Category: Media Watch

* I think it’s fair to say that the president believes there is an opportunity for diplomacy when it comes to the issues that have presented challenges to the United States and our allies with regards to Iran. And we hope that the Iranian government takes advantage of this opportunity.” White House spokesman Jay Carney, commenting on the possibility of improved relations with Iran under newly elected Iranian President Hasan Rouhani.

* “A heart-breaking reminder that there exists unspeakable evil in our world.”–Secretary of State John Kerry on the terrorist attack in Nairobi that killed dozens and wounded more than 150. Al-Shabab, the Somalia-based, Islamist militant group, has claimed responsibility.

* “He doesn’t believe that human nature at liberty can rise above its weaknesses and build just, peaceful, prosperous societies. Or, at least, he doesn’t believe Russians can.”–GOP Sen. John McCain referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin in an op-ed in the Russian news website Pravda.ru.

* “If Congress doesn’t pass this debt ceiling in the next few weeks, the United States will default on its obligations. That’s never happened in American history. Basically, America becomes a deadbeat.”–President Barack Obama.

* “There’s only one word that comes to mind: cruel.”–U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., reacting to the House–absent any Democratic votes–narrowly approving deep reductions to the food stamp program.

* “There’s something evil in our society that we as Americans have to work to try and eradicate. There’s something wrong here when we have these multiple shootings, these multiple injuries.”–Dr. Janis Orlowski, COO of MedStar Washington Hospital Center, in the aftermath of the Navy Yard shootings.

* “I have reluctantly concluded that any possible confirmation process for me would be acrimonious and would not serve the interests of the Federal Reserve, the administration or ultimately, the interests of the nation’s ongoing economic recovery.”–Lawrence Summers, in withdrawing his name as a leading candidate to replace Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.

* “The long-term upside for workers is that American companies are about as well positioned as they have been in decades to compete and win on a global scale.”–Boeing CEO Jim McNerney.

* “Let me put it this way: If hackers get a hold of your thumbprint, they could use it to identify and impersonate you for the rest of your life.”–Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., voicing concern over the use of fingerprint recognition technology in the new iPhone 58.

* “The United States must be better prepared to take advantage of the explosive growth in travel demand that is building among middle-class consumers in emerging economies. Although the Obama Administration has made remarkable improvements to the visa application process in several critical markets, legislation is needed to build on these gains.”–Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International.

* “When we get into the spring, and summer, he might be prevailed upon to run. From my perspective, that would be outstanding news.”–Alex Sink on the prospect of Sen. Bill Nelson running for governor.

* “You’re looking at a boulder to push up a mountain on this one.”–Frank Brogan, outgoing chancellor of the state university system, on Florida Polytechnic, which is slated to open in less than a year.

* “Any business can say, ‘No shirt, no shoes, no service and no sidearms either.'”–Joe Bodiford, criminal defense attorney and adjunct professor of law with Stetson University.

* “I can’t sleep I get so excited about it.”–Columbia Restaurant owner Richard Gonzmart on renewed developer plans for The Heights project.

* “We haven’t actually thought about whether we’re selling or leasing it.”–Charles Klug, Tampa Port Authority’s legal counsel, on whether the port will ultimately be leasing or selling Channelside Bay Plaza property to a developer.

* “It’s a health, safety and welfare issue.”–Tampa City Council Chairman Charlie Miranda on why he wants the city to tighten rules on “pop-up” businesses.

* “The event doesn’t happen without help from sponsors. It’s a big deal for us to have a title sponsor back this year.”–Darrell Stefany, president of EventFest, on the return of Seminole Hard Rock Tampa as title sponsor for the Gasparilla festival.

* “Other cities would kill for this. We just need to tie it together.”–Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker on the effort to brand and market the area just south of downtown St. Petersburg that is dominated by research and educational institutions.

* “Everybody in professional sports I guarantee you is a role model to somebody. I want to be a positive influence on as many people’s lives as I can.”–David Price, Tampa Bay Rays.

* “The threat of force is real, and the Assad regime and all those taking part need to understand that President Obama and the United States are committed to achieve this goal.”–Secretary of State John Kerry, briefing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the chemical-weapons deal with Syria.

* “Our geopolitical priorities are evolving. We understand that the 21st century will not be the American century. It will be the Asian century, and we feel we’ve been hung up too long on the Western vector in our foreign policy.”–Alexi Pushkov, chairman of the foreign-relations committee in Russia’s parliament, the State Duma.

* “I have reluctantly concluded that any possible confirmation process for me would be acrimonious and would not serve the interests of the Federal Reserve, the administration or ultimately, the interests of the nation’s ongoing economic recovery.”–Lawrence Summers, in withdrawing his name as a leading candidate to replace Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.

* “Hillary and I come from different political parties, and we disagree about lots of things, but we agree on the wisdom of the American people–especially those in Iowa and New Hampshire and South Carolina.”–Jeb Bush in presenting the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal to (fellow 2016 presidential prospect) Hillary Clinton.

* “More than 12 million students are projected to drop out of high school over the next decade; the millions more with diplomas face bleak job prospects. … But we can learn from Germany, a world leader in technical training, and offer two-year degrees in manufacturing technology, starting the last year of high school and extending a year beyond.”–Robert B. Reich, former secretary of labor during the Clinton Administration.

* “The NAACP has always been the largest civil rights organization in the streets, and today it is also the largest civil rights organization online, on mobile and at the ballot box too.”–NAACP president Benjamin Jealous, who is stepping down at the end of the year.

* “The United States must be better prepared to take advantage of the explosive growth in travel demand that is building among middle-class consumers in emerging economies. Although the Obama Administration has made remarkable improvements to the visa application process in several critical markets, legislation is needed to build on these gains.”–Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International.

* “Florida’s difficulty in the last few years doesn’t stem from its tax code. It stems from having a real estate and construction-driven economy in a real estate- and construction-driven recession.”–Lyman Stone, Tax Foundation state economist.

* “You’re looking at a boulder to push up a mountain on this one.”–Frank Brogan, outgoing chancellor of the state university system, on Florida Polytechnic, which is slated to open in less than a year.

* “All of a sudden, the state GOP wants to be my best friend. The same GOP that stood by while the local few in the GOP voted me off the Pasco GOP Executive Committee last year. The same GOP that funded my primary opponent.”–Maverick Republican Mike Fasano, who gave up his west Pasco state House seat to become Pasco County tax collector.

* “I’m frustrated that our (Democratic gubernatorial) bench is not deeper than it is, the fact that we could conceivably wind up with a candidate who one or two years ago was saying something entirely different than where he is today.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

* “Tampa International Airport, along with airport and tourism officials throughout the country, are looking to federal lawmakers to support legislation that would boost international tourism to the United States by making it easier for low-risk travelers to visit the country and continue the Brand USA program, which markets the United States globally… .”–Joe Lopano, TIA CEO.

* “We’ve never received such a welcome. … From the venues to the production guys to the Indian community at large, they’re all excited, and I think back home our film industry is extremely excited to come to Tampa.”–Andre Timmons, director of Wizcraft International Entertainment, the Mumbai-based company that puts on the “Bollywood Oscars” extravaganza coming to Tampa next year.

* “Once discovered, this area has incredible potential.”–Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines, on why Latin American travelers will enjoy visiting the Tampa Bay region.

* “I think it will invigorate and transform downtown in a way no single project in recent memory has. The lack of continuity has always been the biggest impediment to enjoying it.”–Tampa City Council member Harry Cohen on the significance of the beginning of the final leg of the 2.4-mile Tampa Riverwalk.

* “We have to provide the proper support services for the people who take these online classes, and we want to make sure people have the full USF experience, even if they live in Suriname or New York.”–Beth Garland, chief business officer for USF’s University College.

* “Other cities would kill for this. We just need to tie it together.”–Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker on the effort to brand and market the area just south of downtown St. Petersburg that is dominated by research and educational institutions.

The times, they are still a-changing update: The talented Jimmy Fallon, who will take over the Tonight Show early next year, is increasingly known for his pop culture adaptations. For example, he will be bringing along the rap group, The Roots, as his Tonight Show house band. Currently he and The Roots do a Late Night with Jimmy Fallon staple called “slow jamming the news.” They take a topic–and an appropriate representative–and “slow jam” the message with hip counterpoints and flourishes. He gets live guests, notably politicians, to play along. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has taken a turn. So has President Barack Obama.

Christie was good because he’s a major ham–and because he fits well into the tradition of political candidates doing alternative-demographic audiences that dates to John F. Kennedy going on Jack Paar in 1960. President Obama, however, was a different story, although he played his role well. Of course he did; he’s naturally good on any stage, especially political theater.

But the problem–and I suspect it is not a problem to many observers–is that what is appropriate for a presidential candidate is not so for the person who actually holds the office. During his “slow jam” appearance, the president addressed the societal crisis that is the ever-rising cost of higher education and the need to keep college affordable. The issue–and collateral points–arguably deserved a more serious context than this, where The Roots leader chirped about “The POTUS with the mostest.”

But it could have been worse. The president could have been “slow jamming” about chemical genocide in Syria.

That was quite the up-close and very personal account of a local political figure in action carried in the Tampa Bay Times last Sunday. It involved St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster addressing more than the typical needs of a constituent. Foster was playing the role of good Samaritan on the Howard Frankland Bridge. A car had crashed into a cement barrier after colliding with another vehicle, and a young woman was crouched down next to the retaining wall. She was, it turned out, a bit shaken but not seriously injured. He comforted 16-year-old Olivia Snow Smith, called her parents and remained on the scene until her father showed up.

The father was Adam Smith, the Times political editor. Reportedly, the Lens, Midtown, the Rays and the run-off with Rick Kriseman barely came up.

* “There has been no evidence that I used chemical weapons against my own people.”–Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

* “The tide of human suffering unleashed by the (Syrian) conflict has catastrophic implications. If the situation continues to deteriorate at this rate, some neighboring countries could be brought to the point of collapse.”–U.N. special envoy Angelina Jolie.

* “Let Allah sort it out.”–Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s advice on Syria to President Obama.

* “I think it is very serious to spy on a democratic country, very serious. I don’t see how someone can defend spying on a democratic country, or spying on the privacy of people.”–Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, in response to allegations that the U.S. monitored communications in Brazil and Mexico.

* “He’s my friend for life. I don’t care what you guys think about him.”–Dennis Rodman, after visiting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

* “It’s the great irony of the Internet era: People have more access than ever to an array of viewpoints, but also the technological ability to screen out anything that doesn’t reinforce their views.”–Jonathan Martin, POLITICO.

* “At the colleges and universities attended by most American students, costs are spiraling out of control and quality is declining just as increasing international competition demands that higher education become more productive and less expensive.”–Jeffrey Selingo, author and editor at large for the Chronicle of Higher Education.

* “More than 12 million students are projected to drop out of high school over the next decade; the millions more with diplomas face bleak job prospects. … But we can learn from Germany, a world leader in technical training, and offer two-year degrees in manufacturing technology, starting the last year of high school and extending a year beyond.”–Robert B. Reich, former secretary of labor during the Clinton Administration.

* “The NAACP has always been the largest civil rights organization in the streets, and today it is also the largest civil rights organization online, on mobile and at the ballot box tool.”–NAACP president Benjamin Jealous, who is stepping down at the end of the year.

* “The United States must be better prepared to take advantage of the explosive growth in travel demand that is building among middle-class consumers in emerging economies. Although the Obama Administration has made remarkable improvements to the visa application process in several critical markets, legislation is needed to build on these gains.”–Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International.

* “Florida’s difficulty in the last few years doesn’t stem from its tax code. It stems from having a real estate and construction-driven economy in a real estate- and construction-driven recession.”–Lyman Stone, Tax Foundation state economist.

* “You’re looking at a boulder to push up a mountain on this one.”–Frank Brogan, outgoing chancellor of the state university system, on Florida Polytechnic, which is slated to open in less than a year.

* “All of a sudden, the state GOP wants to be my best friend. The same GOP that stood by while the local few in the GOP voted me off the Pasco GOP Executive Committee last year. The same GOP that funded my primary opponent.”–Maverick Republican Mike Fasano, who gave up his west Pasco state House seat to become Pasco County tax collector.

* “I’m frustrated that our (Democratic gubernatorial) bench is not deeper than it is, the fact that we could conceivably wind up with a candidate who one or two years ago was saying something entirely different than where he is today.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

* “Tampa International Airport, along with airport and tourism officials throughout the country, are looking to federal lawmakers to support legislation that would boost international tourism to the United States by making it easier for low-risk travelers to visit the country and continue the Brand USA program, which markets the United States globally… .”–Joe Lopano, TIA CEO.

* “This move to downtown Tampa is part of our plan to become more involved in the Tampa Bay community. The new location also makes business easier and more convenient for our international colleagues, with increased proximity to Tampa International Airport.”–Dr. Richard Steeves, CEO and founder of British firm Synergy Health, which is moving its corporate headquarters for the Americas from north Tampa to downtown.

* “We’ve never received such a welcome. … From the venues to the production guys to the Indian community at large, they’re all excited, and I think back home our film industry is extremely excited to come to Tampa.”–Andre Timmons, director of Wizcraft International Entertainment, the Mumbai-based company that puts on the “Bollywood Oscars” extravaganza coming to Tampa next year.

* “I think it will invigorate and transform downtown in a way no single project in recent memory has. The lack of continuity has always been the biggest impediment to enjoying it.”–Tampa City Council member Harry Cohen on the significance of the beginning of the final leg of the 2.4-mile Tampa Riverwalk.

* “We have to provide the proper support services for the people who take these online classes, and we want to make sure people have the full USF experience, even if they live in Suriname or New York.”–Beth Garland, chief business officer for USF’s University College.

* “Other cities would kill for this. We just need to tie it together.”–Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker on the effort to brand and market the area just south of downtown St. Petersburg that is dominated by research and educational institutions.

First things first. Lee Daniels’ The Butler is worth seeing. But not just because it’s a box office blockbuster with plenty of show-biz buzz.

It’s a compelling, heavily fictionalized account of a black White House butler who actually served from the Eisenhower to the Reagan Administration. Poetic dramatic license was obviously not spared in reflecting the roiling racism of the times. Newsreel footage added gritty reality. Oprah Winfrey has a major part, not including her massive marketing appeal. Forest Whitaker, who plays the role of the character loosely based on Eugene Allen’s 34-year, White House tenure, is superb. Other prominent, entertainment-world figures–from Robin Williams to Jane Fonda–were purposely included to help hype the movie to white audiences.

But because, not unlike 42, it chronicles the ugly truth of America’s racist roots–as well as evolving race relations–it should be seen by both black and white audiences. Especially those generations who have never found time to read the minutes of previous racial meetings–and think reality kicked in with the demise of Michael Jackson and the death of Trayvon Martin.

If you’ve seen Lee Daniels’ The Butler, you’ll know what I mean on this one: The movie ran about 10 minutes too long. Perhaps a prescient, concluding exchange between butler father and erstwhile activist, Black Panther son about when–or if–we would see a black president–and what it would say about America–would have sufficed.

But timing is everything. The movie continued through the Barack Obama campaign and election. Plenty of “Hope” and “Yes We Can” imagery culminating with an invitation for the elderly Whitaker-as-Allen character to visit President Obama. The president is not depicted, but he was actually written into the initial script. Daniels rightly thought it would have been “overkill.”

The irony at this point is palpably sad.

Four and a half years in, the likely legacy of the first administration headed by an African-American increasingly looks like: “historic opportunity missed.” Right-wing haters have come out of hibernation. They found cover in opposing Obama’s “policies.” Some believe he’s a “socialist,” whatever that means to them. Some still see an ineligible imposter. Others just see themselves looking up at someone they think they should be looking down on.

Liberals know he’s much better than the alternative–but also know that’s an insultingly low bar. Affordable health care should be single payer. Obama shouldn’t have had to “evolve” on gay rights. Not all of his cabinet appointees have been sterling–and we may yet be revisited by Lawrence Summers, this time chairing the Federal Reserve. There have been IRS and NSA embarrassments.  Foreign policy–regardless of the neo-conned mess the president inherited–now seems tentative, flailing and nigh on to hawkish on Syria.

At the climatic moment that concludes The Butler, I frankly didn’t want to be reminded of what the tortuous, civil rights struggle had apparently culminated in. Our first black president was presiding over perversely polarized politics, the gridlock from hell and a frenzied White House that now seems more histrionic than historic.

* “Frankly, part of the challenge we end up with here is a lot of people think something should be done, but nobody wants to do it.”–President Barack Obama on punishing the Syrian regime of President Bashar Assad for the chemical mass killing of civilians.

* “Right now, the Obama Administration is trapped by its client state the way that great-power patrons often are. Because our aid to Egypt is our most obvious leverage over its military, and because we can really only pull that lever once, Washington is afraid to follow through and do it.”–Ross Douthat, New York Times.

* “Unconventional monetary policy is still needed in all places it is being used, albeit longer for some than for others.”–International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

* “Do not be fooled. He is not giving his life. We are taking his life. This is not his gift to God. This is his debt to society.”–Col. Michael Mulligan, the Army’s lead prosecutor, on the subject of “martyrdom” and the death sentence handed down to Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan for killing or wounding more than 40 soldiers at Fort Hood in 2009.

* “I don’t see that my majority opinions are going to be undone. I do hope that some of my dissents will one day be the law.”–U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

* “The rhetoric is all about efficiency. The reality is all about higher prices.”–Karen Ignagni, CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans, on the trend of hospital mergers.

* “This is the time. This might be the last off-ramp for us to stop Obamacare before it gets so enmeshed in our culture that it’s impossible to change.–Heritage Foundation president Jim DeMint speaking against the Affordable Care Act at a recent Tampa town hall meeting.

* “Ted Cruz may be a very good politician, but he certainly doesn’t know anything about health care. … He’s a slick spokesman and God help us if he ever does get to be anything more than the senator from Texas.”–Howard Dean, former Democratic governor of Vermont.

* “The Republican Party is in a constant struggle between its ego and its id, and the id has mostly won out lately.”–Democratic consultant David Axelrod.

*For some of the rodeo clowns clamoring for impeachment around the country, Barack Obama’s real crime is presiding while black.”–Maureen Dowd, New York Times.

* “Higher education should not be a luxury. It is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.”–President Barack Obama.

* “E-cigarette use is growing rapidly. There is still a lot we don’t know about these products, including whether they will decrease or increase use of traditional cigarettes.”–Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

* “The thing that keeps me interested is that every single day I read another headline about something else this governor has done that is ridiculous and stupid and not in the best interest of Floridians. I can’t tell you how angry I am that the people of Florida have to endure this failed leadership.”–Alex Sink, former CFO of Florida and 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nominee.

* “Bud (Selig) is a very patient guy with these things, but (other team owners) are not happy with the situation … because if you think about it, the thing right now that’s really sustaining the team is revenue-sharing.”–Chuck Sykes, Tampa Bay Partnership chairman, on the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium status.

* “Our commitment (to the Common Core curriculum standards) is strong because it is the best decision for the future of our state and most importantly, the future of our students.”–Interim state Education Commissioner Pam Stewart.

* “Schools don’t teach; teachers teach. There’s much more variation within a school than between schools.”–Doug Tuthill, president of Step Up For Students, which administers Florida’s tax-credit scholarship program for low-income students.

* “Everything that we purchased we are putting to good use. Not only is it benefiting law enforcement, but the citizens of Tampa Bay for years to come.”–Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor on the crowd control and security equipment purchased with a federal grant for last summer’s GOP convention.

* “It’s (economic development) a long process, and it has to do with positioning and perceptions. The RNC (picking Tampa for a convention site) helped in an extraordinary way when it came to that.”–Rick Homans, president of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp.

* “You really can’t respond fast enough to express just how interested we are in pursuing the event.”–Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, on submitting a bid for Super Bowl LII in 2018.

* “(Mexicans) are rapidly becoming the core faith group in the Catholic Church in the United States.”–Bishop Robert Lynch, Diocese of St. Petersburg.

* “Syria today is not about choosing between two sides but rather about choosing one among many sides. It is my belief that the side we choose must be ready to promote their interests and ours when the balance shifts in their favor. Today, they are not.”–Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

* “Right now, the Obama Administration is trapped by its client state the way that great-power patrons often are. Because our aid to Egypt is our most obvious leverage over its military, and because we can really only pull that lever once, Washington is afraid to follow through and do it.”–Russ Douthat, New York Times.

* “Unconventional monetary policy is still needed in all places it is being used, albeit longer for some than for others.”–International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

* “Most presidents strive for a smooth, quiet transition that doesn’t put markets on edge. Now, we have this knock-down, drag-out fight.”–Economist and author David Jones on the public speculation about either Federal Reserve Vice Chairwoman Janet Yellen or former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers succeeding Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.

* “I don’t see that my majority opinions are going to be undone. I do hope that some of my dissents will one day be the law.”–U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

* “The rhetoric is all about efficiency. The reality is all about higher prices.”–Karen Ignagni, CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans, on the trend of hospital mergers.

* “This is the time. This might be the last off-ramp for us to stop Obamacare before it gets so enmeshed in our culture that it’s impossible to change.–Heritage Foundation president Jim DeMint speaking against the Affordable Care Act at a recent Tampa town hall meeting.

* “Ted Cruz may be a very good politician, but he certainly doesn’t know anything about health care. … He’s a slick spokesman and God help us if he ever does get to be anything more than the senator from Texas.”–Howard Dean, former Democratic governor of Vermont.

* “The Republican Party is in a constant struggle between its ego and its id, and the id has mostly won out lately.”–Democratic consultant David Axelrod.

*For some of the rodeo clowns clamoring for impeachment around the country, Barack Obama’s real crime is presiding while black.”–Maureen Dowd, New York Times.

* “Higher education should not be a luxury. It is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.”–President Barack Obama.

* “E-cigarette use is growing rapidly. There is still a lot we don’t know about these products, including whether they will decrease or increase use of traditional cigarettes.”–Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

* “This will be the most important vote on land conservation and the environment in our lifetime.”–Will Abberger, director of conservation finance for the Trust for Public Land, on a proposed 2014 amendment to Florida’s constitution that would guarantee for the first time a state source of funding for land preservation and related environmental programs.

* “The thing that keeps me interested is that every single day I read another headline about something else this governor has done that is ridiculous and stupid and not in the best interest of Floridians. I can’t tell you how angry I am that the people of Florida have to endure this failed leadership.”–Alex Sink, former CFO of Florida and 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nominee.

* “Project Sunburst had the potential to be recognized globally as a government transparency innovation. The basic promises of the project have not been kept.”–Dan Krassner, executive director of Integrity Florida, an independent government watchdog group, on the status of Gov. Rick Scott’s email transparency system.

* “Our commitment (to the Common Core curriculum standards) is strong because it is the best decision for the future of our state and most importantly, the future of our students.”–Interim state Education Commissioner Pam Stewart.

* “Funding for Visit Tampa Bay needs to be addressed quickly. We are going to be left in the dust.”–Lou Plasencia, Hillsborough Tourist Council member and Chairman/CEO of The Plasencia Group.

* “Everything that we purchased we are putting to good use. Not only is it benefiting law enforcement, but the citizens of Tampa Bay for years to come.”–Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor on the crowd control and security equipment purchased with a federal grant for last summer’s GOP convention.

* “It’s (economic development) a long process, and it has to do with positioning and perceptions. The RNC (picking Tampa for a convention site) helped in an extraordinary way when it came to that.”–Rick Homans, president of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp.

* “(Mexicans) are rapidly becoming the core faith group in the Catholic Church in the United States.”–Bishop Robert Lynch, Diocese of St. Petersburg.

*”There is room for everyone in Egypt, and we are cautious about every drop of Egyptian blood.”–Egyptian Minister of Defense Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.

* “On the losing side of the ledger we must add the United States, which handled the Egyptian uprising very badly and managed to come out of the crisis with all sides against it. … Whatever the U.S. government did wrong, it was the Egyptian people who started their revolution and who then let it get away from them. This is Egypt’s disaster–a disaster with no winners. It is now up to the Egyptian people to save their country.”–Frida Ghitis, Miami Herald.

* “People in the June 14 elections declared that they want a new foreign policy.”–Hasan Rouhani, Iran’s new president.

* “Privacy does not mean keeping secrets. Rather, it means having the power to keep them if you wish.”–Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Speech, Privacy and Technology Project.

* “If I died by lethal injection, I would still be a martyr.”–Fort Hood gunman Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan.

* “Faith and violence are incompatible.”–Pope Francis.

* “We have to get beyond being anti-Obama. We are caught right now in a culture, and you see it every single day, where as long as we’re negative and as long as we’re vicious and as long as we can tear down our opponent, we don’t have to learn anything. And so we don’t. This is a very deep problem.”–Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at the Republican National Committee’s annual summer meeting.

* “We will never elect another president if we don’t figure out a way to attract more nonwhite voters.”–GOP pollster Whit Ayres.

* “One of the most compelling reasons for the U.S. House to pass immigration reform is to strengthen Social Security.”–Florida Congresswoman Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.

* “When US Airways and American chose consolidation over competition–to the detriment of Floridians–it became my duty to act.”–Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi explaining why she joined the Justice Department lawsuit blocking the proposed merger of US Airways and American Airlines.

* “When you’re selling dreams and vacations and memories, and the numbers are all going in the right direction, it’s a lot of fun.”–Will Seccombe, CEO of Visit Florida, on numbers that show Florida on track for another record tourism year.

* “I got to tell you, I am so baffled at what is going on here.”–U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Florida lawmakers’ decision to suspend the state’s power over health insurance rates that will leave consumers at the mercy of the market.

* “The solar market is rapidly developing with both utility-scale and (small-scale) solar applications growing in states across the country. With or without subsidies, solar … will increasingly be part of our resource mix as customers demand greater use of this technology. … The big idea is that someday in the future, Florida is going to produce all its own energy and store it.”–Duke Energy spokesman Sterling Ivey.

* “This wave is coming to kill Common Core.”–Florida Board of Education member Kathleen Shanahan.

* “Very strong consideration (is being given) to assigning someone from MLB to intervene in this process, find out exactly what the hell is going on.” Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig on the lack of progress on Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium discussions.

* “My focus is resetting the economy, attracting a type of industry we haven’t attracted before.”–Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe.

* “If students see how important education is to their parents, and if the parents are constantly underscoring that, it makes a huge difference in the way students focus.”–MaryEllen Elia, superintendent of the Hillsborough County School District.

* “If I were a car thief, I’d move to St. Petersburg.”–Frank Scafidi, spokesman for the National Insurance Crime Bureau, on data showing that of cars stolen in St. Petersburg this year, more than 80 percent involved keys left in the vehicles.

* “Amen.”–Response of Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos to news that the long-vacant Scientology Flag Building would finally open.

* “Code issues are like a cancer, and if you don’t eradicate it, if you don’t stay on top of it, it will spread through a neighborhood like a cancer through the human body.”–Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

We’re still fortunate to be a two-newspaper market. And sometimes it does make for intriguing juxtapositions.

For example, it was interesting, if not surprising, how the two local dailies treated the controversial issue of the Residences at the Riverwalk, the proposed, 380-apartment tower near the Riverwalk. In the run-up to the highly-anticipated, Tampa City Council vote, both the Tampa Bay Times and the Tampa Tribune editorialized on it multiple times. The Times kept finding it oversized and misplaced. The Trib kept seeing it as an energizing catalyst for downtown. When City Council gave it preliminary approval last Thursday, the Times reported it on page one, the Trib curiously on the Metro section’s page 2. The Times’ headline was couched in a qualifier: “River Tower May Go Ahead.” The Trib’s was more assertive: “36-Story Downtown Apartment Tower Clears Hurdle.”

The reality: The vote–in front of a late-night, packed house and after three hours of discussion and testimony–was 5-2 in favor. No surprise, Mary Mulhern and Yolie Capin were the minority duo. The later, however, was surprisingly–and blatantly–unprepared. The majority approved rezoning and a plan to vacate parts of Cass and Tyler streets to help create the RATR site.

Make no mistake, however, this was the deciding vote. Next Thursday morning, council will more routinely check out the city’s roadway construction improvement agreement that formally details the developers’ previously referenced obligations.