Backing the inaugural
President Obama’s inaugural committee raised more than $53 million, mostly from 458 elite donors who gave $50,000 apiece. The big donors included officials at tech companies such as Google and Microsoft, and a roster of Hollywood celebrities, including directors Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, and George Lucas, and actors Tom Hanks, Jamie Foxx, and Halle Berry.
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The cost of sexual misconduct in the military
At least 30 percent of the 255 generals, admirals, and other senior military commanders fired by the U.S. armed forces over the past eight years lost their jobs because of sexual misconduct, including harassment, assaults, and adultery.
Associated Press
Women take to tattoos
Last year, for the first time, the percentage of U.S. women with tattoos—23 percent—surpassed that of men, at 19 percent.
The New Yorker
President Obama's executive orders
Even though he issued 19 of them last week, President Obama has issued fewer executive orders per day than any other president since Grover Cleveland.
NYMag.com
Marijuana possession vs. violent crimes
In 2011, 663,032 people were arrested in the U.S. for marijuana possession—128,328 more than were arrested for all violent crimes combined.
HuffingtonPost.com
Fear of gun control sparks sales
The Newtown, Conn., school massacre, and the talk of gun control it sparked, has been a boon for gun makers and sellers. Buyers have been gobbling up assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, armor-piercing bullets, and other weaponry out of fear they will be banned. “My shelves are bare,” said Virginia gun-store owner Donel Dover.
The Washington Post