The unique perspective and provocative opinions of Joe O’Neill
Quoteworthy
“I say this as a German: The idea that you could possibly die from weather is completely alien.”—Oxford physicist Friederike Otto, who studies climate change.
“Respecting international legal obligations is of paramount importance. We will not agree to a renegotiation.”—European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic, in rejecting a demand by the U.K. to renegotiate the Brexit deal governing Northern Ireland.
“There were people threatening the lives of members of Congress. There were members of Congress fleeing for their lives. This was more than a simple riot.”—U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss, who handed down an 8-month prison term to Paul Allard Hodgkins of Tampa for his role in the Capitol siege.
“The American people deserve to know what happened.”—Republican Rep. Liz Cheney on the need for a Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol Attack on the Capitol.
“It’s the unvaccinated folks who are letting us down.”—Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey.
“Sleep monitoring is a growth industry for Silicon Valley. It’s a selling point for wearables such as the Apple Watch and Fitbit.”—David Lazarus, LA Times.
“I also want to thank every Amazon customer, because you guys paid for all of this.”—Jeff Bezos, after flying into space in the Blue Origin.
“The traffic code has become a legal framework for investigating people. But middle-class white people are not affected by this.”—UNC political scientist Frank Baumgartner, the author of “Suspect Citizens: What 20 Million Traffic Stops Tell Us About Policing and Race.”
“Clean energy and resilience have become integral measures of a region’s overall competitiveness.”—Nicholas Glover, vice president of advocacy for the Tampa Bay Chamber.
“We are tan, rested and ready to go.”—Peter Lackman, captain of Ye Mystic Crew, on the announcement that the Gasparilla parades will return in January.
“The high tide increase every decade or two is superimposed on sea level rise, and the combination of the two is giving us vastly increased events.”—USF College of Marine Science Associate Dean Gary Mitchum, on the increase of tidal flooding in St. Petersburg.
“I think it’s just time.”—Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan, in announcing his September retirement.
“We stand united with the Cuban people 500 miles away and across our community.”—Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
“USF is the magnet that draws top talent, energy and innovation to our region.”—Will Weatherford, chairman of the USF Board of Trustees.
“We know that a community benefits agreement supports equity, inclusion and allyship.”—St. Petersburg NAACP President Esther Eugene, after the St. Petersburg City Council approved a “community benefit agreement” that would require developers who get significant city funding to reinvest in the community.