Conservatism is less a set of ideas than it is a pathological distemper, a militant anger over the fact that the universe is not closed and life is not static.

We don't care really about children as a society and television reflects that indifference to children as human beings.

Democracy may not prove in the long run to be as efficient as other forms of government, but it has one saving grace: it allows us to know and say that it isn't.

When ideology and theology couple, their offspring are not always bad but they are always blind.

Secrecy is the freedom tyrants dream of.

I have seen hate born of fear, hate speaking in the name of God and truth, hate holding up a distorting mirror to fellow human beings.

Martin Luther King subpoened the nation's conscience. He was killed for it.

Charity provides crumbs from the table; justice offers a place at the table.

Television is a medium. It is neither rare nor well done.

For the first time in our history, ideology and theology hold a monopoly of power in Washington.

I'll believe corporations are people when Texas executes one

Our media and political system has turned into a mutual protection racket.

How do we protect the soul of democracy against bad theology in service of an imperial state?

If the watchdog doesn't bark, how do you know there's a burglar in the basement? And the press is supposed to be a watchdog.

Plutocracy too long tolerated leaves democracy on the auction block, subject to the highest bidder.

The quality of democracy and the quality of journalism are deeply entwined.

People who don't believe in government are likely to defy our government.

There are honest journalists like there are honest politicians - they stay bought.

The Irishman in English literature may be said to have been born with an apology in his mouth.