Americans have always had an ambivalent attitude toward intelligence. When they feel threatened they want a lot of it and when they don't they regard the whole thing as somewhat immoral.

I think people feel threatened by homosexuality. The problem isn't about gay people the problem is about the attitude towards gay people. People think that all gays are Hannibal Lecters. But gay people are sons and daughters politicians and doctors American heroes and daughters of American heroes.

My attitude to peace is rather based on the Burmese definition of peace - it really means removing all the negative factors that destroy peace in this world. So peace does not mean just putting an end to violence or to war but to all other factors that threaten peace such as discrimination such as inequality poverty.

I have always paid income tax. I object only when it reaches a stage when I am threatened with having nothing left for my old age - which is due to start next Tuesday or Wednesday.