I didn't want to be the archetypal sponging brother-in-law so I didn't go into acting when I got to the States. I thought 'No I'll go to school and then I'll be an English teacher that'll be fun.' But I was horrible as a teacher. As hard as I tried I just couldn't inspire those kids to take an interest in Milton and Shakespeare and Donne.

What we now call school training the pursuit of fixed studies at stated hours under the constant guidance of a teacher I could scarcely be said to have enjoyed.

I made my drama teacher cry. I only took drama to get out of writing papers in English and the teacher was this thespian Broadway geek and here I was this Italian guy from Staten Island and I would put her in tears.

There are ways we can go do a better job of educating young moms and dads about the vital role they have as the child's first teacher. I think there are ways in which we can partner with local school districts and states to do a better job to provide nutrition options at school.

Reasoned arguments and suggestions which make allowance for the full difficulties of the state of war that exists may help and will always be listened to with respect and sympathy.

I belong to a nation which over the past centuries has experienced many hardships and reverses. The world reacted with silence or with mere sympathy when Polish frontiers were crossed by invading armies and the sovereign state had to succumb to brutal force.

Winning in Afghanistan is having a country that is stable enough to ensure that there is no safe haven for Al Qaida or for a militant Taliban that welcomes Al Qaida. That's really the measure of success for the United States.

The first condition of success for the League of Nations is therefore a firm understanding between the British Empire and the United States of America and France and Italy that there will be no competitive building up of fleets or armies between them.

In the United States there's a Puritan ethic and a mythology of success. He who is successful is good. In Latin countries in Catholic countries a successful person is a sinner.

Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.

Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to cut all sources of retreat. Only by doing so can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a burning desire to win - essential to success.

The great strength of the totalitarian state is that it forces those who fear it to imitate it.

The strength of the United States is not the gold at Fort Knox or the weapons of mass destruction that we have but the sum total of the education and the character of our people.

As I've often said Wisconsin's greatest strength continues to be the dedicated hardworking people of our state. They go to work everyday pay their taxes and raise their kids with good Midwestern values.

I admire President Chavez for his strength to resist the United States. Instead Bush is waging a war of terrorism against the world.

Socialism appeals to better classes and has far more strength. Attack the state and you excite feelings of loyalty even among the disaffected classes but attack the industrial system and appeal to the state and you may have loyalty in your favor.

We should believe in the strength and vitality of the values which constitute the E.U. and which neighbouring states can believe in and aspire to join.