Progressive Values Stories: Zeus Yiamouyiannis on Innovation and

I like to tell people I'm an old-school conservative, with personal responsibility in the sense of honoring traditions, the wisdom that's gone before you -- particularly during the depression era generation -- incredible wisdom around sticking together, in terms of getting by on very little.

And I think these kinds of values help give you a good foundation. If you take the best of the different traditions, a good progressive isn't so much balancing, but integrating. They've been made the opposites, but they ought not be. But by bringing them together, and the thing that makes a progressive distinct from either a liberal or a conservative in my opinion, is their ability to take the wisdom before them, but integrate it and go forward in a new, imaginative and innovative way. That's to me what makes a progressive progressive.

It's about respect

That self-respect translates later into the motivation to overcome the next challenge. In competition and life, it's up to the athlete to take what they've learned and put it to good use. Next time you watch your kid at a sporting event keep in mind the lack of respect some of them show for each other, their coaches, and most of all, the one with his head down who has none for himself. .

Determination trumps Spurrier's '07 disappointment

Attitude.

"Everything we do is about finishing the season strong, and to do that we have to have toughness, discipline and attitude," senior receiver Kenny McKinley said. "Coach went out and got us some great players in recruiting, he brought in great coaches, and there's no reason now that we shouldn't win."

With victories during his tenure over Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, Spurrier said he believes the Gamecocks are nearing the time to take the program to the next level. And he may finally have the talent to do it.

"We need to win the (SEC East) division somewhere along the way," said Spurrier, 63. "That's the next step we need to take, or else if that doesn't happen in about five years, then probably somebody else needs to try to do it because we've got a lot of good players.

Give us a big, manly hug

It is affectionate but manly, and combines the attitude of the modern metrosexual with the physicality of rutting stags.

Obviously, social intimacy between men is not necessarily the preserve of societies with enlightened attitudes towards homosexuality, otherwise Saudi Arabia (where men hold hands) would be a bastion of tolerance. However, Pat Fitzpatrick of the University of Limerick's department of sociology believes that the lingering reticence about public displays of affection is not solely down to Irish men's fears that their sexuality might be compromised or questioned.

"Men tend to monitor and police their emotionality for anything that might appear feminine," he says. "So there would be a distancing from anything that contains expressions of femininity.

The ethical lesson of humility

Politicians with the wisdom and moral clarity to keep their decisions free of influence and potential corruption. It's not only the right thing to do, but one shining example of humility. They had to humble themselves (put their own desire, self-worth, self-estimation aside) for the good of the county.

Contrary to popular belief, humility is a sign of strength, not weakness. This is something our national leaders need more of and the candidates for president should strongly embrace.

Last week, President Bush summoned a handful of conservative columnists to the Oval Office for a mostly off-the-record briefing. We discussed a range of topics, including gas prices, FISA and Iraq.

On this day, Mr. Bush (who at many times has shown acts of humility) seemed particularly feisty and had a lot to say.

The champion that time forgot: Why do we find it so hard to love

The athlete's irreverent attitude to his intimate life changes once Scotty's left, and we sit down to talk, at around 10.30 at night, in the Leogrand's empty restaurant. He orders a hot chocolate. "Do you miss it?" I ask.

Thompson, who now works as a motivational trainer for individuals and corporations, but still speaks about his athletic career in the present tense, doesn't need reminding what "it" might be. "Every day. Not a day goes by when I don't wish I was still doing it. Being selfish, training, no responsibilities. To be honest" – this last phrase is one that Thompson uses frequently – "all I ever wanted to be was the best. I don't enjoy fame."

"Didn't you once talk enviously about 'those 100-metre guys; they're so glamorous...'?"

"That was before I knew what fame was like.

The spin doctor, Monty Panesar, will see you now

It is this can-do attitude and boundless enthusiasm that have helped Panesar to become the only Sikh to play for any national cricket team apart from India. At times it has looked an uphill struggle and he’s the first to admit he is not always a natural athlete.

"I’m aware of it and I realise it’s important to work on that aspect of my game, but I enjoy working hard and I have no problem putting the hours in. It takes an elephant time to turn round, too."

For every detractor, there are dozens of fans, many wearing a homemade patka (the proper name for the small turban Panesar wears) and cheering on "the Montster", another of his many nicknames. On YouTube, the video-sharing website, fans have posted a song about "the man with enormous hands".