TresSugar

Quiz Nation! Presidential Secret Service Names

CitizenSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:00:39 -0800

You know you've become the most powerful person in the world when the bulky men in suits and sunglasses start calling you by a funny name. Since you all had so much fun with the Obama and Biden families' secret service code name quiz and our 2008 campaign-edition, too, I thought I'd test your knowledge of the monikers given to past presidents. To celebrate President's Day, try to match the POTUS to his code name!

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Who? Guess the New Secret Service Names

CitizenSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:37:23 -0800

Nancy Reagan was Rainbow. Ronald was Unicorn. Joking! He was Rawhide. Hillary was Evergreen, and Bill was Eagle. And now the first and second families have their very own not-so-secret names. Why so transparent? Electronic communication now encrypts data so they're really just a throwback to another time. But as fun as ever! See if you can match the Secret Service name with the person in my quiz.

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Secret Service Wants More Money to Protect Candidates

CitizenSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:30:18 -0700

You might not be the only one who thinks a raise would be nice - the Secret Service has requested an extra $9.5 million bucks to finish the job of protecting the presidential candidates. I know, everyone wants more money, right? Well this request seems pretty legit.

This campaign has been like no other in its length and trips abroad. That effort adds up. Not to mention changes like Obama's decision to accept the Democratic nomination at Denver's open-air, 76,000-seat stadium instead of easier policed 20,000-seat Pepsi Center, where the rest of the convention takes place.

Then there's the length of service; Obama requested and received Secret Service protection in May - of 2007. That's the earliest the agency (who started the practice candidates in 1968) has ever started tailing a candidate. McCain got his protection April 27 this year. Even though the Secret Service Agency budgeted more than $30 million above 2004 levels, it's still not enough. Congress is currently considering the request for more money.

So here's the question in my mind: is it the responsibility of the taxpayers to fund unlimited security to the campaigns? Should there be a set amount, above which if a candidate wants to make decisions like heading abroad or speaking in a stadium, the campaign has to pay?

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Quiz Nation! Do You Know Your Secret Service Code Names?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:13:56 -0700

If you get their protection, the Secret Service will bestow you with a secret code name so they can talk about your whereabouts privately. The newest New York magazine's Approval Matrix featured Barack Obama's secret name and called it, "The most badass Secret Service code name ever. What's up now, Axis of Evil?" No peeking yet! Let's see if you can figure out which politician goes with which super-cool code name.

Come on, what could be cooler than a guy following you around whispering into his little wrist microphone, "Citizen is moving." Awesome.

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Front Page: 40th Anniversary of First Moonwalk

TresSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:00:43 -0700

Forty years ago today, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon. - MSNBC
President Obama plans to spend the rest of the month taking the case for healthcare reform to the American people. - USA Today
A government overseer has concluded that many banks misused bailout money. - Washington Post
An upcoming book about the secret service claims that Jenna and Barbara Bush gave agents a bunch of trouble. - New York Post
Angela's Ashes author Frank McCourt died this weekend at the age of 78. - NY Times

Ireland Released Five Volumes on Abuses, But No Names

TresSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:30:00 -0700

Ireland released an extensive report yesterday revealing that more than one thousand children were beaten, neglected, or raped at Catholic reform schools. The five-volume accounting took nine years to compile and covers six decades, but it doesn't include a single name of a priest, brother, or nun who abused children at the Catholic institutions. A religious order in question successfully sued the government in 2004 to keep the names secret. Thus, the perpetrators of rape and other physical, emotional, and sexual abuse are free from criminal prosecutions. Now victims say they've been cheated of justice.

While the victims feel vindicated by the inquiry, many maintain that they never would have opened their wounds if they knew it would result in zero criminal accountability. The report did offer over 20 ways the government could address the wrongs, including: building a monument, improving child protection services, and providing counseling to the victims. The Catholic Church in Ireland has also apologized.

Do you think the perpetrators should be brought to justice in the courts?

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Michelle Obama Dishes Secrets to White House Staffers' Kids

TresSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

On Take Your Kids to Work Day yesterday, Michelle Obama took questions from 170 children, ages 7 to 14. She later called the grilling her "first official press conference."

"They asked me a ton of questions," the first lady said, "and they were hard." So what did these intrepid, young reporters find out for us?

On her dream White House job: First lady. "I think I have the best job in the White House. I don't have to deal with the hard problems every day," she said. "Because I don't get paid, I get to do whatever I want."

The worst part of the White House: Running on the treadmill every morning.

On breaking the rules: "Every now and then I have this thing that I like to do with some of my staff members," she admitted, "we sneak out, without telling anybody, and we go and test out all the fun places to eat in DC. I went to Five Guys [the burger chain] and nobody knew it." An aid later amended that this didn't mean she went without the Secret Service. Too bad!

To see what else Michelle had to say, read more.

On new dog Bo: He "likes to chew on people's feet and cause commotions. Oh, he is a crazy dog."

On no longer cooking: "I don't miss cooking," she said, "I'm just fine with other people cooking. Their food is really good."

What she'd do in the event of a major disaster: "I'd wake my husband up if it were at night. And I'd tell him, hey, buddy, you're the president, get down to the Oval Office and call some leaders."

Well, good to know!

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Pet Peeves: How Weird Can Presidents Get With Pets?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:35:24 -0700

Sounds worse than it is! But, seriously, people are crazy with their pets. Just the other day I saw a woman getting fro-yo for her dog because "he was feeling down." Anyway! Since the Obamas are getting their new Portuguese water dog tomorrow, we should prepare to see the first dog with his own Secret Service name like Rollick along with his own white house. See if you can sort the true crazy from the made-up crazy in my quiz.

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Would You Invite President Bush to a Dinner Party?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 06:00:09 -0700

This past weekend's Washington Post featured a quaint (yet lengthy) piece about a retired couple living the "simple life" in a quiet Texas suburb. Oh yeah, the retirees also happen to be former President and First Lady, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bush.

The couple has settled into a nice routine at 10141 Daria Place in Preston Hollow. One recent dinner party went something like this:

The main dish was chicken potpie. George and Laura Bush left their cul-de-sac in the back of a dark sedan, exited through a Secret Service checkpoint and rode down streets bordered by lawn signs adorned with gigantic W's to welcome them home.

It had been a bad week for the country. President Obama spoke on television about the burdens he had inherited in office: anti-American sentiment, two wars, a recession. But it had been a good week at 10141 Daria Place. The Bushes shared stories over dinner about their return to Texas after eight years in Washington. They had improved their sprinkler system and hung custom-made green drapes. Neighbors had brought over homemade cookies and a potted houseplant.

That's got to be one heck of an adjustment, going from national security briefings to custom drapes deliberations. But the Bush's are transitioning just fine into their golden years, which also includes fundraising gigs for his $300 million presidential library.

Would you like to sit down to some chicken potpie with the new retirees?

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Highlights From Obama's Appearance on The Tonight Show!

CitizenSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:50:06 -0700

The crowd was excited, and the president was comfortable tonight with Jay Leno. Check out some of the lighthearted and more serious moments from the appearance, including Barack's thoughts on life with the Secret Service, the AIG bonuses, and Air Force One.

To see the whole interview, read more.