Today's Boston Globe articles

1. Health Care: http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/02/28/runaway_health_costs_are_rocking_municipal_budgets/

Shocking and wasteful. It's a shame that we lack the will or political acumen to cut such unnecessary benefits.

2. U.S. Politics: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/02/28/brewing_a_progressive_alternative_to_tea_party_politics/

I distrust the Tea Party; I distrust the 'Coffee Party' more. Rather than being grassroots activists who stand for actual issues, they resemble obstructionists who can only air some quixotic philosophies unsuited for governance or our times.

3. Law & Activism: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2010/02/28/gay_rights_by_law_not_vote/

I fervently agree: it is the duty of the courts to protect those "discrete and insular minorities" (Carolene Products footnote), especially gays who face extensive discrimination in the political process.

4. Academics & Race: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/02/28/tenure_decisions_cant_remedy_racial_imbalance/

I partially agree: academic promotion should be based on scholarship contributions. Nonetheless, minority professors still suffer from more obstacles throughout their careers. Plus, having more minority tenured professors is good for schools.

5. Health Care Reform: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/02/28/can_country_get_to_yes_on_health_care/

The crux of the problem: politics is too partisan. Health care needs bipartisan compromise.

6. Education & Islam: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/02/28/hamas_u/

A worthy and interesting concept. Let's see how the university fares: academic freedom is the ultimate source of a university's well-being; if Hamas curtails those freedoms too much, they would be stifling a very necessary and beneficial idea for the people of Gaza.

7. Worldviews: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/02/28/warning_your_reality_is_out_of_date/

We do not need terms like mesofact. The fact is, the world transforms quicker than we individually can adapt. That is why it is important, even compelling, that we keep up with the times in current events, science and culture.

8. Childhood Obesity: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2010/02/28/the_heaviest_hand/

I disagree: the state needs to intervene precisely because many kids and families cannot control obesity on their own. On occasion, they interfere too much, and privacy is an important concern in public health. Nonetheless, the author's fears are generally unfounded.

One last pull for health care reform

Tomorrow's bipartisan summit with Obama and leaders of Congress may well be the last chance for health care reform. Obama will unveil his health care plan, and the Congressional leaders will have the opportunity to voice their issues and concerns. Tomorrow is conducive to spurring the legislation in Congress because of the following: 1) the president is getting personally involved; 2) major leaders of Congress, not whole quorums, are present; and 3) the public will be watching. First, Obama should take a more active role in pushing for health care reform. Thus far, his hands-off, pragmatic approach has failed, and Congress needs someone to spur them to action. Second, dealing with leaders gives the president leeway and means to influence. He will not work directly with legislators who are at best indifferent, at worst worried more about their midterm elections. Third, the public finally can watch the health care debate live and in person. Knowing that their constituents and the American people are interpreting their every word gives the group members more incentives to not sit on the fence. Let's hope for meaningful accomplishments and results from tomorrow's meeting that will put health care back on the agenda.

Today's Boston Globe articles

1. College Admissions: http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2010/02/21/a_fresh_pitch_on_u_tube/

An innovative approach, and something worth experimenting. But the fear of wealth disadvantage is real, and let's be honest: written skills in preparing an essay is still more valuable, and should be judged as such, than video skills.

2. Drug Regulation: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/02/21/senators_press_fda_for_answers_about_why_diabetes_drug_still_on_market/

Senators should question FDA on why they are so lax on post-market regulation in general.

3. Academics: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/02/21/praising_the_low_grade_for_a_harder_course/

A good article and something relevant for students, universities and employers: a grade is not just a grade. Strict GPA requirements, such as Cum Laude, should take into account the difficulty of classes as well. Students should be encouraged to experiment and take difficult classes.

4. Personal Finance: http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/articles/2010/02/21/iras_for_like_teens_dont_roll_your_eyes/

I know, planning for retirement ideally should start now, but there are so many other financial responsibilities...

5. Rules of Writing: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/02/21/overruled/

Writing should be based on general principles. While some rules should remain necessary, outdated rules should be jettisoned, and grammarians should not quibble so much. After all, language is organic.

6. African-American History: http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2010/02/21/reconsidering_the_history_of_blacks_in_america_as_a_series_of_migrations/

An interesting study, and illuminating. Upon reading just this review, I find the argument of multiple migrations convincing and more profound in delineating African-American history.

New Year's Resolutions (or the sort)

Another year - the tiger's - brings more challenges and more opportunities. Rather than list resolutions, which I like most others am apt to break, I believe it is better to list general principles that I will strive for and maintain every day:

1. Resolution: aim to finish whatever tasks or projects I start, however large (especially) and small

2. Completion: consider no project or study finished unless done to the best of my ability

3. Engagement: be knowledgeable of a variety of issues, especially current affairs in law, government and the economy

4. Honesty: think and act truthfully, truthfully and nothing but truthfully

5. Development: solidify skills that are of practical use and benefit for my future career

6. Openness: welcome a variety of views and practices, however foreign

7. Criticism: analyze and question new views and old, to search for truth in the 'marketplace of ideas'

8. Humility: remain humble in speech and actions, before persons superior and inferior

9. Examination: reflect weekly, believing that a 'more perfect' person is always possible

There, nine short yet meaningful promises for the upcoming year. They are not resolutions, but act as such. I chose nine because of its good luck (meaning long life in Chinese - that's the extent of my superstitious beliefs), and because it leaves the sense that the list is unfinished; that one more is missing...

The Decade of the Puffing Dragon

Will China be the biggest topic in international relations this decade, if not the century? The past month, relations between the U.S. and China have frosted, while bilateral issues have continued to come up. I do not see China's "complicit" role in derailing climate change talks at Copenhagen decisive in causing the setback. Underlying tensions, including questions about China's economic growth and conduct in global affairs, have existed for a while. September 11 might have put them to rest briefly, but new issues, including global warming, the global economic recovery and Iran have surfaced those tensions. The current souring of relations came about not from one conflagration, like the April 2001 plane incident, or traditional sources of disagreement like human rights, but rather from a confluence of developments that shook both groups' trust in the other.

Despite what the Chinese media might have said, Copenhagen was a setback for China. Coming in with high expectations, China failed to effect any concrete results or agreements. Instead, much international criticism, especially from Europe, emerged, which dampened the West's enthusiasm for working with China. Likewise, the Obama administration's recent gestures of support for Taiwan (weapon sales) and Tibet (invitation for the Dalai Lama) underscored the America's flouting of areas of traditional Chinese sovereignty. These setbacks, along with many others, have eroded trust on both sides. Unfortunately, the days of unilateral action in tackling any substantial global problem is over. For China, that means more responsibility and accountability. It must act as a responsible global power and not be stubborn or self-interested on key areas such as global warming and Iran. For the U.S., it means great sensitivity to issues that continue to irk China, especially Taiwan and Tibet. Rebuilding the lost trust will not be easy, but is essential to restoring the most important bilateral relationship in the 2010's.

Today's Boston Globe articles

1. Environmental Regulation: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2010/02/07/a_fracking_quandary_for_epa/

The EPA should retain broad jurisdiction over various commercial practices that impact the environment, including these situations. In carrying out climate change reform, regulators should not relax on other methods that similarly damage the environment.

2. Law Schools: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/02/07/the_price_of_umass_law_school/

Too many law schools! Too many law schools! Before jumping to conclusions, let's remember that this law school may save taxpayers money by streamlining a private school. Then again, it might be a long accreditation process by the ABA...

3. Studying history: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/02/07/changing_history/

A good tribute to Zinn within the profession and laudable approaches to history. Archaeoscience and environmental history are definitely important and worth studying, but the Pacific theory and neurohistory have yet to convince me.

4. Geopolitics: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/02/07/dazzled_by_asia/

The author is right: Asia, while economically strong, is still fragmented politically. Therefore, it will never - I say confidently - behave as a bloc in global politics.

5. Taxation Policy: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2010/02/07/our_love_hate_relationship_with_taxes/

Taxes will always divide people. I think it is true that today, we generally view taxes as evil and draining on our wallets with little appreciable return. Could the Constitution with its broad authority for Congress and states to levy taxes and duties pass today?

Perils of Climate Change science

The recent controversies over leaked climate change research underscore the precarious nature of science and politics. Climate change arguably generates more controversy - and widespread too - than any other scientific research endeavour. Scientists who engage in the research are by no means neutral: many of them act on agenda, whether personal, financial, or ideological. I am not versed in the intricacies of the discipline, but I can imagine that many scientists feel pressure from their peers and sponsors. Couple that with outside groups, be they for or against climate change reform - and the whole scientific enterprise becomes far from neutral.

The law isn't immune from fault. Many recent controversies stemmed from scientists who wanted to guard their climate change research from inquisitive outsiders who held agenda of their own. They, nonetheless, claim a right to know under various Freedom of Information acts in the UK and elsewhere. In this case, the very laws that sought to enable transparency in science serve to undermine it instead. The solution isn't irretrievable: scientists have an equally valid intellectual property of their own. In fact, freedom-of-information acts should apply to government and public ideas, and less so to scientific research or private information. Let's hope the current legal mechanisms are in place to protect the scientists' rights.

Climate change aside, it is irrefutable that science and politics are interlinked. It is often a good thing: the NIH, for example, funds a large portion of scientific research in the U.S., and science can in turn drive public policy. Nonetheless, the relationship becomes deleterious when political factors start to influence scientific research, and silence that which debunks certain political agenda or beliefs. Climate change and stem cells are some of the more controversial topics. It is imperative that we protect science and help maintain its neutrality (again legal reform and mechanisms play an important role). Although scientists aren't wholly innocent in the recent mishaps, society owes a duty to help foster environments for neutral and open scholarly pursuits.