If you think Independence Day is America's defining holiday, think again. Thanksgiving deserves that title, hands-down.

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.

George Bush has become something of an embarrassment.

There is no Senate rule governing the proper uses of the filibuster.

It serves notice that President Bush is serious about promoting freedom, because free societies are a lot more peaceable than dictatorships and monarchies.

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.

George W. Bush broke a mold four years ago: Even though he lost the popular vote, he governed as if he had won by acclamation.