World

IN THE electric-blue state of Pennsylvania, I often find myself defending my limited support for President Bush. I wouldn't describe myself as a red-blooded conservative, though I have been known to strike an extremely conservative pose on some issues. But recently I have tired of defending a man mocked and criticized by blood-thirsty liberals who refuse to see anything but the worst. Perhaps, in one final attempt, someone might listen. It strikes me as odd that so many were ready to crucify Bush after his first term.

ASUMMER SOMETHING to rave about: The gorgeous arrangement of perennial flowers and ornamental grasses has graced the median of Spring Garden Street for nearly a decade, but this year the color is particularly arresting. The arrangement is part of the "public landscape" program of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Philadelphia Green, which since 1987 has worked with corporations, government and ordinary citizens to transform the public areas that mark visitors' entrances into the city.

Switzerland's Stephane Lambiel won the men's world figure skating gold medal yesterday in Moscow, impressing judges with his imaginative spins and solid jumps. He finished ahead of Canada's Jeffrey Buttle while American Evan Lysacek, at the worlds for the first time, won the bronze. U.S. champion Johnny Weir, his foot ailing, entered the free skate in seventh place and rallied to fourth.

Sally Quinn writes for the Washington Post When I was little, I had a recurrent dream that there was a terrible earthquake. My father, his body a horse with wings, swooped down from the sky, kneeled so I could jump on his back, and flew away just as the earth cracked open beneath me. It was my most comforting dream. I want to live in that world again. I want to live in John McCain's world. My father was a military man. My parents were friends of McCain's parents and lived in the same apartment building.

Two harness-racing world records were set and another equaled at Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack yesterday. Mister Big, driven by Brian Sears, won his division of eliminations for next Sunday's $500,000 Ben Franklin final in 1:48.1, a record for all ages and either sex on a 5/8-mile oval. Artistic Fella, driven by Tim Tetrick, won the second elimination in 1:48.2, equaling a world record for older pacers on a 5/8-mile track. Also advancing to the Franklin final from the first elimination were Mr. Feelgood (Andy Miller)

"Stop the World, I Want to Get Off," a musical with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, starring Anthony Newley and Suzie Plaksin, directed by Anthony Newley. At Valley Forge Music Fair, through Sunday. When it first sailed over from London 24 years ago, "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off" was billed as a "new-style" musical. Flaunting the traditions of big-budget, big-name, multi-scene shows, "Stop the World" creator and star Anthony Newley opted for a freaky, no- frills staging approach - borrowing a bit from the circus, mime and Greek theater.

Michael Phelps wants to change the sport of swimming. Cullen Jones might just beat him to it. Jones, of Newark, N.J., became the rare black swimmer to claim a world championship, joining Phelps, Neil Walker and Jason Lezak on a U.S. team that just missed setting another world record while winning the 400-meter freestyle relay yesterday in Melbourne, Australia. "Obviously, he's a role model to a lot of athletes," said Lezak, who has become something of a mentor to Jones, 23. "It's a tough job. He's got a whole community on his shoulders.

Tim Montgomery hears the question, and his eyes sparkle, his smile emits enough light to illuminate a room. He can only envision what is to come, and it has nothing to do with lowering his world record in the 100-meter dash. The world's fastest man and his girlfriend, the world's No. 1-ranked woman in the 100 meters, Marion Jones, are having a baby in July. The imagination runs wild. "The funniest comment I've heard? It's 'How are y'all going to be able to catch him when he starts crawling?

IF THE PUBLIC bears umbrage against teachers for perceived underperformance, consider the moon - and Mars. However imperfect our practices, teachers are indirectly responsible for propelling America to both, as we taught the scientists and engineers who took us there how to read and write and think and live. The moral and economic imperatives, then as now, demand that teachers stand up and believe in who they are and what they've done. It's not hard, even though much of the reportage wrongfully sells us short.

I have often inquired of myself what great principle or idea it was that kept this great confederacy so long together. It was not the mere matter of separation of the colonies from the motherland, but that sentiment in the Declaration of Independence which gave liberty not alone to the people of this country but hope to all the world for all future time. It was that which gave promise that in due time, the weights would be lifted from the shoulders of all men and that all should have an equal chance.