Perspectives

"The people of America have been overcharged. And on their behalf, I'm here asking for a refund."
President George W. Bush, outlining his tax-cut plan before Congress

"We are trying to uncover whether or not there was any quid pro quo. We haven't been able to do that yet because the witnesses aren't testifying."
Georgia Rep. Bob Barr, on Democratic Party fund-raiser Beth Dozoretz's taking the Fifth when asked about her role in Bill Clinton's controversial pardon of Marc Rich. Denise Rich, the fugitive financier's ex-wife, is expected to also refuse to answer questions.

"The president is the president, sir."
Beth Nolan, Clinton's White House counsel, on why he granted the Rich pardon despite opposition from top aides

"Seattle is shaken, not stirred."
City historian Walt Crowley, on Seattle's relatively calm response to the 6.8 earthquake. Damage estimates top $2 billion, but only 250 people were injured, and no one was killed.

"We are witnesses once again to our own inefficacy."
The United Nations' Koichiro Matsuura, on the organization's last-minute attempts to persuade the Taliban to spare two Buddha statues in Afghanistan. The government has deemed the statues "gods of the infidels."

"It wasn't really a big deal."
William Bridges, the 18-year-old college student who claimed he was Jenna Bush's boyfriend when police picked him up for public intoxication. Jail officials say he used his mobile phone to call the First Daughter and that Secret Service agents arrived and bailed him out.

"It pretty well demolished the plane. There's pieces scattered around the field."
Van Peavy, sheriff for Dooly County, Ga., on the Florida National Guard plane that crashed, killing all 21 people aboard

"Speedo Man is pretty exciting."
Annapolis, Md., resident Gill Cochran, on a local cult figure who jogs in just the notoriously brief swimsuits. Even in winter.

"I can't allow Jennifer Lopez dresses."
Diane McMillan, principal of Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids, Mich., on the prom-dress code forbidding midriff-baring gowns

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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