"Luxury shame is very real."

Travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt on wealthy Americans cutting back on their vacations, even though they could afford lavish trips, during hard economic times.

"We say, 'Panic now. Avoid the rush.'"

Addison Wiggin, publisher of the online financial newsletter The Daily Reckoning, on the increase in the number of Americans buying gold in anticipation of inflation.

"Craigslist is the single largest source of prostitution in the nation."

Sheriff Thomas Dart of Cook County, Ill., who filed a federal lawsuit on March 5 against the online classified ad site for promoting prostitution. Dart said the FBI found more than 2,800 child prostitution ads on craigslist. He wants the site to discontinue its Erotic Services section.

"This case illustrates that tragic facts make bad law."

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, in his dissent from a ruling that allows persons to sue drug makers even if their product has been approved by the FDA. The case involved a Vermont woman who had her arm amputated after complications from an injection of an anti-nausea drug.

"There is nobody there. You cannot believe how difficult it is."

Sir Gus O'Donnell, head of Britain's civil service, on working with the U.S. Treasury Department ahead of the April 2 meeting of the G-20 finance ministers. The Obama administration has yet to fill several top Treasury jobs.

"An agency that has done more to destroy American cities than crack cocaine."

Neo-liberal policy analyst Mickey Kaus' description of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Develop-ment, as Congress and the president voted to increase the agency's budget and mission.

"Put in the powder, close the lid and relax."

Headline for a commentary appearing in the Vatican daily Ossevatore Ramono on International Women's Day (March 8). To, "In the 20th century, what contributed most to the emancipation of Western women?" the article answered, "Some say it was the pill, others the liberalization of abortion, or being able to work outside the home. Others go even further: the washing machine."