The current system of investigating baseball doping is not working. The answer seems pretty simple. The problem, it's too simple to get the okay in today's environment. How about Mitchell calls up some of the guys who we all know used steroids. He should propose one on one meetings with these terms: no stenographer, no media, no penalties or punishments, no holds barred. Just guys getting to the bottom of the problem. How about over a dinner - talking frankly, getting answers. It would be refreshing to hear that undisclosed meetings took place and now Sen. Mitchell has valuable information to work with. But that'll never happen. We live in too much of a fishbowl for that scenario.

One more thought about King's article yesterday - confidence and results. I played baseball through college, I didn't get drafted, and I didn't make the big leagues. Failure? Maybe in some eyes. But, I take satisfaction in knowing that I was passed over for guys who I was better than, and their only edge was injecting themselves with drugs (often for years on end). Making it to the top isn't the end all to be all - what should be valued is being true to yourself and being proud of the decisions you've made in your life. Check and check.

There may be no way to beat the cheaters, but there is a way to not let the cheaters beat you.

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/marketing/market_research/women_power_how_to_market_to_51_of_americans.mspx

"Women purchase or influence the purchase of 80% of all consumer goods"

Or is microsoft some bs company and you don't respect their findings?

Maybe the next generation can calm the rising tides of consumerism. Everyone: the next time your daughter cries about getting new jeans or a cellphone or a handbag, just say no. Can we at least agree that women are culpable for our the majority of unneccesary consumption in America? Then can we agree that women must be the ones to pull the e-brake?

Carrot for the players? Simple. If I'm Sen. Mitchell, while proposing the confidential meeting, I casually mention that we could follow the Giambi approach. Remember, Mitchell could issue a subpoena on suspicion alone. But that wouldn't be necessary if the player was willing to have a man to man off the record.

Is there a stick? I don't think I fully understand that question. My thinking is that the stick is something that Mitchell would have to hold to dangle his carrot (immunity). Maybe a cell phone. Possibly a landline.

Or maybe you're saying that the stick is Mitchell's willingness to get to the bottom of the problem without a formal hearing. Then, I agree, I don't think the stick exists. Wouldn't it be nice if it did.

I largely agree with you. That stat includes things like groceries and many other things that are, in the end, used by both sexes, if not only males. But, I just wish people, women especially, wouldn't covet such trivial things such as shoes and bags.

And to that other person, who suggests that I shouldn't date women who carry around such bags -- you're right, but I didn't go out with her because of her bag, I went out with her because of her can. It's human.

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/reader_feedback/reader_feedback.php?id=173

Why demand it? That just not cool today. As an American, I've noticed it's much cooler to bash America than to embrace it. 'Hip' folks would rather wear around a Che Guevara or Mao t-shirt than one with an American flag on it. We've deemed oursevles the great evil in the universe and I can't help but think that our soccer teams are reflecting that. Our soccer team played a game in Mexico, and our players had to listen to their amazingly ignorant fans chant, 'Osama, Osama!!!' What losers.

I think it's a self-loathing thing. We're too embarassed by our status as world leaders in economics, civil rights and foreign aid. Too frightened to wear the red, white and blue.

To all the America-Hating Americans, you should go to work on the 4th.

which hands out more than we do annually?

you won't find one. you've been tragically bitten by the ignorance bug.

You're right King. I never thought that the officials changed the jerseys as an anti-american move. I just listened to Toby Keith and Alan Jackson a little too loudly this morning on my way to work.

Balance Bar experience?!?! You contributers must not have to deal with the garish advertising Salon makes us sit through to read some articles.

P.W.: You've made a good argument why you think Americans are anti-islam. You've proved that our media doesn't really support Islam. You write about, "a new sort of xenophoia, targeting the entire religion of Islam, as opposed to the extremists within it, has become the norm." That makes sense, but, as an American, I've also noticed an organic, 'new sort of phobia within America, which targets the entire religion of Christianity'. I have to read about Christopher Hitchins on these pages, and Bill Maher and all of these letter writers ridiculing me for being a Christian. If we won't censure them for attacking the religion OUR NATION was founded on, I'm not going to worry about other Americans attacking Islam. Liberals can't have it both ways. You can't DEMAND tolerance to Islamic folks and laugh in the face of American Christians (often your neighbors and childrens teachers - and your parents).

Can't we all agree that if we elect Barack Obama as President, the world will look at us a little more favorably? As superficial and stupid as it is, the world would make an about face if we kicked out Bush and put in a black dude whose middle name is Hussein. It's true.