"The quality that defines us as Americans is the courage to respond to being hit. The courage to root out and destroy the killers. And, most importantly, the courage to hold on to our values and protect our hard-won freedoms while doing it."

"One of the pleasant duties of America's most famous announcers during the relatively short swing era of the big bands was to host late-night remotes from some of the most famous ballrooms throughout the country."

"Respect and affection for animals, particularly those who share our homes, recognize no geographic borders."

"It is impossible to exaggerate the wide, and widening, gulf between the American attitude on the Iraq war and the view from our friends across the Atlantic."

"Without music, life would be a mistake."

"His was a great sin who first invented consciousness. Let us lose it for a few hours."

"Failure in the theater is more dramatic and uglier than any other form of writing. It costs so much, you feel so guilty."

"I failed first grade, which is my biggest problem. You always feel like a failure, like you're stupid."