The InfoStride Forum

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2618253/ForumPhotos/The%20Huffington%20Post.PNG)
Read the Latest News from US. Get the most read news and happenings in the United States and the world through The Huffington Post.

Federal Judge John Roll was killed during a shooting in Arizona that also involved an attack on U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/08/gabrielle-giffords-shot-c_n_806211.html).U.S. Marshal for Arizona David Gonzales confirmed to the Associated Press that the U.S. District Judge had died. He offered no other details on the shooting.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/08/judge-john-roll-dead-killed_n_806239.html)

Judge John Roll Dead: Killed In Arizona Shooting (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/08/judge-john-roll-dead-killed_n_806239.html)

The movie Sideways put the Santa Ynez Valley on the map--and not just for aging burnt-out urban dwellers unlucky in love--a steady stream of wine-curious souls head here to wake up their taste buds at the valley's more than 70 wineries and tasting rooms. The feeling here is far less pretentious--and more family-friendly and idiosyncratic--than many other California wine-country regions. Dig a bit deeper and you'll find some pretty odd phenomena coexisting amidst the oenophiles: idyllic green hills, split-pea worship, a super-swanky dude ranch, wine-trail jeep tours, cuckoo clocks galore, cupcake and wine pairings, European fairy tales, a trolley drawn by draft horses, and aebleskivers (baseball-shaped Danish pancakes). Santa Ynez Valley towns: Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Solvang.

Santa Ynez Valley: Wineries, Bookstores, And Aeblskivers (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/08/santa-ynez-valley-winerie_n_806132.html)

We are a practical people who take pride in quickly finding answers to our problems.  Whether working on ourselves, for which the self-help industry has an inexhaustible set of remedies, or our society, for which politicians and interest groups have an unending series of proposals, we are constantly in search of answers. But answers only help if we are asking the right questions.'Do I use this or that diet?' may be the wrong question if, in fact, weight gain is due to factors that a diet alone may not address. We thus recognize that the question: 'why do I constantly lose and then regain weight?' might lead us down a different and more revealing path.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/terry-newell/the-right-questions_b_806337.html)

The Right Questions (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/terry-newell/the-right-questions_b_806337.html)

In an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.) spoke emotionally about the shooting (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/09/arizona-shooting-news_n_806397.html) of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the tragedy that unfolded in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday.Holding back tears, Wasserman-Schultz described her colleague and close friend as "a fighter" when asked about her condition (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/09/gabrielle-giffords-shooting_n_806389.html) as she remains hospitalized.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/09/debbie-wasserman-schultz-gabrielle-giffords_n_806426.html)

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz Reacts Emotionally To Arizona Shooting (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/09/debbie-wasserman-schultz-gabrielle-giffords_n_806426.html)

Rebecca Traister, author of Big Girls Don't Cry: The Election that Changed Everything for American Women (http://www.amazon.com/Big-Girls-Dont-Cry-Everything/dp/1439150281/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294608577&sr=8-1), says that while she was out on her book tour, answering questions about who represented the future for women in American politics inevitably led her to have Gabrielle Giffords' "name on [her] lips, all day every day (http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/08/traister_giffords/index.html)":

Of course, the human losses of today's attacks in Arizona are immeasurably greater than any political or social toll. But it would be irresponsible to fail to note that a young, highly educated, ambitious Jewish woman like Gabrielle Giffords, despite her centrism, represents much that is revolutionary and hopeful about the changing face of American politics, as well as about the new and varied paths and possibilities available to women. She is the kind of politician this nation could barely have imagined existing just a decade or two ago. And so, when I have been asked about which women are not yet national stars but have the peculiar, groundbreaking alchemy it might take to someday become the nation's first female president, again and again my answer has included the same name: Gabrielle Giffords.

More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/09/traister-giffords-arizona-shooting_n_806479.html)

Rebecca Traister: Giffords 'Represents Much That Is Revolutionary And Hopeful' In Politics (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/09/traister-giffords-arizona-shooting_n_806479.html)

For years now, Apple Computer has held a firm grip on the consumer electronics gadget market. With huge hits like the iPod MP3 player, the iPod Touch media player, the iPhone cellular phone device, and lately the iPad, Apple is consistently hitting the consumer nail-on-the-head. So why is it so hard for competitors to keep pace, much less surpass any of Apple's offerings? I believe that Apple's intent (and business model) is to have its competitors shooting at moving targets; targets that Apple itself uses to keep the competition busy shooting at "technological shadow puppets".Due to the advancements of electronic technologies, the consumer electronics sector has been really busy (and very competitive) in the last 10 years or so.

Advancements like lower powered devices, battery life improvements, sharper screens, touch enabled interfaces, and the like, have created a surge in new and innovative gadgets for the masses. So, in what seems like a very cut-and-dry market like electronic devices, why isn't the playing field for device manufacturers more level? Why is Apple the device giant that it is right now?

CES 2011: Are Apple Competitors Focusing on the Wrong Target? (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gil-laroya/ces-tablets-are-apple-com_b_806317.html)

Las Vegas is known for glamour and showmanship, and CES is always rich in both. This year Polaroid had Lady Gaga inventing glasses that take pictures, Sony had a spaceman DJing underneath a 3D TV the size of an Olympic swimming pool, Lenovo took over a bar in The Venetian to showcase the latest in their Thinkpad range and Intel's Mooley Eden incorporated an avatar of himself into the launch of their new 2nd Generation Core Processor. All very impressive but what about the little guys? Away from the big boys with stands the size of small counties there are thousands of start-ups and small enterprises from across the world who come to CES to hawk their wares. Spending some time on the fringes of the show throws up some weird and wonderful products. So in the spirit of sticking up for the underdog, here's my pick of some of the odder things CES had to offer:More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/Richard-MacKichan/finds-from-the-fringes-of_b_806324.html)

Six Finds From the Fringes of CES (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/Richard-MacKichan/finds-from-the-fringes-of_b_806324.html)

WASHINGTON -- Will the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and 20 others in Arizona turn public opinion in favor of tougher gun control measures? The evidence is mixed at best. While public opinion has generally turned against stricter gun-control measures over the last twenty years, majorities continue to support greater restrictions on the sort of semi-automatic weapon used in the Tucson shootings.For the last 20 years, the Gallup organization has tracked whether Americans "feel that the laws covering the sale of firearms should be made more strict, less strict or kept as they are now." As Gallup explained in a report (http://www.gallup.com/poll/144887/Continuing-Record-Low-Support-Stricter-Gun-Control.aspx) last November, that support has declined gradually over the last two decades to the point that a "record low 44%" now support stricter gun laws, while a majority prefer laws that are kept as they are currently (42%) or made less strict (12%).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/10/americans-favor-automatic_n_806994.html)

Americans Favor Semi-Automatic Weapons Ban, Wary Of 'Gun Control' (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/10/americans-favor-automatic_n_806994.html)

This is the third of five excerpts from law professor Laura Dickinson's book, Outsourcing War and Peace: Preserving Public Values in a World of Privatized Foreign Affairs (http://www.amazon.com/Outsourcing-War-Peace-Preserving-Privatized/dp/0300144865/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294419947&sr=8-1).  Find first part one here (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-isenberg/outsourcing-war-and-peace_b_805885.html) and part two here (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-isenberg/outsourcing-war-and-peace_b_806422.htm).It seems from what Prof. Dickinson writes in the following that even without hiring and training more auditors and contracting officers, a recommendation that virtually every analyst and group which has studies private military contracting, has been making for years, the government has long had the means to ensure performance and accountability on the part of PMC it hires simply by writing in specific standards into the contracts it issues. Why it hasn't done so is one of life's little mysteries.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-isenberg/outsourcing-war-and-peace_b_807091.html)

Outsourcing War and Peace: Part 3 (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-isenberg/outsourcing-war-and-peace_b_807091.html)

Luis Quismorio refuses to believe that eating healthy, organic food is reserved for the wealthy. He and business partners Anthony Bermudez and Ruben Perez started Figueroa Produce in Highland Park almost three years ago with a mission to provide high-quality food at low prices, in a family-friendly environment. Located in a strip mall next to a 99¢ store, Figueroa Produce stands out as a healthful alternative to the numerous fast food chains and discount stores in the area. According to the Los Angeles Times neighborhood maps (http://projects.latimes.com/mapping-la/neighborhoods/neighborhood/highland-park/), 45% of Highland Park's residents are immigrants, rates of single parenthood are high compared to both Los Angeles and Los Angeles County, and the median household income is low ($45,478) compared to the county.In an interview with the Huffington Post, Quismorio spoke passionately about issues of equal access to nutrition for working class people. For him, working at Figueroa Produce is a vocation: "It's a great feeling to know that we're providing fairly priced, organic, and healthy foods so that it's reachable to all income levels." The founders' commitment to family values also means that the store "doesn't sell anything we wouldn't feed our own families," including alcohol and tobacco products. And almost three years later, the founders are gearing up to launch a second store in Eagle Rock called "Organics."More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/11/figueroa-produce-market-o_n_807160.html)

Figueroa Produce Market: Organic Food For The People (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/11/figueroa-produce-market-o_n_807160.html)

(http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2011-01-11-ScannedImage969.jpg)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-szep/the-daily-szep--this-is-a_b_807636.html)

The Daily Szep- THIS IS A HANDGUN... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-szep/the-daily-szep--this-is-a_b_807636.html)

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The parents of a man charged with trying to assassinate (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/08/gabrielle-giffords-shot-c_n_806211.html) Rep. Gabrielle Giffords are devastated and guilt-ridden, a neighbor said, mourning their own tragedy as Tucson residents prepared Tuesday for a community memorial service and a visit from the president.(SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE UPDATES)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/11/jared-loughner-family-statement_n_807703.html)

Jared Loughner's Family Issues Statement, Giffords Remains Critical (LIVE UPDATES) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/11/jared-loughner-family-statement_n_807703.html)

When my mother used to get teary over Bing Crosby or Perry Como songs, I didn't get it. Why get so emotional? My friends and I didn't do that when we listened to the music we liked.Well, guess what? Fast forward about 45 years, to the recent 2010 Kennedy Center Awards show. The honorees included Paul McCartney, and as James Taylor and Mavis Staples belted out "Hey Jude" and "Let It Be" in tribute, there wasn't a dry eye in the house, among those there in person or those watching from home. We baby boomers softened like Play Doh in a child's hands.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-daily/for-baby-boomers-the-musi_b_805625.html)

For Baby Boomers, the Music of Youth Carries Heavy Weight (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-daily/for-baby-boomers-the-musi_b_805625.html)

Gallup1/7-9/11; 1,018 adults, 4% margin of errorMore... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/12/uscongressional-approval-_1_n_807954.html)

US-Congressional Approval: 20% Approve, 73% Disapprove (Gallup 1/7-9) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/12/uscongressional-approval-_1_n_807954.html)

ABC News reports that more and more teens are getting plastic surgery, specifically in order to avoid bullying. About 90,000 teens underwent cosmetic surgery in 2007 -- not all cases were due to teasing -- and the most common procedures were nose jobs, breast reductions, breast augmentations, ear tucks and Botox.Elisabeth Hasselbeck talked to several teenagers who have gone under the knife and an assortment of doctors and psychiatrists. Check out what they had to say.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/12/teen-plastic-surgery_n_808215.html)

Teens Have Plastic Surgery To Avoid Bullying (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/12/teen-plastic-surgery_n_808215.html)

In Wake County, N.C. some are accusing the local school board of upholding segregation, elitism and even racism.According to the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/11/AR2011011107063.html?tid=wp_featuredstories&sid=ST2011011202619), the Wake County School Board has slowly eroded much of its integration policy over the past year, including integration busing. However, proponents of the trend say it's not about race or class war, but about practicality.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/12/wake-county-school-board-_n_808329.html)

Wake County School Board In North Carolina Eliminates Integration Busing In Face Of Budget Cuts (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/12/wake-county-school-board-_n_808329.html)

The foremost environmental issues in the coming year revolve around air pollution, especially the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions that serve as a catalyst for global warming. But what about the longer view? What are the most pressing environmental challenges facing humanity for the duration of the 21st Century?There are six that made my list.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/edward-flattau/environmental-futurecast_b_808232.html)

Environmental Futurecast: Six Pressing Environmental Challenges (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/edward-flattau/environmental-futurecast_b_808232.html)

Late in the fourth quarter of the Los Angeles Clippers' victory over the Miami Heat (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/clippers-heat-111-105_n_808416.html) on Wednesday night, Clippers star Blake Griffin and Heat guard Mario Chalmers got into an altercation (http://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/watch-blake-griffin-gets-a-technical-then-takes-it-out-on-the-rim/). The two had to be separated by their teammates and the referee called a double technical foul.Seconds later, Clippers guard Baron Davis found the dunking machine under the basket. Griffin threw down a two-handed dunk and started to stare down Chalmers (http://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/watch-blake-griffin-gets-a-technical-then-takes-it-out-on-the-rim/) while slowly jogging back to his bench.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/blake-griffin-mario-chalmers_n_808554.html)

Blake Griffin, Mario Chalmers Argue: Clippers Star Stares Down Opponent After Huge Dunk (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/blake-griffin-mario-chalmers_n_808554.html)

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and cornerback Antonio Cromartie have taken shots (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/06/rex-ryan-tom-brady-peyton_n_805494.html) at New England quarterback Tom Brady over the last two weeks. On Thursday, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs ripped the Patriots star, claiming that his three Super Bowls are "questionable." (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Terrell-Suggs-Tom-Brady-s-three-Super-Bowl-ring?urn=nfl-307256)"Oh, you know, you've got the tuck rule incident and then you've got the videotaping of the other team's practices," Suggs said while talking with SiriusXM's Mad Dog Radio (http://www.sirius.com/maddogradio). "It's just like, okay, what's going on here? You know? But, hey, it is what it is. They won the games no matter how you did it. But, um, it's whatever."More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/terrell-suggs-tom-brady-questionable_n_808808.html)

Terrell Suggs: Tom Brady's Three Super Bowls Are 'Questionable' (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/terrell-suggs-tom-brady-questionable_n_808808.html)

Crossposted with TomDispatch.com (http://www.tomdispatch.com).Looking for a way out of Afghanistan?  Maybe it's time to try something entirely new and totally different.  So how about putting into action, for the first time in recorded history, the most enlightened edict ever passed by the United Nations Security Council: Resolution 1325 (http://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/wps/)?More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-jones/why-peace-is-the-business_b_808845.html)

Why Peace Is the Business of Men (But Shouldn't Be): A Modest Proposal for the Immodest Brotherhood of Big Men (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-jones/why-peace-is-the-business_b_808845.html)

Sarah Palin will give her first interview since the Arizona shootings--and her controversial "blood libel" video (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/12/sarah-palin-arizona-shooting-statement_n_807833.html)--to Fox News' Sean Hannity. Palin will appear on "Hannity" on Monday, Jan. 17. The New York Times first reported (http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/13/palin-to-do-tv-interview-monday/) the news. The Times said that the interview is scheduled to span over several commercial breaks.Palin has been a locus for criticism in the wake of the shootings, as people centered on her infamous crosshairs map, and then on the video she released on Tuesday which contained the "blood libel" statement.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/sarah-palin-appearing-on-_n_808865.html)

Sarah Palin Appearing On Sean Hannity's Fox News Show Monday (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/sarah-palin-appearing-on-_n_808865.html)

Martin Luther King Jr. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-lewis/dr-kings-dinner-conversat_b_808610.html) Day is Monday, honoring one the greatest civil rights leaders of all time.Celebrated this year on January 17, 2011, the holiday falls on the third Monday of January every year, right around King's birthday, which is January 15. King would have been 82 this year.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/14/mlk-jr-i-have-a-dream-speech_n_809379.html)

MLK Jr. "I Have A Dream" Speech (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/14/mlk-jr-i-have-a-dream-speech_n_809379.html)

In the wake of the Saturday shooting in Tucson, Ariz., Rep. Peter King (D-N.Y) announced he will introduce legislation to make it illegal to bring a gun within 1,000 feet of a government official -- but if recent political events are any indication, there's been little interest in separating guns and U.S. politics.Just last year, Giffords's Republican opponent Jesse Kelly encouraged voters to join him in rallying to oust Giffords from office by shooting a fully-loaded assault rifle: "Get on Target for Victory in November Help remove Gabrielle Giffords from office Shoot a fully automatic M16 with Jesse Kelly," the invitation read (http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/flashback-giffords-opponent-had-m16-shooting-event-help-remove-gabrielle-giffords-from-office.php). Tea Party darling Joe Miller, a staunch supporter of Second Amendment rights, recently defended his gun-toting Senate campaign supporters who marched in a local Alaska parade carrying substantial weaponry alongside their Joe Miller signs (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/with%20Joe%20Miller%20signs,%20logo%20wear%20and%20large%20guns%20at%20a%20parade). And appearing at a three-day machine gun social in Kentucky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd0ppORwBog&feature=player_embedded) last year, Sen. Rand Paul (then a candidate for the seat) said (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/11/rand-paul-guns-religion_n_758001.html), "The president says that you're out here in the middle of the country clinging to your guns and ammunition. What I tell the President is, 'We're clinging to our guns, our religions and our ammunition," according to The Daily Caller's report (http://dailycaller.com/2010/10/09/rand-paul-makes-appearance-at-machine-gun-rally-says-2nd-amendment-fight-still-not-over-despite-recent-victories/).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/15/guns-in-politics-giffords-palin_n_808016.html)

Guns In U.S. Politics: 10 Recent Examples (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/15/guns-in-politics-giffords-palin_n_808016.html)

The media's (all too predictable) obsession with Pope Benedict's recent "condom" comments has obscured other noteworthy aspects of his recently released book-length interview (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/22/pope-in-intimate-intervie_n_787162.html), Light of the World.  German journalist Peter Seewald engages Benedict in an extensive exchange on the global ecological turmoil facing our planet. The Pope's responses show no hint of "denialism" or of any flimsy "God won't let man destroy the planet" naiveté. Instead, the Pope is frank and direct: "Sacred Scripture tells us, and experience too tells us, that we do not remain here forever. But surely, we are doing something wrong" (p. 43). Later, when asked if there is any chance that we can "save our planet by our own power" he is even blunter:

"Man is clearly in danger, and he is endangering both himself and the world...Man can be saved only when moral energies gather strength in his heart; energies that can come only from the encounter with God..." (p. 184).

More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-j-rossano/religiously-inspired-self_b_809023.html)

The Pope, The Environment and Religiously Inspired Self-Restraint (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-j-rossano/religiously-inspired-self_b_809023.html)

As you prepare to watch the television event of the season, you may be experiencing some common concerns. How will you make sense of all the intense competition, sparkly dresses and complicated interview questions? How will you know what the contestants are secretly thinking? Fear not! My Unofficial Miss America Live Blog will guide you through, every step of the way.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tasha-gordonsolmon/miss-america-pageant-2011_b_809538.html)

Miss America Pageant 2011 Live Blog (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tasha-gordonsolmon/miss-america-pageant-2011_b_809538.html)

When I do these interviews, I have found myself just as interested, if not more so, with what informs our muses as I am with what they're wearing. For example, it's not a coincidence that Nina loves minimal color, clean silhouettes and photography with spare landscapes, and, as a result, has enough space in her head to read volumes of profound literature.Until recently she was a purveyor of trends for forecasting companies, which led her to opt out of the overstimulation of fashion fluctuations in favor of a very considered wardrobe that is interchangeable and that she can pack in a carry-on in fifteen minutes.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stylelikeu/nina-stotler-is-modern-an_b_808789.html)

Nina Stotler Is Modern And Minimal (VIDEO, PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stylelikeu/nina-stotler-is-modern-an_b_808789.html)

In light of the recent tragedy (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/09/arizona-shooting-news_n_806397.html) in Arizona, we wanted to round together books about the state to help shed light on the incident. From history texts to novels, here are 15 books about, or set in, Arizona.Have you read any? Know any other books about the state? Let us know in the comments section below.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/16/arizona-books-to-understand_n_809217.html)

Arizona: 15 Books To Help Understand The State (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/16/arizona-books-to-understand_n_809217.html)

In the wake of the current mortgage crisis, the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (http://www.naca.com/index_main.jsp) is helping thousands of Americans find some relief. The nation's leading non-profit organization begins their Save-the-Dream Tour next week with a week-long foreclosure prevention event for Los Angeles homeowners. Hundreds of counselors from NACA--which has contracts with major lending services such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac--will help borrowers to obtain affordable mortgage payments. For one Van Nuys family, Save-The-Dream made a happier future possible, "...We left the event with our mortgage lowered by $679 a month. My baby and 2-year-old son will now be able to grow up in our dream home thanks to NACA," said Taneka Johnson.The Save-The-Dream Tour has already helped thousands in need with reductions inMore... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/16/nacas-mortgage-convention_n_808847.html)

NACA's Mortgage Convention Helps Los Angeles Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/16/nacas-mortgage-convention_n_808847.html)

As I wrote yesterday (http://scottalanmendelson.blogspot.com/2011/01/green-hornet-opens-with-111m-friday.html), expectations are a funny thing.  For months, if not a year, The Green Hornet (review (http://scottalanmendelson.blogspot.com/2011/01/review-green-hornet-imax-3d-experience.html)) was pegged as a costly sure-fire flop.  Plagued by alleged reshoots, a date change from December 2010 to January 2011, and a seemingly desperate quick-conversion to 3D.  But the film started screening for the geek crowd to mostly positive responses, and the buzz started building.  The tracking estimated around $40 million for the four-day opening weekend.  Yet when the film opened on Friday to $11.1 million, the pundits shouted 'disappointment!', 'failure!', and/or 'under-performer!' for daring to actually meet but not exceed expectations.  So yes, the Michael Gondry superhero action-comedy The Green Hornet debuted at number one over the long Martin Luther King day holiday (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2011&wknd=02&p=.htm), with $34 million over three days and a projected $40 million for the four-day weekend.  In my book, meeting positive expectations puts you in the 'win' column.The film scored a B+ from Cinemscore, played about 61% male and about 50/50 between genders.  Whatever comes from here on out, the film is a winner for at least its first four days.   The film cost way too much (anywhere from $110 million to $150 million, depending on who you ask), so merely scoring on opening weekend won't be enough to make the film profitable without strong overseas dollars.  But the market is pretty bare for around a month, with no hardcore geek projects until Drive Angry on February 25th, and no general audience action-adventure pictures until I Am Number Four on February 18th.  The film took the third-biggest three-day opening weekend in January history, behind Star Wars: Special Edition ($36 million) and Cloverfield ($40 million).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-mendelson/huffpost-weekend-box-offi_b_809760.html)

HuffPost Weekend Box Office in Review: Green Hornet dominates MLK holiday (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-mendelson/huffpost-weekend-box-offi_b_809760.html)

Julianne Moore's necklace looked caught in her one-sleeved dress at Sunday night's Golden Globes. But, let's be honest: no one else could pull off that color.Take a look and tell us what you think.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/16/julianne-moore-golden-globes-2011_n_809769.html)

Julianne Moore Golden Globes 2011: Hit Or Miss? (PHOTOS, POLL) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/16/julianne-moore-golden-globes-2011_n_809769.html)

NEW DELHI — An upscale apartment building that has caused an Indian political scandal was ordered Sunday to be razed because it violates coastal protection laws.The 31-story building in downtown Mumbai was intended for war veterans and widows but the apartments were bought at cut-rate prices by top politicians and military brass. Maharashtra state's chief minister resigned late last year because of the scandal.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/17/india-to-raze-building-fo_n_809876.html)

India To Demolish Mumbai's Adarsh Housing Society Building For Environmental Violation (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/17/india-to-raze-building-fo_n_809876.html)

Golden Globes winners (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/16/golden-globes-winners-2011_n_809676.html?ir=Los%20Angeles) (with trophies in hand) bounced around multiple after-parties at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Chateau Marmont, and surrounding restaurants last night. Thanks to Hollywood Reporter's (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/insiders-guide-golden-globes-parties-71528) party previews, we had our guesses as to which would be the most start-studded, the most packed, and the most fun. Now that the photos are in, which Hollywood bash would you have wanted to attend?More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/17/golden-globes-2011-after-_n_810003.html)

Golden Globes 2011: After Parties (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/17/golden-globes-2011-after-_n_810003.html)

UPDATE III: The Hollywood Foreign Press issued a statement on Gervais' performance (via EW (http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/01/17/hollywood-foreign-press-association-on-ricky-gervais-outrageous-material/)):

"We loved the show. It was a lot of fun and obviously has a lot of people talking. When you hire a comedian like Ricky Gervais, one expects in your face, sometimes outrageous material. Certainly, in this case, he pushed the envelope and occasionally went too far. The HFPA would never condone some of his personal remarks. Overall, however, the show was among the best we've ever had and we were pleased."

More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/17/ricky-gervais-golden-globe-host-doesnt-care-if-anyone-was-offended-by-jokes_n_809967.html)

Ricky Gervais: Golden Globes Host 'Doesn't Care' If Anyone Was Offended By Jokes (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/17/ricky-gervais-golden-globe-host-doesnt-care-if-anyone-was-offended-by-jokes_n_809967.html)

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) commemorated the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, telling (http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/new_alabama_governor_only_christians_are_my_brothe.php) a gathering of Alabamians that he didn't see skin color as a divisive factor. When it came to religion, however, the recently-inaugurated governor raised some eyebrows with a comment on his view of non-Christians in his state."So anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother," Bentley said in his address, according to The Birmingham News (http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/01/gov-elect_robert_bentley_inten.html), after telling the congregation that he was "color blind."More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/18/robert-bentley-alabama-christians_n_810401.html)

GOP Governor: Christians Are My Brothers And Sisters, Others Not So Much (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/18/robert-bentley-alabama-christians_n_810401.html)

On Wednesday, the Republican majority will vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act. By voting for repeal, the Republican majority is taking away valuable health care protections and benefits provided for women.The truth is that women have the most to gain from the Affordable Care Act. Prior to passage of the law, women faced severe discrimination from health insurance companies. Through a practice known as 'gender rating', women who purchased insurance on the individual market paid up to 48% more in premium costs than men.  Equally offensive, 79% of women who purchased insurance on the individual market still did not receive any maternity coverage through their insurance plans.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-louise-slaughter/dont-return-to-discrimina_b_810536.html)

Don't Return to Discriminatory Health Care Against Women (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-louise-slaughter/dont-return-to-discrimina_b_810536.html)

Though nearly all of us resonated with President Obama's call for civility last week, we know that Washington will soon descend into the usual vitriol. For that, most of us blame our politicians, the voters who elected them or the media. But if any of the above were the true culprits, we might as well give up on a solution. We would be stuck with a politics of personal destruction -- because we can't redesign our politicians, voters or the media.Fortunately, we can redesign the one thing that most drives our politicians to be uncivil: our elections. As our elections work today, one Republican competes against one Democrat in nearly every district, each containing 700,000 residents from all walks of life.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sol-erdman/taming-the-savagery-of-am_b_810021.html)

Taming the Savagery of American Politics (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sol-erdman/taming-the-savagery-of-am_b_810021.html)

Is Denver a better shopping city than New York, San Francisco or Los Angeles?That's what Forbes magazine says in its latest survey of America's 25 Best Cities for Shopping.  (http://www.forbes.com/2010/12/13/best-cities-for-shopping-forbes-woman-time-retail-walmart-sales-tax_slide.html)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/18/forbes-calls-denver-a-bet_n_810724.html)

Forbes Calls Denver A Better Shopping City Than New York, San Francisco (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/18/forbes-calls-denver-a-bet_n_810724.html)

The White House has just released the guest list for tonight's state dinner for China.Notable attendees include Jackie Chan, Barbra Streisand, Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, B.D. Wong (and his mother Roberta), designer Vera Wang, Christiane Amanpour, Yo Yo Ma, Thomas Friedman, Wendy Murdoch, Vogue's Anna Wintour and the Huffington Post's own Willow Bay.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/19/china-state-dinner-guest-_n_811278.html)

China State Dinner GUEST LIST: Barbra Streisand, Vera Wang, Anna Wintour & More (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/19/china-state-dinner-guest-_n_811278.html)

For over 20 years, families of people with mental illness have been advocating for various reforms that would prevent seriously mentally ill individuals from becoming violent. Former Senators Kennedy (Democrat), Wellstone (Democrat) and Domenici (Republican) were frequent supporters, but they are no longer around. Hopefully Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner can honor them (and Gabrielle Giffords) by taking action.As Thomas Insel, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health wrote (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/index.shtml) in reaction to the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords by Jared Loughner:More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/aftermath-of-tucson-congr_b_809804.html)

What Harry Reid and John Boehner Should Do in Wake of Giffords Shooting (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/aftermath-of-tucson-congr_b_809804.html)

A Washington advocacy group is claiming that Wall Street investors have conspired with the Department of Education to craft rules that would damage for-profit colleges to drive down their stock prices and allow short-sellers to profit.The as-yet unsubstantiated conspiracy theory -- advanced in a press release Wednesday -- underscores the intensity of the campaign by for-profit colleges to derail proposed federal rules that could tighten their access to federal aid dollars. The new rules come in response to a growing body of evidence that for-profit colleges such as the University of Phoenix and Kaplan University have left graduates suffering under debts they cannot repay given the meager wages they typically earn.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/19/group-claims-conspiracy-for-profit-colleges_n_811364.html)

Watchdog Claims Conspiracy Driving Rules On For-Profit Colleges (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/19/group-claims-conspiracy-for-profit-colleges_n_811364.html)

During the holiday season and at the start of this New Year I've thought a lot about the role we, as artists play in our communities.  As a member of the National Council on the Arts, the advisory Board to The National Endowment for the Arts,  I was asked to talk about the role of the artist in the community  for The NEA website.  As artists, we often spend hours thinking and creating by ourselves, and yet the connection to and with others is very important in our work -- whether it be a reading, a performance, or an exhibit.Last week the National Endowment for the Arts celebrated  and honored a new group of 2011 Jazz Masters in New York .  I was impressed at how this small group of acclaimed Jazz musicians is itself a community. They seem to somehow be interconnected, either by somewhere or sometime playing together or by a connection to another Jazz great. To me Jazz, like an orchestra, is a wonderful metaphor of community:  different parts creating a whole, everyone in the group a collaborator.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-ernst-prey/the-artist-in-the-communi_b_811547.html)

The Artist in the Community (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-ernst-prey/the-artist-in-the-communi_b_811547.html)

Last weekend I saw the movie The King's Speech (http://www.kingsspeech.com/) and found it to be both provocative and moving.  It is about King George VI of England who took over the crown when his brother, Edward, abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, a divorced woman from the United States.  We Americans have romanticized this decision by King Edward VIII, but according to this film, the British have another view of it.This movie has portrayed Edward as a swinger, playboy type, unready for the responsibilities of being King.  George is more mature than his brother, but he has one main problem:  a speech defect of stuttering that becomes painfully obvious when faced with any task of public speaking.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joan-e-dowlin/the-presidents-speech_2_b_811411.html)

"The President's Speech" (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joan-e-dowlin/the-presidents-speech_2_b_811411.html)

Spencer Grammer Engaged: Kelsey's Daughter To Wed James Hesketh (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/21/spencer-grammer-engaged-k_n_812472.html)
22 January 2011, 12:01 am

Kelsey Grammer is trying his hardest to finalize his divorce (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/21/kelsey-grammer-demands-divorce-from-camille_n_812295.html) so that he may marry Kayte Walsh as soon as next month, and now his 27-year-old daughter Spencer has confirmed her engagement to Life & Style.Spencer's mom is Kelsey's first wife, Doreen Alderman. (Kayte will be his fourth).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/21/spencer-grammer-engaged-k_n_812472.html)

Source: Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/)

Obama Picks Jeffrey Immelt, GE CEO, To Run New Jobs-Focused Panel As GE Sends Jobs Overseas, Pays Little In Taxes (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/21/obama-picks-jeffrey-immel-ge-jobs-overseas_n_812502.html)
22 January 2011, 3:00 am

Jeffrey R. Immelt, the chairman and chief executive of General Electric Co. tapped by President Barack Obama as his next top outside economic adviser, will be asked to guide the White House as it attempts to jump-start lackluster job creation and spur a muddled recovery.Immelt's firm stands as Exhibit A of a successful and profitable corporate America standing at the forefront of the recovery. It also represents the archetypal company that's hoarding cash, sending jobs overseas, relying on taxpayer bailouts and paying less taxes than envisioned.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/21/obama-picks-jeffrey-immel-ge-jobs-overseas_n_812502.html)

: Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/)

Modern Hollywood Hills Home For Sale (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/22/modern-hollywood-hills-ho_n_811328.html)
22 January 2011, 5:52 pm

Via Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/01/midcentury_modern_in_the_hollywood_hills.php): Located in the Outpost Estates section of the Hollywood Hills, this mid-century home is on a half-acre lot in a private cul-de-sac location. The sophisticated style, modern vibe and designer touches throughout--combined with 180-degree views of Los Angeles--make this home a must-see. If outdoor dining and entertaining is of interest, the house boasts a huge outdoor deck and relaxing zen garden.According to the official listing (http://www.prudentialcal.com/CA/Los-Angeles/90068/homes-for-sale/2408-Carman-Crest-Drive-56993333), the 1,600-square-foot modern has been featured in Sunset Magazine. The home has 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths and 2-car garage which leads directly inside. The sleek abode is also quite a deal: last sold for $1.594 million in 2007, the price has been reduced to $1.399 million.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/22/modern-hollywood-hills-ho_n_811328.html)

Source: Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/)

Norway's Opera claims 140 million worldwide users, most of whom are on smart phones using Opera Mini.   In an interview at CES, Opera's Jeremy Forrester tells Beet.TV that the popularity of the browser on iPhone has come from its speed which is "four-to-five times faster than the native" (Mobile Safari) browser on Edge and 3-G networks.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-plesser/video-opera-claims-iphone_b_812610.html)

Source: Video: Opera Claims iPhone Browser Speed Crown, "5X Faster" Than Safari (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-plesser/video-opera-claims-iphone_b_812610.html)

It is 9 pm on a very cold Philadelphia night as I sit down to write this. I've just returned from a closed casket viewing of my 19-year-old union brother Mark Keely who was blown up in a gas main explosion three nights ago. Three other union members of his work crew were burned from head to toe.Brother Mark was 19 and had been on the job just five months.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stewart-acuff/dying-to-work_b_812520.html)

Source: Dying to Work (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stewart-acuff/dying-to-work_b_812520.html)

Denver Police are deploying patrols around the home of a city councilman after he received a threatening note over his stance on the city's long-standing pitbull ban.KUSA reports that Councilman Charlie Brown received a note  (http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=177265&catid=339)after he declined to be interviewed for the Animal Planet series Pit Boss, a show about rescuing and rehabilitating fighting pit bulls.  The show was producing a special about Denver's 21-year-ban on pit bulls, which Brown supports.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/22/charlie-brown-denver-city_n_812658.html)

Source: Charlie Brown, Denver City Councilman, Receives Threatening Note Over Pit Bull Stance (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/22/charlie-brown-denver-city_n_812658.html)

'Friends' is long over, but Joey and Chandler are having some new lady problems. Kind of.Both Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc, whose careers have suffered in the wake of the end of their mega hit television show, have new sitcoms on the air this winter -- and both are going after the same lady.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/23/matthew-perry-matt-leblancs-love-triangle_n_812707.html)

Source: Matthew Perry & Matt LeBlanc's Onscreen Love Triangle (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/23/matthew-perry-matt-leblancs-love-triangle_n_812707.html)

The Jets and Steelers face off with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line when the AFC Championship Game kicks off at 6:30 PM ET.The winner will face the Green Bay Packers, who beat the Chicago Bears (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/23/packers-bears-21-14-super-bowl_n_812814.html) to win the NFC Championship Game earlier on Sunday.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/23/jets-vs-steelers-2011-afc-championship-game_n_812758.html)

Source: Jets vs. Steelers 2011: AFC Championship Game Live Updates (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/23/jets-vs-steelers-2011-afc-championship-game_n_812758.html)

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Kevin Durant made a 3-pointer from the right wing as time expired and finished with 30 points to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 101-98 win against the New York Knicks on Saturday night.Durant was tightly guarded by Danilo Gallinari but connected while leaning back in front of the Knicks bench to extend New York's losing streak to six games - matching their longest of the season.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/23/kevin-durant-buzzer-beater_n_812775.html)

Source: Kevin Durant Buzzer Beater: Thunder Star Hits First Game-Winner To Beat Knicks (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/23/kevin-durant-buzzer-beater_n_812775.html)

In these days of deep governmental budget cuts, one tech company has received some remarkable sweetheart deals from Uncle Sam.Consumer Watchdog's six-month investigation has produced a 32-page report  (http://insidegoogle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/GOOGGovfinal012411.pdf%20)detailing how Google has inappropriately benefited from its close ties to the Obama administration, including how NASA's Moffett Airfield, near Google's world headquarters, has been turned into a taxpayer-subsidized private strip for Google executives used for corporate junkets.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-court/nasa-base-has-become-goog_b_812976.html)

Source: NASA Base Has Become Google Executives' Private Landing Strip (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-court/nasa-base-has-become-goog_b_812976.html)

On a recent visit to the Rwandan capital, Kigali, I was deeply struck by the words of a 15-year-old I met called Olivier who is living with HIV and receiving treatment with the help of the Global Fund.He looked at me intensely, his eyes burning with new-found hope, and said: "Thanks to you we are healthy and we can make our dreams come true. Antiretroviral (ARV) medicines are making us strong."More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michel-d-kazatchkine/global-fund-corruption_b_813285.html)

Source: The Global Fund Won't Stand for Any Corruption (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michel-d-kazatchkine/global-fund-corruption_b_813285.html)

The other day I was called by a reporter from a fashion newspaper that was doing a story on Governor Andrew Cuomo's significant other, Sandra Lee.  The reporter wanted to know what I made of the fact that the governor was living with someone to whom he was not married. I made it clear that I thought it was great and that we had experienced a societal paradigm shift.  Every study that I have seen has shown that more and more of our young people are choosing not to get married or to wait until much later in their lives.  Makes a lot of sense to me.  I've always thought that one of the reasons why the divorce rate was so high was that people mature and change.  In the case of Andrew Cuomo and Sandra Lee, we have two consenting adults who know what they are doing. The arrangement works for them. In many ways, they may well be remembered as much for leading the way with their cohabitation than for either political accomplishments or teaching people how to cook.Bear in mind that Cuomo was married, had his children -- three of them -- and has not, as of yet, had any more with Ms. Lee.  She has made a very good living for herself on TV and in other formats by advising people how to cook using prepared foods coupled with their own ingenuity.  She has a lot of her own money and a great career, and he has his own money and an equally promising career. I told the reporter that I was proud of the people of New York who did not subject Cuomo to an outdated morality check. I wasn't sure how this might play in Kansas or the Bible Belt, but I suspect they'll eventually see the same changes in those place that we have seen here in New York.  Of course, I was struck by the fact that the whole Cuomo entourage made its way to church on their inaugural weekend. I chalked that up to respect for the venerable institution that the Cuomos have always believed in. Andrew's father, Mario, frequently contested the Church's stance on abortion and other issues.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-chartock/andrew-cuomo-sandra-lee_b_809835.html)

Source: Andrew Cuomo and Sandra Lee: Unwedded Bliss (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-chartock/andrew-cuomo-sandra-lee_b_809835.html)

Standing before a nation clamoring for jobs, President Barack Obama will call for targeted spending to boost the economy but also for budget cutting in Tuesday night's State of the Union address, his first in a new era of divided political power.(SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE UPDATES)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/25/state-of-the-union-2011-s_n_813477.html)

Source: State Of The Union 2011: Speech, Reaction & Commentary (LIVE UPDATES) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/25/state-of-the-union-2011-s_n_813477.html)

When I first heard that Senator Mark Udall (D) suggested that members of Congress abandon their typical segregated seating for the State of the Union and cross the ever so broad swath of cloth on the House chamber floor separating the aisles where Republicans sit from those where Democrats do, my reaction was similar to the one I'd have if a random toddler approached me and announced plans to have a tea party on Pluto "how cute."But then I thought, in typically cynical fashion, I'm not sure if we mature or if we just get older. If the latter is true, voluntary integration might be a great move for our motley crew of legislators.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jessica-levinson/the-kumbaya-state-of-the-_b_812751.html)

Source: The Kumbaya State of the Union? (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jessica-levinson/the-kumbaya-state-of-the-_b_812751.html)

On Tuesday's "Hardball," Chris Matthews was so incredulous about Michele Bachmann's interpretation of American history that he called her a "balloon head," and he could hardly keep himself from yelling at a co-founder of the Tea Party group which has selected the Republican to give a response to President Obama's State of the Union address.Matthews was speaking to Tea Party Express co-founder Sal Russo. He played the same tape which had also gotten Anderson Cooper riled up, where Bachman lauds the Founding Fathers for working "tirelessly to end slavery."More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/25/chris-matthews-michele-bachmann-balloon-head_n_814033.html)

Source: Chris Matthews: Michele Bachmann A 'Balloon Head' (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/25/chris-matthews-michele-bachmann-balloon-head_n_814033.html)

Sadly, there's a lot of antagonism that builds after divorce. Instead of couples moving on with their lives, the grueling disruptions, the stresses, the ambivalence, the guilt, and the power struggles intensify hostilities.Individuals who are not ready to fold their tents, seek new battlefields. They need allies to rally around them. And what better recruits than parents and grandparents who man the front line, prepared to fire off the first round?

Source: Grandparents Fan the Flame of Divorce (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marsha-temlock/grandparents-fan-the-flam_b_811699.html)

What's that? It's Wednesday, and you planned on avoiding work by spending time on the same old sites you use to procrastinate every other day of the week? New plan: use these instead. You'll thank us later. Or right now. Vote for your favorite! (And if you come across a site that you think we should feature, let us know...

1. Click Click Click (http://www.clickclickclick.com)
2. Faces of Rejected Bachelorettes (http://facesofrejectedbachelorettes.tumblr.com/)
3. Do Nothing For 2 Minutes (http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/)
4. Horses With Hands Riding A Bike (http://horsewithhandsridingabike.blogspot.com/)
5. Fake Jeopardy! Interview Intros (http://fakejeopardyinterviewintros.tumblr.com/)
6. Catapult Crazy! (http://www.stormthecastle.com/catapult/index.htm)
7. Rahmen Emanuel

Source: 7 Sites You Should Be Wasting Time On Right Now (PICTURES) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/26/7-sites-you-should-be-wasting_n_813967.html)

New daytime show "The Talk" has been renewed by CBS for a second season.The "View" knockoff has been getting some good ratings lately, averaging 2.4 million viewers for the week ending Jan. 14.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/26/the-talk-renewed-by-cbs_n_814478.html)

Source: 'The Talk' Renewed By CBS (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/26/the-talk-renewed-by-cbs_n_814478.html)

With the recent huff over college students not learning a darn thing (45% Of Students Don't Learn Much In College (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/18/45-of-students-dont-learn_n_810224.html%20)), I figured it was time to offer what goes on in the mind of a college professor. This is what I care about and don't care about in class:1.  DON'T CARE if your cell phone goes off, as long as I get to answer it.  These days, I'm having trouble distinguishing incoming calls from texts. Droid!More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-binder/8-things-a-college-prof-c_b_814370.html)

Source: 8 Things Your Prof Cares (or Doesn't Care) About in Class (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-binder/8-things-a-college-prof-c_b_814370.html)

Rumors are flying that the Egyptian government is now restricting access to Facebook after blocking Twitter yesterday, according to TechCrunch (http://techcrunch.com/2011/01/26/after-blocking-twitter-egypt-reportedly-starts-restricting-access-to-facebook/) and sources on Twitter. In Alexandria, @antikano (http://twitter.com/#!/antikano) tweets:

FACEBOOK & TWITTER are now FULLY BLOCKED IN EGYPT #Jan25 (http://twitter.com/#!/antikano/status/30248713507045376)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/26/facebook-blocked-in-egypt_n_814586.html)

Source: Facebook Blocked In Egypt? Rumors Persist, But No Confirmation (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/26/facebook-blocked-in-egypt_n_814586.html)

The Financial Times is expanding its efforts around online video with a new television studio in its London headquarters, new video staffers in its New York and Hong Kong bureaus, and by providing simple video cameras to its print reporters in the field.

While much of the FT articles are behind a subscription wall, videos remain free.

For an overview on the expansion of the FT's plans and an overview on the value of video journalism, we spoke with Richard Edgar, the global head of video operations. He was in New York recently when we caught up with him.

Online Video Journalism Summit at The Washington Post on February 1

The editorial and business opportunities around online video journalism will be explored at our event (http://www.beet.tv/the-beettv-online-video-journalism-summit.html) at The Washington Post on Tuesday, February 1 from 9 - 11:30 ET.  We regret that Mr. Edgar is unable to join us, but delighted we have his comments here.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-plesser/financial-times-ramps-up_b_814787.html)

Source: Financial Times Ramps Up Online Video Efforts with London Studio, Expanded Staffing in New York and Hong Kong (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-plesser/financial-times-ramps-up_b_814787.html)

For Annabel Park, founder of the Coffee Party USA (http://www.coffeepartyusa.com), the influence of corporations on elections is "a cancer in our political system." Speaking by phone, she elaborates on this heavy metaphor with a statement even more dire: that if Americans remain cynical and allow the cancer to spread as much as it has, then corporate influence "will permanently control the political narrative in the United States."What could be so terrifying but so influential that it caused this full-time documentary filmmaker and political activist to "work 20 hours a day" to halt the cancer from spreading?More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-m-russell/at-summit-for-people-caut_b_812549.html)

Source: At 'Summit for People,' Cautious Optimism About Ending Citizens United (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-m-russell/at-summit-for-people-caut_b_812549.html)

To understand how Chicago politics works one need only do a doctoral thesis on the Daley I mayoral years, the Daley II mayoral years -- both of which turned Chicago into The City That Works -- or watch a West Wing-like television series that I may have to co-write, Man on Five, which is insider code for Da Mayor of Chicago, whose office is on the fifth floor of City Hall. But right in your face, situated as you step off the elevator with its highly polished brass doors.A few days ago Rahm Emanuel, former Illinois Congressman and, until recently, President Obama's Chief of Staff, was the front runner to win the February 22 mayoral election. It looked neat and played like Chicago style Monopoly. The highly esteemed Richard M. Daley, son of the revered Mayor Richard J. Daley and brother of the well respected Bill Daley, the former Secretary of Commerce and midwest head of Jamie Dimon's J. P. Morgan Chase who replaced Rahm Emanuel as President Obama's Chief of Staff as Former Chief of Staff Emanuel returned to Chicago to fill the Mayor of Chicago's office on five when our beloved Mayor Richard M. Daley announced he would not run for a 7th term.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sugar-rautbord/man-on-five-the-chicago-m_b_815157.html)

Source: Man on Five: The Chicago Mayoral Race (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sugar-rautbord/man-on-five-the-chicago-m_b_815157.html)

I've been feeling lately as if some of the scenes I'm writing are too vague. I'm missing a tangible sense of the rooms my characters exist in, and the things they interact with on a daily basis. What I need is a little set decoration. So today, I spent my writing time on the hunt for buildings, houses and rooms, as well as the things inside them -- typewriters, couches, coffee makers. Here are 5 places I searched:Google Images. Obvious, I know, but what an amazing resource. It's the perfect place to start. I peered into the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, the lobby of the Waldorf, a 1950's suburban kitchen.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennie-nash/the-making-of-a-novel-set_b_814628.html)

Source: The Making of a Novel: Set Decoration (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennie-nash/the-making-of-a-novel-set_b_814628.html)

Artist Thomas McKean (http://thomasmckean.blogspot.com) was riding the subway when he idly wondered how many words he could spell using the word 'Metrocard'. Then he fixated on variations of design using the actual card itself. After enough subway musing, he decided to collect discarded Metrocards and use them as his palette for grand mosaics.

I was entranced by the actual surface of the MetroCard - it actually has a beautiful glow, like enamel - and the slight variations in color from one card to another. I also like the challenges presented by using a limited palette, just the same way I admire the limitations imposed by writing a sonnet, yet the immense opportunites one can find within these limitations. (It took me a while to permit myself to use the back of the card - usually white - which of course gave me a lot more leeway.) And yes, the subway itself, does inspire me: perhaps it goes back to admiring George Tooker's subway paintings, but I've begun a series of drawings of different subway entrances, most of which have some unusual aspect in their lay-out as they had to be constructed to fit in odd spaces.

More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/28/thomas-mckeans-metrocard-_n_815342.html)

Source: Thomas McKean's MetroCard Mosaics (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/28/thomas-mckeans-metrocard-_n_815342.html)

PresidentObama has  been lavished with praise for his focus onMore... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/liz-butler/missing-from-the-state-of_b_814768.html)

Source: Missing From the State of the Union: The Clean Air Act (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/liz-butler/missing-from-the-state-of_b_814768.html)

It certainly feels like the national spotlight is on higher education.  And to the general public, it may even appear that we are marching bravely toward meeting the country's needs for higher education in the 21st century.  But are we? Many faculty on college campuses around the country are not convinced.Recognizing the need for a highly educated workforce to ensure the country's global competitiveness, President Obama, for instance, set an ambitious goal  (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-the-American-Graduation-Initiative-in-Warren-MI/) for the nation -- to have the highest percentage of college graduates of any country in the world by 2020. At the state level, a number of state governors have committed to increasing graduate rates in their public colleges and universities as their part in this national project (http://www.subnet.nga.org/ci/1011/). Foundations (http://www.completecollege.org/) have funded initiatives to increase graduation rates.  And the heads of many state college and university systems have followed suit (http://www.nashonline.org/Access2Success.html).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-meisenhelder/higher-education-at-the-c_b_814569.html)

Source: Higher Education at the Crossroads: It Is Time for the Faculty's Voice to Be Heard (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-meisenhelder/higher-education-at-the-c_b_814569.html)

Nick Kroll has been everywhere lately. In addition to starring in FX's hit fantasy sports-themed comedy "The League," the actor/comedian has also had featured roles in "Childrens' Hospital," "Get Him to the Greek," and "Dinner For Schmucks." But Kroll's stand-up comedy, and especially his unique characters, are rapidly becoming his signature.Kroll's first Comedy Central special, "Nick Kroll: Thank You Very Cool," which premieres this Saturday Jan. 29, will include stand-up, sketches, video segments, and appearances by all his beloved characters.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/28/exclusive-nick-kroll-bobb_n_815406.html)

Source: Exclusive! Bobby Bottleservice On Obama, Oscars & His Favorite Kardashian (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/28/exclusive-nick-kroll-bobb_n_815406.html)

I've been thinking a lot about the weightiness of motherhood given the combustible reactions received recently by two controversial mommies.  As if most mothers didn't already question their competence on a daily basis, leave it to Amy Chua's Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/searchS/?q=%22Amy+Chua%22) and Gwyneth Paltrow (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/13/gwyneth-paltrow-gives-adv_n_808446.html)'s GOOP (http://goop.com/newsletter/112/en/) Newsletter to make them feel even worse. Between the Superior Asian mother's anti-fun screed and GP's out-of-touch collection of helpful hints gathered from the daily lives of her over-privileged and tone-deaf mommy gal-pals, I have never been more grateful that I am only an aunt.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/miranda-levenstein/bad-mommy-chocolate-pizza_b_813043.html)

Source: Bad Mommy Chocolate Pizza (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/miranda-levenstein/bad-mommy-chocolate-pizza_b_813043.html)

According to a document leaked to the Columbia Daily Spectator (http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2011/01/27/least-8-percent-cc-seas-get-straight) this week, at least 8 percent of the university's undergraduate population achieved a GPA of 4.0 or above last semester.The student paper got hold of the statistics when an advising dean accidentally sent students a spreadsheet noting 482 students who earned an A or above (Columbia offers A-pluses, which translate numerically into a 4.33) average in the fall semester. Included in the database where each student's year, major and school affiliation.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/29/at-least-8-percent-of-col_n_815490.html)

Source: Columbia Students Rack Up Straight A's (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/29/at-least-8-percent-of-col_n_815490.html)

I'm so excited to be here in Davos.  I was here many years ago as a student cook. It was the same principle of hard work and trying to not get yelled at in Swiss-German.I'm excited about the discussions here. I heard Medvedev, Clinton, and ran into Bill Gates, and Michael Dell came to one of my sessions.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcus-samuelsson/a-dispatch-from-davos_b_815735.html)

Source: A Dispatch From Davos (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcus-samuelsson/a-dispatch-from-davos_b_815735.html)

Religion declines with economic development.  In a previous post that rattled around the Internet, I presented a scholarly explanation for this pattern: people who feel secure in this world have less interest in another one.The basic idea is that wealth allows people to feel more secure in the sense that they are confident of having their basic needs met and expect to lead a long healthy life.  In such environments, there is less of a market for religion, the primary function of which is to help people cope with stress and uncertainty.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nigel-barber/why-americans-are-more-re_b_814962.html)

Source: Why Americans Are More Religious Than Europeans (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nigel-barber/why-americans-are-more-re_b_814962.html)

With Groundhog Day rapidly approaching, my mind has turned to the elusive do-over. The 1993 Bill Murray flick named for February 2nd has to be one of my all-time favorite, watch-it-every-time-it's-on movies. For those who haven't seen it (and really, what kind of carpet are you living under? Netflix it immediately), the movie's plot centers around a crotchety guy named Phil Conners, played by Murray. Phil is forced to endure the same day over and over until he gets it "right."The golden opportunity that Phil gets is to explore all of the different ways to play out his day. First, we meet the mean and selfish Phil, then the woman chasing Phil and then the do-gooder Phil. Finally, just when all hope is lost and Phil truly accepts his fate, we meet the real Phil. And on the morning of February 3rd, (spoiler alert!) we watch as Phil wakes up in the arms of the woman he loves. It's a new day, and he's a renewed man.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melanie-gorman/how-to-apologize_b_814918.html)

Source: How to Apologize: Getting a 'Do-Over' This Groundhog Day (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melanie-gorman/how-to-apologize_b_814918.html)

WASHINGTON - Canadian television viewers looking for the most thorough and in-depth coverage of the uprising in Egypt (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/egypt-news) have the option of tuning into Al Jazeera English, whose on-the-ground coverage of the turmoil is unmatched by any other outlet. American viewers, meanwhile, have little choice but to wait until one of the U.S. cable-company-approved networks broadcasts footage from AJE, which the company makes publicly available. What they can't do is watch the network directly.Other than in a handful of pockets  (http://english.aljazeera.net/watchaje/20091022172112636517.html)across the U.S. - including Ohio, Vermont and Washington, D.C. - cable carriers do not give viewers the choice of watching Al Jazeera. That corporate censorship comes as American diplomats harshly criticize the Egyptian government for blocking Internet communication inside the country and as Egypt attempts to block Al Jazeera from broadcasting (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/30/al-jazeera-egypt_n_815963.html).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/30/al-jazeera-english-us_n_816030.html)

Source: Al Jazeera English Blacked Out Across Most Of U.S. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/30/al-jazeera-english-us_n_816030.html)

To the endangered species of our world, let us add another: the vanishing American religious male. While he's not near extinction, he's definitely PBS-special worthy. His disappearance isn't just within Judaism -- his lack of participation extends to every religion in the American landscape. And rabbis, priests, pastors, imams, demographers and sociologists are trying to understand why.The far-reaching Pew U.S. Religious Landscape Survey (http://religions.pewforum.org/) indicates that women outclass men in all the most important indices for religious belief and participation: affiliation, belief in God, regular prayer, and -- most tellingly -- the reported importance of religion in their lives. It is actually quite stunning how much resistance to female religious leadership still exists in America, considering how many more women than men engage in spiritual practice.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-perlo/the-vanishing-american-re_b_814038.html)

Source: The Vanishing American Religious Male (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-perlo/the-vanishing-american-re_b_814038.html)

WASHINGTON -- There are beefier issues for politicians to address, but there are few other issues that deal so directly with beef.On Monday, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) became one of the first members of Congress to take on the controversy over Taco Bell's so-called beef product, releasing a statement pitching his home state's meat as a more authentic alternative.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/jon-tester-taco-bell-montana-beef_n_816553.html)

Source: Tester Pitches Montana Beef As Taco Bell Alternative (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/jon-tester-taco-bell-montana-beef_n_816553.html)

According to a recent report in the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/30/AR2011013004670.html), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) could suffer budget cuts of almost 13 percent, which would effectively eliminate Project Gunrunner, a program designed to combat gun-trafficking from the U.S. to Mexico (http://www.bradycampaign.org/legislation/trafficking/exporting).Any cuts to the already under-staffed and under-funded ATF would be a setback, but the kinds of cuts that are rumored would be devastating to the ATF's ability to interrupt the flow of illegal guns across America and Mexico. Worst of all, though, would be for the Obama Administration to pursue these cuts without pushing to implement strong, commonsense gun laws, such as those to ban large-capacity (http://www.bradycampaign.org/legislation/msassaultweapons/highcapacity) , assault weapons, and closing the gun show loophole (http://www.bradycampaign.org/legislation/backgroundchecks/gunshowloophole).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-helmke/atf-strong-gun-laws-neede_b_816640.html)

Source: ATF, Strong Gun Laws Needed to Fight Illegal Guns (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-helmke/atf-strong-gun-laws-neede_b_816640.html)

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration pushed back forcefully on Monday afternoon against a Florida judge's ruling that its signature health care law is invalid, calling the judgment a legally "dubious" reading of the law.In an interview with The Huffington Post, outgoing senior adviser David Axelrod accused Judge Roger Vinson of judicial overreach for concluding that the health care law's individual mandate was both unconstitutional and not severable from the rest of the legislation -- meaning the entire law had to be tossed.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/axelrod-florida-judge-health-care_n_816645.html)

Source: Axelrod: Judge's Invalidation Of Health Care Law Is 'Very Dubious' (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/axelrod-florida-judge-health-care_n_816645.html)

Diane Kruger -- she who can score a Chanel Haute Couture (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/28/diane-kruger-in-chanel-ha_n_815330.html) frock within 48 hours of its trip down the runway -- spoke to Glamour magazine (http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2011/02/diane-kruger-cover-shoot-photo-gallery#slide=1) about her passion for fashion.On what she likes:More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/01/diane-kruger-reveals-her-_n_816834.html)

Source: Diane Kruger Reveals Her Biggest Fashion Purchase: 'I Truly Broke A Sweat' (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/01/diane-kruger-reveals-her-_n_816834.html)

These being the times they are, you may be tapped for a loan by a relative or friend who is unable to come up with the down payment for a home or who wants to start a business or keep it afloat.  And what if the loan goes sour, as so often happens? The tax rules on deductions for bad debts can be more bad news for you. So before staking someone, it's a good idea to know how the Internal Revenue Service looks on worthless loans.The IRS says you can deduct a worthless loan if there is no likelihood of recovery in the future. But you can't take a deduction for an outright gift. That's why the agency looks closely at bad debt deductions where the lender and borrower are related and why it may insist on proof that the "loan" wasn't really a gift.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julian-block/bad-debt-deductions-for-w_b_816694.html)

Source: Bad Debt Deductions for Worthless Loans to Spouses (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julian-block/bad-debt-deductions-for-w_b_816694.html)

All this talk about civility is beginning to make me uncomfortable. Civility refers to courteous and polite behavior. But courteous and polite behavior is not, in and of itself, a religious value. At times, it is to be subordinated to other, more important values.When instructing the prophet Isaiah about how he is to confront those who oppress others, God's instructions are as follows: "Cry with full throat, without restraint; raise your voice like a ram's horn!" (Isaiah 58:1). There is no suggestion here that Isaiah should be civil. What is called for is exactly the opposite: casting civility aside and speaking out with passion, power, and "without restraint" against those who cause or ignore suffering.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-eric-h-yoffie/the-religious-case-for-le_b_815870.html)

Source: The Religious Case for Less Civility and More Passion (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-eric-h-yoffie/the-religious-case-for-le_b_815870.html)

I am no fan of the mandatory arbitration process imposed on investors by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).  Investors usually lose or get a fraction of their losses.  The arbitrators are under no obligation to explain their decisions, and they rarely do.The arbitrators are typically retired men, who really enjoy sitting on these panels.  They know if they render an award against a major brokerage firm, their chance of getting selected again will be greatly diminished.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-solin/a-finra-arbitrator-with-a_b_814238.html)




Source: A FINRA Arbitrator With a Heart! (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-solin/a-finra-arbitrator-with-a_b_814238.html)

Sick of all the nasty things being blogged about her, Jennifer Aniston took matters into her own hands. Nearly literally.The former 'Friends' star, who features in the upcoming comedy 'Just Go With It,' appears on 'The Ellen Degeneres Show' on Thursday, and talks in part about her chance confrontation with the self-proclaimed 'Queen of all Media,' who developed a reputation as one of the nastiest celebrity bloggers around.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/02/jennifer-aniston-perez-hilton-face-to-face-confrontation_n_817356.html)




Source: Jennifer Aniston & Perez Hilton: Face To Face Confrontation (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/02/jennifer-aniston-perez-hilton-face-to-face-confrontation_n_817356.html)

In a video for Premium Members of his website, Bill O'Reilly doubled down on his statement that the existence of the tides is definitive evidence that God exists (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/06/oreilly-god-causes-tides_n_805262.html).The Fox News host took a lot of heat for claiming that science cannot explain why the tides occur in such a regular fashion when in fact the tides are the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/02/bill-oreilly-moon-tides_n_817723.html)




Source: Bill O'Reilly Doubles Down On God Controlling The Tides: 'How Did The Moon Get There?' (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/02/bill-oreilly-moon-tides_n_817723.html)

We all know a Fred Upton.He's the coworker who was your friend until he got promoted and "went corporate." He's the athlete who played to bring a championship to his home town before following a larger contract to a bigger city. He's the buddy who was always around until he got into a relationship and didn't have time for you any more.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erich-pica/the-curious-case-of-fred-_b_817466.html)




Source: The Curious Case of Fred Upton (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erich-pica/the-curious-case-of-fred-_b_817466.html)

I want to scream it from the rooftops: I have been a raw vegan for 30 days! I wanted to try raw eating for a while now. Raw Vegan is even written on my vision board.  I have always been a health food nut, always eating fruits and veggies, but inevitably I end up eating all the garbage on top of the good stuff. I have spent various years being vegetarian and this past year, I drank tons of green drinks and was close to being vegan.  At that point I knew I was ready to eat raw in 2011!  I did not pressure myself; I literally took it one day at a time. I started out not knowing if I would make it past the first day.  But so far I have done it for an entire 30 days.  Now I feel like I can do this for a lifetime. I have had hardly any cravings and I'm hardly ever hungry, probably because I have been able to eat as much as I want! I started out the first two days just juicing!  The remaining days I have eaten raw food.  It has probably been the best 30 days of my life...What I eat: raw fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds (mostly organic) and a small amount of cold pressed olive oil, Bragg's vinegar and almond milk!More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sandy-henson-corso/30-days-raw-a-lifetime-to_b_816158.html)




Source: 30 Days Raw: A Lifetime To Go (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sandy-henson-corso/30-days-raw-a-lifetime-to_b_816158.html)

You may think bed bugs (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/01/hollister-bedbug-infestat_n_632200.html) are so 2010 (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/21/bed-bugs-becoming-a-natio_n_654395.html), but they still exist, so much so that Animal Planet wants to help New Yorkers by fixing the problem FOR FREE. The catch? The result will be some sort of reality show, of course:READ:More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/03/animal-planet-nyc_n_818043.html)




Source: Animal Planet Wants New York Bug Stories For New Series (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/03/animal-planet-nyc_n_818043.html)

A spacious loft unit inside of a West Town building built in 1884, offers rare city views and a great rooftop deck for entertaining.The 1 bedroom, 1-bath home offers a bright and open concept timber loft with exposed beams throughout the home. The kitchen and bathroom were recently remodeled and upgraded just in time for new owners to enjoy.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/03/west-town-loft-built-in-1_n_818372.html)




Source: West Town Loft Built In 1884 With Upgrades And Nice Views (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/03/west-town-loft-built-in-1_n_818372.html)

By Adelle M. BanksReligion News ServiceMore... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/03/judges-ten-commandments-p_n_818360.html)




Source: Judge's Ten Commandments Poster Ruled Unconstitutional (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/03/judges-ten-commandments-p_n_818360.html)

Discussions about science and religion too often resemble one team lining up against the other. In this country, the science-religion interaction can be as aggressive as NFL football. Sometimes, however, a few serious players come onto the field and refuse to take a side. This disrupts the polarized conflict, and it reminds us that the scientific and religious communities are not opposing teams, and do share common interests and concerns.Richard Cizik, the former top lobbyist for the National Association of Evangelicals, co-founded the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good (http://www.newevangelicalpartnership.org/) in 2010. A main goal of his group is "to articulate a new form of engagement that doesn't demonize science or scientists."More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-i-leshner/science-religion-and-expl_b_817172.html)




Source: Exploring the Middle Ground Between Science and Religion (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-i-leshner/science-religion-and-expl_b_817172.html)

Ben Roethlisberger has already won two Lombardi Trophies and is making his third career Super Bowl appearance (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/23/super-bowl-odds-2011-xlv_n_812844.html) on Sunday. He is also 10-2 in the playoffs and is part of one of the greatest plays (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOfouSAAkZY) in Super Bowl history. So is Big Ben a Hall of Famer already?Kurt Warner says no (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/04/kurt-warner-says-roethlisberger-not-a-hall-of-famer-yet).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/04/kurt-warner-roethlisberger-hall-of-fame_n_818634.html)




Source: Kurt Warner: Ben Roethlisberger Not Hall Of Famer Yet (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/04/kurt-warner-roethlisberger-hall-of-fame_n_818634.html)

A Chicago man was hospitalized early Friday after he was shot and robbed of his snowblower on the South Side.A 47-year-old man was in the 5600 block of South Shields Avenue about 1:40 a.m. when two men approached him and asked if he wanted to sell his snowblower, Fox Chicago reports (http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/Andre-Barker-chicago-man-shot-robbed-of-snowblower-20110204). He said no, and the men reportedly shot him in the thigh before taking his snowblower and cash.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/04/man-shot-robbed-of-snowbl_n_818910.html)




Source: Man Shot, Robbed Of Snowblower Following Chicago Blizzard (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/04/man-shot-robbed-of-snowbl_n_818910.html)

A couple of weeks ago, I told you the story of Pastor Marrion P'Udongo, the "Oskar Schindler of Congo" who's now in dire need of a kidney transplant. I explained how during the war, the pastor had risked his life to shelter scores of his neighbors who were being persecuted and killed. And how in the years that followed, he'd used his pay as a fixer and interpreter for journalists to nurture and minister to orphans and child soldiers, and to the multitudes forced into squalid camps that sprang up along the valleys of northeastern Congo. Pastor Marrion's work transcended any religious order. He was a hero in a country short on heroes, and now he needed our help.I appealed to your better angels, and many of you responded. In the days after the story ran, the Pastor Marrion Fund raised over $11,000. Prayers and good wishes poured in from all over the world. One person said she was planning to bike from London to Paris to raise money. Another even volunteered his own kidney, if needed. The pastor was completely overwhelmed by the response. From a hospital room in Kampala, Uganda, where he was receiving dialysis and recovering from an infection, he said, "God has brought these people to save me. I never knew I had so many friends."More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bryan-mealer/for-congos-hero-pastor-th_b_817529.html)




Source: For Congo's Hero Pastor, the Clock is Ticking Down (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bryan-mealer/for-congos-hero-pastor-th_b_817529.html)

Given that some economists still debate the root causes of the Great Depression, little wonder that a multitude of competing stories still vies for affirmation as explanation for the financial crisis of 2008. Recrimination sometimes seems like the real American pastime, and the near-slide into the financial abyss presents a teeming buffet of potential culprits.Depending upon your ideological predisposition, the crisis owes to the greedy bankers who turned home loans into casino chips, or to the federal regulators who abdicated authority, allowing Wall Street to turn itself into a gambling parlor. It was homeowners who treated their mortgages like winning lottery tickets, cashing in through repeated rounds of refinancing. It was politicians who championed expanded home ownership with reckless tax incentives and mandates forcing banks to lend even to borrowers with sketchy credit. It was the Federal Reserve which kept interest rates too low for too long.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/04/bad-news-new-book-financial-crisis-press_n_819033.html)




Source: Bad News: New Book Probes Role of Press in Financial Crisis (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/04/bad-news-new-book-financial-crisis-press_n_819033.html)

I dig wings as much as the next person, but I'm not the kind of guy that plans a dinner around a plate of butter-and-hot-sauce-bathed, deep-fried chicken parts. Or at least I didn't think I was until I visited the The Good Fork (http://www.goodfork.com/) in Red Hook, Brooklyn back in March 2006, just a few weeks after this mom-and-pop restaurant opened. I had finished the now famous Korean-style Steak and Eggs (you'll find this recipe, which we ran in our September 2007 issue, here (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Steak-and-Eggs-Korean-Style-239793)) but couldn't stop thinking about my appetizer: Asian-style chicken wings. These plump wings were perfect--crispy skin, juicy meat, and bathed in just the right amount of fiery sriracha (http://www.huyfong.com/no_frames/sriracha.htm?mbid=synd_huffpost) and sambal oelek (http://www.bonappetit.com/tipstools/ingredients/2008/10/chili_garlic_sauce) sauce. They were nothing like the scrawny, over-cooked, over-buttery specimens I ate growing up.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-knowlton/best-hot-wings-for-super_b_435809.html)




Source: The Best Hot Wings Recipe for Super Bowl Sunday (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-knowlton/best-hot-wings-for-super_b_435809.html)

For a growing crop of teen and college philanthropists, typical young adult behavior takes a different twist.Harvard sophomore Julie Zauzmer celebrated her 20th birthday by working the overnight shift at a homeless shelter, Boston.com reports (http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2011/02/01/volunteering_spirit_catches_fire/).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/05/teens-volunteer--philanthropy-entrepreneurs_n_817755.html)




Source: Young Volunteers Are New Generation Of Savvy Entrepreneurs (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/05/teens-volunteer--philanthropy-entrepreneurs_n_817755.html)

Are you wondering, "what time does the Superbowl start?"It's a common search query, as is "what time is the super bowl 2011," "superbowl time" and "superbowl kickoff time 2011," according to Google Trends the evening before the Super Bowl (http://www.google.com/trends/hottrends?sa=X).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/05/what-time-superbowl-start_n_819173.html)

Source: What Time Does The Superbowl Start? (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/05/what-time-superbowl-start_n_819173.html)

Last weekend, nearly 200 women and men gathered for the Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Festival (http://itp.nyu.edu/we/) at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. The event was hosted by the Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP), a graduate-level program in alternative media encouraging creative innovations in communications technologies.With the goal of fostering a community of established and aspiring female entrepreneurs, conference attendees explored creative solutions to the unique challenges facing women in business and technology while celebrating the achievements of those women.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/06/women-entrepreneurs-festival_n_817069.html)

Source: Most Inspirational Tweets From The Women Entrepreneurs Festival (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/06/women-entrepreneurs-festival_n_817069.html)

In the middle of the fourth quarter of Houston's win over Memphis on Saturday night, Rockets coach Rick Adelman took backup guard Aaron Brooks out of the game.Instead of taking a seat on the bench, Brooks took the substitution personally and walked straight to the locker room (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/06/rockets-suspend-aaron-brooks-for-walking-off-court/) without being injured.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/06/aaron-brooks-suspended-rockets_n_819302.html)

Source: Aaron Brooks Suspended: Rockets Suspend 6th Man For Walking Off Court (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/06/aaron-brooks-suspended-rockets_n_819302.html)

Foursquare's Super Bowl Sunday experiment is underway and the check-ins are coming in fast.Approximately 30 minutes before kickoff, the geo-based social networking service had received more than 30,000 check-ins (http://foursquare.com/venue/16641001) for "Super Bowl Sunday." It encouraged users to shout "Go Packers!" or "Go Steelers!" along with the check-in to receive a special team badge.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/06/foursquare-super-bowl-sun_n_819327.html)

Source: Foursquare's 'Super Bowl Sunday' Venue Passes 200,000 Check-Ins (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/06/foursquare-super-bowl-sun_n_819327.html)

Kara Swisher called into NPR Monday morning and said that AOL's acquisition of the Huffington Post proves that news is a valuable business area."The Huffington Post is very good at creating a very exciting aggregation play in news, and they've started to do original journalism on the site," she said.  "What [the deal] does say is that news is an exciting area and it always will be. It just depends on how it's going to be distributed."More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/07/kara-swisher-huffpostaol-_n_819503.html)

Source: Kara Swisher: HuffPost-AOL Deal Means 'News Is An Exciting Area And It Always Will Be' (AUDIO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/07/kara-swisher-huffpostaol-_n_819503.html)

eSpace, the Boulder business incubator for space entrepreneurs, is looking for a half dozen new companies to launch into Colorado's growing space industry.Part of the Center for Space Entrepreneurship, the incubator was started in 2009 by the University of Colorado at Boulder and Sierra Nevada Corp.'s Space Systems Group in Louisville. This week, it opened its third round of recruiting for prospective entrants to the space business.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-schwab/space-entrepreneurs-wante_b_818732.html)

Source: Space Entrepreneurs Wanted (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-schwab/space-entrepreneurs-wante_b_818732.html)

I paused when I read the playwright Matthew Lopez refer to himself in The New York Times as a "foxhole Episcopalian (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/theater/28lopez.html?scp=1&sq=matthew%20lopez&st=cse)."Not that the expression was hard to parse but I hope he didn't say it apologetically, as in "I don't ever darken the door of a church unless something's going terribly wrong." If that's so, what's so wrong with that? Foxhole faith can be mighty powerful and foxhole prayers are some of the richest kind we make.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rick-hamlin/foxhole-faith_b_818907.html)

Source: Foxhole Faith: The Value Of Prayer When We Are Vulnerable (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rick-hamlin/foxhole-faith_b_818907.html)

As the myths about him grow larger, a new documentary from HBO, called "Reagan," takes a look at the "deeply misunderstood legacy" of late President Ronald Reagan on Monday night.Airing at 9 pm EST, the documentary, director Eugene Jarecki promises to "get behind the sort of shallow presentation of him that has sort of come to dominate in the mainstream media," as he told The Hill (http://thehill.com/capital-living/cover-stories/142621-qaa-with-eugene-jarecki-director-of-the-documentary-qreaganq).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/07/ronald-reagan-documentary-hbo_n_819988.html)

Source: Ronald Reagan Documentary: HBO Film Features President At 100 (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/07/ronald-reagan-documentary-hbo_n_819988.html)

WASHINGTON -- The days of newspapers serving up just "meat and potatoes" are over and it is essential for journalists to serve a "buffet" of content, says Chris Cillizza, The Washington Post  political editor/blogger (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/) and video personality.  He likens the essential offerings of media to an exotic and bountiful 3:00 a.m. dinner buffet in Las Vegas.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-plesser/washington-posts-chris-ci_b_820149.html)

Source: Washington Post's Chris Cillizza Advice to Journos: Serve a Bounty of Content, Like a Late Night Las Vegas Buffet (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-plesser/washington-posts-chris-ci_b_820149.html)

For anyone who happens to be a restaurant owner, current/former waiter or consumer of the culinary arts, the art of tipping is almost as important as the art of preparing the delectable deliciousness of a proper meal. When I dine out -- which is often since my own culinary skills leave no smoke alarm unturned -- I marinate in the scent of the Syrah or Malbec, savor the cuisine and bask in the company of great friends. Our servers are our tour guides for an evening likely to go down in the memory books for when I am old. They are the key to the success or failure of a restaurant, and we tip them accordingly.Recently, Portland was rated (http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2009/10/americas_foodiest_small_town_2009) as the "Foodiest City" by Bon Apetit. Most of those restaurants are centered in the downtown section of the city, which happens to be largely within my house district. I represent some of the finest restaurants, chefs and servers of this great country, and the model has worked thus far.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-russell/the-balance-in-the-tip_b_820422.html)

Source: The Balance in the Tip (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-russell/the-balance-in-the-tip_b_820422.html)

I wanted to share two recent experiences with my family's automobiles and the ensuing manipulation of the Customer Satisfaction process.A few months ago, we had one of our cars serviced. We were then told to fill out the Customer Satisfaction form with perfect scores for the Service department!More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ernan-roman/manipulating-customer-ser_b_819748.html)

Source: Manipulating Customer Service Ratings... What's Going On? (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ernan-roman/manipulating-customer-ser_b_819748.html)

The collision course is set: unbridled joy is barreling head long toward simmering cynicism -- at record speed.It's hard not to watch.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-briggs/the-john-paul-beatificati_b_818430.html)

Source: The Rush to Beatify John Paul (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-briggs/the-john-paul-beatificati_b_818430.html)

(http://i.huffpost.com/gen/211216/REUTERS-LOGO.jpg) (http://www.reuters.com)NEW YORK (Reuters) - The city of Buffalo, New York, banned the natural gas drilling technique of hydraulic fracturing on Tuesday, a largely symbolic vote that demonstrates concern about potential harm to groundwater from mining an abundant energy source.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/09/hydraulic-fracturing-bann_n_820647.html)

Source: Hydraulic Fracturing, 'Fracking,' Banned In Buffalo, NY (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/09/hydraulic-fracturing-bann_n_820647.html)

Former television news anchor Laurie Dhue, perhaps best-known for her time on Fox News, has opened up about her struggle with alcoholism.Last week, at a private dinner hosted by conservative columnist Cal Thomas, Dhue revealed that she had battled alcoholism throughout her career as a news anchor.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/09/laurie-dhue-alcoholic_n_821093.html)

Source: Laurie Dhue: I'm An Alcoholic, I 'Suffered In Silence' (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/09/laurie-dhue-alcoholic_n_821093.html)

(http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2011-02-09-PalinSchool.jpg)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-richards/school-of-journalism_b_821095.html)

Source: School of Journalism (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-richards/school-of-journalism_b_821095.html)

A woman who tried to mail a puppy (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/01/stacey-champion-mail-puppy_n_817107.html) in a box from Minnesota to Georgia now wants the puppy back, along with the $22 she paid to ship the dog (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20031002-504083.html).When Stacey Champion (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2011/02/minneapolis-woman-charged-with-animal-cruelty-for-trying-to-ship-a-puppy-in-a-sealed-box-asks-to-hav.html) first brought the box to the post office, she warned (http://www.startribune.com/local/115011544.html) postal workers to be careful, but reassured them that she was shipping a toy robot. But when the box began to move and make noise, workers got permission to open it, and found a 4-month old puppy inside named Guess, a black poodle-Schnauzer mix. The postal workers gave the thirsty pup some water, and now he's at an animal control facility.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/10/stacey-champion-mailed-puppy_n_821256.html)

Source: Stacey Champion, Woman Who Tried To Mail Puppy, Wants Dog And Postage Back (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/10/stacey-champion-mailed-puppy_n_821256.html)

First it was the myth about linkage between Iran and Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking.According to the logic, without progress on the Palestinian front, it would be impossible to mobilize Arab countries to face the Iranian nuclear threat.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-harris/three-middle-east-myths-e_b_821537.html)

Source: Three Middle East Myths Exploded (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-harris/three-middle-east-myths-e_b_821537.html)

UPDATE: According to CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/09/florida.player.eligibility/index.html), a Florida judge has temporarily barred the Florida High School Athletics Association from disqualifying guard Brian Delancy, and his team, because of his immigration status. Krop High School will be allowed to compete in the basketball playoffs.Florida high school senior Brian Delancy (http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Hoops-Hopes-Derailed-115155334.html) has helped propel his basketball team to victory this season, bringing them to the number one seed in the state.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/10/bryan-delancy-michael-krop-immigration_n_820904.html)

Source: UPDATE: Judge Rules Krop High School, Brian Delancy Still Eligible For Basketball Playoffs (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/10/bryan-delancy-michael-krop-immigration_n_820904.html)

As jubilant young Egyptians danced in the streets of Cairo and Alexandria, celebrating the departure of their 82 year old former president, American television commentators immediately began discussing two issues that seemed to them to be of greatest importance: who were the leaders of the uprising and how  did they use social media to bring down the reign of a 30-year dictatorship?  In doing so, they revealed the same type of inter-generational misunderstandings that cost Hosni Mubarak his presidency.The revolution was successful because it had no leaders, only coordinators of bottom up energy. Its use of social media was brilliantly conceived to meld online organizing with offline action, not supplant it. The inability of older generations to understand the power of this new form of leadership among Egypt's, and ultimately the world's, young people suggests there will be many more such surprises in the future, both at home and abroad.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-hais-and-morley-winograd/victory-for-egypts-leader_b_822228.html)

Source: Victory for Egypt's Leaderless Revolution (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-hais-and-morley-winograd/victory-for-egypts-leader_b_822228.html)

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- John Tavares, Matt Moulson and rookie Michael Grabner all scored their 20th goal of the season and the New York Islanders got some revenge against the injury-depleted Pittsburgh Penguins with their sticks and their fists in a fight-filled 9-3 victory on Friday night.Just nine days after Brent Johnson beat New York 3-0 and knocked out Rick DiPietro in a one-punch fight that left the franchise goalie with broken bones in his face, the Islanders responded with four goals in the first period and four more in the second - with an all-out brawl in the middle of the offensive outburst.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/12/penguins-islanders-brawl-video_n_822373.html)

Source: Penguins, Islanders Brawl: NHL Teams Fight For Second Time In 9 Days (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/12/penguins-islanders-brawl-video_n_822373.html)

Once again, 'Portlandia (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/05/aimee-mann-sarah-mclachlan-portlandia_n_819086.html)' proves to be one of the most playful and engaging new shows on TV, with another strong episode complete with iconic characters, fun cameos, and sharp pacing.Kyle MacLachlan returns as the mayor of Portland, who has recently gone missing.  Fred and Carrie set out to find him by having a wireless store triangulate his location; but not before the store clerk, played with slightly sinister deadpan charm by comedian Kumail Nanjiani, upsells them to the most complicated cell phone plan of all time.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/12/portlandia-maclachlan-plaza-nanjiani_n_822416.html)

Source: 'Portlandia': Kyle MacLachlan Jams, Aubrey Plaza House Sits & Kumail Nanjiani Manipulates (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/12/portlandia-maclachlan-plaza-nanjiani_n_822416.html)

How can you make a green form of transportation even greener? Bryan McClelland may have the answer: bamboo bikes.McClelland has created the BamBike, a bicycle made out of bamboo. The bicycles are made in Manila, Phillipines, which Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/news/video/story?videoId=185496402&videoChannel=74) reports is one of the most polluted capitals in the world. The bikes, costing around $500, are built by local skilled laborers, and the company advertises (http://bambike.com/about/) that as "a company that is interested in helping out people and the planet," their bicycles are made with fair-trade labor.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/12/bamboo-bikes-in-philippin_n_822091.html)

Source: Bamboo Bike, BamBike, Strives To Make Philippines Less Polluted (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/12/bamboo-bikes-in-philippin_n_822091.html)

SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE UPDATES(http://i.huffpost.com/gen/211216/REUTERS-LOGO.jpg) (http://www.reuters.com)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/12/egyptian-prime-minister-priorities_n_822469.html)

Source: Egyptian Prime Minister's First Priority: Security (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/12/egyptian-prime-minister-priorities_n_822469.html)

Americans are fat and getting fatter by the year. Recent data reported in medical journal Lancet showed that BMI (Body Mass Index), a recognized measurement of obesity, is higher on average in America than in any other nation.The obesity problem, however, is international. The report in Lancet states that "In 2008, 9.8 percent of the world's male population were obese, as were 13.8 percent of women. In 1980, these rates were 4.8 percent and 7.9 percent." US eating habits and diets have been exported, many experts say. Nations which before had relatively lean diets which were high in grains and fruits  now consume many more soft drinks and hamburgers.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/13/the-states-with-the-worst_n_822540.html)

Source: The States With The Worst Eating Habits: 24/7 Wall Street (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/13/the-states-with-the-worst_n_822540.html)

Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, can be a day of love or dread because of its emphasis on roses, chocolate, candlelight and expensive dates. However, it can also simply be about taking special care to show your love and appreciation for the people who are special to you. Many great religious thinkers and spiritual texts have offered thoughts on the power of love, from the Hebrew Bible to the Christian New Testament, Lao Tzu to Mother Teresa. In the name of deepening the meaning of this day, HuffPost Religion has compiled some of the most loving wisdom.A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. -- Proverbs 15:17 (NLT)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/13/valentines-day-religion-w_n_820400.html)

Source: Valentine's Day Quotes: Religion Weighs In On Love (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/13/valentines-day-religion-w_n_820400.html)

If there's one thing the usual gang of idiots is even remotely okay at, it's mildly humorous political satire.  With John Boehner ruining the country one weepy tear at a time, MAD Magazine saw fit to immortalize him in a portrait that's much more honest than most other portraits of the Speaker of the House.John Ficarra, Executive Editor of MAD Magazine noted, "Boehner crying was the most disturbing thing I've ever seen on 60 Minutes ­with the exception, of course, of Andy Rooney."More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bryan-young/a-huffington-post-exclusi_b_822651.html)

Source: A MAD Look at John Boehner (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bryan-young/a-huffington-post-exclusi_b_822651.html)

In the first half of Napoli's 2-0 win over Roma on Saturday, Roma's Aleandro Rosi got into a scuffle with Ezequiel Lavezzi and spat on him (http://www.football-italia.net/feb13b.html).After the match, Rosi explained the incident and said not to place the blame entirely on him because Lavezzi provoked him (http://www.football-italia.net/feb13b.html).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/14/aleandro-rosi-ezequiel-lavezzi-spit_n_822840.html)

Source: Aleandro Rosi Spits On Ezequiel Lavezzi In Roma's 2-0 Loss To Napoli (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/14/aleandro-rosi-ezequiel-lavezzi-spit_n_822840.html)

Political power, a poignant past and the powder keg present collided magnificently at the Paley Center for Media in New York City on the evening of February 9.  Former President Bill Clinton was on hand to give opening remarks for an intimate, yet pivotal conversation taking place on the cusp of a dramatic moment in history.Before an audience of intellectuals, business leaders and media heavyweights, civil rights luminary Andrew Young and Young's godson and co-author, Kabir Sehgal, discussed their new book, Walk in My Shoes.  This courageous memoir includes an eloquent foreword by Clinton and a message for the ages.  Rest assured, this was not your typical book party.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-semino/bill-clinton-a-civil-righ_b_822698.html)

Source: Bill Clinton, a Civil Rights Legend and Egypt's New Media Revolution (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-semino/bill-clinton-a-civil-righ_b_822698.html)

Using as tiny climate sensors the miniscule bodies of hard-shelled protozoa deposited on the sea floor over millennia, an international research team has made a startling discovery off the coast of Greenland.A northbound current flowing far beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean through Fram Strait has been sloshing the warmest water of the past 2,000 years into the Arctic Ocean -- indirectly contributing to the thinning and shrinkage of sea ice near Alaska and across the Arctic.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alaskadispatchcom/arctic-ocean-current-temp_b_823197.html)

Source: Arctic Ocean current temperatures traced back to Roman Empire (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alaskadispatchcom/arctic-ocean-current-temp_b_823197.html)

How could god let this happen?I am the Jewish child of Holocaust survivors, so that is a question that I have heard asked throughout my life. Everyone from the most revered religious leaders to George Burns playing the title character in Oh God, Book 2, has tackled that enquiry.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-pell/is-the-internet-god_b_823203.html)

Source: When the Whole World Is Watching (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-pell/is-the-internet-god_b_823203.html)

It's always fun when you can get a sneak peek of a show before it airs, but something tells us this leaked script from one of our favorite NBC comedies "Community" is just a lot of hot air.Creator Dan Harmon tweeted (http://twitter.com/#!/danharmon/status/36940221937500160) this screenshot of the script, which contains the word fart more times than you can imagine, and added, "This shoots tomorrow."More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/15/dan-harmon-community-script_n_823391.html)

Source: Dan Harmon Leaks Upcoming 'Community' Script And It's A Gas (PICTURE) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/15/dan-harmon-community-script_n_823391.html)

Name: Esmé.DOB: TBD.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mimi-schmir/hot-flashes-dirty-jasmine_b_823700.html)

Source: Hot Flashes: Dirty Jasmine (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mimi-schmir/hot-flashes-dirty-jasmine_b_823700.html)

The national employment situation has slowly been improving, but fundamental shifts in the economy may prevent a full recovery, a new Federal Reserve report concludes.The "normal" unemployment rate, or the baseline level to which the economy is progressing, will be worse than it was before the recession, according to a

Source: Employment Won't Recover To Pre-Crisis Level, SF Fed Says (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/15/jobs-recovery_n_823777.html)

By Peggy Fletcher StackSalt Lake TribuneMore... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/15/when-marriages-are-eterna_n_823691.html)

Source: When Marriages Are Eternal, Mormon Singles Struggle (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/15/when-marriages-are-eterna_n_823691.html)

There is something in the human soul that will not rest until liberated. Sooner or later, that which is the Spirit of Man arises from the depths of our Being, insists on being heard. Like the soaring Phoenix from Its ashes, whatever we once believed to be hopeless in our selves and in our lives is overthrown from its tyranny. The king is dead. Long live the king. It is just a matter of time. Some believe the process must be accomplished in a single lifetime. Others argue for multiple incarnations. But, regardless where you stand on how long it takes for your inner life to become a magnificent composer of your outer, the day comes when the jig is up for our ego. Says Mark Nepo, "You must meet the outer world with your inner world. Or existence will crush you."Sooner or later, whatever longs for liberation in your heart will not be denied. Beneath your conscious radar, your interior state begins galvanizing life force, "strategizing" its demonstration for its Right to Be. Until this moment, pretending to be smaller than you are continues to ruin your day.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-cara-barker/personal-liberation_b_823241.html)

Source: What's in the Way of Your Personal Liberation? (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-cara-barker/personal-liberation_b_823241.html)

Just because headquarters can't figure out how to make your location viable does not mean you can't. You've got loyal customers, you know the shelves. You've been sitting behind the cash register for years now saying, "If it was up to me..." So, do it! Organize, approach Borders and say, "Okay, let's figure out a way to be creative here." They might be happy to have a positive PR spin.Then track down the landlord and talk with them, they don't want a vacant hole in the wall, they want a tenant, because one tenant makes it more attractive for other tenants. So maybe you can work out a deal. Just give 'em a call.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toby-barlow/to-the-employees-at-the-b_b_824299.html)

Source: To the Employees at the Borders Stores Scheduled to Close: Open a Bookstore (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toby-barlow/to-the-employees-at-the-b_b_824299.html)

Sick of all of the Royal Wedding coverage? Can't take one more article on what Kate Middleton will wear (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/15/kate-middleton-wedding-dress_n_796893.html#s208413&title=Karl_Lagerfeld)? On who's making the commemorative china (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/24/royal-wedding-memorabilia-_n_812970.html)? On whether it'll be screened in 3-D (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/03/royal-wedding-3d-bskyb_n_803765.html)?Then does graphic designer Lydia Leith (http://www.lydialeith.com/) have quite the treasure for you! Introducing the Royal Wedding Sick Bag (http://lydialeith.bigcartel.com/) -- something to keep handy come April 29.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/16/royal-wedding-barf-bags-m_n_824304.html)

Source: Royal Wedding Barf Bags Made By Graphic Designer Lydia Leith (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/16/royal-wedding-barf-bags-m_n_824304.html)

Inspired by popular revolts that ousted much-maligned rulers in Tunisia and Egypt, a series of anti-government protests are continuing to gain pace across the Middle East and North Africa.As Reuters is reporting (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110216/wl_nm/us_protests;_ylt=Ajk0DrRrJ668RzPTUlcpRVNvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJjYnNiM3FoBGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTEwMjE2L3VzX3Byb3Rlc3RzBGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMgRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNlZ3lwdC1pbnNwaXI-), clashes erupted in Libya -- a nation sandwiched between Egypt and Tunisia -- while fresh demonstrations also noted (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/16/libya-protests-antigovern_n_823851.html) in Bahrain, Yemen and Iran on Wednesday.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/17/middle-east-north-africa-_n_824204.html)

Source: Middle East, North Africa Anti-Government Protests Continue To Spread (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/17/middle-east-north-africa-_n_824204.html)

(http://i.huffpost.com/gen/211216/REUTERS-LOGO.jpg) (http://www.reuters.com)SALMON, Idaho (Reuters/Laura Zuckerman) - Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer declared on Wednesday he was ready to order state game officials to kill off entire wolf packs in defiance of federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/17/montana-governor-brian-sc_0_n_824471.html)

Source: Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer Threatens Killing Of Wolf Packs In Defiance Of Endangered Species Act (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/17/montana-governor-brian-sc_0_n_824471.html)

As humans, we are the beneficiaries of many gifts. Nature has provided us with three sacred blessings to sustain human life: food, water and air. But none is more profound than the gift of food.Our contamination of these gifts is a sad commentary on our values. There is no single better example of how the seduction of modern culture has pulled us away from a healthy relationship with our planet than our attitudes about what we choose to eat. We take food in, and it miraculously transforms into life -- our life. Without food, we die; with it, we create who we are. It's that simple.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christina-pirello/the-gift-of-food_b_824185.html)

Source: The Gift of Food (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christina-pirello/the-gift-of-food_b_824185.html)

Via the White House Flickr photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5454952553/in/photostream/) come photos of President Obama's buzzed-about dinner with tech leaders Thursday evening.The guest list (see below) included tech luminaries such as Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and outgoing Google CEO Eric Schmidt.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/18/steve-jobs-mark-zuckerberg-obama_n_825053.html)

Source: Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg Flank Obama At Tech Titan Dinner (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/18/steve-jobs-mark-zuckerberg-obama_n_825053.html)

CNN is stirring controversy with an article that calls the upcoming NBA All-Star Game "Black Thanksgiving."The article (http://us.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/02/18/nba.allstar.black.thanksgiving/index.html?hpt=C1), by longtime NBA analyst David Aldridge, calls All Star Weekend a "national holiday" for African Americans, and quotes USC professor Todd Boyd as saying that "the NBA All-Star weekend has turned into a celebration of African American culture by extension."More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/18/cnn-black-thanksgiving-nb_n_825335.html)

Source: CNN 'Black Thanksgiving' NBA Article Stirs Controversy (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/18/cnn-black-thanksgiving-nb_n_825335.html)

CAIRO - A Libyan doctor says 35 protesters were killed in the eastern city of Benghazi during clashes Friday with security forces amid protests demanding the ouster of the longtime leader.The doctor from al-Jalaa hospital says he counted 35 bodies received at his hospital alone, starting in the afternoon Friday.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/18/middle-east-protests-libya_n_825371.html)

Source: Middle East Protests: 35 Killed In Libya Demonstrations, Say Doctors (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/18/middle-east-protests-libya_n_825371.html)

by Raquel Brown, Media Consortium bloggerIt's been a tumultuous week in Madison, Wisconsin. Tens of thousands of state workers, teachers, and students have packed the state Capitol building to protest Republican Gov. Scott Walker's plan to weaken public unions.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-media-consortium/showdown-in-madison-a-pri_b_825390.html)

Source: Showdown in Madison: A Primer for the Wisconsin Protests (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-media-consortium/showdown-in-madison-a-pri_b_825390.html)

Most of the 100 advisors that contributed to the 10 Digital Learning Now (DLN) recommendations mentioned an interest in quality education and actively debated measures to ensure it as online learning continues to expand.   However, creating the ideal policy set that encourages both innovation and quality is no small feat. Neither likely state policy environment is attractive--a free-for-all or a web of bureaucratic barriers.  It will be hard to strike the right balance between encouraging innovation and ensuring quality.  "Without rigorous oversight, a thousand flowers blooming will also yield a lot of weeds," warned Erin Dillon and Bill Tucker in Education Next.Let's start by acknowledging that we currently have a system with highly variable quality and with lack accountability despite a decade of federal efforts to crank up the heat and bring up the rear.  Online learning makes it an additional challenge with innovative instructional strategies, multiple providers, and new staffing patterns.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-vander-ark/10-strategies-to-improve_b_825465.html)

Source: 10 Strategies to Improve the Quality of Online Learning (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-vander-ark/10-strategies-to-improve_b_825465.html)

Justin Bieber recently made headlines not for his boyish good looks, new 3D biopic or even his music, but for some controversial political remarks he made in an interview with Rolling Stone (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/16/justin-bieber-takes-on-evil-us-health-care_n_823942.html). So what are the Bieber's political beliefs? Aside from saying the U.S. health care system was "evil," he rattled off a few more interesting remarks, such as: "I'm not sure about the parties... But whatever they have in Korea, that's bad" and "I really don't believe in abortion. It's like killing a baby?"We know he's Canadian, but we just had to imagine what this newly-political Bieber would look like as a politician. We've kicked things off with a few photos of Political Bieber at work, and now we want to see what you've got! Photoshop Biebz into any funny political situation you'd like, and upload it to the slideshow below. And don't forget to vote for your favorite!More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/19/justin-bieber-politician-_n_825305.html)

Source: The Justin-Bieber-As-Politician Photoshop Competition! (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/19/justin-bieber-politician-_n_825305.html)

MADISON, Wis. - A state Capitol thrown into chaos swelled for a fifth day with thousands of protesters, as supporters of Republican efforts to scrap the union rights of state workers added their voices to the debate for the first time and GOP leaders insisted again Saturday there was no room for compromise.Supporters of Gov. Scott Walker and his effort to ease Wisconsin's budget woes gathered on the east side of the Capitol, surrounded by a much larger group of pro-labor demonstrators who since Tuesday have filled the Capitol with chanting, drum-beats and anti-Walker slogans. Walker has proposed requiring government workers to contribute more to their health care and pension costs and largely eliminating their collective bargaining rights.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/19/wisconsin-protests-contin_n_825553.html)

Source: Wisconsin Protests Continue Saturday, Huge Rally Expected (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/19/wisconsin-protests-contin_n_825553.html)

(http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2011-02-19-Arabuprising.jpg)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-richards/the-problem-with-democrac_b_825562.html)

Source: The Problem With Democracy (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-richards/the-problem-with-democrac_b_825562.html)

MADISON, Wis. -- Sometimes they cursed each other, sometimes they shook hands, sometimes they walked away from each other in disgust.(SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE UPDATES)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/19/madison-protests_n_825616.html)

Source: Madison Protests Hit Largest Numbers On Saturday (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/19/madison-protests_n_825616.html)

If you're seeking to do business with your bank on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, chances are it will be closed due to Presidents Day.Most banks are not open on Presidents Day 2011, just like last year (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/15/banks-open-presidents-day_n_462498.html) and previous years, as it's a federal holiday (http://www.opm.gov/Operating_Status_Schedules/fedhol/2011.asp) (also known as Washington's Birthday). The next business day for closed banks will be Tuesday, Feb. 22.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/20/banks-open-presidents-day_n_825749.html)

Source: Are Banks Open On Presidents Day 2011? Status Of Banks, Post Offices, Mail On Feb. 21, 2011 (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/20/banks-open-presidents-day_n_825749.html)

Yesterday at the UN, as many countries of the Middle East navigated a great generational change, the United States missed a perfectly timed opportunity to take a stand for peace and human rights. The U.S. vetoed a Security Council resolution, sponsored by 130 nations, calling on Israel to cease settlement activity in Palestinian territory (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-un-israeli-settlements-20110219,0,2828450.story).The settlements, along with the evictions, demolitions, forced displacements that go with them, are seen as a main obstacle to any legitimate peace process. Human rights groups like Amnesty International have also argued that Israel's policy of settling its civilians on occupied land violates the Fourth Geneva Convention (http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2010/10/15-0).More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-rainwater/us-veto-of-un-israeli-set_b_825621.html)

Source: U.S. Veto of UN Israeli Settlement Resolution: A Golden Opportunity Missed (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-rainwater/us-veto-of-un-israeli-set_b_825621.html)

As any frequent traveler knows, budgeting while away is a difficult task. Luckily, the fantastic website, PriceofTravel.com (http://www.priceoftravel.com/896/the-11-best-value-cities-in-europe-for-budget-travelers/), is around to show travelers just what's worth it and what isn't.The site recently put together a list of the 10 cities in Europe where you get the most bang for you buck, a difficult task in much of that continent for American travelers.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/21/best-value-cities-in-euro_n_825917.html)

Source: Best Value Cities In Europe For Budget Travelers (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/21/best-value-cities-in-euro_n_825917.html)

A woman spent her last few hours sleeping on a sidewalk  (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/nyregion/21homeless.html?partner=rss&emc=rss)outside St. Brigid's Church on Avenue B.The Tompkins Square Park regular (http://gothamist.com/2011/02/21/homeless_woman_a_tompkins_park_regu.php) was found dead Sunday morning by a friend who said many knew her simply as "Grace."More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/21/homeless-woman-dies-on-ea_n_826189.html)

Source: Homeless Woman Dies On East Village Sidewalk (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/21/homeless-woman-dies-on-ea_n_826189.html)

At the Democratic National Convention in August, 1996 Christopher Reeve said "So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."Today his words could refer to the efforts of Zack Kopplin, a high school senior from Baton Rouge (LA) Magnet High School.  Zack has set his sights on overturning a 2008 Louisiana law that permits creationism to creep into public schools under the cover of scientific openness.  The law in question, Louisiana Science Education Act (LSEA), professed to be about improving science education but it encourages teachers to bring supplemental materials, including those attacking evolution and promoting creationism, into their classrooms.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-zimmerman/profiles-in-evolutionary-_b_825770.html)

Source: Profiles in (Evolutionary) Courage, Part 4: Bringing Sanity to Louisiana Schools (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-zimmerman/profiles-in-evolutionary-_b_825770.html)

Through next week, Victoria Haschka will be rolling out a menu for an Oscars feast on HuffPost Food, offering an original recipe inspired by each of this year's 10 Best Picture-nominated films (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/25/oscars-2011-nominees-list-academy-awards-nominations_n_813399.html). See also her recipes for a Black Swan Blackberry & Chocolate-Smothered Panna Cotta and a Social Network Salted Red Bull Granita.  Next up, Toy Story 3.The movie:More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/victoria-haschka/oscars-recipe-the-fighter_b_826258.html)

Source: Oscars Recipe: The Fighter Raw Steak Crostini (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/victoria-haschka/oscars-recipe-the-fighter_b_826258.html)

At least 65 people have died after a massive earthquake (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/22/new-zealand-earthquake-20_0_n_826402.html) toppled churches and tall buildings in one of New Zealand's biggest cities.As CBS is reporting (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20034723-10391704.html), Tuesday's temblor was the second major quake to hit Christchurch in five months, though it caused more damage than a considerably stronger September quake. Though rescue efforts are continuing, more than 100 people are thought to remain trapped in the rubble late Tuesday night. Some survivors have been able to send text messages or make phone calls from under the wreckage.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/22/new-zealand-earthquake-20_1_n_826474.html)

Source: New Zealand Earthquake 2011: Christchurch In Ruins After 6.3-Magnitude Temblor (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/22/new-zealand-earthquake-20_1_n_826474.html)

I have lived 43 years in cities. Although Darien, Connecticut, where I have spent the last 19 years, has 22,000 residents, it has a pace of life, values and amenities resembling New York City, where many Darien residents work.  Edward Glaeser recently published a great book entitled The Triumph of the City, which concludes that cities are one of humankind's greatest inventions. I agree.I love living in cities, the bigger the better, for many reasons:More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-j-critelli/rediscovering-the-joys-of_b_826761.html)

Source: Rediscovering the Joys of the Urban Environment (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-j-critelli/rediscovering-the-joys-of_b_826761.html)

How much is a victory worth if you didn't win?Last Thursday Cassy Herkelman had to confront this question as she became the first female to "win" a match in Iowa's state wrestling tournament for high school students.  Her opponent, Joel Northrup, a favorite in the 112-pound weight class, defaulted rather than face a girl on the mat, citing his religious convictions.  None of Herkelman's other opponents refused to face her and she was eliminated after losing two matches. The other female competitor, Megan Black, also lost all of her matches, with no opponents declining to face her.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hilary-levey/females-down-for-the-coun_b_826812.html)

Source: Females Down for the Count (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hilary-levey/females-down-for-the-coun_b_826812.html)

I've always liked Michael Jackson's song, "The Man in the Mirror." Thanks to Google, it was easy to find the lyric to the chorus:I'm Starting With The Man In The MirrorMore... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-susan-corso/contentment_b_825683.html)

Source: Peace With Who You Are (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-susan-corso/contentment_b_825683.html)

As the battle in Wisconsin over union rights wages on, it's time the rest of us begin to have an adult conversation about what is truly transpiring.  With more and more states suffering skyrocketing budget deficits, there are many who are quick to scapegoat anyone that appears as an easy target.  In Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, New Jersey, New York and elsewhere, some in power would like to place the burden of responsibility on working folks and unions when they were not the ones responsible for the current fiscal situation.  And then there are others who will utilize this opportunity to attack anyone that raises a voice against injustice -- as I myself witnessed this week.Right now in Wisconsin, public laborers and everyday citizens are continuing their vocal opposition to Gov. Scott Walker in the most fundamentally democratic fashion:  peacefully protesting.  Already conceding to pay cuts and other setbacks the Republican governor has insisted upon, these workers refuse to give up their collective bargaining ability -- and rightfully so.  If you strip away the negotiating rights of members, what will be the purpose of unions?  And who will speak for the average laborer against corporations that already overwork and underpay them?  What voice will the workers of America have in a society where CEOs are often too busy fattening their own pockets instead of preventing rampant unemployment?More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-al-sharpton/the-adults-are-waiting_b_827052.html)

Source: Collective Bargaining: Time to Stop the Blame Game! (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-al-sharpton/the-adults-are-waiting_b_827052.html)

Army veteran Waldemar Alameda, 40, served our country with distinction in multiple tours of Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia and Afghanistan. Following 17 years of service to his country, Alameda became permanently disabled by an IED explosion while serving as a staff sergeant in Tikrit, Iraq in 2007. He was about two miles from his destination, Camp Speicher -- when he saw a hole in the road. He crept forward three feet from an artillery rigged with explosives. When it blew, his modified Hummer shielded him from shrapnel but not the blast.Mr. Alameda suffers from severe leg and back pain, and while he can walk short distances with a cane or walker, he typically has to use a wheelchair to get around. Additionally, he suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury and often forgets things.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-a-officer/second-chances_b_826830.html)

Source: Second Chances (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-a-officer/second-chances_b_826830.html)

David and Charles Koch (http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/media-center/reports/koch-industries-secretly-fund/), the billionaire oil baron brothers Greenpeace exposed last year for spending millions to gut environmental protections and fund junk climate change science, are at it again. This time in Wisconsin.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/philip-radford/a-familiar-and-frightenin_b_827343.html)

Source: A Familiar -- and Frightening -- Story in Wisconsin (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/philip-radford/a-familiar-and-frightenin_b_827343.html)

Over the last few days, I waited out in the cold with the media outside the mediation sessions going on between the NFL and the NFL Players Association. I personally wanted to hand our letter (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-frederick/its-time-to-include-fans-_b_824458.html) requesting that fans have a representative in the negotiating room to NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.The spokesmen of both the NFL and the NFLPA had both publicly promised to respond to our request, but I wanted to make sure that the heads of both had laid eyes on our letter.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-frederick/what-do-fans-want-in-a-ne_b_827425.html)

Source: What Do Fans Want in a New NFL Labor Agreement? (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-frederick/what-do-fans-want-in-a-ne_b_827425.html)

Text by Amalie Drury and photos by Erica Gannett, courtesy of Time Out Chicago (http://timeoutchicago.com/shopping-style/home-design/239687/julie-ghatan%E2%80%99s-ukrainian-village-apartment)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/24/dovetail-owners-ukrainian_n_827974.html)

Source: Dovetail Owner's Ukrainian Village Apartment Combines Modern And Vintage Charm (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/24/dovetail-owners-ukrainian_n_827974.html)

BENGHAZI, Libya — Libyans in the eastern half of the country find themselves in an unimaginable situation: Freed from Moammar Gaddafi's rule for the first time in more than four decades.(SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE UPDATES.)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/24/libya-protests-benghazi-l_n_827982.html)

Source: Libya Protests: Benghazi Learns To Govern Itself (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/24/libya-protests-benghazi-l_n_827982.html)

Well, here we go again.Three years ago (http://www.businessinsider.com/2008/12/time-for-a-gas-tax), when oil prices spiked over $100, Americans momentarily freaked.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/henry-blodget/is-it-time-for-an-oil-tax_b_828120.html)

Source: Is It Time for an Oil Tax? (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/henry-blodget/is-it-time-for-an-oil-tax_b_828120.html)

WASHINGTON -- The real political math in Wisconsin isn't about the state budget or the collective-bargaining rights of public employees there. It is about which party controls governorships and, with them, the balance of power on the ground in the 2012 elections.For all of the valid concern about reining in state spending -- a concern shared by politicians and voters of all labels -- the underlying strategic Wisconsin story is this: Gov. Scott Walker, a Tea Party-tinged Republican, is the advance guard of a new GOP push to dismantle public-sector unions as an electoral force.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/25/the-real-political-math-in-wisconsin_n_828429.html)

Source: The Real Political Math In Wisconsin (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/25/the-real-political-math-in-wisconsin_n_828429.html)

Rahm Emanuel's fundraising machinery in the Chicago mayoral race was a force of nature. By the day before the election, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform reported that he had raised nearly $10 million in the for the race.Emanuel had cash in his coffers in part to prepare for a potential run-off election, which would have prolonged the campaign six weeks. But, having won outright on Tuesday, he's now got a healthy campaign fund to push around as he sees fit.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/25/rahm-emanuel-alderman-runoff_n_828509.html)

Source: Rahm Emanuel Has Roughly $2 Million In Campaign Cash To Spend In Aldermanic Runoffs (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/25/rahm-emanuel-alderman-runoff_n_828509.html)

CAIRO — Hundreds of thousands poured out of mosques and staged protests across the Arab world Friday, some trying to shake off autocratic rulers and others pressuring embattled leaders to carry out sweeping reforms.(SCROLL DOWN FOR LATEST UPDATES.)More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/25/middle-east-protests-hund_n_828504.html)

Source: Middle East Protests: Hundreds Of Thousands Demonstrate Across Arab World (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/25/middle-east-protests-hund_n_828504.html)

"This is insane," the now Internet-famous Chris Spurlock (http://cjspurlock.squarespace.com/) told me Friday evening.(http://i.huffpost.com/gen/251743/CHRIS-SPURLOCK.jpg)Hours after his resume went viral (http://www.jschoolbuzz.com/the-coolest-student-journalist-resume-goes-viral/) on Twitter and Facebook, after it appeared in a blog post on HuffPost College (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jschool-buzz/is-this-the-coolest-stude_b_828309.html), I spoke with the University of Missouri senior by phone.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-kanalley/how-to-make-your-resume-g_b_828559.html)

Source: How to Make Your Resume Stand Out: 5 Tips From Chris Spurlock (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-kanalley/how-to-make-your-resume-g_b_828559.html)

The most fascinating model casting at last week's New York Fashion Week was the Adrienne Vittadini presentation. To showcase its fall collection, the iconic brand brought together some of the most recognizable faces in modeling. Unlike in Hollywood, there do appear to be roles for older women in fashion, if recent advertising campaigns, magazine editorials and runway shows are any indication. But how many other shows could claim to have both the white-haired beauty Carmen Dell'Orefice, who's 79, and the sylph-like Niki Taylor, who's 35, on their runway? Also appearing were Carol Alt, Roshumba, Irina Pantaeva, Frederique van der Wal and Pat Cleveland -- who shimmied down the catwalk as if she was dancing at Studio 54. It was an intimate but vibrant affair, with the ladies beaming as they took their exits. The clothes were wearable, the women looked beautiful, and the enthusiasm in the room was palpable.Since Hourglass was the makeup sponsor, I had an insider view of the proceedings. Dell'Orefice turned up to the backstage looking flawless and with her makeup already done, which I totally understood. She was 15 when she landed on the cover of Vogue in 1947, so there's not much she doesn't know about her face. Her cheekbones are still sharp enough to slice fabric and she has a mesmerizing Mona Lisa smile. A few feet away was Roshumba. Poured into a clingy Herve Leger dress that outlined her lithe frame, Roshumba still turns heads. And her skin had an otherworldly glow. What's her secret? Olive oil. "I use it as a moisturizer on my entire body," said the model who moonlights as a judge on TV Land's She's Got the Look. "Extra virgin or organic is best. Try it! Feel it!," she said, proffering a silky arm. In another unconventional tip, Roshumba said she likes to exfoliate with a kitchen scrubbing pad. Truly.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carisa-janes/adrienne-vittadini-fashion-week_b_828632.html)

Source: Looking Good at Every Age: Backstage at Adrienne Vittadini (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carisa-janes/adrienne-vittadini-fashion-week_b_828632.html)

Portland needs a professional baseball team.  So says the mayor anyway.  And who better to build the franchise than Fred and Carrie, professional Portland residents?So how do you go about creating a baseball team from scratch?  You hold auditions, of course.  But to really get to the heart of what makes a great baseball player, you have to strip away all the extra layers; the uniforms, the bats, the gloves, the balls.  Only then can the player truly reveal himself.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/26/portlandia-baseball-tryouts_n_828664.html)

Source: 'Portlandia' Baseball Tryouts: Fred & Carrie Audition Potential Players (VIDEO) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/26/portlandia-baseball-tryouts_n_828664.html)

Trays of vegan crab cakes, grilled "meat" skewers, and mushroom-wrapped dates stuffed with soy cheese greeted rain-soaked partygoers at last Friday's celebration of Kathy Freston and her latest book, "Veganist: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Change The World (http://www.amazon.com/Veganist-Weight-Healthy-Change-World/dp/1602861331)." Hosted by Arianna Huffington and Wendi Murdoch, the political opposites agreed on one thing immediately: All the food served at the event must be prepared without any animal products, in keeping with the theme of Freston's message.Celeb guests included Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, media heavyweights Les Moonves, Brian Grazer, and Bob Iger, environmental activists James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Brook, and vegan adherent Moby. The event was also sprinkled with a healthy dose of AOL employees, including CEO Tim Armstrong, and HuffPost staffers and bloggers.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/26/arianna-huffington-and-we_n_828606.html)

Source: Arianna Huffington And Wendi Murdoch Celebrate Kathy Freston And 'Veganist' (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/26/arianna-huffington-and-we_n_828606.html)

Over the past two weeks on HuffPost Food, Victoria Haschka has been rolling out original recipes (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/victoria-haschka) inspired by each of the 2011 Best Picture nominees (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/25/oscars-2011-nominees-list-academy-awards-nominations_n_813399.html). She's now unveiled all ten, so here they are.Who would win your Oscar for Best Best Picture recipe?More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/26/oscars-best-picture-recipes_n_828696.html)

Source: Oscars Recipes: Original Dishes Inspired By Each 2011 Best Picture Nominee (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/26/oscars-best-picture-recipes_n_828696.html)

No surprises here -- Michelle Williams hit the Oscars' red carpet in a demure Chanel gown with detailing we're drooling over. The color, the shape...it's exactly what we envisioned for the actrice.Check out her look and tell us what you think.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/27/michelle-williams-oscars-2011_n_828895.html)

Source: Michelle Williams At The 2011 Oscars: Hit Or Miss? (PHOTOS, POLL) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/27/michelle-williams-oscars-2011_n_828895.html)

King George VI triumphed and made his speech, and now, the film made the biggest speech of the night: "The King's Speech" was crowned Best Picture at the 2011 Oscars.The World War II-set drama about friendship, trust and overcoming the odds beat out nine other films, including Golden Globe winner "The Social Network". It's the first time the Academy has awarded a film about British Royalty the top slot.More... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/27/the-kings-speech-oscar-winner_n_828896.html)

Source: 'The King's Speech': Oscars 2011 Best Picture Winner (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/27/the-kings-speech-oscar-winner_n_828896.html)