I think I'm going to always put "so-called" in front of the word "authorities" from now on too.
I like the way it sounds.
my buddy works at Hunter College in NYC.The NY Times once did an article on the school and quoted an Authority they spoke to at the school. It was the basis of their report ..He was the head custodian as it turns out( technically he WAS an AUTHORITY , just not on the subject at hand , thats all ). My buddy was good friends with him and he told them the whole story .They both had a good laugh and never read the Times again after that.