America was not interventionist enough, which, of course, did mean a bit of a breach with old comrades on the left. I felt the international left in the countries concerned took the same position as I did. So, in my view, it's the left that's become reactionary and isolationist and parochial.

My own view is that this planet is used as a penal colony, lunatic asylum and dumping ground by a superior civilisation, to get rid of the undesirable and unfit. I can't prove it, but you can't disprove it either.

What better way for a ruling class to claim and hold power than to pose as the defenders of the nation.

I've had some dark nights of the soul, of course, but giving in to depression would be a sellout, a defeat.

It's [Los Angeles] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. They think they'll be young and beautiful forever, even though most of them aren't even young and beautiful now.

I'm terrified of losing my voice.

My political life has been informed by the view that if there was any truth to religion there wouldn't really be any need for politics.