Observations

“The Chinese spy balloon incident appears to have quickly evolved from embarrassing national security failure to national farce. We let a sophisticated Chinese surveillance balloon fly the length of the United States and now, in reaction to that embarrassment, are practically scrambling the jets every time a little girl lets go of her helium balloon at a birthday party. … The failure here is ours and ours alone. How can the most sophisticated society in human history lack the capacity to track a primitive aviation technology dating back to the 18th century?” —Rich Lowry

“The whole world saw a slow-moving balloon transiting Montana, Kansas, South Carolina — and the United States of America did nothing. … I can’t imagine that the risk of some falling debris over a place like Montana exceeded the risk of global shame.” —former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo 

“The Chinese Communist Party oppresses its people, controls the press, discriminates against religious believers whose primary faith is not in the regime, refuses to hold fair elections, and jails and kills opponents. In this they are not unlike Soviet Russia. They are today’s ‘evil empire.’ Beijing’s aggressive agenda must be opposed, or the threat will spread to the point we might not be able to deter them. Backing measures to keep China from buying up American land is a good place to start, even while monitoring the skies for more balloons.” —Cal Thomas

Non Compos Mentis Awards

“Today, we begin to collectively heal from the horrific events which transpired, tomorrow we work. … F*** your thoughts and prayers.” —Michigan State Rep. Ranjeev Puri vis-à-vis the Michigan State shooting

“I’m going to say something that’s always controversial but there is no rationale for assault weapons and magazines that hold 50 to 70 bullets.” —Joe Biden

“Extremist group Family Heritage Alliance said this morning that the safest place for kids are in families that have a married mom and dad. What a dangerous and un-American belief.” —Rep. Erin Healy (D-SD)

Race-Bait Shakedown

“We have heard way too many stories from generations past of infrastructure where you got a neighborhood, often a neighborhood of color, that finally sees the project come to them but everyone in the hardhats on that project … doing the good-paying jobs don’t look like they came from anywhere near the neighborhood.” —Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

Belly Laugh of the Week

“I will tell you this: The president is the best communicator that we have in the White House.” —White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre