https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/07/13/procrustean-bed/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 15:56:25 -0400<![CDATA[One of the most enduring political problems is finding a &#8220;legitimate&#8221; reason to do something convenient. When a crisis happens along that provides an excuse to gratify ambition, it is seized as an opportunity. If nothing turns up, then a justification can always be manufactured. The desire to make facts conform to desires is as old as antiquity. Green mythology tells the story of Procrustes. A blacksmith by day and a bandit when otherwise not employed, Procrustes &#8220;had an iron bed in which he invited every passer-by to spend the night, and where he set to work on them with his smith&#8217;s hammer, to stretch them to fit. In later tellings, if the guest proved too tall, Procrustes would amputate the excess length; nobody ever fit the bed exactly because secretly Procrustes had two beds. Procrustes continued his reign of terror until he was captured by Theseus, travelling to Athens along the sacred way, who &#8216;fitted&#8217; Procrustes to his own bed.&#8221;]]>Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:33:48 -0400<![CDATA[Richard Fernandez]]>https://pjmedia.com/richard-fernandez/2009/07/13/procrustean-bed-n188803