Mr. Munn of the RIAA asks, “Is it okay to shoplift if you disagree with the prices a shop charges?”

Since he brought up the topic of theft, I oblige and ask him, “Is it okay to charge outrageous prices such as $15-20 for a CD that contain maybe two high-quality songs and eight others as filler?” That is what is referred to in modern parlance as “a ripoff,” theft unto itself. Which brings up another topic: You in the recording industry have changed the playing field. Up until a decade or so ago, most albums were solid pieces of work that were worth the cash shelled out. Now, it’s all about “singles” and an increasing number of one-hit wonders. Charge $1-2 for each single, depending on its quality and popularity, and call it a day. You may not change your paradigm and continue to charge the same prices.

Do you expect us, the consumers, to go along with this unpoliced daylight robbery? Wake up and smell the plastic, Mr. Munn. Why do you think Robin Hood is considered a hero?

[Besides, this man has obviously never heard of XM radio and mix tapes.]

The following is what I wrote DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe in my recently completed DNC Presidential Strategy Poll.

“The Democratic party is on the verge of extinction due to the lack of a collective spine and direction. While the Dems could be picking the incumbent president apart, they waste precious time and resources groveling before the growing insecurity of a largely undereducated populace by blindly supporting current “anti-terrorism” measures. The two-party system is no longer valid/relevant in the reality of today’s America; progress cannot be achieved by catering to the center. While I most probably shall vote D out of a sheer need to get the current administration ousted, please know that I am no longer proud of the Democratic party. Suggestion: Groom invigorating young leaders who are willing to take a risk!”

According to the latest news, “The US may need a new Secretary of State in 2005.”

Very good, reporting staff! Yes, if a second Bush term isn’t a foregone conclusion, we may very well need a new Secretary of State. And I’m sure the nation is going to shed tears over the departure of a man who hasn’t uttered an original word in over 3 years.

As Wiley suggested, all you need is blank paper and crayons to be a news reporter anymore.

Newsflash: “The new US Secretary of State may be resuscitated from the old Reagan pantheon.”

People almost inevitably ask me what my name means. Maitri is the Sanskrit word for friendship or amity. The Buddha was named Maitri or Maitreya as he is seen to be the epitome of frienship. However, there is yet another lesser-known reason for the choice of my name, which stems from decades of Vedantic studies on the part of my parents.

Maitreyi was the wife of Yagnavalkya, a revered sage of ancient India. There are four stages in a Brahmin male’s life – studenthood, marriage, retirement, and renouncement. Yagnavalkya, having reached the renouncement stage of his life, got up to the point where he was to leave his wife (cutting all earthly bonds including marriage) and walk into the forest to spend the rest of his days in meditation, contemplation, and eventual death. (Note: The life expectancy of the average Indian male back then was much shorter than it is today.) Maitreyi was quite put off by this; partially because he was leaving, but mostly at the fact that he hadn’t explained the meaning of life to her before his farewell. So, she sat him down and pestered him with questions on the nature of existence and what life is all about. Following this exchange, Maitreyi, too, decided to up and leave on her very own walk-about.

This Socratic dialogue between Maitreyi and Yagnavalkya is the crux of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, one of the most important Hindu texts ever written, in the context of Vedanta. The nature of existence is examined and explained in a nutshell, while being discovered by a novice. Additionally, it is the first instance of a woman asking questions on par with a man and her playing the role of a renunciate as well. So, I was named for a very strong and curious woman who desired to use her brain to gain understanding and awareness.

My brother, similarly, was named for the warrior hero of the Mahabharatha. The parents had high expectations for us, it seems.