Insight: “The best of all government is that which teaches us to govern ourselves.” —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

Alpha Jackass: “Our politics remains filled with division and discord, and everywhere we see the risk of falling into the refuge of tribe and clan and anger at those who don’t look like us or have the same surnames or pray the way we do. And at such moments, courage is necessary. At such moments, we need courage to stand up to hate not just in others but in ourselves.” —Barack Obama

Non Compos Mentis: “Maybe, just maybe, [Trump] didn’t get rid of a guy who lied to the vice president, who got paid by the Russians, who went on Russia Today, because there are other people in his administration who met secretly with the Russians and didn’t reveal it until later, until they were caught. That may be why it took him 18 days, until it became public, to get rid of Mike Flynn, who is a danger to this republic.” —Sen. Al Franken

Tolerance: “So the #homegrownAssads in the #FreedomCaucus want employers to not have to offer health care to employees. Like gassing their own people!” —health care expert entertainer Bette Midler

With “Republicans” like these… “I don’t think that low-income women should be denied their choice of health care providers, for family planning, cancer screenings, for well women care. It’s not the only issue in this huge bill. But I certainly think it’s not fair and it is a mistake to defund Planned Parenthood. It’s one of many issues.” —Sen. Susan Collins

And last… “Odd it’s been two days since the patriarchy won again and yet there still aren’t any women’s marches in France.” —Twitter satirist @hale_razor