I didn't want to portray the wrong idea of the kind of person I am.

University of Minnesota football star Ben Hamilton, on turning down a spot on Playboy magazine's prestigious preseason All-America team. Mr. Hamilton, an All-America selection last season as a junior, said the publication is at odds with his Christian beliefs. "I know, football wise, it'd probably be bad to turn down something like this," he said, "but football is not the most important thing in my life."

It's not about blessing unions, it's about blessing sex outside of marriage.

Episcopal Bishop Bertram Herlong, on a proposal before the Episcopal Church USA to develop ceremonial rites for unmarried couples in monogamous relationships, including same-sex unions. The church's General Convention last week rejected the proposal.

He'll do anything for votes.

Matt Lauer, co-star of NBC's Today, on Al Gore's delivery of muffins to Judge Judith Sheindlin (TV's "Judge Judy"), whom Mr. Lauer was interviewing on live television. Judge Judy was irritated that the vice presidential staff had hogged the Today Green Room, where interview guests relax and eat snacks before going on the air, denying her breakfast before her appearance. A staffer reportedly urged Mr. Gore "you better get out there, sir" upon learning of the popular TV judge's anger.

You are wasting your money, and you may be wasting your life.

UNAIDS official Joseph Perriens, on results of a study showing that women who use the spermicide nonoxynol-9 to protect themselves from HIV nearly tripled their risk of contracting the AIDS virus.

Right now, parents are flying blind.

British Columbia Attorney General Andrew Petter, supporting a move by that province to classify a graphically violent computer game, "Soldier of Fortune," as an adult movie, making it illegal to sell or rent the game to anyone under 18.