invest in renewable energy research, upgrade the electricity grid, impose better mileage standards, and build infrastructure such as charging stations for electric vehicles. Should Americans turn to the private sector for leadership on a public issue?

A Pirate's Life For Me! Hijackers Bring Boom to Somalian Towns

LibertySugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:30:35 -0800

In chaotic Somalia, economic stimulus packages come in the form of pirate booty. The country's weak central government cannot stop rogue seamen from hijacking huge commercial ships and demanding millions of dollars in ransom. Right now, these pirates are asking for a record $10 million in exchange for a Saudi oil tanker carrying over $100 million worth of cargo.

Thanks to the surge of cash, pirates bring a surge of commerce most places they go. CNN reports on life in the pirate-centric towns:

Savvy Somalians have created a pirate economy, selling cigarettes, food, and orange soda to pirates coming back to shore daily.
Since pirates often take things without paying, sellers have set up a special credit program for them, hoping to be reimbursed when the ransoms come in.
Formerly destitute towns are now lively centers filled with restaurants, luxury cars, and cyber cafes.
More income has allowed residents to purchase generators that provide day-long electricity, previously unattainable.
Pirates treat their captives well, hiring caterers to cook Western favorites like spaghetti and grilled fish.

Can you think of any way for pirates to channel their capabilities toward positive contributions to Somalian society that doesn't involve pillaging and plundering?

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You Drive Me Crazy? McCain's Car Prize and Obama's Ethanol

CitizenSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:00:32 -0700

John McCain is putting money where his energy mouth is: he's just announced he's proposing a $300 million government prize for the successful development of a car battery that far surpasses existing technology. The prize haul is equal to $1 for every man, woman, and child in the country, which he says is "a small price to pay for helping to break the back of our oil dependency."

If you're thinking about entering, the winning device should deliver power at 30 percent of current costs and have "the size, capacity, cost, and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars." Looking toward rewarding success in finding eco-autos, he's also promoting a Clean Car Challenge that will give US automakers with a $5,000 tax credit for every zero-carbon emissions car they develop and sell.

McCain says of the prize, "In the quest for alternatives to oil, our government has thrown around enough money subsidizing special interests and excusing failure. From now on, we will encourage heroic efforts in engineering, and we will reward the greatest success."

Get out of my dreams, get into my car? Perhaps.

Who's driving Barack Obama's "Pink Cadillac?" To find out, read more.

Last summer Obama was on hand to cut the ribbon at the new VeraSun Energy ethanol processing plant. As a senator from Illinois, the country’s second largest corn-producing state, he delivered a full-throttle endorsement of ethanol as an alternative fuel.
He said that ethanol, “ultimately helps our national security, because right now we’re sending billions of dollars to some of the most hostile nations on earth.” Saying that US oil dependence, "makes it more difficult for us to shape a foreign policy that is intelligent and is creating security for the long term.”

McCain sharply disagrees on the corn-as-fuel plan as well as subsidies for it, saying, “we made a series of mistakes by not adopting a sustainable energy policy, one of which is the subsidies for corn ethanol, which I warned in Iowa were going to destroy the market.” Obama favors the subsidies, some of which inevitably wind up in the hands of the same oil companies he says should be subjected to a windfall profits tax.

Who's driving the better auto alternative? More ethanol? A prize for developing a better battery? Is either plan "Paradise by the Dashboard Light?"

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Fighting the New American Revolution - Energy Independence

CitizenSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:00:26 -0700

The US is gearing up to celebrate Independence Day, the day when citizens vowed to fight against crushing taxes, inflation, and a rising price of necessities - Americans took a stand then against tyranny, and fought. Now as the country picnics and watches fireworks to commemorate that fight, is the situation any different?

Taxes, inflation, cost of necessities - what was once tea, is now Texas Tea - oil, all factors point to another fight. Is energy the new American Revolution? In this new battle for independence, are citizens willing to sacrifice to win freedom from the tyrannous and costly addiction we have to standard forms of energy?

John McCain's plan for a modern energy revolution takes that parallel seriously - he's dubbed his energy revolution the "Lexington Project," named for the town where, according to his speech last week, "Americans asserted their independence once before." To see the battle plan for energy independence, read more.

McCain's Lexington Project includes:

Expanding Domestic Oil And Natural Gas Exploration And Production: "John McCain believes it is time for the federal government to lift these restrictions and to put our own reserves to use. There is no easier or more direct way to prove to the world that we will no longer be subject to the whims of others than to expand our production capabilities."
Taking Action Now To Break Our Dependency On Foreign Oil By Reforming Our Transportation Sector: Which includes innovation incentives like his Clean Car Challenge.

Investing In Clean, Alternative Sources Of Energy: The plan commits $2 billion annually to clean coal technologies and 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030.
Protecting Our Environment By Addressing Climate Change: Basically this: "A climate cap-and-trade mechanism would set a limit on greenhouse gas emissions and allow entities to buy and sell rights to emit, similar to the successful acid rain trading program of the early 1990s."
Promoting Energy Efficiency: By making the federal government conserve too - since they are the largest electricity consumer on the planet.
Addressing Speculative Pricing Of Oil: No Carter-inspired windfall profits tax and strict policing on energy market-wagering abuses.

Will this do it? Is the US headed into a new revolution? Is the US ready to wage a war for energy independence? Is it time for a Boston SUV party?

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Shady Justice? Court Says Blocking Solar Panels Is Illegal

LibertySugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:00:34 -0700

In an epic showdown of redwood trees and solar panels, two environmentally-conscious families from Northern California met in criminal court for a battle of the shade. One electric car-owning family complained that their Prius-driving neighbors had redwood trees that were preventing the sun from hitting their solar panels. This is not an episode of South Park, but an actual proceeding in California criminal court.

The solar panels triumphed, and the convicted tree neighbors were forced to significantly trim decade-old redwoods. Under the Solar Shade Act, owners can be fined up to $1,000 a day for trees that impede solar panels. To see which came first, the solar panels or the shade, read more.

While this appears to be a case unique to California, typical neighbor issues were at play. Over the years, shade from their neighbor's growing trees, prevented the solar family from enjoying their hot tub or growing corn in the backyard. Seeking refuge in the solar law, the family installed the panels, informed the neighbors of the law, and offered to remove and replace the trees. The tree owners didn't want to touch the trees that were there first, so they all ended up in court.

California lawmakers recognize the dilemma. State Senator Joe Simitian has introduced a bill that will allow trees to grow if they were planted before the installation of solar panels.

Which neighbor do you find more sympathetic - the tree huggers or the tree haters?

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Berkeley to Ban Smoking Outside

LibertySugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:00:27 -0700

The notorious Berkeley City Council has been busy. Last night, it moved forward a ban on smoking outside! People caught lighting up on commercially zoned sidewalks will face a $100 fine.

One Berkeley smoker told a local news station:

Out on the sidewalk, you're sucking up more exhaust walking on this street than cigarette smoke. So do we want to go to all electric cars? It's like how invasive is the city of Berkeley going to get into my life?

Really Berkeley, banning smoking outside? I wouldn't be surprised if Berkeley soon outlaws cigarettes all together. Is this law taking the rights of nonsmokers too far? Will more people quit? I wonder how the fine will be imposed on all the homeless people in Berkeley, many of whom smoke on the downtown sidewalks.

On the other side of the country, New York City's crackdown on smoking may have had an unexpected result. The city has gained 10 million pounds since it cut back the right to smoke.

Some call Berkeley's sidewalk ban a free way to improve air quality and lung health, but is there a price to freedom?

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GiggleSugar Reader Spotlight: Phase Kitty

GiggleSugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:00:00 -0800

Phase Kitty is a hard-core Giggle reader and commenter. Her avatar shows a sly looking cartoon girl looking at the world with a smart, sidelong glance. Not too far from PK's personality! Let's meet her now, shall we?

GS: What's your motto?
PK: I live my life by movie quotes: "Ain't no need to watch where I'm goin', just need to know where I've been." Ah, the wisdom we can learn from a talking tow truck (that would be Mater from Cars). Also, this was my quote in my senior yearbook: "Always put the individual ahead of their actions." That one's hard sometimes, but it's sound advice from my favorite movie, Chasing Amy.

GS: Where are you from?
PK: Good ole tiny Delaware. A two hour drive from end to end and whenever you run into someone else from there the first question you ask is, "What high school did you go to?" At least I grew up in the largest city - Wilmington. It was actually sort of nice because it's reasonable driving distance from Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and New York City, which made for some really cool field trips in school. But I left it all for film school in New York and then moved to SoCal where you can currently find me. So, ya know, I get around

GS: What do you do?
PK: I'm a production secretary in production offices for films. Sure, it sounds glamorous, but I spend all day at a desk and rarely see the set. My job is freelance from movie to movie and I never know what my next one will be or when. Fortunately, I've gotten to work on some pretty cool flicks, and I'm on IMDB. I do get to meet and work with some cool people that would make you all super jealous (I don't like to brag, tee hee ), but it's one of the least creative things that you can do in this industry. And it can be either really busy or really slow - there's not usually an in between, so I often need something to pass the time (hello, Sugar Network )

GS: How would you describe your sense of humor?
PK: I owe a lot of my humor to me best friend and college roommate. We complemented each other when it came to humor, even if we were the only ones laughing. We both had very demanding majors (I know film production doesn't seem demanding, but trust me it is . . . and she was an electrical engineering major), so we used to just laugh in the face of all our work and go crazy under the pressure. There's just too much photographic evidence of us doing stupid things - for instance, we had a coffin in our dorm for a few days (film prop . . . kinda creepy, right?) and she was Wonder Woman for Halloween that year, so why wouldn't we stage photos of a Wonder Woman suicide over pictures of Superman with Louis? Yeah, okay, we were geeks who procrastinated to the extreme, but we found ourselves seriously funny. Now we're on separate coasts, but we still giggle over our ridiculousness

GS: What's your favorite GiggleSugar post?
PK: I love the zombie kid that likes turtles because I like turtles too! I know where you're coming from, man! I'm also a big, big fan of Sign Language. Something about stupid grammar and badly-worded sentences just crack me up.

GS: Who's the cutest funny man and funny woman?
PK: I think Shia LaBeouf is not only a little hottie, but one funny guy. He's also becoming a very talented actor, and while I love him in his serious stuff like Disturbia and A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, he was really funny on Even Stevens and always let's his goofy side shine through in his flicks. Amanda Bynes is adorable and hysterical! I've loved her since she was like nine and on All That, and I will confess to owning a copy of She's the Man.

GS: Who are your favorite male and female comedians?
PK: I've always been a huge Jim Carrey fan - I had all his movie posters on my walls when I was younger and I called it "Carrey Corner." Okay, I was a tad over the top, but when I was a kid I got really into stuff. I was an only child, let's blame it on that. Seriously though, his comedies aged with me. When I was younger, my favorite movie of his was Dumb and Dumber. Then when I got a bit older he did more serious comedies like The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I'll see anything with him in it. As for females - I've always been a big Whoopi Goldberg fan. Maybe because my mom used to watch Jumping Jack Flash all the time, but I also really liked the Sister Act movies and Corrina, Corrina. She was one of my favorite Oscar hosts, too.

GS: What's your favorite comedy of all time?
PK: Oh wow, this is hard! I'm a big fan of all things kiddie, so movies like Iron Giant and Lilo and Stitch are definitely two of my faves and never fail to make me laugh. I also love Kevin Smith comedies. Chasing Amy is my favorite movie of all time, but Mallrats, Clerks, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back will also have me rolling. Okay, clearly that's more than one, but film school snobs get a pass on the favorite-movies question

GS: If your life were a comedy, what would it be?
PK: Probably something really quirky and weird like Garden State or Lost in Translation. In fact, a lot of people told me that watching Garden State reminded them of me, because Sam (Natalie Portman's character) and I are very similar. Apparently we have the same quirks. Except for that whole epilepsy thing. And I'm pretty sure I have my compulsive lying reasonably under control

GS: Do you look like someone famous?
PK: When we were both around 16 or so, Britney Spears and I had similar hair styles, and people used to tell me I looked like "that cute pop singer." It horrifies me now to think that people used to say I looked like her. Thankfully, I think I'm aging a little better probably because my diet's slightly more balanced than just Starbucks and Cheetos.

Phase Kitty Free-For-All: I'm really just a big kid. I love cartoons, video games, and comic books. I still love movies and see them all the time despite the fact that I'm slightly tainted by working in Hollywood. I read a lot, I watch way too much TV, and I live in LA with my goofball of a boyfriend who has the cheesiest sense of humor I've ever known. It's cute . . . most of the time. I have an adorable basset hound puppy named Brando, after the late great Marlon Brando, and a tortoise that's been with me since college named Terry, after the late great Marlon Brando's best character, Terry Malloy from On the Waterfront. I guess you can say I like Marlon Brando (GS: I'm with you on this one, PK!)

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(Phase Kitty, with boyfriend at Comic-Con, with roommate, with friends in a coffin (!), Amanda Bynes, Shia La Boeuf, Jim Carrey, Brando the pup, Terry the tortoise)

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