TresSugar

What Is the Clinton Global Initiative?

LibertySugar — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:00:39 -0700

This week heads of state, nonprofit leaders, and philanthropists met for the fourth annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). By gathering global leaders, the ex-Pres hopes they will devise and implement concrete solutions to some of the world's biggest challenges. Since 2005, CGI has committed $30 billion to programs that have impacted 200 million lives in more than 150 countries.

Some of the highlights from this year have included:

Bono spoke out about global priorities: "It is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G-8 can't find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable disease and hunger."
Wyclef Jean's foundation committed to providing hot school meals for 14,000 poor children, food for 20,000 families a month, thousands of new agriculture jobs, micro-enterprise grants for 165 small businesses, 36,000 farmers with seed, fertilizer, and training, and implementation of a broad communications campaign to engage international and local Haitian musicians in the Together for Haiti Campaign.
Al Gore was joined at the opening session by Clinton, Queen Rania of Jordan, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, Bono and E. Neville Isdell, chairman of Coca-Cola Co.'s board. Gore called for civil disobedience against new coal plants.
Lance Armstrong, who is planning to race in next year's Tour de France, pledged $8 million to a global awareness campaign for cancer, including a meeting that would convene in Paris after the tour.

To see more pictures from the event, including shots of Jordan's Queen Rania, the presidential candidates, Drew Barrymore, and Sarah Palin, read more.

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Haitian-American Wyclef and All-American Matt Help Haiti

LibertySugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:00:57 -0700

Haitian-born Wyclef Jean and Matt Damon arrived in Cabaret, Haiti on Saturday to distribute food aid to residents hit by tropical storms. Matt and Wyclef organized the food distribution for the victims of the severe weather and floods, and called on the UN to raise $100 million for 800,000 desperate Haitians.

Four tropical storms hit Haiti in less than a month. Matt said the flooded streets, muddy homes, and cries of hunger, left him speechless, and Wyclef said that "no human should be living like this" in what he called inhumane conditions.

While we know Wyclef is quite the pal of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Matt Damon is not so much a fan of Sarah Palin, they both seem like generous friends of troubled Haitians.

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What Happened After Hillary's Speech? Awesomeness Ensued

CitizenSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700

I'm just going to say it: Nancy Pelosi is hipper than me. List of concerts I've been to in my lifetime? Amy Grant, MC Hammer, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. Nancy Pelosi on the other hand, hangs with Wyclef Jean.

Last night was an embarrassment of Democratic musical riches (if that's a thing.) After the business at the Pepsi Center concluded with Hillary's bang, Liberty and I saw Wyclef Jean perform (he played his guitar with his teeth or tongue, I couldn't tell but either way, uh wow) and got to meet Nancy Pelosi .

Then if that wasn't enough (and as the early bird around here I kept saying, "there's a 12 o'clock at night, too? What?!"), we played "What Would Nancy Do" and headed to the Grammys Rock the Vote after party. And they did - rock that is. To see what happened, read more.

In a church converted into a nightclub (I doubt there will be a repeat of this venue at the RNC, but stay tuned) we saw Everclear, and I discovered a passion for this Daughtry, who was awesome live - and who at one point asked the crowd if they were planning to vote in November. I think the crowd did a collective check of their "Delegate" ID-tags, and gave him the "duh." The pomp and presentation on the convention floor might still be the star of the show for my convention, but Wyclef, Everclear, and Daughtry could just be my new Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Day 3: What's Happening at the Convention Today

CitizenSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:55:42 -0700

Wow. Following Hillary's speech and a night of events (full story coming soon, but let's just say Wyclef Jean, Everclear, and Chris Daughtry are pretty amazing live!) today will have to work hard to top it, but it's going to sure try:

Liberty is checking out a panel with Ariana Huffington.
The much anticipated, albeit probably brief roll call vote of the states is tonight.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is hosting an event called UnConventional '08.
At the podium tonight, a real line-up: Bill Clinton, Harry Reid, Bill Richardson, Evan Bayh, and Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Kanye West is headlining at the ONE event to stop global poverty.

We'll keep you posted as the day goes on, with the full story of last night is coming very soon!

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