Noted & quoted.

• Position: Soundbites - Brief Article

They have become very good at bringing the country very bad Republicans.

--Ralph Nader, independent candidate for president, on what he sees as the Democrats' failure to champion liberal causes and offer an alternative to Republicans. (The New York Times, Feb. 23)

I got something good from them: I can read and write.

--Muhammed Ismail Agha, 15, an Afghan who was recently released from imprisonment at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on one positive result of being held for 14 months by the U.S. as a terrorist suspect. (The New York Times, Feb. 11)

You now...