Paradise is the here and now, the actual, tangible, dogmatically real Earth on which we stand. Yes, God bless America, the Earth upon which we stand.

Congress is always willing to appropriate money for more and bigger paved roads, anywhere -- particularly if they form loops.

The ready availability of suicide, like sex and alcohol, is one of life's basic consolations.

Grand opera is a form of musical entertainment for people who hate music.

One can imagine a sane, healthy, cheerful human society based on no more than the principles of common sense, as validated each day by work, play, and living experience. But this remains the most utopian and fantastic of ideals.

Motherhood is an essential, difficult, and full-time job. Women who do not wish to be mothers should not have babies.

Great art is never perfect; perfect art is never great.