Yesterday's Boston Globe articles

1. Campaign Finances: Fund-raising game upended in 2012 race

What hath Citizens United wrought? It will take time, but not that much, to find out whether money has incorrigibly corrupted our political process.

2. Student Loans: Senior citizens continue to bear burden of student loans

We are a nation indebted into debt. For now, we need to revise the bankruptcy code to allow discharge of student loans beyond "undue hardship." But the rising and unaffordable higher education system is at the root. 

3. Syria: Syrian forces kill 100 as cease-fire nears, activists say

Kofi Annan's efforts are laudable, but does anyone believe Assad would abide by the ceasefire? 

4. Gender: Is there really a gender war?

I agree - there really isn't, nor should be, a war between the genders. Framing the question as justice versus injustice is a better way to go, but it's harder because it's more abstract and less emotional. 

5. Supreme Court: Civil liberties, skewed by the Supreme Court

I agree - Florence was a horrible decision and showed how out of touch nine unelected judges can be from actual human experience. I fear, especially if the Court strikes down the mandate in June in name of "economic liberty," that we are returning to the pre-1937 Lochner era when economic substantive due process reigned while civil liberties were hardly protected. 

6. Church Restoration: A story of rebirth, ending still to come

Wonderful. Enough said. 

7. Wages and Labor: Wages haven’t kept pace with recovery, study finds

This is unfortunate, and it will only further squeeze the middle class. Corporate coffers are up, while ordinary Americans' savings accounts remain flat. Is this trend sustainable?

8. Democracy and the Internet: How democracies clamped down on the Internet

This is troubling, and reminds us how easy it is to clamp down on dissent and uncomfortable ideas in the name of security. Do not take free expression for granted. 

9. Comedy: The Three Stooges don’t get the respect they deserve

I loved watching the Stooges while growing up. I, too, think they do not get the respect they deserve. But this article and the numerous allusions to Buddhism confuse me.

10. Baseball Players: Are fat baseball players a problem?

Of course they are. Fitness is essential for any sport. Look at the September 2011 Red Sox for proof.

11. Bookstores: 10.5 ways local bookstores beat Amazon

I always shop at the Brookline Booksmith whenever I visit Boston. There are so many ways that local bookstores beat Amazon and B&N.

12. Animals: Pete the Moose: What really happened

A great tale of man and his enduring longing for a connection with nature. RIP Pete.

13. Historical Reenactments: For Patriots Day, a full reenactment of Parker’s Revenge

It's good to see these forgotten events get their due. One day they will make it into our history textbooks, either as their history - of our forefathers - or our history.