Tony Bartolone, 11/13/12

Actor, comedian, writer

Lincoln's major achievement is the creation of the grand world in which Lincoln exists in balance with the quiet, tender internal struggle he endured. The films confronts issues of freedom we debate to this day.

Danny Groner, 11/13/12

Manager, Shutterstock

For the past five days, NBA fans and commentators have been coming to terms with that fact that Lakers fired their coach Mike Brown after just five games.

Julie Brothers, 11/13/12

Photographer, Writer

The 5th Annual City of Palm Springs Sustainability Celebration is another progressive, local event just completed.

Raphael Sbarge, 11/12/12

Actor, 'Once Upon a Time'; Co-Founder, Green Wish

Green Wish is a platform to help as many folks as possible, locally, in cities wherever it gets adopted. We see it as a kind of open source concept for green giving, with the proceeds going right back into the community.

Glenn D. Braunstein, M.D., 11/12/12

Chairman of the Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai

The frustration over this nation's inability to control blood pressure in so many people is that this is a problem with very good solutions, tested and proven over half a century. We can and must do better.

Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, 11/12/12

Executive Director/CEO and Co-Founder of MomsRising.org

Why are military leaders concerned about childhood obesity? It's a shocking fact that approximately one in four young adults is too overweight to join the military.

Mark Starr, 11/12/12

Program Director, Vet Voice Foundation

Representative Issa and Senator Boxer know that veterans, like all Californians, are grateful for their work. This is truly a case of two lawmakers working across party lines to protect a sacred vista for the people of California and our nation.

Kim Carter, 11/12/12

Founder and Executive Director, Time for Change Foundation

Advocates for Three Strikes reform experienced a landmark victory with the passing of Proposition 36. Californians are finally starting to reconsider definitions of "smart spending" outside of the traditionally debated areas.

Leigh Steinberg, 11/11/12

Sports agent

The Lakers have always been a unique franchise owned by unique owners. Jerry Buss is 78 and wants to spend his last years watching the type of basketball that he and his fans love. Get ready for some SHOWTIME!

Debra Levine, 11/12/12

artsmeme.com

One full generation's cultural history floats in the ether now that the great Rolling Stones are marking a half century of existence.

Jonathan Greenberg, 11/11/12

Investigative journalist, author, and new media executive

Our consumer movement made the costly mistake of arming itself with peace signs and love beads for what turned out to be a gunfight with a ruthless, assault rifle-equipped enemy.

Todd Allen, 11/13/12

It's been a long road, but our twice-daily 30 to 50 minutes together has come to an end. I'll make this as gentle as I can, but it is what it is and I can't resurface it.

Sarah Bowman, 11/13/12

Founder and editor, The Family Savvy

With the election behind us and Thanksgiving ahead, we're solidly in the season when the year's best movies come to theaters: We're loving both Lincoln and Skyfall, but still have eyes for some other good culture around town.

Ty Alper, 11/09/12

Law professor and dad

Prop 34 moved the conversation light years ahead in this state, and it lost by a narrow margin. When we finally abolish the death penalty, in California, and in every state, we will look back at this defeat as a bump in the long road.

Lance Simmens, 11/13/12

Adjunct Professor of Public Policy, Santa Monica College

Team Obama will forever be credited with a brilliant organizational strategy backed up by a flawless implementation delivered by troops whose dedication, commitment, and seriousness caught the opposition flatfooted.

Brian Formo, 11/13/12

Los Angeles-based writer

The 26th Annual AFI Film Festival ended in Hollywood on November 9. The winners from the jury and the audience are listed here, but first, I wanted to write a little about a film from each category that didn't win, but I felt should get a special mention.

Dale Cooper, 11/09/12

Porn performer and writer

Measure B's aims, as delineated by its primary backer, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, are to protect adult video performers and prevent the spread of disease. Viewed myopically, Measure B may indeed seem like a step in that direction. The negatives outweigh the measure's benefits, however.