Today's Boston Globe articles

1. Polish Plane Accident: http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2010/04/11/the_flower_of_our_nation_has____perished/

All my thoughts and prayers.

2. Supreme Court Nomination: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/04/11/gop_wary_of_waging_fierce_fight_over_supreme_court_choice/

I don't think the nomination battle will be a major or thorny issue at all, especially with legislation pending. Nonetheless, if Obama picks a prospective Justice too far left, he will encounter significant resistance.

3. Academics in China: http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2010/04/11/in_china_academic_cheating_is_rampant/

China faces the persistent issue of authenticity, which will hamper future intellectual progress and stems from its pervasive corruption and lack of respect for open, truthful interchange of ideas.

4. Israel Policy: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/04/11/support_for_israel_runs_on_party_lines/

I agree: Republicans are doubtless more pro-Israel; even so, the Israel foreign policy question is among the few that can enjoy bipartisan support.

5. Environmentalism and Farming: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/04/11/green_thumbs/

I somewhat agree: organic farming isn't as environmentally savvy as it seems to be. But I am unconvinced that GE crops are conclusively more environmentally friendly; organic crops do have benefits of their own.

6. Computer Security: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/04/11/please_do_not_change_your_password/

Good advice, and solid analysis. Time is a cost input (hassle is the output) than neutralizes many gains of changing passwords so often. Routine automatic security devices such as antivirus protection are more useful.

7. History of Slavery: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/04/11/when_boston_awoke/

Too much emphasis is placed on this one incident: the Fugitive Slave Act in the Compromise of 1850 was the actual cause that motivated many northerners to take an active stance against slavery. Nonetheless, credit must be given to Boston as the cradle of abolitionism, a bright spot in the city's overall negative history with race.

8. British English: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/04/11/brit_is_it/

I agree: enough already, there is nothing wrong with Britishisms. The English language grows by sharing and mixing regional idioms. Time for my tea and biscuits.