* “This is a critical moment. Two of America’s best friends (Israel and Turkey) are out of balance and infuriatingly at each other’s throats. We have got to move quickly to get them both back to the center before this spins out of control.”–Thomas Friedman, New York Times, on Israeli-Turkish relations imperiled by the Gaza blockade.
* “The economy appears to be growing at an annualized, inflation-adjusted rate of at least 3% this quarter, amid impressive retail sales and industrial-production figures. That’s respectable, though not robust, growth.”–Gregory Zuckerman, The Wall Street Journal.
* “Yes, the government is reorganizing one-sixth of the economy, but I have deep doubts that health care should be wholly treated as a free-market good. Isn’t all insurance a ‘socialized’ way of handling potential problems?”–Keith Chrostowski, Kansas City Star.
* “We will get it done. We will make this right.”–BP Exploration & Production Inc.
* “He’s a celebrity idiot, but he is a celebrity.”–Attorney Sam Adam Jr. on his client, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
* “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”–The late John Wooden, legendary UCLA basketball coach.
* “You have critical mass with the Hispanic community, which is starting to bleed over into the general market. You’re starting to see their love of soccer permeating into the U.S. marketplace as a whole.”–Jose Cancela, the principal of Hispanic USA, a Miami-based communications firm.
* “So why make a decision now? He’ll see who the majority party is. He’ll see how badly they want him. He’ll see what they have to offer.”–Brookings Institution’s Stephen Hess on Charlie Crist’s caucus choice should he be elected a U.S. senator.
* “They kept wanting to see how schools could be run more efficiently, with money left over at the end. For us, it’s not about having money at the end, it’s about getting a better student.”–Pinellas County Superintendent Julie Janssen on the culture clash that sometimes occurs with her district’s collaboration with the private sector.
* “Whoever the next mayor is, they’ll have to continue to advocate for mass transit.”–Tom Scott, chairman of Tampa City Council
* “We exerted great efforts so Ms. Bean could exit with great dignity … it obviously is not working.” Hillsborough County Commissioner Rose Ferlita.
* “I would never go into a person’s place of business where I’ve never been and feel comfortable in telling them how to do their jobs. Most of the critics, even the average fans, have no idea what it’s like to work a major-league clubhouse.”–Tampa Bay Rays’ manager Joe Maddon.