Top quotes by Fred Thompson

Some people think that our planet is suffering from a fever. Now scientists are telling us that Mars is experiencing its own planetary warming: Martian warming. This has led some people, not necessarily scientists, to wonder if Mars and Jupiter, non signatories to the Kyoto Treaty, are actually inhabited by alien SUV-driving industrialists. Votes: 36

We have some real political differences among us, but we all share the same goals: clean air and water, injury free workplaces, safe transportation systems, to name a few of the good things that can come from regulation. Votes: 18

In the end, we may be hurting the very people we should be concerned about - the inner-city poor, those who already have to live with many risks in their daily lives, those who do not have clout here in Washington. Votes: 17

China is one of the world's greatest proliferators of weapons of mass destruction to these rogue nations. Votes: 16

So China will be having to make some choices as to whose side it wants to be on. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a major improvement in our relationship with them, if they choose correctly. Votes: 15

For a long time in American history, people didn't even come up before the Senate. They didn't come before the Judiciary Committee, and up until about 1923, something like that. Votes: 14

There's a lot more to competence than a law degree and a modicum of courtroom skill. Votes: 14

Superfund was passed with the good intention of cleaning up America's toxic waste sites Votes: 13

Nobody wants to open a business near a Superfund site and risk being sued. Votes: 12

You can't substitute promise after promise with known violators of prior promises at the expense of protecting ourselves or setting an example. Votes: 11

Let's not overlook, though, what we do know about the campaign finance scandal, and the fact the Chinese were involved in our presidential campaign and our congressional campaigns. Votes: 11

The University of North Carolina-Greensboro has ordered a Christian club to allow non-Christians as leaders. While we're at it, let's put high school dropouts in charge of the University. Votes: 11

Jay Carney told the reporters at his morning briefing that he hoped they would watch the new movie about Obama's first term 'many times.' They might. Look how well 'Titanic' did at the box office. Votes: 9

But obviously, we can't afford to make some bad long-term decisions with regard to basic commitments our country has - trade those away for some short-term assistance that may or may not be there a month from now. Votes: 7

Hopefully, we can build bridges, but we also have to draw lines. Votes: 7

Sometimes you have to, as I say, build bridges where you can - but draw lines where you must. Votes: 7

Study: 60% of young Americans plan to buy firearms. The other 40% were confused, saying they thought they were free under Obamacare. Votes: 7

A new report shows that, in Virginia, gun violence has fallen as the sale of firearms has soared to a new record. In other news, a recent study shows that most criminals don't like getting shot at. Votes: 7

Play hardball with Musharraf, but don't cut off US aid. Votes: 7

That is, while we believe that cost-benefit analysis is an important tool to inform agency decision making, the results of the cost-benefit analysis do not trump existing law. Votes: 5

And I believe in the 13 years Judge Roberts was there, he never turned down a request to give some assistance on a pro-bono case, and this was no different. Votes: 5

We're hoping for the best, but we need to prepare for the worst. Votes: 5

And it's difficult for the average American to understand why something like that could be so important and why a little small place like Taiwan would be so important to the PRC. Votes: 5

We just ask the agency to make reasonable and honest decisions, and the public deserves no less. Votes: 5

And when we draw lines in the sand with regard to certain basic things that are vital to our interest and to the interest of democracy and our friends around the world, we have to be willing to back that up. Votes: 4

So if you look back over the long history of China, they've never tried to take over the world, but they've been quite aggressive in their own neighborhood... in carrying out their own purposes and interests in their sphere of the world. Votes: 4

The problem is that agencies sometimes lose sight of common sense as they create regulations. Votes: 3

Fewer and fewer people are paying larger and larger percentage of the tax burden, as you know, almost half the people pay no income taxes at all. We're going to have more people in the wagon than we got pulling the wagon before long and that's not going to work. Those jobless numbers, you know, go hand-in-hand with those tax numbers. Votes: 2

And when we draw lines in the sand with regard to certain basic things that are vital to our interest and to the interest of democracy and our friends around the world, we have to be willing to back that up Votes: 2

Now, being a POW certainly doesn't qualify anyone to be President. But it does reveal character. This is the kind of character that civilizations from the beginning of history have sought in their leaders. Votes: 2

Being a POW certainly doesn't qualify anyone to be president. Votes: 0

John McCain was a prisoner of war. Votes: 0

I think that there is a relatively small number of people who are pushing for independence in Taiwan. Votes: 0

Roe v. Wade was bad law and bad medical science, Votes: 0

Superfund was passed with the good intention of cleaning up America's toxic waste sites. Votes: 0

We, as a nation, cannot wait for the Pearl Harbor of the information age. We must increase our vigilance to tackle this problem before we are hit with a surprise attack. Votes: 0

And it's difficult for the average American to understand why something like that could be so important and why a little small place like Taiwan would be so important to the PRC Votes: 0

While we believe there are fruitful opportunities to update and improve old rules, we do not want to set up a review process that could create a litigation morass. Votes: 0

I think that the justices were totally answering the way that they should. I think that the senators, as best I could tell, for the most part, Democrat and Republican, respected that. Votes: 0

We've made some mistakes in this country in times past - the Korean conflict proceeding that, some say proceeding the Persian Gulf War, where we were ambiguous as to what we would do. Votes: 0

Clearly, the Chinese know that we want a good relationship with them. Votes: 0

After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood Votes: 0

This country has shed more blood for the freedom of other people than all the other nations in the history of the world combined, and I'm tired of people feeling like they've got to apologize for America. Votes: 0

A [person] who Never quits is never defeated. Votes: 0

Russians don't take a dump, son, without a plan. Votes: 0

A new report shows that medicare and Medicaid made more than $50 Billion in bad payments during fiscal year 2011. Under Obamacare, that'll become known as 'Tuesday.' Votes: 0

Global warming experts are saying that sea levels could rise 20 feet. Apparently their strategy for surviving this is to stand on top of a pile of government research grant money. Votes: 0

That is, while we believe that cost-benefit analysis is an important tool to inform agency decision making, the results of the cost-benefit analysis do not trump existing law Votes: 0

A new survey shows that the American public is more conservative now than at any point since 1952. The bad news is that all the liberals that died since then are still voting. Votes: 0

I'm not above acting like a seal every once in a while and waiting for the next fish, I just don't want to do it all the time. Votes: 0

I'm offering myself up. I'm saying that if I have the background, the capability and the concern to do this and I'm doing this for the right reasons... but I'm not particularly interested in running for president, but I think I'd make a good president. Nowadays, the process has become much more important than I think it used to be. Votes: 0

So if you look back over the long history of China, they've never tried to take over the world, but they've been quite aggressive in their own neighborhood... in carrying out their own purposes and interests in their sphere of the world Votes: 0

Life begins at conception, but allow early abortions. Votes: 0

America needs a president who understands the nature of the world we live in. Votes: 0

Supports pre-emption policy to prevent nuclear proliferation. Votes: 0

Waterboarding ok if national security were at stake. Votes: 0

Because John McCain stood up our country is better off. The respect he is given around the world is not because of a teleprompter speech designed to appeal to American critics abroad, but because of decades of clearly demonstrated character and statesmanship. Votes: 0

We are always just one successful terrorist attack away from a nuclear disaster Votes: 0

For example, lead paint in old houses can be a greater threat to children's health than lead that may be under some industrial site where there are no children Votes: 0

I think that the justices were totally answering the way that they should. I think that the senators, as best I could tell, for the most part, Democrat and Republican, respected that Votes: 0

But if the Chinese mainland, the PRC, attacked Taiwan, we'd be obligated to come to their aid. Votes: 0

Clearly, the Chinese know that we want a good relationship with them Votes: 0

China is one of the world's greatest proliferators of weapons of mass destruction to these rogue nations Votes: 0

Nobody wants to open a business near a Superfund site and risk being sued Votes: 0

So China will be having to make some choices as to whose side it wants to be on. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a major improvement in our relationship with them, if they choose correctly Votes: 0

I'd just say the flies get bigger in the summertime. I guess the flies are buzzing. Votes: 0

Standing up here 10 in a row, you know, like a bunch of seals waiting for somebody to throw you the next fish, is not necessarily the best way to impart your information to the American people. I'm not above acting like a seal every once in a while and waiting for the next fish, I just don't want to do it all the time. Votes: 0

You can't buy peace by just wishing it and avoiding the challenges that other nations present to you. Votes: 0

There's nothing hard about acting except the long hours. Votes: 0

I know the pundits, they get big bucks for . . . pundating. Votes: 0

Is it really in our countrys best interest to signal to the enemy that they probably only have to wait us out a little longer because congressional determination to defeat them is crumbling? Doesnt such a resolution further diminish our chances for success at the very time our soldiers are preparing to go into battle? And finally, regardless of our politics is this the time to announce to the world that our president is 'on his own'? Votes: 0

Every foreign policy of every major nation involves reason, common sense, carrots and sticks. You can't have all carrots and no sticks. Votes: 0

We also have to ask if we focusing on the most important priorities. Votes: 0

If we do not design policies to halt, and then reverse population growth, Nature by default will soon exact a most punishing solution Votes: 0

During a campaign speech in Ohio, President Obama said, 'I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth'. So to be fair, he wants to take your silverware and spread it around. Votes: 0

The Air Force is pulling nine cargo aircraft from military operations to support President Obama's stepped-up visits to campaign events. Good, now he can carry his entire ego with him on the trail. Votes: 0

I don't attend [church] regularly... Votes: 0

Cyberspace is the battlefield of tomorrow... Instead of confronting us head-to-head on the traditional battlefield, adversaries will confront the U.S. at its point of least resistance- our information infrastructure. Votes: 0

For a long time in American history, people didn't even come up before the Senate. They didn't come before the Judiciary Committee, and up until about 1923, something like that Votes: 0

Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort. Jeri and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people. Votes: 0

Twelve million illegal immigrants later, we are now living in a nation that is beset by people who are suicidal maniacs and want to kill countless innocent men, women and children around the world, Votes: 0

I think that we ought to be a tolerant nation. I think we ought to be tolerant people. But we shouldn't set up special categories for anybody. And I'm for the rights of everybody, including gays, but not any special rights. Votes: 0

The average 20-year-old serving us in Iraq knows more about their country's national security than the average 20-year political veteran serving in the Congress today. Votes: 0

I'm not particularly interested in running for president, Votes: 0

This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it. Votes: 0

If we have more people on the receiving end of government - more people as the middle class becomes sucked in more and more to these entitlement programs, for example - then we're going to be in a place where it's going to be hard to go back. It's going to be hard to go back again. It's going to be hard to take away stuff. It's not impossible. Votes: 0

A lot of people out there working hard and finally building up to getting a pretty good income. Higher tax rates on them, you know, the income rates going up, the dividend rates are going up, the capital gains rates all going up before health care kicks in. Votes: 0