Nobody seems more obsessed by diet than our antimaterialist, otherworldly, New Age, spiritual types. But if the material world is merely illusion, an honest guru should as content with Budweiser and bratwurst as with raw carrot juice, tofu, and seaweed slime.

Life is cruel? Compared to what?

Life imitates art -- but badly.

An economic system which can only expand or expire must be false to all that is human.

Poetry -- even bad poetry -- may be our final hope.

Home is where, when you have to go there, you probably shouldn't.

Writing on the wall: Will trade three blind crabs for two with no teeth.