Quotes of note

"Just because you’re old, that doesn’t mean you can’t do fun stuff. And you don’t want to sit around drooling in the corner. And so it’s a wonderful release.’’
Former President GEORGE H.W. BUSH on the skydive he took on his 85th birthday

"Do you need me to write a note?’’
President BARACK OBAMA to a Wisconsin student who admitted that she was skipping school to be at his event

"I hope you all note that some Republicans are empathetic, too.’’
Senator DAVID VITTER, giving Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor a bag of ice and pillow for her broken ankle

"You know. . . do me a favor, could you say ‘Senator’ instead of ‘Ma’am’? It’s just a thing - I worked so hard to get that title so I’d appreciate it.’’
Senator BARBARA BOXER to Brigadier General Michael Walsh

"No one knows where the line is, but we just keep pushing.’’
WAN YANHAI, a gay-rights advocate in China, on the government’s cancellation of events for Shanghai’s first gay-pride festival

"I make up stories.’’
KHALID SHEIKH MOHAMMED, mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, claiming he lied about Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts when he was waterboarded during CIA interrogations