Certainly, the international image of the United States today is a lot less positive than 10 years ago. And that really shouldn't be, because you have been the victims of this awful terrorist attack, and I think America deserves the sympathy of the world.

Mixing pop and politics he asks me what the use is / I offer him embarrassment and my usual excuses.

I was in a little punk band and we put out a few punk records that weren't very political, at all.

I try and write honestly about what I see around me now.

My theory is this; I'm not a political songwriter. I'm an honest songwriter.

Our neighbors shake their heads And take their valuables inside While my countrymen piss in the fountains To express their national pride.

If you can't see that the glass is half full, you can never be a socialist. You have to believe in the goodness of the majority of people to be a socialist. You have to believe that if the majority of people had their way, they would make a society that would be fair for everyone. If you don't believe that, and if you think that the glass is always half empty, then you're never going to have that sensibility.