E-Mail This Article to a Friend QUOTES + NUMBERS Sports and politics

8

Cambridge’s ranking in a study of America’s most liberal cities, according to the Bay Area Voting Research Center, a nonpartisan Berkeley, California–based organization.

24

Boston’s ranking.

1

Detroit’s ranking. The most conservative? Provo, Utah.

231

Number of times the "hidden-ball trick" has been successful in Major League Baseball since 1876, according to the Society for American Baseball research. Mike Lowell of the Marlins used it to tag out the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Luis Terrero in the Marlins’ 10-5 win last week.

11

Number of months ago Lowell pulled off the same trick.

2008

Year in which actor Christopher Walken hopes to be elected president, according to Walken2008.com. The site was revealed to be a hoax.

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Should President Bush meet with Cindy Sheehan a second time?

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LAST WEEK’S RESULTS Is street art just as culturally important as museum or gallery art? Yes 66% No 34%

"I think it’s important for me to be thoughtful and sensitive to those who have got something to say. But I think it’s also important for me to go on with my life ..."

_President Bush, explaining why he will not meet with Cindy Sheehan (shortly after placing a congratulatory call to Phil Mickelson for winning the 2005 PGA Championship).

"How is it possible that Courtney Love looks worse than Kurt Cobain?"

_comedian Jeffrey Ross, after a puffy, barely coherent Love staggered away from the dais at Comedy Central’s roast of Pamela Anderson.