Quotes from George Takei

The Russians are taunting the IOC with the homophobic laws that they pass.

We are living in a science fiction world.

I'm an anglophile. I visit England regularly, sometimes three or four times a year, at least once a year.

When Pearl Harbor was bombed, young Japanese-Americans, like all young Americans, rushed to their draft board to volunteer to fight for our country. That act of patriotism was answered with a slap in the face. We were denied service and categorized as enemy non-alien.

Even before I could vote, I was involved in the political arena. My father was an admirer of Adlai Stevenson, and he took me to the Stevenson for President headquarters, and he volunteered me. That was my introduction to electoral politics, which was exciting and fun and thrilling and very theatrical.

I've run the marathon several times, so I definitely don't look like the Great Ancestor!

I was blessed with my career. I passionately love acting. And it's given me a good livelihood.

We can't let the past be forgotten.

It's important for all Americans to know how vulnerable our Constitution is.

In many ways, my decision to come out changed the course not only of my personal life but of my professional one as well.

I thought this convention phenomenon was very flattering, but that's about the extent of it.

When I was a teenager, the biggest heartthrob was Tab Hunter. He was in every movie out of Warner Bros. until he was exposed as gay, and his career faded. That was an object lesson. I knew I must protect my sexual orientation.

I don't consider it jumping ship. The 'Star Trek' philosophy is to embrace the diversity of the universe, and 'Star Wars' is part of that diversity. I also think 'Star Trek' and 'Star Wars' are related beyond both having the word 'Star.'

'Star Trek' is science fiction. 'Star Wars' is science fantasy. Based on the episodes I worked on, I think with 'Star Wars: Clone Wars,' we're starting to see a merging, though. It does deal, philosophically, with some of the issues of the time, which is always something 'Star Trek' was known for.

I'm a civic busybody and I've been blessed with an active career.

This is supposed to be a participatory democracy and if we're not in there participating then the people that will manipulate and exploit the system will step in there.

I think we learn more from those times in our history where we stumbled as a democracy than we learn from the glorious chapters.

The arc of our history is toward more equality being expanded to more and more people.

Unfriending me when I didn't even know we were friends? It's like breaking wind when you're home alone. If I can't smell you, knock yourself out.

Today we have the economic collapse that the whole planet is suffering, but there is hope, and that's what's going to keep us moving ahead.

Our differences in beliefs do not truly separate us, or elevate us over others. Rather, they highlight the rich tapestry that is humanity.

We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.

Gene Roddenbury felt that television was being wasted. That it had the potential for enlightenment and even inspiration.

We have to remember that Putin was a member of the KGB. He has already demonstrated that kind of macho, dictatorial attitude. Russia has breached their pledge to uphold the Olympic charter. This is a great opportunity for the IOC to say we cannot, given the situation that exists currently, allow the Olympics to take place in Russia.