Quotable & Notable

“I can’t modulate God’s will, sweetie.”

-- Joanne Herring (played by Julia Roberts) telling Congressman Charlie Wilson (played by Tom Hanks) that she cannot tone down her religious fervor as they plot to arm Afghan mujahedeen against the Soviets in the film “Charlie Wilson’s War”

“I wanted to give the world an idea of how we live in the Holy Land.”

-- Palestinian carpenter Tawfiq Salsaa, who has created a wooden Nativity scene with a wall separating baby Jesus from the three wise men

“While the Republicans are passing a resolution celebrating Christmas, the president was vetoing health care for children. There’s a little bit of irony here.”

-- U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., explaining why he voted against a congressional resolution recognizing the importance of Christmas

25 million tons

-- The amount of extra waste Americans generate between Thanksgiving and New Years, most of it wrapping paper and packaging, according to Sierra Club

“We have been conducting doctrinal frisks and theological GI-tract exams. ... These candidates are not running for president of the seminary ... [or] pastor in chief.”

-- Republican strategist and former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed

National Catholic Reporter, December 28, 2007