The unique perspective and provocative opinions of Joe O’Neill
Quoteworthy
“He just said it’s not Russia. I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be.”—President Donald Trump.
“It was not a good day for the country. … It was shameful.”—The response of Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., to the Trump-Putin summit.
“Now you wouldn’t think of the European Union, but they’re a foe. Russia is a foe in certain respects. China is a foe economically, certainly a foe.”—President Donald Trump.
“It is up for debate whether Donald Trump will be a sad aberration in American history, a mere blip. But thanks to the cheeky citizens of London, he will always be a blimp.”—Maureen Dowd,New York Times.
“What good is NATO if Germany is paying Russia billions of dollars for gas and energy?”—Donald Trump.
“Trump is a troll—both by temperament and by habit. His tweets and offhand taunts are the very essence of trolling—the lies, the scorn, the invective, the trash talk, and the rabid non sequiturs of an angry, aggrieved, isolated, and deeply self-absorbed adolescent who lives in a self-constructed bubble and gets the attention he craves from bashing his enemies and trailing clouds of outrage and dismay in his path.”—Michiko Kakutani, author of “The Death of Truth.”
“When we were in power, under Obama and Clinton, I don’t believe party leaders did what should have been done, and this is come up with a manifesto for the 21st”—Former Democratic Sen. Gary Hart of Colorado, a two-time presidential candidate.
“The Republicans galvanize their base by inciting a lot of fear; they operate on a lot of mythmaking.”—Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the unheralded New York Democrat who knocked off incumbent Rep. Joseph Crowley, chairman of the Democratic caucus and heir apparent to the minority leader, Nancy Pelosi.
“Whether it comes from the left or the right, judicial restraint is honorable, especially if it operates in a nonpartisan manner. But movement conservatism—like its left-wing sibling—is a major threat to democratic ideals. It is well worth figuring out whether any Supreme Court nominee, including Judge Brett Kavanaugh, subscribes to it.”—Cass R.Sunstein, author of “#Republic: Divided Democracy in the Age of Social Media.”
“I do see more news stories that are more Republican-leaning than I ever had. I’ve (also) seen the shift in all the national media to harden their positions and play more to their perceived audiences.”—Ken LaCorte, former senior vice president of Fox News Digital.
*This policy of (school) choice has helped create the most segregated school system in the country by reducing government intervention and incentivizing the public school system to act like a market. Those with purchasing power do fine. Those without suffer.”—Mike Stivers, Jacobin Magazine.
*Now that the Republican Party is very much Donald Trump’s party, you see less focus on ideology and more focus on tribalism, who has the guts to take people on.”—Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz.
“It makes it clear that a medical marijuana card is not a get-out-of-jail-free card if you’re driving impaired.”—State Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, on the state’s “Drive Baked, Get Busted” campaign.
“As Florida’s top agricultural official, I’ve witnessed firsthand how trade deals can impact our Florida farmers and agricultural industry. I’m pleased that the president is fighting for American jobs and Florida families.”—Agricultural Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam.
“Our goal is to use as little tax money as possible. We’re going to have to find other ways.”—Mayor BobBuckhorn on the city’s role in supporting a Rays move to an Ybor City stadium.
“With each passing day … We’re confident we will have the signatures by the end of the month to get this solution on the November ballot.”—Tyler Hudson, chairman of the All for Transportation committee, which needs 48,745 signatures by July 27 to get a sales tax referendum on the November ballot.
“I don’t know if I would call it a mode of transportation. It’s not going to take a lot of cars off the road, but it does bring bodies to our urban core.”—Mayor Bob Buckhorn, in announcing that he will recommend that City Council contribute the city’s $150,000 share to help fund the return of the CrossBay Ferry.