Insight: “Make men wise, and by that very operation you make them free. Civil liberty follows as a consequence of this; no usurped power can stand against the artillery of opinion.” —William Godwin (1756-1836)

For the record: “The least curious people in the country right now appear to be the credentialed news media, a situation normally unique to tinpot authoritarian societies.” —Matt Taibbi

Unhinged: “Originalism is racist. Originalism is sexist. Originalism is homophobic. Originalism is just a fancy word for discrimination.” —Senator Ed Markey

Moving the goal posts: “In 1876, there were nine justices on the Court. Our population has grown enormously since then. Should we expand the Court? Well, let’s take a look and see. And that relates to the nine district courts. Maybe we need more district courts as well.” —House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Court Jesters, Part I: “The fact is that our Republican colleagues are shattering the norms and breaking the rules and breaking their word, and there will be consequences. … Nothing less than everything is at stake. A shift in the balance of the court that will last for decades if we do not correct it — and believe me, there are appropriate measures that should be considered.” —Senator Richard Blumenthal

Court Jesters, Part II: “The Republican majority is lighting its credibility on fire … The next time the American people give Democrats a majority in this chamber, you will have forfeited the right to tell us how to run that majority. My colleagues may regret this for a lot longer than they think.” —Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

Total lack of self-awareness: “Generations of unborn will suffer from this decision [to confirm ACB].” —Chuck Schumer

Grand delusions: “Today … will go down as one of the darkest days in the 231-year history of the United States Senate.” —Chuck Schumer

Braying jackass: “Hell no.” —Mazie Hirono while casting her ACB vote

Alpha jackass: “Donald Trump would kill reporters if he could get away with it.” —Joe Scarborough

Theater of the absurd: “When this nightmare is over, we need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It would erase Trump’s lies, comfort those who have been harmed by his hatefulness, and name every official, politician, executive, and media mogul whose greed and cowardice enabled this catastrophe.” —Robert Reich

And last… “Why is it ok for a Biden to make 80k a month from a foreign gas company, but not ok for a Pennsylvania man to make 80k per year from an American gas company?” —Joe Borelli