Quotes of the Morning

“Bush noted that in addition to the budget deficit, America suffers from a huge trade deficit.
‘That's easy to resolve,’ Bush said. ‘People can buy more United States products if they're worried about the trade deficit.’"
-Associated Press, December 15, 2004

“The Social Security system was designed in a, obviously, in an era that is long gone, and it has worked in many ways. It's now in a precarious position. And the question is whether or not our society has got the will necessary to adjust from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan.”
-George ‘Dubya’ Bush, December 20, 2004

“Um.. Think about what he said there for a minute. He just said that he wants to turn Social Security, the safety net of our aging society, into something with no defined benefits. In other words, he wants to mandate that you put money in (a defined contribution plan), but does not want to promise that you will get anything back (a defined benefit plan). Now realize that not only does he want to do this, but he is willing to frigging say it, and that there are no political repercussions. That is the state of the debate in our country. Actually, that is a pretty elevated form of debate in this country. I think Mr. William Donahue may be a better symbol of the typical level of debate.”
-Skippy

“PAT BUCHANAN: Bill Donahue, what do you think about "The Passion of the Christ"? And as a practical matter, even if Hollywood hated the film, it seems to me as an artistic work of art, a smashing triumph, a film of great controversy and interest, it ought to at least be nominated for best picture. It pulled in more money than any other picture all year.
WILLIAM DONAHUE, PRESIDENT OF THE CATHOLIC LEAGUE: I spoke to Mel a couple of weeks ago about this. And I don't think it really matters a whole lot to him. It certainly doesn't matter to me. We‘ve already won.
Who really cares what Hollywood thinks? All these hacks come out there. Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. It's not a secret, OK? And I'm not afraid to say it. That's why they hate this movie. It's about Jesus Christ, and it's about truth. It's about the messiah.
Hollywood likes anal sex. They like to see the public square without nativity scenes. I like families. I like children. They like abortions. I believe in traditional values and restraint. They believe in libertinism. We have nothing in common. But you know what? The culture war has been ongoing for a long time. Their side has lost.
You have got secular Jews. You have got embittered ex-Catholics, including a lot of ex-Catholic priests who hate the Catholic Church, wacko Protestants in the same group, and these people are in the margins. Frankly, Michael Moore represents a cult movie. Mel Gibson represents the mainstream of America.”
-MSNBC, Scarborough County, December 8, 2004

“See, idiots like this actually get onto television. It makes Bush look like a Rhodes Scholar (or at least a scholar). Amazing, isn’t it?”
-Skippy