Quotes from Dan Rather

In 1984, Orwell could only imagine a tyrannical central government having the power to systematically undermine objective truth. Today we see that process happening organically through millions of social media "shares.

As John Adams wrote, a republic "is a government of laws, and not of men." A government of laws is a government of reason and a government of books. That was true of our founding and we must ensure it remains a hallmark of our future.

Progress cannot be only intuited. It must be written, and read.

Back in 1980, the science-fiction author Isaac Asimov wrote, "There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.

To suppress the vote is to make a mockery of democracy. And those who do so are essentially acknowledging that their policies are unpopular. If you can't convince a majority of voters that your ideas are worthy, you try to limit the pool of voters. This reveals a certain irony: Many who are most vocal in championing a free, open, and dynamic economy are the same political factions that suppress these principles when it comes to the currency of ideas.

Justice John Marshall Harlan, who famously admonished his fellow jurists and the nation as a whole: "Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law. The humblest is the peer of the most powerful." More than a half century later, the Supreme Court would validate Harlan's humanity with a unanimous decision in Brown v.

But there should be no dispute that if American schools don't improve, America will lose its world leadership.

We can't afford to be Pollyannas or blind ourselves to real dangers, but we also should try not to succumb to despair. If we believe our vision for what our country is is worth fighting for, then we should fight for it. This is our right and duty as citizens.

Fox News portrayed itself as a full-fledged news outlet that was a corrective to the liberal press. There are some fine journalists who have worked and continue to work at Fox News. But the majority of programming is opinion rather than news, and this opinion is often in service of conservative political objectives regardless of the facts.

This is the embodiment of heroic citizenship, a commitment to each other and to fixing problems. It is seeking solutions and not praise, progress and not personal aggrandizement. It is doing what is right for the sake of right.

The idea that we all had to go without, that we were all asked to sacrifice in even small ways, created a sense of togetherness. It was everyone's war, and everyone was encouraged to participate. The government sponsored drives to collect spare aluminum, rubber, and the like.

The more we are around people with a variety of life experiences, the more we can understand and value the needs and worth of our fellow citizens.

Growing up I was enthralled by the night sky. But now most of us can see only a few faint stars at night, the ones bright enough to make it through the domes of light that enclose our metropolises. For all of human history, the night sky told stories, delineated time, and guided voyagers. Now 30 percent of the people on the planet can't even see the Milky Way from their homes. And in the United States, 80 percent of us can't.

Looking back, the only ones who really paid for Abu Ghraib were the enlisted personnel, who were following orders, and General Taguba, who brought the problem to light.

Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, in his acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize, said, "I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere.

There had actually been a form of a smallpox vaccine since the eighteenth century; what was required was the ability to dream big, to work with others, and to see the destiny of the United States as improving the lives of those beyond our borders. This is the America of which I am exceptionally proud.

As I define it, nationalism is a monologue in which you place your country in a position of moral and cultural supremacy over others. Patriotism, while deeply personal, is a dialogue with your fellow citizens, and a larger world, about not only what you love about your country but also how it can be improved. Unchecked nationalism leads to conflict and war. Unbridled patriotism can lead to the betterment of society. Patriotism is rooted in humility. Nationalism is rooted in arrogance.

I see my love of country imbued with a responsibility to bear witness to its faults.

Our planet and our national prosperity are already suffering from the decline in our leadership.

A free and truly independent press - fiercely independent when necessary - is the red beating heart of freedom and democracy.