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Commencement season: Speakers share inspiration, insight, and advice with college grads

It’s college graduation season and the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” which began in late April, will be heard at commencement ceremonies until mid-June. Many more speeches have yet to be given that impart the usual pearls of wisdom and advice on pursuing dreams, being daring, and contributing to society. Here’s a sampling of excerpts from speeches given to graduates around the country.
Briefing
Gay marriage laws around the globe

There is no national gay marriage legislation in the pipeline in the US, however, numerous countries around the globe already recognize same-sex marriage or the right to civil unions. Here’s the breakdown by region.
Hillary Clinton for president? Eight Democrats who might run next time.

Tired of the 2012 presidential race? 2016 actually isn’t that far away, especially for Democrats looking hungrily at a nomination race that will not include President Obama. Speculation has already started over who might run – fueled by no less a figure than former President Clinton, who has suggested in recent TV interviews that his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, might change her mind about not running once she’s had a break. Here are some of the possible contenders.
Trayvon Martin case: Three key questions still not answered

In the month since teenager Trayvon Martin was fatally shot by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, leaks favorable to one side or the other have swung perceptions of the incident back and forth. Given what is currently known, what are the key questions on which Mr. Zimmerman’s guilt or innocence could turn?
Rick Santorum: Top 7 culture war moments

As a senator, Rick Santorum was one of the Republican Party's best-known culture warriors. Now, as a surging presidential contender, Mr. Santorum is still leading the charge, and facing questions about some of his old, and not so old, comments. Here is a sample.

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Michelle Obama: politics tough, but 'Dad is always going to be Dad'

First Lady Michelle Obama discusses family life, the need for her daughters to have thick skin and her advocacy for American families to eat right and exercise during interviews to promote her new book on the White House garden.
Decoder Wire
Should Mitt Romney repudiate Donald Trump? (+video)

Mitt Romney is joining Donald Trump Tuesday evening in Las Vegas for a fundraiser that should raise $2 million, even as Trump is renewing his questioning of Obama's birthplace.
The unusual confessor who broke the Etan Patz cold case

Killing Etan Patz in 1979 may have been the only time alleged killer Pedro Hernandez hurt someone. While he avoided detection for 33 years, the secret took enough of a toll that Hernandez broke down in tears as he confessed, appearing remorseful and ‘relieved.’
Gay marriage: Judge overturns DOMA, stepping up pressure on Supreme Court

A federal judge struck down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which precludes gay couples from receiving federal marriage benefits. She is the third federal judge to do so, suggesting that the Supreme Court might need to step in soon to clarify its position.
Etan Patz killing: Motive is a puzzle for police, and potentially, a jury

Pedro Hernandez has said he killed Etan Patz 33 years ago because he 'felt the urge to kill,' raising questions for behavioral scientists. He is hospitalized and reportedly under suicide watch.
Ready for summer? Family vacation season opens with Memorial Day

The summer travel season, whether its visiting Coney Island, Disneyland or Yellowstone, opens Memorial Day weekend. Time to schedule those flights and check the highways for this year's family vacation.
American Idol crowns Phillip Phillips in talented, funny, bizarre finale (+video)

American Idol: After months of competition, American Idol aired its finale on Wednesday night and anointed Phillip Phillips as the winner of Season 11.
Mitt Romney unveils education reform plan heavy on 'parental choice' (+video)

Mitt Romney's plan for education reform challenges President Obama and teacher's unions, including federal money for some low-income and disabled students to attend private schools.
John Edwards verdict could become part of Citizens United backlash

A diverse panel of North Carolinians is currently considering whether John Edwards committed campaign fraud in 2008, but the verdict could also reverberate nationally if it is at odds with the Supreme Court's landmark Citizens United ruling.
Commencement season: Speakers share inspiration, insight, and advice with college grads

It’s college graduation season and the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” which began in late April, will be heard at commencement ceremonies until mid-June. Many more speeches have yet to be given that impart the usual pearls of wisdom and advice on pursuing dreams, being daring, and contributing to society. Here’s a sampling of excerpts from speeches given to graduates around the country.
DWTS contestant and author Bristol Palin to get own reality show

DWTS contestant and author Bristol Palin to get own reality show. The famous former First Daughter of Alaska's show, "Bristol Palin: Life's a Tripp," will premiere June 1 on the Lifetime network.
Cory Booker: Have the Democrats figured out how to respond?

Team Romney is trying to milk the rogue comments by Obama ally Cory Booker for all they're worth. But Obama's press conference in Chicago has given his own team some ammunition.
Decoder Wire
Cory Booker comments: How badly have they hurt President Obama? (+video)

Mayor Cory Booker was so far off-message about the Obama campaign that he couldn’t even see the Democratic Party message. With campaign surrogates like that, who needs election opponents?
SpaceX takes Star Trek's 'Scotty' to the Final Frontier

SpaceX: The ashes of the actor James Doohan, who played Scotty on 'Star Trek' were launched to space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The price? $2,995 to launch 1 gram of ashes into Earth orbit.
F-22 safety questions remain despite Panetta's order

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ordered the Air Force to take steps to address safety concerns surrounding the F-22 stealth fighter jet. But critics say his directive doesn't go far enough.
Decoder Wire
Obama on 'The View': Were hosts too easy on him? (+video)

The format of 'The View' may allow a skilled politician a lot of control over the message. President Obama skirted around some questions about gay marriage and financial-markets reform.
Report: Trayvon Martin beat, bloodied George Zimmerman. Game-changer?

A medical report showing that Trayvon Martin hit George Zimmerman hard enough to draw blood on his face and head has made a second-degree murder conviction a long shot, say experts.
George Zimmerman had two black eyes, broken nose, medical report says

George Zimmerman was examined by his family doctor the day after he fatally shot Trayvon Martin, according to ABC News. The medical report provides the details of George Zimmerman's injuries.
Romney hits back on economy, says Obama causing a 'prairie fire of debt' (+video)

The GOP candidate was in Iowa, making his case that the President's administration has not done enough to keep the country fiscally sound.
Culture Cafe
Cancelled shows 2012: ABC and the CW announce what won't be returning

TV networks ABC and the CW shared what will be cancelled at the end of this season.
Ina Drew retiring after JPMorgan losses. Will she get $14.7 million?

Ina Drew, at the center of JPMorgan's stunning loss, was among its highest-paid executives. Proxy statement says Ina Drew would be entitled to nearly $14.7 million if she met 'full-career eligibility.'
Is Obama the 'first gay president' as Newsweek proclaims?

Newsweek magazine's latest cover proclaims Barack Obama the 'first gay president'. He'd rather focus on the economy than his controversial new support for same-sex marriage. But that's a tough issue for him, as recent polls show.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon: I was 'dead wrong' about trading concerns

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said he was 'dead wrong' when he dismissed concerns about the bank's trading last month. The bank disclosed a $2 billion loss last week.
JPMorgan CEO 'dead wrong' about $2 billion loss

JPMorgan's Dimon says he didn't know the extent of the trading losses when he called them a 'tempest in a teapot' in April. The loss came from trading to limit JPMorgan's risk, he says, not make a profit.
Decoder Wire
Might Mitt Romney not remember if he bullied someone in high school? (+video)

Mitt Romney says he doesn't recollect an incident from the mid-1960s in which, according to a Washington Post report, he led a 'posse' that forcibly cut the long hair of a nonconformist student.