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'Wall Street got drunk.' GEORGE W. BUSH, describing the nation's troubled economy at a GOP fund raiser after requesting that all cameras be turned off

'This couldn't be happening at a worse time.' PETER SMERDON, spokesman for the U.N. World Food Program, as aid workers fled Somalia amid drought, soaring food prices, inflation and intensifying violence

'I enjoyed the claret jug so much I didn't want to give it back.' PADRAIG HARRINGTON, pro golfer, after winning the British Open two years in a row

'Bless his heart, President of the United States--a total failure, losing all credibility with the American people on the economy, on the war, on energy--you name the subject.' NANCY PELOSI, Speaker of the House, mocking George W. Bush after he scolded Congress for legislative inaction

'The Eiffel Tower was detested by half the population of Paris when it was built.' ROCCO YIM, Hong Kong architect, defending the new China Central Television building in Beijing, dubbed the "twisted doughnut"

'We welcome the news today, although it is no cause for celebration.' KATE MCCANN, whose daughter Madeleine has been missing for 14 months, after Portuguese investigators closed the case. She and her husband were cleared as suspects

'Please stay away from those levees.' JOHNNY CAVAZOS, an emergency-management coordinator in Texas, warning residents about possible flooding as Hurricane Dolly approached the coast

Back & Forth:

Late-Night TV

'I am definitely done next year--with NBC.'

JAY LENO, on being replaced next June by comedian Conan O'Brien as host of NBC's The Tonight Show

'His coming here today was a very clear message from him that he's not bitter and that he wants to go out on top.'

MARC GRABOFF, co-chairman of NBC Entertainment, after Leno, disguised as a balding reporter (right), jokingly inquired about his future with the company

Iraq

'Who[ever] wants to exit in a quicker way has a better assessment of the situation in Iraq.'

NOURI AL-MALIKI, Iraqi Prime Minister, backing Barack Obama's withdrawal plan during the Democratic candidate's visit to the Middle East

'The Iraqis were not aware and wanted to correct it.'

SCOTT STANZEL, White House spokesman, after al-Maliki's office claimed his remarks were "mistranslated" following a call from U.S. government officials in Iraq

Autism

'I'll tell you what autism is. In 99% of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out.'

MICHAEL SAVAGE, conservative talk-show radio host, calling the disorder a "fraud" and a "racket"

'There are those who are apparently incapable of feeling compassion. They deserve our pity, not our scorn.'

AUTISM SPEAKS, national advocacy group, responding to Savage's remarks in a statement posted on its website

For daily sound bites, visit time.com/quotes

Sources: USA Today; New York Times; AP; CNN; McClatchy Newspapers; The Guardian; AP