Insight

“To curtail free expression strikes twice at intellectual freedom, for whoever deprives another of the right to state unpopular views necessarily deprives others of the right to listen to those views.” —C. Van Woodward (1908-1999)

Political Futures

“Polling shows that abortion is not at the highest level of voter concerns, even after the unprecedented leak of a draft decision that would end Roe. Politico conducted a rush poll after the leak, and it did not find an electorate obsessed with abortion. … Women’s issues, including abortion, ranked fifth out of seven. The most important, of course, was economic issues, named by 41% of registered voters. Next was security issues, with 16%. Then came seniors issues, with 10%, and healthcare issues, with 9%. And then came women’s issues, including abortion, at 8%. … On the other hand, look at the dominance of economic issues. When 41% of voters, given multiple choices, choose one area as most important, that says it is really, really important. And the poll did not even mention the word ‘inflation,’ which likely would have sent the number even higher. Nevertheless, voters named the economy their top concern by a broad margin. Abortion just isn’t anywhere near that. … Of course, something entirely unforeseen could occur and consume our politics. But right now, bet on the economy to be the decisive factor in November.” —Byron York

Non Sequitur Award

“So the Republican Party supports forcing women to give birth against their will, but opposes providing childcare, paid leave or healthcare. Got it.” —Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (“Government-sponsored childcare, paid leave, healthcare — these are all policy questions, which is to say they are matters chiefly concerned with policy. … Abortion, on the other hand, is strictly moral issue. … The question isn’t whether or not there’s a better, more efficient, less expensive way to kill an innocent human being; it’s rather that killing an innocent human being is always wrong on the merits.” —Daniel Payne)

Non Compos Mentis Award

“[Justice Samuel] Alito’s fundamental legal reasoning is that abortion is not a fundamental right because it doesn’t go back to the founding because the Founding Fathers didn’t recognize abortion as a fundamental right, and he’s right about that. The Founding Fathers didn’t recognize abortion as a fundamental right because the Founding Fathers were racist misogynist jerk faces who didn’t believe that women had any rights at all.” —The Nation legal correspondent Elie Mystal

Requesting Intersectionality Cleanup on Aisle 6

“If men could get pregnant, [abortion] wouldn’t even be a conversation.” —California Governor Gavin Newsom (“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but men have periods and men can get pregnant. I didn’t make the rules, I’m just reminding you of your own.” —Kira Davis)

Hoodwinker

“As a pro-life Utahn, I’m concerned that the never-ending tug-of-war over abortion laws threatens to create a public health crisis and further divide the nation without solving anything. … If Roe v. Wade is overturned, some states will immediately enact extreme laws — such as total bans on abortion, onerous limits on birth control, and criminalization of women in desperate situations. I oppose these laws.” —Utah Senate candidate Evan McMullin (“Why can’t [Donald Trump] actually say the words ‘I want Roe v Wade overturned?’ I’m the only pro-life candidate in the race.” —presidential candidate Evan McMullin, October 19, 2016)

Snake Oil

“I believe that we should help [gender dysphoric individuals] have the life-affirming care that they need. There are many transgender youth who have actually gone in the opposite direction, taking their life. If we can make a life better for someone in America, we should, especially if, in consultation with their physician, they approve of those procedures.” —Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra

Braying Jennies

“I think extreme is a nice way of putting it. … I tend to think that not every conservative is MAGA, but MAGA — that’s the least you could say, is that they’re extreme.” —"The View’s" Sara Haines

“I think [Joe Biden’s] being very nice actually when he says they’re extreme.” —"The View’s" Joy Behar

And Last…

“The left insists that the American people overwhelmingly support abortion. Well, if that’s true, then why are they so afraid of letting the people in the states have a say?” —Gary Bauer