Our democracy is not a product but a continual process. It is preserved not by monuments but deeds. Sometimes it needs refining; sometimes it needs amending; sometimes it needs defending. Always, it needs improving.

President George W. Bush is the first American president to call openly for two-states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.

For decades the American people have had an addiction to oil and gas.

So much of our attention is trained on the Middle East these days, but we cannot ignore East Asia.

But in the end our government usually - not unfailingly - is responsive to the people; and usually - not always - will try to do what is right.

Addressing global resentment cannot be put off. If we do not learn to use our predominant power with great restraint, we will antagonize the world.

One half of the world's people live on less than two dollars a day. This should concern our national security policy as well as our conscience.