The Newtown massacre, so tragic and pointless, would be just another run-of-the-mill, made-in-USA afternoon in the places targeted by America's campaign of aerial terror.

Deep in the Newtown shooter's heart burned a hatred for those who occupied a different world than he could aspire to, who ignored him in what he imagined was their self-satisfied happiness. He attacked what he knew they value most.

The insightful new book, "A History of Opera," inspires an exploration of select challenges facing opera -- and offers suggestions for how those issues might be addressed.

In 1992, Asian Americans were less likely than whites to support Bill Clinton. This year, only African-Americans surpassed them in supporting President Obama.

We shouldn't be so quick to blame irony for our waning political commitment. It's the symptom, not the disease.

A short tour of four of the least-helpful reactions to an attack that slaughtered more than two dozen Americans. They come courtesy of a former presidential candidate (Mike Huckabee), an international media mogul (Rupert Murdoch), an Oscar-winning filmmaker (Michael Moore), and a famous crusading journalist (Geraldo Rivera).

The most primitive part of your brain can sabotage the performance of an elite athlete, flooding their mind with destructive thoughts as they are about to compete. But it's that same Chimp at work when you overeat, crave unhealthy foods and skip a fitness session.

Some of the worst new sitcoms were quickly put out of their misery ("Partners," "Animal Practice"); others sadly remain on the on the air. But we're here to celebrate good sitcoms, not lament terrible ones.

While John Updike seems eager to unleash his novelist's tool kit in the third collection of his art criticism.

How nuclear sludge gave birth to an experimental leukemia treatment.

Over the last four years, the perceived Angela Davis-style radical has been replaced by a smoothly competent political professional, whose causes seem more Lady Bird Johnson than Hillary Rodham Clinton. With her hubby re-elected, can Michelle finally be Michelle?

Seyfried's exposure to "Les Miz" first happened when she was 11-years-old, when her parents took her to see the play in Philadelphia.

Fewer Americans are taking chances. People are holding on to jobs they hate, making it harder for young people to find work. Businesses are hanging tight, picking safe bets (stuff that worked before) and slashing budgets for research.

Younger generations of parents may have snubbed the clean-plate club for our kids and for ourselves, but are still guilty of conveying unhealthy messages about food.

Nobody wants to be the first to use chemical or nuclear weapons. Nobody, not even the autocratic, thugs of the Middle East like Bashar Assad.

Suburban sprawl and recent droughts both threaten the milkweed that is essential to the monarch butterfly's survival. But scientists say most of the monarchs' downfall is likely tied to modern-day agricultural practices.

Thanks to some incredible box sets, some advances in digital technology and some assorted surprises from companies like Orange, there's still plenty out there to light up the faces of music lovers all over.

Baccarin plays what she calls her "incredibly emotionally layered character" with moving subtlety and fierceness."

Eject uninvited guests from your long-suffering PC.

From a hole in the ground, part 1 of Peter Jackson's film trilogy begins its journey. An overview of the production, expectations and controversies.