Quotables

"Russia's naval fleet is welcome here."

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez on his hopes that Venezuela and Russia would soon hold joint naval exercises in the Caribbean.

"A combination of a pit bulldog, a young Mike Tyson, and an alligator."

Richard Williams, on his daughter Serena after she defeated Jelena Jankovic Sept. 7 for her third U.S. Open championship.

"My name is the butt of a joke, the source of a laugh, and the title of a scandal."

Former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, before being sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a 2006 corruption scandal.

"Being a Christian does not mean you're perfect. Nor does it mean your children are perfect. But it does mean there is forgiveness and restoration when we confess our imperfections to the Lord."

Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, on revelations that vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter Bristol is pregnant.

"I want to tell you, Detroit, that you done set me up for a comeback."

Kwame Kilpatrick, hinting at a return to office during a Sept. 4 speech in which he resigned as mayor of Detroit. Kilpatrick pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice and will spend four months in jail.

"A mass grave."

An unidentified Cairo resident, quoted in an Associated Press story, on the hundreds of people buried under massive rocks that broke from the Muqattam cliffs and destroyed a neighborhood on Cairo's outskirts.

"As always, I rely on the jury system."

O.J. Simpson, at a pre-trial hearing on robbery-kidnapping charges. Jury selection in the case was scheduled to begin on Sept. 15.