“I haven’t committed a crime. What I did was fail to comply with
the law.”
David Dinkins, New York City Mayor, answering accusations that he
failed to pay his
taxes.
“They gave me a book of checks. They didn’t ask for any
deposits.”
Congressman Joe Early (D-Mass) at a press conference to answer
questions about the House Bank Scandal.
“He didn’t say that. He was reading what was given to him in a
speech.”
Richard Darman, director of OMB, explaining why President Bush
wasn’t following up on his campaign pledge that there would be no
loss of wetlands.
“It depends on your definition of asleep. They were not
stretched out. They had their eyes closed. They were seated at
their desks with their heads in a nodding position.”
John Hogan, Commonwealth Edison Supervisor of News Information,
responding to a charge by a
Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspector that two Dresden
Nuclear Plant operators were sleeping on the job.
“I didn’t accept it. I received it.”
Richard Allen, National Security Advisor to President Reagan,
explaining the $1000 in cash and two watches he was given by two
Japanese journalists after he helped arrange a private interview
for them with First Lady Nancy Reagan.
“I was a pilot flying an airplane and it just so happened that
where I was flying made what I was doing spying.”
Francis Gary Power, U-2 reconnaissance pilot held by the Soviets
for spying, in an interview after he was returned to the US.
“I was under
medication when I made the decision not
to burn the tapes.”
President Richard Nixon
“Smoking kills. If you’re killed, you’ve lost a very important
part of your life.”
Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for a
federal anti-smoking campaign.
“I’ve never had major knee
surgery on any other part of my
body.”
Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky
basketball forward.
“Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime
rates in the country.”
Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, DC
“Sure, it’s going to kill a lot of people, but they may be dying
of something else anyway.”
Othal Brand, member of a Texas pesticide review board, on
chlordane.
“Are you any relation to your brother Marv?”
Leon Wood, New Jersey Nets guard, to Steve Albert, Nets TV
commentator.
“Beginning in February 1976 your assistance benefits will be
discontinued … Reason: it has been reported to our office that you
expired on January 1, 1976.”
Letter from the Illinois Department of Public Aid
“In the early sixties, we were strong, we were virulent…”
John Connally, Secretary of Treasury under Richard Nixon, in an
early seventies speech, as reported in a contemporary “American
Scholar”.
“Rotarians, be patriotic! Learn to shoot yourself.”
Chicago Rotary Club journal, “Gyrator”.
“The streets are safe in Philadelphia. It’s only the people who
make them unsafe.”
Frank Rizzo, ex-police chief and mayor of
Philadelphia.
“I’ve always thought that underpopulated countries in Africa are
vastly underpolluted.”
Lawrence Summers, chief economist of the World Bank, explaining why
we should export toxic wastes to Third World countries.
“The crime bill passed by the Senate would reinstate the Federal
death penalty for certain violent crimes: assassinating the
President; hijacking an airliner; and murdering a government
poultry inspector.”
Knight Ridder News Service dispatch
“After finding no qualified candidates for the position of
principal, the school board is extremely pleased to announce the
appointment of David Steele to the post.”
Philip Streifer, Superintendent of Schools, Barrington Rhode
Island.
“The doctors X-rayed my head and found nothing.”
Dizzy Dean explaining how he felt after being hit on the head by a
ball in the 1934 World Series.
