If we have no respect for our viewers, then how can we have any respect for ourselves and what we do?

But to be self-obsessed is simply not o.k. for the most important country in the world, the United States, which affects every other country in the world.

And I really believe good journalism is good business.

Im not an American but I have always had the outsiders respect for the American people and the American way.

I leave CNN with the utmost respect, love and admiration for the company and everyone who works here. This has been my family and shared endeavor for the past 27 years, and I am forever grateful and proud of all that we have accomplished.

What Americans don't care much about is the piffle we put on TV these days, what they don't care about is boring, irrelevant, badly told stories, and what they really hate is the presumption that they're too stupid to know the difference.

I strongly believe that journalism is one of the most noble professions, because without an informed world, and without an informed society, we are weak, we are weak.