Today's Boston Globe articles

1. Health Insurance: http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/07/18/firms_cancel_health_coverage/

I have mixed feelings about this: on one hand, small businesses are losing out and pressurized to abandon health care coverage for employees. On the other hand, the public insurance pools are augmented with additional and often healthy beneficiaries who can spread the risk.

2. Presidential Vacations: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/07/18/vacations_are_prickly_issue_for_presidents/

Presidents, like anyone, deserve downtime to relax with family and get away from the grind. But because they are major public figures, the press will inevitably scrutinize them and how they spend their vacations.

3. BP and Public: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/07/18/at_corner_bp_station_a_high_octane_standoff/

I'm surprised that there hasn't been widespread boycotts of BP gas stations. Maybe drivers need gas, period or aren't so compelled to incriminate BP.

4. British Monarchy: http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2010/07/18/in_financially_ailing_britain_even_queen_is_cutting_back/

Good to see the Queen set an example. The people look to the monarchy to lead them and exemplify the times.

5. Broadcast Speech Regulation: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/07/18/the_obscenity_police/

I agree that networks should have discretion to filter their speech and regulate themselves. But government nonetheless have a compelling reason for regulating obscene speech, esp. in protecting children.

6. Fiscal Policy: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/07/18/unlock_common_sense_in_public_spending/

Ok, I get it - we need both spending to stave off another recession but also control to reduce the deficit. I agree with the author that we should not fear spending more today to revive the economy and cutting back later. Exactly where is the line?

7. States' Rights: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/07/18/whos_defending_states_rights/

I do not view the recent striking down the marriage law as a victory for states rights. Even if the Tenth Amendment was a major rationale for the decision, I believe that due process and equal protection played a larger role. States rights, as a whole constitutional movement, is close to irrelevant today.

8. Foreign Aid: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/07/18/free_money/

I agree with the idea, almost wholeheartedly. Poor people have solid financial skills. Giving them the money with financial independence unleashes their entrepreneurial spirit, which is necessary for national growth.

9. Science: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/07/18/hard_to_find/

It's not that all science is becoming more difficult to discover. Common, everyday inventions and observations are still made by amateurs and independent scientists. It's only the most esoteric and complex that requires mass collaboration and major funding.