The XX Factor

We’re Talking About: Jared Loughner, Abortion Rates, and the “Hormone of Love”

- Tuscon shooting suspect Jared Loughner appeared in court yesterday . He waived bail and was ruled “a danger.” If he is convicted, he could face the death penalty. [ New York Times ]

- For Sarah Palin, the shooting marks a turning point - she’ll have to choose between operating in the public or private sphere. [ Politico ]

- Neighbors of Loughner ‘s parents say that the pair are so devestated they have become physically ill in the wake of their son’s actions. [ Politico ]

- Studies of abortion providers show that abortion rates from 2008 are up slightly from rates in 2005, which ends a steady decline since 1990. [ Associated Press ]

- In a first-grade classroom in Brooklyn, four teachers are in charge of about sixty students: It’s noisy, it’s hectic, it’s messy … but could it be what the kids need? [ New York Times ]

- Oxytocin has been known as the ” hormone of love ” for a while, but it comes with a serious side effect: It creates a kind of insular love that could be dangerous. [ New York Times ]

Photograph of Sarah Palin by Allison Shelley for Getty Images.