• Categories

  • Post Archives

  • Twitter Updates

      > Follow us on Twitter

    • Latest Posts

    • Meta

    Posts Tagged
    ‘Hillary Clinton’


    By: Liza Dee

    News Round-Up: Monday, March 18, 2013

    Monday, March 18th, 2013

    Republicans look to change the party’s image; a verdict is reached in the Steubenville high school rape trial; President Obama will select Tom Perez for Secretary of Labor; and Hillary Clinton announces her support for gay marriage. Meanwhile, Beyonce premiers two new songs; Lil Wayne remains in intensive care; and Justin Timberlake could release a follow-up album to “The 20/20 Experience”.

    Caitlin + Liza

    CRUCIAL: 

    Republicans want to end perception as ‘stuffy old men’, http://bit.ly/107gA1e
    The Republican National Committee released a report on Monday addressing its image problems and structural setbacks, including hundreds of recommendations on how to target specific demographic groups that favored Democrats in 2012. The report, which totals over 100 pages, was initiated by the RNC immediately after November’s election loss. It was created in response to the fact that Mitt Romney lost the vote of every demographic except for white men. Social policy is at the forefront of the report, with many recommendations about issues like gay rights. The report also advocates for change at the campaign level, including a stronger digital effort .

    Verdicts in Steubenville high school rape trial, http://nbcnews.to/15U8JFT
    Two high school football players accused of raping an intoxicated 16 year-old girl at a party in Steubenville, Ohio, were found guilty despite denying charges. Seventeen year-old Trent Mays and 16 year-old Ma’Lik Richmond were accused of raping and sharing pictures of the passed out girl in August, launching a case that attracted national media attention and divided the small community. As allegations surfaced that other students were involved, many claimed that those in the know should stand trial. As a result, Ohio’s attorney general plans to convene a grand jury that will look into whether more students should be investigated.

    Hillary Clinton Announces Suport for Gay Marriage, http://huff.to/15hCeiE
    Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her support for gay marriage on Monday, claiming in a video released by gay rights advocacy group, the Human Rights Campaign, that gays and lesbians are “full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship.” Clinton’s announcement aligns her with other high-profile Democrats on an issue that is quickly gaining public approval, and fuels speculation that she may be considering a presidential run in 2016.

    President Obama to pick Tom Perez for Labor, http://politi.co/146xDEa
    President Obama will nominate Tom Perez as his next labor secretary, according to White House officials. Perez currently serves as the assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and would be the first Hispanic-American appointed to Obama’s second-term cabinet. Perez will likely face tough questions from Senate Republicans during confirmation hearings, including inquiries into a misleading report he gave about racial hostilities within the Civil Rights Division.

    Hill Poll: Voters prefer Republican budget ideas, but dislike GOP, http://bit.ly/113FvBO
    Though a majority of voters favor Republican fiscal ideas, voters were more likely to trust the Democratic Party over the GOP on budgetary issues, a Hill poll found. According to the poll, some voters who identified themselves as Democrats supported several Republican ideas, and 65 percent of those surveyed were partial to reducing the deficit by cutting spending rather than by raising taxes. Yet questions that specifically mentioned the Republican Party demonstrated mistrust among voters, raising concerns about the image problem and identity crisis many believe the GOP currently faces.

    Plane crashes into Indiana neighborhood, kills 2, http://bit.ly/YjYZ5F
    A corporate jet crashed into a row of single-story homes in a South Bend, Indiana neighborhood on Sunday, killing two of the four passengers aboard and injuring two others. The plane’s pilot said he was experiencing technical issues, and was attempting to circle back to the airport after one failed landing attempt. The neighborhood of around 50 homes has been evacuated, with two shelters set up for residents.

    CULTURAL: 

    Beyonce premieres new songs “Bow Down” and “I Been On,” http://bit.ly/119LyIH

    History Channel’s Satan Looks A Lot Like Barack Obama, http://bit.ly/15fztyt

    Lil Wayne–Day 6 in Intensive Care, http://tmz.me/143dVZL

    Justin Timberlake to Release Follow-Up Album in November, http://bit.ly/WxMIuV

    Liza Dee
    Bio:

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

    Tags: , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off


    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Thursday, February 14th, 2013

    Thursday, February 14th, 2013

    American Airlines and US Airways announce an $11 billion merger; Oscar Pistorius is arrested after allegedly shooting his girlfriend; a Clinton donor says Hillary will run in 2016; the Carnival Triumph finally docks in Mobile, AL; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Republicans plan to block Chuck Hagel’s nomination; and Gen. John Allen may retire. Meanwhile, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, love letters between LBJ and Ladybird are released; a new report says the ‘The Bachelor’ is celibate; and celebrities and environmentalists are arrested protesting the Keystone pipeline.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    AMERICAN, US AIRWAYS ANNOUNCE $11 BILLION MERGER, http://rtvote.com/15feZsB
    US Airways and AMR, the owner of American Airlines, will take part in an $11 billion merger that will combine the two companies into the largest airline in the world. The company will keep the American Airlines name and be headed up US Airways CEO Doug Parker. In a statement Thursday Parker said, “The combined airline will have the scale, breadth, and capabilities to compete more effectively and profitably in the global marketplace.” 72% of ownership will go to AMR creditors with the rest going to US Airways shareholders.

    PISTORIUS ARRESTED AFTER WOMAN SHOT AT HIS HOME, http://rtvote.com/XOV525
    South African Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius was arrested Thursday after allegedly shooting his girlfriend in his home. Pistorius, who is a double-amputee, had reportedly mistaken Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder when he shot her with a 9 mm. The athlete, known as Blade Runner, will appear in court later today.

    Big donor claims Bill Clinton told him Hillary’s running for prez in 2016, http://rtvote.com/XOWvKf
    Angelo Tsakopoulos, a Greek-American real-estate mogul, said Thursday that Bill Clinton had revealed to him in a private conversation that Hillary would run for president in 2016. Tsakopoulos alleges a close relationship with the couple and has been one of the biggest donors to Clinton’s political campaigns.

    Passengers count hours on ‘floating petri dish’ of a cruise ship as it limps to port, http://rtvote.com/15fjrax
    The Carnival Triumph will dock in Mobile, AL today after an engine fire caused its systems to go down five days ago. The ship became a “floating petri dish” after electricity failure caused sanitary systems to go down and sewage to seep down the walls. Passengers were forced to defecate in bags and urinate in showers, as well as wait close to four hours for food. Carnival will refund passengers for the trip and compensate them an extra $500. The ship will no longer be in service moving forward.

    (via POLITICO Breaking News) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday that Republicans are planning to block the nomination of Chuck Hagel to be secretary of Defense, and aides said Democrats don’t yet have the 60 votes to break a GOP filibuster on the nomination. That would leave the nomination in limbo as the Senate heads into a week-long recess.

    Source: Gen. Allen may retire, http://rtvote.com/15flgEq
    Rumors are circulating that Marine Gen. John Allen may retire as he feels he’s “being pushed out for a variety of reasons,” primarily the e-mail scandal between him and Tampa socialite Jill Kelley. Although Allen was cleared of wrongdoing in the situation that entwined him with General David Petraeus’ own scandal, he fears that it will taint his new post as NATO’s supreme allied commander in Brussels.

    5.8M women have used ‘morning after’ pill, http://rtvote.com/Ygstib
    The National Center for Health Statistics has conducted a survey of 12,279 women between 2006 and 2010 that shows 11% or 5.8 million American women ages 15 to 44 have used emergency contraception or “the morning after pill.” Half of the women used the pill because they feared their method of birth-control had failed, while the rest of the women surveyed had unprotected sex. 23% of women ages 20 to 24 said they had used the pill, while only 5% of women ages 30 to 44 fell into the same category.

    CULTURAL:

    LBJ AND LADY BIRD COURTSHIP LOVE LETTERS RELEASED, http://rtvote.com/15fk5Vw

    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West touch off security breach at JFK Airport, http://rtvote.com/15fkcAv

    ‘The Bachelor’ star Sean Lowe is celibate, report says, http://rtvote.com/XP49nC

    ‘Die Hard’ lives on in fifth installment released Valentine’s Day, http://rtvote.com/11IIuUE

    Celebs, enviros arrested at WH pipeline protest, http://rtvote.com/11IIyDO

    Caitlin Maguire
    Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
    @caitlinmagu
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off


    By: Liza Dee

    News Round-Up: Monday, January 28, 2013

    Monday, January 28th, 2013

    Senators reach a bipartisan agreement on immigration reform; a nightclub fire in Brazil takes the lives of over 230 people; and Obama praises Hillary Clinton in a “60 Minutes” interview marking her departure as Secretary of State. Meanwhile, SAG Awards winners celebrate; Jennifer Lawrence gets over a major wardrobe malfunction; and Barbara Walters comes down with chicken pox.

    Caitlin + Liza

    CRUCIAL: 

    Senators reach agreement on immigration reform, http://bit.ly/UwahSS
    A bipartisan group of senators has reached an agreement on the structure for an overhaul of America’s immigration system. The deal includes a pathway to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants in the nation and also addresses border security, non-citizen “guest” workers, and employee verification. The plan may have trouble receiving backing from the Republican-controlled House, but nonetheless marks the start of the the largest effort in years to seriously reform America’s immigration system. President Obama will offer his own vision for immigration reform in a speech on Tuesday, which officials expect to overlap significantly with the Senate plan. “What’s changed, honestly, is that there is a new appreciation on both sides of the aisle- including maybe more importantly on the Republican side of the aisle- that we have to enact a comprehensive immigration reform bill,” said Senator John McCain, who played a central role in shaping the agreement.

    Missteps hiked Brazil night club blaze death toll, http://cbsn.ws/VhQF21
    Over 230 Brazilians were killed on Sunday in a Santa Maria nightclub fire that officials believe started when a band’s pyrotechnic show ignited soundproofing in the ceiling. Many young victims were among the dead, including 101 students of the Federal University of Santa Maria. Bouncers initially assumed partygoers were skipping on paying their bar tabs and tried to prevent them from leaving. There was also only one exit through which people could leave. Police have arrested the nightclub owner, a band member, and a person in charge of stage safety in connection with the fire so far.

    Egypt’s leader declares emergency after clashes, http://reut.rs/X1hrgg
    Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi issued a 30-day state of emergency and curfew for three Suez Canal provinces where violent protests have killed 49 since Thursday. Hundreds more were injured in Port Said on Sunday during the funerals for 33 Egyptian protesters killed when locals lashed out in response to an unpopular court decision. Anti-government protestors claim that Morsi has failed to defend the revolution that toppled Mubarek and is not representing all Egyptians. Morsi warned of further punishment if protests continue.

    Obama praises Hillary Clinton in joint interview on ’60 minutes’, http://lat.ms/X5qpZQ
    In a ’60 Minutes’ interview to mark Hillary Clinton’s departure as Secretary of State, Clinton and the president recounted their joint foreign policy accomplishments and expressed gratitude for being able to transform their 2008 political rivalry into friendship. “You know, if the roles had been reversed, I would have desperately have wanted him to be in my cabinet,” said Clinton, who was initially reluctant to accept the high-ranking post offered to her by the president. “By the time Hillary joined the administration, I felt very confident in our working relationship. What did evolve was a friendship,” Obama added. In the interview, the two cited winding down the war in Afghanistan, ousting Qaddafi in Libya, and getting rid of core Al Qaeda leaders as a few of their greatest successes.

    Gun control advocates march as nation reels from school shootings, http://bit.ly/TMIpMh
    Thousands demonstrated in Washington on Saturday as part of a “March on Washington for Gun Control,” calling for tougher gun laws. The marchers rallied for a reinstatement of the federal ban on the sale of military-style semi-automatic rifles, like that used in the Newtown shooting, as well as universal background checks and a ban on sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines. Many demonstrators held up the names of victims killed at Newtown and in other school shootings as they took part in the first major demonstration since the Newtown shooting in December. “Only an outraged public can end the gun violence that has enveloped our country,” said U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-District of Columbia). “We the people who did not act before, we the people this time will step forward.”

    Iranian state TV says country has successfully sent monkey into space, http://bit.ly/X3oWSk
    Iran announced today that it successfully launched a monkey into space, bringing the nation one step closer toward its ultimate goal of sending an astronaut into space. According to Iran state TV, the monkey was sent on a rocket 72 miles into space and returned safely. Iran has long hoped to send a man into space as part of its ambitious aerospace program, which also includes plans for a new space center. The U.S. remains skeptical of Iran’s intentions, worrying that space program technology could also be used to develop long-range missiles armed with nuclear warheads.

    CULTURAL: 

    SAG Awards 2013: Complete List of Winners, http://bit.ly/WjmIlg

    Jennifer Lawrence dress rips at SAG Awards 2013, http://bit.ly/110frpq

    Best Dressed at the SAG Awards, http://bit.ly/111ySUH

    Barbara Walters- I’ve Got CHICKEN POX!, http://tmz.me/WsGRWc

    Hugh Hefner’s Long-time Secretary Mary O’Connor Dies, http://bit.ly/T0stV1

     

    Liza Dee
    Bio:

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

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off


    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013

    Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013
    David Cameron says he will let the British people decide whether or not to remain in the EU; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testifies before congress on Benghazi; a student opens fire at Lone Star College; Gen. John Allen is cleared of any misconduct; and President Obama says he will not oppose suspending the debt limit until May. Meanwhile, Kelly Osborne is engaged; lip readers weigh in on what caused Michelle Obama’s eye roll; and “Mad Men” will return in April.
    Caitlin
    CRUCIAL:
    David Cameron: I will settle the Europe question with EU referendum, http://rtvote.com/SBIekY
    British Prime Minister David Cameron said Wednesday that he will let the British people decide whether or not Britain should remain in the European Union. “It is time to settle this European question in British politics,” Cameron said. “I say to the British people: this is your decision.” While Cameron would personally prefer that the country stay in the EU, he has decided it’s best to bring the decision to a referendum. He also called on Britain to improve its relationship with Brussels. EU members are unhappy with his decision, saying Britain cannot “cherry-pick” EU membership.Suspect charged in Lone Star College shooting, http://rtvote.com/SBJAMO
    Lone Star College student Carlton Berry, 22, has been charged with aggravated assault after opening fire on his Houston campus. Berry injured a student with whom he had an altercation as well as a janitor. He is also being treated for injuries after mishandling the gun and shooting himself.

    Clinton testifies on Benghazi attack, http://rtvote.com/SBKw3O
    Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before Congress on the Benghazi attack Wednesday. Clinton took responsibility for the attack and choked up while saying, “For me, this is not just a matter of policy, this is personal.” Clinton said that when she was told of the attack she, “instructed our senior department officials and diplomatic security to consider every option—to break down the doors to the Libyan officials to get as much security support as we could.” She has since recommended that future Secretary of States participate in meetings regarding additional security and also suggested that heightened security has been installed at the Benghazi site.

    Israel coalition talks begin after election deadlock, http://rtvote.com/144ZKSq
    Tuesday’s early results from Israel’s election show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing party losing a quarter of its seats in government. In a surprising twist, Netanyahu will now have to create a coalition government with the new Yesh Atid party, which won 19 seats. There will have to be a great deal of compromise as Yesh Atid, led by former TV presenter Yair Lapid, has called for overturning the law that exempts ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students from serving in the military. Lapid has also demanded that the government commit to a peace plan with Palestine.

    Gen. John Allen cleared in misconduct inquiry, http://rtvote.com/XzNXoO
    General John Allen, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has been cleared of wrongdoing regarding an allegedly inappropriate e-mail exchange with Tampa socialite Jill Kelley. Kelley, who was blackmailed by General Petraeus’ mistress, has recently publicly denied any inappropriate contact with Allen.

    Obama ‘will not oppose’ House GOP plan to suspend debt limit until May, http://rtvote.com/1451ATk
    The House GOP has proposed suspending the implementation of the federal debt limit until May 19. The measure would help delay or avoid another confrontation between President Obama and congress regarding the debt limit. President Obama has responded that he will not oppose the proposal, which would cause the government’s legal borrowing limit of $16.4 trillion to remain the same until May.

    CULTURAL:
    The Mystery of Michelle Obama’s Eye Roll Has (Possibly) Been Solved, http://rtvote.com/SBPcXt
    Shakira Gives Birth to Baby Boy Milan, http://rtvote.com/XzOWFl“Mad Men” to return in April with a two-hour premiere, http://rtvote.com/WLnNQI

    Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Lopez defend Beyonce in lip sync scandal, http://rtvote.com/WLnTI4

    Kelly Osbourne Engaged to Marry Matthew Mosshart, http://rtvote.com/1455xqX

    Caitlin Maguire
    Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
    @caitlinmagu
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off


    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Monday, January 7th, 2013

    Monday, January 7th, 2013

    President Obama will nominate John Brennan for CIA Director and Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense; the State Department dismisses Syrian President Assad’s public speech; and the Chinese government announces it will end labor-camp sentences. Meanwhile, “Texas Chainsaw” was number one at the box office this weekend; Justin Bieber is photographed smoking pot; and Lindsay Lohan heads to court again.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Who Is John Brennan, the Man Touted to Be the Next CIA Director?, http://thebea.st/TdJo2s
    President Obama will reportedly nominate counterterrorism advisor John Brennan for CIA Director on Monday. Brennan has been a proponent of the U.S. drone program, which could lead anti-drone advocates to dispute the nomination. Obama will also nominate former Republican senator Chuck Hagel to replace Leon Panetta as Secretary of Defense. Hagel, who went against his party to oppose the Iraq war, may prove a controversial choice.

    Five accused of rape in India appear in court for charges, http://reut.rs/UC3aqm
    The five men accused of gang-raping and fatally beating a 23-year-old woman in New Dehli arrived in court today. Their charges include rape, murder, and abduction. The incident has caused public outrage in India, causing women to call for more protection due to India’s high number of sexual assaults. Because the case is so high-profile, the judge ordered that today’s court appearance be closed to the media in order to protect the suspects’ safety. The five men do not have lawyers as those admitted to the bar in India’s Saket district have refused to represent them. Police say they have recorded confessions from the suspects, two of which have offered evidence against the others in exchange for a lesser sentence. A prosecutor for the case has said that “The five accused persons deserve not less than the death penalty.”

    Bank of America to Pay $10 Billion in Settlement With Fannie Mae, http://nyti.ms/XDga3J
    Bank of America has agreed to pay Fannie Mae $10 billion in unsettled claims stemming from the housing market crash. Bank of America will pay Fannie Mae $3.6 billion and then buy $6.75 billion of discounted mortgages. In 2011, Bank of America paid Freddie Mac for the housing market crash. Its payment to Fannie Mae signals that it’s steering away from home-lending.

    In Rare Damascus Speech, Assad Acknowledges Suffering, http://thebea.st/VttAdv
    Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made a rare public address Sunday. Assad, speaking in front of a photo collage of Syria’s war victims, proposed peace in the form of a national reconciliation conference as well as a new government and constitution. The State Department, which has urged Assad to resign, has dismissed the speech as “meaningless.” “His initiative is detached from reality, undermines the efforts of Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi, and would only allow the regime to further perpetuate its bloody oppression of the Syrian people,” said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

    Clinton Scheduled to Return to Work Monday, http://nyti.ms/13dPPZq
    Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will return to work Monday. Clinton was admitted to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital on December 30th after doctors found a blood clot in her head. The State Department has released Clinton’s schedule, which shows her meeting with assistant secretaries Monday morning and Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Washington on Wednesday.

    Sen. Rand Paul’s son arrested at North Carolina airport, charged with underage drinking, http://bit.ly/VxgDzd
    Senator Rand Paul’s 19-year-old son, William Hilton Paul, was arrested Saturday at North Carolina’s Charlotte Douglas International Airport for disorderly conduct at an airport, being intoxicated and disruptive, and consuming alcohol underage. The Senator’s office said in a statement, “Sen. Paul is a national public figure and subject to scrutiny in the public arena, however, as many parents with teenagers would understand, his family should be afforded the privacy and respect they deserve in a situation such as this.”

    Chinese official says country will end labor camp sentences in move toward judicial reform, http://wapo.st/13aAxW7
    During a press conference, China’s Meng Jianzhu, the head of the Communist Party Politics and Law Commission, said that the Chinese government will no longer give out labor-camp sentences. China allegedly has 310 labor camps holding 310,000 prisoners and employing 100,000 staff. It’s unclear what the proclamation means for current labor-camp prisoners. One activist said, “This announcement is a very good thing, but we’d still like to hear them say that they’re getting rid of reeducation through labor entirely.”

    American Delegation Arrives in North Korea on Controversial Private Trip, http://nyti.ms/RBEoIm
    Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt and former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson arrived in North Korea Monday for what Richardson has described as a four-day private humanitarian mission. During the trip, Richardson is hoping to meet with an American citizen detained by North Korean officials for “hostile acts.” Richardson has said that Schmidt is joining him because he is “interested in some of the economic issues there, the social-media aspect.” The State Department is against the trip calling it “unhelpful.”

    CULTURAL:

    ”Texas Chainsaw” movie kills rivals at North America box office, http://reut.rs/UBZt44

    Justin Bieber Gets Caught Smoking Pot Post Selena Gomez Breakup, http://bit.ly/VKjLaP

    Lindsay Lohan heads to court again, this time over New York nightclub fight, http://bit.ly/UBiNC6

    Star Trek Fan Granted Dying Wish By J.J. Abrams Passes Away, http://bit.ly/ZxGRag

    Eliot Spitzer quits Current TV following sale to Al Jazeera, http://fxn.ws/VKedgy

    Caitlin Maguire
    Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
    @caitlinmagu
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

    « Older Entries