* “The will of the Chinese government and the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests is as firm as a rock. We will never allow any external forces to interfere in Hong Kong and Macau affairs.”–Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
* “China unfairly uses the American research and expertise it obtains for its own economic and military gain.”–Excerpt from the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs report on Chinese threats to U.S. Research.
* “I hope Japan and other nations in the world make an effort toward the maintenance of the agreement.”–Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, referencing the multi-nation nuclear agreement the U.S. withdrew from during Rouhani’s recent meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
* “During that sham trial, Pontius Pilate afforded more rights to Jesus than the Democrats have afforded this president in this process.”–Rep. Barry Laudermilk, R-Ga.
* “Why should crazy Nancy Pelosi be allowed to impeach the president of the United States?”–President Donald Trump.
* “I could not in good conscience vote against impeachment because I believe President Trump is guilty of wrongdoing. I also could not in good conscience vote for impeachment because removal of a sitting president must not be the culmination of a partisan process, fueled by tribal animosities that have so gravely divided our country.”–Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, in defending her controversial “present” vote on impeachment.
* “If he’d take it, yes.”–Joe Biden’s response to a question about whether, if nominated and elected, he would nominate Barack Obama to the Supreme Court.
* “The disregard for expertise in the federal government is worse than it’s ever been. It’s pervasive.”–Michael Gerrard, director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.
* “In the past, when we had an administration that was not very pro-environment, we could still just lay low and do our work. Now we feel like the E.P.A. is being run by the fossil fuel industry. It feels like a wholesale attack.”–Betsy Smith, a climate scientist who resigned from the E.P.A.
* “It’s a wonderful thing for science.”–U.S. astronaut Christina Koch, who recently broke the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, having spent 289 days in space aboard the International Space Station.
* “The guy is freaking evil.”–Navy SEAL Special Operator First Class Craig Miller, in describing Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher during the latter’s prosecution on war crimes charges. President Trump later pardoned Gallagher.
* “Experience is not what happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens to you.”–Aldous Huxley.
* “In Tampa Bay alone, studies have shown more than $15 billion in real estate and 17,000 jobs are at risk due to rising seas and extreme weather threats. … (However), the positive momentum to address these challenges has never been greater. Sea level rise legislation is gaining political support from both Republicans and Democrats, as they recognize the economic threat of doing nothing. … What we are doing now is not for us, but to ensure our children, grandchildren and future generations can enjoy the beauty of our region for years to come.”–Former Pinellas County Commissioner–and likely 2021 St. Petersburg mayoral candidate–Janet Long.
* “The provision of high quality water to the entire Tampa Bay region is one of the most critical issues we will face moving into the future. In order to meet this growing demand for water we must explore all environmentally friendly and scientifically proven alternative sources, while focusing on conservation.”–Mayor Jane Castor.
* “I continue to be deeply impressed. The impact of USF’s achievements during the past 10 years is a key reason why the world’s top talent chooses to live and work in the Tampa Bay region.”–USF President Steve Currall, on what drew him to the USF presidency.
* “It’s complicated to build in Florida, and it’s particularly complicated to build in a growing urban city like Tampa. We respect that it’s complicated, but it should not necessarily be a mystery.”–Carole Post, Tampa’s incoming economic development officer, underscoring priorities such as transparency and the streamlining of rules and operations.
* “It smells as bad as it could possibly smell.” Bucs head coach Bruce Arians, after the Bucs frustrating, 28-22 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons.