Half a century ago this month, the Cuban Missile Crisis didn’t culiminate in an exchange of nuclear blows between Washington and Moscow. This week in OtherWords, Arnold Oliver recaps the lessons of that showdown, reminding us of how lucky we were and still are for that. And guest columnist Jill Richardson points out that just eating a bowl of rice is more dangerous than it needs to be.

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1. Can Obama Get His Groove Back? / Steven Gray
   This election is the president’s to lose.
2. Pulling the Plug on Ex-Gay Quackery / Christine Sun
   More states should follow California’s lead and protect minors from the junk science known as “conversion therapy.”
3. A Plan for the Democratic Party / David Elliot
   If the Dems win big in November, they should use their newfound political capital.
4. More Lucky than Brilliant / Arnold Oliver
   Moscow and Washington almost blew up the world during the Cuban Missile Crisis over a misunderstanding.
5. Empty Anti-Wall Street Rhetoric / Sam Pizzigati
   Lots of office-seekers this fall are campaigning against the 1 percent, but will they govern that way?
6. The Risky Business of Eating in America / Jill Richardson
   How can eating too much rice can give you cancer?
7. Fracking Liars / Jim Hightower
   Supporters and leaders of the hydraulic fracturing industry aren’t being honest about government support for this new natural gas boom.
8. One Nation, Under Surveillance / William A. Collins
   The cell phone has become the instrument of choice for tracking your every move.
9. Anti-Proliferation Brigade / Khalil Bendib (Cartoon)

Anti-Proliferation Brigade, an OtherWords cartoon by Khalil Bendib