My parents were interested in history and the world. My father read Graham Greene and Georges Simenon and was a strong trade unionist and Labour supporter.

In the instance of the World Trade Center attacks, first responders worked tirelessly for nine months. In contrast, my staff would work doggedly for more than three years.

There's no point pretending that all of Martha Graham's pieces are equally strong.

Humans have changed little over time. We think we've invented the modern world but they were making better speeches 2,000 years ago and grappling with issues of empire and terrorism.

I'm a strong supporter of states' rights to do what they need.

The point is -- ad we know this from history -- that if currencies remain way out of line, trade protectionism follows.