"Hanukkah Rocks": My Only Slightly Guilty Playlist for This Year's Festival of Lights

David Wild, 12.11.2009

TV Writer, Rolling Stone Contributing Editor and author of "He Is . . . I Say"

Here are some songs that will go down easy for just about anybody along with a few latkes and an extra serving of holiday spirit.

Lord of the Gingers

Marty Kaplan, 11.30.2009

Director, Norman Lear Center and Professor at the USC Annenberg School

Now that our nation has observed "Kick a Ginger Day" and "Kick a Jew Day," can "Kick a Liberal Day" be far behind?

"Kick a Ginger Day": One Mom's Horrifying Account

Susan Kane, 11.24.2009

Editorial director, The Parenting Group

Do you know what your child is doing online? Well, you'd better. A recent incident of violent behavior has been traced back to disturbing messages on ...

I'm Not A Scientist, But I Play One In My Mind

Meredith Lopez, 11.17.2009

Mothering For Your Amusement and Entertainment

I'm not a scientist or anything, but I've seen a lot of movies on the Discovery Science Channel, and I'm pretty sure my apartment is some sort of vortex or wormhole or portal to another dimension.

Friday Talking Points [100] -- Whigging Out

Chris Weigant, 11.06.2009

Author, Political Commentator, and Blogger (ChrisWeigant.com)

I will explain that silly subtitle in a moment, but first we've got to delve even deeper into rampant silliness. If such silliness and unseriousness ...

Ticket to the Dalai Lama

Lisa Napoli, 11.25.2009

Author of "Three Good Things"

I'm glad I didn't go see the Dalai Lama today. I'm going to give the ticket to a friend, and he can tell me about the experience.

Metro Station and Miley & The Rockits Plays Staples Center

Mike Ragogna, 11.22.2009

music biz vet, entertainment writer

Power-pop group Metro Station played the Staples Center Tuesday night and pretty much set the tone for the act that followed... Miley somebody.

Lunatic Fringe

Lance Simmens, 09.17.2009

Has spent the last three decades involved in a variety of public policy issues.

The fringe elements, carefully nurtured by fear, hatred, mistrust, and fitful bouts of fantasy are positioning the conservative opposition into a death spiral

American Thriller

Dan Siegel, 08.06.2009

A writer, social entrepreneur and speaker on politics, film and civil society

Perhaps not. Jackson's early passing is a perfect globalized mass media storm, as it combines Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll with a healthy dose of those two basic staples of the American story: Race & Money.

We Don't Blame Michael Jackson Because We Blame Ourselves

Etan Bednarsh, 07.27.2009

Yes, it is sad that Jackson died as broken shards of a person, but it's sadder that he was once one beautiful whole who cracked under the pressure of our glare.

Mr. Common Law's Next Adventure

William Fisher, 06.29.2009

Formerly served State Department and Agency for International Development

Souter spoke of the spectacular ignorance of the American electorate about the government they select people to serve in. And the consequences of that ignorance.

Global Beat Fusion: Music as Preservation and Cultural Force

Derek Beres, 06.18.2009

Global music photojournalist/DJ/producer, novelist, yoga instructor

The darkness in rhythm and melody hints at yearning as much as fulfillment, correctly capturing the mindset of so many today.

New Tunes On Monday: Green Day, Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood, Tori Amos, Kate Voegele, and Mat Kearney

Mike Ragogna, 06.17.2009

music biz vet, entertainment writer

Though Tori Amos' career may have suffered from being overly prolific and recording some questionable cover songs, every new album is a bouquet of interesting, intelligent songs for her loyal fans.

The "Comedy" Of Mocking The Teabaggers

Lionel, 05.25.2009

lionel@airamerica.com

Good news! This blog isn't about tea bags, tea baggers, tea bagging or any other taxpayer double entendres. OK, just this promo.

Vagina, We Hardly Knew Ya.

Aemilia Scott, 05.08.2009

writer, righter, riter

My God. Sweet, Queefing Jesus. I don't think I've ever seen a better argument for feminism on mainstream television.

Joe Jonas: "Look Me in the Chink-Eyes"

Disgrasian, 04.25.2009

Diana Nguyen and Jen Wang are the creators of DISGRASIAN.com

Why disappoint your fans? Why not stick to doing what you do best, and by that I mean wearing scarves and trimming your bushy eyebrows so they don't grow down into your eyes?

DVDs -- Pinocchio Looks Better Than Ever

Michael Giltz, 04.13.2009

Freelance writer and raconteur

He's had a major role in a string of terrific movies, dating back to Clueless all the way to Knocked Up. And now suddenly, he's the man: the lead in successful movies.

The International Impact of China's Olympic Moment

Jeffrey Wasserstrom, 04.03.2009

Professor of History, UC Irvine

The Beijing Games should be seen as a part of an ongoing, ambitious, and so far partially successful re-branding effort on the part of the Chinese Communist Party.

Adobe & Time Warner Announce Video Aliance: MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer March 3, 2009

Shelly Palmer, 04.03.2009

President, National Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences, NY

Adobe and Time Warner are expected to form a video partnership. While plans are unknown, the deal most likely relates...

Slow Food, Slow Blog... Slow Sex?

Ethan Imboden, 01.15.2009

Founder and Chief Creative of Jimmyjane

I'm suggesting that we shamelessly co-opt the Slow Food mission, bending it to the service of our more prurient predilections.

I am the Warrior

Matt Mendelsohn, 11.24.2008

Remember the war in Iraq? Sadly, I didn't think so. Between all the truly grave dangers facing our country -- the economic crisis, the election, Sara...