* “I worry the whole damned time and I can understand profoundly what it is that other families are going through, just how agonizing it is day in, day out, worrying about what is happening to your loved one.”–Prince Charles on his son, Prince Harry, serving in Afghanistan.
* “Aspirational goal.”–Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell’s characterization (as opposed to deadline) of 2014 as the date for U.S. forces to cede responsibility across Afghanistan to Afghan forces.
* “Ratifying New START is not a political choice, it’s a national security imperative.”–Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
* “A soldier as humble as he is heroic.”–President Barack Obama in presenting the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, the first living service member to receive the honor since the Vietnam War.
* “We want our people back.”–NASA spokesman Michael Braukus in response to scientists who have suggested that colonization of Mars could be accelerated if astronauts made one-way flights and emulated, for example, the first settlers arriving in North America.
* “If Republicans were truly interested in reducing the deficit while stimulating private-sector jobs, they would have jumped to embrace the idea floated last week by Sen. Mark Warner, the centrist Democrat from Virginia: Let high-end tax rates return to where they were during the Clinton years and use the $65 billion in additional income over the next two years for tax breaks for businesses that increase investments or hire new employees. After that, extra revenue would go toward deficit reduction.”–Steven Pearlstein, Washington Post.
* “I read ‘Decision Points,’ and it turns out that Bush is the Edith Piaf of fiscal policy: He regrets nothing.”–Ruth Marcus, Washington Post.
* “Please don’t think for a moment that we have given up. We truly think this is something that is critical to our region’s future and Florida’s future.”–Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio on future efforts to fund local transit, including light rail.
* “The next mayor will need to give 150 percent, and I would only be good for about 110 percent.”–Jim Davis on ruling out a run for mayor.
“The successful people are still spending money. People are still going out.”–Duke Mendel, owner of Scores, high-end strip club and newest addition to Dale Mabry competition.
* “This is our home, Tampa Bay is our home. We’re going to leave no stone unturned. I don’t know how many stones are left, but we’re going to leave no stone unturned.”–Tampa Bay Rays’ owner Stuart Sternberg.
* “They (Rays) know what they need, and they know that I’m here to help them in every way.”–Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig.