I look at my people and I look at those who control them - the political elite. And the sad thing is that the elites are just not interested in the welfare of the people.

I got a degree in sociology didn't read much fiction in college and I was a pretty political left-wing type of guy. I wanted to do some kind of work in social change and make things better for the poor man and I was very romantic and passionate about it.

Status anxiety definitely exists at a political level. Many Iraqis were annoyed with the US essentially for reasons of status: for not showing them respect for humiliating them.

We're in such a volatile climate right now politically. I think they didn't want Assassins to not succeed due to popular opinion and politics versus on its own merits. I can respect that.

We were united not only by political respect for each other but also by deep mutual sympathy as people.

Back then a half-a-century ago the situation was totally different. Economically we were practically on our knees and politically we were still excluded from the community of nations. Today in this respect we have a totally different and much more stable basis.

I wanted to be an actress. In college I was a serious feminist and very political. I was determined to get one thing out of my career and that was respect. I didn't want money. I didn't care about fame.

I really only respect the Arab culture. I ain't really trying to pay no attention to ya know these little people in political positions and executive positions that ain't Arab culture oriented people because a lot of the times what are you really showing all of this concern for?

For about ten years now the struggle for democracy and the respect of human rights has been in the focus point - if not a commodity - of political groups aiming to rise to power.

My friendships and relationships in the conservative world are not predicated on political correctness and enforced conformity of thought. They are based instead on mutual respect honesty and understanding - concepts many modern liberals should consider revisiting.