The Patriot Post® · Thursday Short Cuts

Insight: “Force and reason — which last is the essence of the moral act — are at the two opposite poles. The one who compels his neighbor … treats him, not as a being with reason, but as an animal in whom reason is not.” —Auberon Herbert (1838-1906)

Non-endorsement endorsement: “Planned Parenthood’s Worst Enemy Just Endorsed Ted Cruz” —Think Progress headline

Who needs the First Amendment anyway? “This matter [of holding climate skeptics liable] has been discussed. We have received information about it and have referred it to the FBI to consider whether or not it meets the criteria for which we could take action on.” —Attorney General Loretta Lynch

Great idea! Someone should get on that: “I think you should be able to take college credit courses when you’re in high school.” —John Kasich

Getting testy: “Oh for goodness — [an indictment] is not going to happen. I am not even answering that question.” —Hillary Clinton when asked if she would leave the race if indicted

The BIG lie: “I am not a natural politician, in case you haven’t noticed, like my husband or President Obama, so I have a view that I just have to do the best I can, get the results I can, make a difference in people’s lives and hope that people see that I’m fighting for them and that I can improve conditions economically and other ways that will benefit them and their families.” —Hillary Clinton, who made a similar statement in February

Upright: “Hillary will shamelessly, blatantly, and egregiously lie whenever she needs to in order to avoid blame. Any voter who doesn’t see that by now is hopelessly naïve.” —Jim Geraghty

And last… “We suppose [Sunday’s] debate, which was held in Michigan, couldn’t actually have hurt Sanders that much, seeing as how he did manage to win there when everyone expected him to lose. It’s only a matter of time before somebody calls him piggish for upsetting Mrs. Clinton on International Women’s Day.” —James Taranto