“I am happily surprised. It now seems because we have a new attorney general the situation has

“I am happily surprised. It now seems because we have a new attorney general the situation has changed. Maybe this attorney general understands that his obligation is not to be the private counsel to the president but the chief law enforcement officer for the entire country.”

Rep. Maurice Hinchey

On the Justice Department reopening an inquiry into the government’s warrantless wiretapping program, shortly after Michael Mukasey took over as attorney general.

“Those people who are deadbeats have to pay their taxes.”

Sen. Norm Coleman

In reference to more than 30,000 Medicaid providers — doctors and others in the health care field — who owe $1 billion in back taxes and still receive federal payments.

“Bunker fuel is the dirtiest fuel on the planet.”

Teri Shore

Campaign director for the marine program at Friends of the Earth, describing the type of oil spilled into the San Francisco Bay by a cargo ship.