A free and truly independent press - fiercely independent when necessary - is the red beating heart of freedom and democracy.

It is true you cannot eat freedom and you cannot power machinery with democracy. But then neither can political prisoners turn on the light in the cells of a dictatorship.

Israel was born under the British mandate. We learned from the British what democracy means and how it behaves in a time of danger war and terror. We thank Britain for introducing freedom and respect of human rights both in normal and demanding circumstances.

America's Veterans have served their country with the belief that democracy and freedom are ideals to be upheld around the world.

The United States and Israel have a unique relationship based on our mutual commitment to democracy freedom and peace. Therefore just as our commitment to these principles must be steadfast so must our support for Israel.

The problem of the world today is the people talk on and on about democracy freedom justice. But I don't give a damn about democracy if I am worried about survival.

The freedom to criticize judges and other public officials is necessary to a vibrant democracy. The problem comes when healthy criticism is replaced with more destructive intimidation and sanctions.

Don't ever dare to take your college as a matter of course - because like democracy and freedom many people you'll never know have broken their hearts to get it for you.

We can't equate democracy with Christianity because the largest democracy on earth is India which is primarily Hindu. The third largest democracy is Indonesia which is Islamic. Democracy and freedom are not dependent on Christian beliefs.

Freedom of expression - in particular freedom of the press - guarantees popular participation in the decisions and actions of government and popular participation is the essence of our democracy.