In their words
“Just because historically we haven’t found something doesn’t mean there isn’t something there.”
– Washington Gov. and former Attorney General Chris Gregoire, speaking to The Spokesman-Review editorial board about a gasoline-price investigation that has been launched by her office, that of Attorney General Rob McKenna and the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.
“I believe strongly that politicians in Washington shouldn’t be telling generals how to do their job.”
– President George W. Bush, criticizing congressional efforts to set a timetable for withdrawing American troops from Iraq.
“The Congress shall have Power To … make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces.”
– Article I, Section 8, Clause 14 of the U.S. Constitution.
“If they’d even dared come close to me, they’d be 6 feet under by now.”
– 1944 Miss America Venus Ramsey, who subdued an intruder at her Kentucky farm and held him for authorities after shooting out his tires with her snub-nosed, .38-caliber revolver.
“You can’t invite a guest of honor to come and be a political pinata.”
– C-SPAN’s political editor, Steve Scully, explaining why noncontroversial comedian Rich Little was emcee of this year’s White House Correspondents Association dinner, where President Bush had received searing treatment last year from then-host Stephen Colbert.
“The challenge is to be very cautious about having a chilling effect on department heads.”
– Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke, explaining his caution about disciplining County Building and Planning Director Jim Manson over several mistakes that were exposed by a whistle-blower.
“Companies should take this matter seriously. It has a head of steam.”
– Council of Institutional Investors Deputy Director Amy Borrus, talking about the growing ratio of CEO pay packages to the earnings of hourly workers – now more than 400 to 1.
“You don’t get to override the law. But the fact of the matter is that you did.”
– Congressman George Miller, D-Calif., speaking to officials of the Reading First program, a component of the Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind initiative, now under investigation by the Justice Department over alleged conflicts of interest.
“Iraq is going to have to learn – as, say, Northern Ireland – to live with some degree of sensational attacks.”
– Gen. David Petraeus, top U.S. commander in Iraq, explaining that elimination of car bombs is not a realistic goal in that country.