The Podium

Law doesn't justify Trayvon Martin's death

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:09:45 GMT

By Nancy Gertner The words on the 911 tape were familiar ones. I have heard them many times before: suspicious, black, teenager, hoodie, touching his waist band, up to no good. This time they were not from a police...

A game-changer in the fight against HIV

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:58:44 GMT

By Sean Cahill Initial results from clinical prevention trials of pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis (PrEP), in oral pill form indicate that PrEP could be the game changer needed to more effectively fight HIV. PrEP involves taking antiretroviral medications to prevent HIV. PrEP...

As economy climbs, don't leave people with disabilities behind

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:22:20 GMT

By James Brett and Alexis Henry When it comes to hiring people with disabilities, many employers are hesitant. Its an honest reaction. But that doesnt make it any less unsettling, given how far businesses have come in hiring practices...

Primary care -- it's the place for me

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:23:54 GMT

By Anna Goldman Why dont you aim higher? Youre too smart for that. Its a familiar reaction when medical students tell their teachers they are considering a career in primary care. On the first day of my third year...

Arts education needs to be protected

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:35:43 GMT

By Thomas M. Menino and Laura Perille In the 1840s, Horace Mann, the great champion of public education, insisted that each and every Boston child not just the wealthy or the talented should learn how to draw....

Doing dual eligibility right

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:26:49 GMT

By Laurie Martinelli There are approximately 105,000 people between the ages of 21 and 64 enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid here in Massachusetts. These individuals, known as dual eligibles, represent some of the toughest cases in health care....

Higher inflation will save the economy

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:09:04 GMT

By Rich Barlow The Federal Reserves recent announcement that interest rates will stay low for the next three years confirmed how sick the economy remains. The Fed simultaneously declared it would hold inflation to just 2 percent annually. But that...

Is birth control the new abortion?

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:03:31 GMT

By Julie Burkhart More and more, in states across the country, it is becoming clear; birth control is the new abortion. Abortion has always been a divisive issue, wrapped up in questions of morality and human rights. Birth control, on...

Sparking a child's interest in science and technology

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:55:56 GMT

By JD Chesloff Young children are inquisitive learners who ask an average of 76 questions per hour. They are natural scientists and engineers who learn Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts through play. Research confirms that the brain...

Women's colleges tap underutilized leadership talent

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:57:05 GMT

By Helen Drinan In a few short months, thousands of newly minted college graduates will leave Boston with dreams of future success. According to the U.S. Census, more than half of these students will be women; and according to...

A civics test for Americans

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:15:44 GMT

By George Nethercutt Newsweek published an article months ago entitled How Dumb Are We? It addressed the results of a 20-question survey to 1,000 American adults, testing their knowledge of basic American history and posing the same questions that...

With Nstar deal , state gets jobs and economic growth

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:39:17 GMT

By Peter Rothstein Governor Patricks recently announced merger deal between Northeast Utilities and Nstar does more than just protect against rate increases for years to come it enhances the states national leadership in the clean energy innovation economy...

A step in the wrong direction

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:46:33 GMT

By Steven Grossman and Gloria Cordes Larson When The Boston Club reported in its 2010 census of the 100 largest public corporations in Massachusetts that only 11.3 percent of their board seats were filled by women, our reaction was...

Helping prisoners with community reentry

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:15:23 GMT

By Michael J. Ashe Jr. Recently, the state released a Corrections Master Plan in response to a mandate by Governor Deval Patrick to define the most cost effective approach for investing capital to create a more integrated and efficient (correctional)...

Buying sex? It will cost you

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:44:04 GMT

By Ed Davis and Swanee Hunt Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery in this country. A century and a half later, people are still bought and sold here in Boston. Attorney General Martha Coakley warns that human trafficking is the...