His answer - that "You take somebody and maybe this summer they're putting up solar panels. Well guess what, this is a growing part of our economy -- the next summer they can be a manager, the next summer, maybe they can be an owner, an investor, an inventor" - was not the best example to give of a realistic climb to the top. I mean, I get his point - that there are a variety of jobs, many of them profitable, within the green sector - but that doesn't mean that an entry-level person will necessarily be making big bucks within a couple of years. Am I being too pessimistic? I'm just saying that some skepticism is warranted for the resulting effect these new jobs will have on the economy.

I think Michelle's positive, genuine manner is what really resonates with people. She's intelligent and well-rounded, is good at connecting with people, and has made it clear that she's not going to sit idly by her husband's side during the course of his term. Although she has repeatedly stated that her first job is as a mother, she's wasted no time in using her influence and connections to act upon the issues that are most important to her - service, education, health, etc.

At the risk of raining on the green parade, Sherraden does have a point. The government's green efforts will of course benefit the environment, but in terms of rescuing the economy - doubtful, don't you think? The Global Insight study that Sherraden quotes states that "the total of all green jobs in the United States equals half of one percent of total employment (about 750,000 jobs)." So if the government's $150 billion plan succeeds and creates 4 million (or 5 million, as it has been noted in other reports), AT BEST, the green sector would make up roughly 3 percent of total employment - and that's over the span of the next 20 years or so. How is that going to help our economy RIGHT NOW?

I'm sure that didn't allay any of the CIOs' fears. Girouard followed up the CIO comment by claiming that Google's data centers are more secure than organizations' data centers - I would have liked for him to expand on that.

The Protected View security (thegaitorbaitor mentioned above) that Microsoft will offer is one its best additions, in my opinion. It's no longer effective to just receive a pop-up warning of a potentially unsafe document; a lot of people proceed thinking the file is still safe to open and then it ends up being a virus. But now people can view the whole file in advance and not worry about it destroying their computer. We'll have to wait for specific details from Google about their planned improvements, but as far as security is concerned, right now I'd stick with Microsoft.

True. And as Jeff Schweitzer of The Huffington Post (and former Clinton advisor) puts it: "Our society has the attention span of a gnat suffering from dementia, and is taxed at the thought of considering two events at once."

As disappointing and immoral as an affair by a top politician (or anyone) is, Schweitzer does have a point. We tend to focus on one or two big issues/scandals at a time, and when those scandals get old, they are replaced by new ones. In other words, time can heal whatever public wounds a politician's affairs/random sex acts have caused - Republican or Democrat. Of course, they don't all regain public support (Jim McGreevey, Eliot Spitzer, Larry Craig), but many do (Bill Clinton, John McCain, maybe Mark Sanford?). So to answer the question - Republicans certainly have lost the title of Party for Moral Values, but they haven't exactly handed it over to the Democrats - but none of that really matters because, at the end of the day, Senator A or Mayor B is going to do whatever he or she wants to do, and there's a good chance that people will just forget about it in due time.

There are some things that are right about Section 8, and lots of things that are wrong, but I think the key to overcoming this affordable housing crisis lies in the success of those required classes and programs. People who are lucky enough to receive housing aren't going to benefit in the long-run if they don't learn how to manage their money properly, overcome drug or alcohol problems (though not a problem for all Section 8 tenants), receive proper job training, etc., and have reasons NOT to commit crimes. Recent foreclosures could work out to their advantage if the government allocated some money towards empty homes like thegaitorbaiter suggests, but a lot of Section 8 tenants are the ones being hit the hardest from the foreclosures, especially since Section 8 doesn't help with deposits or moving costs, just the monthly rent.

It's not just laziness or lack of knowledge, it's expensive too! I care about the environment, but (especially these days) I can't always afford to buy natural food products or clothing made with organic cotton. I mean, $123 for a pair of these pants?! Same idea with home appliances - replacing an electric or gas heater with a solar water heater could cost up to $3,500. And I'd love to buy fruits and vegetables and know that I wasn't consuming all sorts of pesticides and what not, but it's common knowledge that you have to be ready to spend a pretty penny when grocery shopping at organic supermarkets like Whole Foods or Fresh Market. So it's not just laziness that is keeping the average American from living a green lifestyle; they simply can't afford to make some of the larger, costly changes.

Custody hearing delays, incomplete toxicology reports, the fate of his estate.... there are so many questions and unconfirmed details about Jackson and his death, but one thing is certain and clear: personally and medically, he surrounded himself with the wrong people. I mean, where did he find his doctors?? Turns out - Arnold Klein, the dermatologist who is being questioned about Jackson's alleged overdose, was asked to leave the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a degree in medicine and began his residency years ago, after it was discovered that he was supplying prescription drugs to students. The school allegedly said they wouldn't report him if he left - which he did, and which they didn't. So, Klein was able to move to California, continue his shady ways and align himself with Jackson, and now he's a factor in the star's death. Lovely.

Ah, the Pentagon should pipe down (sorry)! Let them enjoy a cigarette if they need it. They shouldn't have a reason to be any more frustrated and distracted than they already are.

Some things - or people - never cease to amaze me. A Northeast Philadelphia day camp group, with black and Hispanic children, were turned away from the Valley Swim Club, with the club's president telling local stations that the children changed the "complexion and atmosphere" of the club. Yet the club insists that the camp was asked to leave - with returned check and all - because of crowding issues. You be the judge.

It's a bit of a weak argument, but banks are to blame, too. They go out of their way to help the customer make an overdraft. I mean, the story said that one firm that has worked with 19 of the 20 largest banks had 600 strategies to boost overdrafts! They're working against you all the time.

Netflix has held a comfortable lead in the take-home movie world for some time, but Redbox is quickly gaining speed and pulling customers away from the mega online DVD service. Unlike Netflix, Redbox has more than 15,000 movie vending machines located outside stores, particularly supermarkets, according to Fast Company magazine. The DVDs cost only $1 per night, can be reserved online and picked up on the same day, and can attract the last-minute dinner-and-a-movie crowd. Netflix founder Reed Hastings even said Redbox is "really scary," because it's one of it biggest rivals.

Which company will outlast the other?

Barrack's theory may hold some truth. Advertising/brands are powerful tools and, when it comes to banks, people are hesitant and confused; who knows what might influence their views. I mean, I know someone who buys Dawn dishwashing soap over Palmolive just because she likes the Dawn commercial better - so I guess anything's possible.