The Quotable Rod Wright

There have been few legislators more fun to watch than Rod Wright. Often both funny and thoughtful, you always knew that he was speaking his mind.

Among his greatest quotes from his time in the Legislature;

QUOTABLE: During his time in the Legislature, Wright was one of the most quotable members, often serving as the go-to person for reporters to get a quote from on a variety of issues. Among his quotes:

When asked in August 2014 about how he felt about the Senate suspending him, Wright answered; “At the end of the day, the Senate has to look at protecting the institution. It’s not about me. You have to do what you perceive to be in the best interest of the institution. I respect that. … The institution is bigger than two or three members.”

When accused of being “owned by the gun lobby” after accepting campaign contributions, Wright replied “To say in 1996 that a black man is ‘owned’ by somebody is a bit over the top.”

“The last thing Jesus said, he said ‘Love everyone’–not straight people–‘love everyone, as I have loved you.” He also noted that “I don’t think anybody here can say they don’t fall short of the glory of God.”

“If what you want to do is ban handguns, then stand up and say you want to ban handguns.”

”This society no longer values parenting, we no longer value mothers. We evaluate people by how much they go out and work.”

“Everybody who is a drug addict is guilty of sales, not some people, everybody who is a drug addict is going to commit some level of sale if for no other reason to support their habit.”

In 1997, referring to a bill to ban the manufacture of “cheap” handguns; “This is an assault on poor people. Inexpensive handguns are purchased by my constituents as a means of home-protection.”

“The idea of operating a business in South Central L.A. unarmed is unfathomable… The problem is you have people with such a low regard for life.”

“If you’ve never maintained it (a gun) and you don’t know how to store it that person ought not have a gun because that’s an accident waiting to happen.”

“Social problems are never as simple as banning something. If that were so, I would have banned ignorance a long time ago.”

Speaking against gang injunctions in 1998; “When skinheads or white groups participate in unlawful activity, they’re not called gangs. No one does injunctions against them.”

“Why is there never enough time to do it right, but there’s always enough time to do it over?”

“At some point, common sense should weigh in and stupidity must be set aside.”

“When I was running for this Senate seat, people would ask me why I wanted to go back to Sacramento. Policy is my passion. If you are not doing what you love, it really doesn’t matter.”