November 2004Creating reality“[Reporters are] not to promote unrealistic positions or project nationalist tags on terrorist gangs of criminals and killers.” – Statement from interim Iraqi government. Threatening legal action against reporters who report an alternative interpretation to the official report of the bombing of Falluja by the US military. November 2004.
Threatening—just in case“If the Ukrainian government does not act immediately and responsibly, there will be consequences for our relationship, for Ukraine's hopes for a Euro–Atlantic integration and for individuals responsible for perpetrating fraud.” – Colin Powell, US secretary of State. Rejecting the victory of Viktor Yanukovich in Ukraine's presidential election. 24 November 2004.
The importance of choosing the leader, 275 of them“We've been told we could be killed. It is a big risk but we have to take this risk because it is our country and whoever wins is going to be our leader and we have to choose him.” – Ala'a Jabbar, Baghdad store-owner. Quoted in the ‘Guardian’ after US-appointed Iraqi officials announced an exercise to elect a 275-member national assembly. 21 November 2004.
Blind leading the blind“During the last four years I have relied on [Condoleeza Rice's] counsel, benefited from her great experience, and appreciated her sound and steady judgment.” – US President George Bush II. On nominating Condoleeza Rice as 66th US Secretary of State. 16 November 2004.
The decency of a thug“The secretary of state is America's face to the world, and in Dr Rice the world will see the strength, the grace, and the decency of our country.” – US President George Bush II. Enthusing about Condoleeza Rice as 66th US Secretary of State. 16 November 2004.
Her kinda guy!“I look forward, with the consent of the Senate, to pursuing your hopeful and ambitious agenda as secretary of state.” – Condoleeza Rice. To President Bush, on his announcement of her nomination as US Secretary of State. 16 November 2004.
No need for witnesses“There is no need to bring [Red Crescent] supplies in because we have supplies of our own for the people.” – Col Mike Shupp, US Marines. After the destruction of Falluja by the US military. 14 November 2004.
Listen to the radio“I haven't heard [that there are frightened civilians starving inside Falluja] myself and the Iraqi soldiers didn't tell me about that. We want to help them as much as we can. We are on the radio telling them how to come out and how to come up to coalition forces.” – Col Mike Shupp, US Marines. About helping civilians trapped in Falluja during the American bombing of the city. 14 November 2004.
Window-dressing a massacre“With the support of the overwhelming majority of Iraqis, including Fallujan civilians, military intervention began as the last option after all peaceful and political avenues had been exhausted.” – Hoshyar Zebari, US-appointed Foreign Minister of Iraq. Explaining the reasons for bombing Falluja. 14 November 2004.
Mixing hate and morality“I hated him for the deaths of Israelis… I hated him for not allowing the peace process… to move forward.” – Yosef Lapid, Justice Minister of Israel. On Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, after hearing news of his death. 11 November 2004.
In God's image, not a monkey's“God created earth and man in his image. Leave this garbage [evolution] out of the textbooks. I don't want anybody taking care of me in a nursing home some day to think I came from a monkey.” – Patricia Fuller, parent in Atlanta, USA. On the debate in the US about whether evolution should be taught in schools without creationism also being taught. 8 November 2004.
Rely on him for horse sense“I can't imagine it'll be over until it's completed.” – Donald Rumsfeld, US Defence Secretary. On being asked how long he expected the Iraqi resistance to continue. 8 November 2004.
Sending messages“This will send a very powerful message that we are serious.” – Ayad Allawi, US-appointed interim PM of Iraq. Before okaying the US attack on Falluja. 6 November 2004.
Kicking Satan's butt“But the enemy has got a face. He's called Satan. He lives in Falluja. And we're going to destroy him.” – US Marines Lieutenant-Colonel Gareth Brandl. Before the American onslaught on Falluja. 6 November 2004.
Bringing law to the people of Falluja“We intend to liberate the people and to bring the rule of law to Falluja. The window really is closing for a peaceful settlement.” – Ayad Allawi, US-appointed interim PM of Iraq. Signalling the start of a military campaign against the city of Falluja. 5 November 2004.
Jerusalem for Jewish kings“Arafat won't be buried in Jerusalem, because Jerusalem is the city where Jewish kings are buried and not Arab terrorists.” – Yosef Lapid, Justice Minister of Israel. On the question of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's resting place after Mr Arafat went into a coma. 5 November 2004.
Just sticks, to beat 'em with“I don't do carrots.” – John Bolton, US Assistant Secretary of State. About incentives to Iran for not developing nuclear weapons. Reported November 2004.
Keen on spending“I have political capital. I intend to spend it.” – George W Bush. After winning re-election as US President. 4 November 2004.
Self-deception“We can't all pretend that the world would be a prettier place if only George W Bush was not the president.” – Danielle Plenka, American Enterprise Institute. About the nastiness of the world. 3 November 2004.
Sermons from the gutter“All of us in positions of leadership, not just President Bush, have a responsibility to rise to this challenge. It is urgent that we do so.” – Tony Blair, British PM. Reflecting on leadership after congratulating President Bush on the latter's re-election. 3 November 2004.
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