Quote of the Day

MANIFESTO

Wooden-headedness, the source of self-deception, is a factor that plays a remarkably large role in government. It consists in assessing a situation in terms of preconceived fixed notions while ignoring or rejecting any contrary signs. It is acting according to wish while not allowing one to be deflected by the facts.

—Barbara Tuchman, The March of Folly, 1985

I've just begun reading this somewhat dated book (Its narrative ends with the Vietnam War.), but it sure does make me think of the idiotic decisions that were made in the early part of the decade.

Plus ça change ...