The unique perspective and provocative opinions of Joe O’Neill
Quoteworthy
“Patriotism is loyalty to country, loyalty to the Constitution, not loyalty to a single head of state. That’s the tyranny we rejected on July 4th of 1776.”—U.S. District Judge AmyBerman, in rejecting claims that detained defendants in the Capitol attack are “political prisoners” or that rioters acted out of patriotism.
“The American people deserve to have good roads and bridges and infrastructure to drive on, travel on.”—Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, the lead Republican negotiator on the $1 trillion, bipartisan infrastructure package.
“Trust is key, and there is almost none now.”—Tom Daschle, former Democratic Senate leader from South Dakota.
“I’m tired of hearing … that I need to respect other people’s choices—even when those choices put others’ health and lives at risk. Gross selfishness masked as American individualism is killing our country and traumatizing our children.”—Jessica Valenti, feminist author and publisher of the “All in Her Head” newsletter.
“It’s reasonable, it’s fair, and its legal to step up the pressure on the reckless (vaccination) non-compliant.”–Ruth Marcus,Washington Post.
“No one’s being asked to go off to fight radical Islam or fight a foreign enemy. We’re being asked to make responsible medical decisions. Take the vaccine.”—South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.
“A catastrophically monumental waste of resources.”—Environmentalist and author Paul Hawken, in reference to those flying long distances for business meetings.
“On this (56th) anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, we must say again that it is not right to erect barriers that make it harder for millions of eligible Americans to vote. And it is time for Congress to act again to protect that fundamental right.”—Attorney GeneralMerrick Garland.
“Confederate history is family history, history as eulogy, in which loyalty takes precedence over truth.”—Clint Smith,The Atlantic.
“A Pied Piper leading everybody off a cliff right now.”—Miami Beach Mayor DanGelber, in an analogy to Ron DeSantis’ handling of COVID.
“I wanted to be in an area brimming with innovative energy and stocked with skilled talent, and family friendly.”—Domm Holland, CEO of Fast, a San Francisco financial tech company that chose Tampa as its East Coast home base.
“The most exciting part is we’re just getting started.”—Rhea Law, USF interim president.
“Residential real estate has been the shining star during the pandemic.”—Anthony Solomon, owner of the Naples-based Ronto Group that is developing the 23-story Altura Bayshore condominium.
“Our hope is this infusion of cash will allow some businesses to make improvements or additions that they were forced to pass on because of the economic struggles of the past year and a half.”—Tampa Downtown Partnership president and CEO Lynda Remund, on TDP offering some businesses free $5,000 grants for street-level repairs and renovations.
“Around Channelside and Water Street, downtown has really been the nexus of a lot of activity… . A lot of the brands have to have pretty high rents to justify the construction costs of the last four or five years.”—Brian Alford, Florida’s director of market research for CoStar Group, a nationwide real estate data firm.
“Tonight, I advocate that we take the lead of football and huddle up as a people, as a great nation, and find the common ground through our shared values.”—John Lynch, in his Hall of Fame induction speech.