Brent Budowsky, 2/17/12

Columnist

Anthony Shadid was there in war and peace, amid conflict and conciliation, surrounded by carnage and courage. And because he was there, we were there.

Chris Weigant, 2/17/12

Political writer and blogger at ChrisWeigant.com

The line between certain types of comedy and the political/media world should be brighter than ever. This is a lesson Dana Milbank of the Washington Post apparently has yet to learn.

Sami Moubayed, 2/17/12

Editor-in-Chief, Forward Magazine

Tony Shadid will live on -- through his articles, and through the young men and women who are standing up for freedom, a cause that he so passionately believed in.

Doug Bradley, 2/17/12

Former director of communications at the University of Wisconsin; Vietnam veteran

If you know anything about UW alumni and Lebanese families, you'll understand why that makes Anthony Shadid and me almost brothers. Our lone meeting took place on Dec. 2, 2010. Anthony was on campus to deliver the inaugural lecture on ethics and journalism.

Chris Jancelewicz, 2/17/12

Lead Entertainment Editor, Huffington Post Canada

The key to enjoying "The Simpsons" now is to treat it like an old friend. Welcome it into your home and let it take you back to a simpler time -- before the craziness of the internet and the influx of racy, button-pushing shows. If you overanalyze, kiss your joy goodbye. You will hate the show and every single thing that happens. Because, if you get right down to it, the 500th episode has the exact same jokes you heard in the very first seasons.

Joel Sucher, 2/17/12

Joel Sucher, a New York film maker,, is working on "Foreclosure Diaries," a documentary about the financial crisis.

For all his blemishes, Ron Paul has demonstrated that there is still a constituency that can be called on to hoist principle above political expediency.

Yvette Kantrow, 2/17/12

Executive editor, The Deal Magazine

Here we go again. Every few years, when the economic cycle turns, the media serves up stories bemoaning the death-of-Wall-Street-as-we-know-it.

Peter Hart, 2/17/12

Activism Director, FAIR (fair.org)

The pundits who tell us that they crave a dramatic nonviolent Palestinian narrative can write the story of Khader Adnan, who has drawn comparisons to celebrated Irish hunger striker Bobby Sands. But they are not writing his story.

Edward Flattau, 2/17/12

Environmental newspaper columnist

When one is introduced to a veteran these days, the typical first words out of one's mouth to the ex-soldier are "Thank you for your service." But for the WAT, gratitude ends with that salutation. Veterans are perceived in terms of dollars and cents rather than flesh and blood.

Robert Naiman, 2/17/12

Policy Director, Just Foreign Policy

Sponsors of the Lieberman resolution deny that it is an "authorization for military force," and in a legal, technical sense, they are absolutely correct: it is not a legal authorization for military force. But it is an attempt to enact a political authorization for military force.

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.

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...

William K. Black, 2/17/12

Assoc. Professor, Univ. of Missouri, Kansas City; Sr. regulator during S&L debacle

I hereby nominate Karlgaard and "cold loathing" friends as the charter members of Christians Against Morality, Equity, Liberty, and Same-sex marriage (CAMELS). All meetings will be held at "Eye of the Needle" bar, however, so entry is likely to prove impossible for the charter members.

Katie Goodman, 2/17/12

Award-winning comic, actress, author, creative coach, and social activist

Is this what my adult life has come to? Is Facebook really in a position to take away my car keys and TV privileges? This is like the best Firm Parenting Class for teens ever. Facebook does not get tired or annoyed and cave in, and there's no way for me to contest it. What's an anti-authority political satirist to do?

Harold Feld, 2/17/12

Legal Director for Public Knowledge, Blogger at www.wetmachine.com

Whenever there is an international trade agreement negotiation, Hollywood jumps in, takes over, and starts driving the crazy train off a cliff by demanding all kinds of nonsense in the name of "stopping piracy."

Leyla Farah, 2/17/12

Author, 'Black, Gifted and Gay'

For those of us who claim both the African-American community and the LGBT community, it can seem that precious little of Black History Month embraces our unique experience. Black, LGBT icons are often either overlooked entirely or stripped of their sexuality.

Eric Yaverbaum, 2/17/12

Bestselling author

While we all know Lin was sleeping on his brother's couch a month ago, what about his numbers? A year ago he had a few thousand Twitter followers. Now, he has over 400,000. With 650,000 "likes" on Facebook and a Klout score of 82, you've got a viral phenomenon before your eyes.