Insight: “Many people never grow up. They stay all their lives with a passionate need for external authority and guidance, pretending not to trust their own judgment.” —Alan Watts (1915-1973)

“If you are serious about wanting to improve education, do not vote more money for the education establishment that has been dumbing down the schools for years. Vote for vouchers, tax credits, or anything else that will transfer decision-making power to parents.” —Thomas Sowell

“The Democrats’ inflation is turning American workers’ pay raises into effective pay cuts, essentially pickpocketing American families. You might think this would give our Democratic friends some pause and encourage them to deal in reality.” —Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell

“Let us #NeverForget that it was the Islamist ideology which inspired the terrorist attacks and declaration of war against America on 9/11. And it is this Islamist ideology that continues to fuel terrorist attacks around the world and is the foundation for so-called ‘Islamic’ countries like Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia’s discriminatory policies against Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists, etc.” —Tulsi Gabbard

Democrat infighting: “I don’t know that young lady [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] that well. I really don’t. I have met her one time, I think, between sets here. But that’s it. So we have not had any conversations. She’s just speculating and saying things because she wants to.” —Senator Joe Manchin (“Manchin has weekly huddles w/ Exxon & is one of many senators who gives lobbyists their pen to write so-called ‘bipartisan’ fossil fuel bills. It’s killing people. Our people. At least 12 last night. Sick of this ‘bipartisan’ corruption that masquerades as clear-eyed moderation.” —AOC, September 2)

The BIG Lie: “Look, I don’t want to punish anyone’s success, but the wealthy have been getting a free ride at the expense of the middle class for too long. I intend to pass one of the biggest middle class tax cuts ever — paid for by making those at the top pay their fair share.” —Joe Biden

Demagogue: “That sunny American optimism, so key to our national identity, has been replaced by a growing sourness and divisiveness in the land. … We have a once in a generation opportunity to rebuild our economy and rekindle faith in America’s future.” —Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

Friendly fire I: “The notion that General Milley said that ‘nothing I or anyone else indicated a collapse of [the Afghan] army or this government in 11 days,’ I just don’t think that’s true. If the administration really said, ‘Nobody could see this coming,’ then that probably suggests that the contingency planning for something that was a real possibility wasn’t all that it should have been.” —Democrat Senator Tim Kaine

Friendly fire II: “I’m very disappointed that Secretary [Lloyd] Austin declined our request to testify today. … I expect the secretary will avail himself to the committee in the near future. And if he does not, I may consider the use of committee subpoena power to compel him.” —Democrat Senator Bob Menendez

Friendly fire III: “The execution of the U.S. withdrawal was clearly and fatally flawed.” —Bob Menendez

Non compos mentis: “I’m puzzled by these people who continue to say they’re forced to get vaccinated… If you do not want to get vaccinated, you can work from home. You can homeschool your children. You can shop online.” —MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle

Dr. Flip-Flop: “I would support [a vaccine mandate]. If you want to get on a plane and travel with other people [then] you should be vaccinated.” —Anthony Fauci, September 2021 | “I don’t see [a vaccine mandate] on a national level merely because of all the situations you have upon encroaching upon a person’s freedom to make their own choice of their own health.” —Anthony Fauci, July 2020

Grand delusions: “[The Statue of Liberty] is a strong, powerful woman with her hand up saying if you’ve been oppressed anywhere in this world, you come to our harbor. This is the safe harbor for people suffering from oppression. My friends, that oppression, in my judgment, is going on right now in the state of Texas, and our harbor is open for people to come here and understand that we will be there to take care of them and protect them.” —New York Governor Kathy Hochul

Village idiot: “I see the U.S. is having its dumb little annual pity party again.” —University of Toronto professor Jonathan Weisberg vis-à-vis 9/11

And last… “I think after seeing all the celebs without masks or social distancing … at the Met Gala we should pretty much move on with our lives.” —Janice Dean