The Patriot Post® · Tuesday Short Cuts

Insight: “The most dangerous man, to any government, is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost invariably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane and intolerable, and so, if he is romantic, he tries to change it. And if he is not romantic personally, he is apt to spread discontent among those who are.” —H. L. Mencken (1880-1956)

Alpha Jackass: “When you go to Disney, do they measure the number of hours you wait in line? Or what’s important? What’s important is, what’s your satisfaction with the experience? And what I would like to move to, eventually, is that kind of measure.” —Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald (“This is not make-believe, Mr. Secretary. Veterans have died waiting in those lines.” —Paul Ryan)

Demo-gogues: “No nation is perfect. Two centuries on, the United States is still striving to live up to our founding ideals. We still deal with our shortcomings — too much money in politics, and rising economic inequality. Racial bias in our criminal justice system. Women still not being paid as much as men doing the same job. We still have problems and we’re not immune from criticism — I promise you, I hear it every day.” —Barack Obama in Vietnam

Friendly fire: “In all due respect to the current chairperson [Debbie Wasserman Schultz]: If elected president, she would not be reappointed to be chair of the DNC.” —Bernie Sanders

And yet his carbon footprint is still monstrous: “It’s not unusual to see attacks on a messenger by people who don’t like the message. I don’t own a private plane. My house runs on 100% renewable energy. I do walk the walk.” —Al Gore

And last… “Bernie Sanders is one of the most honest and authentic people to run for president in a long time. He’s also one of the dumbest.” —Frank Fleming