Yet, it ought to be obvious that good music generally occupies a higher plane that mere politics. Great writers can express moods through melody and capture experiences we share most powerfully - love, lust, longing; joy, rage, fear; triumph, yearning and confusion.

Today there are about 40 million retirees receiving benefits; by the time all the baby boomers have retired, there will be more than 72 million retirees drawing Social Security benefits.

Many people don't give a rip about politics and know as much about public affairs as they know about the topography of Pluto.

President Bush has committed billions to the fight against AIDS, thus making retroviral drugs available to millions of HIV-positive Africans.

Sure, science involves trial and error. Scientists refine theories each day. But as they do, they help us grasp more clearly the wonders of the world and the universe.

Government never falls lower than when decent people dutifully excuse their leaders' sins.

It is a common mistake these days to politicize anything and everything, including music.