Why can't we simply borrow what is useful to us from Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, especially Zen, as we borrow from Christianity, science, American Indian traditions and world literature in general, including philosophy, and let the rest go hang? Borrow what we need but rely principally upon our own senses, common sense and daily living experience.

A man's duty? To be ready -- with rifle or rood -- to defend his home when the showdown comes.

Tofu and futons. The adepts of Orientalism seem to spend most of their lives reclining. They can't quite summon the energy to crawl up onto a chair. Even their Yogic exercises are carried out in a prone or sitting position.

What our economists call a depressed area almost always turns out to be a cleaner, freer, more livable place than most.

Freedom begins between the ears.

A life without tragedy would not be worth living.

Life is too tragic for sadness: Let us rejoice.