Friday's Daily Brief

Friday, August 26, 2011 Arianna Huffington: The MLK Monument: A Reminder of Dreams Yet Unfulfilled Arianna Huffington: I'll be in Washington today, taking part in festivities leading to Sunday's formal dedication of the National Memorial honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The 30-foot statue of Dr. King emerging from a chunk of granite is the first monument on the National Mall honoring an African American. Its design was inspired by a line from his "I Have a Dream" speech: "With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope." The tension between hope and despair is fitting, given the unfulfilled nature of so many of King's hopes and dreams for America. That's why the dedication of the King monument couldn't come at a more opportune time. Hopefully it will refocus our attention on the principles he stood for, inspiring all Americans to tap into the better angels he was guided by. GREEN Hurricane Irene Barrels Toward East Coast, State Governors Declare Emergencies BUSINESS U.S. Economy's Growth Meager In Spring, Increasing Recession Fears POLITICS Some Rising, Some Declining WORLD Dozens Dead In Casino Attack WOMEN WATCH: 'Breakover' Series Debuts With CA Mom Who Faced Unthinkable BLOG POSTS Sheila C. Johnson: Remembering Our Past, Taking Responsibility for Our Future It's been almost half a century since Dr. King spoke of transforming the "dark yesterdays" of our heritage into "bright tomorrows." Yet, can we say that African-Americans' tomorrow will be better than today? Courtney Cachet: 10 Hurricane Prep Tips From a Miami Girl You should never mess with a hurricane, and you should never underestimate its wrath. The hurricane will win. Here are simple, easy tips I learned in my 15 years in Miami. Marlo Thomas: On Women's Equality Day, Give Yourself Equal Time This year, to celebrate Equality Day, I am going to make a heartfelt effort not to compare myself to my mother or to anyone else -- but to take stock each and every day of the personal equality -- and quality -- of my life. Jared Bernstein: Can America Self-Correct? Since the 2000s, the US economy simply hasn't been creating enough demand to absorb productivity's growth. Are we capable of self-correction? A system that cannot self-correct is a system in decline. Amb. Marc Ginsberg: A Field Guide to Libya's New Interim Government Leaderless democratic revolutions are historically unsuccessful. Hopefully, a post-Gaddafi Libya will emerge as an exception to this rule.

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