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    Archive for April, 2011


    By: Kristin Andrews

    News Round-Up: Tuesday, April 26, 2011

    Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

    400 have been killed in Syria since the beginning of the uprising, and the conflict is far from over, the tech world is buzzing with Facebook creating a deals program to rival Groupon and launching a new “send” button, the State Department is trying to implement new paperwork that would make obtaining a passport difficult, and Barbour’s decision not to run shakes up the GOP field. Meanwhile, Alex Eichler predicts the disappearance of law schools, Lollapalooza announces its summer lineup (http://bit.ly/fYEvEu), and a ‘Twilight’ spinoff might be in the works.

    CRUCIAL:

    NFL Players Can go Back to Work– for Now, http://yhoo.it/hXCOo2

    A US District Judge has allowed NFL players to begin working out again, saying that their careers are too short and monetary compensation would not cover the effects. NFL owners are not pleased with the decision and will appeal to a higher court.

    State Dept. Wants to Make it Harder to Get a Passport, http://bit.ly/e4bPFK

    The State Department has created a new form for some applicants hoping to obtain a passport that would require very detailed information from a lifetime of employment history including supervisors names, phone and addresses down to details about your siblings. It is unclear who will be required to fill out the form.

    Grim Numbers from Syria: 400 Civilians Killed in Uprising, http:/bit.ly/hGneZ1

    An estimated 400 have been killed since the beginning of the uprisings in Syria, along with the arrest of 500 democracy supporters. Syrian troops and tanks have been rolled out, the reasons for which remain unclear.

    Facebook’s New Deals Product Coming to Five Cities Tuesday, http://on.mash.to/hw5PRb

    Facebook launched a competitor to Groupon today in five cities across the US. The deals come as people check in to different locations using the Places feature on Facebook, even allowing users to purchase deals with Facebook credits.

    Facebook Launches Send Button, Replaces Email to a Friend, http://on.mash.to/hXpMpi

    The new send button Facebook created has replaced the email button and allows users to share content on other sites more easily. Additionally, when a page is shared using the feature it gets counted in the total likes.

    How Haley Barbour’s Move Shakes up 2012, http://politi.co/fAjY0w

    When the Mississippi governor announced that he will not run for president in 2012, he left many donors and lobbyists open to other GOP presidential hopefuls. Mitch Daniels, the Governor of Indiana, and a close friend of Barbour would have infinitely more resources should he choose to enter the race.

    Alex Eichler on the disappearance of law schools: http://bit.ly/eA7MNk

    CULTURAL:

    Stephanie Meyer considering writing a ‘Twilight’ spinoff: http://bit.ly/e4D2CP

    ‘Law & Order’ making a Gabrielle Giffords episode: http://bit.ly/dF5QWd

    Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler engaged over the weekend: http://bit.ly/egfQBo

    Orlando Bloom likely to return to ‘The Hobbit’: http://on.mtv.com/fGOE8x

    A peek inside celeb homes: http://aol.it/hZD8i8

    A royal wedding overdose?: http://bit.ly/ghnDjh

      Kristin Andrews
      Bio: Kristin is Rock the Vote's Communications Intern

      Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

      Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
      Posted in News Round-Up, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »


      By: Kristin Andrews

      News Round-Up: Monday, April 25, 2011

      Monday, April 25th, 2011

      Files containing details about prisoners at Guantanamo have been released, creating a media frenzy to report the information, the Taliban helped an enormous number of prisoners to escape in Afghanistan after digging a tunnel, and Gabrielle Giffords has been cleared to watch her husband’s space shuttle lift off. Meanwhile, the next Nintendo console is due out in 2012, Samantha Wishman points out the gender inequalities brought out by the college greek system, and Simon Cowell recruits Paula Abdul to judge on the X Factor.

      CRUCIAL:

      Classified Files Offer New Insights Into Detainees, http://nyti.ms/fjIo27

      Military files were released to many news outlets which provide very detailed reports about the prisoners held at Guantanamo. The reports explain why the 172 prisoners who remain are marked with the highest level of danger, although most of the 600 others who were released were though to be highly dangerous as well. Information about some of the prisoners is still unavailable, and the reports do not expand on some previous reports of punishment techniques as the prison.

      Taliban Tunnels More Than 480 out of Afghan Prison, http://yhoo.it/fNPCkM

      After digging for 5 months, the Taliban completed a tunnel that allowed hundreds of prisoners to escape to a nearby house and then be drive to other locations. A few prisoners knew of the plan from the inside and were able to use copies of keys to let out inmates and move them swiftly through the tunnel.

      Gabrielle Giffords’ Doctors, Husband, Share Details on Her Progress, http://bit.ly/dXKHEc

      Representative Giffords continues to work towards recovery as she slowly but surely learns to walk and talk again. Many precautionary measures have shielded Giffords from the public, such as capitol guards and only allowing selected workers to help Giffords. Doctors have said it will be safe for Giffords to travel to watch the launch of her husband’s space shuttle.

      Man Who Tried to Hijack Paris-Rome Alitalia Flight is Overpowered, http://huff.to/f9LpSE

      A man with a knife attempted to get a flight from Paris to Rome to head to Libya. The man was taken down by flight attendants and passengers after holding the knife to one flight attendant’s throat.

      Rand and Ron Paul: The Libertarian Kennedys, http://politi.co/heAeQk

      Politics runs in the family for the Paul’s, much like the Kennedy family, with both father and son considering running for President in 2012. The family is growing more notable and “[Ron] Paul is more recognizable than ever. And there are signs of a dynasty in the making, with his devoted following likely to be passed down to his children even if his White House hopes end with this election.”

      Samantha Wishman on how college greek systems lead to gender inequality: http://bit.ly/fSMvJE

      CULTURAL:

      Which celebs will be at the White House Corespondents’ Dinner?: http://bit.ly/fsTH2t

      Simon Cowell reveals Judges Panel for the X Factor: http://bit.ly/fg6lYz

      Celeb twit pics: http://bit.ly/eFGYZF

      Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni expecting first child: http://bit.ly/hAW0KH

      Flava Flav pulling plug on Iowa Chicken Restaurant: http://bit.ly/ffFTQp

      Emma Watson transferring: http://nyti.ms/eWKc4N

        Kristin Andrews
        Bio: Kristin is Rock the Vote's Communications Intern

        Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

        Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
        Posted in News Round-Up | Comments Off


        By: Kristin Andrews

        News Round-Up: Friday, April 22, 2011

        Friday, April 22nd, 2011

        John McCain took a trip to Libya to assess the situation on the ground following the decision to use armed drones in the country, 9/11 responders will be checked for any terrorist affiliations, and the 2012 election will heat up shortly with the announcement of candidates coming soon. Meanwhile, Amazon experienced server outages that affected a number of sites across the web, and Gaga cries over being accused of copying Madonna.

        CRUCIAL:

        What’s John McCain Doing in Libya?, http://bit.ly/hhFARv

        McCain made a one day trip to Libya to show support for the rebels and meet with members of the National Transitional Council. With the new allowance to use armed American drones in Libya, McCain is evaluating the situation on the ground.

        9/11 Responders to be Warned They Will Be Screened by FBI’s Terrorism Watch List, http://huff.to/dYykPk

        9/11 responders, including policemen and firefighters, will have their names run through and FBI database to find any links to terrorism. Anyone who comes up will no longer be eligible for medical care for problems caused by the 9/11 attacks. Congressman Stearns said “this amendment was adopted in the full Energy and Commerce Committee without opposition and it merely requires that the names of those receiving health benefits be cross-checked with the terrorist watch list to ensure that no terrorists get these benefits.”

        As Consumers Cut Spending, Green Products Lose Allure, http://nyti.ms/gyqq4U

        While large sales of green products may have seemed like an environmental revolution, it turns out that in a less than favorable economy green is one of the things to go. Cost comes first in a recession and many green products cost more than others on the market.

        Amazon Failure Takes Down Sites Across Internet, http://yhoo.it/hp58EB

        Many of the sites that use Amazon run servers experienced outages after a problem yesterday, including Foursquare and Reddit. Netflix, which is also run by Amazon, did not experience outages.

        Here is Your First Electoral College Projection Map of 2012, Go Nuts, Nerds!        , http://huff.to/eBaKCK

        With 18 months to the Presidential election, this map lays out the most important states for candidates to win over, as well as which states are firmly Republican and Democratic.

        Race for the Republican Presidential Nomination Begins, http://politi.co/e0mN8N

        Potential GOP candidates who are on the fence, including Mitch Daniels and Haley Barbour, will make their decisions about running very soon. Furthermore, the debates are scheduled to start soon with Fox holding one on May 5th.

        Amina Khan on why swearing may not be so bad, http://lat.ms/hinS74

        CULTURAL:

        Lady Gaga in tears after being questioned about copying Madonna: http://bit.ly/ftJukh

        Sheen gets a police escort: http://wapo.st/dWZQCj

        James Franco keeps getting smarter: http://eonli.ne/gaOONw

        Jessica Simpson loves being a business woman, http://bit.ly/hJY3GM

        Oprah tries to save soap operas: http://bit.ly/h6bOuU

          Kristin Andrews
          Bio: Kristin is Rock the Vote's Communications Intern

          Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

          Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
          Posted in News Round-Up | Comments Off


          By: Aubrey Vaughan

          Happy Earth Day!

          Friday, April 22nd, 2011

          As much as I wish I had the $200K to drop on a ticket to board Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic trip to outer space, I don’t consider it a wise investment until he can also drop me off at a tropical resort on the moon. So because it looks like I will be staying with the other 7 billion of you on Planet Earth for the foreseeable future, we have to work on keeping our planet as clean as we can this Earth Day so we can continue enjoying Earth for generations to come.

          Consider a few of these tips to be a little more environmentally friendly every day:

          • Challenge yourself to take your shower in the time it takes to listen to your two favorite songs. Choose wisely, or you might end up without time to rinse the shampoo out of your hair.
          • When you’re leaving for work or school in the morning, unplug your phone and computer chargers from the wall. Even if they aren’t charging anything, they’re still draining electricity.
          • If you are waiting for the water from the faucet to warm up, collect the cold water in a watering can to water your plants instead of letting it go down the drain.
          • Buy local! Not only will you be supporting your local economy and farmers, and not only will the food be a million times better, but you will also be eating food that didn’t require an airplane ticket and cross-country drive to be delivered to your dinner table.
          • Recycle what you can, but also realize that a lot of things can be reused. Coffee tins, yogurt containers, bottles, and milk cartons can all be reused for other purposes: flower pots, lunch containers, and storage tins.

          Of course, you also should be rewarded for your efforts. Hellooo, free Earth Day treats:

          • Be completely unashamed about your caffeine addiction: Bring in your reusable mug on Friday, 4/22 to any participating Starbucks across the country for a free coffee or tea.
          • You should also be rejoicing the fact that Arctic temperatures are gone til next winter. Carpool with your friends any time from now til Sunday, 4/24, and enjoy free entrance to any National Park across the country.
          • Let’s be real…there’s nothing worse than having to lug a huge pack of water bottles from your car to your dorm. Then once you have it in your room, there’s not a single spot to store it. Get a Water Bobbles instead. One filter = 300 water bottles, and it weighs about the same amount as…drum roll…an empty water bottle. You can also ‘adopt a bobble‘ until 4/25, and for every bobble you order, you’ll get to send one to a friend for free!
          • Feeling nostalgic for Ariel, Simba, and Aladdin? Swing by your local Disney Store on Friday, 4/22, with five old plastic shopping bags, and get a reusable tote bag for free. Also be sure to check out their 2011 Earth Day movie, African Cats.
          • Yard looking bare? Want to earn brownie points with your parents? Head over to Lowe’s, where they’re giving away one million free trees on Saturday, 4/23.

          How will you support Earth Day? Let us know HERE. Happy Earth Day!

            Aubrey Vaughan
            Bio: Aubrey is a field intern at Rock the Vote.
            @aubreyvaughan
            Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

            Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off


            By: Kristin Andrews

            News Round-Up: Thursday, April 21, 2011

            Thursday, April 21st, 2011

            The debt limit continues to push parties to the edge, with a compromise not looking good, two journalists were tragically killed in Libya and two others were wounded, and illegal immigration has dropped as border security gets tougher and job opportunities drop. Meanwhile the New York Times reaches 100,000 subscribers, your iPhone is tracking your every move, and Kate Middleton’s parents finally meet the Queen (but did they have Kate Jelly Beans?!).

            CRUCIAL:

            GOP Escalates Debt Limit Demands, http://politi.co/gm4Reb

            Rebubilcan Eric Cantor has said the GOP will not allow the debt ceiling to be raised if no spending reforms are made, even if that means defaulting. Democrats have said they will not allow a default to happen. Republicans agree that if Obama wants to raise the debt ceiling he will have to convince the American people it is the right thing to do.

            Baseball Taking Control of Dodgers Operations, http://nyti.ms/h9z7Mc

            Bud Selig, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, has said he will appoint someone to take over the Los Angeles Dodgers after the owner, Frank McCourt left the team in debt and used revenues to cover his personal debt.

            Tim Hetherington, ‘Restrepo’ Director, And Chris Hondros, Photojournalist, Killed in Libya, http://huff.to/fgAfR3

            Two highly acclaimed journalists were killed in Libya after being hit by fire between the rebels and Gaddafi’s forces. Two other journalists were wounded.

            Illegal Immigrants Stopped at the Boarder Has Dropped by 73%, http://bit.ly/gvnWHw

            Due to increased enforcement at the border, as well as a lack of jobs, the number of people attempting to cross the border into the US has slowed significantly. In fact, “in the Yuma sector…once considered “the border’s most trampled region,” apprehensions have dropped 95 percent, from 138,460 to 7,116.”

            Got an iPhone or a 3G iPad? Apple is Recording Your Moves, http://oreil.ly/i7dC7Q

            Any time you sync your device you are leaving an unlocked, unencrypted trail of where you have been and when. It remains unclear as to why Apple is collecting this data, and what the plan on doing with it.

            Election 2012: It’s Not Facebook. It’s The Data, Stupid., http://bit.ly/eKJg5q

            Michal L. Sifry argues that Facebook has pluses and minuses when it comes to the 2012 election, but what really matters is the ability to collect data and get people behind your campaign. Social media is not just an upcoming platform, it is also a way to gather information about voters.

            The New York Times Mystifies, Netting 100K Digital Subscribers, http://bit.ly/emVi1T

            The New York Times has reached 100,000 online subscribers (including the 99 cent trial subscribers) after putting up a pay wall three weeks ago, significantly faster than the Wall Street Journal was able to acquire subscribers. However, revenues, including ad revenues are down.

            CULTURAL:

            The 2011 TIME 100: http://ti.me/hgInGF

            Real Housewives of…Scottsdale?: http://bit.ly/eWfNmU

            Demi Lovato reveals Bipolar Disorder, wants to help others: http://eonli.ne/gqbZOn

            Kate Middleton’s parents finally meet the queen: http://eonli.ne/fJMVJw

            James Frey returning for one of Oprah’s final shows: http://bit.ly/frMh9G

            Dispute between Lady Gaga and Weird Al resolved: http://wapo.st/fPvhWg

              Kristin Andrews
              Bio: Kristin is Rock the Vote's Communications Intern

              Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

              Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
              Posted in News Round-Up | Comments Off

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