The Patriot Post® · Thursday Short Cuts

Insight: “The principle that the end justifies the means is in individualist ethics regarded as the denial of all morals. In collectivist ethics it becomes necessarily the supreme rule.” —Friedrich August von Hayek (1899-1992)

Upright: “Teaching black children that they are living in a racist country and that they have no chance without government intervention, without diversity politics, without receiving special treatment because of their race destroys that child’s sense of humanity, personal uniqueness and personal responsibility. We have two competing cultures in America today. One culture says that life is, by nature, hard and that achievement comes from diligence, good character and struggle. The other culture says that life is only hard if it is unfair, and that life can be made fair and easy through politics. The latter is the culture of the left, which damages the very individuals it pretends to help. If we want to build a more perfect union, believe that every person is unique and that what people look like tells you nothing about who they are.” —Star Parker

For the record I: “[Jon Ossoff] is an unusually entitled young man who has never in his entire life … done anything meaningful or impressive, or even had a real job. He has a list of credentials the length of your arm, all of which we are supposed to be impressed by, but not a single actual accomplishment. In a world of shallow politicians, Jon Ossoff is lighter than air. He makes Beto O'Rourke look like Teddy Roosevelt!” —Tucker Carlson (Actually, Ossoff has held a job … answering constituent letters for Representative Hank “Guam Could Capsize” Johnson, the dumbest member of Congress)

For the record II: “In recent days, Rep. Louie Gohmert filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Electoral Count Act. His lawsuit sought to give Pence the power to make authoritative rulings. By virtue of filing that lawsuit, Gohmert acknowledged that the vice president currently does not have that power. Two federal courts dismissed the case. Those suggesting that Pence has that power would be agreeing with the notion that four years ago Joe Biden could have rejected the Electoral College votes and declared Hillary Clinton the winner of the 2016 presidential election.” —Gary Bauer

Observations: “I’m going to be interested in seeing how many media accounts say that the protests [Wednesday] were ‘mostly peaceful’ (which is true). I’ve heard only one such characterization. To the contrary, am I the only one who detects a barely concealed glee in the non-stop, furrowed-brow media coverage going on right now? This is not to excuse Trump for blundering, but our garbage media can’t help themselves, and while Trump will be gone two weeks, we’re stuck with these horrible people.” —Steven Hayward

And last… “The greatest thing we all have the power to do right now, wherever you are, is to pray for the best outcome for this country.” —Will Witt