Public decision-making does not lend itself to certitude.

I think America is going to have to think through whether it wants to uplift the political dialogue or advance an approach that divides and, frankly, can lead to violence.

History provides a sense of where we've been and lessons that can be taken forward.

There's probably a little greater case for pessimism than optimism. But I do not rule out optimism.

There are words bandied about that are being misused - words like 'socialism,' words like 'communism,' words like 'fascism.

Iraqis have held elections and have recently put together their government, all encouraging developments.

If you read literature, you put yourself in somebody else's shoes. You learn from great figures in literature.