“There are no surgical options in a lot of the Third World. And the kids just die.”

– Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Neil Worrall, describing the circumstances that complicate health care for children such as 2-year-old Margarita Hernandez, an El Salvadoran child whose heart deformity was corrected in Spokane recently by a team of physicians, including Worrall, through Healing the Children.

“It isn’t an ideological question; it’s an arithmetic question.”

– Robert L. Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, speaking in Seattle as part of the organization’s “fiscal wake-up tour” meant to alert the public to the coming consequences of deficit spending.

“When faced with an opportunity to prevent an avoidable death, the path becomes clear.”

– Holy Family Hospital CEO Gary S. Kaplan, talking about the value of flu shots for health care workers whose low rate of immunizations is alleged to put their patients at risk.

“He rotates. It’s easy, just one, two, three.”

– Polygamy proponent Valerie (who refuses to disclose her last name), explaining how her husband manages his sexual relationship with three wives.

“You’ve got to make a stand someplace. All these gals, they were mothers, daughters, aunts, grandmas. They all had lives, even though they had problems.”

– Karyl Bushnell, watching proceedings of the Washington state Supreme Court, which will decide whether to overturn the death sentence facing serial killer Robert Yates Jr., whose victims included Bushnell’s daughter, Melinda Mercer.

“I’ve got two staff, literally, in the attic. I don’t have offices for them.”

– Spokane County Public Defender John Rodgers, stressing that even though his office just received $2 million in extra state funding, the resources available for representing indigent criminal defendants remain inadequate.

“If you’re going to get sickened by watching tens of thousands of fascists worshipping Hitler, it’s a good idea to know ahead of time. If you can’t handle this, study bugs.”

– University of Idaho Professor Dennis West, quoted in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News on his controversial requirement that students sign a statement of understanding before taking his film studies classes.

“When you explain it’s the farm and their practices, they’re into it. It’s so Washington.”

– Marketing director Laurie Lombard of PCC Stores, describing customer reaction to a recent promotional campaign featuring wines and food products that have earned a label demonstrating they use farming practices that protect salmon.

“Do I really want to advocate for someone’s right to beg when I don’t want homeless people to have to beg?”

– Executive Director Bill Hobson of Seattle’s Downtown Emergency Service Center, concurring with apending Downtown Seattle Association brochure that advises people to turn down panhandlers but also provides a list of social services available to the needy.