The unique perspective and provocative opinions of Joe O’Neill
Quoteworthy
“This is not something we’re doing to teachers. It’s something we’re doing with teachers, as full partners.” Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia, regarding the reforms expected as a result of the $100 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“We’re in a position to make a lot of arrests if we have to.” –Assistant TampaPolice Chief Marc Hamlin on preparations for this year’s Gasparilla Parade.
“I keep hearing about this time off, and people I’m closest to are going to demand I take some time off, but I’ve tried that already. I tried a day and a half and it didn’t work.” – UF’sUrban Meyer on how his “leave of absence” is going.
“Students who have chosen education as their major have the lowest SAT scores of any other major. Prospects for improvement in black education are not likely given the cozy relationship between black politicians, civil rights organizations and teacher unions.” – Syndicated columnist Walter E. Williams, George Mason University.
“When unemployment is 10 percent, incumbency is the one job nobody wants.” –Bruce Reed, CEO, Democratic Leadership Council.
“If you lose Massachusetts and it’s not a wake-up call, there’s no hope of waking up.” – Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Indiana.
“No laws or walls we put up will ever be sufficient to protect us unless the Arab and Muslim societies from whence these suicide bombers emerge erect political, religious and moral restraints as well – starting by shaming suicide bombers and naming their actions ‘murder,’ not ‘martyrdom.’” – Thomas Friedman,New York Times.
“The tea party movement is mostly famous for its flamboyant fringe. But it is now more popular than either major party.” – David Brooks,New York Times.
“Longevity for a columnist is a simple proposition: Once you start, you don’t stop. You do it until you die or can no longer put a sentence together. It has always been my intention to die at my desk, although my most cherished ambition is to outlive the estate tax.” – Charles Krauthammer,Washington Post.