* “The best way for us to gain leverage on Russia and Iran would be with an energy policy that reduced the price and significance of oil. The only way to gain more leverage on China is if we increase our savings and graduation rates–and export more and consume less. That isn’t in the cards.”–Thomas Friedman, New York Times.
* “It’s shocking. The Europeans, by turning to the Chinese, are showing their weakness. How will Europe be able to ask China to stop undervaluing its currency or to accept reciprocal commercial accords?”–Martine Aubry, French Socialist Party general secretary.
* “Vengeful librarians.”–Nickname of CIA analysts who pore over Facebook, newspapers, TV new channels, local radio stations, Internet chat rooms- anything overseas that anyone can access and contribute to openly.
* “These are small things, but they point ustoward an economy that is more normal compared to the rest of the world.”–Omar Everleny Perez,
lead economist at the University of Havana’s Center for Cuban Economic Studies, on upcoming changes that will permit Cubans to buy and sell real estate openly.
* “We remain prepared to take action as appropriate to make sure the recovery continues.”–Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.
* “Presidential elections aren’t the main source of polarization in American politics; neither Obama nor Romney is an extremist. Most of the polarization we’re seeing comes from Congress, where districts have been drawn to protect incumbents and where donors and interest groups have more influence on the nominating process.”–Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times.
* “(Rick) Perry is to oratory what Weird Al Yankovic is to balladry. Only the humor isn’t intentional.”–Frank Bruni, New York Times.
* “I’m worried you’re going to fail. The effect it would have on how people look at this country would be disastrous.”–Erskine Bowles, former co-chairman of President Obama’s fiscal commission, addressing the congressional “supercommittee” on deficit reduction.
* “The zooming wealth of the top 1 percent is a problem, but it’s not nearly as big a problem as the tens of millions of Americans who have dropped out of high school or college. It’s not nearly as big a problem as the 40 percent of children who are born out of wedlock. …”–David Brooks, New York Times.
* “People know what’s going on. But only some quixotic protesters in lower Manhattan seem willing to voice their outrage. And as long as they don’t block the roads or break the law, God bless them.”–Daniel Akst, Newsday.
* “I wish I could do this forever. I can’t, though.”–The late Andy Rooney on his final “60 Minutes” essay last month.
* “Rick Scott is a doer. I know he’s a doer because he’s managed to tick off all the right people.”–Sarah Palin.
* “Once a deal is made, I have no problem and do believe we have a fiduciary duty to provide the details to the public.”–Enterprise Florida CEO Gray Swoope in asserting that he supports a quicker release of information about secret tax-incentive deals the state cuts with targeted companies.
* “It’s not illegal to price-gouge medications. Not yet anyway.”–Brian Coleman, Florida Hospital Tampa pharmacy buyer.
* “Disappointing.”–Reaction of Gov. Rick Scott to news that Solantic, the chain of health care clinics he started, would be moving some jobs out of Florida.
* “In a world where place matters less and less, where place is being obscured by boomburbs, microburbs and edge cities, I loved the name St. Petersburg Times. …The Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area of Tampa Bay is not the stuff of poets. I understand the reasons for the change, but do not approve.”–Gary Mormino, history professor at USF St. Petersburg.
* “The contract doesn’t have a reopening provision.”–Bob Morrison, executive director of the Hillsborough County Hotel and Motel Association, regarding the contention of the GOP Committee on Arrangements that some hotel rates for next August’s GOP convention in Tampa should be revisited.
* “We’re hoping the federal government will get moving and get moving quickly on it. I don’t have $55 million lying around.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn on
federal money earmarked for Tampa to help defray the security costs for the GOP Convention next August.
* “I personally don’t see a need in the area for another aquarium.” –Florida Aquarium spokesman Tom Wagner, commenting on the proposed Shore Lab Discovery Center in eastern Hillsborough County.
* “It’s just time to do something else.”–Tampa native Tony La Russa, 67, who retired as the St. Louis Cardinals’ manager after winning the World Series–for the third time in his career.