“We knowingly build fairy tale models of the future in order to lie with confidence”

--- John Helm, in conversation, 29 June 2012

"Gentleness should not be confused with softness"

--- The Economist's Lexington columnist, in an obituary for Washington bureau chief Peter David, 19 May 2012

From the column:

"Above all, though, he brought to journalism a rare elegance of spirit. In tackling really hard questions, he carefully weighed opposing arguments before the application of reason, guided by strong liberal instincts, led him to a crisp conclusion. The approach, and his personal style, were gentle. But gentleness should not be confused with softness. On some issues, such as Iraq, you could knock against a surprising toughness, like an underwater rock. He stoutly defended his support for George Bush’s invasion in 2003, based on the information that was available at the time, but never shrank from cataloguing the disasters that followed."