In an uncertain era, expressing certainty is a potent weapon

In the course of a single week, there has been all of this:
“I have been truthful and consistent on every level since day one,” actor Jussie Smollett told the world after prosecutors dropped 16 felony counts that accused him of making a false police report about being the target of a racist, anti-gay attack.
“I am highly confident,” high-profile lawyer Michael Avenatti said after being accused of trying to extort money from Nike, “that I will be fully exonerated and