* “The United States of America will continue to do what we must do to protect our people. We will be vigilant, and we will be relentless.”–President Barack Obama.
* “This (Islamic State) is an organization that has an apocalyptic, end-of-days strategic vision and which will eventually have to be defeated.”–Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
* “The United States government believes very strongly that paying ransom to terrorists gives them a tool in the form of financing that helps them propagate what they’re doing. And so we believe very strongly that we don’t do that, for that reason.”–State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf.
* “There will be no military solution to this problem.”–German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Ukraine-Russia relations.
* “This country is capable of change. But change doesn’t happen by itself. So let’s start here. Let’s do the work today.”–Attorney General Eric Holder in Ferguson, Mo.
* “That kind (military) of equipment needs to be used in situations where there’s gunfire. That equipment is used in most respects to rescue people under fire. But on a typical protest, there’s no reason to have that out in front. Have it in reserve and available if you need it.”–Darrel Stephens, executive director of Major Cities Chiefs Police Association and former St. Petersburg police chief.
* “I think one of the things the White House has not done well and the president has not done well is the simple idea of establishing relationships before there is a crisis.”–Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent member of the Democratic caucus.
* “It’s about business, and if somebody can look good on TV and present themselves well and have somewhat of a convincing pitch to a relatively naive audience, that’s all the networks care about. Just because you’re a general does not mean you are qualified to go on television and talk.”–Retired Marine Lt. Col. Bill Cowan, a 12-year Fox News analyst.
* “He is this kind of American construct. He’s in the middle of the story and then he comes back … and he talks about the story.”–Syracuse University Robert Thompson, an expert on television and pop culture, on the revolving roles of the Rev. Al Sharpton, host of MSNBC’s “Politics Nation.”
* “When observers look back 50 years from now, the arguments supporting Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage, though just as sincerely held, will again seem an obvious pretext for discrimination. Observers who are not now of age will wonder just how those views could have been held.”–U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle, in ruling that Florida’s ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional.
* “It’s puzzling to me why more states are not interested in investigating the overwhelming practical benefits of (Medicaid) expansion. I understand some legislators might have philosophical beliefs that make it hard to accept it, but there have been enough creative waiver proposals to get around those philosophical differences.”–Stan Dorn, senior fellow at the Urban Institute and one of the authors of a Medicaid expansion study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
* “This is not complicated. We teach this to18-year-olds every year and I’ve been doing it for 25 years. It’s not hard science.”–David Hastings, professor of marine science and chemistry at Eckerd College, on being part of a five-member, climate-science group that met with Gov. Rick Scott.
* “I will be out there supporting the Democratic nominee. I’m a true Democrat and I’ll support the Democrat.”–Nan Rich, underscoring that she will support Charlie Crist in the gubernatorial election.
* “As a lifelong Republican and a legislator for many years, I have seen a disturbing change in the Republican Party of Florida, its policies and its tone. I’m particularly troubled by the willingness, if not deliberate strategy, to twist the truth.”–Paula Dockery.
* “The numbers continue to be very, very strong. Not only was July strong, but I’m really excited about what we’ve seen in August.”–Santiago Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, on the strong showing of Tampa Bay area hotels.
* “I am proud of the density of Tampa Bay’s artistic assets. We are Florida’s Cultural Coast, a distinction that sets us apart and can launch us into the international market of cultural tourism.”–Judy Lisi, president and CEO, Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
* “I’m really worried about pleasing (Athletic Director) Jeremy Foley, (President) Bernie Machen, my wife, my mom and my family. I spend zero time worrying about anything other than what I can control.”–University of Florida head football coach Will Muschamp.