Music with messages -- walk like a program director.(TICKET)(The Noise Ordinance)

Byline: DAWN E. SCIRE

With the current state of the world swirling in war talk -- and acts -- uncommonly harsh scrutiny is being afforded matters previously construed as "ordinary," even such seemingly benign elements as song lyrics.

The world's biggest radio network, Clear Channel Communications, has compiled a list of 150 "lyrically questionable" songs that its stations might eliminate according to "local sensitivities," including John Lennon's "Imagine" and Cat Stevens' "Peace Train" and The Bangles' "Walk Like an Egyptian."

"It's not a mandate, it's a suggestion," said Mark Wilson, program director of WCTQ (106.5 FM).

Alex James, program director of WYNF (105.9 FM) echoed Wilson, saying, "It's not a corporate mandate or anything, it's just a suggestion." He also said, …