“This isn’t a tweak. This isn’t a tune. This is a change that we needed to implement, partially driven by the economy.”

– Itronix business director John Schneider, announcing that General Dynamics will close the homegrown technology operation at the end of the year, eliminating about 360 jobs in response not only to the economy but also to changes taking place in the industry.

“I’d invite Sen. Marr to come visit me in January.”

– Washington state Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, arguing that winter driving conditions in his rural district make state Sen. Chris Marr’s proposal to ban studded tires impractical.

“We may not be able to return their innocence, but we can remove them from this cycle of abuse and violence.”

– FBI Director Robert Mueller, following a nationwide sweep in which federal and local law enforcement officers partnered to rescue 48 teenage prostitutes and arrest more than 571 suspects on various prostitution-related charges.

“I apologize if my comments offended Justice Ginsburg. That certainly was not my intent.”

– U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., after predicting in a speech that the Supreme Court justice, who is recovering from surgery for pancreatic cancer, would likely die within a matter of months.

“City health board members are crucial if any local dollars are to be raised for health departments. No participation, no dollars.”

– Spokane Valley City Councilman Bill Gothmann, a member of the Spokane Regional Health District board, reacting to a legislative proposal by Washington state Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, to put fewer local elected officials on regional health boards.