* “Obama’s speech to Israeli youth was one of the best of his presidency. He made the classic American position clear: As a matter of historic justice, we vehemently support the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state. As a matter of historic fairness, we oppose the expansion of Israeli settlements into Palestinian lands.”–Joe Klein, Time magazine.
* “In the 21st century, it has become all too apparent that the black population (in Cuba) is underrepresented at universities and in spheres of economic and political power, and overrepresented in the underground economy, in the criminal sphere and in marginal neighborhoods.”–Roberto Zurbano, Afro-Cuban editor and publisher of the Casa de las Americas publishing house.
* “Throughout history, rich nations have gotten to the future first. Their companies can afford to equip their tinkerers and visionaries with the most advanced materials, instruments and knowledge. … This raises an epochal question: As China becomes richer, is it destined to pass the United States as the world’s most inventive nation?”–Eamon Fingleton, author of In the Jaws of the Dragon: America’s Fate in the Coming Era of Chinese Hegemony.
* “In a perfect world–that is, in a world without the NRA–guns would be treated like automobiles. The government knows who owns a particular car and when, and to whom, it is transferred. These records are computerized and searchable.”–Ruth Marcus, Washington Post.
* “I think she (Hillary Clinton) wants very much to see a woman president in her lifetime. If you look at the landscape right now, there’s only one person who has a real shot at that.”–Harold Ickes, a senior advisor to Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign.
* “I’m encouraged by reports of an agreement between business groups and unions on the issue of guest workers. However, reports that the bipartisan group of eight senators have agreed on a legislative proposal are premature.”–Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
* “We authors get smaller royalties on e-book sales. So I’d like to start a rumor that electronic books cause fatal diseases and sometimes explode. This must be true, because it’s printed right here in the New York Times.–Author and humorist Dave Barry in an interview with the NYT on why he prefers paper to electronic books.
* “It’s a really great gig for me. I get to talk about whatever I want. Who wouldn’t want to do that?”–Comedian Dennis Miller.
* “Gays have the right to be as miserable as I make my husband.”–Sign seen in front of the Supreme Court, where arguments on same-sex marriage were being heard.
* “It’s quite a story when you think back in 1992 it was $1.2 billion. We’ve come a long way. It’s a manifestation of how popular this sport is in every way.”–Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, noting that MLB expects revenue to top $8 billion for the first time this year.
* “All Republican successes at the state level can be undone if the GOP continues to lose presidential elections.”–Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
* “We’re certainly glad President Obama is coming to Port-Miami … but he’s late to the party. … I hope he will reimburse us for the money Florida taxpayers have spent.”–Gov. Rick Scott in criticizing the president for the federal government not paying its “share” of the costs of improvements at Florida ports.
* “As we look down the road a little bit, I’m seeing a little struggling here.”–Florida Board of Governors’ member Norman Tripp referencing the prospects of Florida Polytechnic University, which is scheduled to open next year.
* “It made our $2.8 million rather paltry.”–St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster comparing his city’s budget deficit with that ($20 million) projected for Tampa.
* “Look at successful companies. It’s people working together and on the same page. Those are the people having success. It translates to sports.”–New Lightning coach Jon Cooper.