Update: Arizona State University, at 5:50 pm on May 23, 2008, has reinstated its wrestling program after receiving financial support from local civic leadership. I'm not sure if this makes me look really smart or really stupid. Arizona State is able to keep in line with Title IX requirements because women's swimming and diving fall under the same budget, although the men only have diving. The men now have 9 sponsored sports and the women 11 (technically 12, but if it helps keep a sport, I'll call it 11), preserving a ratio comparable to the student body. jmj

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal assistance."

John Edwards is out for John Edwards. Not unity among Democrats. Not middle class white people. Not Barack Obama. Just John Edwards. And Christopher Beam should know this.

Starting Point

For the first time in this election season, I like the words coming out of McCain's mouth. Why? They closely resemble Obama's (which isn't metioned in this New Yorker column). The Republican frontrunner, in an attempt to separate himself from Bush the Younger, calls his opponent a "compatriot." That means that being a Democrat, criticizing the system, wanting to get troops out of Iraq, and being willing to talk to our enemies no longer means not being a patriot. A step in the right direction. Unfortunately the author takes one step to far when he pipedreams of a McCain-Obama / Obama-McCain sharing of the VP. He said the two should offer each other second-in-line. Never. Going. To. Happen. (Proof later.)

Manny the Person

Manny Ramirez is widely known for his antics on the field. Some receive praise, but most receive negative feedback. Often criticized for his laissez-faire attitude and 'showing up the opposing pitcher', all of which widely publicized, Manny is always smiling at the plate or in left field. He talks to the media a heck of a lot more than he should (although half of what he says makes absolutely no sense), ultimately resulting in Manny shrugging off the backlash of his comments while reporters wonder what is going on in his head. But the Boston Red Sox know one thing: they'll get more good than bad with Manny Ramirez.