Years ago I used to think it was possible for a novelist to alter the inner life of the culture. read more

Years ago I used to think it was possible for a novelist to alter the inner life of the culture. Now bomb-makers and gunman have taken that territory. They make raids on human consciousness. What writers used to do before we were all incorporated.

Is it the extremist, or the media, that blow things up

Is it the extremist, or the media, that blow things up

The world today has a strong democratic core shaped by American ingenuity, sacrifice, and spirit. But on the periphery are read more

The world today has a strong democratic core shaped by American ingenuity, sacrifice, and spirit. But on the periphery are many unstable and dangerous places, where terrorists seek to impose a medieval dark age. As we learned so brutally and so personally, we do face a new threat. But we also face a renewed choice - between isolation in a perilous world, which I believe is impossible in any event, and engagement to shape a safer world which is the urgent imperative of our time.

If the battle for civilization comes down to the wimps versus the barbarians, the barbarians are going to win.

If the battle for civilization comes down to the wimps versus the barbarians, the barbarians are going to win.

Intolerance betrays want of faith in one's cause.

Intolerance betrays want of faith in one's cause.

Intolerance is a form of egotism, and to condemn egotism intolerantly is to share it.

Intolerance is a form of egotism, and to condemn egotism intolerantly is to share it.

We plan to eliminate the state of Israel and establish a purely Palestinian state. We will make life unbearable for read more

We plan to eliminate the state of Israel and establish a purely Palestinian state. We will make life unbearable for Jews by psychological warfare and population explosion. . . . We Palestinians will take over everything, including all of Jerusalem.

If I were an Al Qaeda guy, I wouldn't go out for a pizza.

If I were an Al Qaeda guy, I wouldn't go out for a pizza.

Anger and intolerance are the twin enemies of correct understanding.

Anger and intolerance are the twin enemies of correct understanding.