People need to understand that the Lauryn Hill they were exposed to in the beginning was all that was allowed in that arena at the time. I had to step away for the sake of the machine. I was being way too compromised. I felt uncomfortable having to smile in someone's face when I really didn't like them or know them well enough to like.

No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised.

There's been a slow death in a way. On the positive side there are films getting into the Academy Awards that wouldn't have but on the negative side financiers are now dominant and making all the decisions. I can't count the ways a director's vision is compromised.

The 'morality of compromise' sounds contradictory. Compromise is usually a sign of weakness or an admission of defeat. Strong men don't compromise it is said and principles should never be compromised.

Ours is a government of checks and balances. The Mafia and crooked businessmen make out checks and the politicians and other compromised officials improve their bank balances.