On the evolution of microRNAs and their targets

A couple of recent papers from the world of plant science.  As always, enjoy.

My ballot

I haven’t voted early, but I’ve pretty much made up my mind.  I’ll be voting for Obama/Biden on Tuesday.

Why, you may ask?  First, let me say it’s not because of the ads that have flooded the airways.  My rule of thumb when it comes to political ads is simple – when one candidate says something about his/her opponent(s), it’s a misrepresentation or outright lie.  That’s politics, they all do it, and I ignore it.

So, what is the difference maker?  How do the two candidates distinguish themselves?  For me, it’s simple.  From the get-go, I’ve felt that the war in Iraq was wrong.  It’s been an unpardonable drain on our economy, it’s done immeasurable damage to relations with our allies, it’s hurt the true war on terror, it’s brought on very frightening collateral damage (a stronger and emboldened Iran, a crumbling Pakistan, an irate Russia, a betrayed Turkey, to name a few), it has been probably the single worst adventure any president has ever embarked upon. One candidate stands up and says the war in Iraq was wrong, the other avoids the question studiously.

Now, I am not saying that I would be against any of the (majority of) politicians who supported the war in 2003.  But I expect that a presidential candidate today who supported the war in 2003 would have the intelligence and courage to admit the error, and pledge to learn from the mistake and avoid similar debacles.  Indeed, before the unfortunate choice of Palin, McCain could have earned my vote by doing just this.  (Don’t get me started on Palin – she’s a disastrous choice for VP, for too many reasons.)

But that’s water under the bridge.  We have a clear choice, and for me there can be only one correct one on Tuesday.

The Truth

That would be Paul Pierce.  When you care that much, you’re a Celtic for Life.

Bring on #18.