Declarations

Share the Road Safely

“We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe.”

—Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announcing a U.S. government ban on “texting” by drivers of commercial trucks and buses. It follows a similar ban in December for drivers of federal government vehicles. The ban carries fines of up to $2,750. The National Safety Council, a research and advocacy group, estimates that 200,000 crashes on U.S. roads are caused by drivers who are texting.

Buckled Up

“If AIG collapsed, it would have buckled our financial system and wrought economic havoc on the lives of millions of our citizens.”

—Former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson defending the decision to rescue troubled insurer American International Group Inc. in 2008 before the U.S. House of Representatives.

Fire Danger

“As the baby boomer generation ages, more and more patients are treated in their homes with portable medical oxygen. It’s crucial that patients, their families, physicians and other caregivers are aware of and understand fire risks associated with home oxygen use.”

—Colleen Ryan, a Massachusetts surgeon, commenting on a recent rash of Bay State fires linked to in-home oxygen systems. The state has created a task force to raise public awareness of fire danger posed by the devices. In December, a 62-year-old woman died in a fire she started by smoking near one of the devices.

Bad Salami

“The company’s goal right now is to take prudent, proactive measures to do everything possible to remove any products that do not meet our high standards for quality and taste.”

—Statement issued by R.I.-based meat manufacturer Daniele Inc., which last month recalled 1.2 million pounds of pepper-coated salami linked to a salmonella outbreak that sickened people in 40 states.

Burnt Chicken

“Things happen, I guess. I probably won’t rebuild. The cost is going to be a lot more than my insurance is going to pay.”

—Merle Grass, owner of a chicken farm in Belfast, Maine that burned to the ground last month, taking with it 72,000 chickens. The chickens were housed in a three story, 500-foot poultry barn, which was completely destroyed. Officials say it’s impossible to determine the cause of the blaze.