Art evokes emotion. It doesn't have to be a thing of beauty.

I never play golf because it takes too long, and the business connections it produces can be made just as easily over an early breakfast.

I'd be bored to death if I spent all my time with other businesspeople, bankers and lawyers.

I am old enough to remember when America's K-12 public schools were the best in the world. I am a proud graduate of them, and I credit much of my success to what I learned in Detroit Public Schools and at Michigan State University.

Civilizations are not remembered by their business people, their bankers or lawyers. They're remembered by the arts.

I believe that a newspaper is a great civic asset and that ownership is best in the hands of foundations or wealthy families that want to own it for reasons other than maximizing profits. I also believe newspapers should remain in local hands.

Public education is the key civil rights issue of the 21st century. Our nation's knowledge-based economy demands that we provide young people from all backgrounds and circumstances with the education and skills necessary to become knowledge workers. If we don't, we run the risk of creating an even larger gap between the middle class and the poor. This gap threatens our democracy, our society and the economic future of America.