Strange comments behavior when creating a new post

I’m using WP 2.0.1

When I create a new post/page, it *always* turns comments on. Even if I un-check “Allow Comments” and “Allow Pings”, it will turn them back on as soon as I click the “Create New Page” button. So, for every post or page, I have to then immediately Manage/Edit the page, turn comments and pings off again, then Save. It will then honor the settings and turn both off. It’s only when initially creating the page that I can’t get them off…