Something's wrong when you have to be a kid to win

You are wrong. The Olympics are about the best athletes in the world. If the best athlete in the world is 14, then so be it.

I know Harvard lets in 14 year olds if they can cut it. Is there anything wrong about that?

Merit people. MERIT.

Because it's starting to have that feeling.

At least it wasn't a jersey from his university. That one is an eyesore.

They're showing off beat sports non stop. Womens handball. Rowing. Badminten. Tune in. They've been a bit boxing heavy but that has to die down.

Did anyone catch President Bush on Sunday night? Deeply embarassing.

That was beautiful.

Jessica Biel

I mean, look what he's going through. He's married to an overweight 25 year old child with no spine. Got a feeling he's okay with you leaving.

Only caught bits of last night's event. Wish I saw more. I guess it's all on the internet, meh.

Shawn amazed me with her beam performance during the team competition. Don't remember if it was the prelims or the finals - but that girl stuck everything.

It's almost as if she's too innocent or naive or focused to let pressure get to her. She just does a task. Moves on, does the next task. In other words, the exact opposite of Alicia Sacramone.

I'm interested in seeing if Shawn can do it 4 years from now. Seems to me that 16 is the best age for that sport.

I only wished someone from one of those anti-gay marriage groups could have witnessed the great outpouring of love and respect between Ellen and Portia. Then, they might better understand that love is not about gender ... it's about two people who are totally dedicated to each other and their relationship.

I oppose gay marriage. I fully understand that love isn't about gender. In fact, I wish happiness to any committed couple. Be it gay, straight, or something no one has thought of yet. I know what love is, and I know what marriage is. They aren't the same thing. This quote seems to say that they are the same thing.

I oppose gay marriage because I believe marriage is the societal union of man and woman. I believe it is the optimal setting to raise children - with a mom and a dad. I think that same sex marriage will confuse children and introduce them to a union which I believe is immoral.

Best wishes to Portia and Ellen.

I recognize that some children are raised by one parent - 60% of African American children, for example (from CNNs recent 'Black in America'). I recognize that some children are raised by gay parents.

I feel it is in the best interest of a child to be raised by a married mother and father. It sets a great example and helps teach the child about the dynamics of a household. The institution prepares a person to be able and ready to accept those roles when they are older, should they choose to.

You write: For some couples -- traditional man/woman or not -- marriage may be more about commitment to each other. About, yes, love, and companionship and wanting to commit to togetherness. And making this commitment official, with a symbolic civil ceremony that entails certain civil rights. Why not give them the right to do that?

I want to give them that right. I want gay people to have something called a 'civil union'. This distinction would entail all of the same rights as a marriage. The only difference would be the name. Because, to me, marriage is a sacred bond between and man and a woman.

It seems as if you've misunderstood me.

as I said, the rose by any other name. I live in Georgia (the state, not the beleagured country :/): answer me this -- if civil unions are just the same thing, or so similar, or an appropriate subsitute for gay marriage, how come my state, and so many others, banned it in 2004?

I support Civil Unions bearing all the same rights as Marriages. I understand this is not the case in most states - it is something I'm promoting as a way to help satisfy same sex partners' desire to have their relationship sanctioned by the state. In other words - I'm suggesting a whole new set of rules. I support commitment, therefore I support Civil Unions. I want them to be legal in all US territories. We're not there yet.

You go on to say, If you think gay people are evil, are tainted by Satan, and they deserve to die, be executed, and be smited by God (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13), just say so: it's more honest than pretending you simply disagree with them, that "God loves the sin and not the sinner" (yeah, right), and that you can be their friends, otherwise.

I don't think gay people are evil. I'm guessing you think I am a bible-thumping fundy. I'm not. I confess I have gone to church from time to time. I confess I've turned to God when my life has been overwhelming. But I don't take the Bible literally. I'm okay with homosexuality. I trust adults to make their own decisions. Nevertheless, I feel it is better for society to take steps to encourage the sancity of a marriage as a reserved for a man and a woman. I think that because I believe it is the best environment to raise children (see my other letters). And, as we all know, the children are our future.

I don't want children to see same sex marriages (I may have worded that very poorly). I feel it could introduce the idea of homosexuality prematurely. If the kid wants to grow up and be gay - that's fine. I just don't want it promoted as the same thing as heterosexual marriage. Because it isn't. It's something very different. It is an alternative lifestyle.