The reelection of Bill Clinton is as secure as a double-knot tied in wet rawhide.

One finds oneself saying: 'I know the right question, but ... this is not exactly the right time to ask it.'

Once the herd starts moving in one direction, it's very hard to turn it, even slightly.

Texas: 32 electoral votes, another of the so-called big enchiladas or if not an enchilada at least a huge taco.

Covering the civil-rights movement was a mind- and eye-opener for me. Houston was a segregated society, as was Texas as a whole - some of it by law, a lot of it by fear and tradition. But there was no violence where I lived, and if there was hate, it was either concealed from me or I just didn't recognize it.

I respect and empathize with reporters and editors who must compete in today's environment. And I know full well that when I've been covering campaigns, which I still do, I've made my mistakes and have been far from perfect.

I've tried everything. I can say to you with confidence, I know a fair amount about LSD. I've never been a social user of any of these things, but my curiosity has carried me into a lot of interesting areas.