The machinery of the democratic process is really no different today from what it was 150 years ago.

I am an American Jew and aware of the sensitivities involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

If I weren't a director, I would want to be a film composer.

I simply adore 'The Simpsons.' I go to bed in a 'Simpsons' T-shirt.

Lincoln's leadership is based on a number of precepts, but my favorite one is that he acted in the name, and for the good, of the people.

It starts with the writer-it's a familiar dictum, but somehow it keeps getting forgotten along the way. No film-maker, irrespective of his electronic bag of tricks, can ever afford to forget his commitment to the written word.

My first reaction every time I delve into an episode of history that I don't know very much about is... my first reaction is anger that my teachers never taught me about it.