Marlo Thomas, 2/17/12

Award-winning actress, author, and activist

As far as I'm concerned, the only thing Tiger Moms and Eagle Dads will do is ensure a boon for psychiatrists 20 years from now, as they try to help a whole generation of young adults reconcile childhoods in which they were pushed too hard and too far.

Joe Peyronnin, 2/17/12

NYU Journalism Professor

Perhaps former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum should take a couple aspirin and get some rest. It appears the pressure of being the front-runner in the Republican presidential sweepstakes is getting to him.

Jeffrey Sachs, 2/17/12

Director, Earth Institute at Columbia University; author, 'The Price of Civilization'

One of the unshakable myths of the punditariat is that the federal government is going bankrupt because of entitlements spending, especially spending on Medicare and Medicaid. This is a stampede of unreason, contradicted by the facts.

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, 2/17/12

Rabbi and Writer

Flags at half-staff should be reserved principally for those who have made great sacrifices in the pursuit of selfless, patriotic service. Our celebrities get plenty of attention. Our soldiers barely get any at all.

Evelyn Leopold, 2/17/12

Journalist reporting from the United Nations

The U.N. General Assembly told the Syrian government to stop shooting unarmed protestors and isolated its key supporter, Russia, in adopting a resolution that had at least 137 "yes" votes and only 12 against.

Jared Bernstein, 2/17/12

Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently published their latest employment projections, for 2010-20, and there's one message so far that stands out: not everyone has to be a rocket scientist.

Jon Chattman, 2/17/12

Published Author, thecheappop.com/asidesmusic.com founder, Blogger

Gary Carter was among the best catchers in Major League Baseball history, but, for me, Hall of he'll always be the man that took the time to respond to my Bar Mitzvah invitation.

Emily McConnell, 2/17/12

Senior, Penn State

Tomorrow, the energies of Penn State University will be devoted to one thing. This is the real Penn State; this is who, "We Are."

Dr. Jane Aronson, 2/16/12

Pediatrician and CEO, Worldwide Orphans Foundation

As an adoption medicine specialist for more than 20 years, I have read and agonized over the social histories of thousands of children adopted domestically and internationally.

Elliott Negin, 2/17/12

Director of News & Commentary, Union of Concerned Scientists

Despite the recent green-lighting of the first new nuclear reactors in decades, most of the industry's celebratory assertions about nuclear power's revival, its potential to "jumpstart" the economy, and its relative safety don't hold up to scrutiny.

Jeff Biggers, 2/17/12

Journalist and author, 'Reckoning at Eagle Creek' and 'In the Sierra Madre'

In the footsteps of legendary Tucson Mayor Estevan Ochoa, who also fought against a hairbrained legislature to bring public education into Arizona, Arce has emerged as one of the most beloved leaders in the state today.

Alton Lu, 2/17/12

18-year-old senior in high school

What happens if abortion is no longer legal? What happens when students are continually subjected to abstinence-only education and people unable to receive contraception?

Bob Burnett, 2/17/12

Berkeley writer, retired Silicon Valley executive

The 2012 election will be a referendum on the economy and Obama's leadership. But at another, deeper level, the election will be about class warfare.

Wray Herbert, 2/17/12

Author, 'On Second Thought: Outsmarting Your Mind's Hard-Wired Habits'

Willpower is the key to much that's good in life. So it's no wonder that psychological scientists have been studying willpower for decades, trying to figure out who is disciplined under what circumstances -- and why.

Pat Mitchell, 2/17/12

President & CEO, The Paley Center for Media

In 1995, I was heading up the documentary division of Turner Broadcasting. One of the docs that I commissioned and executive produced was nominated for an Oscar and I attended with Hank Aaron and his wife...

Maribel Hastings, 2/17/12

Senior Adviser, America's Voice

While speculation continues about whether or not Rubio will be on the ballot, the real question is whether Rubio can appeal to Latino voters outside of Florida, and if he can improve the anti-immigrant image of the Republican Party.

Shawn Lawrence Otto, 2/16/12

Author, 'Fool Me Twice'; Science Advocate; Filmmaker; Co-founder, Sciencedebate.org

Recently leaked budget documents from the Heartland Institute, the leading voice of climate change denialism, lay out plans to spend $100K on a phony K-12 science curriculum based on propaganda.

Oneika Raymond, 2/17/12

Traveller. Teacher. Thrill-Seeker.

I walk places when I can, which means that I save on bus and cab fare -- my two feet are free!

Abigail Washburn, 2/17/12

Clawhammer banjo player

When I first started playing the banjo, there was a period when I didn't go to China. It hurt. Like a pain in my gut. That pain you feel when you know it's time to connect with your parents or your God or your child or your past or your future... and you don't do it.

Andrew Brandt, 2/17/12

President, The National Football Post

The longest offseason in major professional sports has begun. While we wait for the next edition of "As Peyton Turns," let's examine a high-profile position group -- wide receiver -- that offers a substantial amount of talent.

John Blumenthal, 2/17/12

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

You're Jewish now, Mitt. Mazel Tov! Welcome to the tribe. L'Chaim! Your new name is Morris Berkowitz and you're from Queens. Your mother-in-law lives in Florida. She doesn't like you because you're not a doctor. (She voted for Ron Paul because he is a doctor.)

Meredith Bodgas, 2/17/12

Blogger, MeritalBliss.com

It's well-known that what happens at the bachelor party stays at the bachelor party, but these other secrets grooms keep may not be as obvious.

Eric X. Li, 2/16/12

Shanghai venture capitalist

The West's competition of ideas with China isn't between democracy and authoritarianism, but two different outlooks on political systems. The West sees democracy as an end in itself

Joan Casademont, 2/17/12

Freelance writer living in Los Angeles

"He said that you went to school together," my mother says over the phone, long distance. "And his name is Dave," she announces victoriously, as if that is all the identification he will ever need, like "Cher."