Mitchell Bard, 02/24/13

Writer and Filmmaker

Republicans in Congress are willing to take the pocketbooks of the American people hostage, all to try and ransom spending and entitlement cuts that would, in the opinion of many economists, cause further economic damage to all but the wealthiest Americans.

Anna Leahy and Douglas Dechow, 02/24/13

If we can hear the constituents of the universe, we must remember that we, too, are part of this universe. The Earth emanates natural and manmade radio waves. What do we sound like?

Dr. Peggy Drexler, 02/23/13

Author, research psychologist and gender scholar

Kids who have no desire to entertain themselves -- or even any idea how -- are increasingly common. Parents are confused, because isn't that why they bought all those racing cars, coloring books, puzzles, and Legos stashed in the playroom?

Antoine Vitkine, 02/24/13

Journalist, writer and documentary filmmaker

"Violence is intense. Hatred is even stronger. How can people feel so much hatred or such a strong desire to kill?"

Jerry L. Ross, 02/23/13

Former astronaut and author of 'SPACEWALKER'

The Space Shuttle's three main engines and two solid rocket boosters spewed fire and smoke, and their deafening noise roared in my ears during seven launches into space.

Joseph A. Palermo, 02/24/13

Associate professor, historian, author

When fiscal crises become the "new normal" the public begins to remember that they elected politicians to do a job. And part of their job description is to take care of the public purse and not to create problems where none exist.

Gigi Ross, 02/23/13

Blogger, KludgyMom

I'm the mom that sits at Taekwondo tournaments and hopes for the first place that doesn't come. I'm the mom that's been at soccer games and ached inside, wishing that the sheer will of my love for this kid could make a ball float effortlessly from his foot or hand into the goal or hoop.

HuffPost Radio, 02/24/13

Reagan & Matalin debate if the GOP opposes voter fraud or voters, supports one-acre/one-vote presidentially, wants to end the '65 Voting Rights Act? Is voter impersonation a Loch Ness monster?

Lincoln Mitchell, 02/24/13

Harriman Institute, Columbia University

Because the U.S. has been governed by the same two parties for more than 150 years, it is not uncommon for one of the parties to be riven by an ideological split. The conflict in today's Republican Party is different. Although there are policy elements to it, most of the differences are personal.

Fredda Wasserman, 02/24/13

Clinical Director of Adult Programs and Education at OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center

From Les Miserables to Silver Linings Playbook to Flight, death and grief are major themes in this year's Oscar nominated films. The film makers and writers must be applauded for daring to expose viewers to such intimate portrayals of the grief process.

Peter Dreier and Donald Cohen, 02/23/13

Increasing the minimum wage to $9 an hour and tying it to the cost of living will not, on its own, lift the country out of its economic doldrums. But it will definitely lift millions of Americans out of poverty, stimulate the economy, and create new jobs. It is the right thing to do both morally and economically.

Josh Farmer, 02/24/13

Indycar Writer

Part of what it takes to win is being in position at the end of the race, and Danica was there without any fuel strategy or lucky caution to put her there.

Jennifer Nagy, 02/23/13

Public Relations/Marketing Professional & Divorce Expert

Before I got married and then divorced, I believed in all of the "happily-ever-after" fairy tales. I believed in the nonsense that rom-coms push down our throats about soulmates and forever and love at first sight.

Marian Wright Edelman, 02/23/13

President, Children's Defense Fund

While there are troubling undertones of racial suspicion and fear in Trayvon Martin's killing which must be addressed as justice is sought, the fact is that most Black young people murdered by guns are killed by Black shooters -- just as most White children and teens murdered by guns are killed by White shooters. Sadly the tragedies of Tucson, Aurora, Newtown and elsewhere made clear that none of us are safe anywhere or immune to the pervasive threat of gun violence. We are all in the same boat and must act together to stop the plague of violence. Gun safety laws that only apply in one city or state can't fully stop our national epidemic of gun proliferation and violence any better than we can stop a flu epidemic by vaccinating one family.

Danielle Tumminio, 02/24/13

Author, 'God and Harry Potter at Yale'

Martyrdom accounts are inspiring but we do those people who suffered and died a deep disservice when we extend their experience to claim that "all Christians are persecuted and always will be" because that's not true.

Lucia Annunziata, 02/24/13

Editorial Director, L'Huffington Post

In truth, the only thing that is really surprising in this electoral campaign is the level of removal that, once again, we as a people are capable of.

Graciela Tiscareno-Sato, 02/23/13

Chief Creative Officer, Gracefully Global Group LLC & Author of "Latinnovating"

Bless Me Última turned out to be a tremendous treat for the senses and for our hearts. Rarely do we see and hear stories of the perpetual battle raging between good and evil, presented through the eyes of a young child.

Rev. James Ellis, III, 02/23/13

Baptist Minister, Writer

The sheer existence of a perspective different than our own is hardly adequate evidence to label someone a narrow-minded dogmatist regardless of which side of the fence they sit on.

Billy Wheelan, 02/24/13

Founder, Sentia Education

Beginning August 1, 2013, students will no longer be able to select "topic of your choice" for their personal statement. Instead, students will choose from 4-5 new essay prompts that are set to change each year.

Lyz Lenz, 02/24/13

Writer

Even at 2, my daughter is wary of risk. I'm constantly encouraging her to jump, leap and tip over all she can. I want her to push her limits, to ride the edge, even if that means falling and failing. Yes, I want my daughter to fail.

Bianca Strzalkowski, 02/24/13

Military Spouse Magazine 2011 Military Spouse of the Year

As a proud American, as a woman who worries about my children's future, and as the wife of an American hero, you have let my community down.

Tani Brown, 02/23/13

Writer in New York City

When I was in college, I was madly in love with love. I saw a glimpse of both my best and my worst self, driven by the thrilling vulnerability of meeting someone that could love both the good and bad parts of me.

Richard (RJ) Eskow, 02/24/13

Writer; host, 'The Breakdown'; Senior Fellow, Campaign for America's Future

The "sequester" debate is the latest stage of an ongoing hostage crisis that's forcing austerity economics on an unwilling population -- cloaking it in a false debate about how to do it, not about why we shouldn't do it at all.

Sam Fiorella, 02/24/13

Partner, Sensei Marketing | Author, Influence Marketing

Have you ever found yourself asking, "Where did the last hour go?" when connecting with friends or colleagues in social networks? Social media is like a drug; just a little taste and we can't help but want more.

Jess Coleman, 02/24/13

Student, Binghamton University

Since when were movies considered a reliable source, comparable to the many books and primary sources we have at our disposal? My college professors would never accept "J. Edgar" as a scholarly source for a history paper, just as they will never accept "Zero Dark Thirty" as a serious piece of historical evidence.

Zeba Blay, 02/24/13

Writer

When Dunham said Lampanelli's comments made her "uncomfortable," was she actually referring to the fact that frank discussion about race makes her uncomfortable?

Juliana Stock, 02/23/13

Technology Executive

What I've come to understand is that courage isn't the absence of fear at all. It's taking an action or risk, making a move or decision in spite of it, and here are some of the tools that I found were handy.

Stephanie Weaver, 02/24/13

The Recipe Renovator

These luscious little morsels taste enough like Snickers bars to satisfy a candy bar craving... the dates have a caramel flavor, and the nuts, chocolate, and salt combine for an incredibly satisfying little snack.

Sheryl Paul, 02/23/13

International counselor for anxiety; Bestselling author, 'The Conscious Bride'

How would your marriage be different if you had been handed an honest, comprehensive guide on what to expect after the wedding?