The arts and humanities are vastly more important in troubled times.

It is hard to cement any relations with any country based on promises that may not be deliverable.

I am appalled by the notion of cultural wars.

There's probably a little greater case for pessimism than optimism. But I do not rule out optimism.

There are words bandied about that are being misused - words like 'socialism,' words like 'communism,' words like 'fascism.

Iraqis have held elections and have recently put together their government, all encouraging developments.

America is very decentralized in how it supports the humanities, unlike European countries where virtually everything stems from the central government.