Our Week In The Web: January 16, 2015

While you might not believe it all the time, we do, as a staff, try to read all of the comments, questions, tweets and Facebook posts you share with us every day Obviously, sometimes comment sections head off into lengthy, unrelated threads that we might miss late in the evenings, but we do try and moderate conversations throughout our digital platforms on a regular basis. What we're hoping to underline here is the fact that comment sections, no matter where they wander, are perfectly capable of wandering back and forth and to and fro as they wish. We'd of course love it if the comment section on bats stayed focused on bats, or the comment section on spontaneity stayed focused on spontaneity, but they don't have to! And that's okay! We've noticed a lot of our regular commenters (hi friends!) flagging or reporting comments that they see as 'off topic' and sending them to our moderation holding pen in the backend of the website. We think it's important here to note: you're welcome to report these comments, sure. But unless they meet our strict standards for removal based on language or content, those comments will be posted, eventually.

1. Week In The News: French Terror Attack, A New Congress, Extreme Winter (January 9 , 2015)

2. Free To Speak, Free To Blaspheme? Islam And Blasphemy (January 15, 2015)

3. How Can We Make The Economy Work Again? (January 13, 2015)

4. The Terrorist Attack Down The Street: New Soft Target Threats (January 12, 2015)

5. Cybersecurity And National Security (January 14, 2015)

"Only with somebody like Romney in the race can a Bush look new." — Karen Tumulty 

"Policy recommendations sometimes lead to band aids. Protests are important." — Dante Barry

"I would like to think I'm a good Muslim and a good American citizen." -- Sheikh Dr. Yasir Qadhi 

"I have bipartisan thumbs: left, right and very calloused." — Rep. Steve Israel

"If we left bats alone and let them provide these great eco-services, we'd be fine." — Kevin Olival

"We need another satirical novel about Congress?? I always thought the Congressional Record was the go-to source for that!" (Paul)

"I don't think you understand how soft we're talking." (@sirosenbaum)

"Disappointed with the Best Director nominee. Why they decided to nominate the Director for Foxcatcher instead of Selma just makes no sense. Selma is up for Best Movie. Who made that happen?" (Majorie Callan Carson)

"I have a podcast listening device. Turns out it can also make phone calls." (@wintreese)

"Spiders still suck, though." (Vikram Navale)

These inexplicably complex and detailed illustrated plans for sending a group of super-intelligence manatees into space. (i09)