For conservatives, 'Merry Christmas' becomes a cause

These &*@!ers are really getting annoying. There's no phrase I hate more right now than "traditional values." I'm glad you people have values. Values are wonderful guideposts to help you live your lives. You know what? I have values. BILLIONS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE VALUES GOING BACK JUST AS LONG IF NOT LONGER THAN YOURS. That doesn't make them any less "traditional" than yours.

How about if I start bemoaning the split from my ancestor's traditional values of sacrificing oxen to Zeus, huh? Gosh, we haven't bashed anyone over the head with a rock and left him in a peat bog so the crops will grow lately, this world's really gone downhill.

Last time I checked, Jesus preached peace and tolerance for everyone, not just "your kind." Look into your heart and ask, does it really, REALLY ruin your day if a store sign doesn't say Merry Christmas? If it does, you have bigger problems than I can comment on.

Reports out of Boston have Pedro Martinez heading to the New York Mets for 4 years/$50 million. After leading the Sox to their first World Championship in 86 years, it appears that the man who is possibly the best pitcher to ever put on spikes for the Sox is running and taking the money.

And I say, so long.

No doubt, the guy was a phenomenon - he's beloved more than almost any other player on the team, even with his ups and downs and recent struggles. He often talks about the "respect" that an organization would give him, but to him respect = money. I think it does come down to respect - but what he doesn't seem to understand is that it's more than respect between him and the front office - there's respect between them and the rest of the players, respect between the team and the fans. And the Sox were not willing to compromise (much) of that to get him back. Look at the Indianapolis Colts. They've bet the farm on Peyton Manning (100 million) and Marvin Harrison (67 million), leaving them no room for Edgerrin James. Even a 20% cut in what they pay Manning would probably have been enought to keep their top RB, and that's giving respect all around, and to the people who root for them.

The Sox showed Pedro respect by offering him a lucrative contract to finish his career in Boston. He's a slight, 33-year old precision pitcher with a history (personal and family) of shoulder troubles. Four years? Please. Let the Mets take him, let them take the risk. I've been saying for months that I'd love to have him back, but he's not worth what he thinks he's worth. Well, I guess Omar Minaya disagrees with me. The only annoying thing about this is that it comes after the Yanks nabbed Pavano, and the nasty suspicious side of me thinks there's some convenient timing in it, that screwed the Sox like this.

So it's about the respect given. Like I said, people have stuck with Pedro through thick and thin, exactly BECAUSE of the respect they had for him. Well guess what, Petey? You've got no one in New York with sentimental attachments to you. You've got no reporters who write with affection and admiration even while criticizing. It was done out of love, and a genuine desire to see you return to your glory days. You think the media got unfriendly here? Wait till your first Shea shelling. Oh, and remember that you have to bat, now.

So long, Pedro, and thanks for the memories.