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November 13, 2012 Many demographic groups remain underrepresented in high-level government positions, including atheists — at least those out of the theistic closet. Commentator Tania Lombrozo wonders why atheists appear to be distrusted by the electorate.

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November 13, 2012 One week after the 2012 election, many people still aren't clear why Mitt Romney couldn't capture the presidency. Kap thinks the former governor was undone by a gusty performance from President Obama, while Christopher Weyant ascribes Romney's loss to his changing positions on critical issues.

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November 12, 2012 Two authors and former members of the U.S. military tell their stories. Benjamin Busch remembers his grandfather's silence about serving in World War II, while David Abrams reflects on the terrifying beginning of his deployment to Iraq.

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November 12, 2012 Step 5: Make a list of directors who would make a beautiful, moving, artistic film. Cross them all out. Go to IMDB and rank directors in order of box-office receipts.

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November 12, 2012 For Alan Shapiro, reading Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poems was like an discovering an alternate universe. A Coney Island of the Mind elevated him out of the staid world of his parents and changed his sense of self forever. Is there a book that shook your convictions? Tell us about it in the comments.

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November 12, 2012 World reaction to President Obama's re-election has largely been positive. Chip Bok does not share in the optimism, while Tom Janssen thinks that until everyone can choose their leaders, there's more to be done.

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November 11, 2012 On Veterans Day, we remember those who serve to protect our country — including those in the most recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Commentator Sophie Adelman describes the hardship in honoring fallen soldiers.

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November 11, 2012 Clay Bennett makes clear what America's veterans have given us, while Pat Bagley reminds us that we have troops in the field who are still giving their all.

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November 10, 2012 The term "congressional gridlock" suggests that people in Congress at least run into each other. But I've begun to think a more critical problem might be that politicians of opposing parties are almost strangers to one another.

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November 10, 2012 Spc. Justin Cliburn was in his 20s when he trained Iraqi police in Baghdad. During his deployment, he made friends with a teenager that he says "made every day something I looked forward to." But even their friendship could not escape a violent reality.

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November 10, 2012 Donald Trump described Karl Rove's campaign against President Obama as a "waste of money." John Branch channels partisan glee over Rove's on-air dispute with the Fox News Ohio projection, while John Trever offers a lesson from 2006 when Democrats were premature in celebrating Rove's demise.

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November 9, 2012 The occasion of his birthday has caused David Was to ponder growing older. And he has found a silver lining: free food.

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