Quotables

'They failed to recognize that the church is its people.'

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams on Roman Catholic church officials who covered up sexual abuse claims against priests in order to protect the church. Williams on June 22 gained a conviction against Monsignor William Lynn (pictured) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for child endangerment, the first U.S. conviction of a church official for covering up abuse claims.

'The euro Titanic has now hit the iceberg and sadly there simply aren't enough lifeboats.'

Nigel Farage of the United Kingdom Independence Party on continuing financial problems in the European Union.

'The people have gotten dumber.'

Retiring U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y., on changes he has seen in U.S. politics during his 29 years in Congress.

'I like to see these young people develop.'

Lyle Denniston, 81, on the Supreme Court justices, who are all younger than him. Denniston reports on the Supreme Court for SCOTUSBlog and is one of the most revered analysts of the court.

'The word racism is like ketchup. It can be put on practically anything.'

Thomas Sowell, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, on attempts to paint the opponents of President Obama's agenda as racists.

'The Democrats' convention in Charlotte is about as popular as a trip to the dentist these days.'

Paul Lindsay, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, on the half dozen elected Democrats who have announced that they will not attend the Democratic National Convention in September. In moves widely interpreted as attempts to distance themselves from President Obama, at least four House Democrats from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York, and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia have announced they won't go to the convention.