When the public loses faith in democracy's ability to solve the problems it has created for itself, the game's almost over. And I think we are this close to losing democracy to the mercenary class.

Our very lives depend on the ethics of strangers, and most of us are always strangers to other people.

Our children are being raised by appliances.

I really believe that coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.

We now know that a neo-conservative is an arsonist who sets the house on fire and six years later boasts that no one can put it out.

I have seen hate born of fear, hate speaking in the name of God and truth, hate holding up a distorting mirror to fellow human beings.

The most important thing the giant philanthropies could do - Gates, Rockefeller, Ford, Open Society Institute, and new ones emerging - would be to create a $2-to-$3 billion Trust for Independent Journalism. They wouldn't miss the money, and democracy would still have a fighting chance because of their investment.