The catalyst was the renovation of Washington’s famous Reflecting Pool. Instead of a crystal-clear reflecting pool, visitors were greeted by what looked more like a stagnant green pond, covered in algae. The episode reminded me of an interview given to Kathimerini last Sunday by Cyprus’ former energy minister, George Papanastasiou. Although the circumstances are entirely different, there is a common thread: the willingness – or otherwise – to acknowledge reality when it collides with political loyalty. Unlike Washington’s reflecting pool, the consequences would not simply be cosmetic.