These two qualities are essential, I believe, for anyone who would sit on our nation's highest court.

CNN: Transcript of Obama-Sotomayor announcement

"I appeal to all to come sit with me at the table so that this nation can get rid of this curse of power cuts, inflation and unemployment, " Sharif said, as his supporters clapped, cheered and danced in the streets.

NPR: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Declares Victory

Only a judge who is conscious and fully engaged with the reality of how her experiences may bear on her approach to the facts of a case, or sense of social justice, or vision of constitutional interpretation, should be entrusted to sit on the most influential and powerful court in our nation.

CNN: Commentary: Judge Sotomayor is not a racist

But at least it shows that Republicans and Democrats can still sit down together in an attempt to tackle the big challenges facing our nation.

WHITEHOUSE: Weekly Address: Republicans Blocking Progress

They told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid the fate of the nation was on his hands, with Cantor telling him he had three options, sit back and watch the U.S. collapse, accept the new bill, or accept prior Cut, Cap, and Balance bill.

FORBES: Boehner and Cantor To Reid: Pass Our New Bill, Pass Cut Cap N' Balance, Or Face Default

But in one of the nation's most vivid anomalies, some of the saddest, most bedraggled urban wastelands sit on the shores of the vast inland seas.

WSJ: Great Lakes region pins economic hopes on water