We've endured too many tragedies. And each time I learn the news I react not as a President, but as anybody else would - as a parent.

I've been involved in the intelligence side of the federal government for a long time. We all know that we have to have a balance between security to protect the American people and liberty. We take an oath to protect and defend the constitution and the American people.

In Africa, you often see that the difference between a village where everybody eats and a village where people starve is government. One has a functioning government, and the other does not. Which is why it bothers me when I hear people say that government is the enemy. They don't understand its fundamental role.

I'll be honest, there have been times when I've listened to the rhetoric in Europe where an easy equivalent somehow between the United States and Russia and between how our governments operate versus other governments operate, where those distinctions aren't made.

After my election there was talk of a postracial America. And such a vision, however well intended, was never realistic.

If you want to know who we are, who America is, how we respond to evil-that's it: selflessly, compassionately, unafraid.

Internationally, I have obviously been deeply concerned about how we fight the terrorist threat.