While you've probably read enough single-page articles, and watched enough television blurbs to be familiar with the vocabulary being used to explain the current subprime mortgage / credit crisis, do you really understand why it happened? Chicago Public Radio's This American Life has a terrifically sticky hour-long audio presentation that explains it with real-life examples of the people involved. Listen to this while at work today (click on the Full Episode button), and once you're done, see if your thoughts have changed regarding whether or not you thought the bailout was a good idea, or on what actions you think should take place now. Report your findings. Show your work.

In Chicago, there is a proposal for the development of a gay-friendly high school that would ensure gay students have a safe place to learn. Shouldn't our focus be to reform anti-gay attitudes at our current high schools? If gay kids are feeling threatened at their current schools, I understand the desire they have to escape these harmful environments. But if the problem is the stigma, are we just prolonging the problem by separating ourselves? (post idea submitted by frequent contributor, Emily)