The Patriot Post® · Thursday Short Cuts

Insight: “All questions of power, arising under the constitution of the United States, whether they relate to the federal or a state government, must be considered of great importance. The federal government being formed for certain purposes, is limited in its powers, and can in no case exercise authority where the power has not been delegated.” —Justice John McLean (1785-1861)

Upright: “In the wake of the recent homicidal shooting rampage at an Oregon community college, I’m forced to come to the conclusion that it is high time for common sense national background checks for journalists. It’s time we closed the political loophole and prevented biased, ignorant political operatives from getting their hands on a dangerously misleading national microphone.” —Michael Reagan

Non Compos Mentis: “People walked in like literally down because of the beating, the beating Hispanics are taking at the hands of the Republican caucus — I mean the Republican presidential race.” —Joe Biden using his favorite word, “literally,” completely wrong once again

Village Idiots: “I think [Rachel Dolezal] was a bit of a hero, because she kind of flipped on society a little bit. Is it such a horrible thing that she pretended to be black? Black is a great thing, and I think she legit [sic] changed people’s perspective a bit and woke people up.” —singer-songwriter Rihanna

Dezinformatsia: “I always find it amazing that, when it comes to gun control, the Second Amendment is unassailable to those who support gun ownership and gun rights, but then, when you talk about terror, the Fourth Amendment is completely open season in search and seizure, right?” —CNN’s Ashleigh Banfield

Wrong prescription: “Many [Republicans] talk about improving mental health care. One of the biggest providers of mental health care — especially in disadvantaged communities — is Medicaid. For those who say they want to work with the administration in limiting gun violence, we would welcome the support for the Affordable Care Act and expanding Medicaid.” —Josh Earnest (The answer is not bigger government.)

Game changer: “I don’t think President Putin is playing chess. He’s playing checkers.” —Josh Earnest

And last… “It’s official: The Democratic debate will be held on a game show set, so the promise of so much free stuff will seem perfectly natural.” —Twitter satirist @weknowwhatsbest