Morsi Annuls Controversial Decree
In 2003, following an exposé of several questionable "confessions" obtained by Illinois police which resulted in murder convictions and in some cases death sentences for persons who were later exonerated, legislation was proposed in the Illinois legislature to require custodial interrogations in homicide investigations to be electronically recorded. Barack Obama, then a little-known member of the Illinois Senate, took the lead in negotiating with members of the law enforcement community who opposed electronic recording. The time has come for all law enforcement organizations to support mandatory state laws that require the use of electronic recording systems during custodial interviews. This is a simple, sensible and effective way to improve our nation's system of criminal justice.
What Washington desperately needs is a strategic reset anchored by a common vision for a much better economic future for the country -- one that is both desirable and attainable. The election was supposed to provide this. Judging from Congress's recent behavior, it has not as yet.
As absurd as it might sound to many, it's not easy being a rich kid. Their parents tend to have high expectations. They think their money is their most notable quality. And so they learn to use it -- to buy affection, or friends.
We all carry inside of us our collective Christmases and Hanukkahs -- the sight of twinkling lights and glowing candles, the sound of caroling and chanted prayers, the smell of pine trees and freshly fried latkes -- and it all comes rushing back to us every December.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a landmark case challenging the constitutionality of California's ban on gay marriage. Yet don't count on a game-changing decision too quickly.
Before pundits and policymakers glibly speak of U.S. policy "pivoting East," it is important to understand that the challenges the region presents remain serious and, despite our limited influence to direct outcomes, they will continue to require attention in the coming years.
In this week's Huffington, John Rudolf puts the spotlight on crime-ridden Camden, New Jersey, where instead of improving the police department, local leaders plan to replace it entirely. And Michelangelo Signorile looks back at an article he wrote 20 years ago about being gay at The New York Times, and how the paper rose to a new level of journalistic integrity by ending its silence on gay issues.
Something in the human spirit survives even the worst of tragedies, allowing us to rebuild shattered lives, broken institutions and injured nations. That to me is the Jewish story.
The English are truly great at bringing up resilient, well-mannered, brave, and kind children. Too many parents -- in our own country and across the Western world -- have lost sight of what we've always done right.
Fearful of appearing biased, the elite political press failed to call sufficient attention to the Republican Party's radical agenda and disdain for facts. The result is that in the name of balance, the press actually put its thumb on the scale and prevented a true reckoning.
Many of us imagine that creativity involves a sudden flash of insight; that it comes as a gift, without much effort; and we believe that expertise and learning blocks creativity. But these beliefs are just myths.
For those of us who care less about partisanship and more about what our elected officials actually do -- or fail to do -- once in office, the 2012 election portends a bleak future.
Living in the light of humility, kindness and compassion is the deep lesson and timeless inspiration of Bodhi Day. When we celebrate Bodhi Day this year I hope that we can celebrate it as a 21st century holiday, embracing the full weight of Buddhism's long history without being limited by it.
The Heisman Trophy is given to the most outstanding player in college football. All three finalists are excellent athletes. But there is only one player who you can't help but watch when he's on the field: Johnny Manziel.
For survival of the planet and our way of life as human beings, we need to drastically reduce our carbon output. The approach being taken does not do that.
Why do we make so many students wait until the last couple of years of college to finally find pleasure in learning? Why can't primary and secondary schools follow the model of colleges and teach to the intelligence of their students?
The most effective and notorious weapon in any arsenal of destruction was the existence and capabilities of the nerve gas sarin. That large stocks of sarin gas are held by the Syrian government is unnerving in the extreme.
Sex is the one of the few things that are constant and universal, and human beings aren't going to stop banging anytime soon, if ever. It would benefit everyone to view sex as something more natural in a positive light, rather than a super-scandalous forbidden phenomenon.
Has your online friendship crossed the line? How can you be sure that what you're doing is really innocent and harmless, or if you're slipping down the slippery slope toward emotional sex?
I have lived with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease for 25 years. Despite this diagnosis, I have a fortunate career as the lead guitarist of Pearl Jam, a beautiful family, and am an advocate for people struggling with these same diseases.
When I start to really overwhelm myself, I am reminded to take a breath and slow down. The last thing I want is to get sick again.
It's easy and tempting to blame teachers or unions or professors for the problems in education, but the reality is that here -- as in the political institutions about which we so passionately complain -- we get what we deserve, or rather, we get the natural result of the choices we make.
To call the media's silence on Sage Smith's story deafening would be an understatement. That someone's son or daughter, trans-identified or not, can go missing from their family for nearly 20 days and there be no national or even local outcry is more than enraging; it's terrifying.
Children who have to navigate the harsh reality of homelessness on top of poverty often fall through our already porous safety nets and disproportionately drop out of school and then, too often, drop into the prison pipeline.
The job market in November performed notably better than expected, especially in light of expected damage to hiring from late October's Hurricane Sandy.
My husband had ended our ten-year marriage by leaving me a note and moving out while I was in Austin for my best friend's wedding reception.
Straight people benefit from gay rights. It's not a major reason to support LGBT rights (such rights stand on their own merits); it's just a fact. (But if it swayed somebody on the fence, though, I'd be OK with that.)
It started off as a bad day. In fact, it started it off as a very bad day that I didn't imagine could possibly end up involving Justin Bieber.
In what has to be his most unlikely movie role yet, Steve-O has narrated What Came Before a 10-minute film short about three escapees from the American meat industry.
Today's jobs report shows an economy that's still moving in the right direction but way too slowly, which is why Washington's continuing obsession with the federal budget deficit is insane. Jobs and growth must come first.
