Old Fogey's Quotes for Thursday

"Oil is inherently a dirty business and there are some places where it should not be OK to go."
Aurah Landau of the Alaska Coalition, an environmental advocacy group disputing new leases to oil companies in wilderness areas
New Alaska Oil Leases Being Offered
[If recent trends continue, we may become called the United Oil Companies of America]

"We have, in a sense, turned the justice process over to the media. I think it's gotten out of control."
John Ramsey, father of JonBenet, refusing to discuss the man charged with killing his daughter
Ramsey suspect says he was in the basement
[The media is merely giving the public what it wants--sensational and quick answers]

"Earlier this year, the propensity was to look mostly at Republicans. Now, we're looking at both Republicans and Democrats closely."
W. Michael House, director of the legislative group at the law firm Hogan & Hartson, talking about hiring people for lobbying firms
Democrats' Stock Is Rising on K Street
[Now, this makes me more hopeful of big Democratic victories than a whole host of talking heads]

"I'd settle right now for another 1982. I'm afraid it will be another 1974."
Ohio Republican, refeering to the year after Watergate when Democrats swept the elections (as compared to 1982, when Democrats won the governorship)
For the GOP, a Heartland Plunge
[Does anyone remember when the media was talking about the death of the Democratic party? Both parties have been pronounced dead many times, but the public has long had a corrective, collective way of voting to ensure no party's rule is absolute or permanent]

"Nine recent state studies demonstrated that less than 20 percent of the legal needs of low-income Americans were being met."
Larry Margasak, in Associated Press story about executives of the Legal Services Corp and their excessive personl perks
Legal Services' Executives Living Large on Tax Dollars
[As usual funds meant to help the poor are misused by those that administer them--and the poor get the blame for the programs that fail]

“Wal-Mart as an example of the problems that exist in America today is a powerful political issue. I think our party pretty much across the board agrees that people who work hard should be able to support their families. When a company like Wal-Mart fails to meet its corporate responsibility, it make it impossible for that to occur.”
John Edwards, who appeared at an anti-Wal-Mart rally
Eye on Election, Democrats Run as Wal-Mart Foe
[If Wal-Mart's malignant growth continues, soon we'll all be working for Wal-Mart--without medical benefits]