Today's Boston Globe articles

1. Life's Choices: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/01/31/three_lives_linked_by_call_to_duty_common_tragedy/

A moving story - law school, even though it should and is a professional school - prepares individuals to make choices and analyze critically. That is the most important skill.

2. Historical Artifacts: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2010/01/31/for_needham_family_a_wwii_copy_of_hitlers_book_is_an_heirloom_of_uncertain_value/

It's for the family to decide (albeit they all have different views). The work, however heinous the content within, holds historical and memorial value for them and the public.

3. Medical Ethics: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2010/01/31/ethics_rules_reveal_doctors_priorities/

Professional ethics is important; I believe that the profession has the duty to police itself, and through its schools and training, develop doctors who are not just there to chase the money.

4. Campaign Finance (S.C. ruling): http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/01/31/candidates_campaigns_and_new_coke/

I responded to a similar article last week: the author makes too many logical fallacies and does not address the crux of the opposing arguments. First, ad hominem arguments do not work - all politicians get much corporate money anyway. More importantly, it is defeating, if not stupid, to analogize consumer behavior in the marketplace of goods to voter behavior in elections, where corporate money drives the marketplace of ideas.

5. State of Union Address: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/01/31/obamas_meager_pitch_meets_a_brick_wall/

Honestly, Obama did quite well given the circumstances. He was aggressive enough, but it's real politics in play, and Obama cannot alienate all Republicans anymore.

6. Justice: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/01/31/justice_medieval_style/

An interesting sideshow, but it teaches us much about our system of justice. It is primarily based on belief - just like medieval people believed in "the ordeal", we believe in fairness and the rule of law. Should that crumble - let's hope not - then, our present system of justice will instead dissolve.

7. Boston: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2010/01/31/a_wish_list_for_a_newer_boston/

Just to address two of them - the swap meet may be too costly, and I doubt would attract too many people, not enough to balance the costs. Greater academic participation in public projects is certainly important; universities should be the vanguard on that.