The Week in Quotes (Jan. 22 – 28)

Here are some of the week’s most notable quotes culled from news reports from across Texas, and beyond.

Far-right Texas state Rep. David Simpson, on airport security pat-downs by Transportation Security Administration agents.

I think it’s unnatural. I think it’s wrong that people touch other people’s private parts outside of special covenantal relationships.

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Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, in a radio ad criticizing Austin video game studio Bioware. Bioware’s new game, Star Wars: The Old Republic, will allow characters to have same-sex relationships.

In a galaxy not so far far away, Star Wars gamers have already gone to the dark side.

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Pulitzer Prize winner Leonard Pitts, at a presentation sponsored by the Texas Freedom Network Education Fund last Wednesday.

This argument cannot be about whether or not faith has a place in the public square. It does. No, the argument is about what that looks like, whether fait is expressed in ways that lift and liberate, or whether it is instead used as a cudgel to beat down the disfavored, a fence with which to bar the despised.

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Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie calling Newt Gingrich an “embarrassment.”

You know, sometimes, if your candidate loses in just one step along this path, as was the case when Romney lost to Newt the other night — and, of course, Romney is Chris Christie’s guy — well, you kind of get your panties in a wad, and you may say things that you regret later. And I think that that’s what Chris Christie did.

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Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts, on the intersection of religion and American politics.

I’m a little bit frustrated with the role religion plays in our politics. We talk a good game, but … the proof is in our actions.

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