* “There is still time to avoid catastrophic warming, but not within the rules of capitalism as they are currently constructed. Which is surely the best argument there has ever been for changing those rules.”–Naomi Klein, author of “This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate.”
* “It is not the authorization of another ground war, like Afghanistan or Iraq–but the flexibility we need for unforeseen circumstances.”–President Barack Obama on the anti-ISIS Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) request he sent to Congress.
* “Our enemies and our allies need to know that we speak with one voice.”–Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee.
* “Mine is a vote of no confidence in the national security decisions of this administration.”–Mark S. Kirk, R-Ill, explaining his no vote in the Senate confirmation (93-5) of Ashton Carter as the new Secretary of Defense.
* “The Islamic State has reacquainted us with the pure physicality of killing, bypassing our carefully constructed defenses–media protocols, government euphemism–that have kept the effects of war and torture at a discreet and safe distance.”–Phillip Kennicott, Washington Post.
* “The entire world is waiting to see whether the situation moves toward de-escalation, weapons pullback, cease-fire or … spins out of control.”–Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, upon arriving in Minsk, Belarus, for eastern Ukraine negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.
* “The Greeks have always been able to capitalize on their claim to be more significant than their size and their economy warranted.”–Jonathan Eyal of the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank.
* “Everybody is online, and everybody is vulnerable.”–President Barack Obama, during a White House cybersecurity summit at Stanford University.
* “If Democrats aren’t ready to fight back, the new radical majority in the Senate could undo all of our accomplishments and ruin the last two years of President Obama’s term. … In 2016, Republicans will have to defend 24 Senate seats. … If we win back five seats, we win back the majority.”–U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.
* “New Jersey looks better under Chris Christie, but it’s still a big-tax, big-regulation place. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker–who has accomplished more in his own left-leaning state–will have fun pointing that out.”–Kimberley Strassel, Wall Street Journal, on what Chris Christie could face with a conservative primary electorate.
* “The great challenge for the Paul campaign is for people to really get to know Rand Paul, so that you don’t have the assumption that he is just the ‘mini-me’ of Ron Paul.”–Steve Munisteri, chairman of the Texas Republican Party.
* “I just think it’s going to be difficult (for Jeb Bush) to win over grass roots conservatives.”–Sen. Rand Paul.
* “The debate has started that will have monumental consequences for Muslims. The old establishment won’t accept change easily, but I think gradually it will happen as women assert themselves…Women cannot play second fiddle anymore.”–Aslam Abdullah, the imam and director of the Islamic Society of Nevada.
* “Despite the Brian Williams lying scandal, NBC News led in the ratings last week. Although I should note that the figures were reported by Brian Williams.”–Conan O’Brien.
* “Look around and you will find–no one’s really color blind.”–FBI Director James B. Comey, quoting from the song “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist” from the Broadway musical “Avenue Q.”
* “There is no such thing as perfect legislation, but we try not to let perfect be the enemy of good.”–Ben Pollara, executive director of United for Care, the group behind the 2014 medical marijuana amendment.
* “When all factors are considered in the evaluation of professional sports facilities, one can conclude that supporting sports venues through performance-based incentive programs is a positive investment for the state and integral to enhancing the quality of living of Florida residents.”–Tony Villamill, principal of the Washington Economics Group and formerly Florida’s Director for Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.
* “I’m a big believer of promoting from within unless I sense that the culture is broken. There’s nothing broken about TPD.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn on assessing the appointment of Police Chief Jane Castor’s successor.
* “This board has moved from a collegial board to a political board.”–Hillsborough County School Board member Carol Kurdell.
* We’re proceeding with the (Fortune 500 corporate headquarters) designs and plans because we want to be permit-ready.”–Bob Abberger, managing director of development for Jeff Vinik’s Strategic Property Partners.
* “We’ve got a lot of great pieces, and I think this is the density component that we’ve all been looking for to give that big economic push for Seminole Heights.”–Developer Wesley Burdette at the groundbreaking for Warehouse Lofts on North Florida Avenue.