“It’s an interesting chess game right now. Sometimes Mother Nature puts us in check, and

“It’s an interesting chess game right now. Sometimes Mother Nature puts us in check, and our job is to put her in checkmate.”

Capt. Guy Melker

Of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, on blazes that have destroyed many homes.

“We’ve got to set up a negotiation between banks and borrowers so that people can stay in their homes.”

President-elect Barack Obama

On CBS’ “60 Minutes.”

“We understand that this house is in need of an extreme makeover and that you’re the crew to do it.”

Mike Fincke

The international space station’s skipper, as he welcomed the seven shuttle astronauts.

2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.