Thursday's Daily Brief

Thursday, September 15, 2011 Arianna Huffington: A Tale of Two Cities: Introducing HuffPost DC Arianna Huffington: I'm delighted to announce the launch of our latest local section, HuffPost DC. When we look at Washington -- really look at it, beyond the grand city of popular imagination -- we see a city of incredible contrasts. On one side is the glitz of official Washington -- the DC of formal state dinners and big money fundraisers. On the other side is a city with close to 11 percent unemployment -- a number that more than doubles in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River. A city experiencing the dislocation of African Americans in historically black neighborhoods. Often lost in the swirl of DC politics are communities that grapple daily with poverty and the lasting effects of discrimination and segregation, paying the price for DC's distorted public image that omits huge numbers of the city's residents, with sometimes tragic consequences. At its heart, Washington, DC offers a tale of two cities. And it is this tale that animates our new section. POLITICS Rick Perry Campaigns In Only State With HPV Vaccine Mandate CRIME 'Persistent Doubts' Plague Pending Georgia Execution, Former FBI Chief Says BUSINESS Jobless Claims Rise Along With Concerns Over Recession WORLD South Iraq: Where The War Is Not Over GREEN Al Gore Launches Climate Change Event For 24 Hours In 24 Time Zones BLOG POSTS Robert Scheer: One Betrayal Too Many It's getting too late to give President Barack Obama a pass on the economy. Sure, he inherited an enormous mess from George W., but it's time for Democrats to admit that their guy bears considerable responsibility for not turning things around. Candy Spelling: iPads and Social Media in the Classroom? While I understand the real-time digital stream may create a safe harbor for students uncomfortable expressing themselves, it seems to me students are missing valuable lessons in real-life social skills. Craig Kanalley: Google's Uphill Battle With Facebook Just Got Steeper Google+ has experienced quite the roller coaster ride since launching its field trial in June. Now, it's time to consider their eulogy. Alma Katsu: The Truth About Whistleblowing Are whistleblowers disgruntled troublemakers looking for attention? Or are courts and federal agencies colluding to squash valid criticism? Luis J. Rodriguez: Latino Heritage Month: Who We Are... And Why We Celebrate? The fact is Latino heritage is U.S. heritage. You wouldn't have such "American" phenomena as cowboys, guitars, rubber balls, gold mining, horses, corn, and even Jazz, Rock-and-Roll, and Hip Hop, without the contribution of Latinos.

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