Africa

"Think about a system where those who make the laws really understand what it is like to live under those laws. Imagine what it would be like to have a president who actually understood what working for a living was like. Maybe there is no better preparation for the Office of President than having been hungry. Many citizens of the U.S. have experienced severe food shortages but, because of the stigma of poverty, it is a hidden problem. The president and the legislators should have life experiences that would help make them empathetic to the average citizen."

"In both countries, the United States should stop its risky attempts to create a strong national government and allow genuine self-determination."

"Losing the public’s confidence is one thing, but when elected officials in Congress, worried about their own positions feel compelled to act, it is clear that the White House is in trouble."

"Muslims are not the enemy of the American people; I never met one Muslim who hates American people."

"Countless pundits and politicians continue to decry the Bush administration’s failure to come up with an effective strategy in Iraq. But the war has not gone wrong. It was always wrong. And the basic problem with the current U.S. war effort is that it exists."

"The reality is that torture is and probably always will be standard operating procedure of the American military and government. Senator McCain is trying desperately to hide public knowledge of torture by erecting a barrier, a shield to public awareness. McCain wants to be able to say, "We don't torture anyone, we have a firm policy against it" and then perfect methods of keeping actual torture secret. The fact that McCain approves of Israeli methods means he is not sincere in stopping torture."

"The US is having a Snagglepuss moment in Iraq. Is it time to exit, stage left, or to stay the course, and change tactics?"

"Apart from empathy and compassion, there are strategic reasons for Washington being this forthcoming in its support for Pakistan. The Western press itself reports that "the US military has played a key role in the disaster operation, a move analysts say is partly aimed at overcoming resentment to its war on Islamist militancy."