* “It is time to consider a future for Syria without Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, because it is overwhelmingly likely that that is what the future will be. … Assad will probably get most of the country back, inch by bloody inch. But do we really want the alternative–a major country at the heart of the Arab world in the hands of Al Qaeda?”–Ryan C. Crocker, former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait and Lebanon.
* “I know that you’re committed to peace. I know that I’m committed to peace. But unfortunately, given the actions and words of Palestinian leaders, there’s growing doubt in Israel that the Palestinians are committed to peace.”–Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
* “That’s my New Year’s resolution–to do everything I can, every single day, to help make 2014 a year in which more of our citizens can earn their own piece of the American Dream.”–President Barack Obama.
* “Of course there will be problems implementing the Affordable Care Act. But if we’re determined to create a system that’s cheaper and more effective at keeping Americans healthy than the one we have now–and, in truth, we have no choice–we have every chance of succeeding.”–Robert Reich, former secretary of labor in the Clinton Administration.
* “I’m not against having unemployment insurance. I do think, though, that the longer you have it, that it does provide some disincentive to work and that there are many studies that indicate this.”–Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
* “In ancient Sanskrit, the word ‘pundit’ meant ‘wise man’ or ‘religious sage.’ In modern English, it means ‘often wrong, rarely accountable.'”–Ross Douthat, New York Times.
* “We took extraordinary measures to meet extraordinary economic challenges and we had to explain those measures to earn the public’s support and confidence.”–Ben Bernanke, outgoing chairman of the Federal Reserve.
* “Government can set the stage, but it can’t be the play.”–David Brooks, New York Times.
* “We build big houses for rich people.”–Gray Homes’ owner Harry Gray on the business of building “esteem level homes.”
* “But it’s not a sustainable number in terms of where we are revenue-wise. But we felt like we had a really good chance to be great next year. That’s why we’re doing what we’re doing.”–Tampa Bay Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman on the Rays 2014 payroll, which is projected to be higher than the franchise record of $72 million (in 2010).
* “Nineteen years. I love this franchise.”–Mark Dominik, after being fired as the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.