It's a gift.

Dear Barack,

You are fortunate that you are following an administration that has utterly destroyed its credibility by proving I.F. Stone’s dictum that a journalist only needs to remember two words: Governments lie.

I’m sure your initial impulse is to restore credibility to the government.

Take my advice: Don’t!

A total lack of credibility is a boon to any administration. Its absence allows you to lie through your teeth. If you are caught, the public shrugs its shoulders and figures it’s just business as usual.

If, however, you reestablish credibility and are caught in a diplomatic lie, public outrage will crucify you.

Your anonymous predecessor has given you a precious gift. Treat it with care and lie with gusto. The proles expect it from you.

Your admirer,
Belacqua Jones