A few days ago, for the first time in probably decades, I started thinking of Carl and Pearl Butler. Would they be on YouTube? Sure enough, there they were in their flashy Country music suits singing “Don’t Let Me Cross Over,” their only No. 1 hit, released in 1963.

Americans understand that there are times when you just have to do what’s right — we’ve all known someone who stepped up and helped an old lady cross the street or gave Ken Broo directions to the nearest Chipotle at some point in time. Barack Obama made a similar gesture today by extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

Mahatma Gandhi famously said that we must be the change we want to see in the world. As Greater Cincinnati's leading media voice for change and progress, we've tried to live those words at CityBeat. Our world has changed a bit since this paper debuted 15 years ago, and we've played a role in changing it. The back and forth has been fascinating to observe and difficult to steer.

The "LeBron vs. Kobe" NBA Finals are on the back burner for at least another year while the Cleveland Cavaliers figure out how to surround their star with championship support. In today's NBA, it turns out, no one can do it alone, not even LeBron James. It appears Kobe Bryant will beat James to the title, which shouldn't be too surprising. Bryant has a better team around him.