A Democrat Who Supports Obama Criticizes Anti-Romney TV Ad

"I have to say, from a very personal level, Fm not about to sit here and indict private equity. I live in a state where pension funds, unions and other people are investing in companies like Bain."

The Democrat Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Cory Booker, surprised an interviewer with his refusal to endorse an advertisement claiming Mitt Romney's former employment at Bain Capital made him unworthy to become the nation's President.

After U.S. Training, Some Afghans Become the Enemy

"It's hard not to like some of these guys. But I'd be lying if I said there was trust across the board." in the first five months of 2012, a total of 22 coalition soldiers have been killed by uniformed Afghans, prompting the above remark by American Army Lieutenant Nicholas Olivero. In 2011, a total of 35 soldiers were killed by supposedly friendly forces.

Dozens Die as Mexico's Drug Wars Continue

"This is tit-for-tat. For Sinaloa, it's a way of bringing down these upstarts and for the Zetas, it's about protecting their reputation for extreme violence, which is their main asset."

Former senior intelligence officer Alejandro Hope commented after 26 bodies were found in a Sinaloa stronghold, and 23 other bodies were discovered in a Zeta-controlled area.

NATO Secretary-General Promises No Change In Afghan War

"There will be no rush for the exits. Our goal, our strategy, our timetable remain unchanged."

Addressing world leaders at the Chicago NATO conference, NATO's top official Anders Fogh Rasmussen confirmed that NATO, not the United States, is the decision-maker regarding the struggle in Afghanistan.

Not Taking Vacation Trips to Greece This Year

"They hold Germans responsible for all their [monetary] misery. You want to go on holiday to have a comfortable break, not to be lynched."

Speaking for himself and many other Germans, Rudolf Kugel, a taxi driver who regularly vacationed in Greece, notes that many of his countrymen will not be going to Greece this year.

Poor Choice for Egyptians In June Runoff

"If it's really Shafiq/Morsi, then I'm launching a 'vote for Satan campaign.' Why settle for a lesser evil?" Egyptian journalist Aashraf Khalil obviously doesn 't care for the two top finishers in the initial election for the presidency of his country. Ahmed Shafiq is a former air force general who served in the Mubarak Cabinet. Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, is favored by most Islamists.

Opium Production Continues to Flourish After United States Spent $8 Billion to Curb It

"Now I am desperate; what can I do? I don't have any cash now to start another business and if I grow any other crops, I cannot make a profit." A southern Afghanistan farmer, Mohammed Anún, finds himself in a difficult situation.

Is Donald Trump's Endorsement Worth Anything?

"The costs are clear. The benefit? What voter is going to vote for [Romney] because he is seen with Donald Trump? The cost of appearing with this bloviating ignoramus is clear it seems to me."

Columnist and TV commentator George Will supports Romney and suggests that the presumptive GOP nominee should steer clear of Trump.

- COMPILED BY JOHN F. MCMANUS