“The mere fact of an American being present could help save the lives of innocent people. That’s why I believe in the importance of bearing witness, to become a voice for the voiceless.”

I don’t believe in lobbying only progressives and liberal members of Congress. I don’t believe in doing interviews only with those who share my views. I want to reach a wider audience.

Saddam Hussein has been brutal against his people, but when he was committing those crimes, the international community did not come to the rescue of the Iraqis.

What is being said in media in other parts of the world is very different from what we’ve been told in this country throughout these years between September 11 and today.

Governments are mandated by international law to protect people from genocide.

Gandhi became my role model. I have always been interested in Eastern philosophy. Since early in my life I’ve been fascinated by India, and I have spent a great deal of time traveling in that country.

There is a question for which we will never know the answer: had the U.S. not launched the Contra war to overthrow the Sandinista government, would they have succeeded in bringing socioeconomic justice to the people of Nicaragua?

The U.S. embargo imposed on Nicaragua, rather than weakening the Sandinistas, actually maintained them in power.

Most governments in Latin America have failed to recognize the rights of indigenous people and their right to their own traditional territories.

There is so much each one of us can do to make a difference. We are at a dangerous juncture in the history of mankind. …

I find it disturbing that the media keeps referring to my marriage, since I got divorced in 1979. But the media never wants to let me forget.

President Bush should be indicted and should be driven out of office. He should be sent back home in Texas.

The British Red Cross asked me to help them spearhead a fundraising campaign for the victims of the war in Nicaragua. It was a turning point in my life. It began my commitment to justice and human rights issues.

Those who suffer are not those at the top, but are the less privileged members of society.

I don’t think there was really a time when I have not been politically aware.

People appreciate a politician with the courage to say, I oppose this war.

When I began my humanitarian work, I understood that in order to gain credibility I needed patience, commitment and unwavering perseverance. I needed to ignore the skeptics.