“The American people, the most generous on earth, who created the highest standard of living, are not going to accept the notion that we can only make a better world for others by moving backwards ourselves.”

– Former President Ronald Reagan, accepting the Republican presidential nomination on July 17, 1980.

“This is an emotional issue on both sides, but if we could sit down at the negotiating table, I’d tell people I’m not out to hurt them and I’d like to hear them tell me that they don’t want to shut me down.”

– North Idaho farmer Jeff Tee, commenting on the perennenial debate over field burning.

“If I’m from Atlanta, Georgia, and I can take a river trip for $50, and it’s 15 minutes from my hotel? That’s compelling.”

– Mike Edwards, president of the Downtown Spokane Partnership, describing the tourism appeal of the Spokane River and its recreation potential.

“The day that you can get the economy a little better and employ a few more people, that’s a few more people who will not be carrying AK-47s that night.”

– L. Gen. Thomas F. Metz, commander of day-to-day military operations in Iraq, quoted in the New York Times, about a new emphasis on protecting the new Iraqi government and Iraq’s economy.

“We understand that many in the hierarchy consider Law a smart man with some skills. We also know, however, that many in the pews consider Law a near-criminal with major liabilities.”

– David Clohessy, spokesman for a victims group, after Pope John Paul II appointed Cardinal Bernard Law archpriest of St. Mary Major Basilica. Law has been named in hundreds of lawsuits accusing him of failing to protect children in the Boston Archdiocese from known child molesters in the priesthood.

“We always focus on voting as an indicator of citizen interest and that is an important indicator, but also important … is the role people play in trying to affect public policy throughout the year.”

– Boise State University political science professor Jim Weatherby, commenting on the nearly 25,000 phone calls Idaho citizens placed to lawmakers during this year’s legislative session.

“I have a feeling they have gone under again. They’re trying to stay private. And if they stayed in Forest Park for four years, they could be almost anywhere.”

– Pastor Ronald McCallum of Emanuel Lutheran Church, pondering the whereabouts of a father and daughter who mysteriously left the home provided for them after they were discovered in a Portland city park where they had lived – clean, healthy and educated – for four years.