The Patriot Post® · Friday Short Cuts

Insight: “That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.” —Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Taunting: “Congress’ role here is not to provide their approval for the [Iran nuclear] agreement, but they essentially had 60 days to play the spoiler. And if the votes go the way we think they will, and I think everyone expects that they will, the Congress’ opportunity to play that role will expire next week. And that will be good news and it will mean that the international community can move forward with implementing the agreement.” —Obama spokesman Josh Earnest

Non Compos Mentis: “This [Iran deal] is historic. This is grand. This is visionary. This is about peace. Some of our members are saying this is the first time since I have been here that I have been able to vote for peace rather than just against war. So, I have confidence in it. The president has the authority to do this.” —Nancy Pelosi

For the record: “Political fealty to President Obama’s hoped-for legacy in foreign affairs means this dangerous deal will likely move forward, despite the overwhelming and bipartisan opposition to it in Congress and the clear will of the American people. … History will remember this stunning display of partisan loyalty and willful blindness. And it will remember this Senate as the one that — when given the chance to stop the world’s worst sponsor of terrorism from obtaining the world’s worst weapons — blinked when confronted with that evil.” —Sen. Tom Cotton

Political theater: “Biggest political mistake that [Obama] made is, after his brilliant campaign in 2008, he basically said to the millions of people who supported him, ‘Thanks for getting me elected, I will take it from here.’ I will not make that mistake.” —Bernie Sanders

Late-night humor: “According to a New York Times report, Hillary Clinton’s campaign is trying to put the whole email scandal behind her. They say they want to start bringing humor and spontaneity to her campaign. And nothing says spontaneity like announcing you’re about to be spontaneous. ‘Here comes the spontaneity in 3, 2, 1 … Boo!’” —Jimmy Fallon