Jared Bernstein, 03/09/12

Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

We're not adding jobs at breakneck speed, for sure, and we're still repairing the damage done by the great recession to the living standards of millions. But this month's report makes another addition to a solid and improving trend.

Rob Richie, 03/09/12

Executive director, FairVote

It's a dangerous precedent to suggest it's better to have contests where fewer states and fewer voters matter. In a representative democracy grounded in the values of one-person, one-vote, we should be wary of giving up on the value of giving all voters a chance to make a difference.

Georges Ugeux, 03/09/12

Chairman and CEO, Galileo Global Advisors

Do Greek authorities understand that, unless they play by the rules and restore their fiscal discipline, there will soon be another default... and no bailout? Nothing is less sure. This is not a few bad years; it is a different way to manage a country.

Jason Linkins, 03/08/12

Editor, Eat the Press

Times have just changed for today's legislators, who have to wake up every morning to the news that their approval ratings hover one or two points ahead of people who desecrate graves for fun.

Traci Lords, 03/09/12

Actress, singer, songwriter

It looks like some of the critics aren't being much kinder to Disney's $250 million version of Princess of Mars than they were to the 99 cent adaptation I acted in previously.

Michael Tucker, 03/08/12

Filmmaker

When I first heard that the Weinstein Company had lost its appeal to overturn the R rating that the MPAA had given to Lee Hirsch's film Bully, I was taken back to 2005 when we opted for an appeal for our Iraq War film Gunner Palace after it also received an R for language.

Dan Froomkin, 03/08/12

Senior Washington Correspondent, Huffington Post

As the economic and social costs of mass incarceration mount, many criminal justice professionals and officials are now calling on the U.S. to abandon these policies and replace them with more constructive approaches.

Alice Grist, 03/08/12

Spiritual Author and Soul Rocks Books Publisher

The weirdest thing about my childhood was probably when Dad turned his back on the church and became a Pagan High Priest. I was taken aside and point-blank informed, "Alice, I'm a Pagan." My blood pumped faster as I anticipated being the focal point of a virgin sacrifice. This was not to pass.

Rick Steves, 03/09/12

Writer of European travel guidebooks and host of travel shows on public television and public radio (www.ricksteves.com)

Grand Junction is a springboard for good country living: vineyards, thrilling rivers, red-rock canyons and fossilized dinosaurs.

Richard J. Davidson, 03/09/12

Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry

I was always fascinated by variations among people in how they respond to emotional events in their environment. This strikes me as the most important characteristic of emotion--we are all different. The unique emotional fingerprint we all have is what I call Emotional Style.

Samantha Kemp-Jackson, 03/09/12

Writer, blogger, senior communications advisor

The mere thought of boarding an airplane with a young child -- or two -- strikes fear and anxiety into the hearts of parents everywhere. The perceived stress of air travel with potentially apoplectic children at 30,000 feet does not invoke a happy and stress-free mental picture.

Samara Green, 03/09/12

High school senior in Potomac, Maryland

The world is calling for global citizens, but the U.S. has not yet answered. Compared to other countries, the U.S. lags behind in its globally-minded students.

Julie Scardina and Jeff Flocken, 03/09/12

These people and the animals they work to save are intriguing, inspiring and worthy of accolades and attention as much as any sports star or Hollywood celebrity. That's why we decided to write a book about them--to introduce the world to these amazing people and creatures. 

David Suzuki, 03/09/12

Co-founder, David Suzuki Foundation

Let's pretend that global warming isn't happening. Or, if you prefer, it's happening, but that it's a natural occurrence -- nothing to do with seven billion people spewing carbon dioxide, and other pollutants into the atmosphere.

John Tsilimparis, 03/09/12

Writer, Psychotherapist, Featured on A&E's 'OBSESSED'

All couples come to therapy with good intentions. They all desperately want to improve their relationships and make them last. But the only way that happens is when each partner agrees to change their behavior.

David Wild, 03/09/12

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

$ellebrity explores the good, the bad and the ugly about our cultural obsession with fame -- and the way that technology has changed the tone and texture of celebrity.

John Blumenthal, 03/09/12

Novelist, 'Three and a Half Virgins"; screenwriter, 'Blue Streak'; curmudgeon

So here's the question, guys: Why is this considered a "women's issue"?

Bill McKibben, 03/08/12

Author of a dozen books, including 'The End of Nature' and 'Deep Economy'

A year ago almost no one had heard of the pipeline. Even four months ago, a poll of 300 "energy insiders" still found 97 percent predicting it would get its permit. But it didn't -- TransCanada can of course re-apply, but that will be another battle, down the road.

Mike Wallis, 03/09/12

Director, 'Good For Nothing'

Billy Wilder once said: "Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else's." That quote was up on our production office/bedroom wall throughout the making of Good for Nothing.

Shannon Bradley-Colleary, 03/08/12

Author, screenwriter, wife dominatrix, mom butler

Every child deserves to be wanted, safe and loved. I don't deny there are damaged women out there who use abortion as a means of birth control. A former friend had five abortions. Those pregnancies were her cry for help. But I can't help thinking those babies were better off not being in her care.

Scott Mendelson, 03/09/12

Film critic at Mendelson's Memos, Valley Scene Magazine

Disney is so desperate to not only chase the young male demos that is willing to risk alienating the young female demos that has netted it billions of dollars over the many decades.

Sen. Chris Coons, 03/08/12

U.S. Senator from Delaware

Let's harness the power of the massive groundswell of interest created online this week and use it to do the right thing: support the Obama Administration's decision to deploy military advisors and do everything in our power to ensure their mission succeeds.

Scott Walters, 03/09/12

Director, Center for Rural Arts Development and Leadership Education

Circular arguments about arts funding often echo Republican talking points: trickle-down economics serve the poor, progress in race relations means we've reached a post-racial society and we shouldn't take money from the rich because they are job creators.

Tony Blair, 03/08/12

Former Prime Minister of Britain

The women who have inspired me most recently are the Catholic Sisters who are dealing with sexual trafficking. They work together, across continents, in networks, and most often at the grassroots, where it is demanding and sometimes dangerous.