The Patriot Post® · Wednesday Short Cuts

Insight: “I can scarcely contemplate a greater calamity that could befall this country, than be loaded with a debt exceeding their ability ever to discharge. If this be a just remark, it is unwise and improvident to vest in the general government a power to borrow at discretion, without any limitation or restriction.” —Robert Yates (1738-1801)

“Prosecutors knew that [Darrell Brooks] had a lifetime of violence and bail-jumping and disregarding the law, but Wisconsin prosecutors recommended a $1,000 bond. … And now, six body bags later, prosecutors finally concede that bond was too low. We already know that. $1,000 was too low when you set it. Now, after six people are dead, and dozens more injured, you set the bond at $5 million. So what’s different now? He was a career criminal before he killed six people at a Christmas parade. We don’t need prosecutors to react after there are six bodies laying on a parade route; we need prosecutors and politicians who prioritize public safety beforehand.” —Trey Gowdy

“[Darrell Brooks] should not have even been on the street. [He] had clear, anti-white animus. And this was an intentional act. And it seems like, you know, for corporate press, they’re more apt to characterize a parent who goes to a school board meeting to protest bad policies as a domestic terrorist than somebody who intentionally rams an SUV into a crowd of innocent people.” —Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Friendly fire I: “Let me be clear, Oakland needs more police. We have been interrupted by staffing reductions, COVID interrupted our recruitment and training processes, and the defund rhetoric is challenging our ability to attract and retain recruits.” —Oakland, California, Democrat Mayor Libby Schaaf

Friendly fire II: “I don’t know that the travel ban makes sense. I don’t know that it’s that different because he’s banning people from African countries and we know that this variant is not only in South Africa, and South Africa has some of the world’s best scientists and epidemiologists and I think that’s why they found the variant there. This variant was found in Israel, it was found in Belgium, it was found in other European countries. Why aren’t there bans from those countries? Why just Africa? I think that has to be called out.” —"The View’s" Sunny Hostin

“Dr. Fauci, I think, is the most dangerous bureaucrat in the history of the country. You know, he talks … about hurting science. I don’t think anyone has hurt science, has hurt the credibility of the CDC, has hurt the credibility of doctors more than Dr. Fauci because throughout this pandemic, he’s been dishonest. He’s been political. He’s been partisan. And and the American people know it.” —Senator Ted Cruz

Non compos mentis: “I’m losing my Covid patience. I’ve tried to reason with the unvaxxed. I’ve directed some to medical pros. I don’t judge but hear them out and steer them to facts. The unvaxxed love to say it’s about choice. But you know who doesn’t have a choice? My 3 kids under 5. … The looney carnival barkers at the school board meetings DO NOT reflect where most parents are. Your unvaxxed status is creating new variants. So get your damn shot. Or, stay inside your house. But don’t mess with my kids.” —Congressman Eric Swalwell

What could possibly go wrong? “It’s time to admit that we have to go to war against COVID. Require vaccination universally. Have the military run it. If you don’t want to get vaccinated, you better be ready to prove your conscientious objector status in court." —CNBC’s Jim Cramer

But hey, it could always be worse… "You can now see family and friends again in their homes, and use the bathroom, inside. Luxury.” —New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

Judicial intimidation: “I hope the Supreme Court is listening to the people of the United States because … I think if you want to see a revolution go ahead, outlaw Roe v. Wade and see what the response is of the public, particularly young people.” —Senator Jeanne Shaheen

Thanks, Captain Obvious: “We tend to use [the word transitory] to mean that it won’t leave a permanent mark in the form of higher inflation. I think it’s probably a good time to retire that word.” —Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell

The BIG Lie: “Right now, sending your kid to preschool in the United States costs around $8,600 per year. Under my Build Back Better Act it will cost $0.” —Joe Biden

Grand delusions: “Thanksgiving is about gratitude. In 2021 it’s Biden supporters and liberals who seem grateful for America, for American institutions and ideals, for the American way of life. It’s Trumpists and today’s conservative movement who seem to be bitterly lacking in gratitude to America.” —Bill Kristol

Hardly in better hands: “Our role is not to be bound by the First Amendment, but our role is to serve a healthy public conversation and our moves are reflective of things that we believe lead to a healthier public conversation. The kinds of things that we do about this is, focus less on thinking about free speech, but thinking about how the times have changed.” —new Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal last year

Belly laugh of the week: “It’s time to stop demonizing ‘invasive’ species: Climate change is forcing some animals to move. Don’t call them ‘invasives.’” —Vox’s Marina Bolotnikova

And last… “It’s not hard to imagine that the day will soon come when the radical left begins touting abortion as a tool for managing population growth as the Chinese Communist Party has done for decades.” —Mike Pence