Insight

“Self-defense is a part of the law of nature; nor can it be denied the community, even against the king himself.” —William Barclay (1546-1608)

Credit Where It’s Due

“I think that reports of the death of democracy in the United States are grossly, grossly exaggerated. America is a shining city on a hill. … I don’t believe that American democracy is under serious threat. Far from it. I continue to believe that America is the greatest global guarantor of democracy and freedom.” —British Prime Minister Boris Johnson

For the Record

“America is no longer a pariah among nations when it comes to abortion law. Pre-Dobbs we were one of SEVEN countries allowing nationwide elective abortion after 20 weeks It is no longer North Korea, the People’s Republic of China & the United States of America.” —former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany

“Roe v. Wade was overturned under the most pro-abortion administration in United States history. Remarkable.” —Mary Margaret Olohan

Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste

“Given the … far-right extremism and the imbalance and the compromised integrity of the Supreme Court, we need to expand the courts to restore balance and integrity.” —Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley

“This Court has lost legitimacy. They have burned whatever legitimacy they may still have had. … I believe we need to get some confidence back in our Court, and that means we need more justices on the United States Supreme Court.” —Senator Elizabeth Warren

Anti-Federalism

“We have never left individual rights to the states. … So what we believe is that access to abortion, like other medical procedures, should be available across the board to all people in this country. … First of all, we need to help the women who are pregnant right now and need help. … It … means asking the president of the United States to make abortion as available as possible with the tools he has, including medication abortion, including using federal lands as a place where abortions can occur.” —Elizabeth Warren

Intraparty Squabbles

“Not every Democrat is pro-choice, okay? So, the ones that aren’t, we really need to reassess if it’s appropriate for them to continue to serve in 2022.” —Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Braying Jennies

“F*** Clarence Thomas.” —Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot

“You better hope that they don’t come for you, Clarence, and say, ‘You should not be married to your wife who happens to be white.’ … And you better hope that nobody says, you know, ‘Well, you’re not in the Constitution. You’re back to being a quarter of a person.’” —"The View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg

Non Compos Mentis Award

“Gender-affirming care is lifesaving, medically necessary, age appropriate, and a critical tool for healthcare providers. As a pediatrician, when it comes to making sure kids are healthy and happy, I know how important care that affirmed someone’s true identity can be.” —Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine

And Last…

“Odd that all these Planned Parenthood clinics are closing simply because of one Supreme Court decision, when we’ve been told for decades that abortion is ‘only a small part’ of what Planned Parenthood does.” —Darrell B. Harrison