* “The recent (terrorist) events proved how important it is to invest in justice, the police, the army and intelligence services.”–Belgian King Philippe.
* “He gets bipartisan criticism on terrorism … This is now Topic A for Americans, and this critique that he’s not tough enough has persisted and grown.”–Carroll J. Doherty, director of political research at the Pew Research Center, on the perception of President Barack Obama on national security.
* “I think it’s not so easy to change Europe when you are alone. … I am very, very skeptical for the future.”–Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
* “I think a lot of what he says resonates with me.”–Former Louisiana politician and KKK Grand Wizard David Duke, on Donald Trump.
* “As his biographer, I think it is fair to say that his life story is that of a man who has succeeded–repeatedly–by appealing with great precision to the worst impulses in others. It’s as though he has built his success by ticking off each of the seven deadly sins, unapologetically marketing them to his Trump tenants, casino gamblers, TV viewers and now voters. He once told me that ‘for the most part, you can’t respect people, because most people aren’t worthy of respect.'”–Michael D’Antonio, author of “Never Enough: Donald Trump and the Pursuit of Success.”
* “Irony doesn’t work in the world of digitized campaigning.”–Jeb Bush.
* “Arming more people to do what … I think is not the appropriate response to terrorism.”–Hillary Clinton.
* “‘The Last Hurrah.’ A lost world of heart and humanity, politics when it was pre-ideological.”–Peggy Noonan, on why (Edwin O’Connor’s) ‘The Last Hurrah’ remains her favorite book about American politics.
* “In a world which all too often is merciless to the sinner and lenient to the sin, we need to cultivate a strong sense of justice.”–Pope Francis.
* “I’d like to apologize to the lady I just called by mistake saying ‘Hello, is this planet Earth?’–not a prank call–just a wrong number!”–British astronaut Tim Peake, the first Briton to visit the International Space Station.
* “The economic recovery has clearly come a long way, although it is not complete.”–Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen.
* “Here she comes back. Bull’s eye.”–Marc Eisenberg, CEO of OrbComm, whose 11 satellites were deployed by a SpaceX rocket, after the booster returned to land vertically at Cape Canaveral.
* “We’re seeing an exponential curve, so yes, it is a concern.”–Cmdr. William Marks, Navy spokesman, on the increasing incidence of consumer drones interfering with military-base operations.
* “Safety is our top priority. So, while we know that hoverboards are among this year’s most-requested gifts, the potential for danger cannot be ignored.”–Marie Therese Dominguez, administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration.
* “Airlines have to be pretty close to 85 percent load factors just to break even anymore.”–Ken Qualls, CEO of Flight Management Solutions.
* “Someone who cleans floors in a hotel is supporting you. That’s very humiliating.”–Dr. Lino Alberto Neira, an orthopedic surgeon who practiced in Cuba for 23 years before leaving for Miami in 2013.
* “It’s troubling to me that a lot of people are hurtling into the 21st century with very few lessons learned. It seems reckless.”–Historian-author Gary Mormino, in warning about Florida leaders pursuit of a growth-at-all-costs agenda.
* “A majority (of voters) see governors as having some impact on the economy but not a huge amount.”–Aubrey Jewett, political science professor at UCF.
* “There’s a flood of Chinese money coming into Florida for investment. A lot of Chinese money wants to come over for safety and security–it’s the stability of the American economy.”–Robert Stern, a Tampa attorney specializing in real estate law.
* “Suspension of your license is life-changing in a negative way for many people. We believe this event can be life-changing in a positive way and get them back to a position so they can get back to work.”–State Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa, who is a sponsor of the Driver’s License Reinstatement Day on Jan. 8 at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in Tampa.
* “In 2011, no one had a clear understanding what the basic demand would be. But several carriers have come in and we’ve gone from two flights a week to nine in our peak period. It’s doing very well.”–TIA vice president of marketing Chris Minner, on charter flights from Tampa to Cuba.
* “That’s a perfect example. You have Chili’s and Mons Venus and that’s about it.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn, using the setting for Raymond James Stadium as an example of weak economic synergy when modern sports facilities aren’t located in a downtown.
* “I would be happy to invite Mayor Kriseman over to give a presentation to our board of county commissioners. Conceptionally, I believe this is the type of project that could make Tampa Bay a world-class region.”–Hillsborough Commissioner Ken Hagan, on prospects for a Tampa-to-St. Petersburg ferry service.
* “There’s a cottage industry of these dirt-diggers.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn, in response to a PAC that targets Democrats looking for evidence that he might have misused his office in attending a recent Hillary Clinton fundraiser.
* “It’s ludicrous, it’s stupid, it made absolutely no sense. They need to fund education properly, not waste it on nonsensical things like this.”–Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association president Mike Gandolfo, in criticizing Florida’s Best and Brightest teacher scholarship program that includes teachers’ SAT and ACT scores.
* “Jeff didn’t just want to write a check. He wanted to make it meaningful within the community. It’s personal.”–NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, on Jeff Vinik’s Lightning Community Heroes program that awards $50,000 to a “Community Hero’s” cause at each Lightning home game.