The students had a 'textbook definition' understanding of democracy, but nothing in regards to practical application. I was asking what democracy meant to them.
By the last few sessions ... I didn't even speak, because the Iraqis that I worked with had already taken over the program.
It was his cool nature and calm head which instructed the Iraqi police to, you know, take me to the Green Zone, which was able to pull me out of the car and save me from further bullets. Believe me, four was plenty. And for that I'll forever be in his debt.
At first, I thought it was a prank.
I am amazed by the response. There are more volunteers than there are people actually displaced. People stood in lines in the parking lot hoping to get in to have the chance to volunteer.
Friendships are very intense over there. Those that I really came in contact with and became close with -- I had the feeling that ... they would protect me to the death. And in the case of Col. Mohammed and Mohammed, his driver, they did that.
President Kennedy said, 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.' We haven't gotten that call from our president.
He was very brave and I'll miss him always.
I saw myself as a facilitator. They knew specifically what freedom of speech was -- they could give you the textbook definition -- they had never had the opportunity to practice it.
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