In today’s leader on the war in Iraq you refer to Chirac, Schröder, and Putin as a salon des refusés. Presumably, Bush and Blair are of the salon proper. Your wordsmith has forgotten that it was precisely des refusés, like Manet and Cézanne, who had been vindicated by art history, not the other way around. Your misappropriation of the art metaphor serves you right!

Addendum (April 27, 2003)

Upon return from Belgrade, where I spent two whole weeks, I discovered that The Economist had published this letter. It can be found in the current issue. The letter has been edited a bit, however. The last sentence is missing altogether. Not to worry, though. The war in Iraq is behind us, but the peace is still a long way off. The last sentence stands as it is.