J. William Fulbright

The citizen who criticizes his country is paying it an implied tribute.

It is not our affluence, or our plumbing, or our clogged freeways that grip the imagination of others. Rather, it is the values upon which our system is built. These values imply our adherence not only to liberty and individual freedom, but also to international peace, law and order, and constructive social purpose. When we depart from these value, we do so at our peril.

In a democracy dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its taste, but in its effects.

We must dare to think "unthinkable" thoughts. We must learn to explore all the options and possibilities that confront us in a complex and rapidly changing world. We must learn to welcome and not to fear the voices of dissent. We must dare to think about "unthinkable things" because when things become unthinkable, thinking stops and action becomes mindless.

We must dare to think about "unthinkable things" because when things become "unthinkable" thinking stops and action becomes mindless.