1. “Freedom, freedom, freedom.” –Protestors in Egypt
The protests in Tunisia that drove out dictator have spilled over to Egypt. Muslim Brotherhood, the largest opposition group, had been largely quiet until it declared “a day of rage for the Egyptian nation” on Friday. Unhappy with stagnant wages and rising prices, demonstrators are calling for long-time Egyptian dictator and U.S. ally President Hosni Mubarak to abdicate. Mubarak called for his cabinet to step down and ordered the military to quell the protests. Social networks sites have been shut down.
2. “We need to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world.” –President Barack Obama
Obama’s State of the Union centered on those three themes. He announced Republican-friendly ideas such as a two-year extension to a three-year freeze on discretionary spending and simplifying individual tax codes. He also added a dose of humor: “Now, I have heard rumors that a few of you still have concerns about our new health care law.”
3. “Our debt is out of control. What was a fiscal challenge is now a fiscal crisis.” –Rep. Paul D. Ryan (R-Wisconsin)
Speaker John A. Boehener chose Ryan to give the Republican Party’s official response to the president’s State of the Union address. In his 10-minute speech, Ryan discussed the country’s debt, the new health care law, social security, and “limited government.” Ryan is probably best known for his “Roadmap for America’s Future,” which presents ideas on resolving fiscal problems through budget cuts. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota delivered an unofficial response to the SOTU for the Tea Party Express.
4. “The novel standard adopted by the appellate court majority is without any foundation in Illinois law.” –Illinois Supreme Court
Rahm Emanuel’s mayoral campaign was dealt a temporary blow when an appellate court ruled 2-1 that he didn’t meet the residency requirements to run. The seven justices of the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously overturned the decision on Thursday.
5. “He hurt his knee and he was out, all right?” –Bears coach Lovie Smith on Jay Cutler
The Chicago Bears lost 21-14 to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game. The Packers led 14-0 at halftime, and Bears quarterback Cutler left the game with an injury in the third quarter. The Bears almost fought back, but the Packers held on for a berth in the Super Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
6. “We have certainly succeeded in bring reform to the forefront and shining light on the sources of our dysfunction.” –Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico
Udall and two other Democratic senators’ hopes to reform filibuster have faded, after the Senate’s first day in session-during which new rules can be adopted by a simple majority vote-ended Tuesday night. The “first day” began on Jan. 5, and was extended until this week through procedural rules. On Thursday, a series of votes on filibuster reform failed to garner 67 votes. Some smaller measures on Senate procedures passed.
7. “People were allowed to walk in from anywhere. The entrance restrictions were partial at best.” –Russia President Dmitry Medvedev
A suicide bomber killed 35 people and injured more than 100 in Moscow’s busiest airport. Medvedev blamed the airport’s managers and fired police officers. The attack happened outside the baggage claim area. Russian authorities are focusing investigations on the North Caucusus, where the Chechen separatist movement takes root, and have drawn up a list of up to 10 suspects.
8. “Spending as a share of our national income is at the highest level in 60 years. Revenue as a share of our national income is at its lowest level in 60 years. No wonder that we are headed for the largest deficit ever.” –Sen. Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota), Senate Budget Committee Chairman
The day after Obama’s speech, the Congressional Budget Office announced that the federal deficit will reach a record $1.5 trillion this year, $400 billion of which is due to the tax cut deal passed in December. U.S. national debt is $14 trillion and counting.
9. “Hang them” –a front cover headline of a Ugandan newspaper last October
David Kato, an outspoken activist for LGBT rights in Uganda who fought the country’s antigay bill, was bludgeoned to death in his home on Wednesday. His face was on the front cover of Rolling Stone, a Ugandan newspaper, three months ago. A priest was escorted away from Kato’s funeral after calling homosexuals “evil” and telling them to repent.
10. “Is (the leak) an effort to hurt the Palestinian Authority when it is weak?” –Birzeit University sociologist Majdi Malki
Al Jazeera pulled a Wikileaks by releasing documents detailing private conversations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders that showed a willingness to compromise by Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority. Hard-liners criticized Abbas for his concessions on Jerusalem, settlements, and the return of Palestinian refugees to Israel.
