The Patriot Post® · Thursday Short Cuts

Insight: “Stripped of all its covering, the naked question is, whether ours is a federal or consolidated government; a constitutional or absolute one; a government resting solidly on the basis of the sovereignty of the States, or on the unrestrained will of a majority; a form of government, as in all other unlimited ones, in which injustice, violence, and force must ultimately prevail.” —John C. Calhoun (1782-1850)

For the record: “Many of the same people expressing outrage that Trump would dehumanize vicious gang members have no problem dehumanizing innocent, unborn children.” —Marc A. Thiessen

Upright: “I started saying in 1985 I don’t think we should have … music talking about n—rs and b—es and hoes. It had no impact. I’ve said it. I’ve repeated it. I still repeat it. To me that’s more damaging than a statue of Robert E. Lee.” —Prodigious jazz musician Wynton Marsalis

Zero tolerance: “Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place.” —Donald Trump to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un

It’s on: “I don’t think people should be staying in the locker rooms, but still I think it’s good. You have to stand proudly for the national anthem. Or you shouldn’t be playing, you shouldn’t be there. Maybe they shouldn’t be in the country.” —Donald Trump on the NFL kneeling “solution”

And last… “Pretty sure if Jesus called the pharisees a brood of vipers, it’s ok for us to call MS-13 animals.” —Allie Stuckey