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    ‘Simon Cowell’


    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Thursday, January 10th, 2013

    Thursday, January 10th, 2013

    The NIH reveals Junior Seau suffered a brain disease; Jerry Sandusky appeals his sentence in court; 5 Kurdish activists are murdered in Paris; VA Gov. Bob McDonnell calls for the restoration of felons’ voting rights; 44 states report widespread flu outbreaks; and a new study shows that half of the world’s flue is ‘just thrown away.’ Meanwhile, this year’s Oscar nominations are announced; ‘The Hunger Games’ wins big at the People Choice Awards; and Britney Spears is leaving ‘The X-Factor.’

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    NFL PLAYER JUNIOR SEAU HAD BRAIN DISEASE CTE, http://bit.ly/ZvZTJvAccording to researchers at the National Institutes of Health, former NFL player Junior Seau had been suffering from the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy when he committed suicide last May. NIH has found that Seau’s brain had damages similar to those found in autopsies of people “with repetitive head injuries.” Seau’s family had requested his brain be analyzed after his suicide, noting that he was exhibiting strange behavior before his death. “I don’t think any of us were aware of the side effects that could be going on with head trauma when he passed away,” said Seau’s son.

    Delhi gang rape suspects ‘tortured to force confession’, http://bbc.in/UXN5we
    Manohar Lal Sharma, a lawyer expected to represent three of the New Dehli gang-rape suspects, says the men confessed to the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman because they were “tortured.” The court ruled Thursday that the charges against the five suspects needed further investigation and that the case will not be fast-tracked to a trial. A sixth suspect in the case is a minor and will be tried separately.

    SANDUSKY ARRIVES FOR HEARING ON FAIRNESS OF TRIAL, http://bit.ly/13iO0v3
    Former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky will appear in court Thursday in order to appeal his conviction for 45 charges of sexual abuse of young boys. He has been sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison for abusing 10 boys over 15 years. Sandusky will allege that his lawyers were not given sufficient time to prepare for the trial. The prosecution has responded that Sandusky and his lawyers knew as early as 2008 that he had been accused of sexual abuse.

    5-Female Kurdish activists including former guerrilla shot in Paris, http://reut.rs/VjWaAy
    Five Kurdish women were found shot to death in Paris Thursday morning. The bodies were discovered at the Information Center of Kurdistan. Police are launching a murder investigation and say the crime were politically motivated. One of the victims was a founding member of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) while another was the Paris representative of the Kurdistan National Congress. The PKK has been recognized as a terrorist group by the U.S., Turkey, and the European Union, and has been involved in a 28-year war for independence from Turkey.

    (via Daily Press) McDonnell calls for automatic restoration of voting rights for felons, http://bit.ly/10gIdHF
    Gov. Bob McDonnell used his annual State of the Commonwealth Wednesday to tout his transportation funding package, unveil additional education reform proposals, and call for the automatic restoration of voting rights for nonviolent felons. McDonnell said he supports proposed legislation for a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore civil rights, such as voting rights, to felons convicted of nonviolent offenses who have served their time. Currently applications for rights restoration must be made directly to the governor who then decides whether to restore rights on an individual basis.

    Biden, NRA set to meet, http://cbsn.ws/WuUBf9
    Vice President Biden, as leader of the president’s gun task force, will meet with the NRA, Comcast, other broadcasters, and movie-theater owners Thursday. The meeting is meant to discuss the enforcement of stricter gun laws and the use of gun violence for entertainment value. On Wednesday, Biden said that “executive action” will most likely circumvent Congress in order to take action on guns. NRA president David Keene has called the White House’s task force “disingenuous,” adding that it’s “going after the Second Amendment.”

    National flu outbreak widens, http://cbsn.ws/WB7zI6
    A total of 44 states are reporting widespread flu outbreaks. On Wednesday, Boston issued a public health emergency after 18 people were killed and 700 more were affected by the virus. At this time last year, only 70 cases of the flu had been reported. According to the Center for Diseases Control, the number of people admitted to the hospital with the virus has doubled in the past month. Officials strongly recommend flu vaccinations for everyone 6-months or older.

    Half of the world’s food ‘is just thrown away’, http://ind.pn/VR015h
    According to a new study, half of the world’s food, up to 2 billion tons, is “just thrown away.” Between 30 and 50 percent of food is not eaten due to poor infrastructure and storage facilities, expiration dates, “buy one get one free” offers, and pickiness from consumers. The study also states that the demand for water for food production could reach 10 to 13 million cubic meters a year by 2050 – more than triple the amount of fresh water humans use today.

    CULTURAL:

    OSCAR NOMINATIONS 2013: ‘ARGO,’ ‘LINCOLN’ & MORE (PHOTOS), http://thebea.st/RI1T2k

    Rapper Freddy E tweets final moments before shooting himself, http://on.today.com/10g3u4j

    People’s Choice Awards 2013: ‘The Hunger Games’ Takes Home 5 Awards, http://abcn.ws/VMaNwf

    Queen Elizabeth: William & Kate’s Daughter Will Be Called ‘Princess’, http://bit.ly/13kUJnl

    Britney Spears Leaving Simon Cowell’s The X Factor, http://eonli.ne/UNzs1y

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

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    By: Suzy Geers

    Suzy’s Take: FOX and Google’s GOP Debate

    Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

    What were you doing last night? Watching Simon Cowell glisten in one of his umpteenth v-neck sweaters with his new American pet project, X-Factor OR did you tune in to the MOST interactive American Republican Presidential debate ever?!?  Sponsored by Fox and Google, this unique forum included every day citizens beamed in via YouTube and text messaging (19,000 questions submitted from the US and internationally) asking candidates questions about issues that mean something unique and that affect them.

    Nine Grand-Old Party candidates: Texas Governor Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Senator Rick Santorum, Congressman Ron Paul, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Georgia businessman Herman Cain and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman took turns in this two hour info session.

    There was flip-flopping, fireworks, patriotism, and at times straight talking the issues:  Social security, heath care, JOBS, and immigration.
    A personal favorite, a middle-aged American man begging when IS the U.S. going to stop handing out money to countries that “hate us?”
    Newt Gingrich stated, “… if a particular country votes against us consistently in the U.N., why would we give them aid to begin with? The postwar world, when we had 50 percent of the world economy, is gone. We can’t afford that much international aid anymore.”

    One of the most poignant moments during the debate was during the topic of health care. Presidential hopeful Cain talked about his hard fought (and won) battle with stage IV colon and liver cancer. (For those unaware- stage IV means the cancer is spread and there is generally no hope). After a standing ovation, Cain spoke of his victorious strategy with his doctors and describes what he believes COULD have happened if his illness occurred in this administration, “My cancer was detected in March of 2006. From March 2006 all the way to the end of 2006, for that number of months, I was able to get the necessary CAT scan tests, go to the necessary doctors, get a second opinion, get chemotherapy, go — get surgery, recuperate from surgery, get more chemotherapy in a span of nine months. If we had been under Obamacare and a bureaucrat was trying to tell me when I could get that CAT scan that would have delayed by treatment. My surgeons and doctors have told me that because I was able get the treatment as fast as I could, based upon my timetable and not the government’s timetable that’s what saved my life, because I only had a 30 percent chance of survival. And now I’m here five years cancer free, because I could do it on my timetable and not a bureaucrat’s timetable. This is one of the reasons I believe a lot of people are objecting to Obamacare, because we need get bureaucrats out of the business of trying to micromanage health care in this nation.”

    Another extremely pertinent question was from a college student suffering from chronic illness: “I have a chronic heart condition. So for me, and those like me, the Democrats’ health care reform, allowing us to stay on our parents’ insurance longer was a godsend. If were you elected, would you work as is the stated position of your party to repeal this reform? And if so, are we supposed to pray really hard that our ailments don’t prevent us from going to class?” The “answer” was a mish mash, side-stepping of everything wrong with Obama’s health care, to the HPV vaccine, and a statement that health care should be a state by state issue and solution- not federal.
    So, unfortunately, the answer is still out there OR hopefully, it will not change!

    Most gut wrenchingly, an American soldier serving in Iraq who has never been outed in the military (well, he is now) bravely questioned  “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” He asked, “ In 2010, when I was deployed to Iraq, I had to lie about who I was, because I’m a gay soldier, and I didn’t want to lose my job. My question is, under one of your Presidencies, do you intend to circumvent the progress that’s been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military?” After the boos in the Orlando crowd subsided candidates didn’t really applaud, stand up for this man (who is fighting for all of them to have the right to govern and be governed)  or give him a straight answer; which was the case in many questions but, hey that’s politics, right? Although, most candidates did agree sex shouldn’t play a roll in government. Now, that’s grand old irony!

    Suzy Geers
    Bio: Born in New Hampshire, raised in Massachusetts and early "twentied" it in Los Angeles; Suzy Geers is a music journalist and currently marketing coordinator for Plaidswede Publishing in Concord, NH. Back to New England, living in MA (full circle?!) she is an unwavering metal, Drew Bledsoe and New England Patriots fan!

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

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    By: Katie Scholick

    News Round-Up: Wednesday, July 13, 2011

    Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

    LA City Councilwoman Janice Hahn wins a House seat, Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry receives a Medal of Honor, Senator Mitch McConnell proposes a controversial debt plan, France says Gadhafi will most likely step down, and Pakistan threatens to withdraw troops from its border. Also, Obama’s re-election campaign and the Democratic National Committee have raised a combined $86 million since April, Mitt Romney has rejected the Family Leader’s ‘Marriage Vow’ Pledge, the youth unemployment rate is more than 17%, and Netflix is raising its prices.

    Caitlin, Katie, + Perry

    CRITICAL:

    (via POLITICO Breaking News)     Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, a Democrat, has won the special election to represent a Southern California House seat, the Associated Press reported. Hahn beat Republican Craig Huey 54.56 percent to 45.44 percent, according to the Los Angeles County clerk’s office.

    Army Ranger receives Medal of Honor for Afghanistan heroics,     http://bit.ly/pTOJt4
    Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry is the second living soldier from the Iraq and Afghan wars to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Petry was shot in both legs and lost a hand after throwing an enemy grenade away from his fellow soldiers. “To be singled out is very humbling. I consider every one of our men and women in uniform to be our heroes,” he said.

    Debt Talk Mired, Leader for G.O.P. Proposes Option,     http://nyti.ms/osJez0
    Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has angered Conservatives with his new debt proposal. McConnell wants Congress to allow President Obama to raise the debt ceiling without its prior approval of spending cuts. While some Conservatives think this plan will place any potential blame on Obama and benefit the GOP, others find it a panicked retreat.

    France Says Gadhafi Aides Hinted at His Exit,     http://on.wsj.com/nQsuZH
    Negotiations to end Col. Moammar Gadhafi’s 41-year regime in Libya have not yet began; however, emissaries suggest that the leader is “ready to go.” France and other NATO allies are currently conducting airstrikes against his forces. US State Dept. officials are less optimistic about the development, calling the messages “contradictory.”

    Pakistan might withdraw border troops, defense minister says,     http://wapo.st/pW5VRa
    The US announced earlier this week that it would suspend US military aid to Pakistan. In response, Pakistan’s Defense Minister has threatened to withdraw thousands of troops from the country’s border, which would “undermine Washington interests” in the area.

    (via POLITICO Breaking News)     President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign and the Democratic National Committee raised a combined $86 million between April and June, blowing past the combined $60 million goal set by both groups at the start of the fundraising quarter. Obama campaign manager Jim Messina announced the total in a video released before dawn Wednesday, touting the 552,462 donors who contributed as “more grassroots support at this point in the process than any campaign in political history.” Of the $86 million raised, Messina said over $47 million went into the coffers of Obama for America and more than $38 million went to the DNC.

    Mitt Romney Rejects The Family Leader’s ‘Marriage Vow’ Pledge,     http://huff.to/pSfxyP
    After rival presidential candidates, Michelle Bachmann and Rick Santorum signed a controversial Conservative pledge, Romney has decided to reject it. The pledge denounces gay marriage, pornography, gays in the military, and Islamic law.

    The Glum and the Restless,     http://bit.ly/oveOGx
    More than 17 percent of 16-to-24-year-olds looking for work cannot find a job. Youth unemployment is not only a big issue for the economy, but also for the President as he looks for youth support in 2012

    Netflix raises DVD, streaming plan price by 60 percent,     http://reut.rs/pZ6cX2
    Netflix might be best known for its DVD mail service, but the company sees video streaming as its future. New subscribers will have to pay extra for a DVD-only plan, and the streaming plans are now sold separately. Many Netflix users are outraged at the 60% price increases.

    CULTURAL:

    Breaking: Ted Danson takes over ‘CSI,’ http://bit.ly/o2oVMQ

    Struggling Oprah Network to Name New CEO: Oprah, http://on.wsj.com/q6AZ9U

    Terrafugia Transition: Flying Car Approved For Road Use By NHTSA, http://huff.to/pNmwI5

    ‘X Factor’ Preview Signals Return Of Simon And Paula, http://on.mtv.com/pJqAsx

    Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to finally marry? http://bit.ly/n1pQVN

    Katie Scholick
    Bio: Duke University, Class of 2013 Majoring in Psychology, Certificate in Markets and Management.

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

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    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Monday, June 6, 2011

    Monday, June 6th, 2011

    Some War on Voting updates: as early as this week, Pennsylvania could pass legislation requiring voters to show photo ids at the polls, http://bit.ly/lWc05S. Also, The New York Times has published an editorial addressing the recent wave of restrictive voting legislation, http://bit.ly/kbNk5b.

    Today, the turmoil in Syria heightens; John Edwards was almost a jail bird; Rick Santorum wants to be your president; Katie Couric has gone from NBC to CBS and now to ABC. In tech news, anti-matter matters when studying the universe, and Apple unveils a whole new bunch of shiny, irresistible, Mac stuff.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Syria Says 40 Police Dead in Ambush in Tense North, http://yhoo.it/ljUj1k

    On their way to aid hurt civilians, 40 Syrian police officers were killed in an ambush by armed groups.

    Prison Sentence Doomed Edwards Plea Deal, http://bit.ly/jhEjlZ

    John Edwards was offered a plea deal of six months in prison for using campaign money to cover up his affair and secret child with Rielle Hunter. Edwards and his team negotiated and considered the deal until turning it down a mere few minutes before his indictment.

    Rick Santorum Will Run for President: ‘We’re in it to Win it,” http://abcn.ws/muzWbP

    Former Pennsylvania Senator, Republican Rick Santorum announced on Good Morning America that he will run for president in 2012. Santorum currently lags behind Romney and Palin in Republican nominee polls.

    For Couric, ABC’s Pitch Proved Best, http://nyti.ms/kwcuEa

    An in demand Katie Couric announced today that she will join the ABC network and host her own syndicated talk show. Couric will be a co-owner of the show and share in part of its profits.

    Scientists Trap and Study Elusive ‘Anti-Matter,’ http://bit.ly/j8rCC7

    In an effort to study the origins of the universe, scientists have used an accelerator to trap and store anti-matter for 16 minutes.

    Apple’s Jobs Takes to WWDC Stage, Unveils iCloud, http://cnet.co/jMeomK

    Steve Jobs announced the content of this year’s WWDC. Jobs unveiled the new Apple syncing program iCloud, its updated desktop operating system: Mac OS X Lion, and a new mobile operating system: iOS5.

    Peter A. Diamond on “When a Nobel Prize Isn’t Enough,” http://nyti.ms/ijd7AC

    CULTURAL:

    MTV Movie Awards 2011: The Complete Winners List, http://bit.ly/iCtQxI

    Facebook Party Spins out of Control, http://apne.ws/mujzWi

    (via POLITICO Playbook) “William and Kate to live in Diana palace” – AFP/London: “Prince William and new bride Catherine will within the coming months move into Kensington Palace, the London residence once shared by the prince and his late mother Diana, St James’s Palace said Sunday. The newly-titled Duke of Cambridge and his brother Prince Harry lived in the palace after Diana and Prince Charles divorced in 1996, but the newlywed couple will move into a different property within the grounds. A spokesman from St James’s Palace said: … ‘A number of options for longer term solutions are still being considered. The couple’s main home will continue to be their house on Anglesey, and their Household Office will continue to be based at St James’s Palace’ … The duke and duchess currently live on the north Wales island of Anglesey, where the prince works as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot.”

    (via Cynopsis) The cast of Jersey Shore traveled to Florence, Italy to film its fourth season now slated to premiere on MTV August 4 at 10p.  Even before the fourth season opens, Jersey Shore begins production on season five this month going back to where it all began, on the beach at Seaside Heights. MTV also airs a one-hour Jersey Shore special on July 28 at 10p documenting the rise of the show and its cast into a pop culture phenomenon.

    (via Cynopsis) After some back and forth, it now appears Cheryl Cole will be joining the cast of The X Factor here in the US.  It was reported just a week ago she was dropped from the show – reasons included her accent may be difficult for Americans to understand, and that she would be returning to the UK version of the show. None of those reports were officially confirmed. Simon Cowell’s camp told the BBC News website he was in talks with the US producers Fox and FremantleMedia to bring Cole back. She is expected to return to the show later this week, joining her fellow judges in New Jersey for auditions.

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

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    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Monday, May 9, 2011

    Monday, May 9th, 2011

    Roll Call peeks into the mind and office of new DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. The Obama administration hopes she, along with an increase in gay donors, will influence the President’s re-election in 2012. Newt Gingrich will make his official 2012 candidacy announcement this Wednesday. Meanwhile a new report says in 2010 that CEO’s pay increased by 11% and fights over the environment have been taking over the House and Courts, and a new study from Pew details how users read news online.

    WAR ON VOTING UPDATE: Rock the Vote’s previous Deputy Field Directory talks the consequences of Rick Scott signing Florida’s restrictive voting legislation into law, just one of many states where voting rights are under attack: http://bit.ly/musyoF

    CRUCIAL:

    Debbie Wasserman Schultz talks tactics and her new position as DNC chairwoman http://bit.ly/jcaiNK

    Florida Congresswoman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, is the new chairwoman of the DNC. With her slightly acerbic tongue and advocacy for women, the Obama administration has high hopes for her role in re-electing the President in 2012.

    The Syrian Army has Surrounded the Suburb of Damascus, Cutting Off Its Telephones and Electricity http://bbc.in/msEQ8o

    The Syrian army has taken over Damascus, cutting off its resources in an effort to target individual protestors against the government.The death toll due to protests is around 800; however, the Syrian government has disallowed any reporters from entering the country making exact numbers uncertain.

    CEOs’ Incomes Increased by 11% in 2010 http://on.wsj.com/kfbYrt

    According to a Wall Street Journal study, the median value of salaries, bonuses, and long-term incentives increased by 11% for 350 major companies’ CEOs. Viacom Inc.’s CEO, Philippe P. Dauman, saw the biggest increase with his pay doubling to $84.3 million from 2009. Companies claim that the CEOs’ invaluable leadership caused them to have enough funds to grant CEOs their deserved pay.

    Newt Gingrich May Announce 2012 Bid on Wednesday http://wapo.st/ixLBhO

    Newt Gingrich has announced via Facebook and Twitter that he will speak on FOX News on Wednesday about his candidacy for 2012.

    House Democrats and Republicans in a Messaging Battle Over Current High Gas Prices http://bit.ly/jcaiNK

    With the summer driving season drawing close, House Democrats and Republicans are scrambling to come out on top regarding gas prices and – since they’re already at it – lowering unemployment with the creation of energy related jobs in the US.

    A New Study Shows the Navigation Habits of Online News Readers http://bit.ly/kK4o3P

    Rock the Vote’s previous Deputy Field Director on what’s wrong with FL House Bill 1355: http://bit.ly/musyoF

    CULTURAL:

    Top Ten Scariest Mogul Heirs: http://bit.ly/iHngsm

    A Second Chance for Paula Abdul as Simon Cowell Gives her the Coveted Spot of X-Factor Judge: http://bit.ly/mqu4IY

    Meredith Vieira Definitely Leaving Today Show: http://bit.ly/mJhNvb

    Marg Helgenberger Says Justin Bieber Was a “Brat” on CSI set; Justin “Lamely” Responds: http://on.mtv.com/jYiSyf

    Rep. Aaron Schock and his Abs Want Americans to Improve their Diet and Exercise Habits: http://bit.ly/jL14iJ

    Whitney Houston Checks into Rehab: http://bit.ly/kKRRXb

    Paul McCartney Engaged: http://huff.to/lmG3aW

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

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