The Patriot Post® · Monday Short Cuts

Insight: “Nothing is less productive than to make more efficient what should not be done at all.” —Peter Drucker (1909-2005)

Observations: “Recent polls suggest that nearly two-thirds of Americans report self-censoring about politics at least occasionally, essentially becoming a nation of doublethinkers despite the magnificent constitutional protections for free thought and expression enshrined in the Bill of Rights. … We need a Twitter Test challenging bottom-up cultural totalitarianism that is spreading throughout free societies. That test asks: In the democratic society in which you live, can you express your individual views loudly, in public and in private, on social media and at rallies, without fear of being shamed, excommunicated, or cancelled?” —Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky

For the record I: “Former President Trump’s actions [preceding] the riot were a disgraceful — disgraceful — dereliction of duty. … The leader of the free world cannot spend weeks thundering that shadowy forces are stealing our country and then feign surprise when people believe him and do reckless things.” —Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who voted to acquit

For the record II: “After careful consideration of the respective counsels’ arguments, I have concluded that President Trump is guilty of the charge made by the House of Representatives. … President Trump incited the insurrection against Congress by using the power of his office to summon his supporters to Washington on January 6th and urging them to march on the Capitol during the counting of electoral votes. He did this despite the obvious and well known threats of violence that day. President Trump also violated his oath of office by failing to protect the Capitol, the Vice President, and others in the Capitol. Each and every one of these conclusions compels me to support conviction.” —Senator Mitt Romney

Non compos mentis: “We could have called God herself and the Republicans weren’t going to be willing to convict.” —Rep. Eric Swalwell (“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked.” —Galatians 6:7)

Demo-gogue: “It was nearly two weeks ago that Jill and I paid our respects to Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who laid in honor in the Rotunda after losing his life protecting the Capitol from a riotous, violent mob on January 6, 2021. [Saturday], 57 Senators — including a record 7 Republicans — voted to find former President Trump guilty for inciting that deadly insurrection on our very democracy. The Senate vote followed the bipartisan vote to impeach him by the House of Representatives. While the final vote did not lead to a conviction, the substance of the charge is not in dispute.” —Joe Biden

Forewarning: “This Administration will not wait for the next mass shooting to heed that call. We will take action to end our epidemic of gun violence and make our schools and communities safer. Today, I am calling on Congress to enact commonsense gun law reforms, including requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets. We owe it to all those we’ve lost and to all those left behind to grieve to make a change. The time to act is now.” —Joe Biden

Then: “China is going to eat our lunch? Come on, man. … I mean, you know, they’re not bad folks.” —Joe Biden in 2019 | Now: “I was on the phone for two straight hours with Xi Jinping. … If we don’t get moving, they’re going to eat our lunch.” —Joe Biden in 2021

What could possibly go wrong? “I pledge to advocate for and acknowledge all lived experiences and intersectional identities of every Sailor in the Navy.” —Task Force One Navy pledge

And last… “Pretty amazing how ‘Follow The Science’ became ‘Follow The Teachers Unions While Calling Your Opponents Anti-Science’ overnight, and our incredible Journalismers went right along with it.” —Ben Shapiro