As a political commentator of the time put it, most real-world people she knew thought of Washington, D.C., as a whorehouse where every four years or… - Gregory Benford

But these were mere passing irritants. Deeper were the systemic troubles. She stressed the many unknowns; the media wanted sharp answers to huge questions, preferably in a compact one-liner. She tried to emphasize the progressive questioning of her method and how all answers were provisional, awaiting confirmation; reporters liked zippy adventure and exciting guesses with, of course, striking visuals in primary colors.

Wars don’t determine who’s right, only who’s left.

You'll never get it to follow orders." "Slaves follow orders, Colonel. You want something done a slave can't, you don't ask for a slave to do it.