The unique perspective and provocative opinions of Joe O’Neill
Quoteworthy
“It’s very much calmed down. We’re talking. It’s very calm. He’s calm. I’m calm.”—Donald Trump, on current U.S. relations with North Korea and its leader, Kim Jong Un.
“China has had many opportunities to fully address our concerns. I urge China’s leadership to take swift action to end their country’s unfair trade practices.”–DonaldTrump.
“I don’t have an attorney general. It’s very sad.”–Donald Trump.
“The downward spiral that we have previously warned about now seems certain to materialize.”–William Zarit, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, on China’s retaliatory response to the U.S. announcement that it will be imposing tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese-made goods.
“I’m just being honest. Unless there’s something more, no. I’m not going to ruin Judge Kavanaugh’s life over this.”–Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.
“By Ford’s account, Kavanaugh’s acts did cause lasting damage, and he has done nothing at all to try to make that right. And that is why the mistake of a 17-year-old still matters.”–Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic.
“The coordinated effort to destroy my good name will not drive me out. … The last-minute character assassination will not succeed. I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process.”–Brett Kavanaugh.
“This is starting to feel like a vast, left-wing conspiracy.”–White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, in response to a second accusation of sexual misconduct on the part of Brett Kavanaugh.
“Truth decay.”–What the RAND Corporation calls the deepening disconnect over basic facts and the negative impact on American democracy.
“I don’t care. … I love flak. We’re not happy ‘til they’re not happy.”–Willie Nelson’s response to those who criticized his performance at a fundraiser for Beto O’Rourke, Ted Cruz’s senatorial opponent.
“It turns out more people in more places seeing more things isn’t an unequivocal good. And because it isn’t, platforms can’t pretend they’re neutral overseers any longer–no matter how many haphazard rules they put in place.”–Molly Roberts, Washington Post.
“This (gubernatorial) election is going to turn on moderate Democrats and independents. And with independents, Trump is a liability.”–Florida Republican consultant MacStipanovich.
“You expand the economic base, you don’t raise taxes.”–Ron DeSantis.
“Our north star is … shared prosperity for everyone. It’s not just about health care and women’s rights and immigration, our democracy is on the ballot. It’s not right vs. left; it’s right vs. wrong.”—DNC Chairman Tom Perez, while campaigning in Polk County with lieutenant governor candidate Chris King and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto.
“It’s not just the people of Florida who need Bill Nelson back in the Senate. It’s all of the people of the United States of America.”–Excerpt from a South Florida Sun-Sentinel
“The potential for Brightline to connect Orlando and Tampa is a game-changer for the I-4 Corridor. … We are all in on this.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
“This sort of announcement, I just want to savor it.”–TIA CEO Joe Lopano, in celebrating news that the airport is getting non-stop flights to Amsterdam–TIA’s fifth European destination.
“I’m not here to tell you how to vote. I’m here to educate you about why we’re here.”—Hillsborough County School Superintendent Jeff Eakins, to a town hall gathering about the need for a proposed half-cent sales surtax on the November ballot.
“It is important that our message of service and safety not get lost in translation, so we are bringing the message to them in their language.”–Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, on the debut of the department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts in Spanish.