Are we a nation of wusses? So asked many, including Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, after the NFL postponed Sunday's Vikings-Eagles game because of the blizzard. This cry has become commonplace, that today's Americans and men in particular are not as tough as our predecessors. For instance, if a war - a real one, not like Afghanistan - arises, would today's Americans fight and defend their country as bravely as the Greatest Generation? The argument goes: how can we expect to endure a war when we are afraid to brave a blizzard to watch a football game? A similar cry is heard in Britain, but somewhat different: that playing four matches over ten days in the Christmas/New Year program is too much for the players.
Nonetheless, I do not think that we are becoming wusses because the game was postponed. First, twenty-first century standards about public safety and individual responsibility are different from the nineteenth century's. Back then, governments had little responsibility over public transit (there was barely any), whereas now we are more aware of and expect more out of the government in ensuring our safety. Public safety was the primary reason, and the NFL and Philadelphia needed to care about travelling fans, not whether the players could tough it out. Second, we are better at balancing risks and utilities today. The NFL made a conscious decision that weighed the risk of a public accident (which was great in the blizzard) versus the importance of having the game played on Sunday (not so great). It made a rational decision that arguably could have been decided otherwise, but probably worked out best for fans and employees alike. So, rather than blame our 'wussy' culture, maybe blame the lawyers for imposing such a pervasive fear about liability in each of us. Happy new year.
Wednesday 29 December 2010
Sunday 26 December 2010
The Joy of Boxing Day
Ask most Americans what Boxing Day is, and you usually get a blank response about some Canadian oddity of little importance. But Boxing Day is something more. In fact, it is not Canadian; it is British (and thus celebrated in Canadian and other former British colonies). Boxing Day has nothing to do with boxing either. It probably grew out of traditions where churches collected presents and alms for the poor in boxes which were opened on the day after Christmas, or alternatively, masters provided gifts to their servants in boxes for a year's worth of work. Today, this latter tradition of giving gifts to servicemen remains relevant. Thus, on December 26, I usually leave a tip for the mailman and the sanitation worker in recognition of their work for the past year. After all, such selfless service should be recognized.
Another aspect of Boxing Day is the program of soccer matches played across Britain. Every year, the Premier League schedules a full round of matches, often between local rivals, which adds to the occasion. Today, I watched the Aston Villa-Tottenham match, which was a great game of attacking football (well, until the ref gave a stupid red card to a Spurs player). The fan atmosphere at the game and the others is incredible; one can feel it on TV. I think Boxing Day is one of the best sporting days of the year, on par with Independence Day for baseball and Thanksgiving Day for football. What do you think?
Currently listening: Five for Fighting; what is the best song - 100 Years, Superman, The Riddle?
Another aspect of Boxing Day is the program of soccer matches played across Britain. Every year, the Premier League schedules a full round of matches, often between local rivals, which adds to the occasion. Today, I watched the Aston Villa-Tottenham match, which was a great game of attacking football (well, until the ref gave a stupid red card to a Spurs player). The fan atmosphere at the game and the others is incredible; one can feel it on TV. I think Boxing Day is one of the best sporting days of the year, on par with Independence Day for baseball and Thanksgiving Day for football. What do you think?
Currently listening: Five for Fighting; what is the best song - 100 Years, Superman, The Riddle?
Today's Boston Globe articles
1. Massachusetts Census: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/graphics/12_26_10_mass_roots/
This is an interesting and informative interactive tool. Looking up Chinese-Americans, I'm not surprised to find there are many in Quincy but am surprised about Malden.
2. Congress: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/12/26/a_house_poorly_divided/
I agree: the House should be enlarged and representation more equitably distributed. But, isn't a House with over 500 members a bit unwieldy?
3. Criminal Law: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/12/26/a_felons_forward_pass/
I partially agree: criminal law should focus more on rehabilitation, i.e. helping former felons into society. Nonetheless, depriving convicted felons of many privileges is important to deter criminality.
4. Communication: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/12/26/the_death_of_email_as_we_know_it_not_so_fast/
I agree: E-mail is not dying and should not. There is great value (not just in business communication) of a thought out and revised article of communication.
5. 2010: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/12/26/2010_the_year_in_mistakes/
Through reviewing accomplishments, we build pride. Through reviewing mistakes, we build character.
This is an interesting and informative interactive tool. Looking up Chinese-Americans, I'm not surprised to find there are many in Quincy but am surprised about Malden.
2. Congress: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/12/26/a_house_poorly_divided/
I agree: the House should be enlarged and representation more equitably distributed. But, isn't a House with over 500 members a bit unwieldy?
3. Criminal Law: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/12/26/a_felons_forward_pass/
I partially agree: criminal law should focus more on rehabilitation, i.e. helping former felons into society. Nonetheless, depriving convicted felons of many privileges is important to deter criminality.
4. Communication: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/12/26/the_death_of_email_as_we_know_it_not_so_fast/
I agree: E-mail is not dying and should not. There is great value (not just in business communication) of a thought out and revised article of communication.
5. 2010: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/12/26/2010_the_year_in_mistakes/
Through reviewing accomplishments, we build pride. Through reviewing mistakes, we build character.
Wednesday 22 December 2010
Obama's Houdini Month
Who would have thought? After declaring a "shellacking" in the November election, Obama has resurrected his political hopes and his party's momentum in a whirlwind two weeks. I have not seen such a swift turn of fortunes since the Red Sox's recovery against the Yankees and the 19-8 "shellacking" in 2004. But somehow Obama defied the odds and critics who labelled him soft and incapable of pushing through key legislation. He did it the old-fashioned way: using personal will and political compromise. Adopting some of Clinton's tactics, Obama has thrown the gauntlet to the Republicans and revitalized support among the liberals and Democrat base.
I think the three major pieces of legislation are all wise and practical. First, extending the Bush tax cuts, despite liberals' cries against cuts for the wealthy, will help to keep money in consumers' pockets and foster investment and consumer spending in 2011. The net gains from the tax cuts for the middle class, unemployment benefits and reduced payroll tax makes this a desirable compromise. Second, Obama rallied his liberal and youth base by fulfilling his campaign promise to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. Let's hope this makes the beginning of extending equal protection to gays and other still-marginalized groups. Finally, the START treaty ratification is a huge foreign policy success and instrumental to promoting nuclear peace and better relations with Russia. Biden and Kerry were instrumental in passing the treaty, which leaves America in a better position to tackle problems such as Iran and North Korea in the upcoming year.
Obama is not out of the woods yet. He and the incoming Congress will have many challenges in the upcoming term, most notably appropriations and the budget/deficit and other measures to stimulate the economy and job growth. How well the economy fares in 2012 will determine whether Obama wins reelection. But his December success has paved the way for that possibility and raised the spirits of his supporters and independents alike.
I think the three major pieces of legislation are all wise and practical. First, extending the Bush tax cuts, despite liberals' cries against cuts for the wealthy, will help to keep money in consumers' pockets and foster investment and consumer spending in 2011. The net gains from the tax cuts for the middle class, unemployment benefits and reduced payroll tax makes this a desirable compromise. Second, Obama rallied his liberal and youth base by fulfilling his campaign promise to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. Let's hope this makes the beginning of extending equal protection to gays and other still-marginalized groups. Finally, the START treaty ratification is a huge foreign policy success and instrumental to promoting nuclear peace and better relations with Russia. Biden and Kerry were instrumental in passing the treaty, which leaves America in a better position to tackle problems such as Iran and North Korea in the upcoming year.
Obama is not out of the woods yet. He and the incoming Congress will have many challenges in the upcoming term, most notably appropriations and the budget/deficit and other measures to stimulate the economy and job growth. How well the economy fares in 2012 will determine whether Obama wins reelection. But his December success has paved the way for that possibility and raised the spirits of his supporters and independents alike.
Sunday 19 December 2010
Today's Boston Globe articles
1. Gays in the military:http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2010/12/19/senate_vote_ends_dont_ask_dont_tell/
Finally. It's about time for the military to end one of its most unequal and inimical policies. This episode will help to advance gay rights in America (sadly with more backlash to come).
2. Supreme Court: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/12/19/under_roberts_high_court_is_becoming_business_friendly/
This trend is quite obvious for a while now and not necessarily good. In the much-heralded Arizona immigration and the ATT class action merit cases, the better outcome would probably be deciding against the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
3. North Korea: http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2010/12/19/weather_halts_s_korea_military_drills/
The situation on the peninsula is dire. Will war (gulp) actually break out? I would urge the South Koreans to exercise restraint, but not accede to North Korean demands to abandon the military exercises entirely.
4. Debt: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/12/19/credit_cards_the_devil_in_the_soft_sell/
So much for austerity. We Americans are addicted to debt; the financial reforms alone cannot save us from our spendthrift ways.
5. Ireland: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/12/19/romantic_ireland/
I liked this article a lot: it presents an accurate picture of Ireland past and the recently bailed out nation. I may be wrong, but think that Irish-Americans have a very tenuous relationship with their home country, regardless whether they remember it nostalgically or not.
6. Group Intelligence: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/12/19/group_iq/
I am convinced that group intelligence hardly resembles individual intelligence and should be measured differently. Even so, what characteristics best define group intelligence?
7. Conservatism: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/12/19/bedtime_for_little_patriots/
So, the conservatives finally begin to see education as a vehicle for their ideas. History ought to be retold by different voices, but how much will the conservative writers twist history to advance ideology over truth? (Liberal writers aren't guilt-free either).
Finally. It's about time for the military to end one of its most unequal and inimical policies. This episode will help to advance gay rights in America (sadly with more backlash to come).
2. Supreme Court: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/12/19/under_roberts_high_court_is_becoming_business_friendly/
This trend is quite obvious for a while now and not necessarily good. In the much-heralded Arizona immigration and the ATT class action merit cases, the better outcome would probably be deciding against the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
3. North Korea: http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2010/12/19/weather_halts_s_korea_military_drills/
The situation on the peninsula is dire. Will war (gulp) actually break out? I would urge the South Koreans to exercise restraint, but not accede to North Korean demands to abandon the military exercises entirely.
4. Debt: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/12/19/credit_cards_the_devil_in_the_soft_sell/
So much for austerity. We Americans are addicted to debt; the financial reforms alone cannot save us from our spendthrift ways.
5. Ireland: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/12/19/romantic_ireland/
I liked this article a lot: it presents an accurate picture of Ireland past and the recently bailed out nation. I may be wrong, but think that Irish-Americans have a very tenuous relationship with their home country, regardless whether they remember it nostalgically or not.
6. Group Intelligence: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/12/19/group_iq/
I am convinced that group intelligence hardly resembles individual intelligence and should be measured differently. Even so, what characteristics best define group intelligence?
7. Conservatism: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/12/19/bedtime_for_little_patriots/
So, the conservatives finally begin to see education as a vehicle for their ideas. History ought to be retold by different voices, but how much will the conservative writers twist history to advance ideology over truth? (Liberal writers aren't guilt-free either).
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