Quotes Observed: Sept. 7 - Sept. 13

Each weekend, we bring you a collection of quotes from the biggest (or quirkiest) Observer and national news stories of the week.

Be prepared to talk about the hottest news items during your weekend events, and look out — some day you may just make it into one of our Quotes Observed.

"Sarasota County is my home, and I remember thinking that its connection to the 9/11 attacks was pretty surreal. But what I took really personally was the fact that terrorists had killed thousands of innocent Americans," Marine Corps Capt. Josh Walker, Sarasota Observer, Sept. 12

"I hope Putin has taken adequate protections. Now that he is a Russian journalist his life may be in grave danger," world chess champion Garry Kasparov, the Daily Beast, Sept. 12

 “If I lived nearby, I’d eat here every night,” celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, Longboat Observer, Sept. 9

“The bill is a job-killer. Nearly every large retailer now considering opening a store in the District has indicated that they will not come here or expand here if this bill becomes law," Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, Bloomberg Businessweek, Sept. 12

“Any millage increase just galls me, but, unfortunately, we’re in a situation where we have to do something,” Longboat Key Commissioner Phill Younger, Longboat Observer, Sept. 11

"The Atlantic Ocean has been crossed many times, and in many ways, but never quite like this," balloonist Jonathan Trapp, the Associated Press, Sept. 13

"Failure is not an option," Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Association CEO Paul Blakketter, East County Observer, Sept. 11

"I was at Ground Zero a few days after 9/11 and it was the worst thing I ever saw in my life. To be asked to do this is very moving," singer-songwriter Billy Joel, New York daily News, Sept. 11 

“Sometimes people take things for granted in America. Life here is easy. Life is good. But, when my kids would come back from Syria, they would tell me, ‘Dad, we are so fortunate.’ They are very happy," Dr. Bassam Altajar, Sarasota Observer, Sept. 12

"Failing to act now in Syria doesn't mean the U.S. will not go to war again in the Mideast. It means that when America does go to war again, the costs are likely to be far greater," the Wall Street Journal, Sept. 10