Death of I.F. Stone, ‘Conscience of Investigative Journalism’

There is poignancy in Conrad’s carton of June 21, showing I.F. Stone drinking “To truth . . . “ with Socrates. That is, until one recalls Stone’s book “The Trial of Socrates,” where he has meticulously documented that philosopher’s propensity to befuddle his opponents by deliberate distortions in the service of his pro-totalitarian, anti-democratic, and even anti-free speech convictions (so anxious was Stone to avoid error by relying upon possibly incorrect translations that, in his 70s, he took the trouble to learn Greek, a stupendous task).

I suspect the journalist is more amused than angry, but Conrad should brace himself for some embarrassment when he meets Stone (but not Socrates) in the Elysian Fields. The cartoon is also inaccurate in depicting Socrates as much taller, slimmer and handsomer (and, by insinuation, nobler) than Stone: he was short, fat and snub-nosed, well below Golden Age standards.

A. ALEKOUMBIDES

Westminster