Two hundred years ago, our precursors in Haiti struck a blow for freedom, which was heard around the world, and across centuries.

It is time for the world, the hemisphere and the region to make sure that relevant institutions of civil society and relevant laws are embedded in the mechanisms of governance.

Back a hundred years ago, especially around Woodrow Wilson, what happened in this country is we took freedom and we chopped it into pieces.

In two and a half years' trekking across central Asia, I'd become attuned to the late autumn conditions when the hazards of winter can blow in under the cover of darkness.

I stumbled across some information on her during the spring of 1977. What struck me about her was that she was a first. She had such a fascinating life. She lived so many places and had a very independent spirit.

Hero-worship is strongest where there is least regard for human freedom