Dylan Ratigan, 9/28/11

Host, MSNBC's 'The Dylan Ratigan Show'; Author, soon to be released 'Greedy Bastards'

Until we get money out of our politics we can't address the corrupt structures that prevail over health, energy, education, defense, trade and banking.

Will Bunch, 9/28/11

Author, 'The Backlash'

Did the Tea Party become, in that famous Sherlock Holmesian expression, the dog that did not bark? For the most part, yes. So what was all that barking that woke America up in the middle of the night? It was the right-wing media, and its echoes, that you heard.

Jeremy Rifkin, 9/28/11

Author, 'The Third Industrial Revolution: How Lateral Power is Transforming Energy, the Economy, and the World'

The "democratization of energy" has profound implications for how we orchestrate the entirety of human life in the coming century. We are entering the era of "Distributed Capitalism." The Third Industrial Revolution.

Jared Bernstein, 9/28/11

Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

While conservative politicians are busy jamming their perennial tax cut/deregulate agenda into the current economic context, the thing that businesses are truly uncertain about is when they're going to start seeing some customers again.

Cheryl Forberg, RD, 9/28/11

Award-winning chef, Nutritionist for "The Biggest Loser"

After working with the "Biggest Loser" for 12 seasons, I sometimes doubt there's an embarrassing question I haven't been asked! Here are five more.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, 9/28/11

Democratic Senator from Rhode Island

As the Congressional "supercommittee" prepares to recommend significant budget cuts this fall, there may be a fight for the future of Pell Grant.

Ingrid Newkirk, 9/28/11

President and co-founder, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Given the ghastly details of Dawn Brancheau's final 45 minutes being beaten to death by Tilikum, on top of the 100-plus other incidents, SeaWorld is likely to go under if it doesn't change the kinds of shows it puts on.

Conrad Black, 9/27/11

Historian, publisher, author

The press release announcing my resignation from Hollinger was on the wires the Monday morning after my decision. Murdoch's New York Post became the outlet for every fictional tale of my enemies and then some enthusiastically invented by the Post itself.

Medea Benjamin, 9/28/11

Co-founder, CODEPINK: Women for Peace

This week marks the beginning of what is supposed to be the final 100 days of the U.S. occupation of Iraq.

Eliot Van Buskirk, 9/28/11

Editor, Evolver.fm

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos revealed a new line of tablets on Wednesday morning including one, Kindle Fire, that unleashes a clear warning shot across Apple's bow. It could even score a direct hit.

Nour Akkad, 9/27/11

Freelance Writer and Researcher

I have to take issue with the inappropriate comments complete strangers, friends, even family members feel they need to make to an already vulnerable -- and very emotional -- pregnant woman.

Jamie Henn, 9/28/11

Co-founder and Communications Director, 350.org

When Barack Obama announced his candidacy for Presidency, I was swept up in the excitement. Finally, I thought, here is a man who can bring the country together to build a clean energy economy.

Jane Chafin, 9/28/11

Director, Offramp Gallery, Pasadena, CA

Asher Smith, 9/28/11

1L, Yale Law

For Democrats, at least, Republican rage is the gift that keeps on giving.

Bill Schneider, 9/28/11

Distinguished Senior Fellow and Resident Scholar at Third Way

The Republican Party is split. But is it deeply divided to the point where one side is likely to bolt the party if the other side wins the nomination? Not yet. But it's early. The possibility of a civil war is still a distant threat. But not an unthinkable one.

Marshall Fine, 9/28/11

Author and film critic, hollywoodandfine.com

Moody and portentous, Jeff Nichols' Take Shelter stars the actor who may be our most readily accessible force of darkness at this point in cinematic history: Michael Shannon.

Rev. Dr. Eric D. Barreto, 9/28/11

Assistant Professor of New Testament, Luther Seminary in St. Paul

It is clear that the Ten Commandments are powerful cultural and religious symbols even if our knowledge of their actual contents is fuzzy at best.

Kal Penn, 9/27/11

Actor/Producer

Progress is possible with a leader who understands what's at stake. But progress is never easy, which is all the more reason to keep a focus on positivity and abandon cynicism.

Dan Treadway, 9/28/11

Assistant editor, Huffington Post Sports

A fact that few Longhorns or Aggies would care to acknowledge is that deep down, they don't hate each other -- they need each other. Because a big part of the identity of anyone who attends either institution is in fact their direct connection to the opposing school.

Brendan Nyhan, 9/28/11

Political scientist and media critic

It is far too early to know how race will affect Obama's performance in the general election in November 2012. But for the moment at least, I don't think we can't confidently attribute the differences between Obama's and Clinton's support among the general public to race.

Laura Paull, 9/27/11

Supervising Editor for Citizen Journalism at the Huffington Post

Even though Americans have centuries of experience with independent reporting and self expression, the term "citizen journalism" still raises eyebrows.

John Merrow, 9/28/11

Education Correspondent, PBS NewsHour; Author, 'The Influence of Teachers'

I think it's fair to say that Education Nation is close to achieving that lofty 'must attend' status, no small feat for an enterprise that stumbled so badly out of the gate and is only two years old.

Meredith Fineman, 9/28/11

Blogger, TheFFJD.com

Lowercase That Promoter Modification. I am FAIRLY CERTAIN PROMOTERS ALL OVER THE WORLD HAVE ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE CAPS LOCK KEY AND FORGOTTEN TO GO BACK TO WRITING IN NORMAL PROSE.

Gabe Crane, 9/28/11

Haas/Koshland Award recipient

The blast of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah calls out to all of us: "Wake up! You have been sleeping!" The slumber is clear. The choice is ours. But to what is it that we awaken?