Aces Full of Links

I don't have a problem with birth control at a young age. I think it is smart. BUT, I do think you need parental consent, even if the parent is too obtuse to give it.

Leslie: The first thing I thought of when I heard about this is that perhaps the school board was concerned that some kids were being molested by family members and weren't able to prove it to the state's anti-abuse agency.

I know that's a miserably morbid thought, but I did immediately wonder if this decision had been prompted by something specific that no one there can talk about.

I have to agree with Manny, who said:

"If it doesn't happen, so, who cares?" Ramirez said. "There's always next year. It's not like it's the end of the world."

It's a game. If we win, that's great. If we don't, the world will still revolve. There's no point in getting all stessed out about it, specifically if you're a player and the worrying puts you into a tailspin.

I am much calmer about these things since we won in 2004. What will be will be.

For those of you trying to read about Klutzo the creepy child predator, try this link:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/offbeat/2007/10/christian_clown_busted_for_kid.html

I had a friend who worked for some kind of national abortion hotline in DC, and she said a huge number of the calls she took were from people who started out with some long tirade about how they were 100% against abortion, BUT their daughter needed one because she was impregnated by a family member, so how does she get one?

I'm with Patti on the Manny thing. He was saying they'll be back next year win or lose. They have a good team. But if they lose, the sun will still come up tomorrow...

It's just not what I want to hear from a player just before the game.

AFTER the game, yes. BEFORE it sounds like you've given up.

Why should I watch if you've already made your peace with losing? Make your peace with it afterwards.

Try going into work before a big meeting where your boss is counting on you and tell him: "Eh, if we lose this client, it's no big deal. There will be other clients."

(fixed the link - thanks, Patti!)

I hear your point, but the analogy might be more accurate if the conversation were between you and a trade reporter. And you were to tell the reporter, "We're going to do everything we can to get this contract. But if we don't, it's not the end of the world. It's not like the company is going to collapse or anything."

Patti and Brian, it would be very sad if you had any other attitude about the Red Sox. However, Manny is getting paid how much to be competitive? That's his job -- to compete. I agree with James, it sounds like he's already given up. This is not the weekend neighborhood game.

Maggie - I heard the quote on the radio and it sounded more to me like he was trying to put it in perspective. It didn't sound like he had given up at all. The context was in response to all the panicking fans who are mad at the team or the manager for not making the right moves.

The correct response to the panicking fans is: winning. This is the Red Sox we're talking about, and Red Sox fans!

In any case, Cleveland's Mastny is currently walking the Sox towards a win, walking Youk to bring Ortiz (!) up. Maybe Manny was trying to lull them into a false sense of security.

Too much f-ing perspective! ;-)

But, yeah, duh, it's not the end of the world. When you say that to your fans, however, who pay obscene ticket prices to attend your games, then it sounds like you're getting paid too much. If it's not the end of the world, then maybe you shouldn't be getting the salary you get, because you losing really is the ultimate failure in your job, dude.

That said, that was a fun game to watch! And now I am tired!!

I hate to say that quote was just "Manny being Manny" but there it is. you have to remember who manny is. He's a a 30 something year old who hasn't matured beyond a normal teenager because he also happens to be one of the best hitters in the world.

I think his point is that once the game starts it doesn't matter to him whether it's potentially the last game of the season or a meaningless game in April. Manny always tries his best (hitting anyway) regardless of the situation. THe should go back to keeping his mouth shut, but then everybody complains that he won't talk to the press.

OK Jim Caple over at ESPN.com explains further (and better)

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2007/columns/story?columnist=caple_jim&id=3070068

He can do whatever he wants, including storing his foot in his mouth, as long as he keeps hitting.