It’s an uncertain night in early November after the American election, and I find myself checking for footnotes. Yes, footnotes. I reach for footnotes, marginalia when things are uncertain. It’s a habitual hold over from my days in grad school. I used to think footnotes were there to provide clarity. Further citation, a reference to a clarifying source, see
here for authority, credibility.
Credibility sounds awfully appealing right now.
We learned about the truth this year, just as I learned with footnotes years ago, it all depends on your sources. You can state anything in the primary text if you cite a persuasive source or personality to back it up. Or even better, cite nothing at all! Just do it with authoritative style.