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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.
'Top of the Rock': 8 inside stories about NBC's 'Must See TV'

From 'Friends' to 'Seinfeld,' Warren Littlefield delves into the world behind NBC's blockbuster Thursday night comedies in 'Top of the Rock.'
'Jackie After O': 5 stories about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Tina Cassidy's book chronicles the year Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis spent on her own, after the death of her second husband.
'Arrested Development': 5 other TV shows saved by fans

'Arrested Development' will get 10 new episodes on Netflix and a movie – here are 5 other TV shows fans brought back.
Mitt Romney's five biggest liabilities as GOP nominee

Typically, an election with an incumbent president on the ballot is a referendum on him. But President Obama is trying to turn the tables. So what exactly does Mitt Romney bring to the table, in both positive and negative ways? Here are the liabilities:

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Modern Parenthood
Bullying and suicide: Misinformation and hyperbole link them

A teen's fake Facebook page about a child who committed suicide as a victim of bullying raises the need for digital literacy to separate fact from fiction. Facebook isn't a context – life is the context for Facebook.
It's official: with Texas win, Romney is the nominee

The GOP candidate clinched the nomination with more than the 1144 delegates required to win the nomination.
Decoder Wire
Mitt Romney's other Vegas meeting: why Sheldon Adelson trumps The Donald

The most important meeting for Mitt Romney Tuesday may not be with Donald Trump, but with billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who had previously backed Newt Gingrich. 
Horizons
Google releases data on piracy, takes copyright infringement pretty seriously

Ever wondered what Google does when copyright holders complain their work is being pirated? Now we know. On Thursday, Google released a huge amount of data on how it responds to copyright-related takedown requests.
Condoms to be handed out at Brooklyn high school prom

Condoms will be handed out at Brooklyn high school prom, according to school officials who notified parents this week. The school also plans a safe-sex program in the weeks leading up to the dance.
Decoder Wire
Has Cory Booker hurt his own political career? (+video)

Don't look for a prime time speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention for Cory Booker, but his defense of Wall Street – and criticism of the Obama campaign – won't hurt his standing with moderates or Wall Street donors.
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.
Colin Powell is not endorsing Obama or Romney, yet

Colin Powell, former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under George Bush, endorsed Barack Obama four years ago. But Powell says he's "keeping his powder dry" on a presidential endorsement.
Romney's record at Bain Capital is fair game, Obama says (+video)

President Obama's comments come a day after Newark Mayor Cory Booker, usually an Obama ally, criticized the Obama campaign's attacks on Mitt Romney's work in private equity.
Culture Cafe
'Mad Men' examines the Hare Krishna movement

'Mad Men' brought back an old character who has found new faith in its newest episode.
Cory Booker 'very uncomfortable' with Obama's attack on Romney (+video)

Newark Mayor Cory Booker is a campaign surrogate for Barack Obama and a rising Democratic star. But he finds himself ‘very uncomfortable’ with Obama’s attacks on Mitt Romney’s business record.
Are celebrity judges ruining American Idol and other talent shows?

Killing the Golden Goose? By relying on Jennifer Lopez (American Idol) and Britney Spears (The X Factor), are talent shows putting celebrities ahead of discovering new talent?
Preakness Stakes: Who to watch in the second leg of the Triple Crown

Preakness Stakes: The Kentucky Derby winner, I'll Have Another, will once again face Bodemeister this Saturday. Who else should you watch at the Preakness?
Betty White on safari in Washington for new animal picture book

Actress Betty White goes on safari to Washington National Zoo for her new animal picture book.
Iran nuclear talks: negotiators cite progress ahead of Baghdad meeting

Two days of UN-IAEA talks in Vienna signal some flexibility on both sides ahead of key nuclear meeting in Baghdad next week.
JP Morgan losses send Wall Street back to Capitol Hill (+video)

Congressional critics plan hearings to probe how America's largest bank posted $2 billion in trading losses – and whether new financial regulations, still being implemented, go far enough to rein in Wall Street abuses
JPMorgan Chase: Loss to force three executives to resign?

JPMorgan Chase loss of $2 billion has caused Chief Investment Officer Drew to tender her resignation, a source says. Two of her subordinates involved in the JPMorgan Chase loss are also expected to resign.
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.
Culture Cafe
NBC's '30 Rock,' 'Community,' and 'Parks and Recreation' will be renewed, sources say

However, all three NBC shows will have shortened seasons.
Sources: Biden apologized to Obama for gay marriage remarks

The Vice President's statements on morning talk shows last Sunday reputedly moved up the President's timetable for coming out in support of gay marriage.
American Idol: Phil Phillips sizzles with Damien Rice hit 'Volcano' (+video)

American Idol Top 4: With only two weeks left, Phil Phillips delivers a breakthrough performance of "Volcano." But American Idol judges reserve their standing ovations for Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez.
The Vote
Rick Santorum tells Jay Leno why Romney endorsement was 'buried' (+video)

Rick Santorum told 'Tonight Show' host Jay Leno, 'This was a letter to my supporters – who were for me.' Not Mitt Romney. The socially liberal Leno also pressed Mr. Santorum on cultural issues.
Could airport scanners detect latest Al Qaeda non-metal bomb? (+video)

A covert CIA operation in Yemen intercepted an 'undetectable' bomb intended to blow up an airplane. Authorities suspect it was the work of master bomb maker Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri. Al-Asiri, who built the first underwear bomb.
Joe Biden stirs the pot on same-sex marriage (+video)

Vice President Joe Biden says he's 'absolutely comfortable' with same-sex marriage. That seems to put him out front of President Obama on a hot-button issue that is sure to come up in the presidential election.