Today's Boston Globe articles

1. International Relations: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/10/25/obama_may_face_fight_on_treaties/

While the treaties are laudatory and important, I do not think all of them will get passed. There is much reluctance (appropriately though) to placing restrictions on the U.S. military and its development, esp. if similar restrictions are unlikely to deter effectively 'rogue' regimes.

2. U.S. History: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/25/the_dangers_of_dabbling_in_a_good_cause/

An informative and insightful article, although it leaves me begging for more information about the so-called 'Secret Six', their motivations for supporting John Brown, and their lives afterwards.

3. Climate Change:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/25/activists_turn_up_the_heat_on_climate/

I attended such a event yesterday in Garden City, which was somewhat informative. Climate change awareness is less politicized than health care reform, but deserves more individual commitment from all of us.

4. Health Care Reform:
http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2009/10/25/fears_of_health_monopoly_as_congress_urges_collaboration/

This is a duly concern - consolidation within the health care market decreases competition, esp. when hospitals merge. That is why a public option and strong government regulation - including a more cognizant FTC - is necessary.

5. American Football:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/10/25/nfl_in_england_would_you_like_chips_with_that/

I disagree - sports should be promoted and cross boundaries. Soccer has long become popular in America, and football is attracting an European audience. We should not be isolationist in sport.

6. Classical Music:
http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/10/25/brook_farm_group_was_among_the_first_to_hear_beethovens_brilliance/

Interesting article, although I think the author overattributes Beethoven's popularity in America to Brook Farm (the connection itself is still tenuous). Nonetheless, Beethoven rules!

7. Evolution Debate:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/10/25/in_the_muslim_world_creationism_is_on_the_rise/

Ok, I've been reading conflicted reports and statistics on the evolution vs. creationism debate in the Muslim world. I think neither side has gained a substantial advantage yet, but the debate is still ongoing and is likely conditioned by political realities.

8. Books - Government:
http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2009/10/25/so_whos_in_charge/

Ok, we all know that private contracting is prevalent. I hope the book shows how serious a problem it is domestically, and how such a situation hurts the public good. Then, it will spur many of us and the government into action.

9. Books - Baseball:
http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2009/10/25/a_warm_up_pitch_for_the_world_series/

A great way to fill my baseball appetite after an all-too-short postseason (ok, Red Sox only). I'm reading Vaccaro's book and the verdict is still out.

Let's not get too bullish

Two recent pieces of good news - ok one to some, the other most likely to all - the Senate Finance Committee approved a version of a health care reform bill on Tuesday, and the Dow hit 10,000 today. A casual or even hardened observer is right to celebrate, but let's not get too carried away. On the former, the Senate Finance Committee bill apparently is a compromise between the reformers' most ardent demands and their opponents' hardened principles. It deserves scrutiny and I still feel that the question of the public option is left unanswered. Additionally, only one Republican on the Committee voted yes, which suggests that further partisan roadblocks in the main chambers are likely. On the Dow news, it is great that it finally recovered to 10,000, which certainly augurs a recovery en route. Nonetheless, crucial issues remain, notably the lingering effects of the recession and stock market collapse on many of Wall Street's biggest traders. We need to wait and see sustained increase in the Dow before believing in a more bullish stock market. Finally, the crucial index of unemployment is still high and growing. Overall, albeit not wanting to sound like a pessimist - I am not - but let's not read too much into the past two days of good news. Then again, if those tidings continue, party on into 2010!

Today's Boston Globe articles

1. Health Care Reform - http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2009/10/11/massachusetts_plan_could_limit_patients_hospital_choices/

I see the rationale for global budgets, but still do not believe that they work. However, limiting provider choices for consumers is a good thing that most of us take for granted. The question is whether teaching hospitals, which have benefitted so much from loose regulation, will give up any of their market.

2. Red Sox - http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/11/after_2_recent_titles_has_apathy_set_in_among_fenway_faithful/

Somewhat or maybe too true. It is a combination of factors - the recent success, the lack of a team "persona", attentions elsewhere, the economy. Maybe another comeback against the Angels and a bout with the Yanks will wake up the fandom.

3. Tourism -

http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2009/10/11/a_writers_daunting_quest_to_see_the_perfect_foliage/

A great insight from the Observer. It repeats a mantra of tourism - one often forgets about the attractions at one's local area. I wonder whether there is much foliage here in Long Island...

4. State Government -

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/10/11/judge_denounces_calif_penchant_for_referendums/

The judge is justified in criticizing California. Granted that government needs to be of the people, but leaving law and policy at the hands of a fickle and often uneducated public only can lead to general ineffectiveness and instability.

5. Foreign Relations -

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2009/10/11/turkey_armenia_sign_historic_accord_to_establish_diplomatic_relations/

This is great news for Turkey, Armenia and the world in general. Nonetheless, I wonder whether the pact will have much substantive effect without a mutual understanding or interpretation of history.

6. Family Law -

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/10/11/for_sperm_bank_era_courts_need_clearer_rules/

I agree that we need clarified legal definitions and terms of sperm/egg bank donations. I wonder whether the restrictive principle argued by the author - that anonymity be maintained except in life/death cases - will encounter any substantial opposition.

7. Health Care Reform -

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/10/11/risky_business_cutting_health_costs/

True, but there is adequate research mechanisms already for measuring spending. The author should cite which types are useful - evidence-based, clinical trials, retrospective observational studies? Also, much of reform is not necessarily aimed towards spending, but incentives.

8. Political Activism -

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/10/11/protesters_secret_theyre_out_there_because_it_makes_them_happier/

The correlation (and maybe causation) is strong and convincing. It is still likely that the very social nature of activism is the underlying source of happiness, which one can also get from attending religious service, or brunching with friends.

9. History of Science -

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/10/11/a_world_redrawn_when_america_showed_up_on_a_map_it_was_the_universe_that_got_transformed/

Oh great, another cause for American exceptionalism, just kidding; the 'America' on the map refers to the whole continent. I still think the author is overstating the effect of the Waldseemuller map on Copernicus' reasoning.

10. Moustaches -

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/10/11/the_sad_and_curious_exile_of_the_american_mustache/

Ha, a very interesting social history. I'm surprised that the popularity of the moustache is so strongly associated with celebrity or heroic endorsement thereof. Should I go trim mine?

11. Naval History -

http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2009/10/11/mutiny_and_mystery_on_the_high_seas/

A lacking review, which does not entice the reader to get the book. Is the book focusing on Hudson himself, the voyage, the crew, or naval exploration in general? Does the author have a strong theory about Hudson's fate or that of the crew, esp. its more infamous members?

Awarding Nobel Peace Prize to Obama was premature

The Nobel Peace Prize just awarded to Obama is premature. No offence to the president, whose efforts and goals in foreign policy are truly praiseworthy, but he has only been in office for 8 1/2 months. In that short a timeframe, no president can achieve a substantial body of work, especially in the slow world of international affairs. While he did work hard to bring countries together in political issues such as Iran, and global issues such as climate change, thus far the results are still forthcoming and much can change in the upcoming year. Additionally, some credit must also be given to former president George W. Bush, whose policies in his later years paved way for what Obama has recently accomplished, such as more multilateral approaches toward belligerent nations. Given the eminence of the Nobel Prize and its traditional recognition of substantial accomplishments, I believe that the Nobel Committee made a poor decision in recognizing Obama.

I would like to congratulate a Penn Alum, C'55, George Smith for his Nobel Prize in Physics! Read about it here in the Penn Current.

2009 MLB Postseason Preview - focusing on Red Sox v Angels

Well, that's finally over. The Twins edged out the Tigers 6-5 in 12 innings, and an exhaustingly long 2009 baseball regular season is complete (it makes health care reform seem like a sprint in the school playground). Woe to the Tigers, who really blew it - seriously if you cannot secure a 10th inning lead in the 163rd game, you deserve to go golfing. And congrats to the Twins, who now get a chance to be pummelled by the Yankees. Hoorah!

Onto the previews and predictions for all four Division Series:

1) Rockies vs. Phillies - Can the Rockies make another magical run, just like they did in 2007? Can the Phillies hope and pray through the 9th? As good a story as the Rockies are, the Phillies have more talent and experience [ok, Brad Lidge counts as the bad kind], so Phillies in 5.

2) Twins vs. Yankees - The Twins must be exhausted right now, and are boarding a plane for New York. Can they overcome their 0-7 season record against the Yankees? Will it be the Yankees' year, when they finally advance in the playoffs since 2004? Yes, the Yankees are too good for the Twins, so Yankees in 3.

3) Cardinals vs. Dodgers - Like the previous series, this one should be easy to call. The Cards hold two aces, while the Dodgers are still looking for one. Manny will still wreak some havoc, since it is the playoffs and weird hairdos seem to work in the witching month, but Cardinals in 4.

4) Red Sox vs. Angels - Can they finally do it? That is, if you have been living in a cave, the Angels get past the Red Sox in the playoffs? Well, the Angels have a better and more patient lineup than before, and their starting pitching depth is stronger than the Red Sox's. However, the Red Sox have the edge in the bullpen and their hitting and starting pitching - o.k. some of the starters - are peaking. So, until it happens, it won't - Red Sox in 4.

Today's Boston Globe articles

1. Health Care Reform - http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/04/health_executives_wary_of_proposed_payment_system_appeal_to_patrick/

The hospitals have a right to complain - global budgets do not work. A solution is needed so that providers, insurers and perhaps the government share the risk for catastrophic events, not have one side bear all of it.

2. Supreme Court - http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/10/04/roberts_alito_poised_to_make_mark_on_supreme_court/

This upcoming term (starts Monday, wow!) will be decided by Chief Justice Roberts, above all others. It will be interesting to see to what extent he tries to curtail the ambitious programs of the Obama administration and the Democrat Congress.

3. Baseball - http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2009/10/04/angels_lacking_answers/

Angels lack answers, or Angels do not want to answer? Either way, Dan S. is too intrusive and exaggerates this inferiority complex the Angels have against the Red Sox.

4. History of Medicine - http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/10/04/a_pox_on_you/

A very interesting article, pertinent to my course of undergraduate studies and to debates today. But do you seriously think that Americans today can resolve some of the abstract questions that the Founders generation could not (ex. whether health care is a gov't responsibility)?