It was transcendent to partake such inspired jazz in the most intimate of settings (where else can you sit so close to the piano you could play a duet with the keyboardist if you reached forward? It was as if he were entertaining in your living room for a few friends.) I was overwhelmed by intense emotional waves and the sense that it doesn’t get any better than being a grandfather and being part of that musical experience. To hell with politics, as long as there is jazz and generations, I’m ecstatic.

It has not escaped my notice that we’ve been governed by the same two political cliques since 1988. A good reason (smile) for a ‘Anybody but Bush AND Clinton’ movement for ’08.

You’ve repeated this before without providing the least shred of evidence that it has any affect whatsoever on womens’ opportunities and chances for promotion and political power.

Not in places like South America and South Asia. It’s interesting that that’s who the US seems to be taking after these days. And anyone who doubts we are adopting an “imperial presidency” should consider what this will look like in the history books: Bush I, Clinton I, Bush II, Clinton II . . .