In the fall of 1996, I sat inside weekly strategy meetings of conservative activists as part of research for my book, 'Gang of Five,' chronicling the rise of the baby-boomer Right.

One of my most vivid memories from 1974 was the gas station at the foot of the hill below my Southern California high school - car lines snaking out into the street, heralding the failure of the government's price controls and lame ideas such as odd-even rationing.

To avoid becoming chronically unemployed, people need more than platitudes offering sympathy. Career reinvention requires encouragement and guidance.

I've been awed by the incredible opportunities that automatically float to the Harvard undergrads I once taught - from building homes for the poor in Nicaragua to landing prime White House internships.

My family were really happy for me that I'm going to such a big club as Manchester United. They definitely were a bit nervous because of my high price, but I'm going to stay focused on proving my worth.

My parents didn't get to have a dream. Their dream was to live in a country where their kids would have choice.

I haven't changed. My family and I live as we did in South Spain. I've had loud music, chickens, birds, and a bull in my backyard.

For me, I have gay family members, and I have a lot of friends in the LBGT community.