STING ON PLANNED PARENTHOOD?

Robert Kuttner, 04/22/12

Co-founder and co-editor, 'The American Prospect'

Should Socialist Francois Hollande be elected president of France in the runoff election on May 6, that will help create an antidote to the austerity politics that are dominating Europe.

Marlo Thomas, 04/23/12

Award-winning actress, author, and activist

So this being Cancer Awareness Month, I thought it might make us all sleep a little better to ask some of the top cancer scientists in the country to tell us some things (or even one thing) that makes them optimistic about the ongoing battle with cancer.

David Frum, 04/23/12

Contributor, Newsweek/Daily Beast

"As some things are too strange for fiction, others are too true for journalism." The idea behind that quip explains why I turned to fiction to try to describe what has happened in Washington. I could tell you. Or I can show you. Read part one of my new novel Patriots here.

Michael Roth, 04/23/12

President, Wesleyan University

One of the wonderful things about teaching through conversation is that we get to help our students unplug from the inputs they have customized to reinforce their own tastes, expectations and identities.

John R. Talbott, 04/23/12

Author, "Survival Investing: How to Prosper Amid Thieving Banks and Corrupt Governments"

Before you write your big check to Idaho, Mr. Banker, please understand that you may be part of a ploy to stealthily violate donation limits and move funds secretly in the dark of night to the more contested states.

Susan McCorkindale, 04/23/12

Author, '500 Acres and No Place to Hide: More Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl'

I was practically paralyzed with fear, but not so paralyzed that I couldn't wield a wine glass.

Marty Kaplan, 04/23/12

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

Because Senator Orrin Hatch couldn't eke out 60 percent of the votes at the Utah Republican Party's convention this past weekend, he'll face a primary challenge from former state senator Dan Liljenquist.

Jen Lancaster, 04/23/12

Author, JENERATION X

Would we be the kind of parents who treat our kid like a status symbol? Would I be the mother who'd run the family into financial ruin to make sure my girl had more Louis Vuitton bags than any of her classmates so she'd have a positive self-image? I suspect I might.

Anne Sinclair, 04/22/12

Directrice éditoriale

The next two weeks will be violent. Nicolas Sarkozy likes a good brawl. And he'll surely enter the ring now that he has nothing to lose. Francois Hollande prefers to avoid conflict, but he'll have to put up a fight, especially against those who say that the chips are down.

Gary Hart, 04/23/12

President, Hart International, Ltd.

Even as we nod in agreement when the President says "We can't wait," we will find it necessary to think about how a future, less benign, president will say the same thing to support reconstitution of the imperial presidency.

John Farr, 04/22/12

Editor, bestmoviesbyfarr.com

It does not seem quite possible that Jack Nicholson could turn 75 yesterday. He seems ageless, particularly when you revisit his best films. And that's just what we should all do to mark the occasion.

Sen. Tom Harkin, 04/23/12

Democratic Senator from Iowa

Social Security is the most successful program in our nation's history. It is not in crisis. With sensible steps, like those in my legislation, we can make the program stronger and ensure greater financial security in retirement for generations to come.

Michelangelo Signorile, 04/23/12

Editor-at-large, HuffPost Gay Voices; SiriusXM radio host

Mitt Romney said he would "propose and promote" a federal marriage amendment banning gay marriage. Romney's newest spokesman, however, has admittedly been paving his own path to a gay marriage.

Bill Moyers, 04/23/12

Managing Editor, Moyers & Company

Robert Creamer, 04/22/12

Political Organizer, Strategist, Author; Partner Democracy Partners

It appears that the more people to know Mitt Romney, the less they like him. A February poll showed that 52% of Americans responded that the more they know about Romney the less they like him. The same was true for 39% of Republicans. That trend seems to be continuing.

Ruth Messinger, 04/23/12

President and Executive Director, American Jewish World Service

Looking at these pieces of art gives me great hope that a new generation of globally conscious designers are celebrating the critical role that tzedakah plays in today's world and that the next generation of Jews will both give and talk about giving.

Georges Ugeux, 04/23/12

Chairman and CEO, Galileo Global Advisors

The results of the primaries of the French presidential elections are not a huge surprise as the two expected candidates will be present in the second round, and the socialist candidate, Francois Hollande, is likely to be the next President of the French Republic.

Madeleine Crum, 04/21/12

Assistant Books editor

Regardless of their stance, people are talking about Girls. For the convenience of those thinking about joining in on the conversation, I've created a template for op-eds about Lena Dunham's new show.

Daniel Gross, 04/23/12

President, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence

When exposed to the light, the NRA's agenda becomes toxic. And Americans want nothing to do with those who conspire to bring about the gun lobby's dangerous "guns everywhere" vision they saw played out that February night in Sanford, Florida.

Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D., 04/23/12

Psychologist, author of 'The Now Effect' and co-author, 'A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook'

Bring this practice into the moments of your life at home and at work where you notice the habits occurring. Allow it to widen the space of awareness and choose a different response.

Ghalib Khalil, 04/23/12

17-year-old activist in Pakistan

Being young and alone, I had to think of ways to get across the message. Now the only tools I had were my cellphone, my laptop and the Internet.

Leonard Fein, 04/23/12

Board Member, Americans for Peace Now

Though overshadowed by Israel's pro-settler right wing camp, liberal Zionism is alive and kicking.

Dr. Rajiv Shah, 04/22/12

Administrator, USAID

As a father of three, I see unlimited potential when I look at my children. And I am reminded that my own parents came to the United States from India so that my sister and I could have a strong education and greater opportunity in life.

Leo W. Gerard, 04/23/12

International President, United Steelworkers

Saturday is Workers' Memorial Day, a time devoted to commemorating those killed on the job. No one volunteers to sacrifice their life for corporate profit, yet every day in workplaces across this country, the lives of 12 workers are taken, not given.