* “The great Muslim civil war, centered in Syria, is approaching its post-Islamic State phase. … The parties are maneuvering to shape what comes next. … (The Islamic State) is being squeezed out of existence. … It’s Europe, 1945, when the war was still raging against Nazi Germany, but everyone already knew the outcome.”–Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post.
* “South Korea must realize that following psychopath Trump will only lead to disaster.”–North Korean leader Kim Jung-un.
* “While there may be a global effort under the Paris agreement to reduce emissions, that certainly has not stopped the international race for Arctic oil.”–Somini Sengupta, New York Times.
* “I felt I wanted out, but then decided to stay in and work out a role for myself.”–Great Britain’s Prince Harry, on earlier reflections about being part of the royal family.
* “Our power comes with a responsibility to lead.”–Hillary Clinton.
* “This is in my mind something that could be well characterized as colonialism.”–Former Florida Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson, in reference to the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo, Cuba.
* “Russia violated our sovereignty, meddling in one of our most sacred acts as a democracy–electing our president. The Kremlin should have paid a much higher price for that attack. And U.S. policymakers now–both in the White House and Congress–should consider new actions to deter future Russian interventions.”–Michael McFall, U.S. ambassador to Russia during the Obama Administration.
* “Americans embarrassed by President Trump are experiencing vicarious embarrassment not for him but for the country. They’re embarrassed that, with Mr. Trump as president, the country’s claims to virtue, leadership and moral standing ring hollow.”–Colby College sociologist Neil Gross.
* “Hillary Clinton colluded with the Democratic Party in order to beat crazy Bernie Sanders.”–Donald Trump.
* “If there’s a chance you might get sick, get old or start a family, this bill will do you harm.”–Former President Barack Obama, on the “fundamental meanness at the core” of the Senate health care bill.
* “I think how you comport yourself and the example you set can be infectious. I hope so. Because the country does need that.”–Florida Congressman Charlie Crist.
* “Few things are more attractive than violence cloaked in righteousness.”–Leonard Pitts, Miami Herald.
* “Antitrust officials would be naive to view this (Amazon acquisition of Whole Foods) deal as simply about groceries. (It) will enable Amazon to leverage and amplify the extraordinary power it enjoys in online markets and delivery, making an even greater share of commerce part of its fief. … Think of Amazon as a 21st-century version of the 19th-century railroads that connected consumers and producers.”–Lina M. Khan, author of “Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox.”
* “Citizens United blew open the floodgates to allow corporations to spend unlimited sums in our elections. But iron-clad federal law prohibits foreign nationals from directly or indirectly spending in our elections at any level. … But when a corporation spends in politics, no one is asking, ‘Does any of your money come from foreign nationals?'”–Ellen Weintraub, Federal Elections Commission member.
* “We have a very heavy lift, but we also have a lot to be hopeful about. Thank you, Donald Trump.”–Hillsborough County Democratic Party chairwoman Ione Townsend.
* “While state lawmakers are often preoccupied with the business of politics, local leaders must focus on the business of government–filling potholes, putting out fires and picking up trash. After all, law enforcement, libraries, parks or public works are not partisan issues; they’re simply jobs that need to be done. … Florida’s 412 municipalities or its 67 counties don’t need Tallahassee’s sledgehammer solutions.”–Susan Haynie, president of the Florida League of Cities and the Republican mayor of Boca Raton.
* “The Tampa Bay metro area is the 18th largest in the country and home to more than 3 million people, yet we are glaringly out of step with other great markets across the nation that have developed regional structures to operate regional transit.”–Rick Homans, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership.
* “This will really be a game changer for those in the military, for the high-tech business community and for travelers who just want to visit.”–TIA CEO Joe Lopano, on the announcement that Southwest Airlines will be offering daily nonstop service from TIA to San Diego.
* “I am absolutely 100 percent against what the president of the United States is trying to do by pushing the relationship and the opening to Cuba backward.”–Tampa City Council member Harry Cohen.
* “It’s a slap in the face. It shows that we haven’t come that far.”–Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller, on the vote to keep the Confederate monument outside the old County Courthouse in downtown Tampa.
* “I’ve been a supporter of the LGBT community for 24 years. It didn’t take a tragedy or an election to get me to the (Pride events).”–St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman.
* “I’m glad I came. A lot of positive energy here. It’s good to see people participating. And it’s a good economic boost.”–Rick Baker at the St. Pete Pride Festival.