A wonderful quality about America is that we love redemption stories. We're quick to lash out and assign blame, but we also draw from deep reservoirs of forgiveness.
If you've seen the 'Shawshank Redemption' and if you think Morgan Freeman's character should have died in prison, vote for the other person. And if you think, and you believe in redemption, and a second chance, you know, I'm your candidate.
I'm finding, as I get older, that I'm not much of a believer in redemption. I mean, I believe in redemption in real life - redemption does happen, and it's cool when it does - but I find myself getting leery of my desire for it in stories (especially my own).
I don't necessarily think stories have functions any more than diamonds have functions, or the sky has a function... Stories exist. They keep us sane, I think. We tell each other stories, we believe stories. I love watching the slow rise of the urban legend. They're the stories that we use to explain ourselves to ourselves.
I think love lyrics have contributed to the general aura of bad mental health in America.
I think in the sciences there is still the general belief that America is still tops. For America to lose that, I think, would be very bad, not just speaking as a scientist myself. I think it would be very bad for the morale of the whole country.
That's one of the things [diversity] that I love the most and that makes not only Hollywood, but America the great country that it is. I'm not complaining - I celebrate it, and I think there are a sea of opportunities because of that.
These are the moments. These are the moments where you realize love is everywhere if you look closely. When you realize happiness isn't next weekend, and it's not last week, it's right now. That was one of the best nights of my life. It felt good to know purpose. I lay in my bunk and I think of all the stories I'm in. I think about all the stories that are in my story. I think about all the stories that are left to be written. And it might be my favorite book yet.
I can do everything skinny girls can do, trust me. I honestly think Hollywood is getting real. They're saying, 'Hey this is what a lot of America looks like,' a lot of America doesn't wear a size 2. I think the studios and the media are starting to realize that overweight people want something they can relate to, so let's give it to them.
My family is not so different from the rest of America. I think people love to see that, 'Oh, just because she's on television and in Hollywood, I can still relate to her.'
I'm opposed to the death penalty not because I think it's unconstitutional per se-although I think it's been applied in ways that are unconstitutional-but it really is a moral view, and that is that the taking of life is not the way to handle even the most significant of crimes...Who amongst anyone is not above redemption? I think we have to be careful in executing final judgment. The one thing my faith teaches me-I don't get to play God. I think you are short-cutting the whole process of redemption...I don't want to be the person that stops that process from taking place.
Well, I don't think Hollywood's a dirty word at all, I love a lot of Hollywood films.
Paula Deen is a human being. She deserves forgiveness and a chance at redemption as much as anyone else. America is about redemption.
I think when people think about California, they think about straight Hollywood, that Hollywood glamour, whole bunch of flashes, so much paparazzi.
My stories seem to always in some way explore mistakes and misapprehensions and the possibility of redemption - though that redemption doesn't always occur in expected ways.
I think New York City most represents what it is that America in general aspires to. It's big; it's dense. I've known this city from all of its social arcs. The best that's in America is yet to come. The worst that's in America is yet to come.