An isolationist America is no bloody use to anyone.

Even with politics, stuff comes around again. Woody Guthrie would recognize America today.

The most important thing for anyone, I think, is to be engaged, whether you're an artist or a journalist is to be engaged in the process at some level.

That's what I'm about -- getting engaged. Too many people don't wade in the mud with the politicians.

You can only make political music if you have a context. . . . You cannot make political music in a vacuum. It'd be like me writing songs now about Margaret Thatcher. It'd just make no sense. But I think in the wake of 9-11 people are trying to articulate their feelings.

And just because you're gay, I won't turn you away.
If you stick around, I'm sure we can find some common ground.