The notion of political correctness has ignited controversy across the land. And although the movement arises from the laudable desire to sweep away the debris of racism and sexism and hatred it replaces old prejudices with new one. It declares certain topics off-limits, certain expressions off-limits, even certain gestures off-limits. What began as a crusade for civility has soured into a cause of conflict and even censorship.

This is a fact: Strength in the pursuit of peace is no vice; isolation in the pursuit of security is no virtue.

Learning is good in and of itself...the mothers of the Jewish ghettoes of the east would pour honey on a book so the children would know that learning is sweet. And the parents who settled hungry Kansas would take their children in from the fields when a teacher came.

A good country song taps into strong undercurrents of family, faith, and patriotism.

Fluency in English is something that I'm often not accused of.

A time of historic change is no time for recklessness.

When America is stronger, the world is safer.