She's this amazing woman who did nothing wrong, who, to some degree, has people staring at her now on the subway because of what an idiot her husband was.
Quit grinning like an idiot, her grandmother would sometimes tell Zichen, turning from her clipping, and Zichen would straighten her face, but when her grandmother turned back to her customer she smiled again at the back of a man's half-shaved head, or at the shoelaces of someone waiting on the bench.
Four years ago, when one of our writers went to London Fashion Week "dressed like an idiot" her takeaway was: "as long as you believe your own hype, you can be anyone you want to be".
Decca's life in America is scrupulously followed: her happy second marriage, the loss of two of her children, her radical politics, her extraordinary career as "Queen of the Muckrakers," her glee at demolishing idiots and frauds, her generosity, her implacable enmity when earned, and most of all, her courage.
She lobbies for precision, she said, and has at times removed "a harsher tone — 'What fools, what idiots.' " Her husband looked up from the screen, to say that ninety-nine per cent of his columns passed through her scrutiny largely unaltered.
On the other hand, one white-haired granny with a shopper shuffled past muttering "bunch of idiots" under her breath.
She later adopted me at a warehouse after party because we are both idiots (ask her and she will tell you the whole story).
The model featured in a photo that launched hundreds of racist comments has made it clear she's not letting idiots getting her down.
Why am I even trying at this company when idiots like her reap all the rewards?" When this less-than-pleasant thought process arises, we can take one of two courses.
Whatever her other talents, she's more than willing to play the role of useful idiot for her party.
