Pole Dancing Will Need a Makeover For the Olympics

Diane Passage, 10.30.2009

If you are laughing at this idea, then you're probably not familiar with the athletic pole dance competitions that are taking place all over the world.

How Beijing Cleans Its Air (and Fakes It Too)

Alex Pasternack, 10.21.2009

Journalist on China, environment, architecture and culture

Did a New York Times article about improvements to air quality in Beijing bear echoes of the Chinese state-run media?

Chinese Fall at Carnegie Hall

Charles Fabius, 10.19.2009

Consulting Producer, Works & Process at the Guggenheim

It will be interesting to see how Ancient Paths, Modern Voices resonates with the actual Chinese communities largely present both in NYC and Orange County.

Invading The Moon & Our Disordered Home Planet

Dr. Susan Corso, 10.19.2009

Omnifaith spiritual expert

I think there's a message in Chicago losing the Olympics. I also think there's a message in the moon invasion despite its alleged success. The message is a simple one: It's time to focus on home.

Rush Loses Rams Bid, Rest of Us Just Lose

Carl Jeffers, 10.16.2009

Television political commentator, radio talk show host, lecturer, political analyst

Let Limbaugh make his bid, and then express your disapproval by boycotting his radio show. He should not have been forced out of the process just because of who he is.

2010 Vancouver Olympic Games: An Opportunity to Change the World

Rahim Kanani, 10.14.2009

Research Associate, Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Harvard University

Canada is a model for the world on immigration, diversity and pluralism. Now is the time to reignite Canada's commitment to gender equality and the advancement of women's rights internationally.

The Republican Colicky Babies

Mike Papantonio, 10.14.2009

Senior partner of Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Echsner & Proctor

A Republican friend of mine emailed me a film clip that showed a room full of very old white guys celebrating the fact that America had lost its chanc...

The Link Between Individuality And Health

Arthur Rosenfeld, 10.13.2009

Novelist, philosopher, martial arts teacher.

The October 9 issue of The Week reports that during this month's gigantic celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic, more than 1000 Chinese soldiers sought mental health counseling after drilling for the event.

Olympic Fencer Tim Morehouse on President Obama and Michelle Mock-Fencing: "Michelle would have won in a duel."

Sabine Heller, 10.13.2009

Freelance Journalist and Creative Consultant

The President and First Lady began spontaneously dueling, away from the camera's eye, during Obama's rally supporting Chicago's Olympic bid.

What Happened in Copenhagen (When We Went to Influence the IOC -- Again)

Tom Tresser, 10.12.2009

Educator, organizer and consultant in Chicago's creative community

We had penetrated the multiple rings of security, outfaced the bureaucracy of the International Olympic Committee and stood our ground to deliver information that the mayor, the 2016 Committee and the entire business elite of Chicago didn't want to see and didn't want to acknowledge.

Peace and Politics

Paula Gordon, 10.10.2009

Producer and host: The Paula Gordon Show

My first thought on hearing the news was to rejoice. My second thought was anticipation of the squeals, whines and bellyaches that America's extreme wrong-wing noisemakers invariably shriek.

Why Obama Deserves His Nobel

Rob Asghar, 10.13.2009

Fellow, USC Center on Public Diplomacy

What truly deserving champion of peace did the Nobel committee slight this year in the process? None to my knowledge.

Much Good Is Done By Government Workers

Max Stier, 10.08.2009

CEO, Partnership for Public Service

Lost in the inflammatory rhetoric is what our government and its dedicated public servants accomplish every day -- the delivery of vital services to deal with seemingly intractable problems.

The Rio Games -- And Those GOP Games

Rick Horowitz, 10.07.2009

Satirist and syndicated columnist

Why was the GOP so elated with Chicago's Olympic failure? Was it the joy in avoiding the inevitable cost overruns? The security concerns? Or was it enough that Obama had failed?

USOC: Clean House

Joe Peyronnin, 10.07.2009

NYU Journalism Professor

The committee should undertake a serious review of what went wrong with Chicago's bid, why its inside intelligence failed and why public expectations were allowed to soar.

Burned by the IOC, But Not by Burnham: Lessons From the Collapse in Copenhagen

Andy Shaw, 10.07.2009

Executive Director, Better Government Association

With or without Daley at the helm, it's time to make some other big plans that have the power to stir all of our souls.

There Should Be More Pro Athletes Like Tracy McGrady

David A. Love, 10.06.2009

Writer and human rights advocate based in Philadelphia

McGrady is a pro basketball player-turned-human rights activist. He visited refugee camps in Darfur, and he has devoted considerable time off the court to various humanitarian efforts.

A Revolution of Values, Bearing Witness to the Death of Our Rights

Jeanine Molloff, 10.06.2009

"Am I calling for an armed insurrection? Hardly, and only because I don't think it's possible or probable that an armed revolution would be successful..." said Sheehan.

8 Waving Red Flags Hoisted

Dan Dorfman, 10.06.2009

Financial Columnist, Market Commentator.

On the surface, the U.S.'s failure to win the 2016 Olympic games is no big deal. But others see it as indicative of problems down the road. Is the IOC's decision a red flag the market should be wary of?

The Boss Who Micromanages

Kate Kelly, 10.06.2009

Author of six-volume history of medicine and Election Day

Except for the brief period when President Obama was off the plane and talking to Olympic officials, he probably read, talked to advisers, and possibly caught a badly needed nap.

President Obama in Cophenhagen: The Meeting His Critics Missed

Janet Ritz, 10.05.2009

Publisher, editor, the-environmentalist.org

President Obama squeezed a 25-minute council of war into his Copenhagen visit yesterday, meeting General Stanley McChrystal aboard Air Force One before returning to Washington.