From TIME 100's most influential people list to the Discovery space shuttle's last voyage, here's what you should read today:
Top Talker – In the latest scandal from Afghanistan, the LA Times has revealed horrific photos of U.S. troops posing with body parts of Afghan bombers. U.S. paratroopers posed for photos next to Afghan police, grinning while holding dead Afghan corpse's severed legs. Two soldiers held a dead man's hand with the middle finger raised. Someone placed an unofficial platoon patch reading "Zombie Hunter" next to other remains. An American soldier released the photos to the LA Times to draw attention to the safety risk of a breakdown in military leadership. The Army has begun a criminal investigation.
Also in the News – Today, the Obama campaign announced the launch of "Latinos for Obama," the largest-ever effort to communicate to Latino voters and mobilize the Latino vote. The effort will include media outreach effort in key states, along with Latinos for Obama house parties.
TIME 100 – Time has announced its "100 Most Influential People in the World," and the list includes: Anonymous, Tim Tebow, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Tim Cook, Viola Davis, Rihanna, Warren Buffett, Lionel Messi, Stephen Colbert, and Rep. Ron Paul. Full list here. Special congrats to Change.org founder and friend Ben Rattray.
Question of the Day – After reading TIME's 100 list, which figures stand out as the most deserving, and which should not have been given a spot on the list? Any big snubs that you feel should have been included?
Poll of the Day – CBS/NYT: The race is dead even, tied at 46%. Support for Romney is up 5 points from January, and 33% percent of GOP voters now say they enthusiastically support him.
* Don't miss pundit Kristian Davis Bailey's interview with Palestinian nonviolent activist and PolicyMic contributor Fadi Quran.
Top Stories – Discovery Space Shuttle Makes Me Proud to Be American (James Velasquez) – The Discovery shuttle should remind Americans of their frontier spirit. As the shuttle is retired, let's remember the importance of a strong space program.
What Did Titanic 3-D, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Babe Do to Piss Off China? (Vicky Wong) – Titanic 3D joins a club of films that have been censored in China for "innocuous reasons." Find out why everything from Pirates of the Caribbean to Babe are seen as a threat.
Should Hospitals Refuse to Hire Obese People? (Susan Papp vs. Philip Schawillie) – Debate – Citizens Medical Center in Victoria, Texas, has imposed a controversial new policy to limit the maximum BMI of new hospital hires. Is this discriminatory?
Experts – Hillary Clinton Memes: Why Did They Go Viral? – Tech expert Belinda Moreira writes that whether you agree with Clinton’s positions or not, her influence as a leader is remarkable. The memes went viral because they prove she's a smart woman and successful Secretary at the same time.
For the Techies Among Us – Facebook: Like? (More Intelligent Life); How the Huffington Post ate the internet (CJR); Brazil: home of the next Mark Zuckerberg? (Washington Post).
Today's Fun Links – Mitt Romney's 10 ways to cheat the IRS (Mother Jones); The challenge of going vegan (NY Times).
What We’re Reading – The next war may be in the Arctic (AP); Why does Romney seem so stiff? (Washington Post); Tax Day arrives, along with a debate over 'fairness' (PBS); Why Africa's wars never end (Foreign Policy).
