In the First Amendment to the Constitution, the Founders made it clear that this was not to be a sky-god nation with a national religion like that of England, from whom we had just separated. It is curious how little understood this amendment is-yes, everyone has a right to worship any god he chooses but he does not have the right to impose his beliefs on others who do not happen to share in his superstitions and taboos.

In America, the race goes to the loud, the solemn, the hustler. If you think you're a great writer, you must say that you are.

The best novelist of my generation is an Italian living in Paris, still working and improving - Italo Calvino.

I can understand companionship. I can understand bought sex in the afternoon, but I cannot understand the love affair.

Laughing at someone else is an excellent way of learning how to laugh at oneself; and questioning what seem to be the absurd beliefs of another group is a good way of recognizing the potential absurdity of many of one's own cherished beliefs.

Terrorism is a direct response to the crimes our government has committed against foreigners (besides which, the actual terrorists are within our own government)

Who gives a damn about being remembered? That's really for amateurs.