My initial response to the video was the same as most writers: "why does ANYONE pay this woman to appear on their show!?!!". But, I have to say that I really like Forest's take on it.

And not only Coulter; the MSM should be inviting O'Reilly, Hannity, et al to sit down for interviews as frequently as possible--provided the interviewer is as prepared and as fearless as Stewart or Colbert. These twits rarely pass up an opportunity for self-promotion, and if--over and over again, day in and day out--the bright light of reason and compassion could shine on these cave-dwellers the era of their ascendancy would soon be over; ended by the sudden realization of red state voters everywhere that the people they believe speak for them are nitwits who love self-congratualtion and loathe everything else.

Okay MSM...bring it on.

This column was a bit of a shock to me as I, having cable for the first time in about 10 years and currently sentenced to the couch day in and day out while I rest from an ailment, have been basking in all of the LL coverage!

The last time I watched the LL series was back in the late 80's when I was barely in my 20's and ABC broadcast only the finals. I was also not nearly the baseball fan I am today. It was cute, but whatever.

Now? I can't wait for coverage to begin. I love watching every game, domestic and international!

I've been blown away by the emotion of these little guys on the ballfield! Sure, they do their best to appear dispassionate; but until you've ridden the adolescent hormone ride and had to pretend everything's cool, man when you're insides are tearing you to pieces, you can't really hide shit.

I mean did you see the pitcher from Lamont, IL when he let the winning runs across in the bottom of the 5th? He was crying on the mound! And still barely together when he came up in the lead off spot in the 6th (that was a bad call btw, he was safe...which brings me to another point:

Rooting for your team is an entirely different proposition when watching kids this age. I live near Portland, OR, so naturally I'm rooting for Beaverton. But, as they took the lead over IL yesterday my excitement for my team on their way to a win was, almost simultaneously, tempered by watching the boys from Illinois realize that their season was just about over despite their great play and hard work. One doesn't root against a team at this level in the way one might root against the Yankees, for instance. That is a welcome difference.

All of the big production tricks and the video introductions? Yeah, they make it a bit more like the college or pro telecast, but do you think the kids mind? Seriously? They're out there everyday emulating their big league heroes (or in the case of Beaverton, their college league heroes). You KNOW they finished their taping and the nerves and the "this doesn't phase me" act vanished into a shit eating grin as they watched the playback with computer graphics and soundtrack. Come on! They're having the time of their lives. Let 'em have it, King.

And one last point: as for the desire to win at any cost. I really don't believe that it's the adults forcing that on the kids. Every youth league sports team I was on from 3rd grade until my freshman year of high school lost miserably! I was on a soccer team in 3rd and 4th grade that scored 2 goals and won 1 game in three seasons! I had a blast!!! Likewise for my pop-warner football team although we faired a bit better. But, when my varsity football team my junior year of high school made it to the playoffs nobody had to tell me that I should want like hell to win. Nobody! That came naturally. I think that once you've played long enough and well enough to get to a loser goes home situation, at ANY level, in a game that you love to play, that brings you so much joy, that takes you out of yourself in a way nothing so far in your life has, nobody needs to instill in you a desire to win. That's hooey!

Do adults exploit kids for their own gain? Of course. Are the kids all that worse off for it? I doubt it. I won't miss a single inning of this stuff this year. It's great baseball. It's ridiculously entertaining. It's even, dare I say it, inspiring.

I was a teen in the eighties when there wasn't a Starbuck's anywhere but Seattle (and I didn't live there). Where I lived was anywhere we could get a cup of joe before school: 7-11 was the preferred joint, but Dunkin' Donuts or McDonalds worked just fine too. Most of the kids (male and female) I hung with were drinking at least one 16-20oz cup a day from freshman year on.

Ms.Mieszkowski, what universe were you living in as a teen that you are SO shocked by teens at Starbucks. Oh, my bad...you're simply posturing so you can get your work published. I can dig it.

Keep on keepin' on. The world can never have too many media created controversies. It IS the engine of our economy after all.

Yikes.