The Boston Globe

EDITORIAL

A WEEK OF GLOBE EDITORIALS

Kerry, Tierney lost credibility by funding unneeded engine

Elected representatives have a greater responsibility to draw a line when it comes to projects that are wasteful or unnecessary. Unfortunately, both Massachusetts senators and Representative John Tierney crossed the line when they salvaged a jet engine program that the Pentagon itself does not want. (Boston Globe, 12/27/09)

iPhone apps: Channeling the Gipper

The GOP, which suffered a loss of young voters in the last presidential election, is hoping that a Ronald Reagan iPhone app will inspire a new generation of young people. But the best way for Republicans to win over young people is to discover another Reagan who can make a forward-looking case for American conservatism. (Boston Globe, 12/27/09)

Methane’s growing dangers

With the nation turning to natural gas as a cleaner way of producing electricity, the EPA should place new regulations on methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas that often gets emitted in the production of natural gas. (Boston Globe, 12/27/09)

In seeking funds from colleges, Boston should set clear limits

Pittsburgh recently attempted to enact a tax on students' tuition payments, as a way of getting money out of colleges and universities that don't pay property taxes. Boston is currently studying ways to increase contributionsby tax-exempt institutions, and Pittsburgh's plan is a perfect illustration of how to proceed. (Boston Globe, 12/26/09)

Sign the land mine treaty

The United States has yet to sign the key international agreement supported by a majority of nations to end the making, trading, and stockpiling of land mines. President Obama should break from prior US policy and endorse the Mine Ban Treaty. (Boston Globe, 12/26/09)

Meep: There, we said it

School leaders in Danvers are threatening to suspend students who use the nonsense word "meep." Like much of teenage behavior, it's annoying, but the threat of suspension seems unjustified. (Boston Globe, 12/26/09)

NFL gets real on concussions, but has more work to do

Ultimately, there must be national standards governing how soon brain-injured athletes can return to play and a ceiling on how many concussions a player can be allowed to suffer in his career. (Boston Globe, 12/25/09)

Secrets, lies, and worker safety

OSHA recently discovered that workers are routinely lying about workplace dangers. The lying is inappropriate, and OSHA is justified in changing its procedures to require person-to-person interviews when auditing companies, in order to minimize lying. (Boston Globe, 12/25/09)

Hyde Park: Uniting old and new neighbors

Hyde Park has become a model of multiculturalism. But traditional neighborhood groups are still lacking nonwhite members, and are undertaking admirable efforts to diversify. Keep up the efforts, and good results will come. (Boston Globe, 12/25/09)

Astronomy: Ocean views, just 42 light years away

The discovery of GJ 1214b, a new planet with Earth-like conditions, inspires the imagination at a moment when such musings are most valuable. (Boston Globe, 12/24/09)

Yes, Massachusetts, there is a Santa Claus

The magic of Santa Claus is not only that he lives in people's hearts but also in their deeds: He exists in the belief that generosity of spirit can elevate people everywhere. (Boston Globe, 12/24/09)

Saab: An oddball in peril

The quirky automaker may be shuttering for good. If so, America's roads will be blander. Saabs offer something lacking in most of today's Toyotas, Hondas, Fords, and Chevys: personality. (Boston Globe, 12/25/09)

Gifts and greed at Fenway Park

The generous gesture of allowing Bostonians to skate on the Fenway Park rink turned into a money-making proposition for many residents and scalpers. The city should have managed the program better -- by giving out passes to youth skaters at community rinks, as a way of avoiding scalpers -- but the ultimate discredit is to those who tried to profit off the gift. (Boston Globe, 12/23/09)

Stalin: The gift that keeps on giving

The Russian Communist Party's decision to honor Joseph Stalin on the 130th anniversary of his birth last Monday was an act of atrocious revisionism. Far worse is the fact that Stalin is gaining esteem among Russians. Russia will never truly become a liberal democracy until it adopts a clear-eyed view of its Stalinist past. (Boston Globe, 12/23/09)

New rule on airline waits is a big win for consumers

President Obama's aggressive move against airlines that have passengers wait more than three hours on the tarmac is welcome and overdue. Airlines say they'll have to adjust their schedules, but passengers will accept some limits in the service of a more manageable, reliable schedule. (Boston Globe, 12/23/09)

Photo cards: Heartwarmers, not humbugs

Electronic advances have made sending photo Christmas cards easier than ever. It's an example of how one of the most heartwarming, old-fashioned traditions can be enhanced by technology. (Boston Globe, 12/23/09)

After criminal conviction, Galluccio must quit Senate

With his conviction for leaving the scene of an accident and sentence of house arrest, Anthony Galluccio can no longer successfully represent his Cambridge constituents. In addition, he has demonstrated a longstanding inability to control his drinking, leading to two drunken driving convictions and, possibly, his most recent conviction as well. Yesterday, he flunked his first court-ordered breathalyzer test. If he does not resign, the State Senate should remove him from office. (Boston Globe, 12/22/09)

Snow: Not so hardy after all

All of Boston prides itself on its quick recovery from snow storms, so the city's sluggish response to the first storm of this season was a surprise and a disappointment. (Boston Globe, 12/22/09)

The folding chair returns

With the snow emergency over, new rules ban residents from reserving shoveled-out spaces for their cars. If car owners obey the new policy, parking should be easier throughout their neighborhoods. (Boston Globe, 12/22/09)

Iran’s mourning message

Iran's surprisingly large display of mourning for the late ayatollah -- and leading critic of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei -- shows just how fragile the support for the Iranian regime has become. (Boston Globe, 12/22/09)

Two innovators for school posts

Mayor Menino's list of finalists for two open school-committee slots includes two charter-school leaders. He may be aiming to pressure the teachers union with the implied threat to include them on the panel, but in any case they would bring valuable skills as educational innovators. (Boston Globe, 12/21/09)

Health bill is a step forward, so pass it now and fix it later

The Senate bill is flawed on many levels, but should be approved. It's important to make the commitment to near-universal health coverage now, and work on fixing the flaws later. (Boston Globe, 12/21/09)

In the end, Coakley lands in the right place

She ended up in the right place on the health-care bill, but took a twisty path. Her criticism of rivals for their willingness to sacrifice abortion access for a health overhaul sounds more hollow now that she's endorsed a Senate bill with similar -- but not exactly the same -- abortion language as the House bill. (Boston Globe, 12/22/09)
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