* “When I discuss intelligent life in the universe, I take this to include the human race, even though much of its behavior throughout history appears not to have been calculated to aid the survival of the species.”–British mathematician Stephen Hawking, author of A Brief History of Time.
* “They are wrongs that shock the conscience of humanity.”–Australian Judge Michael Kirby, chairman of a U.N. commission of inquiry, in comparing North Korea’s crimes against civilians with Nazi atrocities.
* “The situation is so bad (in Venezuela) that three airlines now refuse to fly there: The government owes them too much money.”–William J. Dobson, Slate.
* “There’s a new Ukraine, and it should find its niche.”–Former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
* “Every moment we don’t separate from the Palestinians is a clear threat to the existence of Israel as a Jewish state.”–Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid.
* “It’s not just win-win, it’s a win-win-win.”–President Barack Obama pointing out that new fuel-efficiency rules on trucks and buses will reduce pollution, save consumers money and help reduce oil imports.
* “(President Obama) would much rather spend the money on food stamps than he would on a strong military or support for our troops.”–Former Vice President Dick Cheney.
* “It’s not enough to praise America’s founders; it is necessary to listen to them. The Federalist founders did not view government as a necessary evil. They referred to the ‘imbecility’ of a weak federal government (in the form of the Articles of Confederation) compared to a relatively strong central government, which is what the Constitution actually created.”–Michael Gerson, Washington Post.
* “…You’re so narrow-minded, and then you want to compete against the world (in other sports) when you waste a lot of time, good talent on a sport (football) that stinks.”–Netherlands long-track speed skating coach Jillert Anema.
* “The myth of Republican governors as reformers is dead.”–Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, who leads the Democratic Governors Association.
* “The Recovery Act was not a failed program. Our position is that it created higher output and employment than would have occurred without it.”–Douglas Elmendorf, director of the independent Congressional Budget Office.
* “For a free society to work, the police have to have a monopoly on legal violence. That requirement is now doubtful in Florida.”–Dennis Kenney, law professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
* “We want to be a kinder, gentler Citizens with the consumer.”–Chris Gardner, Citizens Property Insurance board chairman.
* “My view is the validity of those assessments go down when you have too many tests to take.”–John Legg, chairman of the Florida Senate’s Education Committee, who contends Florida’s students are over-tested.
* “There’s a curse and a blessing to having your own hospital. On the whole, I think partnering with a hospital in this day and age is preferable to owning one.”–Dr. Charles Lockwood, newly named dean of USF’s Morsani School of Medicine.
* “I love it down here. I love owning the team, and it seems like I’m buying more real estate than I’m selling, so I guess I’m committed.”–Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik.
* “All in all, it was a nightmare.”–John Hagensicker of Lutz, describing what it was like being the next-door neighbor of the Bucs’ Mike Williams.