Doug Bandow, 12/ 3/11

Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute

Engaging Burma may encourage that state to continue on a more independent course. The regime isn't likely to dump its patron -- China is too close. However, any distance between Naypyidaw and Beijing would be a positive.

Marian Wright Edelman, 12/ 2/11

President, Children's Defense Fund

Our public schools are resegregating, and many of the 73 percent of black students and 78 percent of Hispanic students who still attend predominantly segregated schools continue to suffer with tattered books, crumbling school facilities and too many teachers with low expectations for them.

James Zogby, 12/ 3/11

President, Arab American Institute; author, 'Arab Voices'

Relations between Turkey and the U.S. have changed in response to dramatic changes in the Arab world. But some constants remain -- among these are the dangers associated with the region's limited tolerance for foreign intervention.

Ann Beeson, 12/ 2/11

Former Executive Director, U.S. Programs, Open Society

Because of its sheer size, Texas has the ability to change the direction of the country. Despite the current Tea Party stranglehold and lackluster Democrats, that change is more and more likely to trend progressive.

Rev. Amy Ziettlow, 12/ 2/11

Blogs at FamilyScholars.org.

Each successive year I feel like the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas speeds up and I long for spiritual practices that will slow me down. Each year I am grateful for the season of Advent.

Stanley Weiss, 12/ 2/11

Founding Chairman, Business Executives for National Security

It may not seem like it now but Romney will lose in Iowa and Huntsman will win in New Hampshire, eventually becoming the Republican nominee for president.

Lisa Firestone, 12/ 3/11

Psychology expert on relationships, parenting, self-destructive thoughts and suicide; author, 'Conquer Your Critical Voice'

When you're depressed, it often feels like nothing in the world can make you feel better. For anyone experiencing this "stuckness," it's important to remember that depression is a very common and highly-treatable disorder.

Kathryn Schulz, 12/ 2/11

Author, 'Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error'

At a time of year when most people are looking to the future and enumerating their resolutions for the new year, I encourage you to take a moment and dwell on your regrets instead.

Charlotte Singmin, 12/ 3/11

Yoga instructor

When I tell people that I'm allergic to wheat and dairy they usually look at me with pity and ask how I manage without pizza and ice cream. But people who live with food allergies now have plenty of options, several of which can actually be healthier than the original.

David Wild, 12/ 2/11

TV Writer; Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone; Co-Author, 'Diary of a Player"'

The Night announces that he has retained the services of Gloria Allred and Kim Kardashian's publicists, and issues a curt statement about the dissolution of his marriage with Gaga. "She's no Lady," The Night claims.

Diane Gilman, 12/ 2/11

Fashion Luminary; HSN icon

Change is a fact of life. Either you embrace and steer it or you stick your head in the sand -- making it convenient for life to kick your ass. I never wanted to stop aging. I wanted to renegotiate my age. Redefine it. I knew this was possible.

Michele Hunt, 12/ 2/11

Transformation Catalyst; Author, 'Putting Vision and Values To Work'

The genie is out of the bottle. People around the world are claiming their power. That energy cannot be forced, coerced, bribed or beaten back into that the old controlling structures, systems or mindsets.

Chris Gentilviso, 12/ 2/11

Front Page Editor, The Huffington Post

I've dropped a full pant size to a 34-inch waist. I'm wearing medium shirts for the first time since the Bush Sr. administration. And if I want a donut, I can still eat one.

Mark Shriver, 12/ 2/11

Senior Vice President for Save the Children's U.S. Programs

Certain politicians -- most recently Newt Gingrich -- often rail against class warfare in America. But Gingrich should know that class warfare isn't a one-way street of the poor fighting the wealthy.

Cecile Richards, 12/ 2/11

President, Planned Parenthood Action Fund

Apple's trusty little phone wizard is clueless about birth control or abortion care. While this may be nothing more than a programming glitch, it is a modern-day example of the historic struggle women have always faced in getting access to health care and health information.

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, 12/ 2/11

Rabbi and writer

How strange that half of the population seems prepared to squander everything important in the pursuit of material success, while the rest are content to gorge themselves on junk food in front of reality television. At issue is the most basic urge of all: hunger.

Robert Reich, 12/ 2/11

Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy, University of California at Berkeley; Author, 'Aftershock'

What does the new jobs report mean? We're not out of the woods but we might be seeing some daylight. Maybe. Here's what you need to worry about.

Michael J.W. Stickings, 12/ 2/11

Founder, The Reaction

Paul's efforts to go after Gingrich are significant. They indicate that Gingrich is indeed a genuine contender to be reckoned with, that Gingrich will have to start playing defense, and that the race is about to get a whole lot uglier.

Isabel Kaplan, 12/ 2/11

Harvard undergraduate; Author, 'Hancock Park'

An incredible number of literary heavyweights have been insulted with spots on the Bad Sex shortlist over the past 19 years. Which begs the question: Has sufficient attention been paid to the art of writing sex scenes?

Elliott Negin, 12/ 2/11

Director of News & Commentary, Union of Concerned Scientists

The Post story included the what, who, where and how of basic journalism. What was missing was the why. Why is sea level rising and eroding the beach in Chincoteague?

Margaret Cho, 12/ 2/11

Comedian, actor and recording artist

World AIDS Day falls on December 1st, and on that day and most days, I think about AIDS, and what the disease has taken from me. It has taken a lot from me. More than I can think about sometimes, more than I want to remember. More than anything should take from a person.

Gretchen Rubin, 12/ 2/11

Writer, The Happiness Project

In my study of happiness, I've labored to identify its fundamental principles. Because I get a tremendous kick out of the numbered lists that pop up throughout Buddhism, I decided to dub these fundamental principles as my Eight Splendid Truths.

Govindini Murty, 12/ 2/11

Co-Editor of Libertas Film Magazine

Werner Herzog has strong feelings about the proper relationship between humanity and nature.

Genevieve Piturro, 12/ 2/11

Founder and executive director, The Pajama Program

In 10 years I can say a lot has surprised me. But what strikes me as unforgivable every single day is that thousands of children never enjoy the simple comfort of having a mother or father tuck them in at bedtime with warm, clean pajamas and a bedtime story.