The idea that the law should punish what is rude; that government should protect our tender sensibilities from those who would - quite often with shallow motivations but sometimes with deeper and more serious complaints - challenge our national certainties and rituals, should alarm and anger us.

“We are deluged by information regarding our destruction of the world and hear almost nothing about how to nurture it. It is no surprise then that environmentalism becomes synonymous with dire predictions and powerless feelings. Our natural inclination to do right by the world is stifled, breeding despair when it should be inspiring action.”

When our hopes for performance are not completely met, realistic optimism involves accepting what cannot now be changed, rather than condemning or second-guessing ourselves. Focusing on the successful aspects of performance (even when the success is modest) promotes positive affect, reduces self-doubt, and helps to maintain motivation (e.g., McFarland & Ross, 1982).... Nevertheless, realistic optimism does not include or imply expectations that things will improve on their own. Wishful thinking of this sort typically has no reliable supporting evidence. Instead, the opportunity-seeking component of realistic optimism motivates efforts to improve future performances on the basis of what has been learned from past performances.

“It's not easy working in the midst of colleagues and corporate representatives whom you are essentially criticizing, reading trade press accounts regularly challenging your motives, responding to wild, imaginative charges, knowing you are cutting yourself off from future governmental appointments or lucrative jobs in the industry.”

“We revere the presidency. Any innuendo or any kind of impulse that anyone has to attribute any kind of motivation on the part of these men of honor who have prepared this case for you today on any whim on their part other than to do their constitutional duty should be rebuffed at every conversation,”

“This year's nominations are a true reflection of the diversity that currently exists in Latin music - not only across genres but across generations as well, ... It's inspiring to see so many albums, songs, and music makers getting due recognition from their peers, as well as such a cross section of genres being recognized.”

“Accountants don't currently learn what motivates fraudulent conduct, how to spot the signals, how to prevent fraud from occurring and much more. As it stands now, auditors are fighting a war without being taught how to recognize the enemy. Until that changes, expect more heavy casualties.”

“I think prosecutors and the judge are going to see the case as a perfect vehicle to send a message that this sort of conduct, whatever the motives, just won?t be tolerated. And I think that push is going to be more powerful than any argument that they get a lot of leniency because of their age or anything else.”

“The (basketball) coaches bring it up a lot, especially when they are putting us through our drills. They'll remind us that we didn't finish the job. I just tell him, 'C'mon, Coach. Don't talk like that. That's pretty harsh.' But they know how to motivate us.”

“Eugene should help solidify our defense and help create some aggressiveness at that end of the field. Scott and Jon bring some experience to the defense. Scott is a very hard worker, and all the kids look up to him, so he can really get his teammates motivated.”