Today's Boston Globe articles

1. Haiti Earthquake: http://www.boston.com/news/world/latinamerica/articles/2010/01/24/boston_based_nonprofit_has_been_thrust_into_leadership_role_in_haiti/

I met Paul Farmer, the founder of Partners in Health, many times. Bravo to them for being flexible and going beyond their biomedical field of expertise.

2. Massachusetts Election: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/01/24/work_cut_out_for_them/

Note to Democrats: people are worried most about jobs and economic security, not health care reform. Most of us only see the trees before us, not the forest - however regrettably - and Democrats need to realize that.

3. Supreme Court: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/01/24/a_victory_for_free_speech/

A valid argument, but the author misses some key differences: media corporates represent the press, whose freedom and role in the democratic process is fundamental, unlike other corporations. Additionally, the overturned restrictions resemble manner rather than content restrictions, on commercial entities no less, which additively should give corporation contributions less constitutional protection. Even more troubling is the Supreme Court's overturning precedent and along strict ideological lines.

4. Property and Economics: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/01/24/the_leased_life/

A highly innovative solution and something businesses and consumers alike should consider adopting. Nonetheless, the importance of property and ownership is so ingrained in our culture and law that massive behavioral changes will be difficult.

5. Urban Architecture: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2010/01/24/in_praise_of_ugly_buildings/

Modernism may eventually be accepted, but to someone with strong aesthetic taste and dislike for rigid rules, it will be difficult. Trouble is, history weighs highly in Boston, and Modernist buildings will always be viewed as second class.

6. National Defence: http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2010/01/24/first_a_blinding_flash/

The Executive Branch's usurping national defence powers and the deference by the other branches is troubling. We depend more on electing a wise president who will not misuse those broad set of powers.