* “There has been no evidence that I used chemical weapons against my own people.”–Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
* “The tide of human suffering unleashed by the (Syrian) conflict has catastrophic implications. If the situation continues to deteriorate at this rate, some neighboring countries could be brought to the point of collapse.”–U.N. special envoy Angelina Jolie.
* “Let Allah sort it out.”–Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s advice on Syria to President Obama.
* “I think it is very serious to spy on a democratic country, very serious. I don’t see how someone can defend spying on a democratic country, or spying on the privacy of people.”–Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, in response to allegations that the U.S. monitored communications in Brazil and Mexico.
* “He’s my friend for life. I don’t care what you guys think about him.”–Dennis Rodman, after visiting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
* “It’s the great irony of the Internet era: People have more access than ever to an array of viewpoints, but also the technological ability to screen out anything that doesn’t reinforce their views.”–Jonathan Martin, POLITICO.
* “At the colleges and universities attended by most American students, costs are spiraling out of control and quality is declining just as increasing international competition demands that higher education become more productive and less expensive.”–Jeffrey Selingo, author and editor at large for the Chronicle of Higher Education.
* “More than 12 million students are projected to drop out of high school over the next decade; the millions more with diplomas face bleak job prospects. … But we can learn from Germany, a world leader in technical training, and offer two-year degrees in manufacturing technology, starting the last year of high school and extending a year beyond.”–Robert B. Reich, former secretary of labor during the Clinton Administration.
* “The NAACP has always been the largest civil rights organization in the streets, and today it is also the largest civil rights organization online, on mobile and at the ballot box tool.”–NAACP president Benjamin Jealous, who is stepping down at the end of the year.
* “The United States must be better prepared to take advantage of the explosive growth in travel demand that is building among middle-class consumers in emerging economies. Although the Obama Administration has made remarkable improvements to the visa application process in several critical markets, legislation is needed to build on these gains.”–Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International.
* “Florida’s difficulty in the last few years doesn’t stem from its tax code. It stems from having a real estate and construction-driven economy in a real estate- and construction-driven recession.”–Lyman Stone, Tax Foundation state economist.
* “You’re looking at a boulder to push up a mountain on this one.”–Frank Brogan, outgoing chancellor of the state university system, on Florida Polytechnic, which is slated to open in less than a year.
* “All of a sudden, the state GOP wants to be my best friend. The same GOP that stood by while the local few in the GOP voted me off the Pasco GOP Executive Committee last year. The same GOP that funded my primary opponent.”–Maverick Republican Mike Fasano, who gave up his west Pasco state House seat to become Pasco County tax collector.
* “I’m frustrated that our (Democratic gubernatorial) bench is not deeper than it is, the fact that we could conceivably wind up with a candidate who one or two years ago was saying something entirely different than where he is today.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
* “Tampa International Airport, along with airport and tourism officials throughout the country, are looking to federal lawmakers to support legislation that would boost international tourism to the United States by making it easier for low-risk travelers to visit the country and continue the Brand USA program, which markets the United States globally… .”–Joe Lopano, TIA CEO.
* “This move to downtown Tampa is part of our plan to become more involved in the Tampa Bay community. The new location also makes business easier and more convenient for our international colleagues, with increased proximity to Tampa International Airport.”–Dr. Richard Steeves, CEO and founder of British firm Synergy Health, which is moving its corporate headquarters for the Americas from north Tampa to downtown.
* “We’ve never received such a welcome. … From the venues to the production guys to the Indian community at large, they’re all excited, and I think back home our film industry is extremely excited to come to Tampa.”–Andre Timmons, director of Wizcraft International Entertainment, the Mumbai-based company that puts on the “Bollywood Oscars” extravaganza coming to Tampa next year.
* “I think it will invigorate and transform downtown in a way no single project in recent memory has. The lack of continuity has always been the biggest impediment to enjoying it.”–Tampa City Council member Harry Cohen on the significance of the beginning of the final leg of the 2.4-mile Tampa Riverwalk.
* “We have to provide the proper support services for the people who take these online classes, and we want to make sure people have the full USF experience, even if they live in Suriname or New York.”–Beth Garland, chief business officer for USF’s University College.
* “Other cities would kill for this. We just need to tie it together.”–Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker on the effort to brand and market the area just south of downtown St. Petersburg that is dominated by research and educational institutions.