Quotes of the week

They said what?!?  

She may say she is not interested in the job, but in politics, everyone knows that’s also a good starting point for a future run at the leadership.

Norman Ruff, University of Victoria, on Carole Taylor, BC Finance Minister, and the leadership of the BC Liberal Party

Robson Street has a tremendous reputation, and of course, the shopping is often compared to Rodeo Drive.

Walt Judas, Tourism Vancouver, using a 1980s analogy in commenting on a 1950s board game (Monopoly, on which Robson Street appears on a Canadian edition)

I decided to come forward at this time because, to me, the debate on Afghanistan went ridiculous.

Romeo Dallaire, Senator, and former commander of United Nations mission to Rwanda, on his endorsement of Michael Ignatieff for federal Liberal Party leader

These are difficult days for Israel. . . . I take personal responsibility for what is happening in Gaza. I want nobody to sleep at night in Gaza.

Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister of Israel, on the third day of a major Israeli military attack on Gaza, including the destruction of Gaza’s electricity plant

Failed neighbourhoods are like failed states, they are breeding grounds for criminality and violence.

Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada

It could and should open the doors to MLS soccer in Vancouver, if and when local civic administrators and politicians get their heads around the generosity and vision of Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot and the wide-ranging community benefits of the Whitecaps waterfront stadium.

Tom Mayenknecht, marketing executive, in yet another major pro-stadium editorial in The Vancouver Sun, official sponsor of the stadium proposal

I said, ‘Look, hang on, things are bad.’ I said ‘I’m proud of the job you are doing, and I wanted you to know that I will continue to do what I can to help.’

John McCain, Arizona senator, recounting contents of a phone call he made to US President George Bush

For most people, it’s just too complicated. It’s difficult to say to your friends, ‘I’m going to leave you now and go to a brothel for 20 minutes.’ It’s not normal behavior.

Stephanie Klee, a prostitute who leads a group that lobbies for sex workers’ rights in Germany, where prostitution is legal, on the poor turnout during World Cup play