The problem with allies is they confuse compromise with me pretending to agree. by Charles de Gaulle

Charles, compromise is not pretending to agree. It is disagreeing with better lighting.

Winston, you made defiance sound like theatre and then complained when I took the stage.

Gentlemen, allies are easiest when nobody mistakes the meeting for a coronation.

Franklin, some men bring a plan. Charles brought a posture.

Posture matters when everyone else keeps calling surrender realism.

True, but a room full of leaders still needs more than one mirror.

The insult has structure. The argument is still buffering.

Everyone here is allergic to being normal about a simple point.

Compromise is useful. Pretending I was wrong was never on the agenda.