* “We have an organized crime and a disorganized society…The behavior of the criminals has changed and become a defiance to the state, an attempt to replace the state.”–Mexican President Felipe Calderon on the ultimate goal of drug-trafficking criminal organizations.
* “Obama, how do you expect me to accept this gentleman as ambassador? He disqualified himself. He cannot come as ambassador.”–Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who rejected Larry Palmer as U.S. ambassador to Caracas for recently raising concerns about Colombian rebels finding refuge in Venezuela.
* “There’s lots of oil and gas here. We’re going to have to think about what to do with that at some point.”–BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles.
* “In politics and pop culture, optics are all.”–Maureen Down, New York Times, in criticizing Michelle Obama for vacationing at a luxury Spanish resort as most Americans downsize summer get-aways.
* “You know, when I’m down and looking up, are they going to put ‘399’ on top of me or ‘401?’ What the hell will I care? I won’t know.”–Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, 83, beginning his 45th season at PSU with 394 wins.
* “It’s one thing to oppose a mosque because traffic might increase, but it’s different when you say these mosques are going to be nurturing terrorist bombers, that Islam is invading, that civilization is being undermined by Muslims.”–Ihsan Bagby, associate professor of Islamic studies at the University of Kentucky.
* “I find it interesting that I’m running on my record. He seems to be running from his record. For the second debate in a row, he’s run out and not faced the press.”–Gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum on Republican opponent Rick Scott’s quick, post-debate exit, one that left McCollum as the lone candidate to participate in a scheduled session of questions from the media.
* “The more calculating Democratic voters might start thinking about what’s the best option to prevent the election of (Marco) Rubio–may be voting for (Charlie) Crist.”–Stetson University political scientist Wayne Bailey on the possible fallout from a Jeff Greene win over Kendrick Meek in Florida’s Democratic senatorial primary.
* “It’s probably the perfect commercial advertisement for a reason to have a new ballpark. There’s no better reason than that.” Rays’ frustrated manager Joe Maddon after the Rays lost to Minnesota on a two-out, infield pop-up that hit the Trop’s A-ring catwalk and caromed down safely unfielded.
* “The stigma of D and F schools in St. Petersburg is killing us.”–St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster on the impact of having five of Pinellas Counties eight D or F elementary schools. Last year the county had none.
* “Buying and holding is the enemy of preservation and development.”–Stephanie Ferrell, preservation architect and developer of the Arlington Hotel on North Franklin Street.