The Patriot Post® · Tuesday Short Cuts

Insight: “The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is hard business. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.” —Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

Braying Jackass: “I went to Trump Tower after the election. I thought that there was a chance he would come to his senses. But I was wrong.” —Al Gore

Non Compos Mentis: “It is a form of theological malpractice that borders on heresy when you can p-r-a-y for a president and others while they are p-r-e-y, preying on the most vulnerable. You’re violating the most sacred principles of religion.” —"Rev.“ William Barber

Political futures: "Politics is a team sport, and Republicans are playing it poorly. They have one more chance in the Senate to repeal and replace ObamaCare — possibly their last hope for a victory. Democrats are performing like a well-coached team. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has all 48 members of his caucus on board with saving ObamaCare at all cost. It’s been a successful strategy. It works for one reason: Republicans are divided.” —Fred Barnes

Pompous gloating: “Republicans attempted to take away health care from millions and failed twice because the American people made their voices heard and overwhelmingly rejected this bill. … Make no mistake: This bill’s defeat is a victory for human decency and for the millions of families who rely on the Affordable Care Act.” —Tom Perez

Belly laugh of the week: “We’re actually sincere … in saying that we hope that [Republicans] come and talk to us. And they’ve got to jettison the tax cuts and the gutting of Medicaid, but we will talk to them about some of their concerns about flexibility if they will give us some long-term guarantee that these exchanges will be solvent and strong.” —Chris Murphy

And last… “I’ll never understand how after 6 years they didn’t have a bill in the desk ready to go. It’s astounding.” —Stephen Miller