Quotes of the week

They said what?!?  

I have, like your second speaker yesterday [Vladimir Putin], a starkly different background—a career in the spy business. And I guess old spies have a habit of speaking bluntly.

Robert Gates, US Defense Secretary, speaking at a Munich security conference

Unilateral actions have not resolved conflicts but have made them worse.

Vladimir Putin, in Munich, speaking bluntly

No doubt the left-wing blogosphere—not to mention most of the Western world’s faculty clubs, undergrad political science seminars, public television networks and anti-American conspiracy nuts—will be indulging in paroxysms of ecstasy over the blistering attack of US foreign policy by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Lorne Gunter, National Post columnist

I think people are paranoid. I think that if they speak out, they think they’re going to get whacked by the government. It’s pretty oppressive now. Look at the Dixie Chicks, they got whacked.

Mickey Hart, former member of Grateful Dead

If I were running al Qaeda in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008 and pray as many times as possible for a victory, not only for [Barrack] Obama, but also for the Democrats.

John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia

You have been significant in maintaining the reputation of NATO, because last summer the Taliban said they were going to send NATO packing out of this country and you made sure that didn’t happen.

Tim Grant, Canadian Brigadier-General, presenting medals to 14 soldiers for service in Afghanistan

We are posing no threat to Israel. We have no intention of aggression against any country.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran

It’s the fellow behind the counter at Starbucks, the bus driver, the taxi driver, the guy at the airport. We want them to be wholly welcoming, almost spiritual.

John Furlong, head of VANOC, the Vancouver Olympic organizing committee

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