* “One of the pleasures of Russia at the moment is the new flowering of political satire, often savagely funny–an echo of a similar blossoming in the last years of Soviet power. Today YouTube bristles with comic Putin put-downs, including a mash-up of Russian politics and the movie ‘Titanic,’ with Putin and Medvedev as the doomed lovers–and Russia in the role of the sinking ship.”–Scott Shane, author of “Dismantling Utopia: How Information Ended the Soviet Union.”
* “This outcome is one of the scenarios we anticipated.”–TransCanada CEO Russ Girling explaining that TransCanada would reapply for a presidential permit on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that would carry Alberta crude oil to Texas refineries.
* “What did the rest of America see that we Texans didn’t?’–Editorial comment from the Dallas Morning News on Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s “suspended” presidential campaign.
* “I like a good political philosophic debate as much as the next columnist. Give me a soy latte and a libertarian, and I’m set for the night.”–Michael Gerson, Washington Post.
* “It’s a real possibility. Right now I’d say it’s 50-50. … The process could go all the way to Tampa.”–Former RNC Chairman Michael Steele assessing the chances of an open GOP convention this summer.
* “Some of the fundamental ingredients for a sustained recovery are now in place. You have stronger confidence; you have stronger corporate profits; and the housing market depression is unwinding.”–Mekael Teshome, economist with PNC Financial Services Group who tracks the Florida market.
* “It is irresponsible and reckless for this entity affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution to act as a travel agent for a brutal dictatorship which is a declared enemy of the United States.”–U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., criticizing travel programs to Cuba offered by the Smithsonian.
* “I don’t want to see students that have less of an income not be able to enter a field that they’re talented in. So as long as we can cover that level, then I have no problem with the market-based (approach).”–USF President Judy Genshaft on a key aspect of market-based tuition proposals for STEM courses.
* “Tropicana Field, and whatever its deficiencies, never came up.”–St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster on his recent conversation with Tampa Bay Rays’ owner Stu Sternberg.
* “One of the things they like to do is break glass. … It’s sad, but that is their goal.”–Hillsborough County Fire Chief Ron Rogers on what to expect from some anarchist groups coming to Tampa for this summer’s GOP convention.