"A secretive, corporate front group is writing Virginia's laws," said Anna Scholl, Executive Director of ProgressVA; The Virginia House of Delegates gave preliminary approval to a measure requiring a woman to receive an ultrasound before having an abortion.

Occupy! was a pervasive presence at the 39th CPAC. Al Cardenas, chairman of the American Conservative Union, gave the movement five paragraphs. Seven minutes into Sarah Palin’s closing speech on Saturday she was interrupted by a dozen Occupiers yelling "mic check"

In the ancient world, Roman artists used roses to represent Venus, the goddess of love; Egyptian art connected the lily to Isis, the goddess of fertility; and Asian art included lotus flowers to convey beauty. 

Without his hordes of dedicated supporters, only 12 percent of those voting in the 2012 straw poll said Ron Paul was their "first choice to be the Republican Presidential nominee." Although this was the same proportion that favored him in '08, when he first appeared on the list, he came in last among the current candidates.

Three weeks after I’d begun waving, an October morning arrived steeped in fog. The boy’s hands were in his pockets and his shoulders were rounded more than usual against the dampness. When I waved, the boy dropped his focus to the sidewalk, pulled a hand from his pocket and waved back.

Links to explore: Talks at Howard Hughes include "Viral Outbreak: The Science of Emerging Disease" and "The Meaning of Sex: Genes and Gender.A news feature explores how the planning for a memorial to Eisenhower in Washington raises concerns

The administration recently tried to encourage Fannie and Freddie by offering to triple incentives for principal reduction. So far, the companies and their federal overseer have declined to do so. An FHFA spokesperson said that the agency is "not a party to the agreement"

If I were to empty every drawer,inventory each kitchen cupboard shelf, I could construct a record complete with documented horizons of our life as a couple, artifacts that could be used to date events in our marriage. What is more emblematic of homemaking than the feeding of the family?

Martha McSally has announced her candidacy for Arizona's 8th Congressional District, one that has been held by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords until her recent resignation. David Westheimer first introduced us to Lt. Col. Martha McSally in the first of three articles we are bringing to our readers.

The Smithsonian staff and volunteers packed tools, utensils, appliances, and gadgets in the Bon Appetit exhibit kitchen; everything was stored while a larger gallery space is prepared and goes on view again. The museum team offers suggestions on how to cope for a few months sans Julia Child’s kitchen.

Clandestine lovers exchanged these customized tokens depicting one another's eyes, as such a feature might only be recognized by persons of the most intimate familiarity. Behind the skilled artistry with which each of these tiny portraits was painted, lie the enchanting stories of secret romance and love lost

Was I really interested in looking for a companion on a computer screen? And even if I missed having a man around, was it too soon after my spouse’s death? Was it too late for me altogether? Would I be paying for the privilege of getting nothing but a painful reality check?

Sunlight's Reporting Group combed through the filings, looking to see who's writing six- and seven-figure checks to the super PACs that are trying to influence voters in the Republican primaries — and beyond

I currently have pirate eyes. That does not mean that I am covetous or lascivious or that I desire to pillage. It means that I am looking through one eye at a time as I try to function day by day, at least for the next two weeks.

A study of nearly 5,000 women reports that patients with healthy bone density on their first test might safely wait 15 years before getting rescreened. “Our study found it would take about 15 years for 10% of women in the highest bone density ranges to develop osteoporosis. That was longer than we expected, and it's great news for this group of women.”

I no longer have a life. Feeding my obsession consumes my every waking minute. The moment I arise in the morning, the unquenchable craving seizes me. I understand why Alec Baldwin allowed himself to be thrown off a flight rather than turn off his I-Pad and terminate a Words game he was playing

A bill to require a criminal background check for employees of child care providers; a bill to require an abortion provider, before performing an abortion, to wait for a period of at least 24 hours; a measure to prevent Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits from being used in strip clubs, casinos, and liquor stores

Freddie Mac, the taxpayer-owned mortgage giant, has placed multibillion-dollar bets that pay off if homeowners stay trapped in expensive mortgages with interest rates well above current rates. Freddie contends it is “actively supporting efforts for borrowers to realize the benefits of refinancing their mortgages to lower rates”

Actress Candice Bergen’s list included wisteria and night-blooming jasmine, and she elaborated on her selections: “Flowers to see and smell — by day and night — that bloom underfoot and hang overhead, plus a few insect escorts — butterflies and caterpillars, the odd ladybug — for company”

The peer-reviewed study, to be submitted to Congress, would evaluate the safety mechanisms on the machine and determine whether there are any biological signs of cellular damage caused by the scans.

Swerve illuminates the fascinating nooks of antiquity, as well as the Renaissance, for the neophyte. This is the sort of book that, during these winter months, will bring the pleasure endorsed by Epicurus and Lucretius. Chef Supreme: Martin Ginsburg creates a paean to good food and its ability to create community; the recipes and tributes are rich, as was his life.

Could he please help me read Ben Brantley's review of Rosemary Harris in Athol Fugard's The Road to Mecca at the American Airlines Theater. Tried as he could, Julio couldn't get The Times to accept my bank card. He said, "There, there, call your bank because they can surely fix this for you." (And then, and then, Nancy's friend, Doug, penned a poem about his friend)

While results tended to confirm previous clinical findings — i.e., that female fibromyalgia or migraine patients report more pain than their male counterparts — the search unearthed previously unreported gender differences in pain intensity for particular diseases, for example acute sinusitis and “cervical spine disorders,” more commonly known as neck pain