Tag Archives: Boston Globe

ProfessorU writes a letter to the editor

In response to the Globe’s series, Broken City, Professor Ubertaccio wrote the following letter to the editor that was published on Sunday:

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Jeff Jacoby is an Embarrassment

Jacoby, a conservative Boston Globe columnist, has once again shown himself to be a mindless right wing apologist. Last week, he argued that liberals were “idiots” for liking Hugo Chavez. Today, he argues that the Iraq War was essentially worthwhile.

This guy is starting to make Howie Carr look thoughtful. Stay tuned. After the revelations about Nixon that surfaced last week Jacoby is no doubt working on a column praising Tricky Dick’s integrity.

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The “Slow Learners” List is Growing.

I’m going to have to add Globe correspondent Tom Keane to my “slow Learners” list.

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Political Science Explains the News

Recent news stories remind me how much political science can add to understanding (or prevent misunderstanding) of what goes on in politics. So here goes:

Sorry Tagg Romney, your dad Mitt Romney wasn’t going to be president even if his advertisements showed how cuddly he is. Kevin Cullen of the Boston Globe, cheap shot at elected officials the other day – but political science can show you a way to give them proper credit while still suspecting their motives. And the NRA channels a long gone political scientist’s wisdom.

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Political Media: Reader Beware

We can learn a lot about politics from news stories and commentary but we can also be misled at times by poor framing and illogical arguments. There are a couple of good examples from recent pieces on the Scott Brown vs. Elizabeth Warren senate race.

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Candidates Should Debate the American Dream

My latest piece for CommonWealth Magazine online is “Debating the American Dream.” The American Dream consists of two core beliefs: that hard work will be rewarded, and that our children’s prospects will exceed our own. Both of those promises are at great risk in Massachusetts and nationally. The citizens of the commonwealth recognize this so I’ve called for a debate between Senator Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren on topics like increased productivity but no income gains, the deep problems being faced by young adults, and the stalling of economic and social mobility in the nation. Unbeknownst to me when I wrote the article, CommonWealth, the Boston Globe, and WBUR have approached the candidates for a series of debates that would include The American Dream. Click here to read Debating the American Dream. And urge the candidates to agree to the debates proposed by CW and its partners.

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Paul’s Delegates to Tampa Bay

What’s crazier: the idea that some Ron Paul delegates believe their candidate should have a prime time speaking role at the Tampa Bay Convention or the Massachusetts Republican Party’s response to the caucus results earlier this spring?

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Opinion Leaders Divided on Cahill Indictment

One of the more interesting aspects of the Cahill indictment has been the mixed reaction it has gotten among political elites. What might this divided opinion mean for Attorney General Martha Coakley and former Treasurer Tim Cahill?

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It’s Not Easy being AG

Martha Coakley is the most popular politician in the state, according to the Globe.  The memories of the Democrats’ humiliating loss to Scott Brown in 2010 seemed to have faded and speculation turns to another run for higher office by Coakley, who enjoys 62% public approval.  It might be worth remember that Attorneys General have a difficult time transitioning to runs for higher office.  Nearly every one elected since 1966 has tried. And failed.

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Jeff Jacoby: Shoot First, Think Later

I don’t want to make a habit of this but it’s too tempting not to comment on another Jeff Jacoby column in the Boston Globe, Wednesday’s A safer society with guns: statistics make a compelling case for gun ownership. Statistics! It doesn’t get any more certain than statistics.

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