Obama takes push on tax rates to Michigan
The president hit the campaign trail, eagerly wading into a local political dispute over labor unions and firing up a crowd of blue-collar engine workers with calls to back his “fiscal cliff” plan to raise taxes on the wealthy.
On Faith
![WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 15: Vasile Graure, right, is led down a hallway at the DC Jail on Thursday March 15, 2012 in Washington, DC. Graure set fire to the Good Guys Club on November 3, 2007, after being kicked out for trying to take photos of dancers with his cellphone. Manager, Vladimir Djordjevic was severely burnt in the fire and died from his injuries in May 2010. (Photo by Matt McClain for The Washington Post)](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/03/29/Magazine/Images/GoodGuys3185b_1333044721.jpg)
Only love heals
Author offers a faith-based response to the prison problem.
![12/10/1999 - The 'La Creazione' (The Creation) fresco by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel is pictured during a press preview Friday, Dec. 10, 1999. Beginning with Michelangelo on the ceiling nearly 20 years ago and wrapping up with Botticelli on the sidewalls, restorers have now brightened all the masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel, promising the returned-to-life colors should keep for decades, maybe even a century or more. The Pope will preside over a service celebrating the restoration Saturday, Dec. 11. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri) Original Filename: VATICAN SISTINE CHAPEL.jpg ORG XMIT: ROM118](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/05/SocialIssues-Religion-Immigration/Images/scva4.jpg)
Michelangelo, tolerance and Sistine Chapel ceiling’s 500th anniversary
Rabbi says frescoes offer a barely concealed message of respect for the righteous of all faiths.
![People view a display showing the nativity scene in Palisades Park in Santa Monica, California in this December 12, 2011 file photo. A federal judge denied a bid by a group of Christian churches to force a California beachside town to reopen a park to a nearly 60-year-old Christmas-season nativity display it discontinued after atheists upstaged the event last year. The court action grew out of a clash between sponsors of the nativity scenes and a group of atheist activists who competed with the churches for limited space in Santa Monica's biggest public park and managed to dominate last year's holiday displays with anti-religious messages. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok/Files (UNITED STATES - Tags: RELIGION POLITICS SOCIETY)](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/guest-voices/Images/2012-11-20T132054Z_01_TOR825_RTRIDSP_3_USA-NATIVITY-CALIFORNIA-064.jpg)
Former minister: ‘We atheists love this time of year like everyone else’
In the American public square, there is room at the inn for all of us, says an atheist activist.
![The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate, make their first joint visit to the city of Cambridge.
Visiting Jimmy's, a night shelter that they opened.
POOL PHOTO BY PAUL ROGERS / THE TIMES](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/celebritology/Images/575210_0c5b3-494.jpg)
Author: Surviving Kate Middleton’s pregnancy disease was a test of faith
An HG sufferer prays the Duchess of Cambridge is spared the kind of treatment many women endure.
Higher Education
![Charlottesville, VA-June 26: University of Virginia Rector Helen Dragas and Teresa Sullivan walk together from the president's residence to the Board of Visitors meeting where Sullivan was reinstated, Tuesday, June 26, 2012. (Photo By Norm Shafer/ For The Washington Post)](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/Web-Resampled/2012-12-11/UVABoard 9_1340748721--90x60.jpg)
U-Va. placed ‘on warning’ over flubbed presidential ouster attempt
President of accrediting body says it would be ‘very unusual’ for college to lose its accreditation.
U-Va. Provost John Simon’s e-mail on accreditation warning
Simon says the warning will not affect federal aid or research funding.
Sen. Mark Warner wishes JMU student ‘good luck on exams’
A confused tweet from a JMU junior prompted a personal greeting from the senator.
Aging Well: Healthy Steps To Feeling Young
A little effort can go a long way. Post reporter Margaret Webb Pressler offers a few tips on healthy aging.
Partial Medicaid expansions won’t get full federal funding, states are told
![Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/National-Politics/Images/sebelius-1210-ipadbackground.jpg)
States had hoped for the option, but the Obama administration says no.
A Nobel Prize winner discusses the potential impact of her discovery
![Carol Greider](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/10/Web-Resampled/2012-12-10/GREIDER7-photo1009 11-49-07--90x60.jpg)
Understanding telomeres might aid fight against cancer and age-related diseases, biologist says.
National Education
What Obama’s debate performance says about his education policy
There is a connection between Obama’s lackluster response to Romney and education policy.
What Romney’s debate performance says about education policy plans
What we learned about Romney’s education policy plans during the debate.
Do kids really learn from failure? Why conventional wisdom is wrong
It is commonly said failures helps kids learn. It turns out that failure may not be as helpful as all that.
Innovations
![Marissa Mayer, chief executive officer of Yahoo! Inc., smiles during TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2012 in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012. Mayer is trying to drive a turnaround at a company that suffered three straight years of sales declines as Google Inc. and Facebook Inc. did a better job attracting users and advertisers. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Marissa Mayer](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/10/01/Style/Images/1092803.jpg)
Women, men and 2013
The Webbmedia Group released its tech trends for 2013 with a notable projection for women in the new year.
![The NASA logo is seen on the outside of the Vehicle Assembly Building at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012. Florida will hold its Republican presidential primary on Jan. 31. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/02/20/Health-Environment-Science/Images/970081.jpg)
Whither NASA?
A committee of experts found confusion within the agency regarding its priorities.
On Leadership
![airport icon](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/Web-Resampled/2012-12-11/checkin--90x60.jpg)
A real ‘binder full of women’
This year, Catalyst isn’t just reporting data on women in business leadership roles. It’s also hoping to do something about it.
![House underwater illustration](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/07/Web-Resampled/2012-12-07/house_water_illo--90x60.jpg)
From panicked to purposeful
As a leader, you don’t want others to see your vulnerabilities and strengths more clearly than you do.
![This publicity film image released by DreamWorks and Twentieth Century Fox shows Daniel Day-Lewis portraying Abraham Lincoln in the film 'Lincoln.' (AP Photo/DreamWorks and Twentieth Century Fox, David James)](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/11/05/Interactivity/Images/CROP_Lincoln_296_121105.jpg)
Doris Kearns Goodwin on life, death and the presidency
Goodwin compares Obama’s and Lincoln’s leadership, and reflects on what it means to be a historian.
![epa03473883 US President Barack Obama speaks at a bipartisan group of congressional leaders as Speaker of the House John Boehner (L) looks on in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC., USA, 16 November 2012. EPA/OLIVIER DOULIERY / POOL](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/11/16/National-Economy/Images/03473883.jpg)
Moral values and the fiscal cliff
It may seem counterintuitive, but our political leaders should avoid using the word “compromise” too often.
![Istock illo about phone privacy.](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/12/08/Production/Sunday/SunBiz/Images/96100790-2131-11e1-87d1-5e5448f415de_UUIDslatetechDec11.jpg)
Exhaustion is not a status symbol
Who are we without productivity as a metric of our worth?
National Blogs & Columns
Vivek Wadhwa
Breaking the silence
Carly Fleischmann had a question for Sen. John Kerry, and her autism wouldn’t stop her, thanks to technological innovation.
Al Kamen
Heavy vetting? A law firm can help.
IN THE LOOP | O’Melveny & Myers looks for potential clients among big-time Obama donors.
Joe Davidson
Lawmaker seeks halt to privatization of airport screening operations
Democrat wants scrutiny of privatized airport screening so costs and benefits can be determined.
The Federal Eye
Rob Nabors: President Obama's guy in the weeds
EYE CATCHERS | A few stories the federal workforce shouldn't miss.
The Checkup by Jennifer Huget and Rob Stein
Physical activity may add years to your life
New research finds physical activity may add years to your life expectancy.
The latest headlines
- 3 people dead, including gunman, in shooting at Portland, Ore.-area shopping mall
- Redbox Instant takes on Netflix with $8 plan that has 4 nights of DVDs, Epix and Warner movies
- Why US economy could likely withstand a brief fall off the 'fiscal cliff' next year
- Report: Small business sales up 5.2 pct in November as holiday shopping offsets Sandy impact
- How much will my taxes go up? Questions and answers about the US 'fiscal cliff'
- Federal Reserve wraps up 2012 still facing high unemployment and sub-par economic growth
- Family of LA man killed in brazen NYC ambush urge anyone with information to contact police
- US condemns NKorean missile launch as 'provocative act' that threatens regional security
- NKorea springs surprise with rocket launch, likely to draw international condemnation
- White House: North Korea launch 'highly provocative act that threatens regional security'
Featured Videos
![Michelle Obama lends a hand at Toys for Tots Michelle Obama lends a hand at Toys for Tots](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/Wires/Videos/2012-12-12/AP/Images/1211dv_flotus_toys_400x300.jpg-0ac9e.jpg)
Michelle Obama lends a hand at Toys for Tots
On Tuesday, First lady Michelle Obama thanked military families for inspiring her work as she delivered about 900 gifts from White House employees to the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots campaign.![NBC News on Zimmerman: Error or intentional thrashing? NBC News on Zimmerman: Error or intentional thrashing?](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/WashingtonPost/Content/Blogs/Images/zimmerman31-300x184.jpg)
NBC News on Zimmerman: Error or intentional thrashing?
Critics contend that NBC News intentionally maligned George Zimmerman regarding the Trayvon Martin case. NBC says it did no such thing.![Delta-Virgin Atlantic deal means access to Heathrow Delta-Virgin Atlantic deal means access to Heathrow](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/Wires/Videos/2012-12-11/AP/Images/1211dv_virgin_delta_400x300.jpg-04c99.jpg)
Delta-Virgin Atlantic deal means access to Heathrow
Delta Air Lines said it will buy almost half of Virgin Atlantic for $360 million as it tries to catch up to competitors in the lucrative New York-to-London travel market.![George Zimmerman must still wear GPS monitor George Zimmerman must still wear GPS monitor](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/Wires/Videos/2012-12-11/AP/Images/1211dv_zimmerman_400x300.jpg-007f6.jpg)
George Zimmerman must still wear GPS monitor
A Florida judge has denied requests from the defense to end 24-hour GPS monitoring of George Zimmerman while he is out on bond in the fatal shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin.![Pelosi to Boehner: ‘Thank you’ for bringing ‘cliff’ to House floor Pelosi to Boehner: ‘Thank you’ for bringing ‘cliff’ to House floor](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/National-Politics/Videos/Images/pelosifloor1211.jpg)
Pelosi to Boehner: ‘Thank you’ for bringing ‘cliff’ to House floor
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi followed Speaker John Boehner to the House floor to call him to bring forward a bill to extend tax cuts for income less than $250,000. She thanked Boehner for “finally” bringing the “fiscal cliff” negotiations to the floor.![Boehner: ‘When is the President going to get serious?’ Boehner: ‘When is the President going to get serious?’](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/National-Politics/Videos/Images/boehnercliff1211.jpg)
Boehner: ‘When is the President going to get serious?’
VIDEO | Speaker of the House John Boehner updated the House on “fiscal cliff” negotiations Tuesday, saying “the American people have to be scratching their heads,” as to what President Obama is thinking.![59 Seconds: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 59 Seconds: Tuesday, December 11, 2012](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/National-Enterprise/Videos/Images/193-feature.jpg)
59 Seconds: Tuesday, December 11, 2012
VIDEO | The Post’s Emi Kolawole offers news on the X-37B space plane, HSBC, and the real story behind the CIA operative portrayed in “Zero Dark Thirty.”![Beyonce and Pepsi announce advertising partnership Beyonce and Pepsi announce advertising partnership](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/National-Enterprise/Images/beyoncepepsi.jpg)
Beyonce and Pepsi announce advertising partnership
Beyonce and Pepsi announce advertising partnership![Obama: Manufacturing ‘growing at fastest pace since 1990s’ Obama: Manufacturing ‘growing at fastest pace since 1990s’](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/National-Politics/Videos/Images/obamadetroitmanufacturing.jpg)
Obama: Manufacturing ‘growing at fastest pace since 1990s’
At a Diesel plant in Detroit Monday, President Obama said “American manufacturing is growing at the fastest pace since the 1990s,” and credited the recovering economy in part to this boost.![Sean Penn: Chavez is an ‘inspiration’ Sean Penn: Chavez is an ‘inspiration’](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/Production/WashingtonPost/Images/Bolivia_Venezuela_Chavez_0eec1-2443.jpg)
Sean Penn: Chavez is an ‘inspiration’
Actor Sean Penn expressed admiration for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at a candlelight vigil in Bolivia's capital Monday. Chavez is in Cuba for an operation to treat an unspecified cancer, with fears for his health across Latin America.![‘Les Mis’ premieres in New York ‘Les Mis’ premieres in New York](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/Wires/Videos/2012-12-11/AP/Images/US-LESMIS-20121211E_400x300.jpg-0a617.jpg)
‘Les Mis’ premieres in New York
Anne Hathaway, joined by her co-stars Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Amanda Seyfried, rocked the red carpet at the New York premiere of “Les Miserables.”![Exit Interview: Olympia Snowe Exit Interview: Olympia Snowe](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/10/National-Politics/Videos/Images/SNOWE.jpg)
![Cowboys' Brent charged with intoxication manslaughter Cowboys' Brent charged with intoxication manslaughter](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/Production/WashingtonPost/Images/Redskins_Cowboys_Football_08faa-2436.jpg)
Cowboys' Brent charged with intoxication manslaughter
Cowboys' Brent charged with intoxication manslaughter![O'Reilly attacks 'race hustlers' O'Reilly attacks 'race hustlers'](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213im_/http://www.washingtonpost.com/rw/sites/twpweb/img/blogs/spacer.gif)
O'Reilly attacks 'race hustlers'
Jason Whitlock uses the language of race to address his refusal to appear on "The O'Reilly Factor."![Panetta: No ‘new aggressive steps’ from Syria Panetta: No ‘new aggressive steps’ from Syria](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/Production/WashingtonPost/Images/Mideast_Kuwait_Panetta_0ee09.jpg)
Panetta: No ‘new aggressive steps’ from Syria
VIDEO | Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says Syria is not showing any new signs that it's preparing to use chemical weapons. Panetta commented while flying to Kuwait.![HSBC to pay $1.9B settlement in laundering case HSBC to pay $1.9B settlement in laundering case](https://webharvest.gov/congress112th/20121212052213/http://img.wpdigital.net/rf/image_90x60/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/12/11/Production/WashingtonPost/Images/80089859.jpg)
HSBC to pay $1.9B settlement in laundering case
VIDEO | British-owned bank HSBC is paying $1.9B to settle a US money-laundering probe. The bank was investigated for involvement in the transfer of funds from Mexican drug cartels and sanctioned nations like Iran.Elsewhere in National
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Chatological Humor: A discussion on Brian Murtagh
Live Q&A; transcript
Gene Weingarten discussed his feature article on Brian Murtagh’s fight to keep Jeffrey MacDonald behind bars.