`Americans need to understand what’s really going on here. Our president, President Clinton, vetoed three major appropriations bills.’ — Rep. Porter Goss (R-Fla.), on the Republican explanation for the delay in government benefits checks being mailed.
REP. JIM MORAN (D-Va.), URGING CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS TO GET REPUBLICAN EXTREMISTS TO COMPROMISE ON THE BUDGET: `Can’t you at least get the crazies in your caucus to agree to a Christmas truce?’
`You’ve got to get to one side or the other.’
President Clinton, to daughter Chelsea during a driving lesson, contrasting middle-of-the-road politics to driving.
`I want to find a loving, caring home for me and my brother.’
Seven-year-old Quanathania, a foster child, at an annual party that gathers prospective parents and about 200 children waiting to be adopted.
` “Sex and Sunsets” was a hardback with sex in the title, so all the prison libraries ordered it.’
New West writer Tim Sandlin, on the first of his novels that became a big seller and why he thinks it did.
`Let’s get on with it.’
U.S. Navy Adm. Leighton Smith, the new American commander in Bosnia, signing the papers that ended the UN mission and began that of NATO.
`During this, the season of giving, remember the needy. Watch CBS.’
David Letterman, working a holiday zinger at his network’s ratings woes into the “Late Show” Christmas card.
`If Gov. Edgar is for it, then God bless him.’
Mayor Richard Daley, attacking a behind-the-scenes move to revive McDome unless the state legislature imposed a statewide tax instead of a Chicago city tax to pay for it.
`They’re more disciplined. They’re real soldiers.’
A Croat fighter in northern Bosnia, comparing NATO peacekeeping troops to the UN forces they are to replace. Many UN peacekeepers simply changed their helmets to reflect NATO symbols.
`Contamination cocktail.’
Greenpeace description of the air quality (which averages 100 points above the at-risk level) around Mexico City, home to at least 22 million people.
`Twoallbeefpattiesspecialsaucelettcecheesepicklesoniononasesameseedbun.’
Where have you heard that before? McDonald’s Corp. brings back its old favorite from 1975 in a month-long advertising campaign featuring NBA star Charles Barkley learning the words from a small child.
