“Absolute power unchecked is always a danger. Our best laws come when we have a loyal opposition, not one that wants to kill everything. Heavens, I’ve worked with Barack Obama many times.” —Gordon Smith, appearing on Lars Larson’s radio show last week, on the dangers of an unchecked Democratic majority.

“You’re going to be missed and remembered, buddy.” —Retired Portland Police Lt. Harry Jackson, to former Police Chief

Derrick Foxworth, at the latter’s retirement party.

“It sucks…but [I’ll] keep on working. It’s just a little setback…. It happens. You come down on people’s feet and there’s nothing you can really do. You can’t change your shoes; you can’t change your orthotics. It happens.” —Greg Oden, on the “midlateral right foot sprain” he incurred in the Blazers’ season-opening game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

“These are the kinds of gifts that are going to transform the way we address cancer today and in the future.” —Brian Druker, director of OHSU’s Cancer Institute, on Nike founder Phil Knight’s $100 million donation.

“That should remind your parents to pay on time.” —A cafeteria employee at Jacob Wismer Elementary School who parent Radha Moghe says dumped her third-grade daughter’s lunch in the trash upon finding that the girl’s account was empty, according to The Oregonian.