PERSPECTIVES
 

 
open quoteI went by my own gut feeling, it's as simple as that … If the government is going to indict him, let them go ahead and do that. That's their job and I'm doing my job.close quote

Illinois state Rep. Milton Patterson, explaining why he was the lone holdout in the Illinois House's vote to impeach Blagojevich

 
 
open quoteMy message is, cool it out there, folks. This is not a game.close quote

Oakland, Calif., Mayor Ron Dellums, addressing rioters angry over the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man by a transit-system police officer

 
 
open quoteThe vicious cycle of provocation and retribution must be brought to an end.close quote

U.N. human-rights official Navi Pillay, calling for a war-crimes investigation into unconfirmed reports that Israeli soldiers had herded 110 Palestinians into a safe house and then bombed it, killing 30

 
 
open quoteThis is unprecedented. It's coast to coast. It's everywhere. There's no refuge in this job market. There's no safe place.close quote

Economist Mark Zandi, on last week's announcement that December 2008 marked a 16-year high in nationwide unemployment rates

 
 
open quoteI just love that rug.close quote

Former president Bill Clinton, making small talk with George W. Bush during an Oval Office photo shoot with all five living presidents

 
 
open quoteIt is true that we cannot depend on government alone to create jobs or long-term growth. But at this particular moment, only government can provide the short-term boost necessary to lift us from a recession this deep and severe.close quote

President-elect Barack Obama, in a speech outlining his plans for a massive $775 billion economic-stimulus package

 
 
open quoteNo! You can go back to your, what do you call it, your Google, and you figure out all that.close quote

Former president George H.W. Bush, declining to elaborate on his remark during an interview with Fox News that there are "some things" for which his son "clearly … deserves criticism"

 
 
open quoteIsn't it great?close quote

Embattled Senate appointee Roland Burris, reacting to the Senate Democratic leadership's abrupt decision to reverse course and open the way for him to fill Obama's seat

 
 
open quoteFor me, who had never met the man, it was very enlightening. He's obviously a very engaging, extremely nice man.close quote

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, after meeting with Burris. Reid had previously blocked Burris's appointment, saying it would be "tainted" by its connection to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

 
 

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Quotation Sources
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, New York Times, Daily Mail, New York Times, Telegraph, YouTube (3), Fox News, New York Times, Fox News, AP