Quotes of the week

They said what?!?  

The worst place to stand as a press secretary is where the ground is shifting.

Ari Fleischer, former Bush White House press secretary, reflecting on the hazards of the job while testifying in the perjury case against I Lewis Libby Jr.

This group had more capabilities than the government.

Abdul Hussein Abtan, deputy governor of Najaf province, Iraq, after Soldiers of Heaven militia clashed with Iraqi soldiers who called in heavy American support before escaping

It’s not straightforward for the European Union to do what the United States wants.

Anonymous EU official, responding to US criticisms of European lack of cooperation on policy toward Iran

This government will not allow Canadians to be killed without retribution.

Gordon O’Conner, Canadian defense minister, referring to ongoing Canadian deployments to Afghanistan that began shortly after 9/11

We piss on the US, the greatest source of our wealth and the ultimate defender of our country, at every opportunity.

Jack Granatstein, professor of history emeritus, York University, apparently unaware of where incoming airplanes due at US destinations, suspected of all being potentially lethal missiles, were diverted to on 9-11 (away from US cities and into Canadian cities, thanks ultimate defender)

We’re not getting rain, we’ve got no choice.

Peter Beattie, premier of Queensland, Australia, on plan to add recycled sewage to drinking water supplies

We basically have three choices: mitigation, adaptation, and suffering. The question is what the mix is going to be. The more mitigation we do, the less adaptation will be required and the less suffering there will be.

John Holdren, president, American Association for the Advancement of Science, on climate change

Canada will accept its responsibilities around the world to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it is [about] more than giving lectures abroad.

John Baird, new Conservative minister of the environment, responding to Liberal accusations

When Tofino shut down the town to tourists at the height of tourism season in the heart of the rainforest, people began to say, ‘What the heck is going on?’

David Suzuki

Let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that we are talking about a one-metre sea level rise. They you’re talking about certainly tens—possibly hundreds—of millions of climate change refugees globally.

William Rees, ecologist, UBC

The recent increase in the rates of loss over reducing glacier surface areas leaves no doubt about the accelerated change in climatic conditions.

Michael Zemp, glaciologist, World Glacier Monitoring Service

Officials and leaders must not be confused by red lights and drink and confused by music and women.

Liu Qi, President, Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, and Chinese Communist Party secretary

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