A few quick sports-related links are also in order:

* Norm over at The Shea Hot Corner lists eight reasons why he is leaving Washington, D.C. to return home to New York. I can relate.

* From NJ.com, which presumably is also covering certain other current events, Jason Mastaitis has the latest Mets news, including an encouraging performance last night by Victor Zambrano.

* Tonight is, of course, the opening ceremonies of the Athens Summer Olympics. As I’ve mentioned before, in addition to the American athletes, I’ll be rooting for these guys. Considering all they’ve been through, it is hard not to.