We in the press, by our power, can actually undermine leadership.

What we do and say and show really matters.

But 17 years ago, I arrived at CNN with a suitcase, with my bicycle, and with about 100 dollars.

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

And then theres always the crying and the weeping that we hear-children, women, even men. And these images and these sounds are always with me.

Because I am foreign I was assigned to the foreign desk. I kid you not, its true.

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