* “As the West Bank is to Israelis and Palestinians, nuclear power is becoming to many Iranians. Powerful figures there have linked the issue to the history of foreign exploitation of Iran’s oil resources in an effort to reframe it as a matter of national pride.”–Frank Rose, author of “The Art of Immersion: How the Digital Generation Is Remaking Hollywood, Madison Avenue and the Way We Tell Stories.”
* “Saudi objections to the Islamic Republic of Iran are existential. The Saudis regard Tehran as a heretical, Shi’ite, Persian enemy that must be opposed relentlessly and unequivocally. Its antipathy predates Iran’s nuclear program and will persist regardless of how it’s resolved.”–Fareed Zakaria, Time magazine.
* “Now we are being beckoned–by history, by our Holy Father, by the force of our own logic–to extend those efforts (in promoting religious liberty in the United States) to the dramatic front lines of this battle where Christians (abroad) are paying for their fidelity with their lives.”–Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, in his final address as president of America’s Roman Catholic bishops.
* “The question now is whether his brassy act will play as well in Nashua and Sioux City as it does in Nutley and Asbury Park. The answer rests on what direction a divided Republican Party takes over the next few years.”–Joe Scarborough, co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” in assessing the presidential prospects of re-elected New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
* “They (Cuban government) may take it (environmental duty) more seriously than members of the United States Congress.”–Florida Congresswoman Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.
* “Gerrymandering results in voter disenfranchisement and is a threat to our confidence in representative democracy.”–Richard Meyer, professor emeritus in the College of Business at USF.
* “It’s ironic that the governor and his entourage experienced riding Japan’s network of high speed rail lines, the Shinkansen, on an economic development mission after turning down $2.4 billion in federal funds and guarantees of up to $400 million in private equity from the very country he was visiting.”–Former Florida legislator Paula Dockery.
* “There is no question that this is an existential threat to the industry.”–Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on citrus greening attacks.
* “This technology is not 22nd century technology; it is here.”–Ananth Prasad, secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, on driverless vehicles.
* “For a guy who is of Indian heritage, I don’t like outsourcing. “–Paresh Patel, CEO of Tampa-based Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance.
* “We had a nice, long, face to face meeting that went, in my eyes, extremely well.”–Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg on his introductory meeting with St. Petersburg Mayor-elect Rick Kriseman.
* “Usually when I show up outside the confines of the city limits, the rumors start. Either, ‘He’s going to annex’ or ‘He’s running for governor.’ … My vision isn’t just contained to the city limits. Everybody has to buy into it. I want it to be as contagious in Brandon as it is in Tampa.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
* “It is truly rare for a university, nationally, globally, to have a $1 billion campaign.”–USF President Judy Genshaft on USF’s “Unstoppable” fundraising campaign now in phase two–with a goal of $1 billion.
* “One of the things that we have strived to do is to round out the activities in Ybor. More heads on beds. When you have more people living there, it attracts more service retail and rounds out that Ybor experience.”–Bob McDonaugh, Tampa’s economic opportunity administrator, on city plans to seek proposals on land that is a potential hotel site.
* “It’s an internationally recognized brand. It’s worthy to have a building that is appropriate for our visiting out-of-town guests to come in, rather than a former sewage treatment plant.”–Frank Dame, chief operating officer of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, on plans for a new facility.
* “But it’s different when you see that hard work turn into something. Now we believe.”–Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Davin Joseph after the Bucs’ 41-28 win over Atlanta.