Good morning! Taking the baton from Jamelle's capable hands, my name is Laura Dean and I will be guest-blogging for the week, offering up tidbits that inspire and infuriate me as I pick my way through the ever-expanding vastness that is the Internet. Some salient facts that will doubtless inform my postings: I grew up in the Middle East and spent four enlightening years in Chicago before moving to our nation's capital so anything from international politics to feminism to intractable political machines is fair game. My home outlet is currently Al Jazeera English, though my scribblings have been known to appear in a few other places. Amidst the opening of advent calendars and lighting of menorahs this week, I look forward to writing and hearing from you! --Laura Dean
