TresSugar

Happy Fourth of July!

GiggleSugar — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:00:00 -0700

GiggleSugar wishes you a happy, safe, and fun Fourth of July! If you get bored and wanna look at cute animal videos or exclusively cute cat videos, just click on those links and have fun!

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Israel Celebrates Its 60th Birthday

LibertySugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:00:29 -0700

Israelis are enjoying their country's 60th birthday this week, with fireworks, flyovers, and flourishing pride. Established after the Holocaust, the thriving Jewish nation still confronts threats to its existence.

As for Israel's Arab minority, which makes up one-fifth of its population - they remain a disadvantaged group. Since Arabs and Jews have been living in separate communities for the past 60 years, the Arab minority does not share the same enthusiasm for Independence Day.

The emergence of a pro-two-state solution Jewish lobby, as well as the presidential elections, are bringing the US's tight relationship with Israel back into the spotlight. Check out Slate's take on what it means today for Americans to be "Pro-Israel." What do you think it means to be Pro-Israel?

And while you're at it, take this quiz to see how much you know about Israel's 60 year history.

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Thousands of Police Circle Kabul Ahead of Independence Day

CitizenSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:15 -0700

According to recent data by the Afghanistan NGO Safety Office, insurgent attacks in Afghanistan have jumped 50 percent in the first half of 2008. The stats are prompting more strenuous efforts on behalf of NATO and Afghan police to counter Taliban resistance, the latest of which has claimed 88 lives. In response, 7,000 police have set up checkpoints to secure the nation’s Independence Day celebration in an unprecedented show of force.

Taliban violence is rising across Afghanistan including a deadly attack on a NATO convoy, attacks on police, and roadside bombings. The violence indicates that the Taliban is gaining footholds in the provinces surrounding Kabul. Hamid Karzai's government is desperate to "create an environment of trust and prevent any disruptive actions by the enemy," while celebrating the country's 89th anniversary of independence from Britain.

Despite the upswing in violence, NATO officials believe that the seven-year effort to stabilize Afghanistan is making progress. Residents however, feel differently - most are afraid to leave their houses after 7 p.m. More than 3,200 people have been killed in insurgency related violence this year.

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Quiz Nation! What Do You Know About Independence Day?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:00:41 -0700

Happy Fourth of July! Yesterday Ft. Stewart, GA, had a just-in-time-for-the-Fourth-of-July homecoming - reason enough to celebrate! Before you head off to your parades and barbecues, how much do you really know about Independence Day?

And if you're aces at Americana, try your hand at Buzz's "American" TV quiz - she assures me it's a tricky one!

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10 Americans Not Born in the USA

TresSugar — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Bruce Springsteen made sure that those of us who were Born in the USA felt special, but what about Americans who put in the extra effort to become naturalized citizens? There's nothing more patriotic than jumping through immigration hoops so you can proudly wear red, white and blue! As you kick off this Independence Day weekend, take a look at 10 well-known people who are also naturalized American citizens! USA! USA! USA!

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Conventional Wisdom: Ask a Bartender

TresSugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 06:00:00 -0700

My boyfriend who was also my best friend has left me, very cruelly. Ten days after the breakup, he started posting pictures of himself with a new girlfriend on Facebook! I hate my job in the family business and want to go abroad. My parents are extremely unhappy about this. None of my friends are here anymore; they have all moved out of town, either getting married or getting a career. I am lonely. I don't even have anyone to go watch a movie with.

Although I have a postgraduate degree, I am not confident that I will find a job in this economic climate, after three years of working in the family. My mom has been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst, which may or may not be malignant. Being the only child, now I am duty bound to take care of her, postponing my rebellious move out of the country. I am 26 and have no idea where my life is going. I have taken to popping Xanax and sleeping off my days; I prefer my dreams to my reality. I wake up at nights with a thumping heart and read novels as long as I am awake. Show me a way. Tell me what to do . . . please. I need help!

- Woeful With Wanderlust

To see what the bartender had to say, read more.

Dear Woeful,

I am not sure where to begin here. I seriously had to shake myself a stiff martini before I could delve into all of your issues. It sounds like someone has been having the only kind of party that is not any fun: a pity party. It's time to splash some cold water on your face, snap out of your benzo-induced haze, and do some serious soul searching.

Although your ex-boyfriend's behavior may seem cruel, he might have been unhappy for a long time and checked out of the relationship months prior to making the move. People get lazy in that comfortable space and often don't have the gumption to break up with the person until they meet someone else. You should be thankful that he had the decency to break up with you rather than carry on some torrid affair based on the fear that he didn't want to hurt you.

I am going to take a stab in the dark here and guess that you were one of those girls who let her friendships wane, instead spending nights at home watching movies with your boyfriend. Please learn something from this experience. You should only have to experience that feeling of complete and utter aloneness once in your lifetime. Having a great group of friends always helps ease the pain of a breakup. They are there to remind you what a fun, smart, and sexy person you are and can say things like, "There are so many other fish in the sea," and "We always thought he was a douchebag but just didn't have the heart to tell you."

As far as your family and career go, yes, yes, yes to living abroad. Become bilingual, trilingual, quadlingual. People automatically respect you. If you're worried about dilly dallying away your time while our economy is in the crapper, do some volunteer work in another country. I have a sense that you might be a business-minded gal; what about helping women in South America write business plans? Just a thought, but I am sure there are programs applicable to your profession out there, and I am a firm believer in always trying to better yourself.

You seem like you have been the dutiful daughter for far too long. Since you are the only child, I am sure your parents are going to be nervous, but they obviously love you and will not disown you for making an independent decision. Now, if your mom truly does have ovarian cancer, maybe consider a month-long trip oversees - in which case, party your ass off - instead of relocation.

Lastly, lay off the freaking Xanax. Benzodiazepines are highly addictive with long-term use. Your words suggest anxiety and depression, which I predict is a product of your current situation and hopefully not a chemical imbalance that needs medical attention. You seem like a hardworking, sensitive, and smart woman. Empower yourself instead of feeling sorry for yourself. Always trust your gut; it never lies. And don't forget to tip your bartender.

Click here to find out more about Conventional Wisdom and here to submit a question.

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Afghanistan Legalizes Rape but Only Sometimes

CitizenSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:00:50 -0700

The UN is in an uproar after Afghanistan's president, Hamid Karzai, hastily signed a law that legalizes rape. But, you know, only between husband and wife.

The bill, according to UN papers, says there's no need for sexual consent between married couples; approves child marriage implicitly; and, in a throwback to Taliban days, restricts a woman's right to leave her home. If you think that's bad, look at the specifics. UN papers, which London's Independent has seen, said:

Article 132 requires women to obey their husband's sexual demands and stipulates that a man can expect to have sex with his wife at least "once every four nights" when travelling, unless they are ill. The law also gives men preferential inheritance rights, easier access to divorce, and priority in court.

I bet you anything "ill" means "has period."

Why erode women's rights now? Election time! Critics say President Karzai rushed the bill through parliament to butter up fundamentalists before September elections. One senator said the bill was never even read in parliament's Upper House much less debated. Hmm. Good thing women (and girls over 12?!) have the right to vote!

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DearSugar Needs Your Help: How Can I Find Myself?

DearSugar — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 09:00:00 -0800

DearSugar and Searching Sandra need your help. While in a five-year relationship, she lost track of the person she is and the woman she wants to become. Now that she and her boyfriend have split up, she wants to find herself, but she doesn't know how. Do you have any advice for her?

Dear Sugar,

My on-again, off-again boyfriend of five years broke up with me a few days ago. We’d had the same problems since the beginning of our relationship and we knew they were never going to get better - we just weren't right for each other. Part of the problem was instead of growing with him, I depended on him for happiness and didn’t bother to discover who I really was. I was never truly satisfied because I didn't know what I really wanted out of life. I know that only I can make myself truly happy, but I just don’t know how to get there. So my question is, how do you get to know yourself? What should I do to get the clarity I need to move on with my life as an independent woman? - Searching Sandra

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Front Page: Turkish Airlines Crash Kills Nine in Amsterdam

CitizenSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:40:41 -0800

A Turkish Airlines passenger plane crashed in Amsterdam today. Nine of the 134 people aboard were killed. - Reuters
US stocks fell this morning, after President Obama's speech to Congress failed to rally the markets. - Reuters
Iran tested its first nuclear power plant today. An Iranian technician declared it Iran's "independence day." - CNN
Michelle Obama has revealed that the White House dog will be coming in April. - MSNBC
Last night when MSNBC cut to Bobby Jindal's response, someone with a live mic was overheard saying "Oh, God." - Huffington Post

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Mickey Rourke Is the Man!

GiggleSugar — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:54:18 -0800

Mickey Rourke was at the Independent Spirit Awards last night, and boy was he on fire during his acceptance speech for best actor. (Is this a prelude for what's to come tonight? I'm crossing my fingers!) I mean, can you win an award for best acceptance speech? I saw more emotions in this few minutes than most performers can give in an entire film! He ran the gamut from funny, to weird, to irreverent, to tearful. (His beloved Chihuahua mix Loki died six days ago, and you could tell he was choking down the tears.) This man is such a bundle of contradictions, but I heart him. Go Mickey, you crazy son of a b*tch!